The detractors say that work is involved when you have an Internet business. Sure, it requires work but how hard is it to sit in front of a computer? I'm not saying no work is required but, on a scale compared with mining coal or fighting fires, I think working on internet is a very easy way to make money; we're not exactly risking life and limb here.

Consider these two options and tell me which one you think is easy way to make money. Option one requires you to leave home each day at a time dictated by your boss (you know: guy who wouldn't let you have time off when your mother was sick), commute to a place your boss has decided upon, wear clothing approved by boss, do what boss orders you to do for eight hours or so and commute back home when you finish. You get vacations but they have to be taken when it suits your boss and he shows no consideration for your partner's schedule or your kids' schooling.

For uninitiated, setting up an online business can be made so much more difficult if correct path is not followed initially.

To many prospective online entrepreneurs Internet presents an easy way to achieving a lifestyle of rich and famous.

Whilst there are a select number of internet businesses that are making preposterous amounts of money, there are also those that are making a mere pittance if not nothing at all.

If you are reading this you obviously want to know how to be in former category.

Well I can tell you that to be a top internet earner it takes more than merely registering your business, securing a domain name and publishing a site linked up with a few affiliates and then waiting for money to start rolling in.

In fact most of online businesses earn paltry amounts and fade away into insignificance in a short amount of time.

Take heart though because if you start off by following these guidelines to starting your own internet business, you will have a solid platform from which to grow your business.

The dismal performance of many home based internet businesses can often be caused by not adhering to one or more of following;

•A sound Business Plan is essential and it should consist of following:

- a short term plan (1-3 months)

- a medium term plan (6-12 months)

- and a long term plan (more than 1 year)

In this plan you need to record budgetary items as well as your objectives in terms of what you want to achieve in monetary value as well as lifestyle.

Reducing above to writing is highly motivating and serves as an excellent source for inspiration when you are feeling flat and demoralized.

Remember: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance