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Does anyone know the easiest way to get my own small web business going?


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greaniebeanie

i saw this section and thought i'd ask my own business type question.

 

 

i've always wanted to design t-shirts and sell them on my own website.

 

 

anyone know how hard it is to get a small business going and where i should

go to get it up and running?

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Hi GreanieBeanie!

 

I think you have a wonderful idea! I'm all for the entrepreneur, and there’s nothing more satisfying than being your own boss while doing something you love! Working from home is GREAT! --- No traffic, road rage and/or office politics!

 

The first place to start is by locating an affordable server to host your site. I use ECommerce and it runs about 19.95 a month for 100 megs. You can shop around for more reasonably prices servers, but its always best to choose one that is reliable with good customer support.

 

There are also professional web designers who will help you set up a great looking website if you don’t enjoy fiddling with html…although there are web page design programs like FrontPage and Dream Weaver that make it fun and easy if you’re the artsy-fartsy type like me.

 

Next, you’ll need to determine your payment methods: whether or not you are set up to accept credit cards and such. I prefer to use Paypal rather then going through the hassle, but there *is* a small fee involved.

 

First and foremost, you’ll need to acquire a business license and/or use tax number for the state in which you reside. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam will want a small portion of your profit and will require that you charge and submit tax on all your local sales. Out-of-State sales, such as those sold to customers online, are not applicable yet, but there is rumor that the IRS is trying to change that.

 

If I can be of any help, please feel free to send me a PM with any other questions you might have. I’d absolutely LOVE to help you get started if there is any way I can help!

 

Good Luck!!

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I don't know if you are localed in the U.S. or in Canada. Here in Ontario we have small business centers that are run by the goverment. They are a great source for any info that you may need for starting a small business. They also offer seminars that run a couple of hours to all day long, they charge $5 - $25. I know business center in my town is offering one on selling your product over the net. Check and see if they have something along this line in your area.

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I really enjoyed reading your post Enigma. I actually have a small business I do from home and thought about expanding it as a website. You really have some great information there!

 

I also liked the link from Tac. That really looks like a great place to go with questions. I was impressed with the site.

 

Oh....and hello to GreenieBeanie and Carla too!!!!

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reasontosigh

I've not only subscribed to this thread, I also have it bookmarked.

 

Plenty of great info from everyone here!

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  • 4 weeks later...

Do you have your T-shirt equipment yet? I've been looking into it myself, but the start-up cost is a bit over my head... Even on ebay it's a bit costly...

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You guys are posting this about 6 months to late. I was at a fair in September and there was a lady that was selling her t-shirt business with regular customers.

She specialised in the tees with jewels. I had her number, but probably tossed it.

I'll have a look for it tommorrow but probably won't find it, or it's already sold.I think she was asking $5000 CAN. For everything machines, prints, jewels, show display, tees, sweats, to whole lot.

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Originally posted by greaniebeanie

i saw this section and thought i'd ask my own business type question.

 

 

i've always wanted to design t-shirts and sell them on my own website.

 

 

anyone know how hard it is to get a small business going and where i should

go to get it up and running?

 

This reminds me of <url removed>, where one can sign up and sell ones designs on T-Shirts, mugs, hats, and everything under the sun. You own your work and you turn a profit when people order.

 

Sadly, it almost seems better these days to find a company that will place the designs for you, and handle orders, doing the design yourself.

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