Starting an Online Business For Dummies (eBook)

Greg Holden founded Stylus Media, a company specializing in creating web pages for small businesses. He has written more than 30 books, many focused on online business and the skills and tools that small-business entrepreneurs need to expand their operations on the Internet.

Introduction 1

Part I: Launching Your Online Business 9

Chapter 1: New Tools and Strategies for Your Online Business 11

Chapter 2: Opening Your Online Business 31

Chapter 3: Choosing and Equipping Your New E-Business 57

Chapter 4: Selecting Your E-Commerce Host and Design Tools 79

Part II: Creating a Business Website 107

Chapter 5: Organizing Your Business Presence and Attracting Customers 109

Chapter 6: Making Shopping Easy on Your E-Commerce Site 147

Chapter 7: Accepting Payments 173

Chapter 8: Communicating with Customers and Building Loyalty 197

Chapter 9: Sourcing Worldwide for Your Business 219

Part III: Social Networking and Marketing 233

Chapter 10: Advertising and Publicity: The Basics 235

Chapter 11: Search Engine Optimization 257

Chapter 12: Location, Location, Location Marketing 283

Chapter 13: Social Marketing: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Blogs 299

Part IV: Expanding Beyond Your Website 313

Chapter 14: Selling on Amazon.com and eBay 315

Chapter 15: Moving to Specialty Marketplaces 347

Chapter 16: Managing and Growing Your Online Business 365

Part V: Keeping Your Business Legal and Fiscally Responsible 379

Chapter 17: Keeping It All Legal 381

Chapter 18: Online Business Accounting Tools 397

Part VI: The Part of Tens 413

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Reach Mobile Shoppers 415

Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Develop a Platform 421

Index 427