History

• The period from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s became known as the dot-com bubble due to the prevalence and success of the many Internet businesses that were launched during this period. The promise of endless riches to be earned using simple Internet businesses was so alluring that many people invested a significant amount of time and money into building businesses that later failed. Despite this, there were also many Internet businesses that survived this difficult time and have become giants in the internet industry, such as Amazon and Google.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Due to the high failure rate of Internet start-ups at the end of the dot-com era, it may be harder to secure funding from investors for high-budget internet business ideas. It is still possible, however, to create and run a highly successful business on the Internet, even if it's not as high-profile as Amazon. While there are many Internet business franchises available, it's fairly straightforward and simple to purchase a domain name and website hosting account to create your own original business concept. Starting any business will take time and effort, so the idea of getting rich quickly and effortlessly using the Internet is unrealistic.
  
  

Significance

• The ability of the average person to start and run an Internet business and to earn a living from it marks a significant turning point in the way people work. Internet businesses make it possible for women to stay home with their children and still contribute to the family's income or for men to support their families while still having the flexibility to spend time with their children. Anyone in general can enjoy a more flexible lifestyle and be in control of their earning power and their schedules with a successful Internet business.
  
  

Types

• The simplest form of an Internet business is a website created to inform readers about a particular topic that earns income from advertising. Other Internet businesses serve as a virtual store, where customers can browse products, add products to a virtual shopping cart, pay and arrange to have their purchases delivered directly to their front door. A third type of Internet business is a subscription-based website, which allows visitors access to content for a fee.
  
  

Considerations

• The success of any Internet business depends on the ability of the business owner to generate traffic to his website. When a visitor to your website finds it valuable, they will stay longer, come back again and purchase your products. The best way to start an Internet business is to choose a topic that you are passionate about and create a website that will allow you to share your knowledge and experience with the world.