eCommerce Tycoon

**elbager** · 09-26-2010, 03:53 PM

Hi, Reading successful online entrepreneurs biographies I came to the conclusion, that prior to starting their business, they had some ( if not very extensive) computer background. Now the question I have is can a person how knows just the basics about computer (me) succeed in this business?
A little about me. I'm 43. I"m a marine engineer/ electrician, I never ran a business. I have plenty of time to devote to my business ( I work 3-4 month a year). I can travel/live anywhere in the world (probably irrelevant in online business). I'm ready to invest not more than 1k a month into promoting it. And I'm ready to work really hard to achieve my goals.
I had an online auction website a couple of years ago and although I lost money on it and it didn't generate a single dollar It was a very good experience and i realised that this is what I want to do ( I mean working online not running a failed website

)
Tell me your thoughts of what chances do I have with my background. You can be as honest as you want. I don't need " you can do anything you put your mind to" kind or things.

**ThailandForum** · 09-26-2010, 04:09 PM

As with any business it takes a couple of years to start breaking even, also it's **** hard work.

**tsak** · 09-26-2010, 06:24 PM

Well i would suggest you start learning the basics at least on the business that you are going to start. So you will not have any problems answering questions from your customers

**elbager** · 09-26-2010, 06:44 PM

I'm not afraid to work hard, been doing it all my life. My question is do i have to have a strong background in computers to be succesful.

**chrishirst** · 09-26-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbager

I'm not afraid to work hard, been doing it all my life. My question is do i have to have a strong background in computers to be succesful.

Only if you are working in IT.

**ThailandForum** · 09-26-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

I'm not afraid to work hard, been doing it all my life.

Quote:

I work 3-4 month a year

The irony

**elbager** · 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThailandForum

The irony

It took me over 20 years of hard work to get to the point when I can afford to be away from my family only 3-4 month a year.

**ThailandForum** · 09-26-2010, 09:59 PM

Well you got 2 main ways of doing it, set up loads of easy niche sites which will bring in small amounts each month, or go for a biggie and become the authority site for that subject.

**ThailandForum** · 09-26-2010, 10:05 PM

Oh, and don't bother relying on google adsense to make your fortune, you need people that want to advertise on your sites, a nice thread on google earnings http://www.webmaster-talk.com/google...g-adsense.html

**elbager** · 09-26-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThailandForum

Well you got 2 main ways of doing it, set up loads of easy niche sites which will bring in small amounts each month, or go for a biggie and become the authority site for that subject.

I'm coming to the conclusion that those are my only options. I'm leaning towards a single website though (targeted classifieds). I wrote a post in another section on this forum asking for people's opinion about it. I didn't get any response, I guess that's the answer right there.
I know I can't count on AdSense to make a fortune.

**ThailandForum** · 09-26-2010, 11:35 PM

100 sites all bringing in a little bit each month soon adds up. Lots of people do it that way, personally I prefer going for the biggie

**elbager** · 09-27-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThailandForum

100 sites all bringing in a little bit each month soon adds up. Lots of people do it that way, personally I prefer going for the biggie

I agree with you about going for a single biggie. I just can't imagine writing with authority on a 100 subjects or blogging on 100 sites about the same thing. At least that's how it's done in my understanding. Then again people do it so it's not impossible.
But speaking about one site approach. Last year I ran into an article ( I think it was about the launch of glassdoor.com) which basically said this; that if you spend enough time and money ,mostly the later, into promoting ANY online enterprise you will make it take off. Personally I think it's BS. What's your take on that?

**ThailandForum** · 09-27-2010, 12:58 AM

But spending money on advertising you never know how much till it does eventually take off, better to learn how to get your site onto first page for the words you want, all that costs then is time, if I had gone the money route on my site it would have cost thousands of dollars, but I'm after thousands of words

**ThailandForum** · 09-27-2010, 12:59 AM

Anyway regardless of that, first you need the basis of a good site, something that people might book mark, talk about or come back to, most sites don't even have the basics.

**elbager** · 09-27-2010, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThailandForum

Anyway regardless of that, first you need the basis of a good site, something that people might book mark, talk about or come back to, most sites don't even have the basics.

Amen. That's exactly what i think. What really amazes me is how much junk is out there that even managed to attract VC. That's why I asked the question about dumping the money into promotion.

**buzzerchat** · 09-27-2010, 02:32 AM

it takes some time to establish good business online.

**Julia76** · 09-28-2010, 04:01 AM

I think if you have plenty of time like you said , you should try to build yourself some solid professional network.

I mean just like you are doing, wandering on internet, some forums , try to get in touch with some webmaster but also firms runner , it is really important when you start your business that you are able to promote it efficiently.
Cause let's say it , even 1K a month may not be enough to ensure a proper communication , especially if you don't have any experience with marketing or public relation tools.

**elbager** · 11:53 AM

<P>

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julia76

I think if you have plenty of time like you said , you should try to build yourself some solid professional network.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by professional network Julia. You're talking about a network about my profession or a professionally done network of websites?

**ThailandForum** · 09-28-2010, 11:57 AM

^She's probably indian and just copying and pasting stuff, doubt she understands what she is trying to say nor actually cares.

**elbager** · 09-28-2010, 04:15 PM

I thought it was highly technical webmaster talk that's above and beyond a layman like me