Web masters can charge their fee in different ways, such as taking up a contract for a fixed fee, charging
on an hourly basis in accordance to the difficulty level, or by working on a full-time basis for a customer.
Their mode of operation is still progressing, and the industry has a good scope for budding web masters.

Business Potential
The services of web masters have a good demand in the international market. As customers will have
to entrust webmasters with FTP passwords of their websites, they choose to know them personally.
Therefore, web masters may have to travel to meet customers while working for them.

Skills Required
Knowledge of HTML and multimedia programming languages (Java, Perl, CGI and Macromedia Flash) is
essential.  A web master should also know to access virtual servers for updating the customers’ websites, and have a working skill with graphic design and Internet marketing methods.
Challenges
A web master’s business website can be simple enough to accept requests on forms or through e-mails,
so that the services are delivered after contacting the customer; or it could be slightly advanced to allow
on line payments, interacting with customers through the front-end and allowing management tasks
through the back-end.

The business usually involves contracts within the scope of the services. As the basic skills like HTML
knowledge are easy to acquire, there is a note worthy competition in the industry. Several people,
who possess some of the skills, charge very little money to offer their services. The web master should
discuss well with the customer, with regard to the pricing and responsibilities, and also explain the
value of the services, so that customers can understand the importance of using the cost-effective and
high quality services of the webmaster. As passwords are the sole security aspect of websites, the web
master must respect them during the contract, and also after the contract is completed.

Initial Employee Requirement
An organized webmaster can set foot in this business, and operate it successfully, working part-time
from home.

Essentials
As the webmaster can design and develop the website, the cost of outsourcing this task can be saved.
You will need to have hosting services, software, computer, printer, scanner and digicam.
Programs like Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop and Front Page are also necessary. A high-
speed Internet connection is something very essential for this business.
Marketing
The web master can display a portfolio on the website, exhibiting past projects and customers’
testimonials.

An awards page on the website could display any awards received by taking part in online design
contests.

The website should be optimized with search engine requirements, via pay-per-click programs of search
engines.

Joining networks and communities of other web masters will be useful to introduce the business to
many.

Getting links to the website from other related sites, directories, cybermalls and meta-indexes will
increase the traffic.

Including graphic design services and online marketing services would be useful to generate more
revenue. Besides, this would add to the value of the web master’s skill, and it is possible to get long-
term contracts from customers, provided the services are professional and cost-effective.

The Internet has brought about a radical change in the real estate industry, owing to its potential to
reach a global audience. The traditional real estate business involves publishing listings in appropriate
publications, television channels and monthly newsletters, which may be distributed around the
concerned area. Toady, real estate agents can post these listings on the Internet and reach customers
from any part of the world. A real estate website offers two main advantages as mentioned below:

• Widening the exposure of the real estate listing
• Widening the exposure of the real estate services

The business can also be carried out in two ways. The first method is to launch the real estate website
to target prospective customers in a particular geographic location. The second method is to offer the
services to a bigger geographic area that could cover an entire country. As an agent you can represent
the interested  buyers across the country, but at the same time allow other agents to post their listings in
the website. The commission from sales referred from your website will generate additional revenue.

Business Potential
An online real estate business has a high scope in the international market, as people, who move to
regions that are covered in your website may seek your services and real estate listings.

Skills Required
The work of an online real estate agent is quite similar to that of an offline agent, and hence should have
the license to carry out the business in any particular area. It would be useful to have a good idea of all
the available Internet marketing techniques.

Challenges
The real estate business website can have any level of sophistication, and may not require online
payment processing facilities, as you can receive payment from customers directly. If the website is
designed to allow real estate agents update their listings, then a completely integrated database is
essential for holding these listings.

All the listings placed on the website should be precise, so that visitors are not mis led. In case, there are
any changes in the listing, with regard to price, features and availability or non-availability, the website
must be updated instantly with fresh information. For instance, if a house is already sold, and the listing
on the website is not updated, a potential buyer who contacts you and learns that it is sold, will be
disappointed, and may decide never to visit the website again.

If other agents are allowed to post listings on the website, there should be a means to monitor these
postings. First of all, people who do not possess a real estate license should not be allowed to post on
the website. Further, there should be a password-protected access to the database for agents to update
listings with text or images. The license number can be used as a unique ID for each agent, in order to
track them easily. This is also an easy means to refer to them while searching the database. Every listing
on the website should be assigned a distinct listing number. Any visitor, who is interested in listing on
the website, can opt for a real estate agent, who can be contacted about the listing. They can do this by
filling up a form, which integrates with their choice and generates the listing number. Then you should
inform that particular agent and convey the visitor’s interest in the listing. Thus, it becomes easier to
track referrals.

Initial Employee Requirement
As there are two methods to operate this business, the number of employees is determined by
the method opted. If the website will represent only your real estate listings, you can manage the
operations by yourself. However, if it is going to focus on a broader region, the number of employees
will range from one to three. They should handle promotional activities (both online and offline),
respond to service requests and handle the administration of routine business operations.

Essentials
You need purchasing computer hardware, software, printer, scanner and digicam. If they are already at hand,
the expenses will be relatively lower. The real estate listings database is quite expensive, particularly
if you intend to offer services to real estate agents around a large area. If the database is used to hold
only your listings, the cost will be lesser. A tracking system will be required to track referrals to the real
estate agents represented by your website. Full-fledged web traffic analysis software will help track the
traffic source, and provide useful information for future marketing plans.

Marketing

Banner advertising campaign is a useful technique to increase the traffic by placing banner
advertisements on websites related to relocation, real estate, home buyers and those pertaining to the
geographic location of your business.

Links from websites, directories and meta-indexes, which are related to the real estate business,
relocation, and based on the geographic area represented by your website, will also draw more visitors.

Joining forums and newsgroups, which are related to the geographic area represented by your business
and real estate facts is an effective marketing method. Your professionalism can be highlighted by giving
worthwhile contributions, which will impact the audience. The signature file should be as good as an
advertisement for the business.

Joining mailing lists, which are related to the target audience, is a profitable means to bring more
visitors. Here again, a worthwhile contribution and an optimal signature file will accomplish a lot.

Sponsored listings programs with popular search engines will be useful to bid on the desired keyword
phrases.

Viral marketing will add to the website exposure, as visitors can invite or inform their friends from the
website, via links such as ‘Invite a Friend.’

Setting aside a part of the website for a featured listing will persuade curious visitors to re-visit the
website. If the website represents several locations, then a featured listing can be designed for each
location. Notifying interested visitors via e-mail about updates in this part tends to draw them again and
again.

New buyers who are interested can be notified by e-mail about new listings in a particular town or city
represented by your website. Thus, you can keep in touch with the market.

More income will come from sale of advertising space to other non-competing websites that focus on
the same audience.

• Providing free classified advertising space for people interested in both used and new sports
• equipment sales
• Setting up an on-line storefront and holding an inventory of used, as well as new sports
• equipment
• Joining several affiliate programs related to sports stores and providing links and
• recommendations to their products

Business Potential

From the international perspective, the sports equipment business has a huge market, rendering a
promising potential. Sports activities are universal and only language poses some limitation.

Skills Required
The business operator should be capable of answering customers’ questions regarding the merchandise,
and hence it is necessary to be familiar with sports equipment to some extent. Website programming
knowledge would also be beneficial.

Challenges
If the business focuses on affiliate programs, a simple website design is sufficient, to accept orders
and requests through e-mails and online forms, such that the business operator contacts the client to
complete the services. The classified advertisement model requires more sophistication, to allow online
payments and the website should have a back-end for management of inventory and accounting, as
well as a front-end to interact with clients. In case the online sports store has a corresponding offline
presence, the website should have a higher level of sophistication with shopping cart and automated
delivery and payment. It is also possible to make it much more advanced to allow a high extent of
automation, with regard processing orders, payments, and managing inventory, accounting, customer
support and other tasks.

The competition in the sports industry is the main challenge. As the Internet has some of the major
sports goods stores, it is likely that they offer goods for relatively cheaper prices. Therefore, it is
recommended to focus on a particular market, so that the inventory costs are also appropriate.

Initial Employee Requirement

The employee requirement is determined by the business model and the size of the business. Further,
the automation level of the website forms a determining factor. If the classified advertising or the
affiliate program model is chosen, one employee can manage the venture, working part-time.  The e-
store model requires more employees to handle shipping and customer service.

Essentials

You obviously need to have a computer with good internet connection  , relevant software,scanner and printer. It is essential to have a website explaining your services.

Marketing

A thoughtful link plan can be applied to generate links from various sports websites, in order to reach
out to the target market.

Permission marketing is an efficient technique to notify interested visitors about updates and new
products.

Including a section for weekly or monthly specials, to allow discounts on big items, will be attractive.
Interested visitors can be notified about latest specials from time to time.

If the website focuses on a particular sport, opt-in mail lists that are accessible to the public, serve as a
good marketing tool. The mailing list must necessarily contain vital pieces of information regarding the
sport with some links for the website.

Sponsored listings campaign can be conducted with search engines, so that appropriate keyword
phrases can be bid upon.

Banner advertising campaign is also a useful technique to reach the right customers.

Dedicating a section of the website for sports memorabilia will make it more appealing, and also
generate more revenue. These objects are associated with sentimental value, owing to their use in the
past or the person who owned it. In fact they form a significant category of the sports industry.

Business Potential
The business resource center website has a promising national and regional potential. From an
international point of view, foreigners who are moving to the place represented by the business may
benefit from its services.

Skills Required
A proficient knowledge of business operations, rules and regulations is mandatory. Online marketing
expertise is also advantageous to operate the business.

Challenges
A simple business website capable of accepting requests and orders via online forms or e-mails is
sufficient to run this business.

The next step is to contact the customer and deliver the services.  As most of the information, such as business forms, rules and laws presented on the website do not change, the website should be constantly updated to draw repeat traffic. Innovative ideas can be used to design the website, such as including a section for ‘Emerging Business’ or ‘What’s New.’ These would  be inspiring for entrepreneurs and bring back visitors again and again. As the revenue will come from
referrals, it is important to set up a system for tracking referrals. This can be done by assigning a unique
ID for each business listed on the website. Visitors interested in specific business services can request
its representative to contact them, through a form, which will automatically include the selection and
generated the ID. After the request is received, the website operator is responsible to get in touch with
the business to let them know of the visitor’s interest. Thus, it renders a simple route to track referrals.

One main reason for businesses to advertise on the website is the probability of drawing visitors to their
sites. Therefore, the website should be promoted with as many measures as possible in both the virtual
and real worlds.

Initial Employee Requirement
One person working full-time can take care of the operations involved in the business center website.

Essentials
Initially you need to get the computer hardware, as well as software, and the printer.
Other than that, the website creation involves the cost of designing, developing and hosting services.
The tracking system required for tracking referrals, and the mailing list software required to manage
mail lists .

Marketing

As there are numerous websites, meta-indexes and directories related to business services, generating
links from them ensures that the website reaches the market efficiently.

Owing to the availability of plenty of newsgroups and forums that are based on entrepreneurship,
business and also the geographic region represented by the resource center website, it would be
effective to join them and contribute appropriately to exhibit the professionalism of the business and
get the attention of the right market. The signature file used for posting should be designed strategically
to provide a good report of the services.

Mail lists based on the target market can be identified and joined, to contribute effectively with a
suitable signature file. This will encourage more people to have the glance at the website, resulting in
higher traffic.

Sponsored listings campaign with the best of the search engines is an excellent means to bid on the
suitable keyword phrases.

A ‘What’s New’ column or page will encourage curious visitors, and if they are interested, they can be
informed of the changes in the column or page by e-mail.

Promoting upcoming conferences and seminars related to businesses will contribute to the revenue. The
service can be expanded to promote the event, allow online registrations and receive a commission for
each registration.

Blogs are as useful as products and services, owing to their versatility. Blogs offer several options for
posting; they may be open for posts from the public, they may invite posts from friends or may be
confined to the blog owner’s posting. They are opening doors for ongoing public conversations between
thousands of people.  Blog directories and blog software websites offer several means to earn money. It
could be done with banner advertising,  subscription offers and sponsorship. Further, they also facilitate
the promotion of technology-based products and services of the blog owner.

Business Potential
The business has a broad potential, at an international level, provided it is offered in all the major
languages. Nevertheless, English is accepted worldwide.

Skills Required

You can do it all by yourself, if you possess the programming expertise to develop the blog software,
portal and blog directory. Otherwise, the various components can be outsourced to get the job done.

Challenges

You can offer the blog software service with a website that is designed to receive customers’ requests
or orders, via information entered on online forms or via e-mails. You can use the contact details to get
in touch with your customer and deliver your service. An advanced system is also preferable, allowing
online payments for your services through the website, which should have a front-end to provide an
interface for your clients and a back-end to help you handle the tasks of inventory management and
accounts. A blog directory usually charges advertisers all through the year.

If you wish to take advantage the complete potential of the blog software service, you can spend on
sophisticated blog tools. They offer email notifications for updates, send the blog content to subscribers
through emails and permit an option for collaborative authors. Future facilities are unpredictable,
owing to the rapidly growing technology. The presence of a web traffic analyzer on the web server,
which hosts your website, will help you provide precise information about your website’s traffic to
advertisers.

Initial Employee Requirement

The business does not require a team to start with; one person’s efforts are sufficient, even if it is
undertaken as a part-time endeavor.

Essentials

All you need is a computer and suitable blog software. Initial expenditure includes
the costs associated with developing and hosing the website, the blog software, blog directory, as well
as the portal.

Marketing

Join newsgroups and forums that focus on your target market, in order to enhance the awareness of
your blogs, as well as your website traffic.

Ensure search engine optimization for your website, and think of joining pay-per-click advertising
campaigns using better known search engines.

Place a well-designed banner advertising campaign on websites related to your blog themes, so that you
can gain the attention of the targeted audience.

Build links from a multitude of websites, directories, as well as meta-indexes based on the topics used in
your blogs.

Build a sponsored listings campaign and bid on relevant keyword phrases using well-known search
engines.

Join opt-in mail lists, which are based on your blog topic and also allow public access, so that you can
communicate with your targeted audience.

Educational blogs and blogs based on specialized topics can be used to generate more income, by
charging the relevant fees. Hosting a blog directory with blogs on similar or different topics is another
means of getting more income. Signing up with affiliate programs of others who offer products and
services of interest to your targeted market is also a means of generating revenue.

Business Potential

The web designing business is a promising venture in the international market. Usually, customers
prefer to have personal interactions with designers, as they will be entrusting them with FTP passwords
of the website. Therefore, it is probable that the web designer will have to travel and meet customers
every now and then.

Challenges

The web designer can carry out the designing business through a website that receives requests via e-
mails and online forms, so that the designer can contact the customer to fulfill the request. An advanced
model may also be preferred with online payment facilities and distinct functionalities

Skills Required

Web designers must know the HTML programming language and also know to access virtual web
servers, so that customers’ websites can be updated. Besides, it is essential to possess graphic designing
skills and know multimedia programming languages like Java and Macromedia Flash, which are
fundamental for implementing the latest designing technology. Knowledge of several programming
languages like Perl, CGI, as well as database management would be beneficial. As a matter of fact, it is a
time-consuming task to learn all of these programming languages, and hence, it is best to develop a set
of skills, to remain on top with the technological development of that set of skills, rendering expertise.

Challenges

The web designer can carry out the designing business through a website that receives requests via e-
mails and online forms, so that the designer can contact the customer to fulfill the request. An advanced
model may also be preferred with online payment facilities and distinct functionalities for customer interaction and website management. The former is accomplished by the front-end, and the latter is done through the back-end. Initially, payment can be received as check, cash or via money order.

The competition in the web design industry is tough, and consumers select designers by considering
their talent. Therefore the designer should have an appealing portfolio, and the business website should
have links to sites developed by the designer, so that visitors can get an idea of the quality of work.

Initial Employee Requirement

A web designer, who is committed to the business, can carry out the business operations all alone, by
working on a part-time basis.

Essentials

As the web designer can handle the design and development of his or her website, there is no need
to outsource this task. Therefore, the costs pertaining to the mentioned services are saved. The
expenses will include hosting service costs and the purchase of the software, which will account for a
major part of the expense. Besides, programs like Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop and Front Page are
also required.

Marketing

The website should display a portfolio of the designer with past projects, accomplishments and awards.

Customers’ testimonials can be displayed on a section of the website.

Links can be generated from websites, directories and meta-indexes, which pertain to the target market,

in order to bring targeted traffic to the website. Getting links from business directories and business
service sites would be beneficial.

Taking part in forums and newsgroups pertinent to web development and other business services will
publicize the website. A clever signature file with an impressive tagline and hypertext link will tend to
draw the readers to the website.

Sponsored listings campaign is useful to bid on keyword phrases that are appropriate to the business,
with popular search engines.

A column set aside for web design advice would be beneficial for budding web designers, and also
generate repeat traffic to the website. Advice and instructions about using particular software programs
or design techniques will also be helpful. Interested people can be sent e-mail notifications about
updates in the advice column. Thus, people will be encouraged to return to the website to view the
changes.

Web designers may involve themselves in several on-line ventures, as they are capable of creating
unique entities on the web.

Other venues for extra income include graphic design services, project
management services and working with a design house.

Business Potential
The main focus will be on the surrounding locality, as traveling is essential to reach the appropriate places for performing the services. Therefore, international potential is not very high.

Skills Required
The business operator should be talented in photography, as customers would prefer a high degree of professionalism. Digital imaging skills will help improve the photographs or add personalized phrases.

Challenges
An online photography business can be carried out using a simple website to take orders via e-mails or forms, where customers enter the details. The form should be designed in such a way  that, visitors can request the price and other details about the business.
Online marketing techniques should be carried out in a full swing, in order to make the business visible to the focused market. If there are appropriate local websites in the area, such as coupon sites, it is a good idea to participate in them. Though it discounts the services, it tends to attract business.

Initial Employee Requirement
One person who is well-versed in photography can establish this business successfully, starting it as a part-time venture.

Essentials
Besides the computer hardware, software and scanner , it is essential to invest in photographic equipment like digital camera, CD burner and printer. Packaging materials, such as empty CDs and various picture frames should be purchased as well.

Marketing

• A part of the website can be set aside to establish a Virtual Postcard Section or a Photo Gallery section.Visitors can be permitted to send virtual postcards or sample pictures to their friends. As these pictures will be your own work, it will increase the credibility of your skill and also improve the website traffic.
• Using a viral marketing concept, visitors can be asked to invite their friends from your website. This can be facilitated by placing a link such as ‘Invite a Friend’, so that the website becomes more familiar in the market.
• Linking from plenty of web rings, websites, directories and meta-indexes, which focus on your target market, is a good means to popularize the website. These should include websites that target the locality and the field of expertise namely, photography.
• A sponsored listings campaign can be carried out to bid on keyword phrases via search engines.
• The photography website should be registered with directories and search engines.
• Additional services like digital imaging services, photo editing services and sale of CDs containing your work as postcards or screen savers will generate more income.
• Further, it will attract the tourism market, provided the pictures deal with historic spots or interesting spots in your locality.
• Custom framing services and gift certificates are also a great means to earn more.

Business Potential
An Internet flower store business has a wide international market, provided the business belongs to a network, in order to tackle orders outside the geographic locality.

Skills Required
An online store front is a requisite to distribute the orders properly. In case, you choose to fulfill orders also, then is essential to be familiar with the tasks associated with order fulfillment, and to join a national or international network, in order to handle orders, beyond the geographic bounds.

Challenges
Handling an online flower store demands a highly sophisticated website with a shopping cart, and provision for automated delivery of services and automatic payments. Besides, it is mandatory to join an international network, in order to fulfill orders.

Initial Employee Requirement
In case, you are not dealing with order fulfillment by yourself, then this business requires the dedicationof one part-time individual, so that it can be carried out using FTD or by getting affiliated to offline stores. But, if you intend to fulfill the orders by yourself, then you may need additional employees depending on the number of working hours, the store size and the volume of the business.

Essentials
You need a computer system and  a dynamic website. The website should include a storefront, and you should also join the FTD.

Marketing

• You can establish a broad link strategy and get your website linked from cyber malls, meta-indexes, gift website and directories that focus on your market.
• A sponsored listings campaign will be useful to bid on the best keyword phrases via competitive search engines.
• Offering a reminder service on your website will enable visitors to register, so that they can receive reminders of special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.., and greet their friends or family by sending flowers.
• You can also advertise discounts and deals on the website, which can be varied regularly. Visitors may also be informed about specials via emails, if they want.
• Another idea is to allot a space on the website to ask customers if they want to be informed about updates and changes of services and flower arrangements.
• Joining several cyber malls that focus on the same category of customers as yours will also help market your business.
• You can earn more by selling other products that could be of interest to your customers. These may include gifts and gift baskets that can be sent with fresh flowers, silk flower arrangements or plants, special balloons and cookies.