Are you sick of navigating rush hour traffic? Are office politics a major source of stress in your life? Is the job just enough to pay the bills with no opportunity for advancement? Are you one of the recently unemployed? It may be time to take your income into your own hands!



An online business requires many of the same sacrifices and personality traits as traditional businesses, but there are advantages. A virtual office, for instance, is virtually free of overhead. You'll still need a product or service to market and you will have to pay for computer maintenance and upgrades, Internet connection, and website fees. An online business, however, typically requires less capitalization and presents near limitless opportunities for growth.

Is an online business right for you? Contrary to many advertising scams, there is no easy or quick model for online success. You have to be dedicated and either currently possess or be willing to cultivate certain skills and personality traits. Read on to get an idea of what it takes to succeed in cyberspace.

Traits for Online Success

A virtual business requires an understanding of yourself. You need self-motivation to work every day as long as it takes to do the job. Anyone skilled at managing their time, planning ahead, and problem-solving will be off to a good start. A basic understanding of computers and design software will also go a long way.

Some personality types are not suited for online work. People who need to hear praise and encouragement are unlikely to succeed without a partner ready to offer these. Extroverts will find plenty of camaraderie in virtual communities, but those who need people around them physically are a poor match.

Necessary Skills

As mentioned, computer and Internet literacy will definitely be useful at the beginning, but more important is the ability to pick up new skills on your own. Technology is constantly changing, and people who can incorporate new tactics using the latest technology will enjoy a higher degree of success.

A sufficient online income is possible without worrying about all the technical aspects. Other businesses specializing in website design and social marketing can be contracted to handle these tasks. You will still benefit from an understanding of business basics.

These turn out to be the same basics required for a physical business. If you have the desire, it is worthwhile to look for online tutorials for creating a business plan. You could also look for classes on entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and other necessary skills.

Business Ideas

Possible avenues for income are only as limited as your imagination and consumer desires. Creativity is definitely a plus here. One avid gardener built a leading source of organic seeds by recycling old magazines into seed packets. Another individual wrote online exercise tutorials and uses this as a tool to sell exercise balls and other equipment.

An online business should be approached like a traditional one. Create a business plan, and be ready to adapt and learn new skills as needed. Some people are naturally suited to the challenges, but anyone with the motivation can learn the necessary traits.

Diane Mai is a freelance blogger who writes about ways to make money online. Diane recommends a great website with plenty of income-generating ideas: check it out here.