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Why do you want to start an online business?

Some people would answer this by saying…to make money of course, what else.

Others would talk about how they want to bring their service to the world and can use the internet to reach out.

Both types of people would do well to spend more time pondering the question.

Why you start the business may not be directly talked about in the “how to start your internet business” courses, but it impacts how you go about building it and the marketing techniques you’ll use.

You would handle yourself quite differently if your online activities represent a part-time source of income selling other people’s products, than if you want to find consulting clients on the web to fill your practice.

And it would be different again if you want to grow a consulting firm which you will eventually sell to someone else.

The “why” you are in business includes not only money goals, it also involves lifestyle preferences.

There is of course the ever present question: how hard do you want to work, and there are other factors to consider such as:

• Do you want to be anonymous, or build a personal reputation?
• Do you want to partner with others?
• Do you want to work with your clients in person, or online?
• How much do you want to travel?
• Assuming all goes well, how big do you want to get; do you want employees?

Some of the answers will depend on what this business means to you:

• Are you motivated by more than money, even more than lifestyle? You might want to be an agent of change in the world, or at least in a little piece of it.
• Do you want to finally live your life purpose? (Assuming you know what it is)
• Or do you just want more money and you’ll find your meaning elsewhere.

You also need to consider your preferences, strengths and weaknesses: for example, do you hate writing, love talking, or need the intimate feedback of one-on-one connection?

Whether you start from the “make money” or the “being of service” point of view, you need to take time to ask yourself what you want from your business. And if you come up with a short one sentence answer, it’s not good enough to provide you with the guidance you need to save you costly mistakes.

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