The difference between a sloppy, unsuccessful internet business and a successful, budding enterprise is research and planning. It’s not always the most exciting part of the ride, but without it you’ll have a very short ride indeed. Think of things in terms of the long run. If you put sloppy content or design up on your site it will leave an awful first impression, one that’s hard to run out of people’s minds. Start out strong and there’s no where to go but up!

I talk a lot about figuring out your personal comfort zone, etc. But now you need to find your niche.

What’s going to make your business unique and fresh to an already established industry?

Whether you’re selling environmentally friendly sex toys, or porn shot exclusively in corn fields you need to know the power behind it. Why start up a business in which hundreds of other people have already established a name for themselves?

If you want to put one foot ahead of the game, be unique. Find something that people want, but don’t yet have. Something new and fresh. Find a personality trait, a market, an audience for what you want to do. Look at what’s out there, and figure out what’s lacking. You have the opportunity to bring something completely brand new to the industry. Take advantage of it! You might even have a bit of fun researching your competition. (Okay it can actually be a lot of fun!)