E-Commerce – Set up your own shop full-time or part-time?

Make your own way
E-commerce is booming, and more and more entrepreneurs are choosing to strike out on their own. E-commerce business models offer attractive risk-benefit ratios, as it possible to maintain a relatively low level of investment and, thus, minimize the risk. The great thing about e-commerce is the fact that it is open to anybody, regardless of levels of schooling or education. It is easy to get into the business – however, only grit and perseverance will lead to success.

A look at the advantages
Once you have started your very own e-commerce business, you will able to work independently and manage your own time. You will benefit from a mature and existing business model that allows you to kick off your operations immediately without having to front large amounts of starting capital. Your upline (the person you managed to bring on board for your venture) will help you familiarize yourself with your new business, and direct and train you so that you quickly learn the ropes. You yourself will determine your salary, and you can be sure that you will reap the rewards and recognition that come with personal success.

The disadvantages
While getting started in the business is relatively easy and has many benefits, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when setting off on your own. Building your business will require a lot of time and dedication. However, your upline will support you in your efforts.

E-commerce: Full-time or part-time?
This is a question you have to answer yourself, as the multiplying effect in e-commerce means that a part-time occupation can quickly turn into a full-time job. However, the long-term goal when having a business partner should always be the option of turning it into a full-time business, as the number of your business partners is always an indicator of the success and importance of your own sales. At the end of the day, it’s the same story all around – the more time and dedication you invest, the more successful you will be.

These are some of the things you should keep in mind when deciding on whether to pursue the business full- or part-time:

• What type of person are you? Do you have extensive experience of the e-commerce business and are just raring to go, or are you more risk-averse and prefer to start slowly but surely, without pressure and without the urge to fling yourself headlong into a new project?
• Do you know ways, means and media to find new contact potential within a short period of time so that you can continuously generate new appointments with interested parties?
• Do you revel in schmoozing and face-to-face networking? Or do you prefer online marketing and carefully getting in touch with predetermined contacts?
• Do you work with clearly structured professional systems, or are you still testing the waters in terms of your product and business presentation skills or sponsor interviews?

Keep in mind that a full-time e-commerce business will only make sense once the salary it generates is significantly higher than your current income. In addition, you should be able to maintain your e-commerce salary for at least six months before venturing forth into full-time territory. Here, the following principle applies: the larger your business network, the higher the potential for commercial success. Be sure to not make the mistake of co-opting your own private network. For many a budding entrepreneur, this has ended in a lot of disgruntled friends and family.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when you get down to the e-commerce business. At the end of the day, it all hinges on your own personality, attitude and dedication.