With the New Year right around the corner, there is no better time to start thinking about how to start a home based business online. If you are like most people you have noticed that the job market is not too encouraging and job security is becoming obsolete. Unfortunately jobs are not like they were in the past, employment has become volatile and choosing a career can be very distressful for many. Even when you put in your time and get years of schooling, you are not guaranteed to get a job after graduation. Talk about a promising future! The idea of starting your own business is becoming more and more necessary for obvious reasons.

So how do you go about starting an online business from home? Outlined below are 5 steps to getting started:

• Identify A Niche
• Build A Website
• Generate Traffic
• Keyword Research
• Network

Identify a niche- Almost anything can be profitable online. You have to remember that when you put your business online you are not limited to your local consumers. Instead, you have the world at your fingertips as the internet gives you unlimited selling potential. What is it that you are passionate about and most interests you? This will be your niche and what you build your business around.

Build a website- It sounds so easy, right? Well it is! Don't be intimidated if you have never done it before or don't consider yourself to be technical or online savvy. There are many content management systems that make building a website easier than ever. You can also get step by step help in creating your own website through online business communities or by taking a free online entrepreneur course.

Generate Traffic- There are many ways to generate traffic to your website. Some of the most effective ways are to have quality website content that is original and unique, SEO, article marketing or blogging, keyword research, and advertising through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.

Keyword Research- Keywords are king and probably the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to getting traffic to your website. There are many great keyword tools out there like Google Keyword Tool and Jaaxy. No matter which keyword research tool you decide to utilize, pick one that has the best ease of use and you are most comfortable using because you will be using it a lot!

Network- It's always a good idea to surround yourself with like minded people and do bounce ideas back and forth to get the wheels turning. Fortunately for the online business entrepreneurs there are online business communities that do just that. An online business community is the best place to network online because not only will you meet like minded people but you will be able to learn a thing or two about how to build a successful online business.

As you are writing your New Years resolutions down this year make sure that you write down "start home based business online." This can be one of the most important resolutions that you will make this year. Starting home based business online has never been easier and more fun than it is today and now is definitely the time. When the job market is looking grim, you don't want your financial security to be holding on by a thread. Taking control of your future is the ultimate New Years resolution and one worth sticking to.

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