College Student Looking Into a Startup

[MonkeyBizz]

Hello everyone-

I have been skimming through this forum for the past few weeks. I'm a 19 year old college student looking into starting something this summer to keep me busy and hopefully something that will grow.

I am leaning towards an online business. To be honest, I don't have much experience in e-commerce or starting a business and I hope to learn quickly!

What do you experienced individuals suggest I do from this point?

Where can I register for an online domain and how much will it cost me?

I am interested in the e-commerce idea because I enjoy working with technology/internet. Also, one of my close friends started an online business where he lists bar and waiter jobs. Members pay a monthly fee of $10 and they are directly linked to jobs they desire. I was hoping doing something like this but not a COPY!

Some facts about my demographic:
Location: Walnut Creek, CA (Bay Area)
Age: 19
Occupation: College Student

Thank you all for your time.

[TheCompany]

It's always great to see YE's getting involved and having a desire to network. (as networking is an imperative skill to possess) I would first begin to understand your interests more thoroughly. Instead of questioning what should I get into ask yourself what do I love? What am I good at? After you have assessed these questions the answers might give you a better understanding of what you would like to get into. If you need anymore help or advice let me know. Hope this helps!

[MonkeyBizz]

TheCompany-

Thank you for the suggestions.

I continue to question myself everyday. I am very passionate about my community, education, finance, cars. I enjoy helping people [providing some kind of service].

I am hoping to launch something that has to do with providing a service to college-bound students or provide a service to locals in my area.

What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions?

[TheCompany]

For starters what would you say your skill-sets are? What do you do or know very well? Is there something about the topics of interest you listed that you have an above-average knowledge about?

[MonkeyBizz]

A am pretty proficient with technologoy (Computers, programs)
Very artistic/Creativity

What in specific do you recommend? I am relatively new to this.

[squatrani]

you'll definitely want to go with shared hosting and theres tons out there lunarpages, hostmonster, ixwebhosting are some of the more popular hosts i can help you with this part as my site gives rebates for web hosting and i've done a good amount of research into hosting. I'm the same age as you and just started my first online business don't think just about the money i have learned tons and tons that is valuable and i can use in a job i get/intership future business whatever i decide to do...plus it looks real good on ur resume

[mbolton2181]

Use Godaddy for domains - they are only 1.99 when you buy something with them

I use to use Godaddy for hosting also, but they are notorious for pulling content they don't like. So I switched to Bluehost and haven't looked back. They offer free installation of some of the more complicated programs. It makes putting applications on your website a breeze. Bluehost is 80 bucks a year for the one I get which I use for a dozen different websites.

[joefun86]

A little off topic but thanks for mentioning BlueHost mbolton. I just looked at them and they seem great. I doubt I'll be getting enough traffic where they can't handle it and it looks good.

I'm on yahoo right now @11.95/month for stuff I'm never gonna use. Good thing I have till the end of the month to transfer and get my money back. I'll set up an account with bluehost and transfer to them.

[cclossen]

I am fairly new at my online business, too, but I love it and got tons of great -- most free -- information and help from Terry Dean (and I have started to make money online). At least you can browse around and see if it might be of help. I know he is a top internet marketer. He has a website about choosing your market. You could do a Google search for it.

[David Ponraj]

If you want to start a business, you will need capital. Instead, if you get an internship in the field you want to start your business in, it will help build a network, give you contacts and experiences, as well as inside knowledge of the industry.

[warrensway]

Yes building a network is very important but you also need to do your homework be willing to put in the hours and learn. Make sure you know what you are offering, and if it will be reliable etc.

[SerialEntrepreneurs.]

we are looking for interns this summer to work on BreakingNews.com - any interest?

[ChrisBenjamin]

Agreed, godaddy.com for domains. Cheap, reliable, I use them for all mine, and most of my clients do also. Similar would be locodomains.com

Starting up a site will take a bit of capital... granted a dot.com is the cheapest of the cheap... still going to have to pony up a few grand at least to get a decent site built. That's assuming you have a clear vision of what you want and where it's going.

Kick around some ideas, when you stumble on "the" one, you'll know it.

[collegemogul]

I wouldn't start a business just to start one. Find something that you are passionate about and try and provide a new solution to a pain or problem that no one has tackled yet. Its hard to start a company and continue with it if you aren't passionate about it, especially during tough times.

[sammo1515]

I am a marketing major starting my MBA program next spring, what exactly does this internship entail?