When you first decide to start your own home-based business it can be really difficult to decide what to sell and to whom. Finding your ideal target market and the right way to market to them can be what makes your home-based business a success or failure.

One thing is for sure, it is a whole lot different selling your products or services on the internet than selling from a traditional 'shop-front'.

When I looked at putting my traditional serviced-based business online last year I looked at lots of different options, and I don't mind admitting, I ended up being more than a little confused with all the information out there.

I realized people buy for a variety of reasons, here are some of them:

1. To save effort - groceries delivered, buy books online

2. Avoid pain - remedies, medicines

3. Make money - selling products online, online betting

4. Achieve success - personal development courses, personality tests

5. Achieve happiness - online dating

6. Receive recognition - become an expert, get qualified

7. Be entertained - videos, DVDs, CDs

8. Save time - learn from an expert

9. Be loved - online dating, membership to relationship sites

10. Save money - discount offers, review sites

People usually want to find solutions to their problems and nowadays, the first place they look is on the internet. So, once you've figured out how to do this for your target market or 'niche', then the next thing you need to do is choose a way to market and sell to them.

You could try the online auctions, or create your own info products. Some internet marketers are very successful at delivering teleseminars, whilst others use public domain works. In fact, the list is endless, so it's really important for you to find the right way to reach your prospective clients. It will save you a great deal of time and effort if you research the 'different routes to market' when you want to make money online.