There is a gigantic and growing marketplace out there on the web--many people looking for information and goods and services and many others seeking to provide those. These numbers ensure that the potential for new online profit-centers is enormous. And establishing a "virtual" business requires far less initial investment and risk than setting up a new shop on the corner downtown or at the local mall.

But don't kid yourself. To develop an online enterprise that works and brings you worthwhile results, you're going to have to put real effort into the task. There's really no magic to making money online. You have to have the knowledge and the determination to persevere.

Don't hold back and don't give up. But be realistic--if you aren't persistent and consistent, the likelihood of success is low.

So the first challenge is in your own mind--to make the initial commitment and then maintain that determination in order to grow your business.

Step 2 is to identify an online niche that has something really worthwhile to offer. There is no point offering something that people don't want to buy! You will want to educate yourself a little about marketing systems, if you haven't already. A lot of internet businesses depend on a multi-level marketing (MLM) approach, and while they may be simple enough to implement, it's going to take some good ideas to make them profitable as well.

So you really do need to be offering something you know has a market. If you are not sure about the value of your concept, try putting these questions to yourself:

• Is this something I myself want or might want in the future?
• Do you know that people desire it and buy it in reasonable quantities?
• Are people out there actively looking for this item or this service?
• Is the item or service I can offer good enough quality to compete in an existing market?

Once you've answered these questions--and the answer is yes--and have identified your marketing concept, you are going to need to develop an online presence.

But what if you know nothing about website design and development? Does this mean you are not cut out for this kind of business?

If you are not highly computer-savvy, there are many companies out there that can assist you with detailed information and processes about creating a website. These providers offer services to take care of a host of needs--things you might never have anticipated on your own. But the good ones are not cheap.

To maximize your chance of quick success and your return on investment, look for a proven website creator with a template or model interface that has been fully developed and can be easily adapted to your business. Be sure to locate a web developing and hosting provider who can start you off with a complete service.

Always keep in mind that you are the one who needs to act, to keep on top of the business and keep it in motion. But with the right start, there can be a lot less stress and less time you need put in before you start to see results.