An
increasing number of people of all ages now want to start their own small
businesses or home-based businesses. While some knows exactly what
business to start, others are confused as to what businesses they should
embark in. With so many business ideas out there, it is hard to know what
works and what doesn't. It is also difficult to choose what is best
(article continued below ...)
business given your own personal circumstances, and what ventures will
work out given the present economy. Whether you're looking for new
ideas or already have some idea of what you'd like to do, this series is
designed to help you narrow down the many possibilities and find a business
that is right for you. Our goal is to point you towards the most viable
options for joining the millions of people earning their living from their
homes so you can enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. Here are the
first four home business ideas that could potentially provide you with a
high income.
Web Design
The Web has become a pervasive force in our everyday
lives: e-commerce sites continue to grow in number, while small businesses
are also finding the Web to be an important showcase of their products and
services to a bigger market. Even ordinary people are putting their own
personal sites on the Web. As the popularity of the Web increases, the
demand for those who create Web sites will rise. Companies need designers
who can provide them with sites that are well designed, high-impact yet
simple to navigate and versatile.
Web site design can be a primary business,
but it can also be an add-on business for a graphic design firm. Web
designers need to have excellent lay-outing and design talent, plus
extensive knowledge of HTML and other programming languages such as Java.
Start-up costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the quality of
your equipment. Your initial equipment may include computer, printer, HTML
authoring software, graphics software, color scanners and digital camera.
Overhead costs for this business can be low, if you do the work yourself and
go higher if you subcontract some of the work.
Web designers either charge
an hourly rate or a flat fee for the entire project. Hourly rates can be
from a low of $25 per hour to a high of $200 an hour; while project fees can
range from $10,000 to over $50,000. Site updates are charged differently.
The average cost of a professionally designed Web site in 1999 is $30,000.
Potential earnings for a Web site design business range from $25,000 to
$100,000 and more.
Technical Writing
In a world of rapid technological development, people
are constantly falling behind and becoming technological illiterates.
Technology companies are constantly struggling to find effective ways to
help customers or potential customers understand the advantages or the
operation of their new products. Hence, demand for technical communications
has increased substantially. It has proven to be a good field with a lot of
growth and income potential.
Technical writing is the delivery of technical
information to readers (or listeners or viewers) in a manner that is adapted
to their needs, level of understanding, and background. The job of a
technical writer is to write about highly technical subjects but in a way
that a beginner-a non -specialist
could understand. This ability to
"translate" technical information to non-specialists is a key skill
to any technical communicator.
The technical writer can work on different
projects, mostly in the field of science, technology, and business. Some of
the writing projects include: user and product manuals, software and
hardware documentation and instruction booklets; technical books; marketing
materials such as brochures and flyers for technical products; business
correspondences; organizational policy and procedure manuals; even business
plans.
According to the Society for Technical Communications in its
Technical Communicator Salary Survey for 1999, the mean salary for technical
writers is US$47,460. The annual salary ranges from $37,800 to $59,260
depending on the length of experience, age and educational level. This
translates to about $25 to $80 per hour for freelance technical writers.
However, a cursory check of online job sites show a much wider annual salary
range for technical writers - from $75,000 to as much as $285,000. Start-up
costs for this business ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the
quality of equipment and size of marketing budget.
More Business Ideas
About the Author:
Isabel M Isidro is currently the
Managing Editor of Power Homebiz Guides. Read her blog at
PowerHomeBiz Small
and Home Business Blog
|
