Which Internet business should you choose?

Which Internet business should you choose? It may help to start by writing out a list of things you are good at, and things that you have a passion for or are knowledgeable about. This gives you an immediate head start over the competition, as you will be selling to people like you, who think like you do, and with the same problems, needs, and desires as you have.

Not sure where to start?

List out of all of your hobbies, weekend activities, work specializations, and interests over the past 2 years. Keep it to current passions and skills, but at this stage we are brainstorming, so no ideas are too wild to be dismissed. Where do you spend most of your time and energy (and spare cash)? Is there a business model around these things? Chances are you’ll discover an opportunity or two worth exploring further.
Many business ideas are birthed when an employee sees an opportunity to do something in their industry in a new or better way. Before you quit your job to do something completely different, is there an aspect of your industry that you can take and improve? Can you take an offline service and bring it online?

Knowing your skill set
Next we need to think about the skills needed to make this business happen. Here’s where we do an audit of your skills and it’s again time to write a list. Get out a pad and write down all of the skills you are average or better at.

This will help you get to know which businesses will be possible for you to start alone, or whether you need to outsource some tasks (like coding) or bring in a business partner (with complementary skills). Use the list below to help you get started; go ahead and take 10 minutes to identify which of these (and any others) you possess.

Artistic Skills:
• Design
• Crafts
• Improvisation
• Performance art
• Visual arts
• Creativity
• Imagination
• Music/audio creation
• Photography/image creation

Physical Skills:
• Fitness
• Building
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Using specialist machines
• Stamina
• Flexibility

Analytical Skills:
• Financial analysis
• Budgeting
• Logical reasoning
• Computer skills
• Coding/programming
• Goal setting
• Forecasting
• Administration

Interpersonal Skills:
• Selling/negotiating
• Persuading
• Teaching
• Problem solving
• Managing people
• Team building
• Customer service
• Coaching/mentoring
• Listening
• Discipline

Hopefully you now have a strong list of your strengths, skills, and key interests. Do you see any potential business ideas among these? Which internet business should you choose? Ideally, one that mixes your skills, interests, and strengths, and allows you to sell to people just like yourself.