Advice needed on setting up an internet business [Archive]

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alexlowe

21st March 2006, 16:29

I'm thinking about setting up some kind of online business (i dont know what, i'm just looking into it at the moment) can anyone advise me on the minimum spec computer that i would need?

I want to get a laptop as i'm pushed for space, what are the good brands? Where's the best place to go? What kind of money am i looking at?

Also, my flat is wired for broadband but not actually 'connected'... any tips on who to choose to fix this up?

I dont know much about computers or the internet, can anyone recommend any good books or websites for research?

Thanks...

DuaneJackson

21st March 2006, 16:49

You'd be able to get a laptop to do the bob for less than £600. www.ebuyer.co.uk might be a good place to start. A few people here can provide laptops but I've nto found their prices very competitive.

I wouldn't worry about buying a good brand if you are on a tight budget.

Plusnet or Bulldog are good for broadband.

Astaroth

21st March 2006, 17:34

Unless you intend to design the site yourself then the spec of your laptop or connection are not important. Even the most basic system is able to access websites and send email.

I think you need to think of an actual business idea first and see if it would work online or not rather than just saying you want to set up an online company but you have no idea what. Online is not a holy grail to riches and not all businesses work well online.

confused

21st March 2006, 19:56

I['d say just about any laptop you buy new now would be more than up to the job even if you wanted to do the site yourelf. As for your connection, it depends if you want cable or adsl, personally I prefer cable. Anyway, IMO you would do well to avoid AOL.

webster

21st March 2006, 22:28

you need a good business model first, consider example
using google adwords as part of marketing plan etc.

and i agree, avoid AOL ;)

alexlowe

22nd March 2006, 12:51

sapphirewebdesign

22nd March 2006, 14:11

Hi,

With regards to a laptop, you might want to check out Dell. We got a brochure in the post offering brand new laptops for £299, and were reasonably spec for basic email and web.

Regards

SEOscotland.co.uk

22nd March 2006, 14:13

You might want to stay clear of advertising via adwords until you know you have something that will sell.

multilingual

22nd March 2006, 14:40

Hi,

With regards to a laptop, you might want to check out Dell. We got a brochure in the post offering brand new laptops for £299, and were reasonably spec for basic email and web.

Regards

I can vouch for Dell Laptops as I have a Latitude D600. Very good quality and the price is very competetive. The only thing to bear in mind is that the initial price of £299 will be for the base spec model so you might need to add a few bits to it to bring it up to a decent level.

JB

alexlowe

25th March 2006, 16:28

OK, thanks again everybody...

A friend of mine also recommended Dell so i think i'll go with them, I have my eye on the Inspiron 630M (basic)...

I keep having problems with that site though, twice i've customised a machine and saved the item, only to find it's not in my account next time i go there... I've had the same problem with Lastminute.com and it turned out they were quoting me a great price on something they couldnt actually provide.

Mwebb

25th March 2006, 16:57

Ok i have an acer Aspire 1640
M740 processer 1.73 ghz
60GB HDD
1 GB RAM
All the other usual stuff like dvd rewriter +- etc. 15 inch wide screen.
I also got a free vodafone mobile 3G connecter and sim card, with £20 credit.

£649 from comet :D But that was in January!

Dell? Hmmm, my father until recently worked for HP, I was seriously disuaded against DELL. A bit of bias i am sure, but they are more money for less spec. You pay for the name!

However, you mention you are looking at starting an internet business. I believe you are making a fundamental mistake in looking at new computers, and so forth first. If you have the basics then invest the money in something that will return on the investment to start with.

Obviously you need an internet connection, but hang on you have one, you are on here. So you must also have a computer.
(unless you are at work on here-then i am corrected :) )

You don't need to spend loads on a laptop or desktop to start with, as long as it does the basics.

You would be better spending the money on the development of you website and business idea, and your hosting, and other reccommended marketing. Once you are up and running and making loads of money, then you can buy the best laptop on the market!!

Just some advice from someone setting up and running an online only business. :wink:

If you want to run anything by me, ideas wise, or otherwise, i would be happy to help. ( Although i am still learning myself, i may be able to guide you round some of the basic mistakes i have made along the way)

Plus this forum is a great place to get feedback, and ideas for developing an idea into a profitable business, so post away.

Michael webb

alexlowe

27th March 2006, 14:43

Hello Michael,

Thanks for your advice, i appreciate what you say about buying new, its just new machines are bang up to date and come with a guarantee (perhaps this is worthless?) and i like to start things with a blank canvass...

but i am having second thoughts about how much i spend and i think i will do some more shopping around...

I still need to talk to service providers about getting connected (I use an internet cafe) and i've also realised that i'm probably moving house in 6 months and i'm not sure how that will work (if i sign up for 12 months can i transfer the acount address? somebody told me i cant, sounds a bit unreasonable?)

I am also going to PM you...

Thanks.

Astaroth

27th March 2006, 15:04

OK, thanks everybody...

Whats the difference between cable and adsl?

Whats wrong with AOL? I thought NTL were the bad guys? I think i'll look at plusnet and Bulldog...

No danger of buying 'under' spec?

Cable and adsl are simply different technologies - no need to understand the behind the scenes differences for the end users as they work in the same way.... you have a box that is perminantly attached to the internet.

Personally I dont have a "problem" with AOL and would actually recommend them for someone who doesnt know much about the internet and wants a basic service. There are certainly better value for money ones out there but typically will require either more technical knowledge or no fear of technology to setup outlook etc.

For basic email and internet you cant really buy an under spec new computer.... second hand market is obviously different. Even if you buy a superceeded model it would be fine for these basic tasks but may take a few more minutes to load etc.

Tam

27th March 2006, 15:41

You could try PCworld's business website. http://www.pcwb.com/

Tam

billhilton

27th March 2006, 20:57

I'm thinking about setting up some kind of online business (i dont know what, i'm just looking into it at the moment)

I think that's what they said at Boo.com and all the other bubble burstees back in 1999. If you've got a web connection - any web connection - you can run an online business. I ran mine exclusively on dialup until BT finally enabled broadband in my neck of the woods six months ago. OK, I'm in the service sector, but it's all the same - all the actual hosting of your site and is done by your webhost's servers.

But for pity's sake, *please* think of a business idea first. Then, if it's a business that's appropriate to the Internet, get online.

alexlowe

28th March 2006, 13:47

OK thanks again... everyones input has been useful.

I should probably now start concentrating on business ideas rather than getting bogged down in technical detail...

And i realise that if you have worked long and hard to build an online business that it must be very irritating when somebody thinks they can just buy a computer and do what you do... But the internet is a market place and i see no harm in looking at the opportunities (of which there are plenty being offered) and before i can do that it is only sensible that i look into how much it costs to go online. I hope i havent annoyed anybody.

billhilton

28th March 2006, 15:18

You haven't annoyed anyone at all - we just don't want to see you crash and burn :-)

Good luck!

walldred

29th March 2006, 13:49

Hey Alex,

A book I would definitely recommend if you're thinking of setting up on the net is "The Neatest Little Guide to Making Money Online", Jason Kelly, ISBN 0-452-28168-7.

I found it very useful and informative myself. In fact, he's also got a website to go with it www.jasonkelly.com.

Hope this helps.

Will.

billhilton

29th March 2006, 14:46

I just love Jason Kelly. Check out his photo page (http://"http://www.jasonkelly.com./photos.html")

Don't you love those teeth?

Coding Monkey

29th March 2006, 14:53

You can download photo's of him! Wish I thought of that idea for my website. Would get at least 10x as many hits.

billhilton

29th March 2006, 15:39

How about a special offer? Buy a website and get a mural of Tom Calahan, just wearing a fig leaf, painted on your living room ceiling in the style of the Sistine Chapel?