What Is the Downside of Filing for Bankruptcy?

If you want to understand a business – either yours or someone else’s – you need to have a working cash flow definition, as cash flow is the lifeblood of private enterprises. Without it, operations would cease, and the company would be compelled to discontinue trading, no matter how profitable it might be.  In this post, we’ll define what cash flow is and underscore how it differs from profit. We’ll then list all the types of cash flow and differentiate them from one another. Cash Flow Definition Accountants define cash flow as:  The increase or decrease in cash of an organization during a specified accounting period. There are two sides to the cash flow equation: cash inflows and cash outflows. Inflows mainly come from sales, though sometimes they are donations, interest on loans, investments, royalties, and licensing agreements. Outflows include purchasing inventory and services from suppliers, as well as paying rent, wages, and petty cash expenses. Shareholders care about free cash flow (FCF) because it provides information on the company’s ability to earn profits. Positive cash flow only arises if the total income generated by a company in a given period exceeds the money spent on everyday operations, after subtracting capital expenditure. Ultimately, the money that shareholders receive in the form of dividends (or in high stock prices in accumulating funds) comes from FCF, not profits, because that is the cash the company has physical access to. Why Is Understanding Cash Flow So Important? Without sound cash flow, businesses fail even if they are profitable. Companies require cash on hand to pay their expenses. Otherwise, they must take out bridge financing or fail to pay suppliers and workers.  Having a firm grasp of financial flow lets organizations keep track of how much cash is available in their accounts and when. Moreover, proper reporting enables companies to map out their ability to meet expenditures in the future.  If a company’s annual cash flow is positive, it means that its liquid assets are increasing over time, allowing it to cover its obligations, such as rent, staff wages, and loan repayments. It also means that the enterprise can meet unexpected obligations, for instance, insurance premium hikes or fines On the other hand, when cash flow is negative, it means the company is likely in distress. It’s either spending beyond its means or its clients are not paying on time, delaying the entry of cash into the business. Ideally, companies should have enough cash on hand to buffer against these eventualities, but failing businesses may be struggling to meet all their obligations. Businesses evaluate their cash flow position on the cash flow statement, a standard accounting document that companies must produce by law. It shows the company’s starting and finishing cash totals for the period and the difference between them.  A company’s finance department will evaluate the statement to see how the company is using its cash and project its likely cash position into the future. For publicly-traded companies, shareholders may evaluate CF statements to determine whether a company’s share price is above or below fair value. Types of Cash Flows Cash flow tells you how cash is moving into and out of the enterprise. However, there are more specific cash flow calculations that companies and investors use to determine the health of their operations.  Financing Cash Flow Financing cash flow shows the net flow of cash funding the company’s capital assets. This metric tracks cash infusions from issuing equity while also tracking outflows, such as dividend payments. Investors use financing cash flow to better assess a company’s financial strength and how well it is managing its capital structure.  Investing Cash Flow Investing cash flow indicates the cash inflows and outflows from the company’s investment-related activities over a specific period. Inflows might include dividends from shares in other companies that the business owns, while outflows could encompass purchases of other enterprises or equities. How well the company’s capital is performing can be deduced from the investing cash flow.  Operating Cash Flow Operating cash flow specifies the inflows and outflows of cash associated with a company’s regular operations. To calculate whether operating cash flow is positive or negative, enterprises take net income, add non-income expenses, and then subtract increases in working capital.  Based on operating cash flow, a company can decide whether it can expand its operations. Companies with limited cash flow may have to consolidate or scale back, while those with healthy flows can open new outlets or grow in new markets. Free Cash Flow To Equity Free cash flow to equity is a term that some businesses use to describe the amount of cash left to reinvest into the business as capital expenditure. This is helpful for companies looking to expand as they will have the necessary financing to enable their business to grow. What Is the Difference Between Profit and Cash Flow? In line with the cash flow meaning described above, you’d be forgiven for thinking that cash flow and profit were the same. However, they are entirely different concepts.  Cash flow describes money going in and out of a business. Some enterprises calculate it by tallying up credit and debit, while others make corrections to net income.In contrast, profits measure a company’s financial success. They are what remains after a company has paid all its obligations in a given accounting period.  For instance, a company might have excellent cash flow for an accounting period because it refuses to pay a supplier. Naturally, its cash on hand goes up. However, that same entity could still wind up losing money long-term if insufficient funds come in to cover its expenses.  Likewise, suppose that a company has negative cash flow because a client won’t pay on time. Its business cash flow might be negative for that particular period, but if the customer ultimately pays, it still could find itself recording profit.  Overall, cash flow and profit tend to track each other closely over long periods of time. However, over shorter horizons, such as weeks and months, they can vary dramatically.  What Do Companies Use Cash Flow For? Here are some examples of cash flow being used to calculate other metrics: Liquidity: Shows the company how much cash it has available to meet its obligations at any given moment. Cash Flow Yield: Shows how much cash the company generates from each share it issues. Funding gap: Shows the difference between the cash the company has, and what it needs to be successful. Dividend payments: Lets companies calculate how much cash they can afford to distribute to investors in the form of dividends for the accounting period. Net present value: Lets potential investors figure out how much a company is worth before acquiring it. Price-to-Cash-Flow Ratio (P/CF): An alternative to price-to-earnings (P/E) that some investors prefer to use. How To Build Better Cash Flow Because having money on hand is essential for the operation of enterprises, many invest tremendous resources in developing powerful cash flow systems. How each company approaches this task depends on the strategy its management has adopted. In general, businesses can improve cash flow by: Increasing revenues Improving operating margins Boosting capital efficiency To increase revenues, a company might increase prices, attract new customers, get referrals, or improve its marketing leads. Some companies, like Apple, do this by regularly launching new products and product categories on the market.  To increase operating margins, companies can automate tasks, negotiate more favorable deals with suppliers, or slash their payroll budget. These measures are sometimes referred to as cost-cutting. Lastly, enterprises can improve the efficiency of their plants, property, and equipment by investing in proprietary technology, finding ways to reduce capital resource usage, or improving inventory management (using inventory management software can help, for example). Bottom Line If you are an entrepreneur, having a clear cash flow definition in your mind is critical for operational success. Once you understand the value of this metric, you can use it to predict how your business will perform and protect it against unexpected cash squeezes in the future.

The post-pandemic world has brought dramatic changes to the business landscape. Many brick-and-mortar businesses have closed their doors for good, while others have shifted to an online presence. Starting a business is easier than ever before, and there are many opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business, now is the time to take the plunge. But where do you start? We've gathered tips and tricks on how to become a business owner to get you started on the right path. 1. Define Your Niche The first step to starting any business is to identify your target market. Who are you selling to? What need does your product or service fill? Make sure to brainstorm your general goals for the business, as well as specific marketing strategies that will help you reach your target audience. Once you’ve defined your niche, it’s time to research the competition. See what businesses are already out there serving your target market. What are they doing well? What could they improve upon?  Finally, if you are interested in how to become an owner of a business, you should start by identifying the gaps in the market. In that way, you’ll create a unique selling proposition for your business.  2. Decide on a Type of Proprietorship Now that you've determined what business you'd like to start and done thorough market research, it's time to choose a career path. Do you want to be a solopreneur or build a team? Are you interested in starting a franchise or an independent business? The options are endless, and the decision should be based on your specific goals and skill set. The three main ways to kick-start your company are: Purchasing an Existing Business This is the quickest way to become a business owner, but it comes with some risks. Existing businesses come with a customer base, employees, and established systems. However, becoming a small business owner this way also means that you’ll inherit the company's debts and liabilities. If you're looking to take on an existing business, make sure to do your due diligence and understand all the financial risks involved. Starting a Franchise Franchises offer the opportunity to be your own boss while also benefiting from the support of a larger company. When you start a franchise, you're purchasing the right to use the company's name, logo, and marketing materials. You'll also receive training on how to run the business and access to the company's supplier network, in case you don’t know how to become a business franchise owner.  The downside of franchises is that you'll have less control over your business, and you'll be required to pay royalties to the franchisor. Launching a New Company From Scratch This is the most challenging way to become a business owner, but it also offers the most growth potential. If you're starting a business from scratch, you'll need to generate your own funding, build a team of employees, and create a new brand. While this option is riskier, it also gives you complete control over your business. 3. Draft a Business Plan Having a business idea isn’t enough. Before you venture into finding out how to become a successful business owner, you should first put together a business plan. This document will serve as a roadmap for your business, outlining your short- and long-term goals, strategies for marketing and growth, and details about your financial projections. Your business plan should be as specific and detailed as possible. Include information on your target market, product or service, pricing strategy, and expected profits. Don’t forget to include a detailed marketing plan, which will outline how you plan to generate awareness for your business and attract customers. 4. Find Ways to Secure Funds Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with ideas on how to become a business owner with no money. In fact, according to statistics, 20% of small businesses fail within the first year. One of the main reasons for this is a lack of capital. Before starting your business, you need to find ways to secure funding. There are a number of options available, including loans, grants, and investment capital. It is ideal for a small business owner to secure enough funds to cover three to six months of expenses before getting started on their business ownership journey. Once you start, you’ll have to find a way to keep the business afloat with operating expenses. Some of the ways you can do this include: Using your own funds Obtaining venture capital from investors Visiting crowdfunding sites Taking out a small business loan 5. Choose a Name and Location  If you’re researching how to become a legal business owner, you’ll have to choose a proper name for your business. Keep in mind that your business name should be reflective of your brand and what you do. Make sure to protect the name of your company and the domain name by trademarking it. You'll also need to choose a business location. If you're starting an online business, you can work from anywhere in the world. However, if you're starting a brick-and-mortar business, you'll need to find a physical space to rent or purchase. Consider the local regulations and zoning laws in your area to find a location compliant with all the legal requirements. 6. Choose a Business Structure Successful business owners understand the importance of choosing the right business structure. The type of business you're starting will dictate the legal structure you should choose. This will further determine the legal and financial liability of your business. The most common business structures include sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations. Sole Proprietorship A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common type of business structure. It's owned and operated by one person, and there's no legal distinction between the owner and the business. Partnership A partnership is a business structure that involves two or more people. Before we delve deeper into how to become a part-owner of a business, we should explain that partnerships can be either general or limited. In a general partnership, all partners are equally liable for the debts and obligations of the business. In a limited partnership, there is at least one partner who has unlimited liability and one or more partners who have limited liability. LLC A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that offers personal liability protection to its owners. LLCs can be either single-member LLCs (owned by one person) or multi-member LLCs (owned by two or more people). Choose one of the top-rated LLC services and outsource LLC formation and ongoing compliance to experienced agents.  Corporation Finally, if you’ve been wondering how to become a business owner within a corporation, you should get familiar with what a corporation is. A corporation is a business structure that offers limited liability protection to its shareholders. Corporations can be either for-profit or nonprofit. Additionally, an S corporation is a special type of corporation that offers tax benefits to its shareholders. 7. Register Your Business  Once you have a business plan in place, it's time to register your business officially. If you're not sure how to become a licensed business owner, you can consult with an attorney or accountant for help. This process will vary depending on the type of business you're starting and your location.  In most cases, you'll need to choose a legal structure for your business and obtain a business license or permit. You'll also need to open a business bank account and obtain any necessary insurance for your small business. These steps will help you get started on the right foot and ensure that your company is compliant with all local, state, and federal laws. 8. Open a Business Bank Account One of the last steps to take to become a business owner is to open a business bank account with a reliable bank that deals with small businesses. This is a separate account from your personal one and is used to track the income and expenses of your company. The most common business accounts are savings accounts, credit card accounts, merchant services accounts, and checking accounts for small business owners. Most banks will require you to have a federal employer identification number (EIN) before they open a business account for you. You should also provide them with your business's formation documents, ownership agreements, and a business license. 9. Hire Team Members  Knowing how to become a small business owner isn't enough - you also need to know how to run your business effectively. If you're starting out, chances are you won't be able to do it all on your own. You'll need to build a team of employees, contractors, or freelancers to help you with the day-to-day operations.  When hiring team members, it's essential to consider the skills and experience they bring to the table. You'll also want to ensure they're a good fit for your company culture. Once you've built your team, it's important to manage them effectively. This includes setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and offering incentives for good performance. By taking the time to build a strong team, you'll set your business up for success. 10. Develop a Marketing Plan  Being a business owner means wearing many hats. One of the most important hats you'll wear is that of a marketer. As the face of your business, it's your job to generate interest in your products or services and convert that interest into sales. The best way to do this is to develop a marketing plan. This plan should include a mix of online and marketing tactics, such as search engine optimization, content marketing, social media marketing, and traditional advertising. You can hire one of the many email marketing services to create and execute your marketing plan for you. What Do You Need to Become a Successful Business Owner? Success doesn't come overnight. It takes time, dedication, and hard work. You'll need a clear vision, a strong team, and a comprehensive marketing plan. You'll also need to constantly learn and grow, monitor your progress, and make adjustments as needed. You can acquire certain soft skills through formal education, such as leadership and communication. Also, many online resources, such as Coursera and Udemy, offer affordable business courses. For example, if you want to learn more about marketing, you can take some online courses in digital marketing. However, in most cases, you won't need a business degree to start a business; knowing how to become a business owner is more important. You can pick the knowledge you need to run a business through the work experience you have gained. Some people are born entrepreneurs, while others develop the skills over time. If you have the drive and determination to succeed, you can become a successful business owner regardless of your formal qualifications. Final Thoughts Becoming a business owner requires hard work and dedication. But with the right knowledge and tools, it can be an enriching experience. By following our tips for business owners who are just starting their entrepreneurship journey, you'll be well on your way to success. Just remember that running a business is not a sprint - it's a marathon. So take your time, build a strong foundation, and continuously learn and grow. 

It's no secret that eCommerce is a huge industry. In fact, it's projected to grow to $5 trillion in 2022. That's a lot of money up for grabs! If you're looking for ways to make money online, selling products and services through an eCommerce website is still one of the most profitable options out there. So, without further ado, let's get started! We'll discuss some interesting eCommerce business ideas that you can use to start making money online.  Start an Online Store To Sell Products The easiest way to make money online with eCommerce is to start your own online store. If you have unique products that you can either create or source, or that you can get shipped from around the world, this can be a great way to earn a healthy profit. Starting an eCommerce store can be daunting because you might be at a loss as to what to sell - in all fairness, a range of eCommerce product ideas can work. This could be either vintage garments that are your finds from the local thrift shop, products that are inconvenient to get, or even regular products that you can offer at a lower price online. You'll need to invest in a good eCommerce platform and make sure your eCommerce website is optimized for search engine ranking. Once you've got everything set up, it's just a matter of driving traffic to your site and making sales. Here are some profitable eCommerce business ideas for your online store: Sell Your Art, Handmade Jewelry, Accessories, or Clothing If you're a creative type, selling handmade jewelry, accessories, or clothing on Etsy is a great way to make money online. You can start a shop and promote your products through social media and other online channels. As Etsy is the 12th largest marketplace globally, it's got a lot of eCommerce entrepreneurs. So, you'll need to compete with other sellers in terms of price, quality, and customer service. But if you can establish yourself as a top seller, selling handmade goods online can quickly turn into a profitable eCommerce business. Create a Store for Selling Your Craft If Etsy is not your thing, you can also build your online store and start selling your craft there. However, you'll likely have to spend more time creating your website by using an eCommerce website builder or hiring a developer. Plus, attracting new customers might require more dedication than you would need on Etsy. You'll also likely have to execute some part of your sales via software or rely on another person if you choose this route. However, you’ll save on fees you'd otherwise pay to Etsy or other marketplaces. Sell Your Digital Art or Your Photos Online If you're an artist or have some artistic talent, selling your digital art online could be a good eCommerce business idea. A number of marketplaces allow you to sell online, and many of them are quite reputable. This can be a great way to join the online business world if you're comfortable using your artwork to create digital products. For example, if you're a photographer, you can sell your photos through stock photography sites. This can be a great way to make money if you have a good camera and some creative talent. Finally, as with selling physical goods, you don’t have to rely on marketplaces and pay the required fees. You can set up your shop and market your wares independently. This eCommerce business idea is perfect for getting your product out there and winning over your first set of clients. It’s also great for figuring out the ropes of the eCommerce business. Once you know how it all works, you can create a website and start selling your digital artwork on your own terms.  Have You Created Your NFT Collection Yet? NFT collections are a great way to showcase your work and one of the most profitable business ideas these days. However, getting started with NFTs requires some serious know-how, plus some tech skills. Still, since they are gaining in popularity and people are becoming interested in this type of art, it’s the most profitable eCommerce business. If you’re lucky, you can become rich in the process. Write Your eBook and Sell It Online If you take pride in your writing skills, you can write an eBook and sell it online. This is a fantastic business idea if you have some expertise that you can share with others. It could be anything from writing a self-help book, a piece of fiction, or your autobiography.  As with all other eCommerce business ideas on this list - it won’t rake in instant profit. You'll need to invest some time in writing your eBook, editing it, and ultimately - promoting it. However, once it's finished, you'll be able to sell it over and over again and make a great income.  Start a Print-on-Demand Line of Products If you're looking for a business idea that doesn't require a lot of money upfront, starting a print-on-demand line of products can be your thing. For example, starting a T-shirt business is an excellent way to become a small business owner, but you don’t have to limit your offer to T-shirts.  Print on demand involves creating T-shirts, pillows, phone cases, puzzles, or mugs. It’s one of the best eCommerce stores to start since you can set up a printing process at home. Alternately, depending on your budget, you can rely on a service to have these custom printed when someone makes a purchase. If you decide to go with a print-on-demand business model, you don't have to carry any inventory, and you can start with modest upfront investment. There are a number of excellent platforms that allow you to print on demand, and many of them offer support for marketing and promoting your products. These platforms also charge commissions for their services, so you might not be able to get as much profit as you’d hope for. Luckily, this eCommerce business idea is scalable, so you can switch your initial setup into one that works better for your new online business anytime. Create Your Online Restaurant If you have been toying with the idea of setting up a food truck, why not start it online? This could include anything from homemade meals, jams, organic food, cakes, and baked goods, to handmade pet treats for our little furry friends. If you decide to go with a restaurant-type online business, make sure to find a good website builder designed for restaurants. This will allow you to create a website that includes a menu and other relevant features to help your restaurant grow into a profitable eCommerce business. Fill a Niche Food Role These days, people are looking for convenience, especially when it comes to their meals. If you can fulfill this role and provide them with easy solutions for their meal planning, you might make a big buck online.  Online grocery stores, meal-making kits, and fresh or frozen food subscription boxes are skyrocketing in popularity. After all, the online purchase of restaurant/meal kit delivery amounted to 33% of all online purchase categories in 2018, and the growth didn’t stop.  This is becoming more prominent, especially for niche products and dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. If you’re thinking of running a food business as someone who loves this type of food, it could be the perfect choice among our ideas for eCommerce businesses to start. Start an Online Pet Store Another great eCommerce business idea is to start an online pet store. If you love animals, this could be an awesome online business for you. You can sell pet supplies, food, toys, and more. You can also offer pet-sitting services or dog-walking services through your eCommerce business.  To get started, create a website or blog to showcase your products and services. Use social media to spread the word and attract customers. With dedication and effective marketing activities, you can build a successful online eCommerce business. Set Up a Shop To Sell Vintage Items  Do you have a passion for collecting vintage items? If so, why not join one of the most profitable eCommerce businesses ever? You can sell vintage clothes, furniture, art, and other collectibles that you've accumulated over the years. These eCommerce business ideas are a great way to make money online if you have an eye for spotting valuable items. Just be sure to do your research before listing anything for sale, as you don't want to undervalue your items. Provide Services Online Almost any service that you could provide in a brick-and-mortar venue - you can also provide through your eCommerce store. If you’re searching for eCommerce business ideas, you don’t have to sell physical products. Instead, it could be anything from digital marketing or personal shopping to expert consulting services - anything you could already be providing offline. If you have a skill or expertise that you think people or businesses would be willing to pay for, start offering your services online through your eCommerce business. You can promote your services through a website or social media and start making money. Not sure which business you should transfer online? Here are some eCommerce business ideas for services. Provide Online Classes or Tutoring Online You can make money online by providing services such as consulting, coaching, or tutoring. Online education is gaining popularity, and you should jump on the bandwagon if you have skills to share. This is a great way to monetize your skills and knowledge. Just be sure to set your prices competitively and market your services in a way that speaks to your target group. Depending on your expertise, you could consider various potentially profitable eCommerce businesses. You can provide one-on-one courses via Zoom, for example, or pre-record lessons and charge subscriptions. Make sure to find the right medium for transferring knowledge to your audience.  Translate for Others If you know a second language, not only can you offer online courses as your eCommerce business, but you can also start a freelance translation business from home.  You can start by creating a website or blog to promote your services. As with all good eCommerce ideas on our list, acquiring new clients will take some time. You can also use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to spread the word. When you get your first project, be sure to ask for the client's requirements so you can give them an accurate quote.  Once you complete the project, ask for feedback so you can improve your services and include testimonials as references. With a bit of digital marketing, you can build a successful translation eCommerce business. Become a Social Media Manager If you're good at leveraging social media, you don’t have to look for additional ideas for an eCommerce business - you can make money online by managing social media accounts for businesses or influencers.  Social media is a great opportunity for communicating with customers, finding new clients, and promoting your products and services. However, not everyone has the skill set needed to get the most out of their social media accounts. This is where you could come in and assist businesses to improve their relationship with customers on social media. If you have a knack for building followership, posting engaging content, and communicating with your audience, this might be the idea to pursue and build a profitable eCommerce business.  It’s advisable to choose businesses or influencers that are relevant to your niche. Promoting your portfolio website on social media could provide you with the metrics you need to impress potential customers. Start an Accounting/Bookkeeping Firm If numbers are your forte, you can turn it into a business by starting an accounting or bookkeeping firm. Many people struggle with paperwork come tax season or with day-to-day bookkeeping. If you can provide reliable service, your clients will come to depend on your assistance. You can also consider business accounting as one of the eCommerce business ideas for people comfortable with crunching numbers. While the niche boasts renowned bookkeeping companies and is saturated as a result, you can still claim a piece of the pie for yourself.  Consider working locally or collaborating with smaller companies that don’t need a large accounting team to manage their paperwork. These companies prefer working with someone who can provide their expertise and a bit of extra care and dedication.  Become an Online Fitness Trainer If you're a fitness enthusiast, you can make money by providing online fitness coaching. This is a great eCommerce website idea to pursue if you're able to build up a large following. This holds true for yoga and other types of physical activity that can be done online. Similar to those video tapes with exercises that were all the rage in the 80s, you can also record and sell training programs or create fitness plans, diets, and so on. Depending on the online fitness coaching type you provide, one medium might work better than the other.  Become a Freelance Writer, Designer, or Developer If you're a writer, designer, or developer, you can make money online by offering your services on your eCommerce website. The idea is that your site should serve as your portfolio and opportunity to promote yourself to new clients, but also as a store to accept payments for your work. While anyone can create a website in a manner of minutes with all the free website builders, these professions are still valued on the global market. Apart from creating your site, you can also join some of the popular freelance marketplaces or promote your services via social media. Become a Virtual Assistant On the same note, if you're good with computers and have some administrative skills, becoming a virtual assistant is among good eCommerce ideas to consider. Virtual assistants provide administrative, technical, or creative services to clients from their home offices. For this role, you’ll need excellent organizational skills and a willingness to dedicate time and effort to finding the right clients. You will also have to compete with some established virtual assistant companies, but if you focus on smaller businesses and entrepreneurs, you’ll be able to make more than a decent living with this option. Offer Event or Wedding Planning and Organization When it comes to profitable eCommerce business ideas, providing wedding and event organization is another service you can promote and book online. Not everyone has the time or creativity to organize everything for their big day, company outing, or kids’ party.  This is where your eCommerce site comes into play. You can offer services online and allow your customers to book through your eCommerce store.  For this to be successful, you'll need to create a large network of vendors, caterers, and other third parties. However, if you already have such service providers standing by, this business could be the right idea.  No Clients Needed If you are an introvert and prefer not to deal with clients or customers, you can still make money online. There are excellent online eCommerce business ideas you could pursue, so let's discuss those as well. Start With Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing is a type of online marketing where you promote other people's products and earn a commission on any sales that you generate. This can be a great way to make money online if you're able to drive traffic to your affiliate links. Just be sure to choose products that are relevant to your niche and audience. So, where do you start with affiliate marketing now that you’ve chosen it among other ideas for an eCommerce business on our list? You could create a blog, social media account, or YouTube channel where you review products from an array of brands. Having a niche market, you can tap into through your blog or account can be a great way to earn affiliate commissions, as well as build up your own brand and authority. You'll need to invest some time and effort into creating high-quality content, but if you can build up a large following, you'll be able to make a great living reviewing products online. Launch a Dropshipping Business Another excellent choice that belongs to the easy eCommerce business ideas category is launching a dropshipping business. When you dropship, you simply sell products sourced and fulfilled by a supplier. This can be a great way to get started in eCommerce with little or no investment. You just need to find a reputable supplier and set up your eCommerce store. Once you've got everything up and running, it's just a matter of driving traffic to your site and making sales. You'll also be responsible for customer service and ensuring that your shoppers are having the best experience. After all, 91% of customers will simply leave and never return if they have a bad experience with your store, which is something new businesses cannot afford. Bottom Line There are plenty of ideas for an eCommerce business that involve selling products or services. So, if you're looking to get started in eCommerce, be sure to choose the option that best suits your skills and interests. Moreover, take a closer look at the professional network that you’ve built up over the years and then decide which avenue to pursue. With commitment and effort, you can start making money online in no time!