Emarketer shows the internet e-commerce sales grew in 2007 by 19.8%, in 2008 by 7.2%, projects sales increases in 2009 are 4.1%, 2010 by 8.0%, 2011 by 9.5% and in 2012 projected online e-commerce is expected to grow by 9.2%, that’s 183.9 billion dollars in online shopping by 2012.

Its no wonder that people everywhere are taking a close look at the internet to add extra money to their income. Whether you are looking to break away from normal employment and work for yourself, or you are just wanting to supplement your income from your day job. We have all heard about the 20 year old that sits at home in his pajamas and makes thousands of dollars a month right from the privacy of his home sitting at his computer. And its true, there are people out there that have unleashed the money making power of the internet and don’t have to struggle with the day to day problems associated with working for an employer.

But the millionaire 20 year old is not the rule, he is the exception. The majority of online entrepreneurs are not millionaires but work very hard to earn above average incomes. One of the biggest questions asked by those who want to start up their own online business is, “with all the people already on the internet, is it really possible to make a living online?” The answer is YES! Internet marketing and its strategies change all the time and the internet entrepreneur has to change with them. Real opportunities are out there and it doesn’t take long to search these opportunities out and take advantage of this great online market opportunity. Getting started can be a real challenge and if all the information on the internet is taken in its whole by the beginner, they will probably quit before they get started. So finding good information on where to start is very important. There is no shortage of websites that will offer to share their secrets to making instant wealth. Don’t be taken in by them. There is no secret to instant wealth. Getting your internet business up and running will take some time, research, and persistence.

However, there are real websites that want to help you and get vital information in your hands that will help and empower you to get your online business started. Having a plan is vital. Taking time to think out and write down what your goals are is an important first step. If you are a beginner than you may not have a plan yet, that’s ok. Sit down with pen and paper and write down ideas you have for your business. Think about what you would want and expect from a website and make sure your plans include delivering to your customers what you would expect.

Don’t have an idea for a product or merchandise yet? That’s ok too. Write down the things you love, like, enjoy, have knowledge in and things that you are interested in learning about. This is the first step to isolating what is called a niche. Keep in mind that there are two kinds of people that will visit your website. One person knows what they want and are looking to buy, they will be looking for an online retailer that they can trust and will deliver a quality shopping experience. The other person that will show up at the electronic door of your store is looking for information, maybe they don’t know exactly what they are looking for or they are comparison shopping or they just want free information on a subject. Cater to the information shopper, deliver to them high quality information and you just may have a customer for life.