Tech TV's Starting an Online Business: Amazon.co.uk: Frank Fiore: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

The title of Starting an Online Business may be better proof of a post-Internet-bubble economic recovery than anything. In the book itself, readers who are thinking about doing business online--particularly by means of a Web site--are informed of the sorts of challenges they'll face as they work toward that goal. The style and nature of coverage seems particularly well fitted to wholesale and retail companies that are already doing business offline, and want to add online catalogues and order-taking capabilities to their offerings.

Don't expect to find many technical details in these pages. Though you will, for example, find information about software for creating Web pages, there's no detailed coverage of how to use such tools. The author likes to refer his readers to Web resources, and most readers probably will learn about previously unknown services (such as fulfilment contractors and trust authorities) from his research. Fie on Frank Fiore for furthering the flawed fantasies that fuelled countless failed Internet startups. A whole chapter deals with funding sources, including angel investors and the initial public offering (IPO) of shares. True enough, these are potential sources of money, but the kinds of businesses that run their sites on free hosting services--one of the subjects Fiore covers nicely--are just not going to be doing that sort of thing anytime soon. Mentioning them here has greater potential to distract business owners than to serve any useful purpose. Better to devote the entirety of this book to further coverage of practical issues of online commerce. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to bring your existing business onto the Internet--or start a new one there--by setting up a Web site that promotes and sells the company's products. Writing a business plan, finding a hosting service, establishing an order-taking mechanism and promoting your offerings are all covered.

Product Description

Author Frank Fiore gives the reader a foundation for starting an online business. The book is divided into 5 parts. It starts with an explanation of e-commerce, what to sell, how to sell it, how to plan it and where to find the money to fund it. Then it gives the reader the basics of setting up shop on the Web, where to host it, some e-commerce Dos and Don'ts, and how to take orders and ship them. Finally, it will cover the essentials of marketing and promoting their new business. The book is organized in such a way that the reader can quickly find a topic and get the information they need to set up their own online business.

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Amazon.com: 4 reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

Good Ideas but a bit dated 10 Mar 2004

By slider - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Paperback

I'll make this quick. The book has some very good ideas and tips on how to start an online business. The advice seems solid and logical, better then a few other books I've looked at. The main problem here is that most if not all of the links that are referenced in the book are either gone, outdated or don't have the information that the author says will be there. Needless to say this is very problematic when trying to find say, an ISP provider or a web developer. For example, I am looking to hire a professional to create my site. I went to one of the sites that the author mentions in his book. The site is there but is nothing more than yet another developer looking for business. It was supposed to be a site where one could find an array of talent that I could contact to get information, pricing, feedback, etc., on building my site. I find myself scratching my head once again searching for the information that I originally bought the book for.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

Good book if you are starting an on-line business 26 July 2002

By Ashli Boren - Published on Amazon.com

I found this book to be very unbiased and helpful in learning how to start an on-line business. Very straight forward, with lots of great resources. The book is very specific to starting retail on-line businesses, so don't be suprised if it does not cover your specific business plan. Great resources, easy to peruse and to find information at-a-glance. I would highly recommend it to anyone starting an on-line business...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

consider Amazon Marketplace as a starting point 17 Jun 2006

By W Boudville - Published on Amazon.com

It has many useful tips for those of you wanting to setup your own online business. Naturally, eBay is prominently mentioned. But the thrust is for a reader who wants more control over how and what she sells. Perhaps your business does not lend itself to an auction format?

Amazon gets a passing mention, mostly about its zShops. Keep in mind that since the book came out, Amazon has opened up its Marketplace. This is cheaper to sign up for, as a book seller. You can test your skills in selling here, with minimal outlay of time and money. Then, perhaps if you are successful, you might consider gravitating to zShops or your own website.

Overall, the book needs an updating.

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