hints from internet pros needed

[Sleidia]

Hello!

I am an experienced multilingual (English, Japanese) french Web Designer/Programmer (HTML/Javascript/PHP/mySql) and Site Administrator and I would like to try to start my own e-commerce web site instead of building big web sites for others for a not so big salary.

In fact, to tell things honestly, my goal is to build a web site that would allow me to earn enough money while traveling in Asia/Oceania/Japan without having to search for employers and to get stuck in an office for years.
This web site would be automated enough, thus making possible to monitor it from any remote location once a day for example.
The easiest idea would be to sell a service I guess.
To make it short, I would like to use my skills to get freedom and money at the same time. I don't intend to become rich though.

But, because I spend all my time solving coding and design problems, I can't get the grip on issue related to real life, that's why there are too many questions I keep asking myself scratching my head:

1 |--> Ways of making money:
First, instead of selling a service, are there other ways to make money with Internet? I've been told that banners don't bring enough cash and that they are not cost-effective. Is that true? How much traffic (hits per days) I would need to make it worthable?

2 |--> Business laws/financial issue:
How can I get the money without the hassle of creating a company (far too complex in France) and without being charged too much taxes (taxes charges are crazy in France)?
To put it clearly, I would like to open a web site, a bank account and to have the right to put in money received from my custommers legally and without any hassle at all.
I am sure there are options I don't know about.
If you are reading this and if you know one of the answers to those questions, please feel free to share your knowledge with me and the next readers of this message.

3 |--> Other technical issue.
Also I am wondering if there are hosting services cheaper than Verio that can provide PHP4/Mysql connectivity and sufficient disk space as well.
If you have a name in mind, please drop me a line.

In advance, thank you very much to the ones who will spend a little bit of their time to give hints or advice.

Have a good day.
Thank you for your understanding.

 

[fhlee]

Hi,

>>> I would like to try to start my own e-commerce web site instead of building big web sites for others for a not so big salary.
*** Welcome to the club )

>>> In fact, to tell things honestly, my goal is to build a web site that would allow me to earn enough money while traveling in Asia/Oceania/Japan. The easiest idea would be to sell a service.
*** There are many 'zero capital' based business ideas. For example, selling an e-book, multi-level marketing type of e-services, sell downloadable software/music, selling email list, creating an application that some businesses needs and 'rent' it to them (ASP), etc, etc. However, I personally do not believe in them (apart from the ASP). Often than not, most of them are scams (

>>> 1 |--> Ways of making money:
First, instead of selling a service, are there other ways to make money with Internet? I've been told that banners don't bring enough cash and that they are not cost-effective. Is that true? How much traffic (hits per days) I would need to make it worthable?
*** I have a site that attracts about 200k unique visitors a month and does not make enough on banner ads to cover my lunch ... banner ads is lousy business now. Unless you're such a big portal like yahoo and stuff.

>>> 2 |--> Business laws/financial issue:
How can I get the money without the hassle of creating a company (far too complex in France) and without being charged too much taxes (taxes charges are crazy in France)?
*** Try PayPal. They allow transfer of money for individual accounts. This is the easiest way of receiving and sending money. There are other alternatives too, like eGold and others but I personally like PayPal. Realistically speaking, if you are running any proper business (especially if you're into non-tangible products), it looks pretty bad to not have a valid company behind it. Makes it look like a scam --just my opinion.

>>> 3 |--> Other technical issue.
Also I am wondering if there are hosting services cheaper than Verio that can provide PHP4/Mysql connectivity and sufficient disk space as well. If you have a name in mind, please drop me a line.
*** I use

http://www.webserver.com.my

, they're not the cheapest, but I have learnt long time ago that 'cheap' does not equal to 'value'.

regards,
- Joseph
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[Sleidia]

Dear Joseph,

I apologize for the delay of the reply (I've been
really busy) and I would like to thank you warmly
for your interesting advice.

Because I didn't know paypal before, I had to read
all the details on their site.
It looks like a very nice service, but the fact that
there is a withdrawal limit during the first 4 months
is annoying. What's your opinion?

Also, I've seen postings from people who had bad
experiences with this service.

As you can see, I have to make my opinion, that's why
I am trying to collect as mush information as I can.

Have a good day, and thanks again.

 

[fhlee]

Well, payPal is just about the safest bet you can get for personal fund transfer. I only have 1 site using it. So, far, it seems ok (the the transaction is low for that site).

You may also want to checkout Western Union, this seems to be a very popular way of sending money in UK and is widely available in US too. Personal account allowed.

regards,
- Joseph
================= ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Visit -->

http://www.replicaSi.com

for (Replica) Watches, Pen, Handbags, Hats, Jerseys and more ... at prices that makes your code spin ...
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-