Getting started making a living on the Internet

The minimum essential equipment and services you will need to operate an Internet home business is some kind of computer and monitor, or laptop, an Internet Service Provider to access the Internet, and a web hosting company to make your website accessible on the Internet. If you are on a tight budget, you can get the rest later.

If you have no money at all, you can begin to build your Internet Business using a free computer at your local library to access the Internet. While this isn't a long term solution, because most libraries limit you to half an hour to an hour of use per session, and you are locked into the hours the library is open, it is a way to get a foot into the door until you can afford a better solution.

If you have access to the Internet at work, you might be able to use your work computer during your lunch hour. (Be sure to ask permission first.)

Used computers can often be picked up at yard sales for next to nothing, however, they are usually very old, outdated models, that will be very slow. Check to see what operating system is on the computer. If it doesn't have at least Windows 98, it is probably too old to be of much use to you. RAM is what controls how much memory the computer has, and the terms "RAM" and "memory" are often used interchangably. It should have at least 128MB of memory, or expansion slots to update the memory from 64MB to 128MB MINIMUM. Memory cards can be purchased for about $20-$99.00, depending on their size, so if the computer is cheap enough, upgrading the memory would be an option to bring it up to today's minimal speed requirements. Many companies now sell the computer separately from the monitor. An old monitor will usually work with a new computer for a fraction of the cost. You may need to buy an adapter plug to make the old monitor work, but most of them are interchangable.

Pawn shops are another place you might pick up a used computer,although they usually cost more than at yard sales. However, you might find a newer model at a pawn shop. Check out the same things you would check out at a yardsale.

Internet Cafe's are another option to use a computer if you can't afford to own one yet. You can also rent them by the hour at places like Kinko's copy machine outlets. However, if you rack up many hours, it would be cheaper to make payments to purchase your own computer.

There are many Rent-To-Own companies who lease computers, and allow you to apply your rent payments to the purchase price. Then after a predetermined period of "renting," they will offer you the chance to convert your rental to an outright purchase. Many of them will have a final balloon payment to finish the purchase process. Usually the monthly fee is low, but you will end up paying much more for your computer in the long run, and interest costs will be high. This would be the way to go only if your credit is so bad that no one else will give you credit. You can find Rent-To-Own companies in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. They will usually rent to anyone with a steady job, regardless of your credit history.

Many computer manufacturers are now offerring low cost payment plans to purchase one of their computers direct from the factory. Even if your credit is less than stellar, they may be able to find financing for you in a couple days. If you have good credit, you can usually be approved for financing within the hour online. The better your credit rating, the better the terms you will be able to get on this type of loan. The advantage of this type of loan over a Rent-To-Own place is that interest rates are usually lower, and you can usually customize your new computer, so it comes with exactly the components you will need for your particular business. Many of them will even throw in one of the new flat screen monitors for free if you upgrade their basic model a bit. You can place your order with the manufacturer directly over the Internet or telephone.

You can get some bargains on reconditioned personal computers on eBay, but be sure to only purchase from verified sellers. I've heard several horror stories from people who purchased a computer at bargain prices, only to find it didn't even work or was a very old, outdated model. Be sure to check out the seller carefully before purchasing computer equipment on eBay, and ask lots of questions before placing a bid.

There are many chain retail stores who now sell home PCs for very reasonable prices. Many of those also have their own store credit cards, which are easier to get than bank cards like Visa and Mastercard. Most chain stores also have layaway plans where you can pay as little as 10% down and have up to six months to finish paying. However, you don't get to get your computer out of layaway and begin using it until it's completely paid for.

Today, you can buy a brand new home computer with a monitor or a laptop computer that is more than adequate for a startup business for around $500 to $1,500, depending on the bells and whistles that come with it.

You won't need the most powerful computer on the market or the largest hard drive or fanciest monitor to start, in fact, we recommend starting out with an economy model if money is tight. Later on, when you can afford it, you can upgrade.

The memory capacity of your computer really needs to be at least 512MB RAM to have any speed. The absolute minimum that is acceptable is 256MB RAM, but you will be much happier with the 512MB or higher models.The minimum to operate Windows XP operating system (the most common operating system now in use) is 128MB, but you will be wanting to use other programs simultaneosly, and open multiple work windows that consume memory, as well. If the computer you buy has expansion slots, you can usually add up to 1GB of memory later.

Many of the newest computers now have 1Gigabye memory systems and 80GB to 160GB hard drives. Your computer should have at least a 40GB harddrive.You can also purchase removable hard drives later, which are handy for backups of your data, and double the storage capacity of your computer.

You will probably want a CD burner included in your computer to make backup discs later. Hard drives DO crash from time to time or if you get a virus or a hacker breaks in, you may lose irreplacable data. There is an old saying that goes "Sooner or later, you will either: 1)Be very glad you made backups of your data; or 2)You will REALLY wish you had."

If you like to watch DVDs, it's usually not much more to also include that feature.

As your home business grows, you will be looking for tax write-offs, and computer equipment is 100% allowable as a legitimate business expense. If your computer costs $500 or less, you can write it all off in one year, if the purchase price is over $500, you can amortize it over the next seven years.

Once you start making money working from home, you will probably want to upgrade to a new computer every year or two, to keep up with the latest technology, and give yourself some tax benefits. Since this is a business with a low overhead for operating costs, you might as well treat yourself to equipment that makes your job easier, instead of sending the extra money to the IRS, because if you work hard, it won't be long before you are in a higher tax bracket.

Getting started making a living on the Internet ---

Computer Equipment and Services You Need to Make Money on the Internet Working From Home...

Buying a computer and monitor or laptop

Finding an Internet Service Provider

Protect your computer before you go online

Choosing and registering a domain name

Choosing a Web Hosting company

Buying a digital camera can save you time and money

Buying a printer / fax machine for your computer

Buying a scanner for your computer

Office supplies for your computer business

Computer software you will need to work from home