home base business

3 Advantages to Starting a Members Only, Membership Website

By: Ron Ruiz

Membership websites are one of the hottest Internet business models today, since there are many advantages to starting one. Here are the top three advantages to starting a membership website that are sure to get your creative and entrepreneurial juices flowing.

Advantage # 1: Steady Stream of Income

The first advantage-a steady stream of income-is also the most popular reason for starting a membership website. Many would-be Internet entrepreneurs search for business models that will bring them a steady stream of income, eventually replacing their full-time jobs altogether.

A membership website is the answer to those prayers.

Subscriptions to membership websites are usually set up for specified amounts of time: a month, quarter or year. During this time, you will have consistent income for the duration of each subscription’s term.

For example, let’s say you charge $14.95 per month for access to your membership website and have 250 subscribers, who continue their subscriptions for an entire year. That adds up to a whopping $44,850, which is more than a lot of people’s annual incomes and just enough to kiss that dead-end job good-bye!

Keep your content fresh and interesting, and you will have created a steady stream of income for as long as your customers are satisfied with their memberships.

Advantage # 2: Low-Start Up Costs

Another significant advantage to starting a membership website is its low start-up costs. Most people that are looking for an additional stream of steady income are doing so because their current income is limited. Because membership websites require a low initial investment, they are perfect for would-be entrepreneurs on a tight budget.

To start your membership website you will need a website design or template, website hosting, content management software, content, or membership software, which has everything you need, except content.

Membership websites are low-cost investments because you can do a lot of the work. If you’re a skilled web designer or writer-or are willing to learn-you can eliminate those costs. Also, website hosting services are minimal, some as low a $5.00 per month.

However, if this is your first Internet-based business, you may want to start with membership software, which provides everything you need in a tight little package. A good membership software package will have the following:

· WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web design software

· Content Management

· Membership Management

· Payment Processing (including credit cards)

Using membership software streamlines the set-up process and allows you to start earning money faster.

To learn more about my content managment, membership site software go to: http://memberstar.com.

Advantage # 3: High-Profit Margin

The third advantage to starting a membership advantage is actually a combination of numbers one and two:

Subscriptions — Expenses = High-profit margin

Membership websites can yield high profit margins, even if you’re just beginning your membership website and only have a few subscribers.

For example, let’s say you only have 50 members during the first three months after your launch at $20.00 a month. That’s a $1000 per month. Now, deduct your operating expenses: $150.00 per month for website hosting and membership software subscription. After expenses, you’re still left with a nice $750.00 dollars per month.

See the high-profit potential of a membership website?

Remember with a membership website your income potential is unlimited. You can earn, as much or as little as you like, depending on how much time you’d like to devote to your site.

Now that you know the top three advantages to starting a membership website: 1) steady stream of income 2) low start-up costs and 3) high-profit margins, aren’t you ready to start your own membership website? Seek for financial freedom and spend more time with your family and friends.

Ron Ruiz

The Business Fastlane Blog

Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_8827.shtml

Is A Franchise Right For You?

By: Roger Morad

A lot of people desire to be their own boss. One way to do that is through a franchise. In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of investing in a franchise opportunity, to help you determine whether or not franchise opportunities are for you. After reading this article, you should walk away with a better understanding of how franchise opportunities apply to your situation.

If you’re going to be successful running a business, you must be good at being self-employed. Typically people that thrive on being their own boss are those who are willing to take the initiative, are not afraid of failure or risk, and are willing to put in the necessary amount of time to get their efforts off the ground and running. They do not get bogged down by details, and are able to see the big picture. Does this sound like you? If so, you’re the perfect candidate for being self-employed.

Now the choice is whether or not to create your own business from scratch, or to take your money and invest in a franchise opportunity. The main difference between a business and franchise opportunity is your rights and what you can do in the business. If you want create your own business, you have to create your own business model system, and brand awareness in the marketplace. But you also get to dictate who you buy supplies from, what hours you operate in, where you can locate at and how you can advertise.

Compare that to a franchise. While you don’t have as much flexibility or creative input, you do get a workable, proven business model, oftentimes you enjoy brand identity awareness in the marketplace, and you can spend more of your efforts in making sure things are running smoothly, and working on the day-to-day business affairs. Franchises present the best opportunities to generate passive income without your day-to-day presence at the business.

Are you ready to be an entrepreneur? It takes a lot of self-determination and want to really work for yourself. I?d say at least 75% of people in business today are not cut out to be entrepreneurs. If you have that burning desire to own a franchise or your own business, then a franchise could be what you have been looking for. Take time to sit down to assess and plan your skills, finances, and goals to see if you are ready to take the leap to self-employment. Always consult a financial planner and attorney before making any decision that will impact your financial future for a long time.

So what it all comes down to is knowing what you want out of the business, and knowing what skills are required to run a business successfully. Also, it involves knowing how to analyze franchise opportunities to find the winner that suit your personality best. If you can do that, and follow the advice given above as it relates to franchises, maybe franchise opportunity is the perfect thing for you.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_8967.shtml