The key, of course, is the idea, and you’ll need something that people will pay for. Do some market research. Is there a need? Is there a desire? What does the competition look like? Will you be able to stomach the hard times? Are you realistic about the fact that there will be a lot of them, especially at first?

Don’t worry if your idea isn’t totally new, however. Plenty of people operate home businesses in which they buy items in the brick-and-mortar world and resell them on eBay, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea for the next person who does it. Make sure you have a business plan before you try to put your concept into reality.

Find out if you need to obtain any state or local permits or licenses, or meet any zoning regulations that apply to home businesses. Compliance may cost you some seed money.

There may be more expenses at the outset: a home office setup, computer equipment, software, supplies, and any needed professional services (a lawyer or accountant, for instance). Be cautious in your budgeting and spending; you may not be able to recoup these costs out of early business returns.

At this point you’ve just gotten started. The serious lifting of running the business comes later. But if the concept behind your business is right for the market and you can put in the drive, talent, time and effort it takes, you could turn your online business into a source of income that lets you work from home.

CNN.com Recently Published/Updated

CNN.com Recently Published/Updated

CNN.com Recently Published/Updated

CNN.com Recently Published/Updated