This paper address the positives and negative of starting a business online, and help the reader to decide if such an endeavor is really and avenue that he or she should travel

95% of all home business or businesses online fail! This is a staggering thought especially for those that may be considering taking on a home business. When a person takes on the responsibility of starting an online business, or any small business online for that matter, he also resigns to give up his lifestyle has he or she has heretofore known it.

The commitment it takes to become successful is greater then any commitment most individuals may make in their lifetime. It is a commitment that must come from not just the entrepreneur but also his/ her partner, children and family. Many sleepless nights are spent at the computer trying to figure the missing ingredient that can get the cash flowing to your business.

Of the 5% of successful online business owners not even one of them would change their life, many are financially secure and for them making six figure incomes is actually common place. But to start a business is difficult and for most the emotional, physical and financial drain is just too much.

There are some real advantages to starting an online business. For one thing you, and you alone make the decisions, failure and success is a by-product of the effort that you put into the business. If you are smart in handling the business and things go your way there is no limit to how much money you will make.

Since online businesses are normally run from home you will need less startup cash. Things like a storefront, inventory and a physical location are not issues. There will be no need to commute so the increase in gasoline and transportation cost will be lower.

Working from home is not all peaches and cream, many of the same issues that we addressed as advantages can also be a disadvantage. Yesterday I stayed at home watching my granddaughter, and even though she was no trouble at all, I was utterly amazed at how little work I got done with her here. However, I was able to spend all day with my granddaughter something I think I failed to do enough with my own children when they were young.

So as you can see it about what you are willing to give up to succeed, what are you willing to do to express your creative side? That creative side of online businesses can be a very rewarding thing. But are you willing to work harder and longer, so you can play harder and with better toys?