Getting into the business

Sorry for the amount of question.

[RichGizzie]

I just need to know if I am going down the right path. So far I have secured my domain name and applied for an LLC (I know I didn't have to get one but would like to be legit with the liability)
Hear are my thoughts on the next steps while I wait 30 days for the LLC to come though.
1. Secure distributors (drop shippers if possible at first) I have a lot of contacts in this area since I use to be sponsored in the sport and have be in it for over 15 years. Do I need a tax ID before I can start this process?
2. <snip>
3. Should I get a logo made for the site first and trademark it?
4. Should I setup a 1-888 number and a fax before I go live with the site?
5. Is it better to get a lot of products on the site before I go live or should I just get some things on there and start taking sales?
6. Is there software that can charge someone's credit card once a month automatically? I would like to setup something like where people buy a recurring item.
7. What do you do about putting an address on the website when you are working out of your home? I know PO boxes make people weary of the site.
8. Is it possible to do this while having a full time job and be successful?

[edited by: lorax at 5:12 pm (utc) on May 10, 2007]
[edit reason] pls do not discuss hosting here [/edit]

[RichGizzie]

Ok so here is my deal. I work full time in a very good paying job for the Government. 5K shy of six figure salary. Job is good but not great. It is in I.T. and I do some web stuff but mostly system engineering so I do know most of the web technical thing discussed here. However I do not love what I do. I don't have to work over 40 hours so I have a lot of free time. My passion in life is my athletic background. I have had an idea for a few years now about opening an e-commerce site geared towards this. It is a niche sport that is becoming more and more popular. Plus I have an idea that will make my site different from the rest. I did not have enough capital to open a brick and mortar store and maybe in a few years (if this idea works out) I will. It is the end goal.
So...after a lot of research on the net and in the area that I am looking into I pulled the trigger and am going for it.
I just need to know if I am going down the right path. So far I have secured my domain name and applied for an LLC (I know I didn't have to get one but would like to be legit with the liability)
Hear are my thoughts on the next steps while I wait 30 days for the LLC to come though.
1. Secure distributors (drop shippers if possible at first) I have a lot of contacts in this area since I use to be sponsored in the sport and have be in it for over 15 years. Do I need a tax ID before I can start this process?
2. <snip>
3. Should I get a logo made for the site first and trademark it?
4. Should I setup a 1-888 number and a fax before I go live with the site?
5. Is it better to get a lot of products on the site before I go live or should I just get some things on there and start taking sales?
6. Is there software that can charge someone's credit card once a month automatically? I would like to setup something like where people buy a recurring item.
7. What do you do about putting an address on the website when you are working out of your home? I know PO boxes make people weary of the site.
8. Is it possible to do this while having a full time job and be successful?

[edited by: lorax at 5:13 pm (utc) on May 10, 2007]
[edit reason] pls do not discuss hosting here [/edit]

[Corey Bryant]

<snip>

4. Should I setup a 1-888 number and a fax before I go live with the site?

I would - if people need to contact you or just want to feel more secure about ordering, a number always helps.

6. Is there software that can charge someone's credit card once a month automatically? I would like to setup something like where people buy a recurring item.

Electronic payment gateways can do this for you - some don't even charge and this way you don't have to worry about being PCI compliant.

-Corey

[edited by: lorax at 5:12 pm (utc) on May 10, 2007]
[edit reason] pls do not discuss hosting here [/edit]

[RichGizzie]

Thanks for the info:

Has anyone use volusion? Should I design my own web site with Dream Weaver and just get someone to do the graphics (Logo) or should I just let a place like Volusion design the web site. I do work full time but don't want to spend a fortune.

[bwnbwn]

RichGizzie
if you are making over 40 bucks an hour make the web a hobby till you get it going work on it 2 hours a day in your free time get it working get it indexed get it up an running.

Running a Brick and Mortor Business is not 40 hours a week but 100 hours a week and lucky if you make close to the pay u do now not counting retirement, insurance etc and etc.

Enjoy your hobby and it will in time pay maybe make some money and then you can decide what you want to do. Take is slow and easy keep the spend down work at it over time you will have site you are right now dreaming about.

I am as well in the sports supplements business and it is tough to say the very least...

Not sure what you will be selling but add them as you go as this keeps te site fresh and might help in the index.

"Should I design my own web site with Dream Weaver"
My answer is Yes you can find a place to purchase a good looking logo online or have one of your buddies make you one. I am sure you know someone that can photoshop and do graphic design.

The number and all that is fine you can get an 866 number for 9 a month and have it picked up by a answer machine as it will take some time to get the site running traffic generated and all so you will have a good year to get it running.
let us know how it goes ok.