How do you choose realistic goals?

for your ecommerce site

[lschmidt]

I ordered the top 500 internet retailer guide, and two of my direct competitors are in the top 500. For 2006, they both had sales of close to $75,000,000 and growth rates of in between 30% and 40%. I have only been in business for about 3 months, but have a great site set up that offers the same products/availability, site functionality, professional design, shipping speeds and cost, and CLOSE prices in comparison to the leaders (obviously I can't match the leaders right now).

I am in the process of writing a business plan with a goal of getting a small business loan in the near future, but I have no idea what a realistic sales goal would be for say 6 months from now? 1 year? Further out?

Also how much money could I realistically expect to get? I am a 20 year old part-time college student, could I realistically expect to get ANYTHING from banks/lenders? I have most of my ducks in a row, but am just concerned that my age might make my situation "high risk".

Any ideas on how I would approach this?

Thanks

[fiu88]

Start with a guerilla attitude...low budget, 100% heart and soul...you have to do something better than your competition to succeed...become the , or "an", expert in your field...develop lots of links (provide as much useful info. free of charge as possible)...It will all grow from there..
Banks or VC's will not give you a dime unless..
1. You already have a lot of money
2. You have a track record...
3. You can prove to them that you have re-invented the wheel

[rise2it]

Your strengths are that you can:

(1) Move faster - you don't have 12 other decision makers to debate everything with.

(2) Be more efficent - meaning you can sell lower or (much better solution) make more profit on each item.

Never forget those 2 things when going up against giants.