Which is Better an Online Business Or Brick and Mortar? By John J Rogers At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

I can't give an exact answer to this question because numerous factors are involved. If someone was selling an offline business that made millions a month and for some reason, either through foreclosure or inheritance, the business was for sale for next to nothing; of course this business would probably beat almost anything you could start online with $2,000 or less. But that's a very, very rare example. Also, an online business could eventually end up an offline business if you need a warehouse, shipping department, customer service, etc. for your company.

I've personally run several different online businesses and have been associated with at least a dozen offline businesses and overall I would say without a doubt that online businesses are easier to run, are less risky and are much cheaper to start. They're also easier to make a profit with because "the world" is your customer base, not just the surrounding five miles or so.

Online Business

PROS

1. It's possible to sell millions of dollars in products in under a year with a $2,000 investment or less,
so there’s better chance of success. You can start five different online businesses for under $10,000. You have a five times better chance that one will succeed.

2. No property lease obligation.

3. Less taxes when you work from home.

4. You can basically set your own hours and decide how much money you want to make.

5. Going out of town and working while on vacation could be possible.

6. No or few employees. Working fulltime, a person could easily make $400,000 a year by themselves at home without any employees.

7. No workers comp or insurance.

8. Wake up and walk into the office in the next room. Means more free time.

CONS

1. Business may not be successful very long. The cheap investment price means others will try to sell similar products or services.

Offline Business

PROS

1. If a business is well established, you could get at least a few years of guaranteed profits.

In some cases, you may be able to control the competition or at least prolong the lack of competition.

CONS

1. Large investment especially if you're buying an existing business. It’s not that much of a con, but most people don't have the money.

2. Start-up businesses have a 90% failure rate. That means there's a 90% chance you'll lose that large investment.

3. Minimum three year lease obligation in most cases.

4. You will need employees. Employees bring headaches. Employees will steal. Employees will help you lose customers.

5. Could require long hours to run the business that cannot be adjusted. If the business is open 12 hours a day, as a business owner you'll be working 15 hours or more a day.

6. It could be tough to leave the business for a much needed vacation.

7. Must pay workers comp and insurance has to be paid.

8. Extra expenses like building insurances, business taxes, workers comp, etc.

9. If I could start all over again, an online business is my choice.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=312232&ca=Business

Important Notice DISCLAIMER: All information, content, and data in this article are sole opinions and/or findings of the individual user or organization that registered and submitted this article at Isnare.com without any fee. The article is strictly for educational or entertainment purposes only and should not be used in any way, implemented or applied without consultation from a professional. We at Isnare.com do not, in anyway, contribute or include our own findings, facts and opinions in any articles presented in this site. Publishing this article does not constitute Isnare.com's support or sponsorship for this article. Isnare.com is an article publishing service. Please read our Terms of Service for more information.