The internet has changed dramatically in the last 1.5 to 2 years. Back then it was very easy to spend a few hours per day creating and marketing an online business.

However this is no longer the case – it can still be done, but not in so few hours a day.

An online business that generates income is becoming more and more like an offline business – you have to work it hard to establish it, then put systems in place to keep it going. Very much like a brick and mortar business.

The least time consuming way I know of right now to generate an income online with just a few hours a day available is to partner with eBay, on your own website, using a script that builds the site for you (your two hours a day would be spent initially adding content and alternating with marketing the site).

However this takes time in the beginning to do it right and make it successful (research 2-5 hours, learning to research 5-6 hours), putting systems in place on your site (5-6 hours), learning about and acquiring website visitors (2-5 hours and ongoing).

The good news is that once you start making money and the site is established (perhaps 6 months) you can create a new online business and double your income (more or less) in far less time.

Costs are minimal (especially when you consider the cost of a real business) – $9 yr for website domain registration, $8/month for hosting, and $97 for the script that builds the website for you – your second business would only require a new domain registration (you quickly see the value of lather-rinse-repeat once you have a system down for making money).

I understand your dilemna but don’t want to pull any wool over your eyes at a crucial time like this – so I’m telling it to you straight.

Please be careful online – there are a lot of unscrupulous marketers who will sell you a ‘dream’ of easy money overnight just to earn themselves a fat commission check. A person in dire straights or in serious need of a second income could go very broke, very quick when following the wrong advice.

Laura Childs

p.s. Be sure to note that the advice above is only geared to Richard and others like him. If you know what you’re doing when you start a business (online or off) and you have time or resources to spare (more than 2-3 hours a day’s worth) then you’d be better off working towards a more lucrative business model.

I am a ‘newbie’ starting out. Ideally, I am looking for a online business with clear instructions and opportunity to make some money.

I need an easy place to start where I can learn and earn.

Your site has a wealth of information and lot I do not understand at this stage.

I am also a fulltime caretaker for my wife who is ill. This has hit us hard financially. I need to develop additional income quickly as possible and am able to spend 2-3 hours each day on the computor.

Would appreciate your advice and help as to the best way for me to start.

Thank you, Richard