Technology-Related Business Ideas

There are many technology-related business ideas out there that allow tech savvy business owners to use their technical experience to build a successful business.

Here are ten technology-related business ideas, including the pros and cons, and a list of resources for each idea to help you get started.

1. Blog Consulting

If you are a blogging expert and love to learn and explore all things related to blogging, a small business as a blog consultant could be a very lucrative business, allowing you to support all types of bloggers in getting their blogs up and running. Explore if this is the right business idea for you.

2. Computer Repair and Maintenance

If you have a technical background and an expert understanding of computers, a small business as a computer repair and maintenance service could be a great business idea for you.

3. Computer Training

Are you exceptionally savvy with computers and software, and want to help others boost their comfort level with computers? If so, a computer training business might be a great business idea for you.

4. Data Entry

There are a lot of legitimate opportunities available for data entry businesses. If you are an exceptional typist with an eye for detail, explore what it takes to start a data entry business.

5. Desktop Publishing

Desktop publishing involves using a computer and specific software to create visual business documents and marketing materials. Do you have what it takes to start a desktop publishing business?

6. eBay Consulting

An eBay consulting business may be the perfect business idea for an eBay pro who wants to help others use eBay effectively and generate a significant income. Learn if an eBay consulting business is the right business for you.

7. Internet Research

Do you have a knack for quickly finding relevant information on the Internet? If so, an Internet research business may be the perfect business idea for you.

8. Social Media Consulting

If you are a social media specialist and love helping others create a social media presence, then you may be an excellent fit for a social media consulting business. Learn the pros and cons of starting a social media consulting business.

Business Plan Outline

Business plans are an important business start-up step for many small business owners, especially those who are pitching their business ideas to investors or credit institutions for funding. Because of the vastness of information to be included, business plans can also be one of the most overwhelming parts of starting a business. 

Here is a business plan outline that walks you through each section of a basic business plan in the order they typically appear. Each of the links below provides an overview of what should be included, provides an example of the section and shares a few tips for writing each section of your business plan effectively. 

Executive Summary

The executive summary is the first section of your small business plan that is typically written last. It provides an overview of all of the other sections in the business plan.

Company Description

The company description section of your business plan is typically the second section, coming after the executive summary. The company description outlines vital details about your company, such as where you are located, how large the company is, what you do and what you hope to accomplish.

Products or Services

The products or services section of your business plan should clearly describe what products and/or services you're selling with emphasis on the value you're providing to your customers or clients.

Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan comes after the products and services section and should provide a detailed overview of the industry you intend to sell your product or service in, including statistics to support your claims.

Marketing Strategy

The marketing strategy section of your business plan builds upon the market analysis section. This section outlines where your business fits into the market and how you will price, promote and sell your product or service.

Management Summary

The management summary section of your business plan describes how your business is structured, introduces who is involved, outlines external resources and explains how the business is managed.

Financial Analysis

The financial analysis section of your business plan should contain the details for financing your business now, what will be needed for future growth as well as estimating your operating expenses

Survey: Owners put business before health

Small-business owners are likely to put their work before their health, according to a survey released today by Manta, an online community for small businesses.

Almost half (44%) the owners surveyed say the 2011 business climate has taken a toll on their personal health:

·         one in three is working out less

·         22% have gained weight

·         14% are more short-tempered and argue more with family and co-workers

·         63% work more than 40 hours a week with 10% working 70-hour weeks

All that hard work paid off, most business owners said, with 72% saying 2011 was a successful year for their companies.

A slowly recovering economy was also good for new business activity, Manta reports, based on such data as fictitious business name filings, new corporation creations and other reports from local and state governments.

California leads with the most new-business activity, followed by Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. This result is expected because these are the high-population states.

Some industries are doing extremely well, Manta found. For example, e-commerce and information technology has grown 1,052% in 2011, apparel (including clothing and furniture repair) up 1,046% and electronics up 881%

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"Despite the challenging economic conditions, small-business owners are charging ahead," said Manta President and CEO Pamela Springer. "In fact, our survey found 37% of small-business owners expect their profits will increase this year."

The owners surveyed are not thrilled with the government's efforts to help small businesses in the slow economy.  Unemployment and job creation ought to be the number one issue for politicians, 38% of respondents said, the top vote getter. Second, with 17% was the budget deficit.

However, 69% said they are highly unsatisfied with the effectiveness of the federal government, and 63% said the Obama administration has hurt small businesses.

Despite that, when asked "which potential presidential candidate do you feel best supports small businesses, "respondents ranked President Obama highest with 21%, followed by Rick Perry, 14%; Ron Paul 11% and Mitt Romney, 9%. Newt Gingrich was not listed on the survey. The top scorer with 31% was none.

Want the latest on small business? Text OCRSMALLBIZ to 56654 to get free news alerts for small businesses.

Healthy, Wealthy or Wise? Small Businesses Rank Wealth

Despite a year filled with economic instability, a majority of small business owners (72 percent) say 2011 was a successful year for their company-- and new data shows new business activity saw a boost, too. According to the latest Manta SMB Wellness Index, new business activity was up more than 12 percent in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the same time last year. The Manta SMB Wellness Index is a quarterly index on the state of small business released by Manta, the largest online community dedicated entirely to small business. The index examines nationwide data collected from multiple business resources and takes a “pulse” of small business owners on hot topics. Manta’s latest survey polled more than 1,000 small business owners about their feelings on the 2011 small business landscape, predictions for 2012 and how their business is impacting their personal well being.

The Manta SMB Wellness Index shows that while new business activity is up year over year, September saw the steepest decline in activity in the past year and half. Moreover, there’s been about a 12.5 percent decrease in new business activity in Q3 compared to Q2. Alaska, Utah and Oregon had the sharpest declines in activity year over year, while Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona had the biggest boost in business activity in Q3, as well as the most gains year over year. 

"Thanks to the support from our customers and online tools like Manta that help us reach new markets, we've had a successful 2011," said Sherry Sheppard, owner of i love cupcakes, LLC, based in Largo, FL. "As a small business specializing in a niche industry--gourmet cupcakes--we know that both our community and online tools have helped us leverage innovative ways to reach people, which prove to be critical components for our continued success."

But that success has come with a price for many small business owners.  Almost half of respondents (44 percent) say this year’s business climate has taken a toll on their personal health--one in three say they work out less, 22 percent say they’ve gained weight and 14 percent say they are more short-tempered and argue with family and co-workers. In addition, Manta’s survey found that most small business owners (63 percent) averaged more than 40 hours a week at work, while nearly 1 in 10 report their average work week was upwards of 70 hours.

Luckily, life away from the office has been brighter for small business owners this year; 45 percent say their business has had a positive impact on their personal life. Small business owners say they’re happier (31 percent), have more time for family and friends (15 percent) and even report that their marriages have improved (eight percent).

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the national economy, and while things have been difficult in 2011, we see every day that small business owners are committed and hard-working and don’t take no for an answer,” said Pamela Springer, president and CEO of Manta.  “In fact, our survey shows that 90 percent of small business owners are optimistic about their company’s growth in 2012. Manta is focused on providing small business owners the resources they need to connect, reach new customers and continue their success this year and beyond.”  

Looking ahead, 70 percent of respondents think the small business economy will improve next year. That’s not surprising, since a majority of small business owners (62 percent) rank growing their business as their top New Year’s resolution-- ahead of improving relationships with their family, working out more and eating healthier.

For more on the Manta Q3 SMB Wellness Index, please contact manta (at) bordersgratehouse (dot) com.