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Starting A Computer Software Business

What you will be doing.  Computers are big business.  The prices are such that most families can afford to own one.  Once you have the computer, you need software to run on them.  Software is sold for computer games, computer applications, business finance, and personal use.  You can niche into a particular type of software like gaming or personal applications. 

Software that is sold is should not be copied according to copyright laws.  All software that you sell should be on a non-return basis unless the item was damaged in shipment or defective when used.  This keeps you from being the victim of scammers who copy software and return the original for a refund. 

The newest waves in software are electronic books.  These are books that are stored on a disk.  They take up less room than traditional books.  Selling electronic book software is a moneymaker. 

How to start.  This business can be run from a home base.  To eliminate lots of inventory and the need to store it, use the Internet to make your sales.  Set up online auctions to sell the inventory that you do decide to carry.  Use your website to sell software from your wholesale dealers.  Before you advertise the item as available, be sure to check with your supplier.  Check with suppliers ahead of time about shipping details for your customers. 

The money that you save on shipping supplies can be funneled into producing a catalogue.  Color catalogues sell better than black and white ones.  Send out catalogues with each order when you can afford it.  Until then, use black and white catalogues.  For website subscribers, offer a monthly newsletter that features new products when they come in. 

Start up costs.  The initial outlay of cash may be around $500 which will be mostly advertising costs and financial software to keep track of monies going out and coming in.  If your business starts as strictly online, you can deal with wholesalers to drop-ship items once they are ordered from your website by customers.  If you already have a computer and printer, the money will be used towards marketing. 

Skills needed.  You need to be organized and on task.  Diligently looking for the newest software to sell is a day to day assignment.  Keeping customers in the loop will make them more apt to trust your judgment.  Providing good customer service will lead to repeat business.  Internet knowledge will help you find the hot spots to advertise, like gaming sites, educational sites, and others. 

Marketing.  Advertise in gaming magazines, literary magazines, and others that fit the software niche that you are in.  Use the Internet to advertise as much as possible.  Network with other small businesses and advertise on each others sites.  Start a forum on your own site for software users to discuss various topics.  They can trade information, get help from you with problems, and offer suggestions to improve your website and the business.  Add links to websites that offer help for software problems.  Make your website the “one stop shop” for software needs.   

Software sales are big business.  As the world of computers continues to grow, so does the software industry to keep up.  The potential for expansion and profit is only limited by how much business you can handle.

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