I need real-world assistance for setting up, developing and launching an information-services business online. Where can I find comprehensive help?

There are a number of resources and packaged services that can help get your online business started. Yahoo sells a comprehensive e-commerce service (smallbusiness.yahoo.com) that can be used by businesses of any size.

Depending on your requirements and pocketbook, they take care of everything, from website development and hosting to order processing and payment processing. This solution is often particularly attractive to businesses just getting started or those on a tight budget.

If you're comfortable doing things yourself, and you're looking for freedom and flexibility, there are several accounting and order-processing software packages on the market that provide all the tools needed to fully integrate complete accounting, inventory and order-processing with new or existing Web stores. Some of the popular vendors include Intuit Inc., at http://www.quickbooksmerchantservice.com , Sage Software Inc., at http://www.sagesoftware.com and Microsoft Corp., at http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics .

Another option is to hire a consulting firm that has experience in setting up online businesses similar to your own. Ask to see their portfolio and talk to some of their clients before you make a decision, and make sure you have a formal contract spelling out what the company will — and won't — do for your firm.

You will need to provide a consultant with preliminary information on your company, so do some research and make some decisions now. Think about who your customers will be, how they will place orders, where products will come from and how goods or services will be paid for. The answers to those questions will be vital to starting your online company.



David Cieslak

Principal of Information Technology Group Inc.

Albert J. Zdenek Jr.

CPA and chief executive of Zdenek Financial Planning