There are endless reasons people want to start their own online home businesses and be their own boss, and there are just as many reasons that they do not go ahead and do it. Chief among these is the nagging feeling that it is just too hard and just too expensive.

However, it is neither! You do not need to have expert computer skills, be an experienced webmaster, nor have bags of money at your disposal in order to start an Internet business successfully from home. You do not need all the time in the world, either. If you have a home computer, an Internet connection, and a great product, service, or idea, you can set up your online business with just a little time, a little effort, and a little money.

One of the main things you will need to do is get your website out there on the Web where people can find it. The process is “web hosting”: a dedicated computer, always turned on and connected to the Internet, “hosts” the web page you created for your business so that others can see it.

If you are highly skilled, ambitious, and have plenty of spare time, you can set up the hosting computer in your home and maintain it yourself. Not surprisingly, few people choose this option! Instead, the smart online entrepreneur outsources. You can pay someone else to set up web hosting for you.

A web hosting company will generally charge you a monthly fee. In return, they will keep your web page posted on the net. They will also make sure your page rarely (if ever) goes down, and, generally, handle all of the technical details.

Paying for web hosting will save you a lot of time and trouble. The trick is not pay too much for it. Inexpensive web hosts are out there and easy to find. Just make sure you find a good one! You need a web hosting company that is inexpensive, but that does not compromise on service.

A good, inexpensive web host may skimp on some of the premium services, but will not skimp on the important things. You should make sure you are working with a web hosting company that offers good, reliable service at a fair price. The company you contract with should offer friendly, efficient customer service, and your web page should be up and available at all times.

You should also be able to update and change your web page whenever necessary, and all its links should work. Any interactive features you have on your page should work reliably as well.

Interactivity is important. In order to connect with new customers, you want to make sure you can stay in touch with them.

You especially need to make sure to get back to new customers as soon as possible. An email auto responder is a great way to do that.

Using a follow up Automatic Responder, you can count on anyone who expresses an interest in your product or service to get a prompt and courteous follow up email from you. This will be a response that you create yourself. It will be stored in the follow up automatic responder software.

With auto response software like this in place, you do not have to worry about constantly monitoring your email. Your customers will get instant responses to their emails. Later, you can follow up on your own when you are ready.

With inexpensive, reliable web hosting and a follow up automatic responder, you can start and run your very own home-based online business with very little expense or trouble.