$3k startup. Need some advice/help/ideas.

Discussion in 'General Business' started by Kestal, Nov 3, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hello everyone,

    I'd like to first say thank you for anyone who reads this and offers suggestions to this query. Its most appreciative of the members here.

    I have just joined this forum and I am intrigued by the amount of business ideas which are floating around on these forums. With that in mind, I am a bit overwhelmed as I am just starting to dive into the field of this broad topic.

    I have about $3,000 and I am planning on starting up a business online; whether it be online retail through dropshipping (though I heard the profit margins are slimmer than not), PBBG (game) developement, proxy, article writing, etc.

    It would be nice to invest in something and have a constant stream of money with minimal work, though I am not sure if such a thing exists. I currently have server space at my disposal (50gb, 4gb bandwidth, 15 mySQL databases). However, I am currently just learning about PHP/MySQL though am pretty efficient with HTML/java. Im pretty good with digital art and photo-manipulation.

    Gaming-wise, before anyone gets the wrong idea, I have only made sprite-based games based off of a hybrid language which had no profitability from it. (it was saturated with only free-based fan-based games from popular anime shows - that of which, were knocked off from other games that came before it). Though that knowledge helped me gain a better understand which ultimately led me to branch off into PHP/mySQL.

    Shop-wise, the only thing I have done is just barely scratch the surface of starting up an online business. I am currently working on a website which is based off of a free script/community (OSCommerce) though have pretty much hit blanks on suppliers who turned out to be shady. I thought about setting up with WorldWideBrands however I then, luckily, found this website first. :D

    I am soon heading back to College for Business courses. Its a 2 year program which focuses mainly on small businesses, marketing, and accounting (which I believe in the future, once I get a good kick in the door, would be quite beneficial towards anything that I decide or that you suggest).

    I thought of proxies, though they do not seem to be as long term as I would hope (unless anyone can tell me otherwise). If I could get enough from them that could surpass or even substitute what I make at a minimum-wage dead-end job (part-time), I would be happy. (which mind you, is only about $300-350 CAD/mo :()

    I write this post because I have tried a few things and have been burned badly. I must admit, I also thought about making an online-based store relating to digital products, however I am not sure how profitable that could be. Saw a link in the freebie section of this site that had a mass collection, though how can one tell who has resell rights anymore? anyway, I was hoping someone from this community might be able to help out a newbie. ;)

    Anyone have any suggestions or ideas that could point me into the right direction? If not, does anyone have an idea on how I can free myself from this statutory hell..errr ... I mean my current job. :)

    Thank you ahead of time,
    Kestal (aKa The 'Rambler')
     
    Kestal, Nov 3, 2007 IP
  2. simon369

    simon369 Active Member

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    #2
    Well if you have $3000 i would probably stick away from proxies.

    You could probably earn more than you invest back easily but it wont be that long term

    maybe look in bst and see what websites are going for that price or might be best to look at sitepoint.com as they have more of the more expensive sites selling there.

    if not the game idea sounds ok if you could buy a game engine to get you started then spend a thousand or something making it basically a unique scripts

    loads of decent games make money from people who buy credits to advance faster than other people in the game

    thanks
     
    simon369, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  3. sudarshannus

    sudarshannus Peon

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    #3
    Go to BST and check for sites that makes constant revenue monthly,try to learn how they work and BIN on it.....hope u choose the right site :)
     
    sudarshannus, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  4. Kestal

    Kestal Peon

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    #4
    Thank for the idea guys, so basically a good step in the door would be to buy a high-traffic site with low bin within my price range and develop from that. I recently started looking into affiliate marketing which seems intriguing, aswell. The game idea that you mentioned is exactly what I was trying to go for. I found a free engine which I was trying to build on (because I just needed to know the basics of it for now to make it work). I have been fiddling with that for about 2-3 weeks.

    Out of curiosity, and forgive me for I am new to the idea, though why are proxies considered a 'short-term' investment? I mean, if I can make my investment back then there must be something just as disappointing on the same end. -_-;

    Thanks again for the suggestions :)
     
    Kestal, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  5. simon369

    simon369 Active Member

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    #5
    Some proxies last for years and do great but some just fail one day

    they are not all short term but i would risk a few thousand in proxies.

    you could always jsut spend a 100 or 200 on them and see what happens from there

    Thanks
     
    simon369, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  6. Kestal

    Kestal Peon

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    #6
    Ahh. Thanks. :) Any other suggestions are welcome aswell :)
     
    Kestal, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  7. imnajam

    imnajam Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Look around the web and see how peoples are working, figure out your interest, get someone to help you in creating and search engine optimizing a site and work on it.
     
    imnajam, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  8. Tom Thumb

    Tom Thumb Notable Member

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    #8
    Your 4gb bandwidth would dissapear in seconds with a proxy lol!

    But I was making $15 a day ( probably small!) with a proxy..
    Imagine if you had 10 of them... :)

    best of luck mate!
     
    Tom Thumb, Nov 4, 2007 IP
  9. Kestal

    Kestal Peon

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    #9
    actually, I just upgraded it in the morning. I figured with me developing my game project aswell as branching off into other ventures, I might need a bit more than just economy hosting. 3000gb/month bandwidth transfer, 300gb space, with unlimited domains per host. :)

    Thanks for the warning though :)

    I think with that figure, if I went into proxies, I might stand a good chance to make some cash. <_<

    Im currently reading more material on CPC, CPA (and other affiliate programs), reading a bit on PHP/mySQL (though I've been doing that for a while), and looking into proxies.

    I've been looking through sitepoint and the BST section of DP for intriguing offers, aswell :). (something that could be easily managed, etc).

    Thank you again for the suggestions :)
     
    Kestal, Nov 4, 2007 IP