Starting a business on the web

[douglas168]

I am starting a business on the web but I know little about web development. Maybe some of you can help me out:

1- Is there any good book on grand picture of web development? What's involved in a success web development?
2- There are so many technical areas (client side, server side). I anticipate to contract out most if not all of it but I like to be familiar with it. From a web site management / business point of view, what technical areas should start learning?
3- Any recommendation on where to host my web site? It will need database support, pay service and traffic analysis.
4- Web marketing is essentail to a business. Is there a good book or web site that teaches the foundamentals of online advertising, search listing and...?

Appreciate the help,
Douglas

[Compguy Pete]

1. No I have yet to see a book that is the magic bullet for creating a successful web company.
2. You need to just pick an area and focus on that... You'll see a trend in your own area and clients that will help forcast what to get into next.
3. http://www.thelist.com
4. http://www.google.com

[Zipline]

What are you looking to accomplish with your website? Are trying to sell products? or a service? I am not aware of any single source on how to start a web-based business. I have seen some decent quality books including an online business for dummies book but none of the ones I have reviewed seemed to offer any real insight into starting a successful online business. It sounds like you’re more interested in learning more about web development and less about business development. Am I correct? If so there are a lot of books that talk about the basics of how a website works. I probably wouldn’t bother reading about HTML and I would focus on books detailing the bigger picture of web development. I know I have seen some browsing around, unfortunately I can’t think of any specific titles right now. I may also consider looking into web usability as well.

[winged1]

Not sure of any books, but like any reality business, virtual businesses require some of the same aspects; a professional image, sound policies, prospecting, and ability to close. You will need to drive a much larger percentage of viewers through your site, than in reality because your prequalifications are necessarily broader. Market segmentation is still king.

[Snitchcat]

Starting a business requires a few essentials, regardless of if you're going to be a 'brick and mortar' or a virtual company. Such basics include:

Product

Selling point
Accessibility
Target market
Resources

These business principles and others apply, whatever environment you operate in.

I'd suggest picking up an up-to-date business book that provides you with an all-round view of finance, operations, HR and marketing. Granted, you mayn't yet need the HR part for business, but it'll be good to have it built-in from the start.

You might try the McGraw Hill business books -- they're usually written by professionals and contain details and examples that, with a little adaptation, could help you in your situation. A bonus: they're good reads.

General point: ignore any book that was written / printed before the latter half of 2004 -- they will be out of date. Today's market moves much faster than even in the first half of 2004.

And just a final note: web marketing may be essential to a business, but it's Not the be-all-end-all of marketing.

Hope this helps some.

Edit:
Forgot to add that a Google search for 'successful web development business' or whatever string you prefer, would also throw up a lot of results that you can peruse. Some of these results will be essential, some will be useless. But that's up to you to decide.

To start you off:
Click here. :D :D :D (http://www.google.com.hk/search?q='developing+a+successful+web+business'&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official)

Enjoy!