I had an idea

[diddlepops]

for an online business that I could run from home. How in hell's name do I found out whether its worth setting up and how in hell's name do I start finding out about suppliers etc?

Any advice please?

[littlesheep]

Make friends with google and get searching! Then it's a case of doing the sums and working out if you've got the time / motivation / determination to do it!

[diddlepops]

[QUOTE=littlesheep;765647]Make friends with google and get searching! QUOTE]

For what - similar businesses, suitable market and stock, I presume!!! I am a total novice - not even sure whether it would be a good idea - I have these hair brained schemes and never follow them up - this is the third "good idea" I have had recently!!!

Thanks tho!

[Olive_Oil]

have a good look at other similar business. Find out whats already available and whats not. then have a look at trying to find a unique selling point, something that will make you a bit different than all the rest., As for suppliers, thats the difficult one. I think i must have spend hours and hours when i was searching., Its just a case of try try try again im afraid. google is ur best bet!

[Ruthierhyme]

I agree to googling, although sometimes seeing what is out there can be very disheartening. Get everything you want to do/sell down on paper, think up a or some business names and start googling, variations of the name/s - the goods /products and manufactures and start seeing who has what & where !

[littlesheep]

Make friends with google and get searching!

For what - similar businesses, suitable market and stock, I presume!!! I am a total novice - not even sure whether it would be a good idea - I have these hair brained schemes and never follow them up - this is the third "good idea" I have had recently!!!

Thanks tho!

Yep, think about what you want and google to try and find suppliers and to see what the competitors are doing and to check the market isn't already saturated.

[katystuff]

Yup, very wise words from the others. Research, research and research some more and find out absolutely everything you can from who's doing it already then make it better!

Best of luck.

[BellaMiller]

Visit www.businesslink.gov.uk too for advice :)

[ann0024]

There needs to be a market for the goods/service you want to provide. Start asking questions, use your family and friends, mums at the school gate and toddler group, could you do a poll on here? Pick up the phone book in your area, see if anyone else is providing the same service. Just because no-one else is doing it in your area is not a good indication that you should go with ith. It could mean that there just isn't the market for it.