Setting up your own business is easier today than it was a few years ago. With the huge expansion of the Internet and the easy access, not only from computers, but also from mobile phones, building your business can be easier and cheaper than you imagine.
Many people, from all over the world, have innovative ideas that respond to a specific need, that never leave their head. One of the major obstacles that is often pointed out is the financial issue. Fortunately, with the Internet, it is easier to build a business around an idea today.
The online market allows you to set up an online store, without having to worry about the fixed costs associated with renting a space, hiring staff, electricity, water, among others. Thus, you can expose the goods or services you sell at a very low price. On the other hand, depending on the business area, you can avoid hiring people and thus keep your operating costs quite low.
The tax aspects related to online business are also often the subject of several doubts by the entrepreneurs. Generally speaking, in Portugal, you have two possibilities at your disposal: to open activity as an individual and to open an activity as a company.
The first situation turns out to be the most frequent for small businesses that are still starting. It is also the easiest to do. You just need to enter your area in "Portal das Finanças" and proceed to open the activity. The first year have some tax benefits such as social security exemption. If you keep this activity in parallel with another job for another company, in which you already pay for social security, then, even after the first year, you do not need to pay social security.
The second situation is most often followed by businesses that are expected to have a larger initial size. This option has some additional tax obligations which, for a small business, may not compensate at an early stage.
Associated with the type of activity that you opened, you will also have two types of accounting: simplified accounting and organized accounting. The first one turns out to be suitable for most of the businesses that are taking the first steps. The second means that you will need to hire a certified accountant to manage all of your business activity.
Once you create your business, the most important aspect to worry about is your promotion. Only this way will you be able to earn customers that will allow you to generate sells.
For the effective promotion of the products you sell you should start by identifying who your target audience is. In this way you can identify where are they and promote your business with greater probability of success. It is in this area that you will probably invest a large part of your capital as it is one of the most important areas for new business. You can have the best product in the world, but if nobody knows you ... nobody will buy it.
Creating an online business is simpler than it may seem. The bureaucratic process involved is relatively simplified. You should start by opening up your activity by choosing a type of accounting. This way you are already perfectly legal and can start selling your goods.