From...

July 1, 1999
Web posted at: 1:48 p.m. EDT (1748 GMT)

by Anne Fischer Lent

(IDG) -- Everybody's taking business online, and now Web-based entrepreneurs have their own professional group. Aptly named Webentrepreneurs.com, this online business association is aimed both at those starting to do business on the Web, and those who want to learn how to improve their e-commerce.

Membership in Webentrepreneurs.com costs $99 annually or $159 for two years. Anyone with an e-mail address can join. But if you already run a Web site, you can really get the most value from Webentrepreneurs.com. You can take advantage of the free promotion offered through links to your own pages, and get listed in the Webentrepreneurs.com member directory.

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But even if you haven't yet spun your online design, you can learn much here. A monthly newsletter comes chock-full of online tidbits. Message boards let members interact, sharing ideas and passing along valuable lessons. Among the message topics are Growing Your Biz, Promoting Your Biz, and Getting Started--something for every level of launch. Online chat sessions and Ask the Expert also help members ferret out what they need to know.

Resources and referrals

Cruising through the e-pages now online proves Webentrepreneurs.com has a substantial membership. Page categories include hardware, software, content providers, direct marketers, and financial services. Some interesting small-business Web sites are included.

The bookstore is also worth a stop; it features four selections this month. Members can also submit suggestions for features in the bookstore. Interestingly, book buyers are linked to Amazon.com, one of the most successful Web entrepreneurs to date.

Finally, Webentrepreneurs.com keeps a calendar of events of interest to anyone designing Web pages or launching or running a Web-based business. The calendar lists events far enough in advance that you can make plans to attend, for example, Internet World in November in Norway.

Trial memberships are free, but you get a glimpse into the world of the online entrepreneur for only 30 days. Those serious about carving out a business niche in cyberspace should consider full-fledged membership. After all, it is probably a tax-deductible business expense.