You're thinking of starting an ecommerce business, but you have no idea where to start. Fortunately, thanks to ingenious developers around the World, the barriers to entry are lower than ever before. Easy applications and templates can help you have an ecommerce store up and running in a few weeks or months, depending on how much time you're able to dedicate to the process. Here are a few essential tips for starting an ecommerce business the kibo code quantum bonus.

Defining your niche and business model

Hopefully, you have an existing product line or products in mind. Perhaps you have a brick-and-mortar store and you're looking to add the Web as an additional sales channel. Or you may be considering utilizing a drop-shipper or affiliate program.

If none of these apply, the first thing you need to do is define your niche. Do you want to sell products related to a specialized area of expertise as a supplement to consulting work or another enterprise? Or are you entering the ecommerce field hoping to capitalize on a current trend or fill a hole in consumer demand? You should develop a very specific plan including the types of products you want to sell and to whom: What does your ideal customer look like?

Women Grow Business advises prospective entrepreneurs to select an industry they're passionate about, because the time commitment will seem less overwhelming if you're enthusiastic about your work. It's also advisable to select an area you're very knowledgeable about, because this makes it easier to produce content for your Website, content marketing and ad copy.

Do you need funding?

Fortunately, the ecommerce business model isn't one that requires vast amounts of startup capital. If you're stocking and shipping your own products, this scenario is a bit different. You'll need warehouse or other storage space, and you'll need the funds to purchase your first lot of products.

Otherwise, funding requirements are slim. You'll be using online tools and software applications to create your website, accept payments and track orders and the fulfillment process. You should plan to make an investment in cost-per-click advertising, because it's the simplest way to start driving traffic to your storefront without spending months optimizing for SEO.

Even cost-per-click advertising has a low barrier to entry; there are numerous service providers and consulting companies that can teach you how to create and manage a campaign or even manage it completely for you. And because you'll be setting the amount you're bidding on specific keywords and campaigns, you won't be shocked to receive an unexpected bill for thousands of dollars. If you do it right, you can start generating revenue right away with the right combination of ad copy, keywords and landing pages for conversions.

Building the foundation: What you'll need before you start

BusinessWeek outlines a few essentials you'll need to get started:

• Great product photos. Use a professional photographer if you have the budget. The better your photos look, the more sales you'll make. Shoddy photography gives a negative first impression and can lead your customers to assume that you're not a well-established retailer.

• Keyword research. You'll want to know what keywords you want to target that are most relevant to your products. Tools like Google AdWords Keyword Tool can help you identify the best keywords for your needs.

• Informative product descriptions. Using those keywords you researched, create robust product descriptions. These are very important to your success, because they'll be the primary driver of Web traffic to your storefront.

• A credit card merchant and payment processor. The goal of starting an ecommerce store is to earn money, but you'll need a reliable way to collect that money. Gateway services like PayPal make accepting credit card payments simple, and the fees are minimal. Google Wallet (formerly Google Checkout) and 1ShoppingCart are other options offering varying features and capabilities. Do your research and find the provider that's best for your needs.

• Develop a plan for inventory management. If you're new to retailing, you'll be mostly guessing on product demand. Keep close tabs on how quickly your products are moving within the first few months and plan your inventory accordingly. If you're using a drop-shipping service, this is less of a concern.

• Have a plan for time management. The attraction of ecommerce to many would-be entrepreneurs is that from the outside, it appears to be a hands-off enterprise. The "If you build it, they will come" philosophy really doesn't hold true in this case. You can't set up a storefront, walk away and wait for the cash to start rolling in. You'll need to monitor progress, manage inventory, handle customer service and drive traffic to your Website.

Starting an ecommerce business is easier than ever, but it's still a significant commitment. Choosing a niche you're passionate about will make the process more rewarding. With a little time and dedication, you can have your ecommerce venture up and running in no time and set yourself up with a handsome income stream.