Opening an online scrapbook store gives you the opportunity to open up shop in your house or garage, but the business should be treated just as professionally as a "brick and mortar" store.

You'll have the chance to choose your own hours and work in your pajamas if you want, but competition from the hundreds of other online scrapbook stores makes it necessary for things like in-stock inventory and professional design to be a priority.

Online retailers who research and develop a niche have a good chance of making this a profitable venture. E-bay can be a great place to market your wares. Whether you're selling supplies or your services, you will be able to realize quite a bit of profit by marketing yourself at an online auction site.

Find out what people want from an online store. Find out your target market's priorities - is it product selection? Is it cost? Is it free shipping? I would spend at least six months doing background research like that. Find out what's already being offered by many online stores, then figure out how you can be different.

That difference is what will make your business viable. Then take that research and create a plan. It doesn't have to be a formal business or marketing plan, but you need to define your business goals, and have a tentative idea of how you can reach them. Having a plan and goals for the future will also help your business stand out; your customers will perceive you as more professional.

One note about shipping out your supplies to people:  the U.S. Postal Service will give you FREE Priority Mail supplies like envelopes, boxes, and such for you to use with your business. Log on to www.usps.com and go to "Shipping Supplies" to order as many as you want.

This will cost you a little more to send supplies out Priority Mail, but your customers will be grateful, and you'll save a ton of money by not having to buy envelopes at an office supply store at your own expense. In the long run, it'll be worth it!