msnbc's Derek Gehl wrote article on the basics of building an online business. It is a comprehensive guide for those who are new to this industry. The steps on working on an online business include:

1. Finding a need or niche and filling it.
2. Writing a sales copy that sells.
3. Designing and building your business website.
4. SEO or using search engines to drive your targeted market to your site.
5. Establishing your credibility to get more traffic to your site.
6. Using e-mail marketing to contact your customers regularly and to find new clients.
7. Increasing your income via back-end sales and upselling.
8. Starting an affiliate program to maximize sales and revenue.

Get the details from MSNBC.