Looking for a home computer business idea?

Here's a home computer business idea that combines your strengths with all the potential of that fantastic tool - the home computer.

If you're staring at your screen wondering how you can set up your own home business using your computer, here's one suggestion with tips on how to get started.

You, your computer and the internet - a smart team!

Home computers have opened the technological door to many people. Millions of us who thought we'd never need to learn to type are now merrily tapping away at our keyboards. "Silver surfers" - those retirees among us - congratulate themselves on their screensavers or desktop backgrounds showing smiling grandchildren. And those grandchildren are growing up into a world where a home without a computer is almost unknown.

Times have changed... and they're still changing!

Using the internet, you can browse pages of info, download programs you can use online or off, print out ebooks, get in touch with family and friends using emails, text messaging or chat, listen to music or radio, watch videos, enjoy photos, and, of course - you can buy stuff.

The combination of home computers and internet access has opened up the door to any budding entrepreneur who wishes to jump right in. And millions have done so, some with more success than others.

What's your home computer business idea ?

• You might have thought of writing and selling your own articles or books - or offering writing or editing services using your computer skills

• You may have prepared sets of teaching materials on your computer that you think would be useful to others

• You might be a bit of a whizz software designer and have some cool stuff you'd like to offer or sell for people to use on their own computers

• You may be thinking of using an online auction site such as eBay to sell stuff online

• Or maybe you really don't know what to do, but you're convinced there's got to be a way to do business with your computer!

Most serious home computer business ideas have one thing in common - they all involve using your computer to connect up what you can do and what you enjoy doing with people who would find your experience and knowlege useful.

And this really is one of the secrets of successful small business websites: provide something that other people find interesting and useful, and show yourself to be a bit of an expert at it, too.

Websites have that "online advantage" - they're globally available, open 24/7, and can literally make you money while you sleep. Good, informative websites written by real people like you are still appreciated, visited, and more likely to succeed than the run-of-the-mill sites run by not-very-interested webmasters.