Because of the fact that the Internet and commerce on the Internet is in its infancy, many new opportunities and challenges face the "Interpreneur" (an Internet Entrepreneur). The opportunities include, but are not limited to, the ability to cost effectively market, promote and sell products worldwide, to build communities based upon content, to self publish your own works, to utilize email, search engines, newsgroups and other Internet tools and resources to efficiently reach a multitude of potential customers or members, to eliminate the need for expensive 800 number telemarketing, order taking and catalog sales and an unparalleled ability to engage in network marketing and collaboration. Also, since customers only see the virtual environment, the Web provides an opportunity to avoid the expenditures associated with traditional "brick and mortar" like rent, retail employees and inventory. However, business on the Internet requires expenditures in software, servers, access and computer programmers.

As governments wrestle with control issues over censorship and regulation issues, as large corporations shift massive marketing budgets into Internet advertising, marketing and promotion, as technology and delivery mediums change by the moment, and space on the Internet becomes more crowded with sites all clamoring for consumer attention, mind share and loyalty, the Interpreneur must have a pioneering spirit, be tenacious, flexible, creative, intuitive market savvy and have a bit of luck.

The Internet can also be use by existing traditional businesses to create consumer awareness of its prodcuts and services and to provide an alterantive to traditional distribution.

Although the Internet is largely unregulated at present, it is recommended that consideration be given to conducting your business on the Internet in a lawful fashion. In particular, attention should be paid to copyright licensing, federal laws concerning the use of the mails, obtaining required business licenses, and freedom of speech issues.

Also, many customers are currently insecure about doing business on the Interent, largely due to exaggerated and untrue media hype and the novelty of the Internet. Although the Internet provides more security than handing your credit card to a waiter at a restaurant or giving it to a complete stranger over an 800 line, it is recommended that you provide information and encryption technology on your site in order to make customers feel more comfortable and secure about doing business on your site.

Despite its infancy, growing pains and problems, the Internet represents an exciting multi-billion dollar frontier worthy of serious consideration for many businesses.