Your certified public accountant has been watching the growth of new businesses premised on internet services and internet marketing. As the internet age matures, expands, and increases in every aspect of our lives -businesses included — the demand for internet services and businesses has also grown.

The real explosion of internet business started with smartphones. Most people now carry some kind of mobile device (smartphone, laptop, notebook, iPad, Kindle) with them at all times. Data shows that most online shopping is now conducted on mobile internet devices.

Additionally, it is almost impossible to be a part of any business venture without reliance on our computers and the internet. As we conduct more and more of our business affairs online, the need for internet businesses has exploded. Whole new areas of commerce unique to the internet age have opened up, with more on the way. Additionally, existing businesses need complimentary internet providers for everything from small business accounting to an internet marketing firm that keeps their particular enterprise viable and prominent for the majority of customers who will use the internet to seek out services or products.

If you’re looking for business opportunities in 2015, consider a start-up that is internet based. You don’t have to be a giant like Amazon or YouTube, but you could end up like these very successful companies with a good idea, the proper support, and some savvy maneuvers.

Just as you are working on creating your own internet business, don’t forget to rely on the guidance and support that a certified public accountant provides for small business accounting. Your certified public accountant will set you up with the proper and legally required documentation, as well as guide you through the process of a business plan, and filing paperwork with your municipality, state, and federal government. They can mentor you through all the accounting and bookkeeping processes required by law not only to set up a new business but keep it running according to regulations. This includes probably one of the most onerous aspects of every business: taxation.

Now, we will take a look at the hottest trends for new internet-based businesses in 2015.

Online Marketplaces

The area of growth is niche marketing. If you have a product or service, such as a construction company that specializes in custom closets, you might use the internet to market and sell your services. The key is to not try and compete with retail giants like eBay and Amazon but to carve out your own special marketplace. You don’t necessarily have to sell your product online, but you must create an online presence to properly market it. You could of course have a product to sell, in which case internet marketing is the ideal place to start your business. However, even if your skill or business is not a product, but a service, you should use the internet to get it. Market your custom closet business on the internet. Or, sell your neon spandex sports pants on the internet. The point is to consider the web your first point of contact and communication with potential customers and clients.

A very strong example of an online marketplace is health web portals.

Health Web Portals

You do not have to be a medical professional to develop and set up a health portal. More and more healthcare providers, including veterinarians and alternative medical practitioners, are subscribing to digital services which provide an online resource for keeping track of an individual’s health record, communicating with clients, and setting up appointments. Online medical advice through internet health portals is also growing.

Any area of internet commerce is only limited by the scope of your imagination. Think of a niche segment of the online market, and set up the service or product. Use any pre-existing skills or expertise you have, as well as your creativity. Consider how consumer needs are changing because of the internet, and what services they would be attracted to.

You will probably need to retain the services of both an internet web design and marketing company to get your web presence up and running, and you will also need a certified public accountant to keep you legal and set up the actual business documentation as required by law. Success is very likely by using these two services and finding that market niche. If you’re looking for a new business idea for 2015, go internet, and enjoy the age of online commerce!