Skyping with a friend of mine in Zimbabwe who had read a previous post of mine he asked me:
“Can I Start and Online Business From Anywhere in the World?”
For those who know the political history of Zimbabwe since gaining Independence this question is very pertinent.
The short answer to his question is YES!
Geographical location does not impede you from starting an online business but other factors might.
Table of Contents
All You Need is An Internet Connection
Strictly speaking all you need to start an online business from anywhere on the planet is an Internet connection with a computer/mobile phone/tablet and service provider to connect to the Internet.
That’s the technical side of things.
Regardless of what type of online business you want to start you will have to have those three elements.
They are the brick and mortar of your business and the methodology you will use to run your business.
The good news is that, unlike a brick and mortar business, your online business can go with you anywhere in the world
Certain Online Businesses Are Limited By Borders and Distance
Not all online businesses are totally transportable.
If, for example you had an online retail or wholesale business supplying local customers you are pretty much confined to that locale, because you carry stock and would need to get it delivered.
You could overcome this restriction by employing a local to be your hands on person while you control things remotely.
It might prove a bit clumsy but it is probably doable.
My favourite online business that is totally transportable (subject to having an Internet connection) is without a doubt Internet Affiliate Marketing and includes blogging.
Both these are border less and with a lap top you can easily run your business from anywhere.
What’s more you can also promote products from any number of countries.
Side story:
Back in 2007, when I was just starting out, one of the top affiliate marketers (a guy by who went by the user name of “Bum Marketer”) posted that he had received cheques/checks from no less than 12 different countries in one particular week!
I thought that was pretty impressive.
Back on subject …
Drop shipping can also be started and operated from anywhere on the planet. Because you do not carry any stock you are free to move around and do drop shipping in say the UK even though you may live in South Africa.
Pretty cool if you are a well-organised person.
Starting a Business In a Politically Unstable or Sensitive Country
I’m going to start this paragraph with a disclaimer.
I do not know the rules and regulations in every country of the world. Please do your own homework to determine the legalities and merits of starting an online business in the country of your choice.
I live in New Zealand but am originally from Zimbabwe (or Rhodesia as it was then) and have lived in South Africa for 22 years. I am familiar with both these latter countries.
As far as I am aware there are no legal impediments to starting an online business in either – there are thousands of online businesses in each.
The problems business owners face in these countries are based around political uncertainty and the ramifications that come with it.
For example both countries have rampant inflation rates and strict foreign currency laws – to this day I believe that owning an account offshore is, let’s say, frowned upon.
I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong and if that is the case I would love to know what the rules are.
Currency restrictions and fluctuations limit access to international currencies – neither the South African Rand nor Zimbabwe Dollar are sought after currencies worldwide.
On the plus side of this is that is you have an online business (such as affiliate marketing) you earn in strong international currencies and effectively create a more stable income than you would earning locally.
In addition to the currency fluctuations and banking laws, citizens of both countries often have to operate without electricity due to rolling “black outs” to protect the national grids’ limited capacities.
Blackouts are scheduled but often occur without warning. These sudden lapses of power obviously impact the Internet and businesses as a result.
The Benefits of Starting An Online Business
I’ve touched briefly on this above and to me the benefits are pretty obvious.
- Earn your income in strong currencies for financial independence free from government interference. That is not to say you don’t have to comply with your country of residences tax or accounting laws, or any other laws applicable to running a business.
- Take your business with you if you emigrate. As an immigrant myself I would have loved to arrive in New Zealand with a fully up and running business that earned me money while I was in the air! Unfortunately Affiliate Marketing wasn’t a thing, or at least I wasn’t aware of it, back in 1999. No excuses for you reading this.
- Take your work with you wherever you go – just don’t spoil family holidays by being too much of a workaholic. And while you’re on holiday you may even find new niches and products you never knew existed.
- Sell products in and from any country in the world – just imagine getting a cheque/check from each of 12 different countries. Wow – mind boggling.
Final Word on Starting an Online Business From Anywhere
You are not limited by where you live! But you may be limited by fear of the unknown and that is understandable.
If you are unfortunate enough to live in a country that throws up problems overcoming them (and there is always a way) will make you a stronger marketer.
And it will make you wealthier and happier than your current situation plus provide you with long waiting security.
What are you waiting for, what is the one thing (or two or three) holding you back?
Let me know below and let’s see if we can get you started.
Remember … keep on trucking!