Recent developments in technology and communication have opened up new opportunities for those wishing to start a retail business. Selling online offers a number of advantages, including reduced startup costs, the ability to work from home, and low-cost advertising options such as optimising a site's position on search engines or entering into an affiliate (commission-based reseller) program. Having created a business plan, the first step in setting up an online business is to find a reliable website host and reserve a suitable domain name. There are numerous practical factors to consider, including bandwidth and disk space requirements, and establishing a sufficient level of security in processing online payments from customers. Depending on what service or product is being provided, the website need not be technically complex; however, for maximum impact, it may be helpful to employ a professional web-designer.