Startup Home-Based Social Media Businesses

Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate and analyze issues faced by small-business owners while running their businesses via social media sites, and to emphasize the opportunities for conducting business via social media. Theoretical framework: Small businesses are vital to the success of any economy, through job creation, sparking innovation, and providing opportunities for many people to achieve financial success and independence. In today’s social media-driven environment, it is essential that small business’ owners engage with social media networking sites and understand how social media can play a crucial role in developing their businesses. Design/methodology/approach: The research focuses on analyzing the day-to-day operations and procedures of small businesses involving social media networking sites. Two questionnaires were developed to analyze and investigate these issues effectively. Findings: The results reveal the importance of organizing the operations and procedures of social media businesses, also emphasize the opportunities for conducting business via social media sites. Research, Practical & Social implications: this study was conducted to help business owners to engage with social media sites, as well as to solve issues that they face while running their online businesses. Originality/value: The results of the first questionnaire indicate issues from customers’ perspectives, while the second questionnaire indicate issues from merchants’ perspectives. The results reveal the importance of organizing the operations and procedures of social media businesses, also emphasize the opportunities for conducting business via social media sites