In today’s economy more and more people are turning to the internet to find ways to earn additional income or to pursue a new career path.Starting a small business online is much easier these days than one might think. Although just as any other business, putting in time and energy is required in order to achieve success.The following are top 3 keys that will help you to channel your efforts towards success:Overcome Your Fear:When you are thinking about having a small business online it can be very exciting. Planning what products or services you will be promoting and selling, deciding what you business name will be or even what your logo might look like are initially a lot of fun. In reality, most people stop in their tracks thinking ‘what am I doing”.The security of the weekly or monthly pay check from a large company or corporation feels like a huge weight of guilt and fear. Fear that some people can’t get past. They just don’t see themselves as an online entrepreneur. But you hear all the time how so many people are making money online with the internet. And it is true, so why fear that?It is fear of the unknown that concerns new marketers. If you are not knowledgeable about starting a small business online, it is really the fear that is holding you back. Learning how to start and grow an online business can be accomplished. Overcome any fear by learning as much as you can to give you confidence in moving forward. The goal should be ‘learn to earn’!Overcome the Money Issue:Even if you were going to start a deli or bakery, or even a hot dog stand you would have to have start up funds to get you going.What is exciting about the internet, there is so much free information that you can obtain to start your online business for little or no money. And there are plenty of other tools that you can obtain for free as well.There are sites that will offer you free websites, sites to post free ads about your business, product or service and sites that host forums where you can gain a lot of information and learn most of the basics to start your online business. Your social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, to name a few, are a huge way to share with others your new online business absolutely for free.If you do need start up cash for web site development, brochures, business cards and things of that nature, keep the budget small until you start earning income. A small budget should be considered and adhered to. Consider a small business loan or even borrow money from family to get you started. If you have the will, you will find the way.Fear of Success… What if I Succeed?!Have you ever heard that people are afraid of success? There is a strong possibility that your business will succeed and has a greater chance to succeed than someone starting a brick and mortar small business.The internet offers you millions of potential customers which affords a higher percentage of success rates among those that will work to profit from their online business.An online business allows you to work from home, flexible hours, be your own boss and allows for your creativity and decision making. These are all great advantages of having your own online business.At first, you will start small but when you build up your business and start bringing in the income, it will allow you to succeed and grow. Letting you have others do some of the small tasks to allow you more time to build the business. This is called outsourcing and because of the internet you are able to do this online. All of these things builds your confidence to overcome the fear of success.Whether you are thinking about starting an online business or might have already started one, just remember these top 3 keys that will help to keep you motivated to grow into a successful online business.