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The Cons of Working Online

Posted on February 27, 2008 in Working Online  

So last week I blogged about The Benefits of Working Online. so i figured I better give a real picture that it isn’t all roses and glory… but there are cons to working online. (but I Wouldn’t trade it for a normal 9 to 5)

1. Work from anywhere there is an internet connection. (this is also a con cause you just can’t seem to get away from your work… Even the cellphone I got it so i can do work and access my stats etc..)

2. Set your own hours. Yes this is a con… because you can so easily be LAZY…. I mean common yesterday I made $$,$$$ i should sleep in,  ok sometimes i do… but if i got in that habit my earnings would tank over time.

3. You are Your own Boss. This is a con also because some people really need people breathing down their neck to be productive so you must be self motivating…

4. You work online so it’s is easy to get lost on Youtube searching for funny videos, myspace, facebook or reading stories that have nothing to do with your business growth.

5. Work in your Pajamas, shorts, or no clothes at all. This is a con only because it can drag on into RL (real life). I know many people that have made it online but if you were to meet them in person, they look like the slob down the street. Not saying you have to dress to the 9’s but you run a business somewhat dress like it.

6. Complaints or issues aren’t 8 to 5 they are 24/7. Your sites go down at 2am you lose money. Your ads stop running due to QS you are lossing money. Those PM’s about people spamming etc.. come 24/7.

7. Good, Dedicated, hard working designers and coders are hard to find. This is a major con online with sooo many freelancers… hence once i found good ones i held onto them.

8. No Google, MSN, YSM love can mean no or little money in your pocket.. The online business is very dependant on search engines… so when they don’t show you love your bottom line is effected.

9. A CPA offer gets pulled that was making you Big Money… Many cases there is nothing you can do but try to get another offer making money. Sometimes you get lucky and can work out a deal directly.

So there you have it some Cons to working online. As I stated before I would much rather do what i do online than go back to a normal 8 to 5.  Any additional Cons I forgot?



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Comments

8 Responses to “The Cons of Working Online”

  1. B2B Matt on February 27th, 2008 8:14 pm

    - Not getting paid – doesn’t happen much offline in a 9-5

  2. James Mann on February 28th, 2008 3:56 am

    Ha, even with all those CONS I still would not go back to working a 9 to 5 job.

    I just keep passionate about what I do but then when I did have a 9 to 5 I was a bit of a workaholic and didn’t need any supervision. I think I carried that into my online business.

    I have been doing this for a few years now and still can’t sleep at night because I am eager to get up and get at it. 5AM every morning, seven days a week, even though I take week ends off now.

    If any one doesn’t have a passion for what they do they should most likely find something else to do.

    BTW: most of my sites are blogs and most of my blogs are hobby blogs so I had a strong interest before I even started blogging.

  3. 47 on February 28th, 2008 10:56 am

    Do you have any advice for finding good freelancers?

  4. Mike Mothner on February 28th, 2008 11:28 am

    As many cons as there are to working online, it still takes time, commitment, and drive if you truly wish to make it a success. All of the qualities that make a good employee are still important when you are self-employed online. The great thing though is that you’ve got freedom to do what you really want to do which most jobs can’t offer!

  5. Ivan Ong on February 29th, 2008 3:00 pm

    Even the cons are so much better then working 9-5…

    Cons Of working…

    1) You have to wake up at 8am for the rest of your life!!! ( at least for the next 40 years) OMG!!!

    2) you can only earn $40,000 to $50,000 per year.. (No matter how hard you please your boss) However, if you please the search engine… you could be earning $40,000 per month!! What a differences..

    3) Office politics occurs in office with all the backstabbing when you get a pay rise instead of your peers. They say you suck up to the boss etc etc.. When you get a pay rise on the Internet, everyone adores you and congrats you and start blaming themselves for not working hard enough. Fair game…

    Regards,
    Ivan Ong

  6. Clint on March 1st, 2008 1:51 pm

    I think the biggest con is those people who believe “since you work online, at home”, you’re free to watch kids, do their errands, etc.

    I’m CONSTANTLY having to explain to people that JUST because I work at home, doesn’t mean I don’t HAVE TO WORK! ;-)

  7. CPA Affiliates on March 1st, 2008 1:57 pm

    47 most of workers I have gotten thru refferals from friends. but i also us DP, SP and EF. But the best ones have been referals from current workers or friends.

    Clint – I agree completely… people think cause you work form home you do nothing.. while you do have more freedom as you stated it is WORK! I think part of it steams from jealousy that they wish they could stay at home and earn a decent living. If they only knew…

  8. Travis on March 23rd, 2008 2:52 pm

    As a freelancer myself, as well as a blogger, I agree about finding good freelancers.

    I find it VERY easy to hold onto my clients, once I have them. They always come to me first for new projects because they trust me, and can rely on my work.

    So a lot of times, they don’t even bother putting a new job out to bid. They just go with me because of the piece of mind.

    On the flip side, it gets harder and harder to compete with all the freelancers out there.

    How can you compete with someone on a job that should be a $2000 job, when they are bidding $450? I just feel bad for people because more often than not, they are going to go with the cheapest person, but end up getting hosed.

    Also, freelancers know other freelancers. So you should always look for a recommendation before heading into the wilderness on your own.

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