One of the big advantages of setting up a home Internet business is that you can do it on a shoestring. People who want to work at home on the Internet are often concerned about expense because they aren't sure how much money will be needed to get started.

Here are a few pointers to demonstrate that while some expense will be necessary, several aspects of setting up online are very cheap or even free.

1. The biggest expenses that you will need to budget for are the cost of buying a computer and getting Internet access. If you do not happen to have a computer with Internet access, you could still set up an Internet business and run it from your local library or Internet cafe. Be sure to find out the fee schedule for doing this before you take the plunge.

2. Setting up a home Internet business is much cheaper than setting up a franchise where you could invest thousands of dollars before you sell anything. If you already have a computer, you can set up an Internet based business for less than $100 nowadays. In many cases you can even start up without any extra capital investment.

For example, one way to get set up is to do some research on Google for the words "free Internet home business". Several pages of search results will appear, and you can start on the first page and began researching each opportunity that comes up. There are so many free Internet business offers out there that you will never run out of opportunities to get started. However, make sure you thoroughly check out any company that interests you. You do not want to lose your shirt on a free home business scam.

3. In some cases you will be required to make a small investment in order to get your business off the ground. For example, if you have never set up a website before and do not wish to learn how to do it yourself, you will need to find someone to do it for you. Do not shy away from spending money on outsourcing necessary but time-consuming tasks. As long as you use the time you save to promote your business, outsourcing can be a very efficient way to make faster progress.

Likewise, if you decide to set up an email marketing campaign and need some good copy for your newsletters, finding a skilled copywriter to do it for you will save you time and may make you more money in the long run.

Whenever you have a job that needs to be done in order to help you get started or make progress with your business, you will almost certainly be able to find someone to do it for you on a website such as eLance.com. You can often find people there who will do good quality work for reasonable prices.

4. Some Internet marketing programs charge a membership fee, or service activation fee. Typically, network marketing companies do this, as do Internet businesses that sell high ticket products. These businesses are seeking out committed marketers and are only going to allow paid members to benefit from their business program.

5. There are plenty of other ways in which you can set up an Internet business on a shoestring. For example, you can sign up to free affiliate programs and have your own Internet business up and running in just a few minutes.

6. Blogging is another great way to starting out as a home based Internet entrepreneur for little or no upfront expense apart from your computer and Internet connection. Blog services such as WordPress and Blogger.com enable you to start as many blogs as you like entirely free of charge. You can start blogging after just a few easy steps. As soon as your blog is set up you will be ready to begin monetizing it with some of your affiliate marketing or private label rights products. Some people make hundreds or thousands of dollars per month in this way.

These are just a few quick examples of how you can set up an Internet business on a shoestring, or even get started for free!