Do you want to start a website but aren't sure what topic or niche to begin with?

Many people start with a concept that's near and dear to their heart- their passion, whatever that may be. This is a good idea for someone new to internet business. Why? For a couple of reasons.

1) You're more likely to have the needed "sticktoitiveness" necessary for success. If it's a topic you feel strongly about then you're not as likely to get bored. You're already sharing your views on the subject with other people, you're just not earning income from your knowledge.

2) You probably already know a lot about the niche. You're already a bit of an expert on the topic and can talk about it at length. This is a good thing because you'll be writing website copy and articles for your business, and in order to keep costs down in the beginning, it's a great thing if you can write yourself.

But what if you're totally stuck and can't figure out what topic or niche you already have a body of knowledge about? This is a common problem, but take heart. I'm going to guide you through some things that will get you brainstorming many possible business niches.

First I’d like you to grab a piece of paper and a pen. Start writing down whatever comes to your mind after reading the following questions. Don’t rule anything out at this point, just brainstorm.

What do you enjoy doing? What hobbies do you have? What do you have a knack for? What do people say you do well? What do people ask you for advice on? What do you know a lot about? What abilities do you have? Who do you really admire? Why? What books do you have lying around your house? What magazines do you subscribe to? What section of the bookstore do you gravitate towards? What do you talk with your girlfriends about? Have you ever found yourself saying: “There needs to be a website about ___�?

Have fun with it, and if you get stuck, ask your husband or a friend for help. Sometimes we tend to be a little modest about our abilities.

Of course, before investing your time and money into a business idea, you first need to do some research to make sure there is a market for what you want to sell. That's another article.

Carrie Lauth is the author of the Natural Mom Business Guide, a complete tutorial for Moms who want to earn a living online from their interests. To learn more about how to research your business idea's profitability, visit http://www.NaturalMomBusinessGuide.com for her free ecourse.