How to research for online business?

I'd find the same or better suppliers as your direct competitors do, who are willing to sell your their products for the same price or even cheaper. Or unique suppliers with unique products, either local or in China or such an 'offshore' country.

You certainly need a website if you want to run an online business. That's either your own site with its own software (installed and maintained by you, possibly bought from a website development company), or your own site hosted by a specialised hoster who offers his own software as a service (you only have to customise and fill it) or, well, just a shop on eBay. Prices vary between (nearly) free or 6 digits (in USD), your own shop in eBay certainly is the cheapest.

Kees

"it is better if you could set up your own website.
Except for opening a shop on ebay,you can also open a shop on Amazon,which is a rising star in the b2c field.Thousands of people made big much money with its help. And you can do it,too."

But I removed her invitation to buy something in her shop.

Kees