One of the attractions of working in the Internet industry is that there often isn''t a need to step foot inside a corporate office. For disciplined professionals, telecommuting allows talented individuals to work unencumbered by geography or nine-to-five scheduling. Also, working from home has a positive impact on the environment by helping to eliminate pollution and traffic while not depleting natural resources.

So, why not take advantage of the globalized workforce the Internet has provided? When you need to hire professional IT staff, designers, marketers, writers and business developers, try eLance, -- an integrated contact and communications marketplace which promises to "change the way the world works."

Simply, here''s how eLance''s service works: You, the buyer, post your project on the eLance site by filling out and submitting a free form. Included in the post is a thorough description of what the project entails.

Registered service providers with posted credentials, background info and work samples bid on your project. Similar to a reverse auction, the service providers compete to complete your project for the lowest price.

Using any criteria, such as prior work history, bid price or feedback, you determine the candidate best suited for the job. Contact information and details are exchanged and collaboration can begin. ELance creates "work space" which allows the buyer and the service provider to freely exchange files, have meetings via online chat and utilize a calendar scheduling system.

Payment to the provider can be arranged with eLance through their credit card, check and wire transfer acceptance system. Service providers are charged 10% of the transaction while buyers only pay for the cost of the services rendered.

If your circumstances happen to change - perhaps your brother-in-law just completed a Web design course - you are under no obligation to hire a service provider from eLance. Also, in the event that there is a dispute between parties, eLance''s outsourced mediation services can help expedite resolution.

If you want your e-commerce site to compete in the global marketplace of the Web, choosing a workforce that is representative of this worldwide community can be a good start. Tapping into a universal professional talent bank can possibly provide work quality that may not be available in your local business arena.