Dreaming of starting your own online business but not sure where to begin? These 30 game-changing tips will take you from overwhelmed to ready!

Starting an online business can be one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys you'll ever take, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. 

You might be trying to turn your passion into profit, gain financial independence, or build a life of freedom, creating the right foundation is key. 

To help you avoid common mistakes and set yourself up for success, I’ve compiled 30 things to know before starting an online business. 

Let’s turn your big ideas into a thriving online business!

📌 30 things to know before starting an online business 

1. Pick a Niche That Excites You

Find a specific group of people you want to help or a problem you want to solve. The more focused you are, the easier it’ll be to stand out.

2. Make Sure Your Idea Works

Do some research to see if people actually want what you’re offering. Test it out before diving in headfirst.

3. Know Who You’re Talking To

Get clear on who your ideal customers are—what they struggle with, what they want, and how they shop.

4. Create a Simple Business Plan

Jot down your goals, your strategy, and how you’ll make money. You don’t need a 50-page document—just a roadmap.

5. Choose Your Business Model

Decide how you’ll make money: selling products, offering services, creating memberships, or something else.

6. Study Your Competitors

Look at what others in your space are doing. Learn from their wins and avoid their mistakes.

7. Build a Memorable Brand

Think of a catchy name, create a logo, and develop a style that reflects your vibe and connects with your audience.

8. Take Care of the Legal Stuff

Pick a business structure (like an LLC or sole proprietorship) and handle any necessary licenses or permits.

9. Create a Great Website

Make sure your site is clean, easy to use, and looks great on phones. It’s often the first impression people get of your business.

10. Learn the Basics of SEO

Use keywords and other SEO strategies to help people find your website on Google.

11. Get a Good Domain and Hosting

Choose a domain name that’s easy to remember and get reliable hosting to keep your site running smoothly.

12. Start Building an Email List

Email is still one of the best ways to connect with people and keep them interested in what you’re offering.

13. Master Social Media

Figure out where your audience hangs out online and focus on those platforms. Post regularly and engage with your followers.

14. Share Valuable Content

Whether it’s blog posts, videos, or infographics, create content that helps your audience and builds trust.

15. Automate What You Can

Use tools to handle repetitive tasks like email marketing and scheduling posts. It’ll save you tons of time.

16. Set Up Easy Payments

Offer simple and secure payment options like PayPal, Stripe, or credit card processing.

17. Get Comfortable with Money Management

Understand how to track income, expenses, and taxes so your business stays financially healthy.

18. Plan for Shipping

If you’re selling physical products, figure out how to handle shipping, returns, and inventory.

19. Set Clear Goals

Decide what you want to achieve and set realistic deadlines to keep yourself on track.

20. Pick the Right Marketing Channels

Not every ad or platform will work for you. Focus on the ones that bring the best results.

21. Invest in Quality Images

If you’re selling something, make sure your photos are professional and eye-catching. They make a huge difference.

22. Build Trust with Customers

Add things like customer reviews, money-back guarantees, and secure payment options to show you’re legit.

23. Track What’s Working

Keep an eye on your website traffic, sales, and customer behaviors so you can make improvements.

24. Test and Tweak

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Experiment with your website, ads, and products to see what works best.

25. Focus on the Customer Experience

Make it easy for people to do business with you. Respond quickly to questions and offer great service.

26. Stay on Top of Rules

Make sure you follow regulations like privacy laws (GDPR) and consumer protections.

27. Be Ready for Challenges

Things won’t always go as planned. Stay flexible and prepared to adapt when problems pop up.

28. Keep Learning

The online world changes fast. Stay up-to-date with new tools, trends, and strategies.

29. Connect with Others

Join groups or forums where entrepreneurs share ideas and support each other.

30. Be Patient and Persistent

Success takes time. Stay consistent, keep learning, and don’t give up when it gets tough.

👉If you’re committed to starting a business but don't know where to begin, join the Smart Digital Creator's Club

I'll show you how I grew my social media to 170K+ leaders (not followers) & make money the smart way with the Smart Digital Creator Success Framework™

I've got you covered, my friend!

🏆Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

Natalie x