What Kind of Online Business Should I Start?

What Kind of Online Business Should I Start?

You’ve decided you want to start an online business.

Great.

Now comes the question that stopped me in my tracks:

What kind?

I found plenty of advice telling me to find my niche, follow my passion, and solve a problem.

What I really needed was much simpler.

Show me what my options are.

So here they are.

SELLING A SERVICE

Use a skill you already have — bookkeeping, writing, design, admin, tutoring — and get paid to do it for someone else.

Could be for you if: You have a useful skill and don’t mind working directly with clients.

SELLING DIGITAL PRODUCTS

Create something useful — a template, printable, guide, or course — and sell it online.

Could be for you if: You enjoy creating and like the idea of selling the same thing more than once.

AFFILIATE MARKETING

Recommend other people’s products or services and earn a commission when someone buys through your link.

Could be for you if: You enjoy creating content and recommending things you genuinely find useful.

BUILDING A CONTENT-BASED BUSINESS

Create useful content through a blog, videos, or other platforms, build an audience, and eventually earn through products, services, affiliates, or advertising.

Could be for you if: You enjoy creating and sharing, and you're prepared to build slowly.

SELLING PHYSICAL PRODUCTS

Sell something people can actually hold — whether you make it yourself, source it, or use a supplier.

Could be for you if: You like the idea of selling a tangible product and don't mind dealing with the extra logistics.

STILL NOT SURE?

Ask yourself three questions:

What skills do I already have?

Starting with something you already know can make your first step considerably easier.

How much time and money can I realistically put into this?

Not the time and money you wish you had. The amount you actually have.

Do I want to work with clients, sell products, or build an audience?

You may eventually do more than one, but right now we're looking for somewhere to start.

CHOOSE A ROAD, NOT A FOREVER BUSINESS

You don't need to have your whole business figured out today.

Look at those five options again.

Which one made you think:

“I could see myself doing that.”

That's the one to explore first.

You're not signing a lifelong contract.

You're simply choosing your starting road.

And that's enough for today.

WANT TO LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER BEFORE YOU DECIDE?

I've put together a more detailed beginner's guide that looks at each option, how it makes money, what you would actually be doing, what you need to get started, and the good and not-so-good parts of each.

GET THE FREE GUIDE