How to Build a Successful Online Business with No Experience

Step 1: Choosing the Right Online Business Model for You

Not all online businesses are created equal. Some require more skills, time, or investment than others. The key is to start with something simple, where you can learn as you go without needing a ton of money upfront.

Here Are Some of the Easiest Online Business Models for Beginners:

👉 Affiliate Marketing – This is one of the simplest ways to start. You don’t need to create a product—just promote other people’s products and earn a commission. Many bloggers and YouTubers make six figures just by recommending tools and services.

👉 Selling Digital Products – E-books, templates, or online courses are great low-cost, high-profit business models. You create something once and sell it over and over again.

👉 Print-on-Demand & Dropshipping – With these models, you don’t need to hold inventory. Your suppliers handle shipping, while you focus on marketing and branding.

👉 Freelancing & Consulting – If you have any skill—writing, social media, design, coaching—you can start making money online by offering services.

📌 Example: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner had zero blogging experience when she started Making Sense of Cents, but within a few years, she was making over $100,000 per month with affiliate marketing and digital products.

🔗 Learn More: How Affiliate Marketing Works

Step 2: Start Small—Don’t Overcomplicate It

Most people fail because they try to do too much at once. They think they need a fancy website, an expensive logo, and a huge social media following before they can start making money. The reality? None of that matters at the beginning.

Here’s what actually works:

• Start with one product, one offer, or one service. Don’t try to sell ten different things. Focus on one thing and make it great.
• Keep your website simple. Use an easy platform like Shopify, Gumroad, or WordPress to get started—don’t waste months perfecting a website.
• Sell before you build. If you’re launching an online course or product, start by validating your idea with pre-orders or early sales before spending time creating it.

📌 Example: Many entrepreneurs, like Amy Porterfield, started by offering a single digital course before expanding into multiple products. She now runs a multi-million-dollar online business.

🔗 Learn More: How to Pre-Sell a Digital Product

Step 3: Build an Audience That Will Buy from You

You don’t need millions of followers to build a profitable business—but you do need the right audience. Whether you use Instagram, YouTube, blogging, or TikTok, the key is to attract people who actually want what you’re selling.

How do you do that? By providing value before asking for a sale.

• Create content that educates, entertains, or solves a problem. Share helpful tips, success stories, or behind-the-scenes of your journey.
• Use social media to connect with potential customers. Reply to comments, answer questions, and build relationships.
• Grow an email list. Unlike social media, your email list is something you own. It allows you to send offers directly to people interested in your business.

📌 Example: Jenna Kutcher built her photography business by sharing personal stories, business tips, and marketing strategies on Instagram. Now, she runs a seven-figure business, teaching others how to do the same.

🔗 Learn More: How to Build an Email List from Scratch

Step 4: Monetize Your Business & Start Making Sales

At this stage, you have an audience that trusts you. Now, it’s time to turn that audience into paying customers.

Here’s how:

• Sell your first product or service. Whether it’s an e-book, a coaching session, a print-on-demand T-shirt, or an affiliate product, just start selling—don’t overthink it.
• Use simple marketing techniques. Don’t worry about expensive ads. Use organic content, word-of-mouth, and social proof to generate your first sales.
• Test and improve. If something isn’t working, tweak your offer, adjust your pricing, or test a different marketing strategy. Success is about adapting and learning.

📌 Example: Alex and Lauren from Create and Go started with a simple health and wellness blog. They experimented with different monetization strategies and eventually grew their business to over $100,000 per month selling courses and affiliate products.

🔗 Learn More: How to Sell Digital Products

Step 5: Scale Your Business & Automate Income

Once you’ve figured out what works, it’s time to scale—so you can make more money with less effort.

The key? Automation and multiple income streams.

• Use automation tools. Email marketing, scheduling software, and sales funnels allow your business to run even when you’re not working.
• Create multiple revenue streams. Expand into courses, memberships, or digital downloads so you’re not dependent on just one income source.
• Outsource and build a team. Eventually, you’ll want to hire a virtual assistant or freelancers so you can focus on growth instead of daily tasks.

📌 Example: Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income went from working 60+ hours a week to making six figures passively by automating his email funnels and diversifying his income with courses, affiliate marketing, and podcasts.

🔗 Learn More: How to Automate an Online Business

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Experience—You Just Need to Start

Every successful entrepreneur was once a beginner. They didn’t have all the answers. They didn’t wait until they were “ready.” They just started, figured things out along the way, and kept improving.

You don’t need a perfect plan or years of experience to start an online business. What you do need is:
✔ The willingness to learn
✔ A simple business model that fits you
✔ Consistency and patience

💡 One year from now, you could still be thinking about starting an online business—or you could be running a profitable one. The choice is yours.

Want More Online Business Strategies?

Subscribe to The Positive Review for expert insights on entrepreneurship, branding, and business growth.

👉 Follow us on social media for daily tips and inspiration! 🚀💰