In this video and blog post, I want to show you how to start building an online business now. If you are new to making money online, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed. You can see the power of the internet, but you may not know what to focus on first. When I started years ago, I did what many people still do today: I searched “make money online”, followed random advice, and bought products that were not much use. It cost me time and money, and it slowed down my progress.
This post is a beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide to help you start the right way, with a clear process you can stick to.
Step 1: Understand What An Online Business Actually Is
Most legitimate online income models follow a simple flow:
- You create helpful content (website, blog, or YouTube).
- People find that content (traffic).
- You recommend something that helps them (often via affiliate links).
- You earn when people buy (commission) or when your site is monetised.
If you want a simple breakdown of this in plain English, read my post: How Making Money Online Really Works.
Step 2: Pick One Direction (And Ignore The Noise)
There are plenty of ways to earn online, including freelancing, blogging, YouTube, podcasting, and more. The mistake many beginners make is trying to do everything at once. The goal at the start is not to master every platform. The goal is to choose one path and build momentum.
If you want a broader overview of realistic options, you may find this useful: The Power Of The Internet.
Step 3: Choose A Niche You Can Stick With
Your niche is simply the area you will create content around. It does not have to be perfect, but it does need to be something you can stay interested in long enough to build consistency. Examples include gardening, fitness, DIY, travel, personal finance, or any subject where people are looking for answers.
If you build around something you genuinely like, it is far easier to keep going when results take time.
Step 4: Build A Simple Website (Don’t Overthink It)
A website is still one of the best long-term online business assets because you control it. Social media platforms can change at any time, but your site remains yours. The good news is you do not need to be technical to get started.
This is one reason I often recommend Wealthy Affiliate. It can help beginners get a site online quickly and focus on the business-building process rather than getting stuck in technical issues.
If you want an overview first, see: What Is Wealthy Affiliate? (A Look Inside The Platform).
Step 5: Learn Affiliate Marketing Properly (Not By Guessing)
Affiliate marketing is one of the most straightforward ways to monetise a website or YouTube channel, but it needs to be done properly. It is not about spamming links. It is about creating helpful content that solves problems, then recommending tools or products that genuinely help.
If you are new to this, start here: Affiliate Marketing Explained.
Step 6: Set Realistic Expectations (And Realistic Goals)
One of the biggest problems with the “make money online” world is unrealistic expectations. You can absolutely build something real, but it is not an overnight result. You are building an asset, and assets take time.
A good approach is to set sensible money goals and focus on weekly actions rather than daily hype. This post may help: Setting Realistic Money Goals For Your Online Business.
Step 7: Use Training That Gives You A Clear Path
Beginners do far better when they follow a structured process, because it keeps you focused and removes the guesswork. This is the main reason I recommend Wealthy Affiliate. I joined in November 2014 and I am now in my 12th year. It is not perfect, and it does require you to take action, but it provides a clear framework for building an online business.
Two posts that may help if you want to dig deeper:
Step 8: Start Free, Learn The Basics, Then Decide
If you are a complete beginner, I always suggest starting with the free option first. That way you can explore the platform, go through the beginner training, and see if you like the process without committing. If you decide it is right for you, you can upgrade later.
If you want to see what tools are available inside the platform, you can also read: Wealthy Affiliate Tools Explained.
Common Beginner Mistakes To Avoid
- Buying multiple courses before taking action on one.
- Trying to build a perfect website before publishing any content.
- Jumping niches constantly instead of staying consistent.
- Expecting instant results from AdSense, YouTube, or affiliate marketing.
- Quitting too early (consistency is the difference-maker).
Final Thoughts
If you want to start building an online business now, focus on the basics: choose one direction, build a simple website, create helpful content, learn affiliate marketing properly, and stick with it long enough for the results to compound.
If you watched my video and have questions about starting, choosing a niche, or setting up your first site, feel free to reach out or leave a comment on the YouTube video. I am always happy to help where I can.
Related reading if you are starting from scratch: