Let’s be real – life can be unpredictable. If you’re looking for a way to earn money that you control, something that can bring you peace of mind even when times get tough, you’re in the right place. Learning how to start an online business is one of the best things you can do for yourself right now – and the good part is, you don’t need to be a tech expert or have a lot of money to get started.
Why starting an online business in 2025 is a smart move
Online shopping is huge and just getting bigger. In 2025, ecommerce sales worldwide are expected to hit around $7.4 trillion. In the US alone, online shoppers will spend over $1.3 trillion.
That means there’s tons of opportunity for new businesses. More and more people are buying online every day. And guess what? You can join the party – even if you’ve never sold anything before.
So if you’ve been wondering how to start an online business, let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: Find your idea and check out the market
You should start with the basics – what are people buying? What can you offer that’s a little different?
Think about what you love
It’s always easier to sell stuff you actually care about. Maybe you’re into fitness, cooking, or travel. If you’re into it, you already know what people like and what they might be searching for. That gives you a head start.
And when you’re personally excited about your product, you’re more likely to stick with it and build something great.
💡 Bonus tip: If you sign up now, you can get a $100 voucher as a special welcome gift to help you launch your store. It’s a nice head start, and you can use it toward marketing or store setup.
Take a peek at the competition
Check out other stores selling similar stuff. What are they offering? What do their websites look like? How do they promote themselves on social media? This will give you a better idea of what works – and what you can do differently.
Look at what’s trending
Not sure what to sell? No problem. You can always start with products that are already popular. Stay on top of what’s trending, and keep updating your store with new items people are searching for.
The Sellvia catalog is packed with trending items that are already proven to sell – especially to US customers. Just pick what fits your style and add it to your store.
Step 2: Figure out how to get your products
Once you know what you want to sell, you need to decide how you’re going to get those products to your customers. This is a big part of how to start an online business successfully.
Pick a business model that works for you
There are a few ways to run your store:
• Dropshipping
This one’s the easiest for beginners. You don’t need to keep stock or ship anything yourself. Your supplier handles it all. You just list the items in your store, and when someone buys, the supplier sends it straight to them.
• Private labeling
You work with a supplier to make products just for your brand. You don’t have to produce anything yourself – just share your ideas. Then they either ship it to you or send it out as orders come in. This is perfect if you want to build a real brand without doing all the heavy lifting.
• White labeling
You take a product that already exists, put your branding on it, and sell it. But you’ll need to buy in bulk, store the items, and handle shipping. It’s a bit more work but good for growing brands.
• Warehousing
This is the classic buy-stock-and-ship-it-yourself model. It gives you full control, but it’s more expensive and takes more time to manage. Not ideal for beginners.
👉 Most people who are just getting started go with dropshipping because it’s super easy and low risk.
Step 3: Choose a supplier you can count on
Your supplier is your business partner, so you’ve gotta pick someone you trust. Choosing a good supplier is a key part of how to start an online business the right way.
What to look for in a good supplier
• Lots of quality products
Your supplier should have a wide range of products, especially in your niche. Sellvia lets you browse thousands of items that ship fast from the US.
• Great product info
People don’t buy if they don’t know what they’re getting. Look for suppliers who provide clear descriptions, good photos, and even videos. Sellvia gives you all that, ready to go.
• Fast shipping
Most shoppers expect their order in 3–4 days. If it takes too long, they might ask for a refund. Sellvia’s warehouse is based in California, so delivery is fast and reliable.
• Simple order process
A supplier should make your life easier. Sellvia lets you send orders to their fulfillment center with just a few clicks – and it’s all mostly automated.
• Solid customer support
Things go wrong sometimes. That’s just part of the game. What matters is having a team that’s ready to help when you need it. Sellvia offers round-the-clock support for both you and your customers.
Step 4: Pick products that really sell
It’s not just about selling “stuff” – you need to sell the right stuff. This is another big part of how to start an online business and make it work.
Stay updated on trends
Here’s how to stay ahead:
• Watch your competitors
See what others in your niche are doing. What’s selling fast? What do their customers love?
• Use Google Trends
It’s free and shows what people are searching for right now. Type in your product idea and see if interest is going up.
• Use curated product lists
Save time by checking product lists from trusted platforms like Sellvia. They research and test what sells best, so you don’t have to guess.
Think about pricing and value
You want products that are affordable to buy – but still let you make a solid profit. Sellvia’s catalog has tons of items at great prices and no hidden shipping costs since everything is shipped from the US.
Offer stuff people need or love
Some products solve problems, while others just make people happy. The best sellers usually do both. Sellvia focuses on practical and feel-good items – stuff people actually want to buy.
Marketing made easy
You don’t need to be a copywriter or designer. Every product in Sellvia’s catalog comes with ready-to-use product pages that are made to convert. Just import and start selling – easy as that.
Step 5: Get your online store up and running
Time to make it real! This is where how to start an online business starts to feel real.
Do it all yourself
If you’re tech-savvy and like doing things on your own, you can build your site from scratch.
✅ You’ll have full control and flexibility.
❌ It takes time and skills, and you’ll have to pay for hosting, a domain, and maybe even themes or tools.
Hire a developer
If you’ve got the budget but not the time or skills, hiring a web developer might work.
✅ You get a custom store built just for you.
❌ It can take weeks and cost a lot – sometimes thousands of dollars.
Get a ready-made store (the easiest option)
Don’t want the hassle? Go with a done-for-you store.
Sellvia can set up a fully working online business for you with trending products, fast shipping, and marketing tools – all for free with a trial.
It’s fast, simple, and made for beginners. Plus, you get expert support whenever you need it.
Step 6: Grow your store and boost sales
Once your store is live, it’s time to start getting customers.
Try ads on social media
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great for reaching new shoppers. You can run free or paid ads to get attention. With Sellvia, you get ad creatives already made for you – just plug and play.
Get seen on Google
SEO (search engine optimization) helps your store show up when people search on Google. Sellvia’s team can help you with this using proven techniques that get real results over time.
Be active on social media
People spend a lot of time scrolling. Make sure your store is part of what they see. Post regularly, share tips, reviews, and product updates. This builds trust and brings people back.
Use email to stay in touch
Email marketing is super powerful. Set up simple emails to remind people about your store, share deals, or recommend new products. It’s a great way to build a loyal customer base.
Put it all on autopilot
You don’t have to do it all by hand. Use automation tools (like the ones Sellvia offers) to handle orders, emails, and even parts of your marketing. That way, you save time and keep your business running smooth.
Final thoughts: Your future starts here
If you’ve been wondering how to start an online business in 2025, now you’ve got a full roadmap. It gives you freedom, flexibility, and real income potential.
And with tools like Sellvia – and a $100 voucher bonus to help you get rolling – you don’t need a big budget or tech skills. Just follow the steps, stay consistent, and let your store grow. Your online journey starts now – go for it!
Do you think of how to start an online business? Keep it in mind, starting an online business is your big step towards your big success. Still remember we’re around. We will not leave alone with your business issues, but we will do everything possible to let your business flourish. It doesn’t cost you anything to start your own business. Will you give it a try?
