As a small business owner who has been in business for 10+ years, I’ve got a lot of experience in helping other business owners to make money online. I’ve also developed a great methodology through digital marketing and SEO to help clients rank online and to connect them with people who want to buy their product or service.
Making money online now is so accessible. You can do it in any number of ways. If you’ve got your smarts about you, you can make almost as much money as you want!
So whether you’re a professional, an entrepreneur looking to sell a new product, or even if you work for someone else and looking for extra money on the side, I’m sure there’s an online strategy that can work for you
This article is going to take a look at three different business models that make money online. You can start your own business service business, you can run an e-commerce shop and sell products, and a local brick-and-mortar shopfront can dominate local marketing to make money.
First up, online services
Alright, if you’re a qualified professional, whether it’s a lawyer or an accountant or a coach or a consultant, setting up an online presence for your business and connecting with those looking for your services is very important. Most people search online for what they’re looking for these days before contacting a professional.
The key to making money online in a service-based business is to start with a strong online presence, which usually includes a website and good social media.
When it comes to your website, it’s essential that it not only showcases your services but also builds trust and demonstrates your professionalism. A well-designed website should communicate clearly who you are, what you offer, and why clients can rely on you. Key elements to include are:
- Clear service offerings
- Showcase your credentials and expertise
- Professional design and layout
- Testimonials and case studies
- Easy-to-find contact information
- Clear calls to action (CTAs).
An example of a great service-based website is Randle & Taylor. They are lawyers in Adelaide, Australia, and have put together a great service-based website. This helps them to make money online by getting client enquiries across a wide range of service areas.
They have published unique service pages for each of their services, including commercial law, small business law, family law, divorce, and dispute resolution services.
They also publish their reviews online. Clients look for legal services they can trust, so having positive reviews from Google makes a difference in how people perceive and trust you online.
E-commerce is a great way to make money online
Running an e-commerce shop and selling products online is a great way to make money.
E-commerce is one of the most popular ways to make money online because you’re selling products that (hopefully!) people want to buy.
So many people do online shopping now. It’s very accessible, and you can shop online 24 hours a day.
- First thing in the morning, when you wake up, you can jump on your phone and buy things.
- When you’re out and about doing things, you can jump on your phone and make purchases.
- Need something for the pantry? No problem, just jump online.
- What about last-minute Christmas and birthday presents? Easy, purchase at the click of a button.
If you’ve got a business idea and products to sell, you can create a shop online and sell physical goods, digital products, or subscription services that will help you to make money
Over the last few years, e-commerce has become an indispensable part of global retail.
According to Statista, in 2024, retail e-commerce sales are estimated to exceed 4.1 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide, and this figure is expected to reach new heights in the coming years.
Product selection is key. In an already saturated market, I mean, just take a look at platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify; there’s usually heaps of different products for each category.
To maximise your chances of success, focus on identifying products that are either unique or fill gaps in the market where competition is lower. Look for items that aren’t widely available or address specific needs that big players haven’t yet targeted. This way, you avoid intense competition while catering to a niche audience that’s eager for these solutions.
Key to making money with an online shop is creating a seamless and appealing shopping experience. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy offer turnkey solutions to get your store up and running quickly.
To boost your online shop’s success, focus on ecommerce SEO by optimising product pages for specific keywords, like “red T-shirts” or “organic T-shirts.” This helps potential customers find exactly what they’re searching for.
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are also powerful tools. Use them to showcase your products, connect with your audience, and run targeted ads. Ad targeting is important, so clearly define your target audience’s location, interests, and buying motivations to create ads that reach the right people and drive sales.
Local businesses and local ways to make money
If you’re a local business, like a chiropractor, a bakery, that coffee shop on the corner, or a restaurant, building an online presence will help you connect with people in your area. The key for a local business like these is local SEO, which means ranking in local search results and attracting people who were looking for your type of business in your area
Local SEO works for a range of small businesses, and key to this is setting up a Google Business profile. It’s very important for local SEO. Set up a profile with accurate information about your business, including hours, address, and contact details. Ensure your profile is complete with professional photos of your practice.
Another way to connect locally is through local keyword optimisation. Say you’re a local suburb based chiropractor, like Marrickville Chiropractic Care.
They have optimised their website with their local suburb keyword ‘chiropractor Marrickville’ and variations on this keyword. Their website has included these terms naturally across their website, their homepage and about pages.
This really helps search engines understand where you are located and to connect your website with people searching for these queries
Also key for making money online if you’re a local business is being listed in all the local business directory. If you’re a health practitioner, make sure you register on health platforms like HealthShare, Hot Doc and White Coat. There are also generic business listing sites like True Local, Yelp, and Yellow Pages, and any local business should be in all of these local businesses.
Key points
- Starting a business service business, running an e-commerce shop, and a local brick-and-mortar shop front, are three different ways you can make money online.
- Key to all three is understanding who your customers are and what motivates them to buy.
- Connecting with potential customers comes down to how ‘spot on’ your marketing is.
Article contribution: Marshall Thurlow is Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management.
