Starting an Online Business For Free
Nothing is truly free. Time has more value than money and it will be your payment. I am going to tell you how to do it with as little or no money invested.
Free Online Business Ideas
Sell on Facebook
facebook.com/business/shopping
There are probably hundreds more ways you can set up an online shop. But forget all the propaganda they feed you about huge sales, it will not happen until you give Facebook some of your money. The free online business is just a bait and switch routine that shysters have used for hundreds of years. First, they give you the FREE website and get you started. Then they offer you advertising to get sales. Ultimately their goal is to sell you on their products and services.
Other Free Website Services – Shysters
- wix.com
- wordpress.com/free
- blogger.com
- elementor.com
- www.weebly.com
Selling Platforms
You just need to set up an account with one of these, no website is needed and you are in business. Just add your product or service per their instruction.
Selling platforms are good and can be almost free. Most will only charge you after you sell something.
It will not be a business of your own. But if you have a unique product or service it is the best way to start selling fast. The only problem with using these platforms is that you cannot sell anything close to or similar to other sellers. These platforms give the customer a search and compare on everything. Many customers will only buy from sellers with very high ratings. Sellers get these high ratings by underselling their competition like Walmart does.
- eBay
- Amazon
- Bonanza
- Facebook Marketplace
Professional Branded Business
Originally I started this article to show that it is possible to set up an online business for free. But going completely using free services you will never get any clients from the search engines. Visitors to the website are not going to buy anything from you. If you use a free website like the ones above customers will not respect you as they would a business with their own branded website and their own domain name. There are some minimal costs you need to spend even if you are doing all the work yourself. I am going to explain step by step how to set up a professional-looking business with very little investment.
- Register Domain Name – $15/year
You need to come up with something short and easy to remember as your brand. Figure on a domain name with at least 7 letters because the good ones with less letters is already taken. You might want to use a tool like Domain Name Soup for brain storming ideas. Once you find a name you need to register it, see next step hosting. - Hosting Account – $150/year
Registering and buying your domain name will be easiest for you starting out with your choice of hosting accounts. There are many hosting services available but just like the FREE website deals, they have their own little shyster world of tricks. Most even the one I use offer you a very low rate the 1st year. Then after 1 year, the price might double. Many like Godaddy only sell you pieces. They will charge extra on services like SSL, Hosting, and other details for you to have an actual functional website.
I personally am stuck on hosting with Ipower.com as I have used them now for 20 years since right after they opened in 2001. They offer a simple package deal that includes everything you need, including registering a free domain name. Their intro price is only $3.95 per month paid for 1 year. After 1 year they will charge $11.95 per month paid yearly. I have been around and for me, they have the best real deal in town. Host your website with IPOWER!
Setting up The Website on WordPress
I am not going into detail here on how to do that. I have other articles that will guide you through the process. Or you can contact me and I will offer my advice and guidance for FREE. No tricks included but if I have a lucky day you might buy something from me in the process. We can chat on Messenger or WhatsApp and I will walk you through the process.
Products or Services
There are many options to start your own business. The best is if you have your own product or services to offer. But if you do not there are sources on the Internet that will allow you to sell their products. For example, if you send me a customer and they purchase a business website from me I will pay you $50 or more for the referral.
A few ideas of what you can do to source a product or service.
- Dropshippers
- Affiliates
- Yard sale items
- Writing
- Proofreading
Do You Need A Business License
Legally you most likely do per your state or local government. But in practical use, no.
Are online businesses profitable?
Yes, an online business is profitable if you have the right product or service. I have been living off of internet sales alone now for 20 years. I am not going to say it is easy and it does help my hobby is doing web design.