Pueo Creative Studio

Starting your own online business might feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start. But guess what? Think of any small business owner you admire and I can guarantee that at one point, they started exactly where you are. They had an idea, a little courage, and the tenacity to just start. 

Whether you’re a creative, a coach, a service provider, or someone who just wants to get their amazing products out into the world, this guide will… well, guide you through the ins and outs of the steps to launch a business. Let’s make it sustainable, heart-centered, and truly yours.

Step 1: choose what services to sell

Before you design a logo or set up a website, it’s important to focus on one important thing:
What problem do you solve, and for who?

Ask yourself:

• What skills, products, or knowledge do I have that others need?
  
• Who is the ideal person I want to help?
  
• What solutions can I provide? How do I prove it? 

Tip: Remember that you can’t be everything to everyone. Pinpoint exactly who you want to work with.

Step 2: Start Small, Dream Big

You don’t need to have a full list of services or products to start. You’re a small business and you want to launch as soon as possible with offers that are the most important to your client and to you. 

Start with one product or service that solves a specific problem:

• A downloadable guide
  
• A coaching session
  
• A hand-crafted item
  
• A done-for-you service

It should be clear and based on the amount of value it can bring to your business and your client. Extra fluff will water down what you’re really good at. It will blur your why. Why do you want to start this business? Make it crystal clear to your audience. Putting extra frills on it can be confusing.

Step 3: Choose Your Online Home

Depending on your offer, you’ll need a platform to sell from. Options include:

• Shopify, Etsy, or Squarespace for physical or digital products
  
• Showit, Wix, or WordPress for service-based businesses
  
• Substack or Gumroad for writers and educators

These are some of the best platforms to launch a small business. Since I provide a service, I use WordPress. It’s user-friendly, easy to start, and has nice built-in plug-ins to track website traffic and optimize your first website.

Don’t overthink it, either. My website has a landing page, an about page, a services page, and a portfolio. That’s it. Again, keep it simple. Your client, customer, or audience is busy. Lean into that and keep it short but clear.

Step 4: Start Building an Audience (Before You Feel Ready)

I really can’t emphasize this enough. You don’t need a huge audience. You just need the right one. Thousands of followers isn’t going to achieve much if they’re not in the market for what you’re selling. In fact, 100 customers who are actively searching for your solution to their problem is far better than 10,000 passive clicks. 

Start by:

• Sharing tips and stories on social media
  
• Making a blog and promote your posts on forums, social media, etc.
  
• Engaging in online communities where your audience hangs out 

You’ll never succeed if you never start, and everyone has to start somewhere. Think of your first dips into getting your business idea out there as research. Find what works, what attracts, and what doesn’t. Use this information to guide your next steps.

Step 5: Make It Easy for People to Pay You

Set up simple systems:

• A booking calendar (like Calendly) if appropriate
  
• Invoicing and payment tools (like Stripe, PayPal, or Square)
  
• An email list (like MailerLite)

You don’t need all of the shiny toys that large companies use. Just find a simple one to start so you can start getting paid. Again, it’s all about making things easy for your ideal client.

Nearly 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned before the purchase is completed.
— Baymard Institute, 2024 

One of the big reasons is because of a complicated checkout process. Make it easy, straightforward, and fast.

Step 6: Create Content That Builds Trust

This is where many new business owners get stuck. But it’s also where Pueo Creative Studio can help. The best platforms to launch a small business will rely mostly on your brand’s values but no matter which you choose, real, authentic content will set you apart.

You’ll hear it a lot from content specialists. Great content builds connections. That means:

• Blogs that answer real questions
  
• Social posts that reflect your values
  
• Website copy that speaks your client’s language

Feeling stuck? A content specialist (hi, that’s me!) can help turn your ideas into trust-building content.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone

There’s no perfect path, no “right” way to start. But if you’ve been dreaming of building something of your own, the best time to start is now. These are just some of the steps to launch a business. There are, of course, many more but I urge you not to feel overwhelmed. Take that first step. You’ll be surprised at how quickly that alone can motivate you to keep going. 

Need help with content, brand clarity, or launching your online presence?
✨ Let’s connect. You’ve got the vision. I’ll help bring it to life.