Actionable Tips to Start an Online Business in 2026
ByJudithUpdated onReading Time: 6 minutes
Starting a business, online or offline, is a serious undertaking. And now, with new hope for the economy, folks who never thought about starting a business are considering it seriously. Having been a WordPress Consultant for over 30 years has taught me what works, what doesn’t, and what cannot be ignored.
Success in 2026!
Creating an online business in 2026 requires tenacity and is not for the weak of heart. Regardless of all the hype and commercials, it was never as easy as point-and-click. However, even with all the work, learning, and details, it is oh-so-much fun, and the potential is hard to ignore.
Doing business online is much more than just slapping up a website. If you intend to gain success—aka profit—you have much to consider and plan for. It can be overwhelming, but rest assured, it is worth the journey.
Starting a business requires careful planning and execution to ensure success, especially given how highly competitive online markets are. I’ve covered most of these issues in past articles, so I’ll link to them here for more details.
Run through each item to ensure you have covered all the bases.
Online Startup Considerations
Identify your niche and target audience: Choose a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise, and identify your target audience. Target those who care about what you have to offer. “Me too” businesses with thousands or millions of competitors have a much harder road ahead than a niche you can target.
Conduct market research: Determine whether there is demand for your product or service and analyze the competition. The best way to start is to conduct keyword research on the terms you believe potential customers will use to find you and assess how saturated your target market is.
Define your unique selling proposition: Specifically and in as much detail as possible, determine what makes your product or service stand out from others in your niche. This will help your brand stand out.
Choose a business model: Decide whether to sell physical products, digital products, or services, and determine your pricing strategy.
Register your business: Choose a legal structure, register with local and state authorities, and obtain the necessary permits or licenses. Legal and accounting professionals can help you determine what is best for you from a liability and tax perspective—for example, a sole proprietor vs. an LLC.
Determine your tax obligations: Consult an accountant or professional to determine and plan accordingly.
Protect your intellectual property: If necessary, file for trademarks or patents to protect your brand and products.
Build a WordPress website: Create a professional, user-friendly website that reflects your brand and makes it easy for customers to purchase from you. Whether you work with a web partner or DIY, cover all the bases, including website expense planning.
Set up payment processing: Choose a secure, reliable payment gateway and integrate it with your website. Merchant account, PayPal, Stripe? Compare rates, functionality, and processor policies to find the right fit for your online business.
Develop a marketing plan: Determine how you will promote your business, including through search engine optimization, social media, email marketing, and advertising.
Implement analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic and customer behavior. Your web host should also offer statistics that you can dive into and use to your advantage.
Choose a shipping provider: Determine how you will ship your products and select one that fits your needs and budget. For example, I use Stamps.com, which offers convenience and discounted postal fees.
Set up inventory management: Choose a system to track inventory and ensure you always have enough stock. I recommend WordPress WooCommerce eCommerce plugins and extensions.
Hire employees or contractors: Determine if you need to hire employees or contractors to help you manage your business. There are folks out there to help you in every step of your new online business journey—be honest and seek out the assistance you’ll need to get a solid start.
Set up legal agreements: Research and create legal statements, such as terms of service, privacy, and refund policies, to protect your business. While you can use many online examples, and there is a plugin for this, you should always run these documents by a legal beagle proficient in online law and liabilities.
Secure your WordPress website:Implement security measures such as SSL certificates and firewalls to protect your website and customer data. While SSL certificates have been required for a decade, many websites still do not have “https.” Don’t be one of those sites.
Network with other business owners: Join online communities (on LinkedIn or Facebook, for example) and attend events (Local Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, WordCamps) to connect with other business owners and learn from their experiences. Communities and groups are a goldmine for “been there, done that,” so that you can avoid pitfalls and improve your business processes.
Continuously improve:Regularly evaluate your business performance and adjust your strategies as necessary to improve your results. I’ve been at this for decades and still learn something new regularly. Be open to new concepts and tools that can give you an edge. Don’t be afraid to experiment, test, and tune.
Develop a disaster recovery plan: Create a plan to recover from unexpected events, such as a website outage or a cyberattack. Also, have a plan for weather events and power issues. While rare, these things do happen. You are responsible for ensuring your website has everything in place to lock down and secure it. Off-site backups and regular security scans are imperative.
Develop a customer service plan: Determine how you will support customers, including through email, chat, or phone. Flowcharts work best when you want to “see” the customer journey and what they will experience from your side. See below…
Be patient and persistent: Building a successful online business takes time and effort, so stay the course in pursuing your goals.
Review all available data quarterly: Data doesn’t lie. Monitor traffic (days of the week, times of day), offer surveys, and review contact form inquiries. Seek out opportunities for improvement and resolve any missteps.
Evolve… If anything about doing business online is consistent, it is that it is constantly changing and evolving. You need to evolve with it.
RECOMMENDATION: Business Templates and Flow Charts
I use Canva for everything, from website graphics to client guides and worksheets. So, when I searched for “Customer Journey” flowcharts, I was amazed at the number of options available. (I have a Pro account, which paid for itself long ago.)
You will want to create charts for all your business planning and practices, including how they will flow. Mapping out customers’ paths, customer service, order/request processing, website management, and marketing channels—you name it—will give you an edge.
Imagine the time you’ll save by not reinventing the wheel. I also like DIYing simple graphics and website elements when needed—it saves money there, too.
If you’re not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business.
Ray Kroc
Most Importantly…
While every tip above is just as important as the rest, your commitment, passion, and work ethic ultimately make all the difference in the world. Here’s to the New Year ahead!
At your service,
*Some of the links on this page are to companies with which I have a professional affiliation. Read my complete affiliate statement here.
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Reading Time: 6 minutes 
