This post is for those of you who are thinking about starting a business online or have started and feel stuck.
Have you been signing up for several opt-ins, checklists and freebies looking for that magic bullet?
Do posts of people living their “dream lives” constantly fill your social media feeds?
You may have even paid thousands of dollars on online courses believing that you can become an overnight sensation.
Many entrepreneurs spruik starting a business online as easy.
That anyone who has an internet connection and access to a laptop, can start a business online.
This post looks to debunk 5 common myths about starting a business online.
FACT: There is no such thing as an overnight sensation.
You will find that many successful online entrepreneurs, took a few years to become “overnight sensations”.
Many successful online entrepreneurs, such as Amy Porterfield and Stu McLaren will openly talk about their entrepreneurial journey.
The mistakes that they made, and the lessons that they needed to learn in order to become successful.
All things that every person starting a business online for the first time can relate to.
FACT: Your new website will not appear on the first page on Google on Day 1.
Last year, Google reported that there was over 5.2 million new websites created.
That works out to be approximately 380 new websites, EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.
When you think about it, that is totally insane.
So, with those numbers in mind, it is easier to understand why you will not appear on the first page of a Google search when you hit publish.
There are a number of things that go into making your post or website appear on the first page of google.
They include:-
FACT: To be successful in the online business world, you need to have some kind of social media presence.
Regardless of whatever type of business that you run – whether it be a bricks and mortar store or an online business – social media needs to be a part of your marketing strategy.
Social media platforms, such as FaceBook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest – have the ability to help you to create connections with your current (and future) customers.
Social media will help you to:-
FACT: This may or may not be a myth. Anyone can start a business – if they have the right mindset.
Starting a business online is not brain surgery, but it is hard work.
Entrepreneurs need to have a growth mindset.
This means that they need to have the ability to be able to learn from their mistakes.
To be able to adapt and tweak what is not working well.
For those people who believe that they do not have the ability to learn and grow – starting a business online is not for you.
Starting and running your own business will create a number of situations that may trigger a fixed mindset that you need to be aware of.
These situations include:-
If you are able to manage these scenarios, and learn from these situations, then it will put you in good stead to be successful.
FACT: 90% on online businesses will fail.
Competition in the online business space is very high.
Due to the fact that it is so easy to enter into the online business world, it will lead to higher failure rates.
There are a number of factors that contribute to this failure rate, that are easy to fix.
They include:-
So there you have it, 5 common myths, and the truth about starting an online business.
Starting a business online is a rewarding, challenging experience that will keep you on your toes.
With the right mindset, and systems in place, it is is not brain surgery, but more a combination of hard work and persistence.
If you are thinking of starting your own online business, and want a step-by-step guide, check out Business Basics.
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