How to start a successful online business in Kenya

By Emmanuel Ammanulah | 3yrs ago | 4 min read

There are a lot of concerns about how to start an online business in Kenya and succeed. This is because a lot of people have realized that there is potential when it comes to the digital world. The options presented by the online platform are numerous and confusing, and you have to know the market deeply. These include blogs, online stores, thrift stores, and affiliate marketing, among others.

Therefore, if you want to start an online business, this article will help you and give you insights into approaching the online business idea. This is not only to know how to start an online business but what kind of business suits your situation. Therefore, I will raise some questions that you should evaluate before making any decision.

1. Seriously devote yourself to the business

The online world does not perform miracles. Therefore, do not be fooled into thinking that you can make lots of money without working hard and knowing the techniques and tools involved in the business. Many people use the internet without commitment, posting funny content on Facebook, and sharing their favorite photos on Instagram. Another entirely different thing is to use the internet as a business and make money from it.

Yes, you can make a lot of money online, but you will have to take it as a serious business, seek training, and always stay updated. In the world of internet business, there is room for amateurism and improvement. So if you want to know how to start an internet business, be sure and be willing to seriously devote yourself to the business.

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2. Find an area that excites you

To start an online business, you should first look for a segment you identify with. Some fashion bloggers earn a lot of money because they like what they do and how they do it. If you love fashion and want to write, then perhaps one of the business options for you to take on the internet can be a fashion blog. Here you can make money with Google AdSense, affiliate programs, sponsored posts, and sales of other space advertising.

And if in your case, writing is not your favorite activity, but you have excellent business acumen, the best option may be to start an e-commerce fashion store. You can then earn from the sales in your virtual store. Do you like fashion, but you neither want to be a blogger nor an owner of a shop, then your business is to teach. So, the best option may be to start an online course. The important thing is to find something you are passionate about because working online is exhausting, and if you do not have a passion for what you do, as it is with any business, the chances of succeeding are slim.

3. Know all the costs involved

Another tip for those who want to know how to start an online business is understanding the costs involved very well. You can indeed begin an internet business with a meager amount of investment, but it does not mean that you will not be making any money. It is illusory to think that businesses on the internet are free, and they do not require any capital. Of course, they are far cheaper than in the physical world, but you have to invest.

Be it a blog, an online store, or an online thrift store, you will have to invest your time first. You will also have to invest in training and digital marketing. So get those costs before, to avoid surprises, and watch your business fail due to lack of financial strength to sustain it.

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4. Get training

At this point, you already know which online business idea you want to venture into. Therefore, seek training through good courses taught by recognized institutions. Have the ability to know the ins and outs of the business.

Although some things on the internet seem intuitive, the truth is that behind everything you do in the online world, there are very technical and sophisticated tools that help a lot in your business development. Avoid the so-called "gurus" and "sellers of pots of gold" with shortcuts and miraculous formulas to make money online. The only guys who make money with these methods are themselves.

5. Draw up an action plan

My final tip for those who want to know how to start an online business is to develop an action plan to guide their steps. As in the physical world, we need to establish a very detailed business plan to achieve our goals and meet deadlines. Setting goals helps us to continually evaluate the progress of the project and make the necessary corrections.

To start an online business, it is essential to, first of all, take care of the foundations, and then think about the business itself. If you want to know how to start an online business, these tips are essential to finding the right path to your success.