When it comes to running a digital business, it is pretty easy compared to running a business from a physical location or being required to attend in person.
Hairdressers and plumbers work hard, but just because you can run your online store from the comfort of your PJ’s doesn’t mean that it is easy.
If you are thinking that running a business online is easy, there are some things that you need to do before you take those first steps to running a digital business.
I’ve been doing it since 2011 at Inspire To Thrive, so I have a few tips to help you succeed.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of Contents
Nothing is Free Running a Digital Business
You probably have a laptop and an internet connection to work online. These are some of the highest costs that you face when you start a business.
However, everything from this point on is not plain sailing and free. Your eCommerce website cost is one of the most important costs that you need to factor in. This can be tough if you have a shoestring budget, but it is not impossible to get a reasonable price.
This cost is small compared to the potential profit you’ll make, so make sure you keep that in mind before second-guessing the prices.
SEO is a Must for a Digital Business
There have been books and programs written on SEO, as it is a very complex subject with AI overviews today. However, the simplest way to explain it is that it helps your website get seen in search engines.
One of the best ways to get traffic to your website is through search engine results, so it matters that your site is optimized to be found. If you don’t know anything about SEO, it might be worth your while to hire an SEO expert to have a look and see how to make your site run better.
There are also courses that you can take to teach you about the basics of SEO, so that you know what you are looking for and to prevent any SEO mistakes from happening.
Advertising While Running Your Digital Business
When you have a digital business, the rules of advertising are not the same as running a regular business. As a digital business, most of your ads will be online rather than running a massive TV campaign.
Of course, if you have the funds for a TV and magazine campaign, you can run one if you desire. Advertising online is a different ballgame, as there are many ways to promote your business.
Research is going to be your friend here, as it is important to understand the different types and how they can help your business.
Social Media
Having a business social media page is a great way to get started with your business, no matter what type of business you have. Facebook is a prime example, as many local businesses use the platform to promote their services.
Having a digital business with a worldwide reach is very different. In this case, you need to cater to your potential worldwide customers. This might mean using memes, funny statuses, and thinking outside the box.
There are businesses that have been discovered after a meme they made went viral. The important thing to remember is not to be offensive for a few likes, because this type of behavior can come back to bite you.
Social Media Groups for Running a Digital Business
I am giving this one its own section because it’s weird, but just hear us out. Facebook groups have become forums for people with shared interests to join together.
You have cross-stitching, cars, and groups that cross-stitch cars. There are a number of interests. The content in these groups is user-generated, and it only takes a post about your products to go viral.
Some of these groups have over 100,000 members, so it can be worth your while to search for groups your customers would join. You can also start your own group and invite people to join to help boost your sales.
Over on X they have communities and Threads just began testing them in October of 2025. Having a tight-knit group will allow you to find your community and spread the word about what you do.
Long Hours While Running a Digital Business
Just because you can run your business in your living room doesn’t mean that you will have more time on your hands. Running a digital business means you can do it from home, but you still need to put in the hours.
This could mean processing sales between school runs, filing invoices while making dinner, and replying to emails in the early hours of the morning. There is a lot to do, and you are a one-person show.
This means you have to do everything, including all of the busy work. It can be disheartening when people have a negative view of your business because it is digital.
But don’t make these views grind you into working long hours to prove them wrong. You can hire freelancers to help with the mundane tasks of your digital business.
Set Boundaries For Your Online Business
On the heels of our previous point, I would like to remind everyone to take a break sometimes. You might have a lot of work to do, but there are only so many hours in the day.
If you feel like things are getting too much, you might have to take a break and hire some extra staff. A virtual assistant can help out with the busy work.
You don’t want to miss a good night’s sleep while working through a night and a day! That’s a recipe for burnout.
Therefore, you can free up your time to focus on the core business tasks.
It is also important to schedule working hours. It can be tempting to work a lot and make a lot of money. However, what is the point if you have no free time to enjoy it?
Conclusion: Managing a Digital Business
These are some of the basics you need to understand before launching your digital business. If you keep these things in mind, you might discover that running your own online empire can be fun and profitable.
I hope this post has inspired you to start your own digital journey. Maybe you will find out more about how it can work for you!
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I can’t believe how much I learned since I’ve first seen this post! I wanted to return to it, and I finally managed to find it to say thank you! Last year when I started my online business, I’ve been reading this post and I made notes to follow. Now from nothing, I’m at 7 websites, self-employed finally! Thank you!
Hi Boss Lady, welcome to Inspire To Thrive. I’m so glad to hear you have found this post very helpful. You are most welcome. Wow, 7 websites? That is a lot of sites to maintain and grow. Kudos to you!!
Absolutely Donna, running a business is not an easy task. When it comes to running a digital business, it is pretty easy compared to running a business from a physical location or being required to attend service in the flesh. Running a digital business means you have the comfort of doing it from your home but you still need to put the hours in.
Hi Donna, that is for sure! Yes, being overworked can happen easily and take a long time to overcome. Breaks are the best thing you can do for yourself and your business. I love the automation tools Donna, always looking for more! Thanks for coming by and have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Lisa
These are all important considerations in running a digital business.
Being overworked is not only a recipe for business burnout, it’s also a recipe for health breakdown.
So important to take breaks throughout the day… for exercise, eating right, mixing with family and friends… all the things that help you maintain good health while you build your business.
And as you point out… delegate some of that work to other people, as well as good software and automation tools!
-Donna