Starting an online business for students: How to start, where to go

The idea of starting an online business becomes more and more appealing with the success of different Instagram and Facebook ventures over the quarantine. For students, especially, it’s an opportunity to earn a bit of income.

Whether you’re looking to expand your existing business knowledge or start completely from scratch, we’ve gathered some free, basic resources to navigate your way towards starting an online enterprise.

Business basics

Though putting up a business seems easy enough with the right inventory, a good deal of work goes into both brainstorming and execution. Going online, especially, poses its own challenges given the unique features of the digital space.

Likely the hardest part of the planning process is deciding where to start.

Though the most common piece of advice when starting such ventures is to look towards your own skills and strengths, you may be thinking that you have no profitable talent to ground your business on. That’s where Grit PH comes in: the blog from local marketing firm Avaris IO lists over 100 small business ideas, most of which are feasible for online platforms. While the initial pitch may not come to you immediately, going through the blog’s suggestions may give you an idea or two on what to sell.

Sorting out the details of the business itself is an entirely different matter. Selling online comes with its own demands, often different from that of a physical business. With that, SelluSeller’s put out a comprehensive guide to planning and starting your own online shop. The blog’s basic tips on working with limited resources, studying your target market, and deciding on what platforms to use are undoubtedly valuable for novices looking to put up their own venture.

Gaining the know-how

Once you’ve gained traction with your business, it’s only natural to want to make it grow. If you’re seeking out insider advice and advanced tips, look no further: a plethora of free online courses can be within your reach.

It always helps to refine the basics. Though KhanAcademy mostly covers intermediate mathematics and science topics, its course on finance and accounting can help out with improving your knowledge on finance management.

Prestigious learning hub edX likewise offers comprehensive courses on entrepreneurship, marketing, and other business fundamentals. While more advanced in level, learning database Alison has classes on economic literacy, business technology, and management, if you’re looking to delve into more professional aspects.

If studying isn’t much of your thing, that’s understandable. With the hectic pace of working amidst a pandemic, something you might prefer are some bite-sized pieces of information.

Luckily, an assortment of podcasts are widely available for your consumption. Whether you’re on the go or simply need something to listen to while working on tasks, entrepreneurship podcasts such as Foundr, Smart Passive Income, and Think Entrepreneurship offer tips and tricks from experts and successful entrepreneurs to help you grow your venture.

Productivity tools

It goes without saying that managing an online business can take up a considerable chunk of your time. Keeping your schedule organized – along with your virtual workspace – helps set your priorities straight.

You can never go wrong with basic work tools such as G Suite. Whether it be for collaborative calendars, online files, or customizable sites, the Google service offers an easy-to-navigate workspace with a variety of services. Microsoft’s Office365 is just as intuitive, and may also suit you better if online services aren’t your cup of tea.

For those who work better with more creative, hands-on spaces, Notion may be the platform for you. Though its group options are paid, Notion’s individual plan is free and comes with a selection of widgets to design your workspace with. Be it for planning your business or keeping track of your general requirements, the site can work wonders for keeping your productivity on track. – Rappler.com

Kiara Gorrospe in a Rappler intern