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How to start an online business this week
Pick one thing to sell, price it, open a store, and get it in front of your first buyers. A practical 7-day plan.
7 min read · Updated October 2026
Day 1: pick one thing to sell
Start with what you can deliver this week, not a perfect idea. Good first products:
- A service you already do for friends (design, editing, tutoring, repairs)
- A digital download you can make once and sell many times (templates, presets, guides)
- A physical product you can make or source in small batches
- A paid community or course around something people already ask you about
Write one sentence: "I help [who] get [result] with [product]." If you cannot fill it in, narrow the product down.
Day 2: check that people want it
Search for your product on Google, TikTok, Etsy and Reddit. If other people sell something similar, that is good news: there is demand. Note their prices, what buyers praise in reviews, and what they complain about. Your first edge is fixing one of those complaints.
Day 3: set a price
Add up your costs per sale (materials, shipping, your time), then add a margin you are happy with. Remember the fees: on Sellabo that is your tier fee (2.9% to 3.9%) plus Stripe’s card processing (about 2.9% + 30¢ in the US). Read the pricing guide for the full method.
Day 4: open your store
Create a free Sellabo store, add the product with a clear photo and a short description that says who it is for and what they get, and connect Stripe on the Payouts page so buyers can pay by card. Add a short FAQ (delivery time, refunds, how it works).
Day 5–7: get your first buyers
Tell everyone who already trusts you: friends, family, followers, past clients. Post where your buyers already hang out, offer a launch promo code for the first week, and ask your first buyers for honest feedback. See "Your first 10 sales" for a full list of tactics.
What you can skip for now
You do not need a logo designer, a custom domain, paid ads or a company before your first sale. Get proof that people buy, then invest. Check the LLC and EIN guide when sales start coming in.
This guide is general information to help you get started. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change and differ by location, so check the official sources linked here or a qualified professional for your situation.