Since the dawn of the internet, entrepreneurs and existing businesses have been striving to find ways to leverage their online presence into sales. Now, with so many businesses online, some have even shut down their brick-and-mortar stores in favor of a digital storefront.

If your dream is to start an online business, then you've come to the right place. Getting started can be tricky and confusing, so in this article, we'll outline the basic steps you need to take to launch your business.

1. Choose Your Business Type
You can have almost any type of business online. Before you get started with anything, you need to decide which type you want to start. Some common online businesses include dropshipping, craft or trade shops, professional services and even affiliate marketing.

Once you know what type of business you want to start, you'll need to put together a business plan. Figure out how much money you'll need to get started, what your projected revenue will be and how your expenses will factor into your budget. Don't forget to add things like commercial insurance plans, liability insurance or the cost of your domain into your expense calculation.

2. Write Your Copy
The next step is to write your web copy. You might think you need a website designed before you do this, but it's actually easier to start with the words and design around them. Your web copy is what will sell your products or services, so you want to ensure it's the best it can be.

When writing web copy, remember to bring your customers into a story. Focus on the problem they're facing and how your product or service solves that problem. The more you can position your copy to focus on them and not your business, the more customers will draw into your business.

3. Design Your Website
With your copy out of the way, it's time to design your site. There are many different web builders out there that make it super easy to build a website, such as WordPress, HubSpot, Squarespace and Wix. All of them also include options to integrate other platforms or services like Pytorch Bert and others to manage your business online as well.

The key to designing a great website is to keep things simple. Don't go overboard with colors, graphics and images all over the page. Let your copy stand out and convey a direct message to visitors. Ensure your navigation is clear and easy to use, and always opt for a security certificate so people feel comfortable shopping on your website.

4. Start Marketing and Advertising
Once you have everything up and running, you can start promoting your business! On the marketing front, some of the easiest ways to get started is creating SEO-optimized content and email nurture sequences. Your content should include keywords from Google and answer questions your customers are asking about your business. The emails will go to people who enter their information on your site and are designed to encourage sales.

If you want to pair your marketing with advertising efforts, you have a few different options. The most popular online options are PPC, or pay-per-click, ads. These are advertisements that you can put on Google and social media sites. You get charged based on how many people click through to your website. They can get a little pricey, especially if they're successful, but they're a legitimate way to drive traffic to your website.

5. Earn Profits
Now that you set up your online business, you can start enjoying the profits! Your marketing and advertising efforts should drive significant traffic to your website, and your web design and copy will convert those visitors into customers.

Starting your online business will take some time and dedication, but it's a great alternative to a brick-and-mortar store. Follow these five steps and you'll have your online shop set up in no time. It's as easy as that!