Why Many People Struggle to Start Their Online Business and How To Overcome
Starting an online business often sounds like a dream, working from anywhere, earning passive income, and finally achieving time and financial freedom. Yet, for many people, that dream never turns into reality.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most entrepreneurs, freelancers, and solopreneurs go through this invisible “stuck phase.” The truth? Getting your first online business started is always the hardest part. Let’s uncover why that happens, and how you can finally push through.
It’s not because they lack talent, intelligence, or even opportunity. It’s because getting started is the hardest part of all.
In this article, we’ll explore the real reasons why so many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle to start their first online business, the hidden “boiling point” of success, and how to push through when motivation fades.
Success isn’t a fixed metric. If you’re reading this, I’ve just scored a small win in the content marketing funnel. If I can do it, so can you, start your journey today!
My Own Journey: From Late Nights to Launching My First Online Business
Back in 2018, I was living alone in a tiny 1RK apartment. I had no roommates and no distractions.
But that turned out to be a blessing. Every evening after work, I’d sit in front of my old laptop and teach myself web development, programming, digital marketing, website building and learning how to set up my first business site I’d work until 2 AM, grab 4–5 hours of sleep, and go to my day job.
I did that for three years straight. It wasn’t sustainable (and I don’t recommend that level of sleep deprivation), but that focused routine helped me build momentum.
There were moments when I wanted to quit. Nights when I stared at my screen thinking, “Is this really worth it?” The website sometimes wasn’t working, sales were zero, and I questioned if I was even good enough to be an entrepreneur. But every time I considered giving up, I asked myself a simple question:
“What other alternatives do I have if I want financial and time freedom?”
The answer was none.
That question kept me going. That single thought became my fuel. It reminded me why I started and why giving up wasn’t an option. Eventually, after years of grinding, things started clicking.
The Hidden Reality: Starting Is Harder Than It Looks
We live in a world where starting a business seems easier than ever. You can launch a website in an hour, create a product with a few clicks, or sell services online instantly. But the truth? While tools have become simpler, the discipline and patience required have not.
Many people get stuck in what’s called the preparation loop. They research endlessly, buy online courses, follow every guru, and plan for months, but they never launch anything.
Why? Because starting something new always feels uncertain. There’s fear of failure, fear of judgment, and fear of wasting time or money.
And so, they stay in the safe zone of learning rather than doing.
Understanding the “Boiling Point” of Success
Someone once compared starting a business to boiling water. Water doesn’t boil until it reaches 100°C. No matter how long you heat it at 90°C, it won’t turn into steam.
Starting an online business is the same. You might be working, learning, trying, and even failing, but until you hit your “boiling point,” success won’t show up.
The hardest part is that the “boiling point” for your business isn’t visible. You don’t know if you’re 10°C away or 1°C away. That uncertainty is what makes many people give up too early.
The difference between those who make it and those who quit often comes down to persistence. The magic doesn’t happen at the start, it happens after you’ve been consistent long enough for results to finally show up.
The Real Reasons Why Most People Struggle to Start Their Online Business
Lack of Clarity
Most people don’t start because they’re overwhelmed by too many ideas. Should you start a blog? A YouTube channel? An eCommerce store? An online course? Sell a product? Offer a service? The endless options create decision paralysis.
Without clarity, you end up learning a little bit of everything but never executing anything.
Tip: Pick one clear business model and commit to it for at least 6 months. Don't jump around until you've given it enough time to test results.
Fear of Failure and Judgment
Fear is the biggest silent killer of online business dreams. You might not call it fear, you might call it “planning,” “research,” or “not being ready yet.” But deep down, it’s fear of failing in public.
Fact: According to a 2023 Statista report, 42% of online entrepreneurs fail because there's no real demand for their idea. The rest fail because they never launch.
The fear of looking foolish or making mistakes holds many people back. But every successful entrepreneur you admire has faced failure, and learned from it.
Remember: Failure is feedback, not a final verdict. Every successful entrepreneur you admire today failed more times than you can imagine. The difference is, they failed forward.
Waiting for Perfection and Overthinking
Many aspiring entrepreneurs wait until everything is perfect, the perfect website, the perfect logo, the perfect business plan, the perfect product and a perfect time to launch. But perfection is an illusion.
Perfectionism feels productive but it’s actually a trap. You spend weeks “preparing” but never actually launch.
Successful business owners launch before they feel ready. They improve things later, based on real-world feedback.
Action Step: Launch messy. You can always improve later. The internet rewards speed of execution far more than perfection.
Lack of Consistency
Online business success is a long game. You won’t see overnight results. Most entrepreneurs underestimate how much consistent effort it takes to reach the “boiling point.”
Statistics show that nearly 90% of online businesses fail within the first 120 days, not because the idea is bad, but because people stop too soon.
Distraction and Lack of Focus
Social media, notifications, endless YouTube videos, they all compete for your attention. Building an online business requires deep, focused work.
When you constantly multitask, you break your momentum.
Practical Tip: Use a method like “Deep Work Blocks.” Dedicate 2–3 hours daily where you focus only on one business task, no phone, no tabs, no notifications.
Unrealistic Expectations
Online, we see headlines like I made $10,000 in my first month!. These stories set unrealistic expectations. When your business doesn’t take off in 30 days, you assume you’re doing something wrong.
Many are drawn by viral stories of “overnight success.” But behind every success story is usually years of unseen work.
But here’s the truth, sustainable online success and real growth takes time. It’s like planting a seed, you can’t rush the harvest.
According to Startup Genome, 70% of startups take two to three years to find a consistent revenue stream.
That’s why most people quit early. They’re not failing, they’re just not patient enough to wait for their business to reach its boiling point.
Business Lessons from the “Boiling Point”
When you start your business, you’ll experience a long stretch where nothing seems to happen. You’ll work hard, stay up late, and sometimes wonder if it’s worth it.
That’s the boiling point phase. It’s invisible progress. Every hour you invest in learning, testing, and failing is like heat raising the temperature.
Keep going, and you’ll eventually reach that moment where everything suddenly starts to click. Traffic grows, qualified business leads generates, sales happen, and momentum builds.
But if you quit too early, all that built-up heat goes to waste.
The Mindset Shift You Need to Overcome this Business Struggle
If you want to make money online, start treating it like a marathon, not a sprint.
When you work on your business every day, even for one focused hour, you’re slowly raising the temperature. Most people stop at 80°C. Winners keep going until the water boils.
Ask Yourself This One Question
If you ever feel like quitting, ask yourself the same question I did:
“What other alternatives do I have that can lead me to time and financial freedom?”
If your answer is “none,” then giving up isn’t an option. You just keep going, even when it feels slow.
Actionable Steps to Get Your Online Business Started
Here’s a simple roadmap to move from “stuck” to “started”:
Step 1: Pick One Simple Idea
Don’t chase 10 business ideas at once. Choose one, maybe affiliate marketing, content creation, coaching, or eCommerce.
Step 2: Set Micro Goals
Instead of launch a business, aim for small wins like:
- Build a landing page.
- Collect your first email subscriber.
- Sell one digital product.
Micro goals create momentum.
Step 3: Create a Learning Routine
Spend 30 minutes a day learning (marketing, SEO, copywriting), and another 90 minutes executing.
Step 4: Build in Public
Share your progress on social media or with a community. Public accountability keeps you consistent.
Step 5: Stay Consistent for 90 Days
Commit to 90 days of focused work, no major distractions, no quitting early. You’ll be surprised at how much can change.
How to Build Credibility and Trust While You Grow
People don’t just buy products online, they buy trust. If your audience believes in your story and sees that you’ve walked the same path, they’ll listen to your advice.
When I first started Wikimint, I didn’t have credentials or followers. What built my reputation wasn’t fancy marketing, it was transparency. I shared what worked, what failed, and how long things actually took.
That honesty connected with people. Readers started asking questions, and my small project slowly turned into a brand.
If you want to build credibility:
- Be open about your learning process.
- Share real numbers, even when they’re not impressive yet.
- Reference reliable data or sources when giving advice.
- Keep promises, if you say you’ll deliver something, do it.
Trust grows over time, and once people see that you’re genuine, every business move becomes easier.
How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up
Revisit Your “Why”
When motivation fades, purpose keeps you going. Write down why you started, your vision for freedom, flexibility, or legacy. Revisit it often.
Focus on Small Wins
Instead of aiming for instant success, celebrate small milestones, your first website, your first visitor, your first $10 online. These keep you motivated.
Build a Support System
Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Join online communities or mastermind groups where you can share struggles, ask questions, and stay accountable.
Create a Routine
Consistency beats intensity. Set aside fixed hours for your business daily or weekly, even one focused hour a day compounds over time.
Embrace Imperfection
Done is better than perfect. Launch your idea, learn from mistakes, and keep improving. Every failure gets you closer to success.
Common Myths About Starting an Online Business
“You Need a Lot of Money”
Not true. Many online businesses start with under $100, a domain, hosting, and some creativity.
“You Must Quit Your Job First”
No. The safest way is to start your business part-time while keeping your job. Build a financial cushion before taking the leap.
“You Need to Be a Tech Expert”
Most modern tools are beginner-friendly. You can build websites, run ads, or sell online with no coding knowledge at all.
Expert Insights and Data to Keep You Grounded
- Around 63% of small business owners start their ventures because they want more freedom and control over their time.
- Only 40% of online businesses survive beyond the first year, mainly because of burnout and lack of persistence.
- Studies show that entrepreneurs who maintain consistent effort for over two years are 5x more likely to achieve profitability.
These numbers underline one truth: perseverance beats perfect timing.
From Dream to Reality: The Mindset That Changes Everything
The internet is full of tools, courses, and ideas. But no tool can replace the mindset of persistence.
If you truly want to build an online business that changes your life, you need to commit to pushing past the boiling point, the moment when most people quit.
Because when you cross that invisible line, things start to change fast. Suddenly, opportunities appear, people notice, and your effort compounds into results.
Final Thoughts: The Question That Keeps You Going
When I look back, the best decision I ever made was not quitting, even when everything seemed impossible.
So if you’re at that stage where you’re doubting yourself, ask this one question:
“What other alternatives do I have that can lead me to time and financial freedom?”
If your answer is “none,” then you already know what to do. Keep going.
Your boiling point might be closer than you think.
Getting your first online business started will test your patience, focus, and belief. The truth is, the hardest part isn’t the business model, it’s staying consistent until you reach that invisible boiling point.
If you’re tired, uncertain, or doubting yourself, remember: every successful entrepreneur once felt the same way.
