Do You Have Doubts About Building Your Online Business?

byMelWaller

14.6K followers

6 months ago

(Cover photo: building blocks)

Hi Everyone,

I thought this would be an appropriate topic to discuss and I'm sure most of us go through this more than we'd like to.

Why People Have Doubts When Starting an Online Business

1. Fear of the Unknown

People fear what they don’t understand. Many aspiring entrepreneurs don’t fully grasp how online businesses work—what platform to choose, how to make sales, what to sell, or how to drive traffic.

“What if I do all this work and it doesn’t pay off?”

2. Information Overload

The internet is a double-edged sword. While it offers endless resources, it also overwhelms. Too many business models (e.g., dropshipping, affiliate marketing, course selling) make people second-guess themselves and stall in “learning mode.”

“Which model is right for me? Should I do Amazon KDP, Shopify, or affiliate marketing?”

3. Imposter Syndrome

Many feel they’re not “expert” enough to launch a business. They doubt their value or assume others are more qualified.

“Why would anyone listen to me or buy from me?”

4. Fear of Failure or Embarrassment

Unlike a traditional job, starting a business feels risky. Failing publicly—or even privately—can feel like personal failure.

“What will my friends or family think if it doesn’t work?”

5. Perceived Lack of Resources

Many believe they don’t have enough money, tech skills, or time to make it work.

“I can’t afford ads” or “I’m not good with technology.”

How to Overcome These Doubts

1. Start Small and Simple

Pick one business model and one platform. For example:

Amazon KDP + Low/No Content Books
Affiliate Marketing + Wealthy Affiliate Blog
Online Course + Gumroad

Start with a micro project that requires minimal investment and gets you a small win. Progress builds confidence.

2. Focus on Action, Not Perfection

Set a 14-day sprint goal to launch a minimum viable version of your idea. The key is speed over polish.

Instead of saying “I need the perfect logo,” say “I need one blog post and a lead magnet up this week.”

3. Get into a Community

Isolation fuels doubt. Join Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or a mentor-led group like Wealthy Affiliate. Engaging with people on the same journey normalizes your fears—and shows others are succeeding despite them.

4. Reframe Doubt as a Sign of Growth

Doubt usually means you’re about to grow. Use it as a compass that you're heading somewhere worthwhile.

“Doubt is the price of ambition. It means you care.”

5. Track Progress, Not Perfection

Keep a “Small Wins Journal.” Each day, log what you did:

• Watched 1 training video
• Posted on Social Media
• Wrote 500 words

This rewires your brain to focus on momentum, not setbacks.

6. Build Confidence Through Learning AND Doing

You don’t need to “know everything.” Learn just enough to take your next step. Example:

• Learn how to set up a Gumroad account
• Upload your first digital product
• Promote it to your 5 Facebook friends

Confidence comes after the doing, not before.

Final Thought

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem

If you’re feeling doubt, that’s okay. It means you’re stretching. Just don’t let it be the reason you stay where you are.

I have been Self employed since the early 1990's and I still have doubts especially in the process of expanding what I am doing, moving into the unknown future. But I push ahead nonetheless.

Keep Moving Forward! NEVER GIVE UP!

To Our Success!

Mel Waller