How to Make Money Online: Choosing a Business Model That Fits Your Life

When you first get excited about building a business, it is easy to jump straight into the fun stuff.
You start dreaming about the offers you will create, the brand you will build, and the audience you will reach.

But before you do any of that, there is one important decision you need to make.
You need to choose how you will make money online.

That decision starts with choosing your business model.

Your business model is the foundation that shapes everything else.
It is how you will serve people, create value, and get paid.

And picking one early can save you months, even years, of spinning your wheels.

What is a business model, really?

A business model is simply the way your business makes money.
It is the path you choose to serve people, create value, and get paid.

It does not have to be complicated.
It just needs to fit your life and your goals.

Three common types of online business models

There are a lot of ways to build an online business.
But most models fall into one of these three categories:

• Create — You sell products you make once and sell over and over again. Think courses, templates, printables, ebooks, or membership sites.
• Serve — You offer services that involve your time or expertise. This could be coaching, consulting, freelance work, design, or done-for-you services.
• Partner — You promote other people’s products and earn a commission or fee. This includes affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or running ads.

Each path has its own rhythm, benefits, and challenges.
And you can eventually combine them if you want.
But in the beginning, it helps to choose one main model to focus on.

Why choosing a model early matters

When you pick a business model early, you give your business structure.
You know what you are building toward.
You know what kind of offers you need to create.
You know how to show up and serve your audience.

Without a clear model, it is easy to fall into shiny object syndrome.
You keep switching strategies, chasing trends, and wondering why nothing feels like it is working.

Choosing a model gives you a clear target to aim for, even if you adjust later.

You can layer later, but start simple

Some of the biggest businesses you know today started with just one model.

Amazon started by selling books.
Jenna Kutcher started with wedding photography.
Starbucks started by selling coffee beans.

They mastered one thing first.
Then they layered in more offers, products, and services over time.

You can do the same.

Start simple.
Get good at one model.
Then expand when you have the foundation to support it.

Which model fits your life and goals best?

Choosing a business model is not just about what sounds exciting.
It is about what fits your season, your energy, and your vision.

Ask yourself:

• How much time do I have to work on my business right now?
• Do I want to work directly with people, or create something once and sell it over time?
• Am I more energized by creating, serving, or promoting?
• What feels most doable for my life today, not my dream life someday? (You’ll get there, but you need to start where you are right now.)

There is no right or wrong answer.
Only the answer that fits you best.

Ready to go deeper?

If you know you want to build a business, but you are not sure which model fits your life best, that is exactly what I help with inside my one-to-one coaching sessions.

We will sort through your ideas, your season, and your goals together, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Click here to learn more about coaching with me.

You do not have to figure it all out alone.

xo,
Shannon