A Step-by-Step Guide to Building and Automating Your Online Business
Starting an online business in 2025 can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not tech-savvy or if you’re still juggling ideas without a clear plan.
The truth is, most people stay stuck in the dreaming phase of starting an online business because they don’t know where to begin or how to actually get it off the ground. This led us to create a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to build and automate an online business, so that you and your online business dreams don't have to become just another statistic!
How to Build an Online Business: A Step-by-Step Roadmap for 2025
This guide is your simplified, step-by-step online business roadmap, from setting up your digital foundation to the order in which to set things up, to launching and automating your business using Go HighLevel (even if you're starting from scratch).
Created for coaches, service providers, and creative entrepreneurs alike, this is the exact system we use and support clients with at Jetset Creative.
Step 1: Set Up a High-Converting Website
Your website is the digital foundation of your business, where first impressions are formed, leads are captured, and conversions actually happen.
If you’re serious about learning how to build an online business that runs smoothly, you need to start here. For most service providers and coaches, Go HighLevel is the ideal platform because it combines your website, CRM, booking system, and email automation all in one place.
Whether you’re DIY-ing your site or getting professional help, focus on clean navigation, fast load speeds, and mobile optimization. These small wins make a big difference when you launch your online business.
Phase 1: Choose the Right Website Builder
Go HighLevel – Best for automation, funnels, CRM, and all-in-one tools.
WordPress – Ideal for content-heavy blogs or SEO-heavy brands
Shopify – Best for eCommerce-based businesses
For most coaches and service providers, Go HighLevel offers the best all-in-one solution.
Phase 2: Optimize Structure & User Experience
Keep your website design simple, clean, and intuitive. Many website builders offer templates that are already pre-designed with user experience in mind. Using these creates an easy experience when it comes to building a website without much experience.
Prioritize mobile optimization
Use clear CTAs (Call to actions) like “Book a Call” or “Download the Guide”
Make sure your site loads fast - aim for under 3 seconds
Phase 3: Apply SEO Best Practices
Use short, keyword-rich URLs (e.g.,
/how-to-build-an-online-business)Write custom meta titles and meta descriptions with keywords
Compress images and use alt text
Target keywords like:
how to build an online business,launch online business,online business roadmap, andGo HighLevel for beginners
More tips from HubSpot’s SEO checklist
Step 2: Build a Sales Funnel That Converts
Once your site is live, the next step in your online business roadmap is creating a sales funnel that actually turns viewers into long term clients. Think of your funnel as a curated experience - guiding someone from “I just found you” to “I’m ready to work with you.”
With tools like Go HighLevel, you can easily set up a lead magnet opt-in, an automated checkout page, and a thank-you sequence with upsells. A strong funnel won't just sell your services.. it will build trust, nurture leads, and positions your offer as the obvious next step.
Suggested Key Funnel Pages:
Opt-In Page: Give away a freebie "lead magnet" (like a guide or checklist) to collect leads
Checkout Page: Use a 2-step form and highlight urgency or bonuses
Thank You + Upsell Page: Offer a next-step upgrade or bundle
Learn more about funnel structures from ClickFunnels' blog.
Suggested Software: Go HighLevel’s Funnel Builder
Drag-and-drop builder for all funnel pages
Integrated email and SMS automation
Built-in analytics and A/B testing tools (view funnel builder demo)
Step 3: Set Up Payments & Automation
It’s one thing to get leads.. but if your payment process is clunky or confusing, you’ll lose people.
Setting up your payment system properly is essential when learning how to build an online business that works without constant hand-holding. Go HighLevel integrates directly with Stripe and PayPal, so your checkout forms, order bumps, and automated receipts are handled in one smooth flow.
From there, automation kicks in.. welcoming new clients, sending onboarding emails, and even assigning tasks to your team or VA (if you have one). Automation is what allows you to step back while your business keeps moving forward.
Integrate A Payment Gateway:
Use tools like:
Stripe for seamless card payments
PayPal for additional flexibility
Wise for receiving international payments
Suggested Software to Automate & Scale Without Burnout
Use Go HighLevel to:
Trigger welcome emails to introduce your online business and brand
Send abandoned cart reminders for those who dropped off of the customer journey before purchase
Set client onboarding flows for new clients to understand your product or service
Automatically assign leads in your CRM, to yourself or membes in your team
Automation not only saves time, it ensures consistency and lets you focus on growth.
Step 4: Track Your Performance Like a Pro
What you don’t track, you can’t grow. Here’s where we move from guessing to growing.
A sustainable online business isn’t just launched and forgotten - it’s monitored, tested, and optimized regularly.
Use Go HighLevel’s reporting dashboard or Google Analytics to track your website traffic, conversion rates, bounce rate, and client lifetime value.
These numbers don’t lie.. they tell you exactly where to tweak, test, or double down. It’s one of the most underrated parts of learning how to build an online business: measuring what’s working and letting the data guide your next moves.
Phase 1: Metrics to Monitor
Conversion Rate: How many visitors turn into leads or buyers
Bounce Rate: Are people leaving your site immediately?
Customer Lifetime Value: Are your clients coming back?
ROI (return on investment) on ads or email campaigns
Use tools like:
Built-in Go HighLevel analytics dashboard
Phase 2: Run A/B Tests
If you're using GoHighLevel to manage your marketing funnels, you already have access to a powerful tool for improving performance: A/B testing. This feature lets you compare two or more versions of a page, email, or campaign element to see which one delivers better results, without relying on assumptions.
With A/B testing, you can experiment with different headlines, call-to-action buttons, form layouts, images, and even entire funnel flows. The goal is simple: identify what resonates most with your audience and drives more conversions, whether that’s clicks, sign-ups, or sales.
Once both versions are ready, GoHighLevel automatically splits incoming traffic between them. As visitors interact with each version, the platform tracks key metrics such as conversion rates, allowing you to determine the top performer based on real data.
Step 5: Scale Strategically (Without Burning Out)
Scaling your business isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right things, better. Once your systems are in place, you can expand your reach with Facebook or Google ads, launch scalable offers like a digital course or membership, or even create passive products like templates or toolkits.
This is where your online business is set up to grow, without requiring you to constantly hustle behind the scenes. With the right strategy and support, scaling becomes a natural step.. instead of a stressful one.
Phase 1: Expand Your Reach
Run paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google
Create free content (like this blog!) to build organic traffic
Build an email list and nurture your leads with value
Phase 2: Add Scalable Offers
Launch an online course, membership, or template shop
Use Go HighLevel’s membership portal and course builder features
Offer 1:1 strategy calls or high-ticket coaching for upsell options
Phase 3: Build a Brand That Sticks
Be visible and valuable on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn
Share real results, client wins, and behind-the-scenes
Focus on consistency OVER perfection
Final Thoughts: Mastering Online Business for Long-Term Success
Building an online business doesn’t have to feel like climbing a mountain. With the right strategy, the right tools, and the right systems - you can go from idea to income faster than you think.
If you’re feeling stuck on how to get started, we help people do exactly this inside Jetset Creative.
Our courses, services, and coaching are built around one mission: helping you build a sustainable, automated online business - without the burnout.
📌 Want help getting started?
Book your free strategy call here
