How to Start a Service Business Online Using Your Skills (2022)

This article will help you learn how to start a service business online using your skills. You don't need money to start your business online. But then you need something else. And that's called ‘your skills.' 

Earlier on H-Educate, I've talked about a few ideas to start your business online and create a SaaS product as well. But in this post, I'm going to throw light on starting a business from scratch with some monetizable skills. But for now, let's get to know why a service-based business online is a highly viable option. 

Why You Must Start An Online Service Business 

The biggest reason you must start an online service-based business is that you can run it as a side hustle or as a hobby. Let's get to know a few more reasons to get started right now. 

Low Cost & Low Risk

Typically, you won't need to invest any capital in starting an online service business. You'll also have low operating costs, so the money will accumulate in your account very quickly. An online service business also does not require many employees.

Therefore, you'll have to pay less money on taxes, insurance, or benefits. You can start an online service business with little to no budget and a laptop. And I love the idea of low cost and risk. But it doesn't mean that you'll end up with low profits as well. 

Exponential Growth

The internet is full of scammers! And if you have provided substantial value to a business or individual, you can expect exponential growth. And you don't have to wait for that; you can scale up your business at any time. 

All it takes is the right marketing skills and finding the right market to start a service business online.

For example, if you start a company that helps people create excellent content online, you may explode when you target your customers adequately. 

Open 24/7

Unlike a brick-and-mortar business, you can sell your services or info-products to your customers 24 hours, 7 days a week. You won't lose any sales because of the time zone difference or any other reason.

Thanks to the recent technological advancements, automation opportunities are endless. That's the power of online business regardless of its services or products. 

Money Not Required

Last but not least, you don't need huge capital to start an online business based on service. But then you argue that you have nothing to invest in. Sounds great! It's because you don't need a single penny to start a service business. 

All you need is time to learn a monetizable skill and market yourself using the internet connection. That's just it! Enough reasons to start your service business online? Let's get started on how you can do it right now.

How to Start a Service Business Online Using Your Skills

Services are an ever more popular business choice as we move closer to 2022. We are getting used to the new normal. So we see commendable innovations nowadays.

As we learn more and become more technologically advanced, our needs grow. Companies and even some individuals can benefit from the wide range of online services on sites such as UpWork and Fiverr—and make a living from them.

In this guide, I'll help you learn how you can create a sustainable service-based business online. 

Build Your Audience

If you don't have an audience, creating your service business can be highly challenging. However, it doesn't mean you can't do it without your audience. But for substantial gains, I recommend building your audience.

But you aren't GaryVee, how can you do it? Well, start creating content based on your skills for free. For example, if your skill is writing, you can share the process on social media and blogs. I have created free ebooks where I share what I do. 

This might include getting your name out there in the market, which will attract an audience of people who are interested in what you offer. Marketing your skills can be a piece of cake for you then. But even before that, you must learn a monetizable skill. 

Learn a Monetizable Skill to Start a Service Business Online

I've seen the struggle, and I've been there myself. I was writing for hours, creating free content. You are then left wondering what went wrong? You can't just sit back and do nothing while the world is moving forward.

Well, you can actually—but don't expect your online services business to hit a home run. You have to learn a monetizable skill. After that, you can market it to others and build your own business. 

Many free and paid courses will provide you with the necessary know-how. For example, SkillShare is one of those sites that offer quality courses for entrepreneurs and marketers. 

I also help people learn digital marketing skills and make money online. Follow my YouTube channel to learn a skill you can monetize online. 

Here are a few free courses:

• Email Marketing Mastery for Beginners
• SkillShare Free Courses
• Free Courses on Udemy

And here are a few paid courses I've created:

• Build a WordPress Blog in No Time
• Build a Cold Outreach Email Marketing System
• Develop a Mail Server on Windows: Unlimited Business Emails

And the list goes on. The internet is full of such courses—research well before going with the particular one, though. 

Offer the Service for Free (With a Trick)

People love free stuff. And the best way to get your online service business started is by offering your service for free. But do it strategically. Otherwise, offering services for free will haunt you back. 

The trick here is that you aren't doing it for nothing; you just have to do something about advertising and promoting it later. It's like an investment in future paid clients.

For example, if you're a blog writer, offer your first article for free. But then discuss with your potential clients if you can get paid for more articles. 

And they'll pay if they like your work. And even if they don't pay, ask them to showcase your work publically on social media and your website. In that way, you can benefit from offering free services online.

But don't do it forever! Stop doing it for free once you've earned the reputation required to build your business or create your portfolio. 

Create Your Portfolio to Showcase Your Best Work

If you want to build a serious service-based business online, create a portfolio. A good portfolio will show your skills and allow you to connect with high-quality clients who need your services. 

Creating a catchy portfolio can be challenging if you don't have any experience. But there is no better time than the present to get started and create one. Take inspiration from the people who are already making it big!

Here are a few things to include in your portfolio:

1. Your top skills (graphic designing, writing, etc.) 

2. Testimonials (from people who used your service) 

3. Your best work (don't include all the work you've done in the past)

4. Any awards you've won (for your service) 

5. Your services and prices 

6. Contact information

Here's a pro tip: interestingly, tell your story. And if you can do it, hire a professional photographer and web designer to create the perfect portfolio for you! It will make a lot of difference with your online business. 

Start Selling Your Services

Once you've offered free services and created a portfolio, it's time to sell your services. First of all, don't sell yourself short by providing the lowest prices out there. You need to make a living too! 

Check out what the market is charging for various services and price yours around that range. And analyze your biggest strength. Think about something that distinguishes you from others in the market. In this way, you'll be able to attract high-quality clients who want your services at competitive prices.

But if you're still unsure about how to price yourself, use the three-quote rule. 

This is where you ask for 3 different quotes (or prices—whichever way you prefer) for your service and then pick the middle one. It's also a great way of determining your market value. 

Promote Your Services with Free Content & Paid Ads

Once you've done all the hard work, it's time to do some promotion. If nobody knows about your service business online, no one will hire you! Go ahead and promote yourself on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.

Share images, videos, and quotes to highlight your service. Have a look at this video, where I’ll help you learn a lot of ways you can start promoting your services for free. 

If you want to give paid promotion a try, start with contextual ads on Quora or Facebook. It's an effective way of promoting your business online and reaching out to huge audiences simultaneously. 

And use Google Adwords for targeting people who are more likely interested in what you're offering. If you offer graphic designing services, target the individuals who are typing ‘graphic designing services' on Google.  

And do whatever it takes to promote your service business online. 

Turn Your Services into a Product (Start a Service Business Online)

Service-based business models have one downside; you get paid if you provide services. And that's the goal, right? Yes, but you may want to turn your services into a product to sell it over and over again. 

• Have a look at my Services page 
• And digital marketing courses for inspiration

Also, if the service-based business model isn't for you, consider using your skills to make an informational product.

A great example would be setting up your blog and selling advertisements on it to generate some revenue.

• Create and sell ebooks based on your skills.
• Design and sell courses to help other people learn your craft.
• Develop some kind of cheat sheet.

Or do whatever it takes to sell one thing over and over again. Just remember that the first step is always the toughest one. So put your best foot forward and make it happen and start a service business online.

Automate the Entire Process (Software & Manpower)

Finally, after you've done all the hard work and collected a few clients, it's time to automate the entire process. Either you can start service-dropshipping. Or you can automate the selling marketing of the info-products you have created. 

Start with simple things like creating a website and accepting payments online. For that, visit the best web hosting deals here. Or just go with Bluehost, especially if you're creating your site with WordPress. 

For topic ideas, consider using H-Supertools' free Keyword Research Tool. Start using marketing automation software like Hubspot, Systeme.io, and more. Make use of autoresponders using these best email marketing tools. 

• Constant Contact
• Debounce
• Sendinblue
• GetResponse
• Convertkit

And more. Some of these marketing tools help you get started for free. Use the opportunity and upgrade when you feel like it. Sounds exciting? Let me summarize the process for you now. 

Summarizing: How to Start a Service Business Online With Your Skills

Starting a service-offering business based on your skills is a tremendous opportunity to make money online. Here are five steps to creating a service business online using your skills in 2022:

• Learn a monetizable skill
• Build your audience 
• Offer free services and build a portfolio
• Determine the right price for your services
• Promote your services with free content and paid ads
• Turn your services into a product to sell over and over again
• Automate the entire process of selling your services and products

It sounds like a complete guide on how to start a service business online and scale it. All it takes is your time, energy, and skills. Is this post helpful? Send me an email telling me about your success after getting help from my free content. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn how you can make money with online businesses.