How to Start an Online Business: 8 Steps to Get Started

All around us, more South Africans are taking their hustles online. From Instagram boutiques to WhatsApp sales groups and fully-fledged ecommerce stores, the digital marketplace is buzzing. And it makes sense. You don’t need to fork out cash for a shop in the mall or spend half your life managing stock in a backroom. These days, you can run a business from your kitchen table with just a laptop, some data and the right tools.

The beauty of an online business is flexibility. You choose your hours, you control how you sell and you can reach people far beyond your street or suburb. But here’s the kicker: while starting online is easier than opening a brick-and-mortar shop, the businesses that last are the ones that take setup seriously. That means planning properly, registering officially and putting the basics in place so you can grow without hitting walls later.

From shaping your idea and building a website, to getting registered with the CIPC and making sure you can actually accept payments, this guide will walk you through the essentials. Think of it as a practical roadmap, built for South Africans who want to get going online the right way.

1. Nail down your online business idea

Every successful hustle starts with an idea, but not just any idea. Online, there are millions of people selling something. The trick is to sell something people genuinely need and to make sure you’re offering it to the right audience.

Let’s be honest, “everyone online” is not your market. That’s how people end up shouting into the void. Instead, start small and specific. Are you selling to students who need budget-friendly tech? To parents looking for home-learning resources? To fitness junkies trying to stay in shape without gym fees? Once you know exactly who you’re talking to, building your business becomes a whole lot easier.

Do some digging. Scroll through Takealot’s trending products. Check what’s moving on Facebook Marketplace. See what people are asking for in your WhatsApp or community groups. South Africans are vocal about what they want, if you listen closely, your niche will practically reveal itself.

2. Put your business plan on paper

Once you’ve got your idea clear, it’s tempting to dive straight in. But here’s the truth: without a plan, it’s very easy to get lost in the noise of the online world. A business plan doesn’t have to be a long, stiff document. Think of it as your map, it shows where you’re heading, how you’ll get there and what you’ll need along the way.

For an online business, your plan should cover the basics: who you’re selling to, what you’re selling and how you’ll reach people. Maybe your audience lives on TikTok, or maybe they spend more time on LinkedIn. The way you market a clothing brand to students is completely different to how you’d sell accounting services to small businesses. Writing this down helps you focus and stops you from wasting time and money later.

It’s also smart to run some rough numbers. What will it cost to secure a domain name, set up your website and run your first ads? How many sales would you need to break even? Even back-of-the-envelope maths will give you a sense of what’s realistic.

And here’s the kicker: a clear plan also makes your business more appealing to funders. Banks, investors and even local funding programmes want to see that you’ve thought things through.

3. Register your business

Even if your shop lives online, it’s still a real business. That means registering it properly is worth the effort. In South Africa, business registration is handled through the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission). It’s not nearly as complicated as people imagine, the process is online, it’s affordable and it gives your hustle a whole new level of credibility.

Most online entrepreneurs choose to register as a Private Company (Pty Ltd). It’s simple to manage, it protects your personal assets under the Companies Act and it looks professional when you’re dealing with suppliers or potential partners. That protection is no small thing. If your business runs into trouble, your personal car or home isn’t automatically tied to those debts.

Being registered also opens doors. Banks and funders will only take you seriously if you’ve got the paperwork. Many suppliers won’t give you trade accounts unless you’re official. And if you’ve ever thought about bidding for tenders or partnering with corporates, registration isn’t just nice to have, it’s non-negotiable.

One more thing: you’ll also need to register with SARS for a business tax number. Doing this early keeps you out of trouble and shows funders you’re running a legitimate operation.

4. Secure your domain name and brand

Your business name is more than just a label, it’s the identity you’ll carry into the digital world. Before you fall in love with a name, check if it’s available as a domain and on all the social platforms you plan to use. There’s nothing worse than designing your logo, printing stickers and setting up an Instagram handle only to find out someone else already owns the .co.za you wanted.

At this stage, keep it simple. Do a quick search on platforms like GoDaddy or WordPress to see if your preferred domain is open. Aim for something short, easy to spell and memorable. If you can, secure the .co.za version as well as the .com, since South Africans often trust the local domain first.

Consistency matters too. Try to make sure your website name matches your Instagram, Facebook and TikTok handles. That way, customers don’t get confused when they’re trying to find you online.

And here’s a tip: don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need to build the full website right away. Even just registering your domain is enough to lock down your brand while you work on the rest. Think of it like putting a sign up on your shopfront before you start decorating the inside.

5. Build your website or online store

Your website is the heart of your online business. It’s the first impression people get when they click your link and it’s where they decide whether they trust you enough to buy. Think of it as your digital shopfront, just like a spaza on the corner, only open 24/7.

Now, don’t panic if you’re not tech-savvy. If you’ve got the budget, you can bring in a web developer to give you a polished, customised site. But if you’re starting small, you don’t need to spend a fortune. Tools like iK Webstore let you set up a professional online shop in minutes, no coding, no complicated setup. You simply add your products, choose a layout and you’re ready to sell.

When building your site, keep things clean and easy. Customers shouldn’t have to click through five pages just to check out. Make sure your shop looks good on mobile (because most South Africans shop from their phones) and keep the checkout process as smooth as possible. Slow loading times or confusing payment steps are a quick way to lose sales.

The truth is, your website doesn’t need to win design awards. It just needs to do its job: show people what you offer, make it easy to buy and give them confidence that you’re a legit business. If you get those basics right, you’re off to a strong start.

6. Choose your sourcing and delivery method

Once your store is set up, the next big question is: how will you actually get products into your customers’ hands? This is where a lot of new online businesses trip up. It doesn’t matter how slick your website looks, if orders arrive late, damaged, or not at all, customers won’t stick around.

There are a few ways to handle this. Some entrepreneurs use dropshipping, where you don’t keep stock yourself. Instead, when someone places an order, a third-party supplier ships it directly to the customer. It’s a low-cost way to start, but it also comes with risk. If your supplier messes up, your brand takes the blame.

Others prefer to keep stock locally. It gives you more control over quality and delivery, but it does mean you’ll need space to store items and a system to handle orders. In South Africa, many small businesses work with courier companies like The Courier Guy, Paxi (through Pep), or Fastway to deliver nationwide. If you’re delivering around your neighbourhood, you might even start out by dropping orders off yourself.

Whichever route you choose, test it first. Order from your supplier like a normal customer, check delivery times and see how the packaging looks when it arrives. A smooth delivery process is one of the fastest ways to build trust and win repeat customers.

7. Plan your launch

Launching an online business isn’t just about clicking “publish” on your website and hoping people find you. If you don’t build a bit of excitement beforehand, chances are you’ll be met with silence on day one. The trick is to create buzz so that when you open your digital doors, people are already waiting to step inside.

Start by warming up your audience. Share sneak peeks on Instagram or Facebook. Post behind-the-scenes updates while you’re setting up your store. Even something simple like showing the first batch of stock arriving can make people feel part of the journey. If you can, build an email list and offer early sign-ups an exclusive discount or free delivery on their first order.

Don’t underestimate the power of your own circle. Tell friends, family and colleagues about your launch and encourage them to spread the word. In South Africa, personal referrals carry a lot of weight, people are far more likely to try a new brand if someone they trust recommends it.

If you’ve got a bit of budget, small ads on Facebook or Google can help you reach beyond your immediate network. But you don’t need to spend thousands. Even a few hundred rand, well targeted, can help you get your name in front of the right people.

The more hype you create before launch, the smoother your entry into the market will be. By the time you officially announce that you’re open for business, you want people excited to click through and see what you’re offering.

8. Set up payments and start selling

You’ve done all the groundwork, now comes the part that really matters: getting paid. In South Africa, customers want payment options that are quick, safe and trustworthy. If you make it hard for them to pay, they’ll abandon the cart and move on to the next seller.

If you’re running a full ecommerce website, you’ll want a proper payment gateway. iK Pay Gateway lets you accept card payments directly on your site and integrates easily with platforms like WooCommerce, Wix and Shopstar. That way, checkout feels seamless for your customers and you can focus on sales instead of admin.

But maybe you’re starting smaller, selling through WhatsApp, Instagram, or even over email. That’s where iK Pay Link comes in handy. You simply send a secure payment request and your customer pays instantly from their phone. No complicated setup, no fuss.

The point is: don’t wait until your first order to figure out how you’re going to get paid. Set this up before launch so your very first customer has a smooth, professional experience. From there, you’re officially ready to trade. Your website is live, your suppliers are in place, your marketing is running and now, every click has the potential to turn into cash in the bank.

Take the next step with your business

Starting an online business in South Africa isn’t about chasing a quick win, it’s about building something real that fits into your life and gives you room to grow. Once you’ve got your idea, your plan, your website, your suppliers and your payment system in place, you’ve got everything you need to go from side hustle to serious business.

And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone. At iKhokha, we’re here to make the journey easier. If you want to accept payments online, iK Pay Gateway plugs straight into your website. Selling on WhatsApp or Instagram? iK Pay Link lets you send instant, secure payment requests. Need a simple way to launch your store? iK Webstore helps you go live in minutes. And when you’re ready to scale, iK Cash Advance can give you quick, hassle-free funding to fuel your growth.

Your hustle is already in motion. Now it’s time to take the next step, make it official and build something sustainable. With iKhokha by your side, you’ve got the tools to turn your online idea into a business that lasts.