When I started my business, I had a small budget, a smartphone, and a big dream. I knew I had something valuable to offer — but I had no clue how to sell it online.
I used to Google phrases like “how to build a brand”, “how to get more orders”, and eventually landed on this question: what are the best 7 ways to grow your business online?
Spoiler alert: there’s no one-size-fits-all hack.
But there are seven strategies that helped me go from invisible to consistently getting leads and sales — and I did it all from my phone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this blog will walk you through what actually worked for me.
The Real Struggles I Faced in the Beginning
Before we get into the list, here are some things I experienced early on (and I know many of you are facing the same):
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“I post consistently but no one is buying.”
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“People like my work but my reach is terrible.”
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“I can’t afford ads or a website designer.”
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“I don’t know how to market myself without sounding salesy.”
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“I feel stuck and don’t know what’s missing.”
These are all valid. I’ve been there. But once I implemented these 7 ways to grow your business online, things started to shift.
Let’s dive in.
1. I Optimized My Social Media Profiles
Your Instagram bio, Facebook page, or LinkedIn profile is often the first impression.
So I made mine crystal clear:
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Who I am
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What I offer
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Who it’s for
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How to buy/contact
I added a link in bio (Linktree or website), used Highlights for FAQs and reviews, and pinned my top posts. This made my page act like a mini-landing page — simple but effective.
This was one of the easiest but most impactful of the 7 ways to grow your business online.
2. I Created Reels That Educated and Entertained
Reels became my best friend. At first, I was scared of the camera. But I realized short, helpful videos shot on my phone could reach thousands of people for free.
What worked:
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Educational content in my niche
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Mistake-to-avoid tips
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Transformation stories
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Quick tutorials or packing videos
Reels with on-screen text, trending audio, and a strong hook worked best. Consistent posting (3–4 per week) slowly built up my visibility and trust.
3. I Focused on Email Marketing Early
Most people ignore email lists until it’s “too late.”
But I started mine with just 18 subscribers — and some of my earliest sales came from emails.
I used:
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Free email tools like MailerLite or ConvertKit
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A simple lead magnet (like a free guide or discount code)
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A welcome sequence introducing my brand
Email is one of the most overlooked but powerful of the 7 ways to grow your business online because it builds relationships outside social media algorithms.
4. I Showed Behind-the-Scenes and Personal Stories
I stopped pretending to be a polished brand and started being a real person.
Here’s what I shared:
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Day-in-my-life videos
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Product packaging process
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Mistakes I made and what I learned
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Why I started the business
People buy from people — not products. When I showed my face and story, followers turned into customers and then into loyal fans.
If you’re shy on camera — just start. I filmed everything on my phone and used simple editing apps like CapCut.
5. I Used Testimonials and UGC (User-Generated Content)
One of the most powerful of the 7 ways to grow your business online is proof.
Every time a happy customer shared a story, tagged me, or sent a review — I reposted it.
How I collected content:
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Asked every buyer to DM or email feedback
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Ran giveaways asking followers to share how they used the product
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Created carousel posts with before/after or review screenshots
Nothing builds trust faster than a real person recommending your brand.
6. I Built a Simple Website (On My Own)
I delayed building a site for months because I thought it was expensive or complicated. Then I discovered:
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Shopify’s free trial + templates
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Canva for banner graphics
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Copy I wrote myself, using other sites as inspo
I launched a basic one-page website in a weekend — and instantly felt more legit. It also made it easier to convert people who found me on social media.
Having a website doesn’t need to be complicated. But it’s one of the most important of the 7 ways to grow your business online for long-term growth.
7. I Engaged Like a Real Human, Not a Sales Bot
Let’s be honest — no one likes being sold to constantly.
So instead of just promoting, I:
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Replied to every comment and DM with intention
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Left thoughtful comments on other small creators’ posts
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Sent voice notes to new followers
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Answered questions in Stories using the Q&A box
The more I engaged, the more people noticed me. And when they trusted me, they bought from me.
This organic engagement strategy helped me build a strong community — and that’s key to sustainable growth.
Why These 7 Ways to Grow Your Business Online Work
Here’s the secret: none of these strategies are groundbreaking on their own.
But when you combine them:
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You become visible
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You build trust
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You stay consistent
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You attract the right audience (not just followers)
You don’t need a perfect aesthetic, viral content, or ads to win. You need to show up, solve problems, and be human.
I grew everything from my smartphone. My photos weren’t always perfect. My captions weren’t always clever. But they were real — and that’s what made them work.
Final Thoughts
If you’re overwhelmed by trying to figure out 7 ways to grow your business online, here’s my advice:
Start with ONE. Pick the easiest one from this list and go all in. Once you build that habit, add the next.
Don’t try to be everywhere. Don’t copy everyone. Focus on your strengths, speak to your people, and keep showing up.
Growth happens in small, daily steps. And you already have everything you need — especially if you’re reading this on your phone.
💬 Want a Custom Growth Plan for Your Business?
If you’re ready to grow your business online and want a plan that works for your goals, let’s connect.
I’d love to help you turn your idea into impact — and grow with heart. 💻📱
