What Makes an Online Business Succeed?

In today’s hyperconnected world, online businesses offer one of the most scalable paths to growth—but success isn’t about copying what’s trending. It’s about solving a real need, and doing it well.

“Online businesses are all about the need,” I said in a recent interview. “If you identify a business that fulfills a genuine need—and the functionality is solid—then your business can scale itself. That’s the beauty of the internet. It’s global, and when something works, it works at scale.”

The starting point is simple but non-negotiable: you need a strong idea. One rooted in a problem worth solving. That means understanding the market, owning your space, and delivering something that actually works.

There’s no guaranteed formula for what will take off online. We’ve all seen unexpected successes—remember the R&B ringtone era? Or that viral frog video? Some of the biggest digital hits have been completely unpredictable. But that’s not something you can count on. What you can control is the clarity and strength of your proposition.

Before you even dive into SEO, ads, or social media, ask yourself:

• What specific need am I solving?

• Is my product or service functional, accessible, and meaningful?

• Am I making it easy for people to say “yes”?

If the answer is yes, the tools of the internet—from digital marketing to organic discovery—can amplify what you’ve built.

“Get your space on the internet—because anyone can. And if your proposition is strong enough, and it works, the world will do the rest.”