Start Your Side Hustle with a Simple Website
Free resource — no sign-up required
If you’ve been laid off, lost funding, or want to take control of your income, you’re not alone.
This free checklist walks you through the exact steps to launch a website and test your side hustle idea — straightforward, practical, and easy to follow.
Side Hustle Website Checklist
A straightforward, practical, and easy-to-follow guide to launch your online business idea
✔️ Step 1: Choose a Business Name
Pick something short, easy to spell, and clear. Avoid numbers, hyphens, or anything hard to remember. Say the name out loud — would you hire or buy from it?
Before you commit, search it on Google, check for trademarks at the USPTO, and look for available handles using Namechk.
✔️ Step 2: Buy a Domain, Choose Hosting, and Set Up Email
Register your domain through a reliable, easy-to-use provider like Namecheap, Hover, or Porkbun.
Stick with a .com if you can — it still carries trust.
Choose hosting that supports WordPress, loads fast, and offers good support.
Set up a professional email using your domain (e.g., hello@yourbusiness.com). We recommend Google Workspace for ease of use and strong deliverability.
✔️ Step 3: Build a Simple WordPress Website
Start with one clear page. Include a headline (what you do + who it’s for), a short paragraph about yourself, your offer, and a way to book or contact you.
Use WordPress with a fast, mobile-friendly theme and Page Builder. We recommend designing with Beaver Builder — it's flexible and easy to learn.
For contact forms, use Gravity Forms.
Skip unnecessary pages and branding. The goal is to validate your idea — not perfect your site.
✔️ Step 4: Share Your Website and Get Your First Client
Your goal now is to get one real person to take action — whether that’s reaching out, booking time, or making a small purchase.
Start by sharing your website with people you already know. Post it on LinkedIn with a short story about why you started and who it's for. Text or email 5–10 people who might be able to refer someone.
Use a simple message like:
Hey [Name], I just launched a new [service/business]. If you or someone you know needs help with [your offer], I’m offering discounted rates while I build it out. You can check it out here: [yourdomain.com] or email me at: hello@yourdomain.com
Add your website to your email signature and social media bios.
Avoid paid ads or SEO at this stage — your goal isn’t scale. It’s proof that someone needs what you offer.
✔️ Step 5: Build Your Basic Online Presence
Now that your website is live, create a simple but visible online presence. You don’t need to be everywhere — just easy to find and trustworthy.
Claim your free listing with Google Business Profile if you're serving local clients.
Update your LinkedIn profile with your business name, a short headline, and your website.
Choose one social platform — LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook — and post simple updates a few times a week. Share what you’re working on, who you help, or what you're learning.
Add your website to your social bios and email signature.
✔️ Step 6: Expand as You Learn
Once you've worked with a few clients, use what you’ve learned to improve your website and your offer.
Add a few short testimonials from real people. Even one sentence builds trust.
Answer common questions in a new FAQ section — based on what people ask you before they hire or buy.
Create additional pages or service descriptions as needed. Keep it clear and direct.
Consider adding a blog or resource section if you enjoy writing or want to improve SEO. Even one useful post per month can help.
Track what’s working using Google Analytics and keep improving from there.
Start building a simple email list using a tool like MailerLite or ConvertKit — it’s a great way to stay connected as your audience grows.
✔️ Step 7: Streamline and Automate
Once you have a few clients, look for ways to save time and simplify your workflow.
Use tools like Calendly to handle scheduling without the back-and-forth.
Set up online payments using Stripe or Square.
Use Wave or Zoho Invoice to send branded invoices and track payments.
Save email templates for onboarding, proposals, and follow-ups. Reuse them to stay consistent and save time.
Block out time weekly for admin tasks so you can focus on serving clients and growing your business.
❌ Bonus: What Not to Do
Don’t wait until everything feels “ready.” You’ll learn faster by launching and adjusting based on real feedback.
Don’t overspend on branding, logos, or tech tools before you’ve validated your offer. A simple layout and clear message beat polish every time.
Don’t rely on ads too soon. Organic outreach and direct messages are more effective early on.
Don’t try to do everything at once. Pick one service, one platform, and one clear offer to start.
Most of all — don’t overthink it. Progress beats perfection.
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Why I Created This Free Checklist
I built this guide because I’m angry — angry that so many people are being forced into uncertainty because of political decisions and economic mismanagement. Tariffs, funding cuts, and job losses have real consequences — and too many good people are left trying to figure it out alone.
If you've been laid off, lost your contract, or feel like you're starting from scratch, you're not alone. I’ve worked with hundreds of solo entrepreneurs and small business owners. I’ve seen what works — and more importantly, what’s not worth wasting time or money on when you're just getting started.
This checklist is my way of helping you take back control. It's free. No sign-up required. Just real steps to build something of your own — without the fluff, the hype, or the guesswork.
If you're ready to start something, I want to help you make it happen. Whether you want to do it all yourself, have it done for you, or just need some friendly coaching along the way — I’m here to help you get your side hustle website launched.
💬 Want to talk it through?
I offer no-pressure consults to help you figure out the best path forward — whether you need a done-for-you website, help getting unstuck, or just want feedback on what you’ve built.