Let’s get one thing straight. If the thought of “tech stuff” makes you break out in a cold sweat, you’re not alone. Honestly, I’ve been there. A few years back, just the idea of creating a website made me feel like I’d need a degree in computer science. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. And you don’t either.
If you’ve been wondering, “Can I actually start an online business without knowing how to code, fix tech problems, or even set up a printer properly?” The answer is a big, resounding yes.
You Don’t Need to Be a “Tech Person”
Let’s bust this myth right now: tech skills are not a requirement for getting started. Not even close. These days, the internet is full of tools made specifically for people without a technical background.
Think of it like making a cup of tea. You don’t need to know how the kettle works inside, you just need to know how to switch it on.
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com (not the confusing self-hosted one) offer drag-and-drop tools that are ridiculously simple. Want a blog? You can set one up in an afternoon. Selling products? Platforms like Shopify or Etsy take care of all the boring tech bits.
And if you get stuck, guess what? They have live chat. Real people to help. I know, shocking, right?
My First Attempt (And Why I Nearly Gave Up)
A couple of years ago, I sat at my kitchen table with my laptop open, feeling completely out of my depth. Here I was, someone who’d spent decades being competent at my day job, suddenly feeling like I’d forgotten how to think. All because I wanted to set up a website.
The website builder’s dashboard looked like mission control at NASA. I actually closed the laptop and made a cup of tea, thinking maybe I’d bitten off more than I could chew.
Then I remembered something a colleague once said: ‘Every expert was once a beginner who didn’t give up.’ So I opened the laptop again, found a YouTube tutorial for ‘Website Building for Absolute Beginners’ (emphasis on absolute), and started following along.
Within an hour, I had a basic page up. It wasn’t pretty, and I’d somehow made all the text bright orange, but it existed. That small victory changed everything. I wasn’t conquering technology; I was just learning a new skill, like when I taught myself to crocket during lockdown.
Did I break things along the way? Yep. Did I panic when I accidentally deleted half my homepage? Absolutely. But I learned, bit by bit. And, let’s face it, nobody died when I clicked the wrong button. In fact, there’s usually an ‘undo’ option for everything.
The funny thing is, the more I played around with it, the less scary it became. It was like learning to ride a bike as an adult. Wobbly and embarrassing at first, but after a while, you’re off and rolling.
Tools That Do the Heavy Lifting
Here’s the truth: the internet wants you to succeed. Well, okay, not the entire internet, but a lot of it.
There are beginner-friendly tools out there for just about everything:
- Canva for creating images and social media graphics (zero design skills needed)
- ConvertKit or Mailerlite for sending emails and managing subscribers
- Notion or Trello for organising your thoughts and tasks
- ChatGPT for writing help and brainstorming
And here’s the kicker. Most of these tools have free versions. So you can try them out, mess up a little, and see what works for you without spending a penny.
Why This Matters for Your Retirement Plans
When you’re looking at your pension pot and wondering if it’ll stretch far enough, the thought of learning new technology can feel overwhelming. But here’s what I’ve learned: investing a few weeks in getting comfortable with these simple tools can mean the difference between counting pennies in retirement and having that extra cushion for holidays, home improvements, or spoiling loved ones.
My online business now brings in an extra £200 a month. That’s not life-changing money, but it covers my garden centre habit, pays for a meal out every now and again, and lets me put aside money for that Mediterranean cruise I’ve been dreaming about.
What If You Really Hate Tech?
Okay, let’s say you’ve tried, you’ve clicked all the buttons, and you still feel like the tech is a foreign language. That’s completely valid.
You’ve got two options:
- Stick to low-tech business models.
Some side hustles barely need any setup. Selling digital downloads on Etsy, offering freelance services, or starting a Substack newsletter. These can be incredibly simple. - Outsource the tech bits.
Hiring someone from Fiverr or Upwork to do a few one-off tasks (like setting up your site or fixing a glitch) can cost less than a dinner out. You don’t have to do it all yourself.
In fact, knowing when to ask for help is a skill in itself. And one that’ll save you endless time and headaches.
Learn What You Need, When You Need It
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to know everything right away.
Start with the basics. Focus on what you actually need for the stage you’re in. If you’re setting up a blog, you only need to know how to publish a post, add a picture, and maybe share it on Facebook.
Later, if you want to grow your email list or add a shop, you’ll learn those things when you need to. One step at a time.
It’s a bit like learning to drive. You don’t memorise how to fix the engine before you get behind the wheel. You just learn how to steer, brake, and not crash into things. Same with business.
Your First Tech Win This Week
Want to prove to yourself you can do this? Here’s your homework (the fun kind):
- Go to Canva.com and create a free account.
- Search for ‘Pinterest pin template’.
- Change the text to something about your business idea.
- Download it.
- Show it to someone (or share it in the comments!)
Total time: 10 minutes. Tech confidence boost: Priceless.
Age Isn’t a Barrier, It’s a Superpower
I know the online world can feel like it’s run by 20-something YouTubers and TikTok influencers. But there’s a whole generation of people our age making a quiet, steady income from online businesses. They’re not shouting about it. They’re just doing it.
And here’s the secret those young entrepreneurs don’t want you to know: your target customers – people our age with disposable income – trust someone who understands their life stage. They’d rather buy from someone who gets why their knees hurt in the morning than from someone who thinks 40 is ancient.
Your life experience, your people skills, your work ethic. All of that gives you an edge. The tech part? That’s just window dressing.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Tech Fear Hold You Back
If you take nothing else from this post, remember this: you don’t need to be a tech wizard to start an online business. You just need a willingness to try, mess up a little, and keep going.
The tech tools are easier than ever. Help is everywhere. And honestly, you’ve already done harder things in life than figuring out how to embed a YouTube video or hit “publish.”
So don’t wait for the day you “feel ready.” You’re more ready than you think.
Want More Real-World Advice?
This post is part of my Getting Started series, where I break down all the questions that stop people from launching their own side hustle. If you found this helpful, check out the next post in the series:
👉 How Do I Choose a Niche for My Online Business?
Or go back to the first post to see where it all begins:
👉 Learn How to Make Money Online: A Beginner’s Guide
Over to You
I’d love to hear where you are in your journey. What’s the one tech thing that’s been holding you back from starting? Or if you’ve already taken the plunge, what surprised you most about getting your business online?
Drop a comment below – I read every single one, and you might just help someone else who’s sitting where you were yesterday.
P.S. If you’re still on the fence, here’s my challenge: pick one tool from the list above and spend just 15 minutes playing with it today. Then come back and tell us how it went. I bet you’ll surprise yourself!