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If you’re like most business owners, you’re always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to grow your business. You may have even considered starting an online business. But where do you start? Which book should you read? And, more importantly, which are the best for you?
There are so many books out there on the topic, it can be hard to know which ones to read. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best books for starting an online business 2024. These books will teach you everything you need to know about starting and running a successful online business. So, if you’re ready to take your business to the next level, read on!
Table of Contents
Best Books For Starting An Online Business 2024
1. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
In START WITH WHY, Simon Sinek examines the anatomy of great leaders and innovators, and reveals that they all think, act, and communicate in the same way. He shows that the “Golden Circle” is a better predictor of success than IQ or expertise and that those who start with WHY to create more value for their customers, employees, and themselves.
If you’re looking to become a more innovative leader yourself, look no further than START WITH WHY. With its insightful analysis and easy-to-follow steps, this book will show you how to find your own Why—and start changing the world.
2. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
The Lean Startup is a book worth reading for any business owner looking to launch a new product. Based on decades of research, this book outlines a new approach to launching a business that is more responsive to customer feedback and less likely to fail like most startups. With The Lean Startup, you’ll learn how to build a strong foundation for your business and ensure that your products are successful from Day One.
3. Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn
Is your business idea worth pursuing? Find out with Will It Fly?, the book that helps you with real-world examples and practical exercises.
In five-part the book takes you through everything you need to know before taking your idea public. With expert advice and step by step guide, you’ll learn how to assess market conditions, test your idea with a small target market, and make sure your concept is viable. So don’t wait – get started on your path to success today with Will It Fly?
4. Launch: An Internet Millionaire’s Secret Formula To Sell Almost Anything Online by Jeff Walker
Launch is the definitive guide to massively successful product launches and business launches. It is one of the best books on starting an online business. Written by Jeff Walker this book contains a secret formula for selling almost anything online. No matter what stage of development your business is in, Launch will give you the tools you need to take it to the next level. With insider tips and tricks, Launch is a good book for anyone looking to achieve massive success in today’s digital economy.
5. Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies by Joel Elad, Shannon Belew
This book will guide you through every step of Online Business! Written by experienced entrepreneurs, the book explains how to set up your website, market your business effectively, and keep up with e-commerce trends. Plus, you’ll learn how to fund your business for success and future growth. Furthermore, you will learn SEO to drive traffic from search engines, you will learn to market your online business and some great tips to run the business successfully.
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6. Solving the People Problem by Brett M. Cooper, Evans Kerrigan
In Solving the People Problem, you will –
- Understand why people think and act differently than you
- Create healthier and more productive relationships with coworkers
- Get along better with difficult people
- Improve communication at work
- And much more!
DISC-EQ is the personality assessment you need to understand and capitalize on the personality differences of the people around you. With Solving the People Problem, you’ll learn every aspect of DISC-EQ so that you can achieve cohesion and productivity within your organization. You will also develop your self-awareness and emotional intelligence with this book!
7. Zero to One by Peter Thiel, Blake Masters
In Zero to One, Peter Thiel shows how to find value in unexpected places, and how to think about innovation in a whole new way. With this book, you’ll be able to take your business or idea to the next level. So if you’re ready to start something revolutionary, Zero to One is your blueprint for success.
8. How to Blog for Profit: Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup
Ruth Soukup has been doing blogging for years, and she knows how to turn your blog into a profitable online business. In her book, How To Blog For Profit: Without Selling Your Soul, Ruth provides tips and advice for creating an authentic and successful blog. With wit and wisdom, she offers insight on everything from growing your traffic to earning a full-time income. Thus, you’ll get financial freedom as well as you will become your own boss.
Furthermore, You will learn from finding your unique assets and developing content that engages readers, to increasing traffic and revenue through social media and diversified income streams, this guide covers it all. With field-tested strategies and tips from experts in the field, you will be able to create a blog that brings in customers and boosts your income. Overall, it’s a great book for any online entrepreneur.
9. Etsy-preneurship by Jason Malinak
Are you looking to start making some extra income with your Etsy shop? Or maybe take it to the next level and make it your full-time business? This book is for you! It provides step-by-step guidance on how to make extra money or, if you want to, eventually, operate a full-time business on Etsy.
You’ll learn about the basic business skills and information you need, how Etsy makes entrepreneurship achievable for everyone, and each chapter even comes with a business spreadsheet tool to help you put the steps into action. So if you’re ready to start generating money doing what you love, pick up a copy of this awesome book today!
10. The Startup Owner’s Manual by Steve Blank, Bob Dorf
Written by Silicon Valley startup expert Steve Blank, this step-by-step book teaches you how to put the Customer Development process to work. The book is based on the proven Customer Development Methodology, which has been used by thousands of startups worldwide.
The Startup Owner’s Manual is 608 pages of essential how-to information, complete with over 100 charts, graphs, and diagrams. You’ll learn how to avoid the deadly sins that can destroy your startup, use the Customer Development method to bring your business idea to life, and more. Plus, this book is organized around the Business Model Canvas – making it easy for you to identify your customers and determine how to profitably “get, keep and grow” them.
With more than 100,000 entrepreneurs relying on it, The Startup Owner’s Manual is a must-have for anyone looking to start a business.
11. Subscribed by Tien Tzuo, Gabe Weisert
In today’s economy, subscription businesses are growing nine times faster than the S&P 500. If you’re looking to build a lucrative, ongoing one-on-one relationship with your customers, Tzuo’s book offers essential insights and case studies from some of the world’s most successful companies.
Learn how Adobe went from selling enterprise software licenses to offering cloud-based solutions for a flat monthly price – quadrupling its valuation in the process – or how Caterpillar uses subscriptions to assist solve challenges. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking new methods to build your existing business, Subscribed is an important introduction to this fascinating model.
12. Company of One by Paul Jarvis
Company of One is the definitive business book to staying small and successful. Author Paul Jarvis demonstrates how to avoid the hassles that come with standard growth-oriented businesses, as well as the advantages of eliminating the corporate structure from one’s organization. As a result of reading this book, you will discover how to start a business, identify your desired earnings, maintain client satisfaction, and achieve personal pleasure along the way.
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13. Built to Last by James C. Collins & Jerry I. Porras
Would you like to create a business that will thrive for years to come? Built to Last is the perfect blueprint for building an organization that will prosper long into the 21st century and beyond. With hundreds of specific examples and a coherent framework of practical concepts, this book covers everything you need to get started in building a business.
14. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
Running a business is never easy, but Ben Horowitz is here to help. In The Hard Thing About Hard Things, he takes an honest look at the challenges that face leaders every day.
With Ben’s trademark humor and straight talk, this book is invaluable for veteran entrepreneurs as well as those aspiring to their own new ventures. So if you’re looking for some honest insight into the difficulties of business ownership, then you need The Hard Thing About Hard Things.
15. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
After reading The $100 Startup, you will learn how to create a micro-business that generates enough income to support your ideal lifestyle. Chris Guillebeau shares innovative ideas and strategies for starting your own business on a shoestring budget, and he provides inspiration and advice for living a fulfilling life outside of the traditional workforce.
This smart, accessible guide offers case studies from the US and around the world of people who have successfully started businesses with little money. With this book, you’ll be able to identify your own skill or passion and turn it into a profitable online venture.
16. Rework by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
Would you like to stay productive? How about getting exposure without breaking the bank? Then you need Rework! This straightforward, easy-is-better guide is perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of doing it on their own.
Hardcore entrepreneurs, small business owners, people who are stuck in boring jobs they hate, victims of “downsizing,” and artists who don’t want to starve anymore will all find valuable guidance in these pages. So what are you waiting for? Get a copy of Rework today!
17. The Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki, Lindsey Filby
The art of The Start 2.0 is the ultimate guide for online entrepreneurs looking to establish a successful business. Guy Kawasaki covers all the actions you must take to come up with ideas that are good for growing your business by evangelizing and working with partners.
This book is full of helpful tips and suggestions to help you reach your goals in business. If you’re looking for practical advice regarding how to launch your own business, this book is for you!
18. The Six-Figure Second Income by David Lindahl, Jonathan Rozek
The Six-Figure Second Income is an honest guide to starting and growing a business! If you’re tired of the get-rich-quick schemes and want real advice from someone who’s been there, the book is for you. Learn how to create a successful business even when you think all the odds are against you. With no-hype, no-nonsense the book will provide you the knowledge that you actually need in order to implement your next business idea.
Conclusion
Online businesses might be a bit different than traditional businesses. You might face a lot of challenges when you start an online business. But if you keep on gaining knowledge one day you will surely be one of the successful online business owners.
The above list of business books will give you the key lessons while creating business plans and will also give you new ideas in the business world. You will learn the most important skills to create an online business or a great company in the best possible way.