The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in several ways. As for me, it changed my whole personal and business life (in a good way) as this was the time I decided to fully shift to a virtual practice and started my online nutrition business. And I do not regret the decision that I’ve made! 

If you are thinking about starting your online nutrition business, know that you are not alone. This blog will serve as your step-by-step guide to starting your online business.

What is an Online Nutrition Business & Why Should You Consider This?

An online nutrition business helps clients break through their nutritional problems. Just like a normal practising dietitian, an online nutrition business owner analyses clients’ dietary intake and biology to determine the kind of diet that can improve their physical and mental health. 

So, why should you consider having an online nutrition business instead of a physical one? 

Dietitians and nutrition coaches are in the best position to start an online nutrition business as compared to other health professionals. Unlike physiologists or chiropractors who need to see their clients in person for treatment, nutritionists and dietitians are in an advice-based profession where clients can receive the same, if not more intensive support to help them achieve the transformation.

Health concerns have been increasing since the pandemic started in 2020. More people have shifted to pursuing a healthy lifestyle and at the same time, a lot of individuals spent more time on social media especially video-sharing platforms like Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube. 

What does this mean for nutrition professionals? 

This means – more people are waiting for your expertise out there. And the fastest and most profitable way of reaching them is through starting your online nutrition business. 

Below are other benefits online business has: 

• Low Operating Cost – You don’t need to have a physical clinic to operate! 
• Boundless Business – You can reach clients from all over the world
• Limitless Income Possibility – With online nutrition businesses, sky’s the limit. You can scale your business to 6-figures and beyond using the right method and framework for crafting a profitable online program. 

Feasibility to work from anywhere – You can work wherever and whenever. The best part is that you can decide the number of hours you work on your business and spend more time with loved ones!

Tools to Simplify your Online Nutrition Business

As mentioned above, an online business has a low operating cost. There are tons of resources and tools available for online business owners and you can start your online nutrition business for a low as $50 a month! In this section, we are going to deep dive into the tools to use to help simplify communication and organisation for your online nutrition business. 

Tool #1: Electronic Medical Record (EMR) 

The number one tool you’ll need is an EMR. This will help you organise all your clients’ medical records, provide treatment and even manage your finances. If you want a simpler way to build your online nutrition business and manage your clients without burning yourself out, you can check out Practice Better! 

Tool #2: Video Conferencing Platform

Having a video conferencing platform is essential when running your online business as this is where most of your consultations take place. Zoom is one of the most popular platforms used by thousands of online business owners around the world. If you are using Practice Better, Zoom is already integrated in this EMR so you don’t have to worry about this anymore! 

Tool #3: Payment Processor 

When talking about payments and finance, the very first thing that you have to consider is opening a business bank account as this will make managing and tracking your revenue so much easier. 

Once you have opened your bank account and decided on your pricing, the next step is to decide on your payment processor. Stripe and Square are two very popular you may use depending on where you’re based.

Steps to Starting an Online Business

Now that you have an idea of the tools you will need to start your online business and you already have a rough estimate of how much this will cost you, let’s now talk about the steps to start your online nutrition business. 

Step 1: Choose your Niche (or Specialty) 

When starting your online health business, it’s important to choose a niche first. This will help you focus all your marketing efforts in one area and connect with your target audience better. Remember that niching does not mean capping your income. Instead, niching helps you scale your business and attract more of your ideal clients! 

Step 2: Form a Legal Entity and Register Your Business

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable in case your online nutrition business is being sued. 

Additionally, you will also need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business. Depending on which business structure you choose, you might have different options for how your business will be taxed.

Step 3: Get the right certifications and professional indemnity insurance 

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licences can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down. 

Just as with licences and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

Hot tip: I have talked about Steps 2 and 3 in-depth in my Accelerator Program where I teach dietitians and nutritionists to build their online practice. In this course, I show and teach you the exact same steps I used in building my 6-figure online nutrition business! 

Step 4: Identify your Ideal Clients

Who are the clients that give you life when you’re working with them? Where can you find them? What are their pain points? What service can you provide them? Working with your ideal clients ignites your passion more and enables you to serve better. It’s essential to identify this in the early stages of your business. 

Step 5: Create and establish your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for as well as how your business is perceived by your audience. A strong and well-established brand will help you stand out from the market. In establishing your brand, there are a few things you need to do:

• Discover your Brand Essence 
• Outline Your Brand Story 
• Create Your Visual Branding 

Bonus: You don’t have to spend tons of dollars to create your visual branding. You can use Canva to create your logos or purchase Pre-Designed Graphic Templates from Creative Market. 

Step 6: Market your Business on Social Media 

One of the fastest ways to market your online business is through social media. You can leverage any social media platform you’ve chosen to attract your ideal clients. 

In my Accelerator Program, I talk about the importance of having a solid Client Attraction Strategy in place to market yourself online. I also walk you through setting up your business pages and how to create content that will attract your ideal clients & ultimately, turn them into paying customers! 

Step 7: Setup your Client Management System 

Setting up your client management system will help you create successful client relationships. A client management system not only helps you in dealing with your clients but also helps you in coordinating with your team and tracking the overall performance of your online business. 

Step 8: Create your Flagship Program 

To create your flagship program, it’s important to learn why the traditional model of selling sessions is outdated and know the importance of shifting towards a program model to get your clients results. Below are the things you need to do to create your flagship program: 

• Craft your irresistible offer – Discover the best way to package your expertise and create an irresistible offer for your program 
• Package your program – Consolidate the elements of your program and bring them to life! 
• Beta-test your program – This is a technique that is particularly helpful if you are new to practise and when you’re launching a new program. 

Step 9: Consider getting a mentor to accelerate your growth 

Though not a necessity, it’s often helpful to have a mentor in your corner, especially when you’re just starting out and still figuring out how to become an online nutrition business owner. 

Look for someone who has succeeded making the transition to the virtual space. Mentors can:  

• Give you access to a wealth of knowledge and experience
• Help you stay accountable to your goals 
• Provide emotional support and encouragement

The Right Time to Start your Online Nutrition Business

If you’re now considering starting your own online nutrition business or finding yourself wondering about the best time to start, the answer is this: start HERE and NOW. 

There will never be a best time or a perfect time. Commit to taking action and make now your best time. Most importantly, believe in the knowledge and experience that you have. Believe in yourself – you are capable of building that dream online nutrition business that you deserve.

Your Take Home Message

While it’s common to have some drawbacks to consider, we can’t deny the fact that becoming an online nutrition business owner is definitely worth it if you want to go big whilst still having the time to take care of yourself and your loved ones. 

So, if you are already weighing your options or considering the path to becoming an online nutrition business owner, and you want to know your next steps, check out my FREE Online Masterclass, 3 Little-Known Secrets to Building Your 6-Figure Online Program where I will give you simple but actionable plan for building your online program from scratch. 
If you have any questions about becoming an online nutrition business owner or need help with anything, feel free to email me at info@charlynooi.com. I would love to address any questions or concerns you might have!