Haiden Hibbert
Most of us don’t start our businesses dreaming about client work. We picture freedom. Flexibility. Maybe a calendar full of creative projects and a steady stream of Stripe notifications from passive income products.
But here’s the truth: services are often the most reliable (and fastest) way to build income and momentum online.
Whether you’re a coach, creator, or running a membership, offering services helps you reach your target audience, build your reputation, and get paid while you figure everything else out.
So if you’re stuck wondering what to offer next (or how to make your business feel a little more stable), let’s talk about some service-based business ideas that actually work — and how to sell them in a way that fits your business.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- Real examples of service-based business ideas that work for online entrepreneurs
- Simple ways to sell your services with MemberSpace
- How creators like Kate from The Socialite Vault combine digital content with hands-on services
- Tips for getting started — even if you don’t have a big audience yet
Launch a service-based membership business!
The easiest way to accept membership payments or one-time charges for digital products like podcasts, online courses, communities, content libraries, and more — all from your own website!
Get started for free! 5 minutes to set up.
Why Start With Services
Services are simple. You don’t need a big audience, a fancy funnel, or a full-blown course. You just need a skill people value and a clear way to deliver it.
They’re also flexible. You can start small, refine your offer, and later turn what you’ve learned into digital products, memberships, or group programs.
It’s the most straight-forward way to build real experience and steady income — without spending hours and hours on a 50-page PDF guide that no one ends up buying.
10 Service-Based Business Ideas for Online Entrepreneurs
Here are a few ideas to get your wheels turning. You don’t have to do all of them — just find one that fits what you’re already good at.
1. Coaching
Help people get from point A to point B. This could be business coaching, mindset coaching, health coaching, or even niche areas like productivity or creative direction.
2. Consulting
Offer strategic advice to help people solve problems faster. Think marketing consulting, membership strategy, or brand positioning.
3. Social Media Management
Run social accounts for other creators, coaches, or small businesses. Create content, schedule posts, and manage engagement.
4. Copywriting & Content Creation
Write website copy, email sequences, or blog posts for busy entrepreneurs. Or create content templates and repurposing systems.
5. Design Services
Brand design, web design, or even template customization. You can package these as one-off projects or ongoing retainers.
6. Tech Setup & Automation
Help people set up their tech stack — email tools, websites, membership platforms, or workflows.
7. Podcast or Video Production
Edit, publish, and promote podcast episodes or YouTube videos for creators who want to stay consistent but don’t have time for the tech.
8. Virtual Assistance
Offer general business support — inbox management, scheduling, data entry, or client onboarding.
9. Community Management
Moderate a membership or online community, host events, and keep members engaged.
10. Done-With-You Programs
Blend teaching with hands-on help. For example: a “Launch Sprint” where you coach clients through their first product launch — together.
How to Sell Your Services with MemberSpace
Once you’ve decided what to offer, you’ll need a simple way to sell it — and keep everything in one place.
That’s what MemberSpace does. It lets you sell services, digital products, and memberships directly from your own website. You can take payments, control access, and deliver your content — all under your brand, no extra platforms needed.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Create a page on your site that explains your offer (coaching, consulting, done-for-you work — whatever it is).
- Use MemberSpace to set up payment options
- Give your clients private access to anything that supports your service, like videos, templates, or guides.
You can also offer different levels of support if that makes sense for your business — for example, one plan for coaching calls and another that includes extra resources or community access.
Service-Based Business Example
A great example of this in action is Kate from The Socialite Vault. She runs a membership that blends digital content and hands-on services.
Her members get access to a full library of marketing materials, and in her Platinum tier, she adds personalized support like:
- Unlimited SEO and Google Analytics help
- Custom lead magnets and client guides (written, designed, and installed for members)
- Ongoing marketing support via calls and voice messages
Kate’s business shows what’s possible when you use MemberSpace — you can sell your services, share your resources, and manage it all from your own website without relying on outside platforms.
Learn more about her story in our recent YouTube video!
How to Get Started
- Pick one service idea from the list above.
- Define the result you help people achieve.
- Create a simple offer page on your website.
- Use MemberSpace to add payment and member access.
- Share it with your audience — even if it’s small.
You don’t need to be “ready.” You just need to start with one clear offer and real people who need it.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a big audience to sell services?
Nope. Services work even if you only have a handful of followers. Focus on building relationships and solving real problems — referrals will do the rest.
Q: How much should I charge?
Start with what feels fair for the time and value you’re providing. Then raise your rates as your confidence and demand grow.
Q: Can I mix services with my membership or digital products?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s one of the best ways to grow sustainably. You can offer your membership as a lower-tier option, then upsell services for people who want more support.
Q: What if I don’t know what to offer yet?
Start by helping one person for free or at a low rate. Pay attention to what they ask for, what comes naturally to you, and what results they get. That’s your offer.
Final Thoughts
Starting with services isn’t a step backward — it’s a smart foundation.
It gives you cash flow, clarity, and confidence. You learn what people actually want before you build products, courses, or memberships around it.
So instead of overcomplicating your next move, ask yourself:
What can I help someone with right now — and get paid for?
That’s your first (or next) service.
And when you’re ready to sell it on your own terms, MemberSpace makes it easy to do it all from your website! You can test it out free for two weeks.
Launch a service-based membership business!
The easiest way to accept membership payments or one-time charges for digital products like podcasts, online courses, communities, content libraries, and more — all from your own website!
Get started for free! 5 minutes to set up.
