This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Firefly so I can keep creating free travel content ✨
Before I ever thought about online business, I worked in the police force and ran my own apartment house in Slovenia.
Back then, the only “tech” thing I ever did was slightly edit my apartment listing on booking platforms. I had no idea how to build a website — I didn’t even know where to start.
When I began exploring how to build something online, I had absolutely no idea where to begin.
I was almost 40, and we had just moved to Nicaragua (watch my YouTube Short of our home here) and were ready to start a new chapter.
I knew I had to find a way to work online — to earn income and keep supporting our lifestyle, traveling the world and living abroad.
I was in my forties, juggling family, travel, and a million thoughts about whether this “online thing” was even possible for me.
But deep down, I knew one thing — I wanted freedom.
The kind of freedom where you can work from anywhere, be creative, and still build something meaningful.
So I started learning.
I took my first online course — something simple, just to understand where to even start.
At that point, I had no clue what I could do online, how people actually made money, or what tools I needed.
I had never built a website from scratch, never connected a domain, never automated an email — honestly, I didn’t even know what I was supposed to be doing.

When I first started learning about online business, the very first platform introduced in my course was ClickFunnels.
Everyone around me kept saying, “ClickFunnels is the best! It’s a money-making machine!” — so of course, I jumped in.
I really had no clue what I was doing. I just wanted to build my own little online shop, something that would finally start bringing in income while we lived abroad.
So I paid for this ultra-expensive, ultra-useless course on how to create an online store — basically a dropshipping setup.
It was terrible: awful support, confusing instructions, and a complete waste of money.
In that course, they all swore by Shopify.
So I thought, “Alright, I’ll build my Shopify store, and I’ll use ClickFunnels for my bestseller product — that’s what they all say works!”
Except… it didn’t.
Later I discovered that no one actually connects the two. Most of those “gurus” have no idea what they’re talking about.
They just pick one platform, defend it like their life depends on it, and never look at the bigger picture.
That’s when I realized something important — most people don’t even stop to think what they really want to build or how they want to run their business.
They just follow hype, without understanding what tools they actually need.
At that time, AI was just starting to rise, but hardly anyone was using it.
I was already experimenting with it a little, but I had no clue how powerful it could be or how to use it for business.
Now I do — but back then, it was just another mystery in this whole new online world I was diving into.

Let’s be brutally honest for a moment — every platform has its good and bad sides.
Some are amazing for tech-savvy creators, others are better for visual types or beginners.
Each one can work beautifully if you understand what it’s built for — and who it’s not built for.
Here’s my honest, first-hand experience with the popular platforms I personally tested — what worked, what didn’t, and who I believe they’re really best suited for.
Everyone was talking about ClickFunnels, so I gave it a try.
It works beautifully, but paying over $100 every month before you even make your first sale is a lot.
And it’s not an all-in-one platform — you still need separate tools for your email list, your blog, and contact management.
💬 Best for: advanced marketers who already make consistent sales and need powerful automation.
🚫 Not for: complete beginners or small creators — the learning curve and price are just too high.
Then I tried Shopify .
I wanted to build my own online store — a place where people could come and buy my products.
I spent hours learning and designing it: I picked a lovely theme, added my products, and made everything look perfect.
But the truth is — if you don’t advertise your store, you won’t get any traffic.
Nobody really tells you that. Everyone just pushes their affiliate links and $3,000 “how to sell online” courses, but no one explains what happens after.
The moment you turn off paid ads, your store dies.
And that was a big lesson for me.
Shopify is beautiful, yes — but it’s not truly “all-in-one.”
You need extra plugins for emails, pop-ups, checkout features — and that gets expensive quickly.
💬 Best for: eCommerce sellers with physical products or dropshipping stores.
🚫 Not for: beginners who don’t want to spend hundreds on ads and integrations.
My website for the apartments I managed was built through a channel manager, which offered a website builder based on WordPress.
So technically, I was using WordPress — but not directly.
It was a simplified version of the platform, integrated inside the manager itself, with quite a few limitations compared to the full WordPress system.
Later, when I tried to work directly in WordPress, I realized how complex it actually is — all those themes, plugins, and endless updates. And I have postponed the research.
Sure, once you master it, WordPress is amazing: it gives you unlimited options and total control.
But for beginners? It’s a rabbit hole.
You can spend days just trying to figure out how to connect a plugin or fix a broken layout.
💬 Best for: experienced users who want total control and full customization.
🚫 Not for: beginners who need something quick, simple, and ready-to-go.
Each of these tools has its strengths.
They’re all great in their own way — and every entrepreneur should decide what fits their needs best:
Do you need a booking calendar or just a simple website?
Will you be hosting webinars or building funnels?
Are you planning a full online store or just selling a few digital products?
How much are you willing to spend each month to host your business?
That’s the real question — what do you actually need, and what can you afford when you’re just starting?
Because the truth is — no platform is perfect for everyone.
It’s about finding the one that fits your stage, your skills, and your goals.
For me, I wanted something simple, affordable, and reliable.
And that’s how I eventually discovered Simvoly and Systeme.io — but more about that in the next part.
Today, through my online workshops and 1-on-1 coaching, I teach others about these same platforms — helping each person choose what truly fits their goals, skills, and budget.
I collaborate with several of these companies as an affiliate, but I only ever recommend the ones I personally use, trust, and know inside out — never the ones that didn’t work for me or that I haven’t tested myself.

After spending thousands of dollars on two online courses that simply didn’t work — I was frustrated.
Their systems were broken, their promises didn’t match reality, and I still wasn’t earning what I had hoped for.
I didn’t understand the full online ecosystem yet — nothing seemed to click.
So, what did I do?
Of course, I bought another course. 😅
This one promised a “cashback guarantee” and a completely new approach.
It sounded great… but today, that company doesn’t even exist anymore.
However, it was during that third course that I finally started doing my own research — really diving deep into how online businesses actually work.
And that’s when I discovered two game-changing platforms: Simvoly and Systeme.io.
Simvoly was my first real “aha” moment. It’s an amazing platform — clean, modern, with great support and lots of flexibility.
You can create funnels, websites, and even online stores, all with beautiful designs.
It’s slightly more advanced and perfect if you already have some experience, but for beginners, it can feel a bit too much — and it’s not the cheapest option either, but is not as expensive as ClickFunnels .
Then I discovered Systeme.io, and everything finally made sense.
It’s simple, fast, and — most importantly — affordable.
Actually, it’s free to start.
When I say simple, I mean even if you’ve never built a website or written a line of code in your life — you can figure it out in a day.
Both platforms are all-in-one, meaning they already include everything inside: emails, funnels, blogs, webinars, and online stores.
Simvoly is a bit more advanced — perfect for creators and business owners who already have some experience.
Systeme.io, on the other hand, is ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to keep things simple, effective, and budget-friendly.
You can even create an e-store on Simvoly, just like Shopify , but much easier.
Systeme.io also offers a store feature — more simplified, similar to a mix between Linktree and Gumroad — perfect for selling your first digital products or mini-courses.
For anyone just starting out, it’s a great place to begin.
Once you start earning thousands (or even tens of thousands) a month, you can always switch to whichever platform fits your growth best.

Systeme.io is an all-in-one platform, meaning you get everything you need to start an online business in one place:
✅ build funnels and landing pages
✅ create a full website
✅ run your email marketing
✅ host online courses and webinars
✅ write blog posts
✅ manage your contacts and automations
✅ set up your affiliate program
No more connecting ten different tools or paying for ten separate subscriptions.
It’s literally drag-and-drop simplicity.
You can create your first landing page in an hour, add your freebie, and start collecting emails the same day — without touching a single piece of code.

If you already have a business idea or a vision of what you’d like to create online, but you’re not sure how to bring it to life, there are a few ways to move forward — depending on your budget and time.
If you have some starting capital and prefer not to spend weeks learning everything from scratch, you can easily find talented creators on Fiverr.
There are plenty of skilled professionals with different price ranges and reviews who can build your entire business setup — even a full Shopify store with products already added, completely customized for your niche.
It’s a great way to save a lot of time if you just want to get started quickly.
And if you’d like a completely done-for-you setup with guidance and structure, my team and I offer the Business-in-a-Box package — where we build everything for you, from start to finish.
We take care of your domain, website or store setup, payment integrations, funnel connections, and everything you need to start selling online — professionally and stress-free.
This offer has recently become one of the most popular ones I provide, especially for people who want to launch their business fast and focus on growing, not on tech.
So, you have three options:
✨ Learn and do it yourself (join my courses or coaching)
✨ Hire a freelancer on Fiverr if you already have a clear vision
✨ Or let me and my team build your business from the ground up with Business-in-a-Box.

At 40+, I didn’t grow up in the digital world.
I had to learn everything from scratch — funnels, lead magnets, automation, Canva design — all of it. (I didn't even know what funnel means)...
And that’s why I love Systeme.io so much.
It’s not intimidating.
You don’t feel like you need a tech team or hours of YouTube tutorials just to connect a button.
It lets you focus on what matters most — building your brand, creating your products, and connecting with your audience.
After switching to Systeme.io, my workflow simplified overnight.
I moved my Canva mini-course, Google Docs course, and even funnels, blog and emails there.
Everything runs smoothly, and it’s easy to track sales, subscribers, and conversions from one dashboard.
The interface is clean and straightforward, the support team is helpful, and their Facebook group is full of creators sharing ideas and helping each other.
And let’s be honest — when you’re building your first business, simplicity means survival.

Most beginners give up not because they don’t have ideas, but because the tech part overwhelms them.
Systeme.io removes that barrier completely.
It gives you the tools to:
💻 start your first email list
📚 sell a simple digital product
🎓 host a (mini) course
💬 connect with your audience
🌍 build a personal brand
…without spending a single cent upfront.
You can literally start an online business today — with zero budget.
And when you grow? You simply upgrade.

If you’re like me — creative, motivated, and ready for a new chapter — Systeme.io is a perfect first step.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy or spend hundreds every month.
You just need one reliable platform to help you get started.
So if you’ve been wondering where to begin…
👉 Start here. Start simple. Start with Systeme.io .

Welcome to my little corner of the internet — a cozy Firefly space where creativity meets freedom.
I share my love for online business, travel, and design — along with simple ways to turn your ideas into income and your dreams into everyday life.
Here, you’ll find practical tips, tools, and inspiration to help you build a business that fits you — so you can shine online and live life on your own terms.
✨ Loved this post?
Keep exploring — I’ve gathered a few more Firefly stories and guides that can spark new ideas and help you create, travel, and shine online. 🌍
→ Discover more articles below and keep the Firefly glow going. 💛
→ Check out my Canva mini course for beginners
My book Chakra Code helps you find balance, clarity, and flow — so abundance can find you too.
Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links. This means that if you decide to book or buy through them, I may receive a small commission. It won’t cost you anything extra – but it helps me keep Firefly alive and full of free travel tips ✨ Thank you for supporting my journey and helping me share the magic of travel with you 💜
Unlock exclusive access to free resources, step-by-step guides, and insider tips for creating digital products, growing your business, and living a more flexible lifestyle.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment – create it. Your dream life starts today.
Want a website like mine? Contact me!
© 2025 By-Firefly | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Pricing Plans | FAQ All Rights Reserved