Thinking about becoming an Online Business Manager (OBM)? You’re in the right place! 

If you love organization, leadership, and strategic planning, this career path could be a game-changer for you.

I’ve teamed up with my good friend Sarah Noked, an expert in all things OBM, to bring you this guide. 

In this post, she will walk you through what an OBM actually does, whether it’s the right fit for you, and give you all the details on how to get started.

Deal?

Let’s kick things off by answering the obvious question…

 

What Is an Online Business Manager?

An Online Business Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of a business, working directly with small business owners to ensure smooth operations. 

The role sits between strategy and implementation, helping businesses grow by creating and managing systems, teams, and projects.

Some key responsibilities of an Online Business Manager include:

• Managing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Overseeing team operations and ensuring efficiency
• Managing projects and ensuring deadlines are met
• Handling launch strategies for business growth

Unlike virtual assistants (VAs), who focus on task execution, OBMs play a strategic role in decision-making and business development.

Which brings us to our next question…

 

 

Is Becoming an Online Business Manager Right for You?

Here’s a hard truth…not everyone is suited to be an OBM. 

You’ve got to know if being an Online Business Manager is going to be something you actually enjoy. And here’s the thing, we generally enjoy things we are GOOD at doing!

So, ask yourself:

Are you highly organized?

Do you enjoy problem-solving?

Do you tend to thrive in leadership roles?

If you answered, “YES” to those, questions – then being an Online Business Manager could be a perfect fit you.

If not – no stress.  You can find out your unique Virtual Assistant personality by taking this quiz.

Online Business Managers typically have the following traits:

• Strong leadership skills – They manage teams and ensure smooth collaboration.
• Detail-oriented mindset – They create efficient systems and processes.
• Proactive problem-solving abilities – They anticipate business challenges and implement solutions.
• Strategic thinking – They help businesses scale by aligning operations with long-term goals.

If these qualities sound like you, becoming an Online Business Manager might be the next best step in your career! 

Heck to the yes!

So now that you know this is a good fit for you – let’s talk a little bit about the type of small business owners that OBMs generally work with.

 

Who Do Online Business Managers Work With?

As an OBM, you’ll mostly work with small business owners and entrepreneurs who need someone to take the reins on managing their day-to-day operations. 

The types of clients you might end up working with will include:

• Coaches, consultants, and course creators who are scaling their businesses
• Small e-commerce brands looking for better systems and team support
• Real estate agents, doctors, and lawyers juggling busy schedules
• Brick-and-mortar businesses leaping into the online world

Most businesses that hire OBMs have small teams (fewer than 10 people) and bring in between $100,000 and $2 million per year. They’re at a point where they need high-level support but aren’t quite ready to hire a full-time operations manager.

That’s where you come in! 

Online Business Managers can typically charge $60–$70+ per hour, making them a SAVVY investment for growing businesses that need expert-level management without committing to a full-time salary.

Sounding good?

If you’re ready to dive into the world of online business management, let’s dig into the steps to get you started.

 

How to Get Started as an Online Business Manager

At this point you might be thinking, “OMG YES – how do I get started?”! Don’t fret. I’ve got you covered.

Here are three steps to get you started.

 

1. Gain Experience as a Virtual Assistant (Optional but Recommended) 

Many OBMs begin their journey as Virtual Assistants to get a feel for how online business operations work before moving into a management role. 

Starting as a virtual assistant will get you started in the online space by doing simple tasks like data entry, answering customer service emails, sending invoices and more. If you’re thinking about starting out as a virtual assistant but don’t know what steps to take – I’ve got you covered. 

Here’s a FREE training to help you get started!

 

 

2. Build Your OBM Skills

Learning higher level skills to become an Online Business Manager will help you feel more equipped once you start working with clients. Some of the skills you should work on include:

• Project management tools (e.g., ClickUp, Asana, Trello)
• CRM software (Customer Relationship Management systems)
• Team leadership and delegation
• System creation and automation

If you want access to these skills and more, you can check out the 60+ skill and tech courses we have inside of SavvyVault.

 

3. Get Certified 

Getting certified as an Online Business Manager (OBM) can seriously level up your career. It gives you the skills and confidence to manage teams, organize systems, and keep businesses running smoothly—things business owners are willing to pay big bucks for!

Plus, having that certification makes you stand out, helping you land more clients and higher-paying gigs. With so many businesses needing help behind the scenes, being a certified OBM makes you a go-to expert in a growing industry!

Ready to get certified? OBM School offers amazing, structured courses to help you master the skills you’ll need to succeed in the role.

 

 

Conclusion

I truly hope this guide has inspired you to learn more about the Online Business Manager path and consider it as your next big step—whether it’s in your career or just the next chapter in your life!

A huge thank you to Sarah for partnering with me to bring her expert brain, brilliant resources, and amazing training! 

Be sure to check out all of Sarah’s OBM School, and if you want to grab a special offer, head to HERE for a deal just for you!

Thanks again for reading, and don’t forget to let me know what you’ve learned today in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

You can also check out our full-length YouTube video to dig even deeper into the OBM path!