Here's the raw, unvarnished truth about online business: Most businesses take 12-24 months to become profitable, yet many entrepreneurs only plan for 3-6 months of runway. Most online businesses fail within the first year, and the biggest reasons aren't what most people expect: The market is brutally saturated. The technology learning curve is steep. Even with modern tools, managing websites, analytics, email marketing, and social media requires considerable technical skills that many entrepreneurs underestimate. Nearly every niche has thousands of competitors, and standing out requires exceptional value or innovation - not just a "me too" product or service.