You Don't Need 20 Apps to Take Your Wellness Business Online (Here's What You Actually Need)

"I'd love to take my practice online, but I'm just not tech-savvy enough."

"Don't I need fancy software and a huge budget to make this work?"

"I saw someone's tech stack and they had 15 different platforms - I can't handle that!"

If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, I have some really good news for you.

You've been overthinking this. Big time.

Last week, I had a conversation with Amanda, a naturopath who'd been putting off going online for two years because she thought she needed to master a dozen different platforms first.

When I showed her how she could start taking clients online with just two things she already had (her existing payment system and a free video platform), she literally laughed.

"That's it?" she said. "I've been making this so much harder than it needs to be!"

Amanda isn't alone. The online business world has convinced wellness practitioners that they need complex, expensive tech setups to succeed online.

It's simply not true.

The Myth of the "Perfect Tech Stack"

Scroll through any online business group and you'll see people sharing screenshots of their "tech stacks" - elaborate diagrams showing 10, 15, even 20 different software platforms all connected together.

Landing page builders, email platforms, course creators, payment processors, scheduling systems, analytics tools, social media schedulers, CRM systems, webinar platforms...

No wonder people feel overwhelmed before they even start!

Most of those tools are nice-to-haves, not need-to-haves.

The practitioners or coaches sharing those complex setups? They didn't start with all of that. They built up to it over months or years as their businesses grew and their needs became more specific.

You don't need to start where they ended up.

What You Actually Need (It's Embarrassingly Simple)

Let me break this down for you. To take your wellness practice online, you need exactly two things:

1. A Way for People to Pay You

That's it. And you probably already have this.

• Your existing merchant account from your practice
• PayPal
• Stripe
• Even bank transfer if you're starting simple

You don't need a fancy payment portal or subscription management system. You literally need a way for money to move from their account to yours.

2. A Way to Meet with Them Virtually

Again, probably something you already have access to:

• Zoom (free for sessions up to 40 minutes, paid for unlimited)
• Google Meet (completely free with a Gmail account)
• FaceTime (free if you're both on Apple devices)

That's it. Seriously.

With just these two things, you can:

• Conduct 1:1 consultations online
• Run group coaching sessions
• Deliver workshops and masterclasses
• Provide ongoing support to clients anywhere in the world

"But What About Course Platforms and Email Lists?"

I can hear you thinking: "What about all the other stuff? Don't I need a website, email marketing, course platforms, scheduling systems?"

You can build a substantial online practice without any of those things.

• No website? Use social media profiles and word-of-mouth referrals
• No email platform? Use your regular email account (Gmail, Outlook) for client communication
• No course platform? Send video files via email or Google Drive/Dropbox
• No scheduling system? Coordinate via text or email (or use the free Calendly)

Are these things helpful as you grow? Absolutely. Are they required to start? Not even close.

The "Tech Phobic" Success Strategy

If technology makes you nervous, here's your step-by-step approach:

Week 1: Test Your Setup

• Set up your video platform (I recommend Google Meet - it's free and requires no downloads for clients, or Zoom)
• Test it with a friend or family member
• Practice screen sharing if you plan to show documents or presentations

Week 2: Process One Payment

• Decide on your payment method (start with what you already have)
• Test it by paying yourself $1
• Get comfortable with the process

Week 3: Find Your First Online Client

• Reach out to existing clients who might be interested in virtual sessions
• Offer a "beta test" session at a reduced rate
• Use this to refine your process

Week 4: Refine and Scale

• Based on your first session, adjust what isn't working
• Book a few more clients
• Start thinking about what tools might be helpful (but not necessary) as you grow

Common Concerns (And Why They're Not Deal-Breakers)

"What if the technology fails during a session?"

Have a backup plan: your phone number. "If we get disconnected, I'll call you right away." Clients are understanding about occasional tech hiccups.

"What if clients can't figure out how to join the video call?"

Send simple instructions ahead of time. For Google Meet, it's literally: "Click this link at [time]." Most clients find it easier than driving to your office!

"What if I look unprofessional without fancy systems?"

Your expertise is what's professional, not your software. Clients care about results, not whether you use a $300/month platform or a free Google account.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Here's what I want you to understand: Your clients don't care about your backend systems.

They care about:

• Can you help them solve their problem?
• Do they feel heard and supported?
• Are they getting results?
• Is the experience smooth and professional?

None of those things require expensive software. They require your expertise, attention, and care.

You can deliver world-class wellness coaching through Google Meet or Zoom just as effectively as in your face to face clinic. 

The Bottom Line

Taking your wellness practice online doesn't require a computer science degree or a huge budget. It requires:

• Your existing expertise
• A simple way to meet virtually (free)
• A simple way to accept payment (you probably already have this)
• The willingness to start before you feel ready

Every successful online wellness practitioner started exactly where you are right now. The difference between those who succeed and those who stay stuck is simple: the successful ones start.

Your future clients are waiting for you online. They don't care if you're using a free Google account or a premium platform. They care that you showed up to help them.

So stop researching tools and start helping people.

Ready to Build Your Online Practice the Simple Way?

If you want step-by-step guidance on taking your wellness practice online without the overwhelm, the Virtual Practitioner Academy shows you exactly how to do it.

We'll help you:

• Start with simple, free tools that actually work
• Add complexity only when it serves your growing business
• Avoid the expensive mistakes most practitioners make
• Build systems that support your success, not complicate it

Remember: simple systems scale. Complex systems break.

Start simple. Start today.

Kylie & Hayley