
TL; DR: Cars come with owner’s manuals, IKEA furniture has building instructions, and games have tutorials. But what about building a website? Starting a podcast? Writing a blog? Running a business? There’s not much in the way of manuals there…that is until you come across FirstSiteGuide, a one-stop resource for expert guides on growing your digital presence and business. We spoke with Owner & Editor Kelsey Lowry about how its hands-on approach makes sure its guides are not only authentic — but also genuinely useful.
Some things in life don’t come with a manual; you just have to figure them out as you go. Cooking, for example, is something I’m still trying to master (and I’d say I’m an amateur at best). Or parenting, where, from what I’ve heard, having a child is like being thrown through a triple loop, no matter how many books you read or how much well-meaning advice you receive.
I think these are the kinds of life experiences you have to try firsthand, kind of like riding a bike. No matter how much you read about balance or the art of staying on two wheels, you won’t truly get it until you find yourself coasting down a hill on your brand-new Schwinn.
But you know what should come with a manual? Building a business — especially an online one. We’re in a time where gigs and entrepreneurship are not just encouraged but expected, and yet, there’s no clear road map for how to even begin.
Take one look at LinkedIn, and you’ll be flooded with unsolicited advice wrapped in buzzwords and vague statements about work culture and life lessons. It may sound polished, but it’s rarely useful. (I recently came across a post that said, “If your weekend is just a recovery period, you’re doing life wrong.” Ouch — and, also, not helpful.)
So when I learned about FirstSiteGuide, I was ecstatic.

FirstSiteGuide, or FSG, is a one-stop resource hub for everything you need to know about growing an online business, whether you’re a full-fledged eCommerce store or a hobbyist-turned-side hustler.
“Authenticity is everything right now,” said Kelsey Lowry, Owner & Editor of FirstSiteGuide. “Our focus is on giving people trustworthy, honest information so they can make informed decisions — not just pushing products for the sake of it.”
On FirstSiteGuide, you can browse through step-by-step guides on everything from starting a podcast to carefully curated ‘best-of’ lists, covering things like top grammar checker software or the most customizable website builders.
Online Business 101
FSG was founded nearly a decade ago in 2013. Since its inception, it’s become a resource for more than 10 million people.
Kelsey believes this is because people can pick up who’s authentic.
“There are so many websites that churn out reviews and guides just to make a quick buck or massive companies pumping out content that feels more like a cash grab than real help,” said Kelsey. “What sets us apart is that we’re a smaller, more focused team that genuinely cares about the products we review and the people we serve.”
What I really like about FSG is that it doesn’t try to upsell a service or software just because they’re backed by payments or affiliation. Kelsey stressed that the core of these reviews is truth, and the only way to do that is for its writers to test and research the tools themselves.

“We don’t just promote anything; we take a very hands-on approach with our reviews,” Kelsey said. “Everything we include in our guides has been thoroughly researched and tested by us to make sure it fits the needs of our audience, especially those just starting out on their online journey.”
The goal, she said, is to make sure its readers are getting real insights like those they would get if they were talking to an experienced friend.
“And because things change quickly — like pricing and new features — we do our best to regularly review and update our content to keep everything fresh and accurate,” she added. “It’s a constant process of refining what we offer.”
Here is the type of content FSG creates:
- Beginner Guides: 45+ detailed guides covering various aspects of online business
- Software Advice: Recommendations for the best tools and services to help you grow your online presence
- Business Name Generator: A tool to generate creative company names and check available domains
Another thing I appreciate about FSG is that it’s completely ad-free.
“We’re proud to say we’ve remained that way since the beginning,” Kelsey said. “That’s a big deal for us because it lets us stay fully focused on delivering value without cluttering the experience.”
FSG doesn’t plan to change that anytime soon. As the team continues to add more courses and guides, they remain committed to staying completely ad-free.
So not only is it a clean space for learning, but it’s also a place where you can trust they can’t be bought.
If you ask me, that kind of integrity is rare to find in the digital space.
A New Era of Entrepreneurship
I always say that we’re in a new era where individualistic entrepreneurship is becoming the norm.
By that, I mean more people are now taking control of their careers by leveraging skills to start their own businesses. I think this shift became especially noticeable after the dust settled post-COVID when many in the American workforce voiced — and fought — for greater autonomy and flexibility.
Writing and graphic design have been the foundation of hobbies-turned-side-hustles for some time. But as of late, there’s been a surge in other avenues, from sellable crafts and homemade beer to streaming games and YouTube series.
Kelsey agrees, adding that FSG has noticed “people are always on the lookout for ways to boost their income — whether they’re looking to supplement what they already make or fully transition to an online business.”
Some of its most popular how-to guides include starting a blog, launching a podcast, and purchasing a domain.
The ‘best of’ lists break down top web hosts, blogging platforms, and website builders.
And if you click the ‘All’ button, you’ll find dozens more guides covering an even broader range of topics.

“Our most popular guides have consistently been the ones that dive into selling items online, building a website, starting an online business, and launching a blog,” said Kelsey. “We’ve found that the demand for these topics is steady because folks are drawn to the flexibility and freedom of running their own thing online.”
Plus, FSG doesn’t subscribe to the one-size-fits-all advice that some other resources or platforms might push. The team understands that every business is unique — or, as Kelsey put it: “Not everyone wants to be front and center on social media!”
And boy, is she right: For small businesses to get noticed, it often feels like you have to ride the wave of ever-changing algorithms or you risk being left behind.
While the focus seems to be on going viral, business owners need more than just 15 minutes of fame. They need a range of strategies to reach various kinds of customers.
Kelsey said “it’s all about creating paths for different kinds of entrepreneurs,” so FSG makes sure to offer options for people who prefer to “grow their business more quietly and those who don’t mind being in the limelight.”
So while some people might be into TikTok dances — hey, no judgment here, I’m a sucker for clever marketing myself — others might lean toward a more traditional approach. That’s why FSG offers a wealth of guides on social media promotion, from engagement strategies to step-by-step instructions on paid advertising.
The Future is Bright
FSG has a few things up its sleeve.
For starters, Kelsey shared that they’re “shifting to cover more topics that explore how AI can help build businesses from the ground up, along with beginner-friendly online marketing strategies.”
It’s a smart move — if you’ve even spent a few minutes on any news site in the past few years (or any time at HostingAdvice.com), you’ll know AI is the hottest topic in tech and business right now.
With that shift also comes more user-friendly guides for brick-and-mortar businesses as they transition into reaching a wider, digital audience.
“It’s so they can get in on the digital action,” Kelsey explained. “We think that adding more information on strategy, alongside the technical execution aspect of starting an online business, is a great way to continue to provide support for our audience.”
When nearly 60% of global consumers prefer to shop online than in-store, getting noticed on the web is definitely something that can make or break a business.

Kelsey also shared that while the future of online reviews and guides will always center around authenticity, she believes there’s something equally as important that providers can’t forget: “Giving fledgling online business owners the education on how to use those tools to grow their business.”
So not only will there be reviews on the best software and tools, but there will also be guides on how to use them to your maximum advantage.
Take buying a domain, for instance. You know you need one but if you’re unsure how and where to buy a domain name, what a fair price is, or whether there are hidden fees, you might end up in a worse position than when you started.
That’s why FSG’s goal is to be an impartial resource with up-to-date information, tips, and tricks on creating websites and building businesses.
But I think Kelsey said it better: “The landscape is changing so fast, and we want to make sure we’re giving our readers the tools and insights they need to thrive — no matter where they are in their business journey.”
So start reading on FirstSiteGuide. And who knows, you may learn something new.