70 Small Business Ideas for Anyone Who Wants to Run Their Own Business

Meg Prater (she/her)

Published: July 31, 2023

A good business idea may seem hard to come by, but with some planning and preparation, you can easily launch a small business to supplement your income — or become your own full-time boss.

Small business ideas symbolically showing the spirit of a small business

Maybe you already have an idea of the business you’d like to start. But while you might feel ready for a new venture and passionate about your idea, you might be looking for some direction.

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To help get you started, here's a list of small business ideas separated into a few sections:

Best Small Business Ideas

Best businesses to start with little money, home business ideas, easy businesses to start, how to start a small business at home.

The first step to becoming a successful entrepreneur is finding a business idea that works for you. In this article, you’ll find dozens of small business ideas you can start from home and scale up as your clientele grows. Let’s get started.

top 10 business ideas in 2021

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Fill out this form to build your business plan today., what makes a good small business idea.

Not all small business ideas are made equal: Some require more effort and funding than others, while some can be launched with few resources — or resources you already have. As a potential small business owner, you’ll want to save as much money as possible on training, rent, supplies, and other necessities.

Let’s go over what makes a good business idea:

  • Requires little to no training . A good small business idea will ideally leverage your existing field of expertise and require little to no training. That will not only shorten your time-to-launch, but also lessen your expenses, since training courses can cost a significant amount of money. Plus, you’ll be more confident offering services that you feel prepared to deliver.
  • Requires low setup costs. Your business should be cheap to start. Maybe you only need to purchase a website domain or buy a desk for your garage.
  • Requires little hands-on inventory or supply management . A great business idea needs few supplies and little inventory management. If you want to sell physical goods, you can either try drop-shipping and manually make goods in small batches.
  • Is based online . The best small business ideas are based online and can be carried out from your personal computer. This will automatically lower your commuting costs and give you greater flexibility over your personal and work life.
  • Can sustainably be managed by few people . As a small business owner, you won’t have the funds to hire other people to help you run your business — at least not at first. A good business idea should give you the ability to run your business on your own.

Airbnb Co-founder, Brian Chesky, said, "If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life."

If you’re like Brian and you’ve already thought about a solution for a problem you encounter in your life — or you’re on the path to doing so — then starting a small business may be in your future. It may also be for you if you dream of clocking out of your nine-to-five job for the last time and becoming your own boss.

Below, we include the absolute best ideas for you to start your small business — with resources and examples to help you get started.

1. Handyman

small business idea example: handyman

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Are you always fixing things around the house? Often on-call when friends need small projects completed? Create a website , conduct a competitive analysis to determine what your time and expertise are worth, and turn to the friends you’ve helped before for referrals.

A handyman business is a good idea if you’ve already built a robust set of skills to help others fix up their homes. Consider specializing in what you feel well-prepared to do — for instance, if you know your way underneath a sink and water system, then you might provide sink fixing services to start, then expand your offerings once you earn more skills.

No certifications are needed to become a handyman, and there are no special education requirements. You might need, however, a license if you’re planning to undertake jobs worth more than a certain dollar amount. Some states might not require this license.

To start your handyman business, we recommend the following resources:

  • Handyman License Requirements by State
  • The Most Requested Handyman Services
  • Association of Certified Handyman Professionals

2. Woodworker

Similarly, if you have a passion for crafting beautiful furniture or other home goods out of wood, that could be a small business niche for you. Get started by listing a few of your pieces on sites like Etsy . Once you build a following, consider starting a website, accepting custom orders, or expanding to refinishing work and upholstery.

A woodworker small business is ideal if you already have a passion for woodworking, as well as the tools to begin fulfilling orders as they begin to come in. Since delivering a well-made product is key to keeping your customers happy, you don’t want to be “training” as you create a custom shelf or a custom storage box. It’s recommended to have at least one year of experience as a woodworking apprentice.

To start a woodworking business, there are no special education requirements, but there are a wide range of woodworking training certifications online, so we suggest starting with a certification. The Woodwork Institute , YesTomorrow , and The School of Fine Woodworking are potential places to start.

3. Online Dating Consultant

Dating consultants usually charge for their time. They help people create successful online dating profiles, source possible matches from outside the typical online channels, and offer a level of personalization that a site like Tinder can’t. Think you’ve got a knack for the match? This might be the business for you.

Online dating consultants need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as heightened levels of empathy. The good news is that there are no special education or licensure requirements, though we recommend getting a certification such as IAP College’s relationship coach certification or Hart Academy’s online dating coach certificate .

To start an online dating consultant business, you’ll need a website that shares all about you and offers free dating resources your customers might benefit from. Once they download a resource, you can loop them in for a free consultation.

4. Sewing and Alteration Specialist

small business idea example: sewing and alterations

People will always need clothing hemmed and buttons mended — and you could be the person to do it. If you love sewing and have a sewing machine at home, start by offering simple services like those mentioned above and expand your repertoire to dressmaking and design as you build a customer base and demand.

You don’t need a special license or degree to begin a sewing and alterations business, but it’s essential to build your skills so you can take on more complicated projects. High-value clients will want to customize complicated items of clothing such as suits, pants, gowns, and dresses. That’s where you’ll see the highest potential for profits.

Altering these items require special skills, however. A few courses you might consider include:

  • International Open Academy's Tailoring Course for Beginners
  • Jackson Sewing Academy’s Basic Alterations Course
  • American Bespoke Tailoring Academy’s Programs

You’ll also need to shop for sewing supplies of all colors to accommodate your clients.

5. Freelance Developer

From building websites for other small businesses to providing technical support for certain projects, quality web development is in high demand right now. As a web developer, you'll naturally have a technical skill set. Distill your knowledge and expertise so customers who don't have your experience are able to understand what it is you'll be helping them achieve.

To help with this, test your messaging on friends and family who don’t have a firm understanding of the work you do. If they’re able to summarize what you do, your messaging is likely effective among people outside of your industry. You can start finding your first freelance contracts by visiting different freelance websites .

Unlike a few other options in this list, a freelance developer does need some training to launch a successful business and start taking on projects, but if you’re a beginner, don’t worry. There are plenty of boot camps to get you up to speed with either full-stack or front-end web development. Some of these boot camps are even offered through accredited tech schools.

Some boot camps you might consider include:

  • Coding Dojo
  • Fullstack Academy
  • Georgia Institute of Technology Coding Boot Camp

These vary in price, so be sure to do extensive research to find one that fits you and your budget.

6. Personal Trainer

Offer in-home consultations, personalized nutrition and exercise regimens, and community boot camps to get the word out. Don’t forget to populate an Instagram feed with inspirational quotes, free exercise videos, and yummy snack ideas as well — it’s a common way for fitness gurus to build their brands in our digital world.

If you choose to go this route, it’s OK to start small at first, then scale up. For instance, MOURfit is a personal training business in Indianapolis that started in a shared gym, then grew to a private gym that offers group fitness, personal training, and nutrition services.

To start a personal training business, you’ll need a certification. If you already earned a degree in an unrelated discipline, we recommend starting with the NASM-CPT certification , which is nationally accredited and only requires a high school diploma or GED. You can also get a Bachelor’s degree in physical and exercise science — here’s one example from Emory & Henry College .

7. Freelance Graphic Designer

Set your own hours, choose your projects, and build a portfolio and business you’re proud of. From website design to blog graphics and more, many companies seek out experienced graphic designers for support on a variety of projects.

The good news? There are no special education requirements for becoming a freelance graphic designer, though we recommend seeking a credential (like SAIC’s graphic design certificate or RISD’s graphic design certificate ) or an Associate’s degree in design so you can confidently present your portfolio and complete your first few projects.

If you’re just starting out with graphic design, try these tips and tricks that are ideal for beginners. If you’re more experienced but need to build your portfolio to attract clients, these prompts will get your creativity flowing in no time. We also recommend reviewing other people’s work on portfolio websites to get a feel for what is “trendy” and receive feedback as you grow your small business.

Free Download: How to Hire and Work with Freelancers

8. Life/ Career Coach

If you have experience navigating career, personal, and social transitions successfully, put it to good use as a life or career coach. Many of us are looking for guidance in our careers — and finding someone with the time to mentor us can be tough.

Life/career coaches don’t come cheap, but they are able to offer clients the intense and hands-on training and advice they need to make serious moves in their personal and professional lives. After all, everyone needs some uplifting advice from time to time.

To start your life/career coaching business with confidence, you can look for a certification program (like the Life Coach School’s or Diane Hudson’s ), then apply your skills as you acquire new clients.

small business idea example: Career Coach Nariah Broadus

A resume writing business is economical, has few overhead costs, and has few educational requirements. We still recommend having an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and a few resume samples on hand. If you still feel that you need to brush up on your resume writing skills, you can take a course like Coursera’s or LinkedIn Learning’s .

Once you’ve gotten resume writing down, you can expand your business to include cover letter writing, and even offer career coaching services in conjunction with these services.

10. Freelance Writer

If you have writing skills , there’s someone out there willing to pay you for them. Write blog posts, magazine articles, and website copy galore — just make sure you have a body of work built up to share with potential clients. Even if you create a few sample pieces to have on hand, they’ll help exhibit your work and attract new business.

To become a freelance writer, it’s essential to choose a specialty. For instance, you might choose to only write for publications in the healthcare industry (maybe because you were previously a healthcare worker), or focus on lifestyle publications. Whatever the case, specializing will help you find your niche market and gain confidence as a new freelancer writer.

There are no educational requirements to freelance writing, but you do need strong writing skills. It also helps to enjoy writing. While a certification may beneficial, getting practice and writing every day is more important. Try these writing prompts to start.

11. Landscaper

Mowing, tree-trimming, and seasonal decor are all neighborhood needs. If you have or can acquire the equipment, a landscaping business can be a lucrative affair. It’s also a great choice if you enjoy doing it for your own home and have a good eye for landscape design.

The good news is that you can start small. For instance, you could offer your neighbors seasonal planting services and start with a few perennial plants, or simply offer mulching services.

To grow your landscaping business, you should consider taking some formal training. The following organizations offer courses:

  • New York Botanical Gardens

After completing a course and getting enough experience, you can apply for a certificate from a landscaping organization. While a certificate isn’t necessary to work in the field, it can build your credentials and help you make industry connections to take your landscaping business to the next level. The Association of Professional Landscape Designers offers one potential certificate you could pursue.

Some states require licensure, especially if you’ll be using pesticides and fertilizers. Be sure to review the requirements for your state.

Learn some of the basics now with this video on landscape design from Lowe’s:

12. Videographer

Video production requires you to have invested in the equipment up front, which can be quite expensive. But that’s also what makes your services so valuable. Make sure you have a reel of your work to share or create a website with several selections of your work available for interested viewers.

There are no educational or licensure requirements for starting a video production business. As with writing and other creative arts, though, it pays to specialize. Real estate videos differ radically from wedding videos, and wedding videos differ radically from in-studio interviews and testimonials. By specializing, you target a highly specific customer who’ll benefit the most from your services, and you can also skill-up more effectively in one shooting style.

While you can find general classes on videography, you should consider taking a class in the type of videography you’d like to do. For instance, you could take The Complete Wedding Videography Course , if that’s the route you’d like to take.

Hot tip: If you’re interested in specializing in video marketing, check out The Ultimate Guide to Video Marketing and download our starter pack below.

→ Access Now: Video Marketing Starter Pack [Free Kit]

13. Photographer

Start by conducting photo shoots for your family and friends. As you build a body of work, ask for referrals and reviews. Photography businesses often grow by word of mouth, so create a Facebook page where you can tag recent clients. Photos where you tag those clients will show up in their friends’ newsfeeds, where they can view your work. You can also ask them to leave reviews on your Facebook business page.

Like with a video production small business, you’ll want to specialize. Will you do product shoots or portraits? How about wedding or fashion photo shoots? Once you specialize, you’ll be able to create a body of work that most accurately represents your strengths.

There are no educational or licensure requirements for starting a small photography business, but we recommend investing in a few photography courses, especially if you haven’t used your camera in a while. Some courses you might start with include:

  • Cornell’s Digital Photography Certificate Program
  • New York Institute of Photography’s Course

From there, seek courses that help you build skills in your chosen specialty.

If you’re not sure where to start with freelance photography, take a look at Erica Clayton’s journey into the business below. Her advice? Give yourself a firm deadline to turn a profit.

14. Bed and Breakfast Owner

small business idea example: bed and breakfast

This is another business venture that will require you to research the correct licensure from your state, but it will be well worth it to see your dreams come true. Consider what guests will be traveling to your area and create special packages and themed stays that coincide with their interests in your locale.

To start a bed and breakfast business, you’ll need a physical business location and a small staff for maintenance, customer service, and upkeep. For that reason, we recommend it if you have startup funds to start your business. (Don’t have any? Here’s how to start crowdfunding to launch your new business .)

A successful bed and breakfast business will also need an SEO-optimized website with a hotel booking system. If you create your website on the WordPress platform, you can easily create a B&B website using a hotel booking plugin — so there’s no need to code the booking form from scratch.

With Airbnb and hotels stealing market share, the competition is tough in the bed and breakfast space, so we recommend providing a unique angle to the stay. As mentioned, the stays can be themed — maybe your B&B is a vintage home with all original furniture, or maybe you offer traditional fare from your homeland.

15. Clothing Boutique Owner

If you dream of building your own fashion empire, why not start with a local boutique? Build buzz with impressive clothing styles, inspiring social media accounts, and heavy community involvement. While you can open a physical store, you can easily start online — and if that proves profitable, you can open up a local shop.

There are a few ways you can start a clothing boutique. First, you can make the clothes yourself if you already have experience in fashion design or know how to sew, knit, and curate colors and patterns.

Alternatively, you can design certain aspects of the clothing — such as a graphic or a logo — then send it to be printed on-demand at a local print shop when orders come in.

Lastly, you can dropship the items from a warehouse you’ve partnered with. This method is less reliable because there’s less quality assurance for each item, especially if you never visit the warehouses yourself. Regardless of the method you choose, starting a clothing boutique is highly doable, and you don’t need to have a fashion degree (though it certainly helps).

Take some inspiration from Sleep Ova , a luxury loungewear boutique based in Los Angeles, CA.

small business idea example: sleep ova

16. Specialty Food Store Owner

small business idea example: specialty food store

Gourmet foods, cheeses, sake, wine — you name a food, there’s a specialty food store out there for it. Put your passion for exotic olive oils to good use and open a store like American Provisions where you offer the kind of expertise and selection your audience couldn’t dream of getting from their local grocer.

To start your specialty food store, you’ll want to curate and source the items from makers that you love and trust. Ask around your community to find local makers of the food you want to sell, and the makers will likely be open to a partnership, especially if they get a cut of the profits.

When it’s time to sell, you’ll want to find a physical location, but if that investment is too high, you can start by setting up stalls at food festivals and local markets. Or you can go the ecommerce route and sell the products through your website, taking care to carefully pack perishable items.

17. Food Truck Owner

Always dreamt of owning a restaurant but not quite ready to take the plunge? Test out your concepts with a food truck. It’s a great way to become familiar with food and restaurant licensing in your state, see what people like and don’t like, and build a ravenous following before ever opening or investing in a brick-and-mortar location.

Food trucks will require a larger investment, but thankfully, you can rent the truck itself — the Food Truck Group and Roaming Hunger are two potential leasers you could look at. The cost will be high, so we recommend renting one in preparation for an event such as a food festival or concert. There, you’ll get to test out the popularity of your cuisine and see if the food truck business is right for you.

Taco Nganas , a taco truck in Memphis, TN, started with one food truck and expanded to three, building a loyal customer base along the way.

18. Car-detailing Specialist

small business idea example: car detailing

The devil is in the details, and you can be too. Car-detailing services that travel to the client are convenient for busy people who can’t find the time to run through the car wash. With this business, your clients only have to pay and the service will be done for them before they know it. Just make sure you have the flexibility, transportation, and equipment to take your business on the road.

There are no educational requirements for car detailing, but you should still take a course such as Auto Finesse’s detailing training to learn core concepts and brush up on your skills.

To get your car detailing business off the ground, you’ll need an SEO-optimized website and a way for customers to book online with you. Before you take that step, however, consider listing your services on websites like Angi , Thumbtack , and even Nextdoor.com so you can get your first local clients.

Don’t have a lot of money to start your business? Check out the ideas below.

1. Translator

Speak a foreign language? Start a translation service. Consider specializing in a specific genre of translation, like medical or financial translation, as you might be able to fill a niche need in your community.

small business ideas: translator

To become a translator, you should have a rock-solid grasp of two languages — ideally, you’ll be near native level for both. You don’t need special credentials to become a translator, but a certification (such as from the American Translators Association ) will legitimize your business and help you get clients.

Prior to gaining a certification, you can also pursue an online certificate, which will teach you the basics of translation. Some providers include:

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • The University of Arizona
  • University of Georgia

2. Garden Designer

Many people have the willingness to do the dirty work in their backyards, but few have the know-how to complete the first part of this process — designing and planning the backyard space. Draw up the designs for your clients’ outdoor spaces and let them do the actual digging.

But you can also offer installation services, or hire your own contractors to fulfill the design.

small business ideas: garden designer

To become a garden designer, you should seek at least one credential so you’re well-versed in the basics and prevent damage to a client’s landscape. The American Academy of Garden Design offers courses and certificates that start at $450. A cheaper option is New Skills Academy’s Garden Design Certification ($120).

Remember, the goal is to start a business for cheap, and a certification can have a high ROI after you book your first few clients for garden design.

3. Travel Planner

The time of the travel agent might be passing, but people are still looking for those with a knack for more nontraditional travel coordination. If you always plan the perfect vacations complete with beautiful hotels, the ideal location, and a bevy of delicious restaurants lined up for every evening, consider advertising your services as a more modern approach to travel planning.

You don’t have to only plan trips for individuals, either. If you’re experienced enough, you can even start a group travel company, like Art N Soul Escapes .

You can become a travel planner by first volunteering to plan a few trips for your family and friends. Try it and see if you like it. Once you feel like you’ve gotten a good taste, attend a travel planner program and get certified. Some options include:

  • The Travel Institute Training & Certification Program
  • Penn Foster Travel and Tourism Specialist Diploma

You can also seek employment at a travel agency first, then strike out on your own once you’ve learned the basics.

4. Home Inspector

A home inspector examines a house’s drywall, electrical wiring, energy efficiency, and structural integrity to find potential issues on behalf of a home buyer. Home inspectors work in the field. They visit homes in person and provide a written inspection report. Alternatively, some home inspectors offer virtual inspections, which may be a good fit if you’d prefer to work from home.

small business ideas: home inspector

Working as a home inspector requires certification and a great deal of expertise, but it can offer a flexible work schedule and stable income. Confirm the licensing requirements in your state before getting started with this type of small business. You’ll want to make sure you’re providing the best service to your clients by having all of your credentials in order.

To become a home inspector, you should invest in a certification program, such as:

  • International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
  • ATI Home Inspector Academy

Be sure to check local authorities and universities for a course.

5. Personal Chef

We all love to eat, but few of us have the time or energy to cook healthy, delicious meals. Advertise your services to local families and businesses alike. To save on start-up costs, consider scheduling certain groups of clients together — say, vegetarians — so you can cook larger quantities of the same dish.

You can also begin by selling food in batches at local farmer’s markets or via a food truck. Once you’ve generated some awareness, you can begin taking on clients. Alternatively, you can start a delivery meal prep service by cooking 5-7 days’ worth of meals for clients.

small business idea example: personal chef

Chef Paul’s mouth-watering dishes are available to clients across the country. His clientele niche consists of athletes, corporate businesses, and local gyms.

6. Property Manager

Many people maintain properties they don’t live in — often based in different cities or states. As a property manager, you can help a property owner ensure their home is well taken care of, handle small fixes as they arise, and serve as a liaison to renters. It’s helpful if you have a background in real estate.

This option is a great fit if you have stupendous organizational, administrative, and customer service skills. As a property manager, you’ll be handling everything from screening potential tenants to collecting rent.

To become a property manager, you must first complete coursework in your desired state. We recommend working at an existing property management company to get your foot in the door. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can then start your own property management business.

7. Massage Therapist

Soothe aching muscles and promote peace for your clients as a massage therapist. As a massage therapist, you’ll offer targeted, personalized care that’s an edge above in-shop or mall massage services. To start this small business, you should invest in customer service courses, as well as a massage therapy certification.

small business idea example: massage therapist

Be sure to look into training and certification courses in your city and state, and to invest in a portable bed to take on client visits.

8. Interior Designer

Similar to landscape design — there are many people who have the ability to buy the furniture and home decor they need to fill their rooms, but few who know where to start. It might take some time to build a portfolio, but documenting your projects and sharing them online can build a fanbase beyond your wildest dreams.

To start an interior design business, we first recommend trying your hand at decorating your friends’ homes and working with their vision and specifications. One big aspect of interior design is providing fantastic customer service and knowing how to fulfill a client’s design vision while employing your interior design expertise.

You can then take an interior design course to round out your knowledge, such as the one offered by The New York Institute of Art and Design .

Need inspiration? Check out Sandra Cavallo’s interior design Instagram account.

small business idea example: interior designer

9. Nonprofit Owner

If you dream of devoting your life to a cause you believe in, it might be time to start a nonprofit. You’ll need to incorporate your business and file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status — and then you’ll be required to meet ongoing standards of compliance, but the payoff is making a meaningful impact on a cause you believe in.

The best thing is that you can begin a nonprofit easily from your home, even before filing for 501(c)(3) status. First, create a non-profit website (ideally with a .org top-level-domain). Define your mission and goals, and figure out how you’ll execute your non-profit activities. For instance, if you’re raising money to buy books for local schools, who will deliver them? Which retailer will you use? Start small, then expand.

Thereafter, apply for exempt status so that you’re not taxed like a regular business. The profit margins may be smaller, but the job is endlessly rewarding.

Whether you’re a math whiz, piano master, or Shakespeare aficionado, there’s someone out there who needs a little help in your area of expertise and is willing to pay for it. Advertise your services through local schools, community colleges, community centers, and even social media to get the word out and build a customer base.

To start a tutoring business, you should first gain experience educating others by either volunteering or even teaching friends and family. But you can begin straight away by listing your services locally and online and launching a tutoring website.

Be sure to define your niche. Will you be tutoring students in their homes? Or opening a local tutoring location? Which subject will you teach? Create handouts, use textbooks, and know which online resources will be best for your tutee’s learning style.

11. Consultant

If you have significant experience in or knowledge of a specific subject, consider becoming a consultant. Perhaps you’re an expert at hiring practices, have a knack for SEO , or have led multiple sales teams to six-figure success. Identify your expertise and market yourself as a consultant and charge the going rate.

Download Now: Free Consultant's Success Kit

Some consulting industries are more competitive than others, so be sure to complete your research prior to starting a small consulting business. One way to find out how competitive a consulting niche is by doing keyword search . If your target niche is highly searched or already is dominated by big companies, you may have a harder time breaking in. You can use keyword research tools to uncover keyword volume and local demand.

12. Event Planner

An event planning business is an excellent choice if you have great organizational and interpersonal skills, and it’s relatively cheap to start. You might choose to specialize in a specific type of event — like weddings or company meetings — or set yourself up as an event planner of all trades.

The good news is that event planners are always in demand. It’s not a job that can be easily automated, so this small business idea is set to thrive regardless of the digital landscape. To start, you’ll want to look for a platform that will easily allow you to advertise your availability, such as event planner directories like Eventective and WeddingWire .

If you’re highly organized, are detail-oriented, and have experience planning large events, it might be time for others to benefit from your skills.

13. Personal Assistant

Personal assistants help business owners and executives take care of administrative tasks. To launch a freelance personal assistant business, you should leverage networking opportunities on LinkedIn and attend small business events at local chambers of commerce. Most local business owners might not even know they need a personal assistant until you market your services to them.

If you’re an organized, highly-detailed person, the life of a personal assistant might be for you. Don’t want to be tied to one office or person all day, every day? Consider becoming a virtual assistant, which allows you a more flexible work environment.

To become an assistant, choose a niche — will you be helping women business owners specifically? Do you have a specific field of expertise, like bookkeeping? A website can also go a long way, and be sure to print business cards for you to hand out during networking events.

14. Consignment Shop Owner

If you have an eye for style but don’t want to invest in the inventory of a brand-new boutique, consider starting a consignment shop. It will allow you to curate a collection of clothing that matches your goals and aesthetic, without the overhead of a boutique selling entirely new garments.

The beauty of a small consignment business is that you can now start one online. You can sign up on a platform such as Poshmark , Depop , and even Etsy , then easily start selling your own used fashion from home.

Once you’ve defined your niche — such as vintage clothing, unique locally made art, or colorful shoes — you can begin sourcing new products from your local stores and thrift shops.

15. Caterer

If the personal chef gig is too restrictive for your schedule, consider catering instead. Pick your projects, work on fewer but larger events, and hone in on your time management skills.

Becoming a caterer is a natural step for those who are used to cooking for large events — for instance, you may have already catered your friend’s wedding, or brought a 20-person meal to a potluck (that counts, too!).

It’s essential that you have enough temperature-regulated storage for the meals prior to each event, and that you arrange for reliable, temperature-controlled transportation to and from your home kitchen. Alternatively, you can lower your costs by inviting customers to pick up their order at your home.

16. Gym Owner

Kickboxing gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit, oh my! Turn your passion for fitness into a community for others by creating your own gym — start one from the ground up, become an affiliate, or open a franchise location.

Available franchise opportunities include Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Pure Barre, Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and more. Be prepared to take out a loan to finance your franchise — most agreements start with fees upward of $20,000. But the payoff can be tremendous due to brand recognition. You’ll have no trouble recruiting new members as long as you use local marketing strategies .

Alternatively, you can create a local studio, but ideally, it should be for a specific activity instead of general fitness. Yoga, pilates, bootcamp-style gyms, and martial arts perform well as independent fitness studios.

17. Boutique Agency Owner

What’s your specialty? Whether it’s marketing, social media, or PR, it might be time to start your own agency. Many other small businesses need this type of help but don’t have the resources or volume to necessitate a full-time position.

To start an agency, you would ideally have worked in your specialty for a number of years. You should also be prepared to interface directly with clients, fulfill their requirements, and temper their expectations (if they want results in an unreasonably short amount of time).

Consider building a small team and learn from other entrepreneurs who’ve successfully started their own agencies, like Duane Brown of Take Some Risk .

18. Coffee Shop Owner

Turn your caffeine addiction into something a little more lucrative. Opening a franchise or buying an existing shop are lower-risk entry points to the coffee game, but they usually require a little more cash upfront. Starting a shop from scratch requires more planning and work — but it also maximizes your earning potential in the future.

A coffee shop is an excellent fit if you already have a full-time remote job and wish to supplement your income with a small business. You can manage the coffee shop as you work at one of the tables, but be sure to have the budget to hire an experienced barista who can pick up the slack.

If you would like to open a coffee shop and run it full-time on your own, you’ll need to undertake barista training, understand worldwide coffee sources, and have excellent customer service skills.

19. Moving Company

A truck, moving equipment, manpower, and the correct permits and insurance are the building blocks of starting your own moving company . Before you buy your first fleet of trucks, however, start small with a moving van and keep your costs low.

Still sound like too much of an initial investment? Consider offering packing services only, which have a much lower financial barrier to entry. You can partner with moving companies and offer to do their packing, or have them refer clients to you.

You could even take a niche approach to the industry as Astro International has by offering international moving services.

small business idea example: moving company

20. Home Staging

If you have a flair for interior design, a staging service might serve as your creative outlet and professional calling. You can build a portfolio with little initial investment by staging homes using the owner’s existing furnishings and decor. Most stagers eventually build up an inventory of furniture as they become more established and network with area realtors.

To get your first home staging clients, you should first rely exclusively on networking. Find your local realtors’ association and attend their events with business cards handy. Once you’ve gotten your first clients and built your portfolio, you can begin posting your designs on your home staging website.

small business ideas: home staging

If you don’t yet have enough experience, be sure to pursue an interior design course before opening this small business.

These home business ideas give you a few more business options that are either based at home or online.

Frontend, backend, and every type of code in between, this skill requires no in-person interaction with your clients. But one skill you’ll want to carry over from the in-person world for this type of business is active listening. It can be easy to zone out while building a product, but developing a connection with the client is just as important as developing the code for their website.

If you keep the client top of mind when you can’t be around physically, you can ensure that you’re meeting their development needs with your coding work.

Download Now: 25 Free HTML & CSS Hacks

2. Vending Machine Owner

Since 2015, the growth rate for vending machine businesses has increased 1.4%. Even as social distancing restrictions are still in place, this business can still be lucrative if you choose the right locations. High-traffic is key — places like hospitals, schools, and community centers are smart places to start placing your machines to generate enough revenue to cover cost and turn a profit.

small business idea example: vending machine owner

3. Social Media Manager

Do you have a knack for social media? As a social media manager, you can use your skills to manage the social media accounts for companies and even individual people. Influencer marketing has become more common and many influencers rely on marketing agencies or employees to help them run their social channels.

→ Free Download: Social Media Calendar Template [Access Now]

4. Data Entry Clerk

Many businesses seek data entry clerks to help them enter information into their computer systems and spreadsheets. If you have strong computer and typing skills, this might be the business for you.

5. Audio or Video Editor

As of March 2021, there are 1.75 million podcasts available to listeners. For this reason, brands are turning to audio and visual content to connect with consumers. The catch is that many don't have the time to invest in the production of this content, or they don't have the skills to do it. Audio and video editors are in demand when it comes to producing quality content for hungry audiences.

6. Voiceover Artist

Speaking of podcasts and videos, many content creators recognize the value and level of professionalism that great voice talent can bring to a project. There are gigs out there for podcast intros/outros, narration for explainer videos, or even voice work for audiobooks. Learn how to get started with no experience from Kat Theo below:

7. Dog Walker, Groomer, or Trainer

Licensing and insurance will be the two most important factors in opening a dog walking, grooming, or training business, but your canine colleagues will surely make up for the initial red tape. To test the waters before jumping in, consider walking dogs through companies like Rover. Ready to run your own show? Consider a franchise like Dogtopia .

8. Candy Seller

If you grew up in a close-knit, southern neighborhood, you're probably familiar with the " Candy Lady ". This home business can be started by anyone who's trustworthy in the community. Aside from selling the most popular snacks, a candy seller can provide the neighborhood with fresh fruit and produce that may be harder to find if you live in a food desert.

Online Business Ideas

If you want a business idea that you can run entirely online, check out the ones below. These ideas are ideal for those looking for a passive income stream. In other words, you shouldn’t need to do too much manual work to launch these businesses from your home or preferred business location.

1. Become an online reseller.

To become an online reseller, all you need is some business savvy and some funds to invest in product stock from manufacturers — or, of course,the willingness to sell your own used items. Generally, this is a low-touch but high-performance way of creating a passive income online business.

Online resellers usually use a platform, such as Facebook Marketplace or Amazon Sellers, to sell either their own or manufacturers’ stock. The benefit of using Facebook Marketplace is that you can begin today with your own Facebook account, and simply list items that you already own.

Interested buyers typically drive directly to your home for pick-up — but if you’re not interested in human interaction, you can leave it outside and have the buyer pay via an online platform.

online business ideas: amazon seller

Amazon Sellers requires a little more up-front investment, but the yield is usually higher and you can turn your Amazon reselling business into a more passive income stream. Amazon allows you to buy stock from various manufacturers, which they then keep in their warehouses. When an Amazon user buys from you, Amazon will fulfill that order and then give you a substantial cut.

2. Try affiliate marketing.

An affiliate marketing business is a great fit if you already own a website or a blog you wish to monetize. We’ve already shared how blogging is a great business to start — if you’ve already bought a domain name and begun writing content, then using it to start your affiliate marketing business is a great option.

Affiliate marketers create blog posts and content that contain affiliate links. When a user clicks on that link, a cookie is added to their browser that tracks their activity for a specified period of time. If they make a purchase at the affiliate website, then you get a commission — usually recurring, if you’re selling subscription products.

There are countless affiliate marketing programs for you to start your online business. These programs come with many benefits, such as pre-made advertisements and lazy copy for you to use.

To create a viable affiliate marketing online business, you should choose the right blog niche , such as technology, household decor and organization, or fitness, and then find affiliate marketing programs that offer products your readership would be genuinely interested in.

3. Become a content creator or influencer.

Instagrammers, YouTubers, podcasters, and TikTokkers with more than ten thousand followers can eventually turn their accounts into a small online business that generates passive income.

As a content creator or influencer on social media, you can not only earn money from sponsored partnerships, but you can monetize your audience in other ways, such as creating Subscriptions on Instagram , allowing companies to advertise on your YouTube channel, or creating a paid-only newsletter.

online business ideas: content creator

Becoming an influencer or content creator takes hard work, but it can be a fun way to create a small online business, assuming you’re posting content that you enjoy creating. First, you should choose a niche, such as thrifted fashion, work-from-home hacks, or even industry tips. Then, you should learn how to become a social media influencer and digital creator , then create a social media content calendar .

Most importantly, have fun with this online business idea as you give it a try. The good news is that it has little overhead — all you need is a willingness to spend time on social media content creation.

4. Open a dropshipping store.

We’ve mentioned dropshipping a few times already, but this is such a great online business idea that it’s absolutely worth mentioning again. Dropshipping businesses don’t manufacture what they sell, or even buy stock from manufacturers in advance. Instead, wholesalers fulfill the order directly after a buyer places an order through your website.

Opening an ecommerce store can be forbidding for those who don’t want to deal with inventory management or supply chain logistics . Dropshipping is the best alternative.

The only thing you need is the willingness to invest in an ecommerce website builder and the ability to manage relationships with local or international manufacturers. From there, you need to only publish your site and advertise your brand via ecommerce marketing .

Learn how to start a dropshipping business here , with examples.

5. Sell print-on-demand products.

Print-on-demand (POD) is another way to start a dropshipping business, except it’s a little more frictionless because most POD services allow you to create a storefront right on their website, instead of you needing to look for a separate ecommerce site builder.

With a POD online business, you design unique artwork. The print-on-demand provider will allow you to place that design on t-shirts, hats, tote bags, phone cases, and more. You do not keep any inventory; instead, the POD provider will print it only after a buyer makes an order, then ships it directly to them.

online business ideas: print on demand shop

The only thing you need to start this small online business is a penchant for design and the budget to pay for a print-on-demand subscription (although most providers are free, and they simply take a cut of the sale). Get acquainted with design principles and color theory , and you can get started with this business in no time.

6. Become an independent author.

Think becoming an author is only for those who are extremely lucky? Think again. Whether you write historical epics or self-help guides, chances are that there’s a market to read your work, and you can now easily publish it online .

We recommend editing and proofreading your book, or hiring someone to do it, before self-publishing it. Then, it’s as simple as signing up on a self-publishing platform such as Kindle Direct Publishing or Barnes & Noble Press , uploading your file and cover, and pushing it live. You’ll enjoy benefits such as large royalties (up to 70%) and the ability to unpublish the book at any time, in case you find a typo or another change you’d like to make.

To get this online business idea off to a strong start, invest in an author website , spend some time doing social media marketing , and learn the basics of book marketing .

7. Sell downloadable digital products.

Downloadable journals, templates, art prints, designs… Some people would simply prefer to print these at home, instead of paying for the full price of the paper and the design. Downloadable digital products can be a profitable small business idea for those who are already design-savvy or who are willing to learn how to use an online design tool .

online business ideas: digital products

But if you’re not too crafty, you don’t need to create full-on journals or beautiful art prints, either; you can create templates for marketplaces such as Canva’s . There, people are able to customize a base design to their specifications, so you don’t have to worry too much about creating something specially beautiful — it’s more about functionality and customizability.

If you plan to create digital products that buyers can print at home, think about printing specifications, such as recommended paper size, paper weight, PPI (pixels per inch; a higher PPI results in better print quality), and so on. It’s essential to create a positive customer experience, even if users are ultimately responsible for what the final result looks like.

8. Publish a subscription-based newsletter.

We’ve already discussed becoming an independent author, but if long-form writing, such as novels, seems out of reach, you can always go for something much shorter and simpler: Newsletters. And the best part about paid newsletters is that you typically don’t need to have a separate website and blog; instead, you can sign up on a platform and begin publishing right away.

A website can, of course, benefit you, but the core of your revenue will come from the newsletter itself.

online business ideas: paid newsletter

With newsletter monetization platforms such as Substack or even Patreon , you can publish shorter content that features your opinion, experience, and expertise. We recommend pairing this small business idea with a robust social media marketing strategy , where your followers can learn more about you and be swayed to subscribe to a gated newsletter.

Choose a niche you’re passionate about, and this online business idea can feel less like work and more like a profitable hobby.

9. Create an online course.

If you want to monetize your expertise a little further for your online business, then creating an online course is the best choice.

To create a course, you’ll need to sign up on an online course platform such as WordPress or Teachable , sketch out a curriculum, film your lectures, and create worksheets and guides. You can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you’d like, but to make this online business as passive as possible, you’d ideally record all your lectures at once and allow users to access them by paying a premium fee.

If you’d like to try your hand at it first, you can try publishing a course on a platform such as Udemy and see if it feels viable to you. To become an online course teacher, you don’t need a specific level of education, but you should have a strong grasp on the material you’re teaching and a strong set of customer service skills to handle inquiries or course refunds.

10. Transcript videos, shows, and podcasts.

A freelance transcription business is an excellent idea for those who speak only one language and are passionate about improving communication. Transcribers listen to speech, write it out — usually verbatim — and deliver it to the original publisher in an organized document.

This small online business is a good fit for those who are looking for a part-time side business. You should be able to type quickly and have a good listening ear. Indeed has listed the top transcription companies where you can get your foot in the door.

Once you understand how the industry works, you can consider opening your own small transcription business and offering services on freelancer marketplaces such as Fiverr or Upwork .

Whether you’re looking to start your venture today or you simply don’t want to jump through the normal hoops of launching a small business, the below ideas are extremely easy to start — so easy, all you’ll need to do is sign up on a website or tell your friends about your services.

1. Vacation Host

Have you ever used a home-sharing service instead of a hotel? You could make a living by hosting visitors in your own home or renting out a room. Consider becoming a host with companies like Airbnb .

To become a vacation host, you don’t need any special skills except friendliness, courteousness, and agility (in case of guest emergencies or language barriers). A customer service course will prepare you to welcome guests and give them a pleasant stay.

You’ll need to invest in supplies and toiletries, such as new bedding and one-time soaps and toothbrushes, but the overhead is relatively small, and you can stop at any time.

2. Pet Sitter

Do you have a passion for pets? Consider becoming a pet sitter. While the pet's owners are away on vacation, either host their pet at your home or make visits to their home. Join a pet sitting service like Wag to get started.

small business idea example: pet sitter

If you start a pet sitting business, be sure to have some experience with dogs, cats, and other household pets. You should also choose a niche based on timing. For instance, do you prefer long-term arrangements? You can market yourself as an excellent vacation pet sitter. Do you only do single afternoons, or only on weekends? You can pull in clients by telling them you’ll take care of their pets during their dates or weekend trips.

3. Daycare Owner

Childcare continues to be in high demand. While nannies and nanny shares are popular right now, a good daycare is hard to find. Fill a need in your neighborhood by opening your own. And, as always, make sure you’re complying with your city and state’s zoning, licensure, insurance, and inspection requirements.

Home daycares are especially a good fit if you’re an experienced parent and have all supplies ready at home. But be warned that you’ll also need to buy more supplies to accommodate the additional children you’ll need to take care of.

We recommend getting a soft start with this business by advertising it first to your friends, families, and close neighbors. That way, you can better gauge whether it’s a good fit for you and whether you want to make the full investment.

If there’s a topic you have a heavy interest in, then there’s an audience out there with a heavy interest in it too. A blog can be used to build an online community whose engagement can be monetized. Affiliate marketing , sponsored content , and co-marketing are some ways to make money once your blog develops a following.

→ Download Now: 6 Free Blog Post Templates

Blogging is one of the most accessible small businesses to start, and there are countless niches to choose from. That said, because there are many blogs online, you’ll need to learn blog SEO and keyword research to ensure your audience finds you. That way, you actually make money out of your blogging efforts.

The great news is that a small blogging business has a ridiculously low overhead. All you need is a custom domain and your time for writing blog posts.

5. Home-Baked Goods Seller

Warehouse-made, store-bought chocolate chip cookies will never compare to a batch made with love in someone’s home. Simple desserts can be easily baked and packaged to sell at local events or around your neighborhood. Use custom labels and watch the word spread about your goods!

You can begin a baked goods business easily by opening a Facebook and Instagram profile. Facebook and Instagram are both excellent platforms to market your goods, show pictures of your previous baked products, and even showcase happy clients.

Build a loyal following slowly, and save on costs by asking clients to drive to your home to pick up their order. Choosing a niche can be helpful here, or baking in a specific style that can’t be found at grocery store bakeries. The overhead can be especially low if you already have most essential baking supplies.

6. Ecommerce Store Owner

Do you create, collect, or curate anything special? Consider starting an ecommerce store and turning your hobby into a full-time job. Whether you need somewhere to sell all that pottery you’ve been making, or an excuse to search for the sports memorabilia you love tracking down, an ecommerce store can make it financially viable for you to pursue your passion.

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Starting an ecommerce store is simple and easy. You can set up a shop using an ecommerce website builder , all of which start at a minimal monthly subscription (some even start at free). Be sure to take good photos of your products and write descriptive product pages .

If you don’t have inventory, you can always own an ecommerce store by using dropshipping . Instead of creating and shipping your products yourself, you’ll instead partner with a dropshipping website and have them mail out the orders directly to your client.

7. House Cleaner

With a low barrier to entry, house cleaning can be a great way to start doing what you love — soon. Consider advertising to homes in your neighborhood and get more bang for your buck by earning a few small businesses as clients as well. They’ll usually bring in a higher paycheck for a similar amount of work.

To become a house cleaner, you should be prepared to invest in cleaning supplies and accessories, or be willing to use your own. If you plan to serve small businesses, you should buy industrial janitorial supplies so you can get work done more effectively.

Need some inspiration? This small business cleaning service grew virtually overnight on Instagram after their content went viral during the pandemic.

small business idea example: go clean co

8. Packing Services Facilitator

Moving is always a pain, and many people hire the entire packing process out. As a packing services facilitator, you’ll be going to people’s homes and packing up their smaller items into organized boxes. To start this business, you must be comfortable with face-to-face contact and with manual labor.

small business ideas: packing services facilitator

You can begin this business by advertising in your own neighborhood. Once you’re ready to expand, consider partnering with a local moving service that will refer new clients to you. That way, you’ll have a steady stream of clients, and you won’t have to invest in a moving truck (the moving service will take care of that for you).

Business Ideas for Students

1. etsy shop owner.

Creating novelties by hand is a fun and unique way to start a small business, and you can easily sell them via Etsy . Whether you make jewelry, knitted comfort items, or even custom wigs , there’s probably a market for your products and an Etsy buyer who’s ready to purchase.

small business ideas: etsy shop owner

This idea is excellent if you’re already an expert in the craft you aim to sell. That way, you don’t need to pursue additional education or certification courses. Once you set up your Etsy store, which is free, tap into your audience with creative marketing on social media and optimize your website using keywords that describe the products you make.

2. Tour Guide

Love the local history of your city or state? Consider becoming a tour guide. Sure, you’ll need to conduct plenty of research to be able to do the job well, but that’s half the fun. Set yourself apart by offering tours that speak to a specific niche of your community’s history.

You can start a tour guide business easily. First, decide what your specialty will be. Some tour guides, like the ones at Freedom Trail in Boston , offer historical walking tours of their town’s most haunted spots while others curate guided foodie tours for guests to get a true taste of the city.

small business idea example: tour guide

Maybe you love the outdoors and are an experienced backpacker — you can then offer hiking tours. To begin, use a platform such as TripAdvisor or Airbnb, where you can sign up as a tour guide provider. Remember to launch a website, and to file for sole proprietorship status .

3. Online Class Instructor

Tutoring is often done in person and with one client at a time. Remotely teaching an online class offers more flexibility because you can teach multiple students from home. English is a common subject for online classes because of how many people want to learn it. But anything that you have a mastery over could be translated to a virtual class.

4. Small-Batch Goods Seller

Using organic, all-natural ingredients is more expensive, but worth it. There are many products you can learn how to make at home without any preservatives, chemicals, or toxins. Candles, soaps, shampoos, and moisturizers are some examples of goods you can create and tailor with custom scents. Try starting out making soap with this complete beginner’s guide to soapmaking:

5. Makeup Artist

Many people prefer to have a professional do their makeup because they may lack the proper products or just the skills. It may be for a special occasion, photoshoot, or video shoot, or another event. Being able to do a variety of different looks will make your business more attractive to more customers.

To run a successful makeup artist business, you’ll need to be social media savvy . Instagram in particular is an excellent platform to advertise your services and get new clients.

You should also consider honing in on a specific niche. For instance, you might do wedding makeup exclusively.

6. Professional Organizer

A lot of people struggle with clutter or disorganization in their homes and offices. It can be a large undertaking to create organized systems and habits. Grab a lot of storage bins and a label maker and get started!

To become an organizer, you’ll first need to have the chops: Is your own home organized? Do you enjoy making order out of chaos? Then, launch a website to market your services locally. Be sure to create local listings to ensure people find your business, including listings on Angi, Houzz, and Thumbtack.

Meg Golightly, founder at Gosimplified , has made this small business idea into a successful career.

Is your head buzzing with small business ideas yet? After all that brainstorming, you’ll need a practical plan to get started with your new small business.

  • Identify your small business idea.
  • Start as a side business or hobby.
  • Decide on your software.
  • Create a business plan.
  • Decide whether you'll be an LLC or sole proprietorship.
  • Create a business bank account.
  • Determine if your business idea works well from home.
  • Set up an office.
  • Get to work!

1. Identify your small business idea.

Whether you choose an option from the list above or have another idea up your sleeve, it’s important to have the experience, training, or skills necessary to be successful. Want to run a daycare but have never even visited a successful daycare center? Spend time conducting research to learn whether this is really the right fit for your experience, interests, and target audience.

2. Start as a side business or hobby.

Can you get your business off the ground as something you do in the evenings or on the weekends (a.k.a. a side job)? This allows you to make some mistakes, test the market, and understand whether your idea has legs before you quit your nine-to-five job and lose your primary income.

3. Decide on your software.

You’ve got a lot of things on your plate when first starting up. But one step that’s critical (and often forgotten by first-time entrepreneurs) is deciding on the software that can help you be more efficient as your business grows.

Every business is different — but almost all companies can use software to help with analytics, project management , accounting, bookkeeping, email marketing, and other basic day-to-day tasks.

One of the most important software tools every small business should utilize is a free all-in-one CRM platform to keep track of important customer information in one central database. It will help align your team and make sure you stay organized as your business grows.

4. Create a business plan.

No business plan? No business. Particularly if your small business idea requires investors, you'll need to draft up a business plan to provide an overview of your market positioning, your financial projections, and your unique competitive advantages. You can download HubSpot's free business plan templates for free to get started.

One-Page Business Plan Template

Download Free Business Plan Templates

Your business plan should include the following elements:

  • Executive summary — A high-level overview of your company and market placement.
  • Business model — Outline what your business does, who your business serves, and how your business is structured. You should include a description of what products and services you offer, and how they meet the needs of your customers.
  • Market condition — A summary of pertinent competitor information. Determine the strengths and weaknesses of your closest competitors.
  • Products and services — Use this section to describe your products and services in detail, and outline what differentiates your product from others in the market.
  • Operations and management — Outline your business’ organizational structure, key roles, and responsibilities.
  • Marketing and sales strategy — This section should describe how you will market and sell your product. Include information on your ideal customer, how you plan to position your offering, and your sales strategy.
  • Financial plan — Create a detailed outline of your business financials. Include your start-up costs, your initial financial productions, and how you anticipate generating funding.
  • Appendix — Once the above pieces are complete, end the document with an appendix summarizing your business plan.

Every business is different — but almost all companies can use software to help with analytics, project management, accounting, bookkeeping, email marketing, and other basic day-to-day tasks.

5. Decide whether you’ll be an LLC or sole proprietorship.

Two common legal structures for small businesses are limited liability corporations (LLCs) and sole proprietorships.

An LLC is a more complex business structure than a sole proprietorship and can include individuals, corporations, and other LLCs as members. Additionally, LLCs are not subject to a separate level of tax and offer the business owner liability protection and tax advantages. LLCs are formed on a state-by-state basis.

Sole proprietorships are businesses owned and operated by one person and are not identified as a separate entity from the owner by the government. While a sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure, sole proprietors are personally liable for their business.

Besides an LLC or sole proprietorship, there are a few other options for you to consider.

Sean Flannigan, Sendle's Content Manager, says, "While many small businesses might be best served by choosing an LLC or sole proprietorship, there are a few other options."

"Partnerships are great for businesses operated by several individuals. It hews most closely to a sole proprietorship in that the individuals take on the business liability and pay taxes on a personal level."

He adds, "To completely avoid personal liability, small businesses might choose to incorporate as a corporation, S corporation, or B Corp. S corporations avoid corporate taxation whereas B Corps must meet a threshold for public benefit and accountability."

Additionally, Flannigan says, "There are tons of great reasons to become a B Corp beyond just doing good business. All that said, many small businesses that aren't aimed at super-fast growth choose to go with an LLC to keep things simple while shielding owners from too much liability."

Learn more about choosing the right structure for your business from the Small Business Administration.

6. Create a business bank account.

Once you have a legally formed business and have been issued an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a bank account specifically for your business. Having a business bank account is essential for keeping your personal and business finances separate which can help you gain an accurate picture of your business’s cash flow and financial health.

Additionally, keeping your personal and business finances separate makes bookkeeping and tax preparation easier.

Many banks offer business checking and savings accounts. Business checking accounts typically do not have a limit on the number of transactions that can take place, and issue a debit card that can be used for making business purchases. However, these checking accounts do not accrue interest.

Business savings accounts typically earn interest over time but have a limited number of transactions that can occur each month. When you’re just starting out, look for a business bank account that does not have a minimum balance requirement so you are not penalized for having low funds as you work to build your business.

7. Determine if your business idea works well from home.

Ask yourself whether your business idea will work well from home. Some businesses simply aren’t suited to be based from home. If you want to run a dog boarding center but live in an apartment without a backyard, you might want to consider a dog walking business instead.

8. Set up an office.

If your business idea is well-suited for being run from home, it’s still important you have a designated workspace. While a home office might not be possible, consider setting aside a corner in your living room or putting a desk in your bedroom for a space that inspires you and creates the conditions for success.

Need a more professional space? If you conduct client-facing work requiring you to be on video calls, no one wants to see your rumpled sheets in the background. Check out local coworking spaces for memberships that earn you access to conference rooms, desk space, and more.

9. Get to work!

You’ve put in the hard work and I’ve got good news — it’s only going to get harder. But most entrepreneurs will agree that the payoff of being your own boss, making your own hours, and working on projects that you’re passionate about will pay dividends for the rest of your life.

Starting a Small Business: FAQ

What are the types of small businesses.

The types of small business structures are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.

Which business type is best?

The best business type is a limited liability company (LLC). Operating as an LLC means that your personal assets are separate from your business assets. If your business goes bankrupt, your personal holdings won’t be affected. That said, it’s also one of the costlier types, requiring a fee paid to the state.

The easiest business type to start is a sole proprietorship. The main downside is that there’s no differentiation between you and your business.

How do I create a business idea?

To create a business idea, determine your skill set, work preferences, startup budget, and available resources. It’s important to strike the right balance between what you can feasibly offer and what you can feasibly afford in the short and long term.

We recommend starting with your skill set so that you can easily determine the niche in which you can effectively compete. For instance, if you have ample experience as a writer, you might consider starting a freelance writing business. But if you know you’d prefer to work with clients face-to-face, you might choose to start a ghostwriting business instead. That’s why it’s so important to take your work preferences into account, as well.

After that, take a look at your budget and determine the type of business you can start based on the resources at your disposal. For instance, you might not be able to afford a physical office or location, so a location-based business will likely not be a good fit. In that case, starting an online business is your best option.

What are some of the most successful small businesses?

Every small business has the potential to be successful and profitable, provided it’s backed by a strong product-market fit and a robust business plan . These two elements are essential. Maybe post-natal services are one of the most successful small businesses to launch, but if you live in an area with declining population or a large elderly population, then that small business idea won’t yield a high return on investment.

Think carefully about the market where you’re launching your business, and you’ll be more than likely to see lasting success.

What are the top growing small businesses?

top growing small businesses as reported by the bureau of labor statistics

The top growing industries are healthcare support, technology, personal care, food preparation, and community and social service. As such, launching a small business in any of these fields is bound to yield a high return on investment, but remember to take your target market into account.

Here are some small business ideas for each of those industries:

Healthcare Support

  • In-home care assistant
  • In-home elderly care provider
  • Psychological care provider
  • Pre-natal and post-natal support specialist
  • Freelance programmer or web developer
  • Freelance IT support specialist
  • Freelance cybersecurity expert

Personal Care

  • Hair stylist
  • Nail technician

Food Preparation

  • Personal chef
  • Food truck owner
  • Food delivery

Community and Social Services

  • Non-profit owner
  • Education specialist

Brainstorm Your Next Small Business Venture

Selecting a small business idea to work on is a personal decision. Money is important, but you’ll need more motivation than that to keep going. Bounce ideas off your friends and family until you reach the perfect idea that works for your schedule, fulfills your life’s passion, and makes financial sense. Don’t be afraid to ask for help throughout this process — and remember to have a little fun while you’re putting in the work.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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The Best Small Business Opportunities for 2021

Susan Ward wrote about small businesses for The Balance for 18 years. She has run an IT consulting firm and designed and presented courses on how to promote small businesses.

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Looking to launch a business this year? Welcome to our list of the best small business opportunities for 2021 chosen from across a variety of industries. To make the list, these businesses must: 

  • Have the potential to be profitable now and for many years in the future. 
  • Be resilient in uncertain economic times.
  • Not require a Ph.D. or decades of experience. Some require trade school training, a university degree, or an apprenticeship, while others need only some prior experience and a passion for the industry.
  • Not demand large amounts of startup capital, but only what every startup business requires: dedication, hard work, perseverance, and a desire to succeed.

Here are our picks for the best small business ideas based on current trends in business and demographics, in no particular order. 

Fulfillment by Amazon Sales

Westend61 / Getty Images

E-commerce is booming and expected to grow. While retail sales increased by 6.9% in the last quarter of 2020, e-commerce (online) sales increased by 32.1% from the previous year.

The Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program allows sellers of products to market their wares through Amazon, the largest online retail platform in the world.

Amazon takes most of the headaches out of running an online retail business. In exchange for fulfillment and monthly storage fees, it handles storage, packing, shipping, returns, and customer service queries.

Sellers are responsible for shipping their products to an Amazon fulfillment center and creating their product listings on their Amazon store. Once listings are live and sales are made, the seller begins receiving their portion of the proceeds on a weekly basis.

FBA sellers source products for their Amazon stores in a variety of ways, including:

  • From original product ideas that the seller gets manufactured to specifications.
  • From local or national wholesalers.
  • From overseas bulk discount suppliers such as Alibaba.
  • By arbitrage—purchasing discounted items online or from retail stores and reselling them for a profit.

If you wish to start a product sales business, the Amazon FBA program is an ideal way to get into the online retail marketplace.

Skilled Trades

While some people may have the wrong impression that skilled trades professionals are poorly paid, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, skilled tradespeople are generally well paid and enjoy satisfying careers.

As the baby boomers retire from skilled trade jobs, the manufacturing sector is struggling to find new workers to fill these jobs. Such shortages have caused small and medium-sized manufacturers to turn away work due to the lack of skilled workers to complete the work.

These shortages reach across many sectors and create a huge demand for talented workers in trades such as:

  • Carpentry and general construction
  • Plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting
  • Electrical and electronic control systems
  • Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC)
  • Machinists and metalworkers
  • Steelworking

The nature of skilled trades makes them ideally suited for self-employment.

  • Many have fairly high salaries and strong demand for experienced tradespeople in most locations.
  • Most trades can be operated as home-based businesses as the work is performed at the customer job site.
  • Compared to many businesses, startup capital costs are relatively low for most skilled trades, and most cannot be automated to any degree, ensuring future job security.
  • Demand exists everywhere. Some experienced tradespeople take advantage of opportunities in remote or overseas locations to command much higher levels of compensation.

Software Engineering and Development

Software engineers and developers create, test, and maintain software on a variety of platforms, from mainframes to mobile devices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software developers is expected to increase by 22% through 2029, and they earned a median annual salary of $110,140 in 2020.

The nature of the software development industry makes it ideal for  contract employment . Many software engineers start out as salaried employees and eventually become self-employed contractors. Cloud computing and ease of remote access make software development an ideal home-based business.

Other high-demand, well-paid opportunities in the information technology sector include:

  • Systems analysts
  • Hardware and software technicians
  • Network engineers
  • Security specialists 

Meal Kit Sales and Delivery

Juliana Soo / EyeEm - Getty Images

Meal kit services are becoming increasingly popular with busy people who don't have the time to shop and prepare healthy meals and wish to lower their environmental footprint by reducing food waste. The meal kit industry in the U.S. is expected to reach $11.6 billion in sales by 2022.

Customers select recipes online, and meal kits with pre-chopped and measured ingredients, along with instructions for cooking and final preparation, are delivered to their homes on the chosen date. Listed information such as calorie counts allows consumers to adhere to dietary requirements.

Meal kit suppliers often avoid large wholesalers and source ingredients from local farms, creating business opportunities for small to mid-size growers, ranchers, and seafood suppliers. Opportunities may also be available for delivery-service providers to collect ingredients from producers and deliver the end product to customers' homes.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) represent a huge leap forward in immersing the user in a realistic sensory experience. Hardware and software vendors are working furiously to bring new VR products to the marketplace, and the industry is growing rapidly—the global market is expected to expand by 18.0% from 2021 to 2028.  

The potential uses of virtual reality for business or pleasure are practically limitless. For example:

  • 3D movies : Movies are being developed in 360-degree VR.
  • Real estate marketing : Imagine searching for a new home and being able to take an online VR walkthrough of an advertised house from the comfort of your desk chair.
  • Gaming : VR is revolutionizing the gaming industry, with new VR titles being released on an almost-weekly basis.
  • Team-building exercises : Shake up team building events with a group VR experience.
  • Social media VR interaction : Friends will be able to interact in a virtual online space.
  • Training : VR can inject a much higher degree of realism into training scenarios. Businesses such as UPS are launching new delivery driver training programs using VR.
  • Meditation : VR is ideal for customized meditation. 

VR "escape rooms" and lounges (where groups of people get together to play VR games or go on VR adventures or solve group puzzles) are experiencing phenomenal growth. If you are tech savvy and interested in the technology, virtual reality could be the business opportunity for you.

Self-Storage Units

The self-storage industry continues to be a booming business across North America, fueled by a more transient workforce, downsizing homeowners, the general trend for people to accumulate more possessions, and the continued popularity of reality shows such as "Storage Wars." The amount of households renting storage units has risen steadily over the past 10 years, with 10.6% of U.S. households renting storage units in 2020.

The trend for businesses to reduce or eliminate storefront space has also contributed to the demand for storage space. Plumbers and electricians, for example, can store tools and equipment in self-storage at a much lower cost.

Modern self-storage requires a climate-controlled environment, lighting, and security. Initial capital costs for land and building construction are high but can be easily financed from rental income, assuming there is a steady demand for storage space in your area.

Trachte Building Systems has free  web-based calculators  for determining the profitability of self-storage based on demand, estimated capital expenses, operating expenses, and rental income.

Home Renovations

skhoward / Getty Images

Remodeling contractors are hard to find, and the good ones are always busy. Home renovation is one business that always seems to do well, even in uncertain economic times. If construction is in your blood and you think you would enjoy making clients' home renovation dreams come true, why not turn it into a business?

According to HomeAdvisor, homeowners spend an average of $8.305 per year on home improvements. That's a lot of business for carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, drywallers, roofers, tilers, and other tradespeople.

The home renovations business is ideally suited to self-employed individuals for a number of reasons:

  • Most renovations are performed on a contract basis.
  • Startup capital investment for tools and machinery is typically much less than required for new construction.
  • Business premises are not required as the work is performed at the customer location.

Remodeling contractors typically provide services individually or as subcontractors. They can also specialize in a particular area, such as bathroom or kitchen renovations, or niches such as restoring historic structures, improving energy efficiency, or solar installations.

To be a successful renovation contractor, you should have:

  • Extensive experience in building construction, with hands-on expertise in at least one of the trades and knowledge of the others.
  • Good contacts within the industry, so if needed you can call in subcontractors to get specialty work performed in a timely fashion.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of the local building codes and safety regulations.
  • Licensing and certification if required in your jurisdiction.
  • Good organizational skills.

Bike Sales, Service, and Rentals

Given the health and environmental benefits, it's no wonder that bicycling has become one of the Top 5 outdoor activities in America by frequency of participation. According to the activity app company Strava Metro, there was a dramatic uptick in bike trips that coincided with the arrival of the coronavirus to the U.S. In Los Angeles, for example, bike trips increased by 93%.

Anything that’s healthy, popular, good for the environment, and heavily promoted by the government is a pretty good business bet. In addition to traditional pedal-powered bikes, e-bikes have become very popular. E-bikes can be pedaled without electric power or use electric power to assist, and sales are expected to rise to over 40 million units by 2023. Regular pedal bikes can even be converted to e-bikes with a special kit.

If cycling is your passion and you want to become an entrepreneur , this may be the perfect business opportunity for you.

Senior Care Services

Senior care services continue to rank as a great small business opportunity. The first baby boomers hit age 65 in 2011, and the entire baby boomer generation will reach age 65 by 2030. By 2050, seniors will make up a quarter of the entire U.S. population.

As the number of baby boomers increases, so does the need for senior services and care givers. The need for home health care workers increased 27% from 2018 to 2020.

For the most part, baby boomers are willing to pay for the services necessary to maintain their lifestyles. This includes continuing to live at home in their own communities. According to research by Aging In Place, 90% of seniors plan to stay in their home for at least the next five to 10 years.

Some seniors experience various health and mobility issues and are increasingly in need of assistance with daily activities including driving. They may find it difficult or impossible to take care of household chores such as landscaping, cleaning, cooking, or caring for their pets. Those who haven't experienced a decline in mobility may wish to travel extensively and require house sitting, pet sitting, and property maintenance services.

A wealth of opportunities exist for entrepreneurs who want to work with seniors. If you're not interested in starting your own business from scratch, various senior care franchise opportunities are available, too.

Gourmet Coffee

Think an independent coffee shop serving espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos can't compete with Starbucks? Think again.

The market for gourmet, high-end specialty coffee continues to grow, making plenty of room for independent shops. Seven in 10 Americans drink coffee at least once a week, while 62% report drinking coffee every day, according to the National Coffee Association. Perhaps you can find a niche in this market.

Facilities Support Services

Facilities support or management services are catch-all terms that encompass the full range of facilities services for businesses, including cleaning, security, building maintenance, painting, and moving.

The industry is expected to grow by 10.6% from 2020 to 2025. If you have a background in maintenance or construction and good organizational skills, why not consider a business as a facilities support services coordinator?

Markets on Wheels: Food Trucks

Food trucks have expanded far beyond the confines of fast food in recent years, and they show no signs of stopping. The food truck sector is expected to grow 2.4% in 2021, bringing in an expected $3.9 billion.

For example, enormously successful Clover Truck of Boston ran a fleet of trucks that provided a seasonally changing menu offering vegetarian meals made from mostly locally sourced, organic ingredients (and actually, they do serve french fries). It was so successful they've converted the business into all brick-and-mortar locations now.

GMonkey runs an "eco" food truck that uses biodiesel for fuel and serves delicious vegetarian fare to residents of Durham, Connecticut. If you've got a wild idea, there's probably a food truck concept to fit it.

Gain the Necessary Education, Skills, and Training

There are no shortcuts to starting your own business . You'll have to acquire the necessary credentials, skills, and training to take advantage of some of these opportunities. Working as an employee or apprentice in your chosen field can give you the training, business skills, and experience necessary to start your own business. It can also help you make a name for yourself and develop a list of clients and customers ready to patronize your new business.

Develop a Solid Business Plan

Having a solid business plan is crucial when starting a new business. The work involved in writing your business plan, which includes examining your market, will tell you whether your business idea is feasible in your locale. A business plan is also essential if you need startup capital such as  debt financing  from a bank or  equity financing  from investors. 

If your goal in life is to become very wealthy, chances are you won't get there as a small business owner. But you'll have a chance to generate a healthy income, be your own boss , and make all the decisions. You could potentially have a more flexible lifestyle. Building something from the ground up can make  starting a business  very rewarding. 

Coming up with a great business idea is just the first step in launching your business in 2021, but it's an important one. Without a winning concept, all the planning in the world won't make your business successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good business to start with little money.

The best businesses to start with little money are those that don't require a large inventory or a dedicated space you'll need to pay for. Businesses you can start with a small upfront investment include online resale, drop shipping, online teaching, virtual assisting, home care and pet sitting, and transcription services.

How do I get a business startup loan?

There are several places you can look for money to start your business . You can start by considering how you can contribute to your own success by using money you have saved away. Friends and family may also be able to help with this. The Small Business Association offers loans for small business owners, and you can also find investors looking for viable startup companies in which to invest. Government grants are also available.

How do I calculate startup costs for a small business?

It's essential to calculate startup costs early on in your business planning by:

  • Identifying your expenses and how much they will cost.
  • Adding your expenses up.
  • Using this number to come up with a realistic startup cost figure.
  • Including this cost in any loan or grant you apply for.

A startup cost calculator can help walk you through figuring out how much money you need to start your business.

How do I value a startup business?

To come up with a value for your business, you will need to come up with your earnings after taxes and consider several other factors including tangible assets and intangible assets such as branding. You'll also factor in the profitability of the business along with any liabilities. If you are in the position of selling your company, a professional valuation is in order where an accountant will ascertain how much money your business is worth. You can help the process by keeping documents such as tax filings, profit and loss statements, and proprietary documents safe and available.

U.S. Census Bureau News. " Quarterly Retail E-commerce Sales, Fourth Quarter, 2020 ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Amazon. " Category Fulfillment Fees ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

The Manufacturing Institute–BKD. " Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers Survey. " Accessed May 8, 2021.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. " Software Developers ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Statista. “ Value of the fresh-food meal-kit delivery service market in the United States from 2016 to 2022 .” Accessed May 8, 2021.

Grand View Research. “ Virtual Reality Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Semi & Fully Immersive, Non-immersive), By Device (HMD, GTD), By Component (Hardware, Software), By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2021-2028 .” Accessed May 8, 2021.

Spare Foot. " U.S. Self-Storage Industry Statistics. " Accessed May 8, 2021.

Home Advisor. " State of Home Spending 2020 ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Strava. " Strava announces Strava Metro, the largest active travel dataset on the planet, is now free and available to cities everywhere ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Outdoor Industry Association. " 2020 Outdoor Participation Report ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Deloitte Insights. " Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Predictions 2020 ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

United Health Foundation. " America's Health Rankings ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

U.S. Census Bureau. " An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Aging In Place. " Aging In Place Vs. Assisted Living ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

National Coffee Association. " NCA releases Atlas of American Coffee ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

PR Newswire. " Global Facility Management Market (2020 to 2025) - Growing Trend of Outsourcing Facility Management Operations ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

IBIS World. " Food Trucks in the US - Market Size 2005–2026 ." Accessed May 8, 2021.

Future Business Ideas for 2020

10 Future Businesses Ideas for 2021

January 7, 2020 nici pillemer, what is a future business idea.

Times are a’changing. What may have been a great business idea last decade may not necessarily be one of the best businesses to start in 2021 .

Ten years ago many of the hottest new business ideas for 2021 may not have even existed! For example Instagram was just in its infancy, but now it’s a social media marketing and business goldmine.

We predict that the next decade will be all about technology – the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, virtual reality, 3D printing to name a few. But there’s good news too for those of us who aren’t that technologically savvy – there’s always a market for traditional business ideas, as long as you cater to your target market’s needs.

Who are the next decade’s top spenders?

Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are aging while Millennials are on the cusp of their spending peak ( CB Insights ). The growing influence of the Millennial generation is starting to impact which will be the top industries of the next decade. Furthermore, Gen Z are growing up and reaching a point of having more significant spending power.

The key for business success in the next decade is to cater to the wants and whims of these two powerful generations: Millennials and Gen Zers.

Best Traditional Business Ideas for 2021

1. fitness center.

Gone are the days of the gym chains dominating the fitness industry, so us little guys have a chance of starting a fitness business in 2021. Millennials have proven to prefer boutique fitness studios over large, impersonal gyms – and aren’t afraid to spend money for such a sense of community and personalization.  According to a CB Insights study, 76% of Millennials exercise at least once a week, and collectively spend almost $7 billion per year on gym memberships (Gen Xers and Baby Boomers spend half of that).

You can start out small, offering classes in your area of expertise such as yoga, boxing, pilates or more. Once you start expanding, you could get an equipment loan or an unsecured business loan to help you grow into a fully-equipped boutique fitness center.

top 10 business ideas in 2021

2. Food truck

The foodie trend for this decade is fast, casual, healthy food. Almost 40% of Millennials ( CB Insights ) eat takeout food and, in line with their fit lifestyles, generally prefer healthy options.

A food truck with healthy menu options gives Millennials the convenience, ambience and nutrition they crave. You could even cater to a niche market by offering, for example, vegan food or specialty dishes. If you decide you want to grow your business, you could always apply for a commercial vehicle loan , purchase a few more food trucks, and expand to various prime locations.

3. Micro-mobility services

Millennials are 21% more likely than Gen Xers to purchase homes in city centers. This growing trend towards urban living has birthed one of the most popular transportation options today – electric scooters.

Even if you can’t (understandably) afford to compete with the likes of Bird and Lime, don’t be discouraged. You don’t have to have your own line of electric scooters to get into the micro-mobility industry! Think of the bigger picture – accessories, branding of scooters, and scooter services.

If you have a knack for enterprising you could offer a full service solution including recovery and collection of scooters, charging them, maintaining them, and redeploying them to prime locations during the course of the day. If you’re willing to work at unusual times of the day, have basic handyman skills, and prefer not to sit in an office all day, this could be one of the best business ideas for 2021  for you.

Future Business Ideas for 2020

Best Online Business Ideas for 2021:

The world is moving more and more online so it’s no surprise that some of the best future business ideas are web-based:

4. Instagram consulting

Even those who use Instagram in their personal life – posting photos, tagging friends, sharing stories – probably don’t know the quirks and nuances of managing a business Instagram account and turning it into a successful marketing platform.

Simply by learning a few tricks of the trade online, you could start an Instagram consulting business in 2021 and help clients grow and manage their accounts. Master the art of hashtags, influencers, product and geographic tagging and you could become a pro in no time.

5. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing may not be a new concept but it’s one of our top business ideas 2021 because it’s tried-and-tested and, if you do it right, can bring you lots of success in the next decade. Starting an affiliate marketing business involves the following steps:

  • Find a niche
  • Utilize a website builder (build a website)
  • Create amazing content
  • Master SEO to rank in Google Search
  • Find partners or sellers
  • Add their banner ad or link to your website
  • Receive revenue each time your partner makes a sale, gets a lead or receives a visitor from your site (pay per click) – this depends on your agreement with your partner

6. Pet portal

With Millennials driving the economy, money is being pumped into their ‘pet’ preference – their pets. According to the US Chamber of Commerce , Millennials see their pets as their ‘starter kids’ and expect to spend more on their dog over its lifetime than they would on their own medical care. Tapping into the pet market is a potential goldmine for the next decade.

It’s also the perfect way to combine an online business with traditional services. You could source pet products and sell them online, or you could serve as an affiliate for pet product sellers. But aside from the retail element, you could offer a full pet services solution including dog walking, pet sitting, grooming, and even doggy daycare. You could expand your business by creating a portal matching dog sitters or walkers with pet owners.

7. Freelancing

You can join the gig economy and start a freelance business in 2021 based on your area of expertise. If you don’t specialize in any one thing, such as graphic design or social media, you can always start a Virtual Assistant business which often just requires basic admin and organizational skills. Freelancing requires very little startup costs and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Small business ideas for women

Best Ecommerce Business Ideas for 2021

The difference between online business ideas 2021  and ecommerce business ideas for 2021  is that the latter involves selling products online, instead of being service-based.

And our top ecommerce business ideas for 2021 are…(drumroll please):

Side note: If you’re seriously considering eCommerce as the right route for your new business in 2021, then you’ll want to get caught up on all of the recent eCommerce trends .

8. Box subscription services

At Become , we eagerly await our monthly box subscription from Universal Yums, which sends us a mystery box each month, containing various treats from a different country. Subscription buying has become a hot trend and is a good way to secure a consistent monthly stream. The convenience and cost savings are of huge appeal to customers. You could get creative and build your box subscription business around anything including beauty boxes, healthcare boxes and more. Don’t be afraid to ‘think outside the box’!

9. Educational courses

Got knowledge to share? Write it down, or even better yet, create a podcast. Here are some key tips for launching and promoting your educational course :

  • Research your target market
  • Make your course interactive including checklists
  • Use text, video, audio and imagery
  • Decide on a format, for example PDF, Powerpoint and SCORM
  • Choose the right eLearning platform
  • Create a website and/or landing page
  • Promote using content, SEO and social media best practices

10. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an eCommerce model whereby the dropshipper doesn’t own the goods at any point – it simply acts as a go-between for the customer and the supplier. All you need to set up your dropshipping business is a good strategy, an SEO-optimized website, a dropshipping platform, and a reliable supplier base with competitive prices.

Back to the Future: 2021 and Beyond!

There you have it! All the top future business ideas for 2021, both offline and online. Here’s a quick recap:

Top 10 business ideas for 2021:

  • Fitness center
  • Micro-mobility services
  • Instagram consulting
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Freelancing
  • Box subscription services
  • Educational courses
  • Dropshipping

Some of these new business ideas are easy to set up and have low startup costs. But if your dream business for the next decade requires an initial cash outlay, don’t let that deter you. There are many startup business loan options available for budding entrepreneurs.

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Find your idea. write your plan. start your business., the top 10 business ideas for 2021.

While this article presents the top 10 business ideas for 2021, the big question of course is: What is the #1 top business idea for you?

There are so many fabulous business ideas to choose from it was hard for me to narrow down this list just to the top 10. But I did it!

These business ideas offer robust and growing demand and high profit potential. They are also generally low cost and easy to start businesses. They are practical and proven businesses that many people are starting and succeeding at every day – including people without prior business experience.

I chose these top 10 business ideas based upon a number of factors including upside profit potential, ease of starting the business, popularity and a desire to give you a diverse mix of businesses.

My name is Bob Adams. I am a Harvard MBA serial entrepreneur. I have started 17 businesses including one business that I began in my basement apartment with just $1500 and later sold for $40 million.

I can tell you if you want to start a great business you should start with a great idea! So give these top ideas a good look over.

Here are The Top 10 Business Ideas for 2021:

#1 – Senior companion

top 10 business ideas in 2021

A senior companion service is an excellent repeat customer, steady income business. Check any licensing requirements before getting started.

#2 – Subscription box

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Skincare, socks, candles… You can sell virtually anything in your subscription box. For this business, your packaging, website, and marketing really matter.

#3 – Moving service

top 10 business ideas in 2021

You can start this business with no money by renting vans or trucks as you need them. You should charge by the hour rather than by the job.

#4 – Import/export

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Buy products from overseas and sell them back in your home country! Source your products by traveling abroad or using websites like Alibaba.

#5 – Pet sitting business

top 10 business ideas in 2021

People want someone to take good care of their pet while they are away. To succeed, always go the extra mile and send cute pictures and videos.

#6 – Online store

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Amazon and other websites make it easier than ever to sell online. The key to success is developing a solid plan before setting up your store.

#7 – Home staging business

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Find furniture and design ideas to help people sell their house faster and at a higher price. Meredith Baer built a $100 million home staging business in LA.

#8 – Tutoring business

top 10 business ideas in 2021

The demand and growth potential of this business is huge. You can tutor anyone, on any subject, and from virtually anywhere if you do it online.

#9 – Cleaning business

top 10 business ideas in 2021

This is a great repeat customer, steady income business. To make more money you should develop a specialty such as cleaning offices or industrial sites.

#10 – Start a blog

top 10 business ideas in 2021

A blog is a great business that you can start and grow at your own pace. Make sure to choose a niche, let your personality shine, and learn SEO.

Would you like to see more business ideas?

Check out my most popular article, The 300 Best Small Business Ideas . This comprehensive multi-page article offers expert advice on every single business idea (including all the ideas on this top 10 list). Includes home based, online, steady income, low cost, product and service ideas.

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top 10 business ideas in 2021

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Top 10 Trending Small Business Ideas for 2021

If you’re on the hunt for new ways to improve your business in 2021, then you’ve come to the right place! Maybe business has gone stale. Maybe your rate of returning customers is on the decline.

Whatever your reason may be for reading this article, these 10 low-cost trending ideas are sure to give your business the boost it needs in 2021!

top 10 business ideas in 2021

  • Engaging Customer Surveys
  • Auditing Operational Functions
  • Car Charging Stations
  • Customer Loyalty Programs
  • Tracking Industry Trends
  • Focus on Building Culture
  • Finding Your Social Media Personality
  • Saving on Taxes with 2018’s Tax Code 179
  • Expanding Products or Services Offered
  • Exploring Low-Cost Marketing Channels
  • Engaging Customer Surveys:  What products or services do your customers wish you offered? What do your customers like and don’t like about your business, and how do they think you can improve? Engaging customers with creative surveys is one of the lowest-cost and most effective ways of determining the specifics of what you should and shouldn’t change about your business.One of the most popular and effective ways to survey customers is to offer a special discount or service if they take your survey.Or even better – enter every customer that takes your survey into a raffle, and offer the chance to win a prize to the lucky winner.
  • Auditing Operational Functions: Trimming the fat off your business operations is a less fun idea than the last, but extremely effective in boosting efficiency and increasing your sales long-term. Take a close look at your employee and administrative functions. Are they operating at maximum efficiency? Does the time it takes to complete each task compliment the return on investment?In such a amazingly-profitable-yet-unpredictable economy, business owners in 2019 are keeping an  a close eye on how each and every business operation contributes to their revenue streams, and which operations they can cut to save thousands, which they can then relocate to other more profitable business ideas.
  • Car Charging Stations:  Don’t roll your eyes just yet! There are  many  benefits that car charging stations bring to businesses that offer them besides the obvious eco-friendly display of earthly compassion. Firstly, installing car charging stations isn’t as expensive as you might think, thanks to excellent government subsidies and grant offerings that help fund such projects. Secondly, installing even just one car charging station gives businesses an entire new stream of revenue.  Just like a gas station, customers will have to pay to charge their electric or hybrid cars, giving your business a boost in return!And that’s not all you’ll gain out of it – besides the  huge  reputation boost you’ll gain among your customers, you’ll also broaden your customer base, and even increase customer engagement! It takes a long time to charge a car.What will your customers do in the meantime? It’s very likely they’ll stop in your business for a visit while they wait, giving you a whole new opportunity to engage with new or returning customers.
  • Customer Loyalty Programs:  These programs are one of the most simple and effective ways of getting customers to keep coming back – and squash any thoughts they have of switching over to your competition! This is usually as simple as offering a punch card that customers can use each time they purchase a product or service. If they use it say, 10 times, they get a free or discounted product or service.The draw of this simple offer encourages customers to come back even more times than they would normally. And don’t worry – the increase in business will offset the cost of any special offer they’d receive many times over!
  • Tracking Industry Trends:  This will be extremely important in 2019. The economy is currently better than it has been in many years for small businesses – yet there’s no promise that this will be the case forever.In fact, leading experts predict that something close to a recession  will occur next year, due to similar problems with housing and the stock market that caused the crash in the early 2000’s.Tracking trending industry standards, procedures, policies and current events will be crucial  to your success in 2019. Prepare for the worst, and learn from your competitors’ mistakes – and adapt to the changing times in 2019 with confidence.
  • Focus on Building Culture:  There’s no limit to the amount of benefits cultivating a strong culture for your business can provide. Here’s 3: Firstly, it is a huge help with hiring the right employees. Take your time in determining the values and mission of your business, how you want your work environment to be, and the personality you want your customers to associate with your business.Potential hires that do not align with these qualities are easily weeded out, and provides a clear idea to employers as to what kind of person they want their employees to be.Secondly, a strong culture helps hiring employers attract attention away from the competition. These days, millennials aren’t driven so much by the amount of money they make, as they are the type of business they work for, their goals, and their dedication to helping customers in a meaningful way.This is partly due to a cultural shift in ideology, and partly due to the fact that with so many job openings available these days, millennials can afford to be a little extra “choosy.Thirdly, creating a consistent and strong culture brings amazing long-term benefits involving business-client relations. People feel more familiar and comfortable with a business that shows that it’s run by real people, with a real sense of humor, and a real passion for what they do.
  • Finding Your Social Media Personality:  NO business should be without a social media presence these days, no matter the industry! Social media is one of the lowest-cost, and most effective ways to build a larger following by broadcasting your brand, and engaging with a worldwide audience. Strengthening brand loyalty among customers is one of the greatest benefits that social media presence offers. In fact, a study conducted by SproutSocial recently reported that 75% of customers that follow a brand on social media platforms used their business because they saw it on social media first!
  • Saving on Taxes with 2018’s Tax Code 179:  Every business owner knows the incredible short and long-term benefits that come with new equipment. Faster speeds, greater efficiency, larger profits, and better customer service to name a few! With Trump’s new equipment tax code 179 in place, business owners that borrow to fund new equipment are saving   thousands. The new policies allow for borrowers to completely write off any equipment purchases made before January 1, 2019. Instead of paying out of pocket, borrowers are able to take full advantage of these policies by offsetting insurance costs with the enormous amount of money they will save on their 2018 return.So if you’d rather let the government pay for taxes on your equipment, NOW is the time to act. These policies are set to change in 2019! Explore our equipment financing page to explore how you can take advantage of the new tax code while you still can!  
  • Expanding Products or Services Offered:  With the exception of  very few  niche big-name corporations, nearly  all  businesses must be constantly adapting to the ever evolving changes in customer demand. There will always  be products and services that your customers would love for you to offer, that you don’t already. Can you find even one or two products your customers want that compliments what you already offer?Other than multiplying your revenue streams, breathing new life into your business, and expanding the audience you appeal to with the launch of each new product or service, your customers will greatly appreciate your business’s paying attention to their needs.
  • Exploring Low-Cost Marketing Channels:  How strong is your email marketing game? Are you using this  entirely free  platform to your advantage? These days, it’s hard to know which marketing channels will resonate with customers. Most minds turn to expensive marketing tactics, when in reality customers often respond best to lower-cost and even free platforms including email, social media, search engine optimization, and direct mailing.In 2019, don’t overlook the power of all the inexpensive ways you could be developing long-term relationships with new and old customers, and building a unique voice for your brand!

Need Help Getting Started?

Implementing even one of these changes to your business before or after the new year begins can be a huge challenge. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it can be a really fast and simple process!

As the nation’s #1 business growth company, National Business Capital offers all the financing and quality business services you need to get you started. Whether you need cash ASAP to accomplish a certain goal or blast through a challenging obstacle, NBC&S has the perfect low-cost small business loan or business line of credit to meet your needs.

And for those that are looking to streamline operations, increase sales, eliminate risk, and boost your business savings, National also offers an incredible variety of business services to get you growing faster, smarter, and easier!

Give us a call at (877) 482-3008  to ask a live Business Financing Advisor how we can get you prepared for 2019 the  right way,  with zero hassle, and always with your own best interest in mind.

Need Cash ASAP?

Thanks to National’s expedited and simplified funding process, you could get the cash you need to grow in as little as 24 hours.

All you need to do is fill out our free 1-minute application online , and we’ll do everything we can to get you the perfect funding option you need to grow,  exactly when you need it!

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top 10 business ideas in 2021

Künstliche Intelligenz in Unternehmen: Innovative Anwendungen in 50 erfolgreichen Firmen

Der Bestsellerautor und Geschäfts renommierter KI-Experte Bernard zeigt, wie sterben Technologie des maschinellen Lernens das von Unternehmen verändert. Das Buch bietet einen Überblick über einzelne Unternehmen, beschreibt das spezifische Problem und erklärt, wie KI die Lösung erleichtert. Jede Fallstudie bietet einen umfassenden Einblick, der einige technische Details wichtige Lernzusammenfassungen enthält. Marrs Buch ist eine aufschlussreiche und informative Untersuchung der transformativen Kraft der Technologie in der Wirtschaft des 21. Jahrhunderts.

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Bernard Marr

Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer and thought leader in the fields of business and technology, with a passion for using technology for the good of humanity. He is a best-selling author of over 20 books, writes a regular column for Forbes and advises and coaches many of the world’s best-known organisations. He has a combined following of 4 million people across his social media channels and newsletters and was ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top 5 business influencers in the world.

Bernard’s latest books are ‘Future Skills’, ‘The Future Internet’, ‘Business Trends in Practice’ and ‘ Generative AI in Practice ’.

Generative AI Book Launch

Bernard Marr ist ein weltbekannter Futurist, Influencer und Vordenker in den Bereichen Wirtschaft und Technologie mit einer Leidenschaft für den Einsatz von Technologie zum Wohle der Menschheit. Er ist Bestsellerautor von 20 Büchern, schreibt eine regelmäßige Kolumne für Forbes und berät und coacht viele der weltweit bekanntesten Organisationen. Er hat über 2 Millionen Social-Media-Follower, 1 Million Newsletter-Abonnenten und wurde von LinkedIn als einer der Top-5-Business-Influencer der Welt und von Xing als Top Mind 2021 ausgezeichnet.

Bernards neueste Bücher sind ‘Künstliche Intelligenz im Unternehmen: Innovative Anwendungen in 50 Erfolgreichen Unternehmen’

The 10 Biggest Business Trends For 2021 Everyone Must Be Ready For

2 July 2021

While there are many who can’t wait to bid adieu to 2020, there’s no doubt the coronavirus pandemic and the ways businesses had to adjust to ensure their survival changed the trajectory of what 2021 will look like and what businesses should do to get ready for the upcoming year. As a futurist, I help companies understand the latest trends and technologies and offer guidance on how to prepare their businesses for them. Here are the top 10 trends that will drive every business in 2021. I believe every business around the world needs to be ready for these trends.

top 10 business ideas in 2021

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Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer and thought leader in the fields of business and technology, with a passion for using technology for the good of humanity.

He is a best-selling author of over 20 books, writes a regular column for Forbes and advises and coaches many of the world’s best-known organisations.

He has a combined following of 4 million people across his social media channels and newsletters and was ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top 5 business influencers in the world.

Bernard’s latest book is ‘ Generative AI in Practice ’.

Social Media

26 Great Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs

Table of contents.

Tejas Vemparala headshot

If you are thinking about starting a business , you should be considering whether your idea fills a need in the way people live their lives and approach their work. If you can identify an unmet need and a target market, then you might just have a business idea with legs. But how can you come up with a good small business idea in the first place? This list of business ideas includes 26 great types of business to help you find success.

Starting a business is a lot of work, but we’re here to help! Check out our useful resources for everything you need to successfully build your business from the ground up.

  • How To Start A Business: Step By Step
  • 11 Things To Do Before Starting A Business
  • Tax and Business Forms You’ll Need To Start A Business
  • Startup Costs: How Much Cash Will You Need?
  • 20 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting A Business

26 great small business ideas

This list of 26 great business ideas will help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey. Note that many of the ideas below only require you to have a credit card processing partner to get started, so you can keep upfront expenses relatively low.

Read on for some inspiration into the many types of businesses that could launch you to success.

1. Online reselling

Online reselling

If you’re interested in clothing and sales, you might consider starting an online reseller business . Although it takes time, dedication and an eye for fashion, you can start your business as a side hustle and turn it into a full-time resale business. You could start by using online store websites like Poshmark and Mercari to sell your unwanted clothing and items, then expand to your own resale website.

Consider shopping estate sales and flea markets for hidden finds at a low cost and then listing them for a profit online. You may be able to collect a substantial inventory of items that are in good shape for very little overhead if you’re diligent enough and search the right places.

2. Pet sitting

pet sitting

About 70% of U.S. families have a pet . When these families go away for extended periods, your pet-sitting small business can give them peace of mind. As a pet sitter, you’ll watch over your clients’ dogs, cats or other pets at their house. As part of the job, you’ll need to feed them, give them water, play with them, and (with dogs) walk them as needed. To help keep clients satisfied, you’ll need to regularly update them on how their pets are doing.

If you have other sources of income that require nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop, pet sitting may be an especially apt small business idea. Almost all pet owners will be glad to let you work on your laptop while you spend time at their home with their pets, meaning that you can run two income streams simultaneously.

3. T-shirt printing

t-shirt printing

If you have a sense of fashion (or humor), you might enjoy launching a T-shirt printing business. You can also license someone else’s designs and screenprint them onto a blank tee. Either way, if you have space for a T-shirt printing setup, you can easily acquire the necessary tools to get started.

T-shirt printing can be a great e-commerce business. You can allow customers to place online orders and sell T-shirts in bulk. This way, you can sell to customers around the country and even the world.

4. Cleaning service

cleaning service

If you like to clean, you can easily turn that into a business. With a few staff members, a host of cleaning supplies and transportation, you can offer cleaning services to homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial properties. Most cleaning services charge $25 to $50 per hour. Cleaning services are straightforward businesses that require relatively little overhead; you simply need planning, dedication and marketing to attract customers.

If you’re looking to differentiate yourself from other cleaning services, consider adding premium options like floor waxing or exterior power-washing for an additional fee. These services could be the deciding factor between your new cleaning service and seasoned companies that maintain too large a client list to provide that level of cleaning.

5. Online teaching

online teaching

The demand for online education has opened up possibilities for entrepreneurs. Since this is an online venture, you can choose any subject you know about and teach a course regardless of location. If you don’t have advanced knowledge in any particular subject, consider teaching English as a foreign language online to students overseas.

6. Online bookkeeping

Online bookkeeping

As with education, technology allows many bookkeeping services to be performed online. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper who wants the freedom and autonomy of running your own business, take advantage of modern technology to start your own online bookkeeping service.

7. Consulting

consulting

If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a specific topic (like business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership or communication), consulting can be a lucrative option. You can start a consulting business on your own, then grow your business and hire other consultants over time.

8. Medical courier service

Medical courier

If you have a reliable vehicle and good time management skills, consider creating your own courier service – more specifically, a medical courier service. As a driver, you would be responsible for transporting medical items like lab specimens, prescription drugs and equipment. You could start your courier business on your own or hire other drivers to work for you.

The healthcare industry is expanding , which is a good sign for medical courier service job stability. There’s a wide range of client groups your business can serve, including hospitals, nursing homes, labs and private practices.

9. App development

app development

If you are knowledgeable and experienced in technology, you may want to consider a career in app development. Smartphones are an everyday accessory for many Americans that has increased the demand for mobile apps. Similarly, virtual reality software has become popular in recent years, so there is also a demand for VR app development. 

10. Transcription service

transcription service

If you have a good ear and can type quickly, a transcription service would allow you to work from home with a flexible schedule. Medical transcription services are especially needed as voice recognition technology proliferates for healthcare provider dictation. 

You can accept as few or as many transcription jobs as you’d like. This flexibility can be especially beneficial if you’re not looking to start all at once or if you have a day job you would like to keep for now. To boost your business prospects and justify charging more, consider becoming a certified transcriptionist and delving into a few specialties.

Medical transcriptionists typically charge 6 to 14 cents per line of transcription, which adds up quickly. The typical turnaround time for transcription work is 24 hours, so it’s important to stay on top of the jobs you accept. However, the ability to accept only a few requests at first means you can scale up as you are ready. Best of all, there is very little startup cost and overhead. You only need a computer, the appropriate software and a secure messaging service.

While not required, a medical transcription license can increase your business’s competitive advantage while expanding your customer base to include larger companies. Some service providers prefer that their transcriptionists have training from a certified program.

11. Professional organizing

professional organizing

Looking for a small business idea that can really spark joy? Professional organizers, like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and minimize for a living. In an age of materialism, many people are desperate to downsize and take control over their possessions. Minimalism is becoming extremely popular, but people often find it hard to part with things they’ve owned for a long time. Part of being a professional organizer is helping clients develop a system for downsizing.

If you’re a highly organized person who enjoys making spaces functional and comfortable, you might be good at coaching others to do the same. People will pay you to help them devise a method of minimizing their possessions and maintaining an organized space. To promote your business, ask if your clients will let you take before-and-after photos of the areas of their homes you’ve organized. If so, you can use those to create a portfolio that you can put on social media to attract more clients.

12. Freelance copywriting or content writing

freelance copywriting

If you’re a natural wordsmith with a bit of marketing knowledge, you can establish yourself as a freelance copywriter or content writer. Whether you write blogs, web content or press releases, plenty of companies will pay for your services. Increase your value by using SEO knowledge to help clients craft a strategy around specific keywords that their target audience is already using in their online searches.

Freelance copywriting is a great business to run because as long as you have an internet connection, you can work. It’s a business that you can operate from the comfort of your own home or even from the road if you travel. If you establish a large enough network and gain referrals from satisfied clients, you could even make freelance writing your full-time job .

13. Home care service

home care

A background in care and hospitality can go a long way to support housebound seniors who require in-home care. It’s also a service for which demand is only going to grow. According to the Population Reference Bureau, between 2020 and 2060, the 85-and-over population is projected to triple from 6.7 million to 19 million. The global number of centenarians (those over age 100) has already reached nearly 600,000. Many will need care and assistance, often in their own homes.

Luckily, you don’t need a background in healthcare to help seniors and grow a successful business at the same time, although those skills will be in demand as well. Many seniors need help with all kinds of tasks, like errands or repairs around the house. With some experience, you could consider growing your business to help seniors transition from their homes to assisted living facilities, offering services such as packing, transporting, setting up, or storing their furniture and possessions.

Senior home care is a rapidly growing industry. As a senior care provider, you can tap into this market while offering seniors premium care and assisting them with everyday tasks.

14. Translation service

translation service

According to research from IBISWorld, the translation services industry saw a decline in 2020, as did many industries; however, IBISWorld forecasts a “major uptick” for the industry over the next five years. That projected growth isn’t surprising, as the internet has opened up entrepreneurs in other countries to English-speaking markets, and vice versa.

This trend has created an opening for multilingual speakers to offer specific services, such as document translation and the translation of website information into languages for use in other markets. If you’re fluent in multiple languages, you could be successful in carving out a niche in the translation services industry.

15. Digital marketing

digital marketing

The importance of the internet grows with every passing day, but it also becomes harder for businesses to cut through the online clutter and properly market themselves. Digital marketing services are always in demand. Yet, many small and midsize companies would rather outsource them than establish a costly in-house team. If you have chops in SEO, content marketing, pay-per-click advertising, web development or social media management, you could seize a business opportunity that allows you the freedom to work from home.

Digital marketing is an important part of any brand, so you’ll need to respond to developments in your clients’ marketing strategies. Social media management entails watching for comments and messages around the clock, not just scheduling posts with a set-it-and-forget-it mindset. If you enjoy strategizing and implementing marketing plans meticulously, digital marketing could be the right business for you. You may also consider becoming an affiliate marketer, which is another form of digital marketing.

16. Owning a food truck

food truck

Food trucks come in all shapes and sizes, serving up a wide range of snacks and cuisines. Take your favorite style of food on the road, and sell your culinary passions directly to hungry customers. Sure, you’ll be working, but you’ll be in a space you’re passionate about, with a chance to connect to people who have similar interests. 

Starting a food truck is a great small business idea for entrepreneurs with a taste for the culinary. The overhead and upkeep for a truck is significantly less than for a restaurant, and you have the added benefit of mobility. [Check out our recommendations for POS systems for your food truck.]

Starting a food truck business can be profitable. However, there are some startup costs to consider, such as purchasing a food truck and modifying it to meet local regulations. If you’re interested in serving up smiles with a food truck, get more information in our guide to starting a food truck business .

17. Lawn care service

lawn service

If you grew up with a lawn, chances are your parents made you maintain it. For many, lawn care is bothersome, but for some it offers a sense of peace and serenity. Working outdoors with your hands to tame and beautify the natural landscape can be a rewarding experience, but since so many people find the work tedious, it can also be profitable.

Lawn care services require little more than some basic equipment, a trailer and perhaps some staff, depending on how many clients you have and how big the jobs are. You can grow a small lawn care service into a full landscaping company by offering premium services and establishing a reputation as a brand that does a thorough job with a smile. If you like working outdoors and creating elegant landscapes, this could be the business for you.

Some states require landscapers, especially those using pesticides, to have a license. Check your state’s requirements to help you determine if you need to obtain a license for your business’s services.

18. Rideshare driving

rideshare driving

If starting your own business seems daunting or too much of a risk, you can always use your car to become a rideshare driver. The overhead and responsibility of running the company fall on the rideshare service, giving you the freedom to work as much or as little as you want. Rideshare applications such as Uber and Lyft allow people to start side hustles that pay well and require little more than a willingness to drive people to their destinations and make occasional friendly conversation.

Rideshare drivers have the independence of a small business owner without the heavy workload required to manage behind-the-scenes logistics. If any of the other business ideas seem to require too much effort or upfront capital, ridesharing might be the way to dip your toe into the world of entrepreneurship.

19. Real estate

real estate

For many people, navigating the housing market is overwhelming. As a real estate agent, you can help people find their dream home at a price that fits their budget. In many states, you only need to complete a few months of classes and pass an exam to qualify as a real estate agent. Keep in mind that even with a certification, you’ll need strong social skills, so if you’re not a people person, this might not be the route for you. [Read related article: How to Become a Real Estate Agent ]

20. Graphic design

graphic design

Corporations, small businesses and sole proprietors all need eye-catching promotional materials, but not everybody has an eye for what looks good. If you have an artistic streak and know how to organize content into a visually pleasing format, start a graphic design business to provide flyers, digital ads, posters and other engaging visual materials. Graphic design requires few physical tools beyond a laptop and a desk.

21. Dropshipping

dropshipping

Not all companies that sell goods store them on-site. In drop-shipping, people who run e-commerce sites go to a third party to fulfill all orders. The third party is likely a wholesale retailer or other entity that runs a warehouse and shipping operation. The minimal inventory and tools needed for drop-shipping make it an especially great startup idea if you’re worried about overhead costs and physical space.

22. Personal training

If the gym is like your second home, you might want to share some of your expertise and help others reach their fitness goals. As a personal trainer, you can offer in-home training sessions that cater to each of your clients’ exercise capabilities. You can also help clients build customized nutrition and meal plans so their diets complement their physical goals.

Many personal trainers start their client acquisition process with social media pages that detail their experience in the gym along with some motivational quotes. While a certification can help expand your customer base, you aren’t legally required to have any specialized training to start this type of business.

23. Resume writing

People are always applying for jobs, whether they want to make a career shift, increase their pay or switch work environments. Of course, most job applications require candidates to submit resumes to detail their professional background. As a resume writer, you can help job applicants’ resumes stand out from their competition.

You’ll also help your clients create cover letters and portfolios that show off the best of their work. Plus, you don’t need any special schooling to be a resume writer – just some basic organizing and proofreading skills. If you know what makes resumes appear professional and ready for employers’ eyes, you’re already off to a great start.

24. Host a podcast

Podcasts have become extremely popular, with more than 100 million active podcast listeners in the U.S. alone. Best of all, you can start a podcast on any topic that interests you, from business to history to pop culture and more. Starting a podcast requires consistency and dedication, as well as a basic understanding of audio editing (and video editing if you want to start a companion YouTube channel for subscribers to follow).

Once your podcast has built up a substantial following, you can sell time to advertisers or establish partnerships with companies that generate revenue. As your brand expands further, you may even be able to charge to speak at events or moderate panels on topics your podcast focuses on. Of course, in order to get to that level, you need to come up with a unique small business idea that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about, and then make sure you can relate to your target audience . 

25. Launch a newsletter

If podcasts aren’t your thing but you like the idea behind building a robust list of subscribers and then selling space to advertisers and partners, consider creating an email newsletter. More than 90% of Americans subscribe to email newsletters . This means if you can capture the attention of a particular audience, you could build a substantial following and monetize it. 

To do so, come up with an umbrella topic you can write about at length, and then work to establish a brand voice and mission. Explore the best email marketing software that can help you manage your subscriber list and email sends, and then you’re ready to get started. Solicit feedback from your audience over time to give them more of what they want and less of what they don’t. After all, their continued engagement with your newsletter is what will help you build it into a successful business. 

26. Event catering

Do you have a passion for the culinary arts? If so, event catering may be a great business idea for you. There’s no shortage of people who need delicious food to serve their guests, whether that’s at parties, weddings, fundraisers, or family reunions. If you have a knack for cooking or baking and love to serve hungry guests, event catering could be a fun and lucrative way to do just that.

To get started, you’ll need to set up a menu and price sheet, as well as obtain all necessary permits and licenses. Start small to get the word out about your catering service, but when your food speaks for itself don’t be surprised if your business grows by leaps and bounds through word of mouth alone.

What are the most successful small businesses?

Small businesses that involve website design, a subset of digital marketing, are among those that make the most sales and bring in the most profit. People learn about businesses on the internet more often than via other avenues, so finding clients and a steady income stream isn’t as difficult. Cleaning services and real estate businesses also have high success rates, which makes sense – all people need homes, and they prefer them to be clean.

Some of the most profitable business ideas are website design, cleaning services and real estate.

What would be a good small business to start?

If you want to maximize your profit while minimizing your workload, try any of the small business ideas that most frequently prove successful. However, if you’re more interested in pursuing your passions while earning enough money to live, start a small business that fulfills you, requires you to use your skills and offers you a good work-life balance . There are so many great business ideas – and you know better than anyone what small business ideas will bring you happiness, success and stability.

How can I start my own business with no money?

You don’t need money to become a small business owner. The first step in starting a business with no money is to keep your current job and launch your small business as a side pursuit at first. Then, develop your business plan and analyze your consumer base, market and potential challenges. 

Near the final stages of planning, you’ll better understand how much money you need to make your business a full-time job. You can find this money through crowdfunding platforms and investors . Consider taking out a business loan only as a last resort.

You should also work with reliable professionals, including an attorney and an accountant. Most of the businesses on this list require particular permits or licenses, and legal counsel can help you make sure you do it all by the book. Meanwhile, an accountant is critical for managing finances properly, especially in the early days when you’re still establishing your revenue stream. While these professionals represent an upfront cost, they’re well worth it and can help you build a healthy business.

Choose a small business idea with low startup costs. If you still don’t have enough money, finance your business idea through crowdfunding or investors.

How do I start a small business from home?

Home-based businesses tend to be the most convenient and manageable ones. That said, not all great business ideas are suited for home offices, so make sure your business can be conducted from home – jobs with on-site needs and heavy in-person demands might not be suitable. In your business plan and budget, incorporate any office supplies and tools that make your online business ideas feasible, such as a separate business computer, a suitable desk, high-speed internet, filing cabinets and a business website.

What makes for a good work-from-home small business idea?

A good work-from-home small business idea boasts the following traits:

  • Minimal inventory and supplies: Presumably, your home isn’t a mansion (yet), and you have only so much space in which to store inventory and supplies. That means lawn care service is probably a no-go if you’re looking to work from home. The same might be true for T-shirt printing if you don’t have space to store your prints. Copywriting and graphic design, on the other hand, require little more than a laptop and a working internet connection, and you probably already have those.
  • Low startup costs : A viable work-from-home business shouldn’t cost much to launch. With minimal storage space, it’s not like you can pile up raw materials and inventory. You might need to buy some software or obtain licensure for certain small business ideas, but your financial obstacles should be few and far between.
  • Computer-based, online work: Many of the above small business ideas require the use of a computer with an internet connection. Drop-shipping, digital marketing and translation are all great examples. An exception to the rule is pet- sitting if you watch over pets at your house rather than the owner’s home. Then, all you need is a pair of watchful eyes and open ears. You can even do computer-based work while watching the pets.
  • Flexible schedule: Traditional office jobs often demand a rigid 9-to-5 schedule from employees. This schedule can feel less important to adhere to if you’re working from home , especially when you’re your own boss. As such, the best work-from-home small business ideas allow for a flexible schedule. If you do your best app development work at 3 a.m., who’s to stop you?
  • Modest collaboration needs: Although remote team collaboration is easy to achieve, working from home goes more smoothly when you’re almost fully independent. A small business in which you answer to just a handful of clients and one or two colleagues (if any) leads to greater independence. Then you can truly work on your own terms and see your small business idea through to full fruition.

What is the step-by-step process for starting a business?

Starting a business takes work, but with the right tools and guidelines, your company will be up and running in no time. Although your specific business journey will be unique to you, we identified a few steps that entrepreneurs can take to start their businesses.

  • Choose a business idea and find your niche
  • Analyze the current market
  • Create a business plan
  • Assess your finances and raise money as needed
  • Determine your legal business structure
  • Register your business with the government and IRS
  • Choose the appropriate business insurance policies
  • Hire employees and build your team
  • Choose your vendors
  • Market and advertise your business

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10 Profitable Home Business Ideas to Make Money From Home (2024)

Looking for work-from-home business ideas? Good idea.

Renting commercial real estate, warehousing, or office space can put massive financial strain on a new business. In contrast, many home business opportunities are quick and easy to start.

But there are so many home-based business ideas out there — which one should you consider?

Some work-from-home business ideas require an upfront investment to get the ball rolling — and some require just $39. Also, some home-based businesses are easier to start if you can turn a spare bedroom into an office or workshop — others are easy to run from your dining table.

So, what's the best work-from-home business idea for you? In this article, we'll explore 10 of the best home business ideas that you can start quickly and easily.

(Disclosure: This website is a part of Shopify inc. media properties. Although we strive to publish objective, accurate, and factual content, this article may contain biased opinions.)

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10 Profitable Home Business Ideas You Can Start Today

While there are countless ways to start a home-based business, here are 10 of the most approachable home business ideas to consider:

  • Sell handmade products
  • Purchase products in bulk and sell them online
  • Start a dropshipping business
  • Start a print-on-demand business
  • Purchase an existing ecommerce business
  • Start a subscription box business
  • Teach online classes
  • Start a service-based business
  • Sell digital products online
  • Build an online following that you can monetize

1. Sell Handmade Products

Do you love to create things at home? If you love crafts or art, why not sell your handcrafted products online? For example, you could:

→ Click Here to Launch Your Online Business with Shopify

  • Make candles
  • Create jewelry
  • Create pieces of art
  • Make homemade food
  • Design and sew clothing
  • Knit clothes and blankets
  • Craft wooden furniture

Whatever you like to create, selling handmade products is a great way to turn a passion into a work-from-home business opportunity.

There are two main ways to start selling handmade products online:

  • Sell through a marketplace such as Etsy
  • Create your own online store using a platform like Shopify

That said, you could also sell via both channels with Shopify's Etsy integration .

If this home business idea has caught your eye, start by writing a list of everything you could create. Then, do some online research to see what other people are selling.

2. Start a Dropshipping Business From Home

If you like the idea of running an online store, but you're not sure what to sell, consider starting a dropshipping business from home. Plus, this is a home business idea with low startup costs.

Dropshipping is a type of ecommerce in which sellers don't need to purchase or store the products they sell. Instead, sellers partner with dropshipping suppliers who manage the inventory and ship products directly to customers on the seller's behalf.

Check out the image below to see the dropshipping business model in action:

Pretty cool, right?

The best part is that starting a dropshipping business from home is as easy as 1-2-3 thanks to dropshipping apps like DSers .

Here's why: You can use DSers to start selling dropshipped products online today — just sign up for Shopify , install the Dsers app , and search for products to add to your store.

3. Start a Print-on-Demand Business From Home

Similarly, if you like to create art and eye-catching designs but don't want to make products yourself, you could start a print-on-demand business from home.

Print-on-demand is a type of dropshipping in which you can sell products that are customized with your designs, such as:

  • Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, leggings, yoga pants, etc.
  • Footwear: Sneakers, boots, flip flops, etc.
  • Accessories: Jewelry, watches, phone covers, bags, bottles, face masks, notebooks, stationery, etc.
  • Homeware: Mugs, towels, bedsheets, cushions, blankets, throws, etc.
  • Art: posters, wall hangings, stickers, magnets, etc.
  • Electronics: Headphones, speakers, etc.

Check out some common print-on-demand products in the image below from Printful :

To start this work-from-home business idea, sign up for a Shopify account and choose a print-on-demand app to install , such as:

4. Purchase Products in Bulk and Sell Them Online

Another way to sell products online is to buy products in bulk — also known as 'wholesale' — and sell them individually. 

When you purchase products in bulk, you can get a lower cost-per-unit than if you buy them individually. Then, when selling the products one-by-one, you're able to increase the prices to create a profit margin.

So, where can you buy fantastic goods in bulk?

Start by researching products on business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce marketplaces like Alibaba and DHgate.com .

You can then create an online store with Shopify to sell your products to consumers.

Plus, instead of selling products individually to consumers, you could also purchase products in bulk and sell them to retailers in smaller quantities — this is called wholesaling.

5. Purchase An Existing Ecommerce Business

If you don't have the time — or the inclination — to set up a home-based business from scratch, you could always buy an existing home business opportunity via the Exchange marketplace .

This website facilitates the sale of ecommerce businesses in a range of niches. Plus, you can buy an established business or a relatively new business.

This may sound pretty complicated at first, but in practice, it's pretty straightforward.

Start by browsing the home business opportunities listed on Exchange. When you find a business you like, consider reaching out to the buyer to find out more information. Then, if you decide to purchase the business, Exchange will facilitate the… well, exchange.

On the other hand, if you want to start businesses but you're not interested in growing them to their full potential, you could create and sell ecommerce businesses on Exchange. 

It's also possible to 'flip' businesses — or to put it another way, buy a business, improve it, and then sell it for a profit.

6. Start a Subscription Box Business From Home

Why sell one product at a time when you can sell a bundle of products every month to the same person? This is what subscription box businesses like Birchbox do. 

Plus, Google Trends shows how interest in subscription boxes has boomed in recent years:

This home business idea is a fantastic way to grow a sustainable income, thanks to the recurring revenue generated by ongoing purchases.

You can sell almost anything as a subscription box, too, such as:

  • Fashion accessories
  • Indie records
  • Homeware and kitchen gadgets
  • Information products (such as up-to-date industry reports)
  • Food, such as snacks or sauces

What's more, you don't necessarily have to sell products — you could also rent them. For example, Haverdash rents clothes.

To get started with this home business idea, sign up for Shopify and use the built-in subscription management tools. 

7. Teach Online

If you have in-demand skills or knowledge and a talent for teaching, consider sharing your knowledge via online video calls

Popular subjects taught online include languages, maths, science, and business. But there are no limits to what you can teach, so you could also teach things like music, sewing, or even DIY!

According to PayScale , most online teachers earn between $10.18 and $39.87 per hour, depending on their level of experience.

There are countless online teaching marketplaces that will help you to connect with students and manage your classes, such as:

Plus, there are plenty of feature-rich online teaching platforms to help you create incredible virtual learning experiences, such as:

8. Start a Service-Based Business From Home

The need for digital services is rampant — from designers and developers to digital marketers and doodlers, there's a need for virtually every talent.

If you're wondering what service you can offer, here are 20 service-based home business opportunities to consider:

  • Graphic designer
  • Web designer
  • Transcriber
  • Marketing writer
  • Resume writer
  • Photo or video editor
  • Social media manager
  • Digital advertising manager
  • Data entry clerk
  • Virtual assistant
  • Career coach
  • Marketing consultant
  • Management consultant
  • Finance consultant
  • Calligrapher

Some of these home business ideas offer more income potential than others. So, make sure to do your research to choose the right service-based home business idea for you.

To get started, consider signing up to a freelance marketplace like People Per Hour , Upwork , or Fiverr .

You could also create a website and then find clients independently by networking and pitching.

9. Sell Digital Products Online

If you've mastered a particular skill or subject and don't want to teach online or provide a service, you could package your knowledge and experience in a digital product.

Selling digital products is a fantastic home business idea because — like dropshipping — there's no need to source or manage inventory or ship products to customers. Plus, once you've created a digital product, it doesn't cost anything to replicate.

So, what types of digital products can you sell? Here are 20 to consider:

  • Written templates (résumés, scripts, marketing emails, etc.)
  • Spreadsheets
  • Illustrations
  • Graphic templates
  • Editing presets (for videos, images, or audio)
  • Online tools
  • Membership sites
  • Audio (music, samples, podcasts, etc.)
  • Research (statistics, reports, etc.)

For example, Gabriella and Andrew Morrison sell courses and house plans to help people build tiny houses on their website Tiny House Build .

10. Build An Online Following That You Can Monetize

If you love creating content, you could build an online following around a particular topic or niche and monetize your audience.

If you're interested in this home business idea, you need to choose a way to build an audience. Now, there are many ways to create a following online — for example, you could:

  • Grow an Instagram following
  • Build a YouTube audience
  • Create a blog and grow your readership
  • Grow a Twitch following
  • Build a TikTok following

Once you have a relatively large following or plenty of website traffic, how can you make money? In essence, there are three ways to monetize an online audience:

  • Brand sponsorships: Get paid to promote a company's products (also known as ' influencer marketing .'
  • Affiliate marketing: Promote a company's products or services and earn a commission.
  • Sell products: Create and sell physical or digital products to your audience.

For example, Adam Enfroy built a blog that reviews many software products. In the image below, you can see his blog post reviewing the Shopify platform:

This blog post contains Adam's affiliate link to Shopify . As a result, whenever someone reads the post, clicks the affiliate link, and signs up for Shopify, Adam will receive a small sales commission.

FAQs About Home Business Ideas

  • How do I start a small home business?

Wondering how to start a small home business? Here are 8 steps to starting an online business:

  • Choose an online business model that suits your business
  • Identify your target market
  • Identify the problem that your business is solving
  • Know your competitors and how you are different from them
  • Choose a sourcing strategy that your customers will love
  • Set up your payment system so you can get paid 
  • Test your business idea in the simplest way possible
  • Create your marketing strategy to start promoting your business
  • How do I make money from home business ideas?

There are many ways that online home business ideas make money. You could charge per product, create subscriptions, build affiliate links, and so much more. Once you have decided your business model you can start brainstorming the exact home business idea for you and get started.

Choose A Home-Based Business Idea and Get Started Today 

There are tons of profitable home business ideas out there to choose from. So, if you're wondering, "What business can I start from home?" Here are 10 of the best home-based businesses to consider:

  • Sell products you make at home online
  • Start dropshipping products with Dsers
  • Sell print-on-demand products
  • Buy products in bulk and sell them online
  • Purchase an existing business on Exchange
  • Sell subscription boxes
  • Teach online
  • Sell digital products
  • Build and monetize an online following

When deciding which home business opportunity to pursue, try to capitalize on any skills and experience you have — and consider following your interests or passions.

Which home business idea has caught your eye? Let us know in the comments below!

Want to Learn More?

  • How to Use Shopify: A Quick and Easy Shopify Tutorial for Beginners
  • What is Dropshipping: Things You Need To Know Before Getting Started
  • Shopify Pricing Plans: Which Shopify Plan is Best For Me?
  • Do You Have an Entrepreneurial Spirit? Find Out Here (With Quotes)

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50 Business Ideas for New Entrepreneurs in 2024

Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported, which means we earn commissions from links on Digital. Commissions do not affect our editorial evaluations or opinions.

Technology has made starting your own small business easy, affordable, and possible. All you need to start a company online is an internet connection, web hosting , and a  domain name . The biggest challenge, however, is coming up with a viable and unique small business idea.

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Ideally, the perfect small business idea for you fulfills three important criteria:

  • An activity you like doing
  • Something you are good at
  • Something in demand (i.e., people would pay for)

To help get you get started, we’ve come up with a list of online and offline business ideas that are easy to start. We have categorized each idea as follows:

  • Business type–is it an online or offline opportunity?
  • Investment–how much does it cost to start?
  • Earning potential–how much can you realistically earn?

We also indicate which ideas are well-suited to stay-at-home parents, undergraduate students, and those under 18.

Business to Business (B2B) Service Ideas

1. online bookkeeping.

Like many other professions, bookkeeping has gone online. This is great news for many bookkeepers and accountants who feel trapped in the office environment and long for more personal freedom and the ability to work during their own hours.

With easy-to-use  accounting software  and appointment-setting tools available, it’s never been easier to set up and manage client accounts.

  • Business type: Online
  • Investment: Low investment ⬇︎
  • Potential: Low value ⬇︎
  • Good for: Stay at home parents ✔

2. Business broker

A business broker assists the transaction between buyers and sellers. They must have adequate training and comprehensive knowledge of business law and standard practices in their respective industry. Business brokers are rewarded with commissions for the sales they make.

  • Potential: High value ⬆︎
  • Good for: Undergraduate students ✔

3. Office space rental

Office sharing is a booming industry largely driven by the needs of young entrepreneurs creating the next Google or Amazon.

If you already own a suitable property, you will only have to bear relatively low startup costs. However, this is a substantial investment if you don’t already have suitable property.

  • Business type: Offline
  • Investment: High investment ⬆︎

4. Language translation

Despite the impressive advancements of machine translation, the  demand  for skilled translators is still high value and will probably remain so for quite some time.

You can start looking for work on platforms such as  Fiverr  or  Upwork  and slowly build your clientele. It’s also a good idea to directly contact popular bloggers or a freelance writing business and ask if they would consider having their blog work translated into another language.

  • Good for: Stay at home parents ✔ undergraduate students ✔

5. Importing electronic original equipment manufacturer gadgets

If you look at top-selling items on  Amazon or eBay , you will probably notice many are imported. The formula is fairly simple: purchase your initial inventory, create a brand, and then  market and advertise your products online .

You can even use  dropshipping  or Amazon fulfillment services to do the whole thing and increase your average order value without a physical warehouse.

  • Business type: Online/offline
  • Good for: Stay at home parents ✔ undergraduate students ✔ kids and teens ✔

6. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketers promote products made by other people and then earn commissions on their sales. Amazon is easy to get accepted into and currently the most popular platform for affiliate marketing, but there are many alternatives as well. Affiliate marketing is often combined with blogging to create a seamless mix of content and promotion.

7. Data analyst consulting

With  the rise of big data , an increasing number of companies need to make sense of heaps of information to adjust overall business strategies. A data analyst has the technical expertise to do this and often has a background in economics, mathematics, or finance.

Data analysts  who work for large international corporations can earn more than enough money to support extravagant lifestyles.

8. Niche interest website owner

New trends start every day, and some become pop culture sensations. Your job as a niche website owner is to capture the market before it gets too saturated.

Creating a niche-interest website ( using WordPress ) will allow you to secure your place on the top of search engines, resulting in thousands of daily visitors. Using a tool like  StudioPress  can make this even easier. Blogging will grow your audience.

Ready to begin? Step one is choosing the right host.  Bluehost our top recommendation for most because of it’s affordable price point, beginner-friendly onboarding process, and any time customer support.

  • Potential: High value ⬆

9. Search engine optimization consultant

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an absolute necessity for anyone who wants to be relevant on the web.

A capable  SEO consultant  can turn a dying business into a prosperous operation in a matter of months. The best SEO professionals can earn as much as seasoned software developers.

10. Business incubator

The role of a  business incubator  is to help new companies and startups plan and begin small businesses successfully. A typical business incubator will provide clients with management training, office space, high-speed internet connectivity, and other necessities.

You don’t have to think too big – being a small,  local incubator  can be the perfect place to start.

Arts and Media Business Ideas

11. self-publishing.

Some self-published authors earn as much as  $100,000 yearly . You can achieve the same kind of success — and all you need is a few freely available tools and the ability to write a compelling book that will sell.

You don’t have to earn six figures to succeed with self-publishing. Just a few hundred extra dollars every month can go a long way. Many self-publishers begin with freelance writing or a simple website, relying on web hosts like Bluehost  to get started.

12. Social media consultant

This business is ideal for someone who knows how to use social media to obtain business objectives. You can specialize (e.g., in running  ads on Facebook and other social media platforms) , or be a generalist social media manager who can navigate LinkedIn, Snapchat stories, Twitter, and more accounts.  Social media tools  make this management easier.

While some social media consultants can earn big bucks, most can only manage to earn an  average wage .

13. Content writer

Businesses of all sizes embrace  content marketing  as their primary way of attracting customers and establishing their position as market leaders.

A content writer should be able to digest complex topics and turn them into engaging posts quickly and well-optimized for search engines. As such, it’s great for people who know a little bit about everything.

14. Podcasting

Podcasting is a fantastic way to make a few bucks on the side for anyone who deals with interesting or niche topics suitable for this format. There are already dozens of entrepreneur and business-focused podcasts out there.

Do you like video games or ethnic music? Interested in startups and entrepreneurship? Plenty of people would look forward to hearing your show on their way to work or school. Check out our full guide on how to start a business podcast to learn more about the process.

15. Blogging

Blogging is still alive and thriving. While it’s technically free to get started, you’ll have to be patient: it will take a while to get exposure and grow your audience. These days, the competition is fierce. Good knowledge of SEO is essential, as is the ability to create excellent content.

For anyone serious about starting, growing, and monetizing a blog, we recommend Bluehost + WordPress as the best place to get started. It’s easy to use, affordable, and flexible to match your needs & skills as you grow.

16. On-demand/streaming video content

PewDiePie is one of the biggest YouTube stars with over 111 million subscribers. His journey to stardom started in his room with a humble webcam and one simple  Let’s Play  video, which he does to this day.

Beyond live game streaming, there are still vast, unexplored seas filled with  opportunities  for anyone on YouTube who dares to go after them.

17. Handmade goods

If you are a crafty person, look at  Etsy , the largest online market for homemade and vintage goods.

You will find an amazing mix of leather wallets, lamps made from river wood, unique hand-printed t-shirts, jewelry, organic soup, and countless other things.  Top sellers  often expand beyond the platform, creating their own brands and opening stores across the globe.

Keep in mind you can sell your products on more than one site, including your own with an ecommerce platform like Shopify & BigCommerce .

18. Antique refurbishment

If you like working with wood and beautiful, valuable objects in general but don’t have the drive to create your own,  antique refurbishing  could be your ticket to success.

Depending on what you do exactly, you don’t need to invest a lot of money to get started, but you will need to  travel  across the country to get the best pieces on which to work.

19. WordPress themes

Are you a web developer or designer who earns passive income from a side business? If so, creating  WordPress themes  might be the right path for you. You can sell your themes on websites like  Envato Market .

Once your theme is finished, you will still need to provide customers with  ongoing support  and updates, but can do so when you please.

20. Drone videographer

If you like piloting drones, perhaps consider working as a  drone videographer . You get to go to interesting places, meet cool people, and eventually develop a portfolio that could land you a job in Hollywood or a high-paying company in the real estate industry.

Professional drones are expensive, but you can  start small  with a midsize one and a GoPro camera and go from there.

21. Subscription service

The main advantage of the subscription model is its predictable nature. As the number of your subscribers rises, you will know exactly how much you can expect to earn every month. Platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi are great ways to connect with fans who support you monthly.

The  largest subscription services  in the world are well-oiled machines that generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue.

Education-Related Business Ideas

22. language teacher.

For a long time, language teaching has been the go-to side business to make money for students and even full-time high school or university teachers. Now, with Skype and ubiquitous internet access, everyone can start  teaching languages  from the comfort of their home.

You don’t even have to know any  foreign languages  yourself – there are many advanced learners who are happy to practice their conversation skills.

23. Online course creator

One of the most popular platforms where people can access massive open online courses ( MOOCs ),  Coursera , has more than  100 million users  hungry for knowledge. Such courses go  far beyond  the traditional high school curriculum.

If you have any skill you think people might be interested in, there’s nothing stopping you from giving it a go. All it takes is a web camera, capture software, and basic editing skills.

Hospitality and Food Services Business Ideas

24. hostel owner.

With services like Airbnb, anyone can turn their house, garage, or single room into a  unique accommodation  for tourists and travelers from all around the world.

The platform takes care of the initial exposure and provides a way for owners and clients to communicate. If you happen to own a house in an attractive destination, you can even expect to  earn good money .

25. Event planner

The internet has enabled people to connect with like-minded individuals from across the globe, creating the best small business opportunity for  event planners .

Event planning requires organizational skills to  manage an event  like a wedding or a trade show. Money can then be made from entrance fees, sponsorships, on-premise sales to attendees, and more.

26. Food truck

Do you like to cook and always like coming up with new, creative ideas? Then opening a  food truck  might be just for you.

27. Catering business

These days, starting a catering business is all about finding the right niche. You can specialize in whatever type of food you like, any type of clients, and any type of venue.

You can cater to young professionals who want to organize networking events or be known as the  go-to caterer  for children’s parties. Picking a specialty can help you find underserved clientele.

28. Craft beer brewing

Producing small amounts of  beer  has recently turned into a popular hobby and fantastic business opportunity.

You will need to  invest  in equipment, acquire the necessary knowledge, and possibly even employ a handful of people to help you with the entire initiative. But seeing the finished product being served to customers in your favorite pub will be a wonderful reward.

29. Gluten-free bakery

This is just like a regular bakery, only  gluten-free . While starting a small home bakery won’t cost you much, a larger commercial operation is expensive.

You can get the necessary  equipment  for a competitive price if you search for used commercial components online. Learn how to use blogging to increase awareness of your business and grow revenue.

30. Guided tours

Are you situated in a popular tourist destination? If so, you may consider yourself lucky.

Starting a guided  tours business  can be a good opportunity. You can use it to make extra money during the summer, or it can be the start of a much larger business that employs other people to work as  guides . Consider setting up a website that enables people to book tours online.

Technology Business Ideas

31. mobile application developer.

Mobile applications are more popular than ever, and people are willing to pay good money for ways to manage their lives from their smartphones.

If you have a great idea and know how to code, you can run with it and  create your app  yourself.

Plenty of software developers  collaborate  with people on app creation if you just have an idea and need graphic design.

32. Virtual reality/augmented reality app developer

The virtual reality (VR) software market is expected to reach  $29.17 billion in revenue during 2022-2026 . A good chunk of that revenue could be in your pocket.

All you have to do is learn how to develop immersive VR and augmented reality  (AR) experiences . The internet is full of resources and communities of like-minded people to help you along the way.

Video:  Get an introduction to virtual reality by creating a VR app for Android in 15 minutes.

33. Virtual reality arcade owner

The first batch of  VR arcades  is just starting to pop up in some of the world’s largest cities.

Virtual reality is the perfect fit for arcades and could really bring new life to this dying business. The technology is still not 100% there, but it probably will be soon.

33. Indoor drone racing venue

Drone racing  is expected to be a multimillion-dollar sport within the next few years.

If you have a suitable indoor venue where you could host races or let people practice their  flying skills , definitely consider this business. Additional income could be made from posting the footage online.

34. Energy auditor

Green energy solutions can lead to dramatic savings, allowing some people to completely drop from  the grid .

As an  energy auditor , you will help businesses and individual home and apartment owners find ways to decrease their energy footprint as well as their monthly bills.

35. 3D printing services

3D printing  is taking the world by storm, and you can be part of this revolution if you invest in a high-quality 3D printer and offer it to other people.

They simply send projects for you to print and pick up, or you can send things in a box.

36. E-bike repair services

E-bikes  are finally becoming affordable for the average consumer. But most traditional bike shops lack the necessary expertise that would allow them to service the often complex electronic components found inside.

If you feel up to the task, this could be a tremendous  opportunity  to become the biggest player in your local area.

37. Web development

As long as there will be a web, there will be a need for web developers.

Modern web development requires more than mastering  HTML  with  CSS  and perhaps learning PHP or JavaScript. Any web developer who wants to be competitive must become familiar with various frameworks, supporting technologies, web designs, and trends.

Taking low-cost courses online is a good place to start.

38. Smart home contractor/consultant

Modern  smart home  solutions can do everything from remotely controlling light bulbs or  air-conditioning  in your house to a health-monitoring application on your smartphone. However, not everyone is in a position to set up or maintain the complex systems that make these conveniences possible.

Personal Services Business Ideas

39. dog walker.

Dog walking usually involves walking the dog from its home and then returning.

A dog walker can either be an individual or part of a business like  Rover . They will be paid for walking or for pet sitting.

  • Good for: Undergraduate students ✔ kids and teens ✔

40. Personal shopper

Shopping for groceries, clothes, or electronic goods can eat up a lot of time. A  personal shopper  can help busy people reclaim this time in exchange for a small fee.

You can go to stores in person , or give online recommendations about which products the client should buy.

  • Business type: Offline/online

41. Mobile pet grooming

As more and more people are postponing or foregoing the decision to have children, their attention turns to  their pets .

Many owners are willing to pay as much as several hundreds of dollars to give their beloved pets a  makeover . If you start a pet grooming business, set up a website that enables visitors to book appointments online.

42. Decluttering services

With the tremendous success of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo, there has been a surge in demand for decluttering services. People need to get rid of useless things that become an emotional burden.

This business is far from being just a  cleaning service  in disguise. More often than not, people will be unwilling to give up even what’s clearly just trash, so you must also have a good understanding of human psychology.

43. Green cleaning services

The only thing that differentiates  green cleaning  services from regular cleaning ones is the type of products used. But this simple thing can turn otherwise unattractive businesses into something highly desirable.

People in upscale neighborhoods are willing to pay a lot of extra money just to know they are helping to preserve the  environment .

44. Beard care products

You can start your own  beard care  brand with a few cheap ingredients available online. When you create a good product, all you need to do is take care of its marketing and bulk manufacturing.

45. Pet daycare

If you love animals and pet sitting and have enough room to spare in your house, you can start a  pet daycare  business.

There’s not much to it: pet owners leave their animals whenever they have to go out for a longer time, and your job is to provide  everything  they need and ensure that the pets will be happy.

46. Daycare service

Even though you can start a  childcare service  from your home, it’s best to still prepare for a large investment.

If you live in a large city, definitely consider catering to a niche group of  parents  and charging premium prices for your services. You could focus on children with specific allergies or serve only organic food.

  • Good for: Stay at home parents ✔

47. Sustainable landscaping

Sustainable landscaping  business uses strategies to avoid negative environmental problems like excess stormwater run-off, drinking water pollution, and invasive species propagation.

These landscapes  often feature shade structures and bike racks made from recycled materials, wireless irrigation systems, native grasses, and large, open areas for sports and leisure.

Health Care Business Ideas

48. medical courier service.

This low-cost startup is an attractive option for those who are organized, responsible, and have a reliable vehicle. Medical couriers may deliver equipment, lab specimens, prescription drugs, documents, or even organs.

Couriers make an average of $36 an hour or over $70,000 a year. You can start as a sole driver and then expand by hiring other drivers. Consider forming a limited liability company (LLC).

  • Investment: Low investment⬇︎

49. Respite care

This business provides planned temporary relief to adult caregivers of elderly parents. This non-medical work may entail a few hours a week of assistance or stepping in while the caregiver takes a vacation.

Individual providers of respite care can expect to earn between $20 to $40 per hour or an average of $54,000 per year. You can start the business as a solo provider and then expand it into a highly profitable venture.

50. Growing medical marijuana

If you live in a state or country where medical marijuana is  legal , you can consider starting your own growing operation. The initial setup can be costly, but your days will be spent taking care of a  wonderful plant  and helping people improve their health and well-being in general.

Don’t Forget To Form Your Business

Once you’ve decided to set up a new company, the most important next step is to form your business and create a website . Most small businesses are set up as an LLC . This keeps all your assets separate from the company’s, limiting your personal liability while giving the pass-through tax benefits of being a sole proprietor.

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Written by Mary Kate Miller | November 22, 2023

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Best businesses to start in 2024

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Sometimes a new venture begins with a small business idea. Other times, the entrepreneurial itch comes first. If you know you want to start your own business—or even think you might—we’re here to help you find your great business idea.

How can the evolution of AI help you along your journey? How can I scale my business as it grows? These are just some of the topics we will cover in this guide.

So, let’s get to it. Here are the best businesses to start in 2024.

The Best Way to Start a New Business

Validating your small business ideas before you pour resources into them can save you time and money, in addition to giving you the confidence of knowing you have a tested and proven idea on its way to becoming a successful business.

No one wants to end up with 500 squeaky clown toys for dogs taking up vital space in their garage.

Believe me.

So. what’s the best way to do that? Start your business as a side hustle . That way, you can get a sense of what your potential customers want and build a client base before you quit your job and commit full-time.

1. AI Business

Would it really be an article about business ideas in 2024 if we didn’t talk about AI? Since it burst into the mainstream earlier this year, businesses have flooded social media adverts, claiming to offer a wide variety of AI solutions.

So you would be forgiven for thinking that the AI train has left the station and you’ve missed the departure time.

But you would be wrong. The battle for AI dominance across industries continues to roll on, giving you plenty of chances to join the fray as an early adopter.

To give yourself the best chance of success, try to utilize AI in a way that offers consumers something unique to differentiate yourself from other businesses.

How I Start a Business Using AI | Tony Matusiak

2. Content Creator

The days of judging content creators for their unique behavior online are long gone. Now, becoming a social media superstar is the number one dream job for teens.

American teens , that is.

Creating content is not an easy career to get into, but if you do, it can be extremely lucrative. Pick your niche, choose your platform, and start creating. Don’t worry about the quality of content at first. The main thing is to get started. You can always fine-tune your content as you progress.

Why You Need to Diversify Your Content Strategy | Talia Datt

3. Ecommerce Store

The world of ecommerce boomed during COVID, and while some business struggled in the aftermath, many continued to thrive, with others joining them along the way.

While this spike in demand has also brought more competition to the market, the industry continues to grow, providing more opportunities for entrepreneurs with the right branding, products, and marketing plans.

All of this, combined with the minimal startup cost, makes an ecommerce business one of the strongest bets you can make when starting a new business in 2024.

Ready to take the leap? Read the guide to learn How to Start an Ecommerce Business .

4. Consulting

Consulting can be an excellent business start, as it tends to be successful, regardless of the state of the economy.

The economy is growing? Let’s hire a consultant to help take us to the next level.

The economy is shrinking? Let’s hire a consultant to help get us back on track.

If you’re looking for low-cost business ideas, it can’t get much more appealing than a consulting business. Given that you and your expertise are the product, you can start your business with relatively low overhead. All you need is a solid consulting proposal and knowledge of how to set your fees/where to find clients, and you’re ready to go.

Consulting can also cover a wide variety of topics, allowing you to be flexible to the wants and needs of current consumers. For example, in the coming years, there is likely to be a need for AI consultancy, whether it be from a technical or marketing perspective.

Keep Learning: How to Get Clients – 16 Ways to Find (and Win) Your Dream Customers

5. Online Course

Online courses can be one of the most profitable small businesses to start. Once you complete the work of creating and marketing your course, the course can become a source of passive income. What’s more, the online education market is expanding at a record pace, and it’s expected to be a $350 billion market by 2025.

The minimal legwork required in maintaining an online course makes it ideal for aspiring entrepreneur who wants to start their business as a side hustle, either to validate their idea before they dive in or just for extra money while you keep your full-time job.

Sound like a dream? Learn how to make a 7 figure course from scratch .

6. Graphic Design

Graphic design will forever be one of the best businesses to start because there are so many businesses out there in need of graphic design services but they either can’t or won’t hire a graphic designer on staff. If you’ve got the design chops and have always dreamed of going out on your own, go for it.

Even in an era where AI image generation is possible, companies still require high-quality designers to tinker with the content generated, and fraphic design consistently ranks among the best businesses to start. There’s no time like the present to start making your dreams a reality.

Keep Learning: How to Choose the Right Color for Your Logo – The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

7. Content Marketing

The demand for content marketing has continued to grow along with the increases in demand for businesses to acquire customers without paid ads.  If you’re starting a content marketing business, you may want to consider specializing. As the market expands, it’s also becoming more crowded.

You’ll be better served by choosing one thing to do really well—social media campaigns, SEO-based content marketing—rather than trying to tackle it all to mixed results. This is especially true if you’re starting your business as a side hustle or one-person shop.

Keep Learning: The Ultimate Content Marketing Strategy for Startups

THE Content Marketing Playbook | Chris Savage & Brendan Schwartz

8. Cleaning Service

Cleaning services experienced a massive spike in demand as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and it’s expected to continue for a while . That’s in addition to the attributes that consistently make cleaning services a good business idea. Cleaning services tend to generate repeat customers, reducing customer acquisition costs. There is steady demand—the windows will always need to be cleaned. And on top of all that, they’re profitable.

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9. Affiliate Marketing

If there’s one industry that has consistently grown in recent years, it’s affiliate marketing. It has proliferated in the digital age, with many entrepreneurs seeing success from their SEO efforts.

It’s how Instagram influencers can make money, and even news organizations are getting in on the action (it’s the reason you see statements like “We may receive a commission if you purchase something from one of our links.”)

There’s no sign that affiliate marketing is going away or slowing down anytime soon, and the opportunities in the market continue to grow. There are a few ways to carve out a niche in affiliate marketing, but they all share one common denominator: you’ll need to build an audience first. Whether you choose YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or your own website as your primary medium, you’ll need to build an audience to really break the bank with affiliate marketing.

Not sure about affiliate marketing? Read The Ultimate Guide to Affiliate Marketing for Beginners .

10. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a subset of ecommerce where a business owner sells goods online without actually keeping goods in stock.

It doesn’t have to just be random products, though, which is a common misconception. You can set up a brand and use tools like Printful to handle your stock levels until you have grown your audience to a substantial level.

As soon as a consumer places an order through your retailer, it’s automatically sent to the dropshipping supplier. They process the order and manage the shipment to the customer, and your business keeps a fee from the purchase.

The lack of inventory makes dropshipping one of the easiest ecommerce businesses to start. Plus, the dropshipping market is estimated to experience a 28.8% compound annual growth rate through 2025, making it an ideal time to make your move into this online business.

Dropshipping isn’t a get-rich scheme. Learn why .

11. Online Bookkeeping

Online bookkeeping, the practice of managing finance for individuals and businesses, will forever be one of the best businesses to start .

Why? It’s a truth universally acknowledged that most people don’t want to manage their own financials or taxes. In fact, I’m pretty sure even tax accounts don’t enjoy it, but it’s hard to argue with the income they generate!

Online bookkeeping generates steady business with repeat clients without limiting you to a geographic area—you can do it from anywhere and service clients in a broader area

Keep Learning: What’s the Most Profitable Business to Start?

12. Lawn Care Service

Lawn care is another industry segment that benefitted from the home-industry boom that occurred during the pandemic. With many of us spending more time at home due to hybrid or remote work, the desire to keep everything neat and tidy has risen substantially, which is great news for any lawn care business.

A lawn business is ideal to start because it’s customizable, stable, and reliable.

Find YOUR Side Hustle Idea (9 Questions of Doom)

13. App Development

Smartphones have created an entirely new market for apps. If you know how to code—or if you’re good with tech and a quick study—you might want to consider working in app development. There are two ways to approach this.

First, you can develop your own app.

Second, you can work with an agency model, providing app development services for other companies.

Keep Learning: 14 Low-Cost Startup Ideas That’ll Save You Money

14. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant specializes in providing administrative tasks from a remote location, including scheduling meetings, making phone calls, arranging travel, and managing email. Virtual assistant work can be a flexible home business that’s accessible to a wide range of skills and experience. It’s ideal for anyone who is looking for full-time or part-time work.

You can find virtual assistant work through an agency, you can start your own sole proprietorship, or you can work as a consultant. It’s up to you!

Best Small Business to Start

So what’s the best small business to start? First, it needs to be something you’re passionate about. Without a desire to do the work, you’ll be stuck with a business that’s great in theory but not practical. Start by thinking about your purpose . Why are you going into business? What do you hope to accomplish? And how can you get there? The best small business to start is the one you’ll be committed to for the long haul, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

Fortunately for you, we have a selection of free training courses from finance to Facebook ads, taught by world-class experts that can help make your business dream a reality.

This article was updated with support from Graeme Whiles .

Exclusive free training

About Mary Kate Miller

Mary Kate Miller writes about small business, real estate, and finance. In addition to writing for Foundr, her work has been published by The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Bustle, and more. She lives in Chicago.

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Bitcoin Touches USD 50,000 for the First Time Since 2021, a Step Closer to USD 100,000 While Bitcoin bounced back, having its value tripled since the beginning of 2023, it still falls below an all-time high of about USD 69,000 it achieved in November 2021

By Paromita Gupta • Feb 13, 2024

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization, on Tuesday, crossed a mark of USD 50,000, something it last did in December 2021.

Upon U.S. SEC's approval of BTC EFTs on January 11, the crypto coin crossed the USD 45,000 mark.

Bitcoin trading volume grew from USD 16B to USD 50B between January 1 to 11 (prior to the approval). The price upsurge can be credited to factors such as U.S. SEC Bitcoin ETF approval, the upcoming fourth BTC halving, quality projects beig built on the Bitcoin ecosystem, and the impending Federal Reserve's interest rate cut.

While Bitcoin bounced back, having its value tripled since the beginning of 2023, it still falls below an all-time high of about USD 69,000 it achieved in November 2021. "We do anticipate pullbacks along the way to the next big target of $69,000 — its all-time high. Beyond that, we enter uncharted territory with price discovery, where the dynamics of supply and demand in a reduced supply environment post-halving could fuel a significant uptrend," shares Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus Crypto Platform.

"There was a short-term decline after the adoption of the Bitcoin ETF. This was due to the switching of positions by some holders of Grayscale and the selling of some equity holders. As the grayscale sell-off came to an end, the overall Bitcoin ETF market began to see daily net inflows in and out, and this rhythm is still maintained. BlackRock, for example, has opened its own sales network to sell Bitcoin ETFs," shares Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research.

Shivam Thakral, CEO, BuyUcoin is optimistic about a further hike, "There are approximately 60 days until the Bitcoin Halving in April 2024 which could potentially push the Cryptocurrency market to new highs." Concurs Edul Patel, CEO, Mudrex "The prevailing positive investor sentiment manifests in an active bullish presence in the market."

At the time of publishing, the Bitcoin price stood at USD 50081.90.

Reportedly, Standard Chartered Bank experts and analysts have projected the crypto coin to touch USD 100,000 by the year-end. Subburaj feels the milestone can be achieved in next 12-18 months.

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Small Business Trends

Affiliate programs: 34+ high-commission options in ecommerce.

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more .

Affiliate marketing programs offer opportunities for you to monetize your blog, website, or social media handle while exploring various passive income ideas . By joining affiliate marketing programs, you can earn income through commissions for driving traffic to a company’s website and receiving a commission on any purchases made.

With it, you can actually make money with little effort by simply inserting tracked affiliate links into the text of your blog or website. To get started, all you need is a captive audience and an affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions on new leads or purchases produced when readers click on the links.

Over the years, affiliate marketing has been popular among part-timers, bloggers, podcasters, and influencers as an additional source of revenue. As a marketing affiliate, you can earn quick money by recommending products and services to your followers.

This business model also allows you to generate revenue without the need for a large upfront investment. With strategic content creation and effective promotion, affiliate marketing can become a lucrative source of passive income.

In this article, we will cover the best affiliate programs that will help you earn solid commissions. Want to know more about content production, check out our article on blogging business ideas .

Table of Contents

What is an Affiliate Program?

Affiliate marketing is a marketing strategy in which an affiliate marketer promotes a merchant’s product or service in exchange for a fee. The affiliate marketing programs will pay affiliate marketers a commission for each transaction or action brought about by their promotion of a business’s goods or services.

After registering for the program, the affiliate marketer receives a unique affiliate link or special monitoring code to use in their advertising. The affiliate will receive a commission when a customer uses the affiliate link to make a transaction or finish an activity. Each traction made through that link generates the affiliate a commission, encouraging them to market the product to their audience.

Small Business Deals

In recent years, affiliate programs have become a popular way to earn income online. Depending on the program, the affiliate income fee may be based on a percentage of the transaction or a set sum for each sale or activity. By using cookies and other monitoring technologies, the business keeps track of all transactions brought about through the affiliate’s promotions.

The affiliate marketing model works on a performance-based payment method. It means the affiliate only earns when their promotional efforts result in a transaction. The details of these transactions vary depending on the affiliate program. For instance, some programs might pay for:

  • Pay Per Sale (PPS) : The merchant pays the affiliate a percentage of the sale price after the consumer purchases the product as a result of the affiliate’s marketing strategies.
  • Pay Per Lead (PPL) : The affiliate is paid for each lead they generate. This could be a form submission, sign-up, or other pre-determined action.
  • Pay Per Click (PPC) : The affiliate is paid for all clicks that they generate, regardless of whether these clicks lead to a sale.

Our Methodology: The Best Affiliate Marketing Programs

In determining the best affiliate marketing programs, we considered several factors that align with the interests and needs of small business owners looking to monetize their online presence. These factors are listed below and rated on a scale of one to ten based on their importance to small business users, with ten being reserved for the most important factors.

1. Relevance to Your Niche (Importance Scale: 10/10)

  • Programs should align with your business niche and audience interests.
  • Programs that may appeal to small businesses in various niches are more relevant to a larger audience.

2. Commission Rates (Importance Scale: 9/10)

  • Competitive commission rates.
  • Clear understanding of how and when commissions are paid.

3. Cookie Duration (Importance Scale: 8/10)

  • Longer cookie durations are preferable, as they offer a longer window to earn commission from a referred customer.

4. Program Reputation (Importance Scale: 9/10)

  • Established programs with a good track record.
  • Positive reviews from other affiliates.

5. Quality of Products or Services (Importance Scale: 10/10)

  • High-quality, reputable products or services that you are comfortable recommending.

6. Support and Resources (Importance Scale: 7/10)

  • Availability of promotional materials and support from the program.

Ease of Use (Importance Scale: 6/10)

  • User-friendly interface for tracking sales, commissions, and performance metrics.

7. Payment Methods and Thresholds (Importance Scale: 8/10)

  • Convenient payment methods.
  • Reasonable payment thresholds.

8. Exclusivity Requirements (Importance Scale: 5/10)

  • Understanding any exclusivity clauses that might limit your participation in other programs.

9. Flexibility and Control (Importance Scale: 6/10)

  • Flexibility in how you promote products.
  • Control over the types of products you promote.

By assessing these key factors, we curated a list of affiliate marketing programs that are well-suited to help small businesses and entrepreneurs effectively monetize their efforts.

Best Affiliate Marketing Programs to Join

Affiliate marketing has become an increasingly popular way for individuals and businesses to earn money online. If you’re looking to get started in the world of affiliate marketing or expand your existing portfolio of programs to join, it’s important to choose the right affiliate marketing programs.

The best affiliate programs offer a range of features and tools designed to help both merchants and affiliates succeed. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the highest-paying affiliate programs to join.

Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for eCommerce Businesses

eCommerce businesses are increasingly turning to affiliate marketing as a way to drive traffic, increase sales, and maximize revenue. However, with so many affiliate programs available, it can be difficult to know which ones are best suited for eCommerce businesses. Below are some of the highest-paying affiliate programs for eCommerce businesses

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Commission Rate: Affiliates earn $150 for each merchant referral.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 30 days.

Shopify is one of the biggest e-commerce platforms that lets affiliates generate regular passive revenues. The brand has a good reputation and includes vendors that are relevant to many niches. The Shopify affiliate program allows you to partner with Shopify and earn money by referring customers to Shopify. The program is free to join, and after signing up, you’ll get a unique affiliate link to use in your blog posts or social media handles.

To be eligible affiliates must own and run an active website, have an established audience, produce content such as videos, blog entries, seminars, or online courses, and have used Shopify or another e-commerce platform. For every merchant recommendation, you are qualified to receive a fixed commission of $150.

There is no cap on how many vendors you can recommend. Payment options offered by the Shopify Affiliate Program include PayPal or a straight deposit to your bank account. For more on Shopify check out our article what is Shopify .

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: Minimum balance of $10  

2. Clickbank

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Commission Rate: A verage commission range between $150 and $180 per sale.

Cookie Lifetime: 60 days

ClickBank is among the oldest and most well-known affiliate programs paying out over $5 billion in commissions since 1999. It offers a high commission rate for sales generated while managing over 300,000 daily transactions and 40,000 marketplace products. ClickBank affiliate marketing program sells a few physical products but specializes in selling digital products it offers some 6 million digital products in over 20 categories that appeal to a wide range of niches, reaching 200 million people globally.

Perfect for all kinds of marketers including. bloggers, YouTubers, TikTokers, and other influencers, it offers little hassles to become an affiliate, you’ll need to start an account, fill in your personal and payment info, and then finalize your account to get started. Once you have an account, you can begin making money by creating affiliate links.

Payment Options: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer

Payment Threshold: $10

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Commission Rate: Affiliates can make $200 per new subscription transaction, $10 per new trial, and $0.01 per new sign-up.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 120 days

Semrush is a leading online visibility management SaaS platform that enables businesses to achieve measurable results. Semrush Affiliate Program is a well-known affiliate program that lets people and companies earn commissions by promoting Semrush’s over 40 tools that include SEO, PPC, content marketing, and social media marketing tools. The program provides associates with a variety of marketing tools, such as banners, links, and widgets, to help them promote Semrush on their websites or social media platforms.

Affiliates make a recurring commission of up to 40% on each transaction recommended to Semrush, making the compensation structure competitive. In addition, the program offers a variety of payment methods, including PayPal and bank transfer, along with reasonable payment thresholds, making it simple for affiliates to receive their earnings. With it, affiliates can earn $200 for every new subscription sale, $10 for every new trial, and $0.01 for the new sign-up

Payment Options: PayPal, electronic transfers

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can request a payout once their account hits $50.

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Commission Rate: Affiliates earn up to 50% commission on each sale referred to Aweber.

Cookie Lifetime: AWeber tracking cookies last 365 days

With the AWeber partner program lets affiliates companies can make fees by promoting Aweber’s email marketing software. The program provides associates with a variety of marketing tools and support, such as banners, links, and widgets, to help them refer AWeber on their websites or social media platforms.

Through the program affiliates make a recurring fee of up to 50% for each transaction recommended to AWeber, making the commission structure competitive. In addition, the program offers payment methods, including PayPal, and bank transfers. One of the most important benefits of the AWeber Affiliate program is its support as the program provides a dedicated affiliate manager and instruction to help affiliates thrive.

Payment Options: PayPal and bank transfer

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can request a payout once their account hits $30.

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Commission Rate: 15% monthly commission

Cookie Lifetime: 90 days

HubSpot’s Affiliate Program is a well-known marketing program that allows people and companies to earn commissions by recommending HubSpot’s products and tools. Signing up and participating as an affiliate is completely free.  The program starts with a 15% commission with affiliates on average can earn between $50 to $3,000 per month. In addition, there are no minimum sales required to earn a commission.

With this program, there is no shortage of products to sell, including the company’s CRM, Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, and Service Hub. This means that affiliates can appeal to a wide range of customers with varying requirements and hobbies, increasing their chances of making purchases and earning commissions. HubSpot also has a good reputation for offering quality products and services, allowing affiliates to make recommendations that people can trust.

Payment Threshold: M inimum payout is set at $10

6. Constant Contact

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Commission Rate: A ffiliates earn $5 for each referral that joins up for a tryout and $105 for each referral that pays for a new account.

Cookie Lifetime: Constant Contact’s tracking cookies last 30 days.

Constant Contact is an email marketing platform for companies that enables them to create and distribute newsletters, campaigns, and other marketing materials. Constant Contact has an affiliate scheme that pays affiliates who recommend new clients to the business. Affiliates make a portion of sales through commissions from the customers’ purchases.

Here promotions can be made through a variety of marketing tools such as ads, links, and pre-written emails. Constant Contact also provides affiliates with reporting tools that enable them to measure their profits and determine which marketing efforts are effective.

Payment Options: PayPal and direct deposits

Payment Threshold: N o minimum payout

Best Website Tool Affiliate Programs

Below, we’ll take a look at some website tools with the best affiliate programs, based on factors like commission rates, product selection, and user-friendliness.

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Commission Rate: Fiverr offers varying commissions ($15-$150) based on the area from which your buyer orders. Affiliates receive a one-time $10 CPA for a first-time purchase and 10% revenue share for one year.

Cookie Lifetime: C ookies last for 30 days from the first click.

Fiverr’s affiliate program lets affiliates make commissions by advertising services on Fiverr via a shareable link. They can promote any of Fiverr’s services, including Fiverr, Fiverr Enterprise, Fiverr Pro, and Fiverr Lear. Affiliates can advertise Fiverr on a variety of platforms, including blogs and websites, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, emails, podcasts, and more.

When it comes to supporting Fiverr Partners, receive personalized sharing links, an intuitive dashboard to launch, manage and monitor campaigns as well as a variety of marketing tools to help them boost their sales. With Fiverr there are three ways to make commissions: cost-per-action marketing, a combination of CPA and revenue share, and revenue share commission.

Payment Options: PayPal, Payoneer, or bank account deposit.

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can request a payout once their account hits $100. If they haven’t hit $100, their earnings will remain in their account.

8. Squarespace

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Commission Rate: $100 to $200 per new subscription

Cookie Lifetime: 45 days

Squarespace is a website builder with an associate program that pays a commission to affiliates for each client they recommend. It offers payouts for every website or commerce subscription drive to Squarespace.  Affiliates in the program have access to marketing materials as well as specialized affiliate support staff. It provides affiliates with custom links and banners that they can post on their websites. Then when a visitor you’ve referred to us makes a purchase, we’ll keep track and give you a commission on the sale.

The Squarespace affiliate program provides its members with an opportunity to earn $100 to $200 per new subscription that users purchase after following a referral link1. Squarespace works with the affiliate marketing platform Impact to manage its affiliate marketing program. To partake you’ll have to sign up and manage your affiliate account through Impact.

Payment Options: PayPal, direct deposit

Payment Threshold: Approved transactions are compensated 30 days after the conclusion of invoices.

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Commission Rate: Wix pays a flat commission of $100 for every customer who purchases a Wix Premium package

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

WiX is a popular website-building tool that provides affiliates with several marketing and SEO tools to help them reach their marketing goals. Affiliates can make up to $100 per transaction as an affiliate by promoting WiX products and services on their website or social media platforms. One of the advantages of the WiX associate program is its user-friendly interface, which allows affiliates to quickly join up and begin advertising WiX products.

Here affiliates can use a variety of advertising tools such as banners, text links, and widgets for promotions. The WiX associate program’s commission system is also quite appealing, with greater payouts for affiliates who recommend more purchases. The program also provides a cookie length of 30 days.

Payment Options: Wire transfer

Payment Threshold: Affiliates must earn a minimum of $300 per month to get paid.

10. Hostinger

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Commission Rate: up to 60% for each successful referral

Hostinger’s affiliate marketing program offers opportunities for anyone seeking to monetize their website or blog. Its affiliate scheme one of the best commission rates in the business, offering up to 60% for each successful referral. Some advantages of their program include high conversion and commission rates, ease of joining and maintenance, and personal associate administrators.

Their affiliate program is also simple to use, with simple analytics and monitoring tools that provide comprehensive information about your success. In addition, it offers a variety of advertising materials, such as banners, links, and landing pages, to assist you in promoting their goods

Payment Options: PayPal, bank transfer

Payment Threshold: PayPal for transfers higher than $100; – Bank transfer for payments higher than $500.

11. WordPress Elementor

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Commission Rate: Up to 50% commission on every new sale

WordPress Elementor affiliate marketing program is a well-known program that enables people and companies to make commissions by promoting the WordPress Elementor page-building plugin. Affiliates can make 50% commissions on each transaction made through banners, videos, and text links. Once you are approved, you will receive a unique affiliate link that you can use to promote Elementor’s products on your website or blog.

Elementor uses cookies to track your referrals, so you can earn commissions for any purchases made within 30 days of clicking your affiliate link.  Affiliates can also monitor their purchases and earnings in real-time using the Elementor dashboard. This affiliate marketing program comes easy for anyone to get started and become successful.

Payment Threshold: Payment will be made when affiliates earn $200.

Best Web Hosting Affiliate Marketing Programs

Whether you’re a seasoned affiliate marketer or just getting started, the following web hosting programs offer great opportunities to earn passive income and build a steady revenue stream.

12. WP Engine

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Commission Rate: The program offers a minimum of $200 on every sale

Cookie Lifetime: Affiliate cookies last 30 days For WP Engine hosting referrals, cookies last 180 days. For StudioPress themes, the cookie last 60 days.

WP Engine is a website builder tool that allows users to create websites without coding. It also offers an affiliate program for promoting WP Engine plans and StudioPress themes. Both products can be tracked using the same affiliate link, making earning commissions from your promotions even simpler. Promotional tools such as banners, text links, and sample emails are available to affiliates, and affiliates can keep tabs on their referrals and earnings with real-time reporting and tracking tools.

Through it, affiliates make a minimum of $200 or the first month’s payment. If affiliates do not already have an account with ShareASale, they will need to create one. Once approved, they will receive an email with their tracking link and other useful information to get you started. ShareASale makes payments on the 20th of each month, so your commission is calculated for the first 20th date after the minimum cancellation time for each product.

Payment Options: PayPal, prepaid debit cards, gift cards, checks, or direct deposit electronic

Payment Threshold: $50

13. Bluehost

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Commission Rate: $65 commission for every qualified hosting purchase.

Bluehost the web hosting platform is famous among bloggers for its high-quality and low-cost offerings. After signing in affiliate marketers will get a special tracking number in a matter of minutes and once they find the banners and ads that go best with their website, they can browse through Bluehost’s extensive collection.

Affiliates will receive $65 for each successful recommendation commissions may increase depending on the number of referrals made. In addition, they can use their tracking links to evaluate campaigns, segment their referred traffic, and keep track of the effectiveness of various activities to raise their profits. Bluehost pays commissions through PayPal or electronic bank transfers 45 days after the end of the month of eligible purchase. Cookies that are dropped from affiliates’ unique link remain on customer browsers for 90 days.

Payment Threshold: $100

14. HostGator

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Commission Rate: Affiliates earn anywhere from $50 to $125 for each customer that signs

The HostGator affiliate program allows anyone with a website or social media account to generate income by recommending HostGator to their viewers. Affiliates can post a link for followers to click, leading them to the HostGator sign-up page. Joining the HostGator affiliate program is free and allows anyone with a website or social media account to generate income by recommending HostGator to their viewers.

Affiliates can promote HostGator’s shared hosting services, Virtual Private Servers (VPS), HostGator’s managed WordPress hosting, and other services to their online followers and earn commissions from affiliate sales. Affiliates can earn anywhere from $50 to $125 for each customer that signs up each month. HostGator tracks referrals through both affiliate links and custom coupon codes.

Payment Options: PayPal. Bank transfer

Payment Threshold: Minimum $100

Best Travel Affiliate Programs

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for travel bloggers to earn passive income online, offering fixed or recurring commissions for each successful sale. Below is a list of some of the best affiliate programs for travel:

15. Booking

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Commission Rate: Commissions range between 15% to 20%.

Cookie Lifetime: Booking does not track cookies it uses Affiliate ID (AID) to track reservations made through you.

Booking.com can be a great choice for those seeking to get into the travel affiliate marketing industry because it is one of the largest online travel booking sites with a solid reputation.  It offers free sign-up to its affiliate partner program and lets you make commissions by promoting flights, accommodations, and other services.

By sharing links, banners, and widgets on your site you can receive a commission when someone hits on the link and makes a reservation. You get commissions ranging from 15%-20% for each booking you get. Commission can be quite substantial if your followers book high-end accommodations.

Payment Options: Payments are made through Paypal and direct bank transfers.

Payment Threshold: When affiliates reach $ 100 worth of confirmed commission they can withdraw their commissions.

16. Tripadvisor 

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Commission Rate: Minimum 50% commission

Cookie Lifetime: 14 days

The Tripadvisor affiliate program offers rewards in the form of commissions to affiliates who provide travelers with reviews. Affiliates will create content on their websites that promote TripAdvisor in exchange for a fee on the websites’ earnings. The program offers up to 50% commissions on recommended reservations made on their website.

The program includes a number of useful affiliate resources, such as the ability to deep-link to over 500,000 city and hotel sites, utilize reward programs, and gain access to a helpful team of partner managers who provide creative assets and support. Even if you’re just starting out, you can register for the Affiliate Program. When reviewing applications, TripAdvisor considers the general appearance and feel of the site to determine whether it is a good match.

Payment Options: PayPal, check, direct deposit

17. InterContinental Hotel Group

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Commission Rate: Base commissions start at 3%

InterContinental Hotel Group collaborates with affiliates to promote 11 of its major brands, over 5,100 hotels, in almost 100 countries. Through PartnerConnect , its affiliate marketing program allows you to place customized links to IHG brands and hotels on your website, blog, or social media.

Commissions are paid as a percentage of the room cost when visitors complete their hotel stay. Affiliates by sharing customized links on your website, visitors can book hotels through that link. If an IHG hotel is reserved through a visitor linking directly to our website from yours, IHG will pay you a percentage of the total room revenue when the visitor completes their hotel stay. The program also offers regular promos and deals to boost affiliate profits as well.

Payment Options: Checks, bank Transfer

Payment Threshold: Checks will be issued for a minimum of $100. If you signed up for direct deposit, the minimum payment is $50.

18. Boatbookings

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CCommission Rate: 20%

Boatbookings offers a great way for anyone looking to monetize their travel-related website or blog. The company specializes in luxury yacht chartering, boat rental, and sailing and motor yacht vacations. They offer an affiliate program where affiliates can earn a base rate of 20% commission on sales referred to Boatbookings.

In addition, when an affiliate recommends multiple customers, bonus fees can apply. Additionally, when customers return to Boatbookings for a second purchase, affiliates receive an additional 10% commission on that sale. The program also stands out due to its 30-day cookie lifetime and low payment threshold.

Payment Options: Bank transfers

Payment Threshold: None, affiliates are paid on successful completion of charters

Best Big Box Store Affiliate Programs

Below are some big box stores that have affiliate marketing programs to consider.

19. The eBay Partner Network

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Commission Rate: 1%-4%

Cookie Lifetime: 24 hours

Through its affiliate partner network eBay offers bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, influencers, or website owners opportunities to tap into new sources of revenue through affiliate marketing. This affiliate program is open to anyone who has an eBay account, if you do not already have an account, you will need to sign up for one to participate.

The program is free to register, without any membership requirements or affiliate costs required. Affiliates can start earning by simply adding links to their website, social media, or blog, they get paid in commissions. When it comes to commission, eBay only gives a commission on the profit made on a transaction while fees differ based on the sort of goods sold.

Payment Options: Direct deposit or PayPal

Payment Threshold: $ 10

20. Amazon Associates Affiliate Program

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Commission Rate: 1% to 10%

The Amazon Associates program can be a fantastic way to earn money by recommending, reviewing products, and earning some passive income. This program is open to bloggers, publishers, and content creators with a qualifying website or mobile app. By promoting Amazon products that are included in the programs with your audience and using customized linking tools, you can sign up to be an Amazon affiliate and begin earning money from qualifying purchases.

One of the biggest affiliate networks is Amazon Associates, which has millions of projects and thousands of developers. There are millions of products you can pitch, with new ones being added every day. Commissions range from 1% to 10% based on the product category, these give you a decent selection of goods to evaluate.

The most valuable items to promote are clothes and luxury beauty products, both of which can earn you good commissions. The Amazon affiliate marketing program has a high conversion rate because it is one of the oldest partner programs and has a strong brand reputation and authority. It’s also easy to use for both affiliates and shoppers, making it more likely that you’ll close lots of sales. Want to become an affiliate for Amazon? Check out our article on how to become an Amazon affiliate .

Payment Options: Direct deposit, Amazon.com Gift Certificate, or check

21. Walmart

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Commission Rate: 1%-8%

Home Depot one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world offers a free-to-join affiliate marketing program . The program offers a variety of tools and resources to help affiliates succeed, including product feeds, banners, text links, and more. Affiliates can earn up to 8% commission on sales generated through their links, which is a generous rate compared to other programs in the home improvement niche.

Additionally, Home Depot provides regular promotions and discounts to increase sales, and their customer service offers advice on helping to increase customer loyalty and improve the chances of repeat sales.

Payment Options: Checks and direct bank deposit

Payment Threshold: $100 for checks and $50 for direct deposits

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Commission Rate: Up to 8%

Cookie Lifetime: 7 days

Target’s partner’s program allows participating affiliates to earn commission on sales referred to Target.com . By using specially tracked links provided via Impact Radius website owners, bloggers or influencers can earn commissions through recommending products on sale at Target.

To join the affiliate program is free provided that your website or blog is appropriate for family viewing. Commission rates for the Target affiliate program vary based on the products you advertise and how many items you sell they can earn up to 8% in commissions. In addition, cookies last for up to seven days and the average payout for every 100 clicks is between $12-$13.

Payment Options: Payments are made through PayPal and wire transfers through the impact radius platform

Payment Threshold: No minimum payout

Best Educational Affiliate Program Options

Some educational best affiliate programs to consider.

23. Teachable

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Commission Rate: 30%

Teachable has an affiliate program that allows users to promote the platform including its monthly and annual plans. Affiliate marketers can use a number of channels to promote Teachable and share their affiliate links, including their blog, social media page, email list, YouTube channel, and more.

When a user follows your affiliate link and purchases a monthly or annual subscription to the teachable platform, you’ll earn a commission for the referral. According to Teachable affiliate partners earn an average of $450 per month, with many earning $1,000 or more. When someone purchases a Teachable subscription, you can earn a 30% commission with a 90-day cookie.

In addition, you will continue to receive the commission as long as your referrals remain on the platform. The core product offered by Teachable is a digital platform where users can access different tools designed to help them create and promote online courses. The teachable platform also includes useful tools for managing marketing and sales.

Payment Options: Monthly payouts are made through PayPal

Payment Threshold: Due to Teachable’s 30-day refund policy, funds will be held for at least 30 days before they are released to affiliates

24. Skillshare

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Commission Rate: Affiliates earn 40% in commissions for each new customer that starts a paid membership

Cookie Lifetime: Affiliate cookies last 30 days

Skillshare is an eLearning platform that has been around for several years and has a popular affiliate program that reaches out to influencers to promote thousands of classes in illustration, design, photography, and more. With Skillshare affiliates get a unique tracking code that they can use to promote the over 31000 courses available on their websites, social media, or blog.

Anyone with at least one proven platform and a following that is aligned with Skillshare’s brand can join Skillshare’s affiliate program for free. In addition, affiliates must have an Impact account as well as a free Skillshare account. Through Impact, each affiliate establishes a unique account that records their referrals in real-time.

Affiliates make 40% of revenue for each new client who begins a paid membership with Skillshare. Referrals have 30 days from using your link to join up for a Skillshare subscription in order to qualify for earning commissions. Affiliates will be paid 30 days after the month in which they are contracted ends. Payments are done using the chosen payment method set in Impact.

Payment Options: PayPal or cash deposit to your bank account

Payment Threshold: There is a payment threshold of $10.

25. Coursera

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Commission Rate: Offers commissions between 15% – 45% on any eligible purchases .

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 30 days

Coursera’s affiliate marketing program lets affiliate marketers earn commissions by promoting online classes and other educational resources. It has over 4,000 courses on the platform’s diverse range of courses to choose from allowing you to advertise whichever course you want. Joining the program is simple, what is required is that your blog or website must have at least 1,000 distinct users a month.

The commissions are attractive and range from 15% to 45% commission on each transaction. If you perform well, the program also rewards you with incentives. You will also receive professionally-designed Coursera banners, text links to add to your site, and a monthly affiliate newsletter with tailored content suggestions. Plus, any traffic or sales you send to Coursera can be readily monitored using the interface, which keeps you up to date on your sales success.

Payment Options: PayPal or direct deposit

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can withdraw funds once they have received a minimal payout of $50.

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Commission Rate: Commissions are set at 10% for each qualified sale and may increase based on performance.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for seven days

Udemy is another popular online learning platform that has courses with thousands of courses. If you are passionate about learning and skill development why not promote Udemy to help people raise their skill levels? You can kick-start your campaign either with their course-specific links, or site-wide links while at the same time monitoring progress and earning good commissions.

You will also have access to special discounts, promotional materials, and unique content to help you easily convert prospects to sales. To participate in the program your website traffic will need to have at least 500 unique monthly visitors in the last three months. If you are a social media influencer you must have at least 500 followers.

Payment Options: Paypal, direct deposit, or check

27. Kaplan 

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Commission Rate: 20%

Cookie Lifetime : 30 days

The Kaplan Affiliate Program offers a great tool that allows people and businesses to make money by marketing Kaplan’s classes and goods. This program allows affiliates the opportunity to make commissions by referring students and workers to Kaplan’s programs, which include exam preparation, professional training, and higher education.

Kaplan Affiliate Program is completely free to enroll in and has a simple application process once approved, affiliates will have access to marketing resources, tools, and assistance to help them get started. Its referral program allows affiliates to earn additional commissions by referring new affiliates to the program. This means that you can earn a commission not only on your referrals but also on the referrals of your referrals. This program is well-suited for those who have a niche audience interested in education, testing, and professional development.

Payment Options: Payment is done through Wise

Other Amazing Affiliate Marketing Programs to Join

Other affiliate marketing programs are worth considering.

  28. LeadPages

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The Leadpages Affiliate Partner Program is free to join and offers a suite of lead generation tools. With this affiliate program, you get 30% monthly commissions for the lifetime of the customer. It also provides a 50% recurring commission on all sales generated, for as long as the referrals remain customers.

With it, affiliates earn commission on all sales made within 30 days of the initial referral, which means you can earn commission on multiple products and services offered by Leadpages. This also expands to renewals and upgrades of their Leadpages plan.  Leadpages comes with free hosting on a Leadpages domain, more than 200 mobile responsive landing page templates, text-to-Opt-in comes/ SMS campaigns and much more.

Payment Options: PayPal or Stripe

29. ConvertKit

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  Commission Rate: 30%

ConvertKit is a popular email marketing software that is popular among bloggers, online creators, and digital creatives. Through its affiliate marketing program, it allows individuals and businesses to earn commissions for promoting ConvertKit to their audience. The program is completely free to join and offers marketers a variety of marketing tools such as banners, text links, and email templates.

Affiliates can earn up to 30% recurring commission on each transaction they recommend, which means you can make money every time a client you refer renews their membership. Because of the recurring commission plan, you can make passive income as long as your recommended clients stay subscribers.

Payment Threshold: No minimum threshold limit

30. ClickFunnels

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ClickFunnels has been a popular sales funnel builder that helps businesses in increasing their online sales. In addition, ClickFunnels provides an affiliate marketing program through which affiliates can make commissions by promoting ClickFunnels to their target audience.

The ClickFunnels partner program is completely free to join and offers marketers a variety of marketing tools such as banners, text links, and email themes. Affiliates can make up to 40% commission on each transaction referred by them, which is a substantial commission rate when compared to other partner programs.

31. Nord VPN

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Commission Rate: 30%-40%

NordVPN is a popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that offers its users online privacy and protection. NordVPN also provides an affiliate marketing program through which people make commissions by recommending NordVPN to their target audience.

It is free to join and offers marketers a variety of promotional tools such as banners, text links, and email themes. Affiliates can make up to 40% commission on each transaction referred by them, which is a substantial commission rate when compared to other partner programs.

  Payment Options: Paypal, Wire transfer

32. BigCommerce

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Commission Rate: up to 200%

BigCommerce is a leading e-commerce platform that has built a robust affiliate marketing program that offers a range of benefits to both affiliates and merchants. The program provides affiliates with commissions as well as a range of promotional materials to help generate traffic and purchases.

The program also includes specialized BigCommerce team assistance and access to a comprehensive reporting dashboard with real-time insights into campaign success . Affiliates can opt to either promote individual products or entire categories to optimize their campaigns and maximize their earnings.

According to the company, affiliates can earn a 200% commission on the recommended customer’s first monthly payment. They can also earn a further $1,500 if clients join up for BigCommerce’s Enterprise package.

  Payment Options: Bank Transfer

Payment Threshold:

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Commission Rate: commissions vary depending on the product

Etsy is an online marketplace where people can purchase and trade their one-of-a-kind handcrafted and vintage goods. A wide variety of items are sold on the platform that includes jewelry, apparel, house décor, and furniture.

The Etsy affiliate marketing program enables website owners and bloggers to make commissions by selling and promoting Etsy goods on their websites. Because Etsy has a wide variety of goods, affiliate marketers can quickly discover products that match the subject and audience of their website.

This makes it simpler for them to produce pertinent and engaging content that will appeal to their target audience. Etsy’s affiliate marketing program also provides a reasonable commission rate, which is a portion of the transaction price earned by affiliates for advertising Etsy goods.

The compensation rate is presently set at 4%, which is lower than some other associate marketing programs, but it’s still a good rate that can build up, particularly if your website receives a lot of traffic.

Payment Options: Check, money transfer, bank deposit

Payment Threshold: $20

34. GetResponse 

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Commission Rate: 33%

Cookie Lifetime: 120 days

GetResponse the company that provides marketing automation, landing pages, opt-in forms, webinars, customer relationship management, and more also offers an affiliate marketing program . GetResponse offers two affiliate programs: an affiliate bounty program offering $100 for every sale referred and an affiliate recurring program that pays 33% for every sale referred every month.

The programs also offer free resources and promotional materials including banners, videos, and sales copy. This free-to-join program also offers support like real-time reporting, which allows affiliates to track their performance and monitor their earnings.

Payment Options : PayPal, check

How do Affiliate Programs Work?

Simply put, Affiliate programs are marketing arrangements between a business or seller and its affiliate marketers. The affiliates promote the company’s goods or services by referring and directing prospective buyers to the company’s website to make purchases.

In return, affiliates earn a commission when one of their followers they refer makes purchases. When it comes to affiliate markets there are two types: affiliate programs and affiliate marketing networks.

Affiliate networks or affiliate platforms are third-party advertising markets that connect merchants with affiliate marketers. Affiliate marketing programs are programs run by individual companies that allow marketers to advertise their goods or services in return for a commission.

The company gives the affiliate a one-of-a-kind link or code to use in promoting the product or service. The marketer receives a commission when someone hits on the link and makes a transaction.

On the other hand, affiliate marketing networks link businesses with marketers. It helps businesses to establish an affiliate program and then provides affiliates with a collection of programs from which to choose. The affiliate network will track views and purchases and then gives a commission to the affiliates.

Here’s a breakdown of how these programs normally operate:

  • The affiliate marketer joins an affiliate program offered by a merchant.
  • The affiliate program provides the affiliate marketer with a unique affiliate link. This link tracks the traffic and sales the affiliate marketer sends to the merchant’s website.
  • The affiliate marketer then includes this link in their promotional content, such as blog posts, social media posts, or email newsletters.
  • When a potential customer clicks on the link and makes a purchase or completes an action (like signing up for a service), the affiliate marketer earns a commission.

affiliate marketing programs

How to Make Mon ey as an Affiliate ?

There are plenty of ways to make money as an affiliate, and here are some of the most effective methods to maximize your earnings:

Website or Blog Promotion

Website or blog promotion is one of the classic ways to monetize as an affiliate. You can create valuable content on your website or blog that focuses on a particular product or service. This can include in-depth reviews, detailed comparisons with other products, and even personal recommendations based on your experiences.

By strategically incorporating affiliate links into your content, you can direct your audience to the merchant’s website, where they can make a purchase. This method allows you to earn a commission for every sale generated through your affiliate links.

Social Media Promotion

With the widespread popularity of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more, social media promotion has become a powerful affiliate marketing strategy. If you have a substantial following on these platforms, you can promote products and services to your audience.

Craft engaging posts, stories, or videos that showcase the benefits of the products or services you’re affiliated with. Include your unique affiliate links in your social media posts, and when your followers click on these links and make purchases, you’ll earn a commission.

Social media promotion offers a dynamic way to reach a wide audience and boost your affiliate earnings.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a highly targeted approach to affiliate marketing. If you possess expertise in a specific niche and have built an email list of subscribers interested in that niche, you can leverage email marketing to promote affiliate products or services.

Create compelling email campaigns that highlight the value and benefits of the products you’re affiliated with. Include affiliate links within your emails, allowing subscribers to easily make purchases.

Email marketing provides a direct and personal way to connect with your audience, making it an effective method for driving affiliate sales and earning commissions.

Offer Paid Advertising

Another lucrative affiliate marketing strategy is to offer paid advertising opportunities on your platform. If you have a website with substantial traffic, companies may be interested in advertising their products or services to your audience.

You can collaborate with these businesses and offer banner ad space on your website. Negotiate a fee for displaying these ads, and ensure they are relevant to your audience’s interests. Paid advertising not only generates income from businesses but also enhances the overall user experience on your platform.

YouTube Videos

Creating YouTube videos is an engaging way to promote affiliate products and earn commissions. If you excel at video content creation, consider making videos that feature product reviews, demonstrations, and tutorials related to the products or services you’re affiliated with.

In the video description, include your affiliate links, directing viewers to the merchant’s website. YouTube’s vast user base provides a significant opportunity to reach a broad audience. As your videos gain traction and generate affiliate sales, you’ll see your earnings grow.

Explore various video formats and content ideas to cater to your viewers and maximize your affiliate marketing success.

These methods offer diverse opportunities to monetize as an affiliate marketer. Depending on your platform, niche, and audience, you can choose the strategies that align best with your strengths and goals.

By combining these approaches and consistently delivering value to your audience, you can build a sustainable income stream through affiliate marketing.

Check out our article on how to make money with affiliate marketing for more insights.

Types of Affiliate Marketing Programs

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There are several ways where you can earn money as an affiliate marketer by using links, images, banners, or through content. Here are some common ways to make money as an affiliate marketer:

  • Pay-per-click : In this arrangement, you place ads on your website, and you get paid every time someone clicks on the ad. Essentially, you earn a commission for every click-through to the advertiser’s website.
  • Pay-Per-lead : With this method, you get paid when a visitor to your website, blog or social media clicks on an affiliate link and fills out a form, such as an email opt-in form.
  • Pay-per-sale : Here you promote a product or service and earn a commission for every sale you generate through your affiliate link. You can earn a percentage of the sale price or a fixed commission amount depending on the terms of the affiliate program.
  • Cost per action (CPA): In this type of affiliate marketing, affiliates receive a commission when a user performs a particular action, such as filling out a form, making a transaction, or subscribing to a service.
  • Sponsored content: Some companies may use your services as a content creator and sponsor your content or pay you to promote their products in your content. This can include product reviews, testimonials, sponsored posts, or social media posts.

When signing on as an affiliate marketer it is important to carefully choose products and services that align with your brand and audience. This is because promoting products that you genuinely believe in can lead to more success and revenue in the long run.

You can earn a percentage of the customer’s purchase each time they make a purchase. In some cases, affiliate programs do offer recurring commissions for as long as the referred customer remains a customer.

Why Not Join Affiliate Networks?

If you are an affiliate marketer joining an affiliate network can be beneficial. This is because affiliate marketing networks provide you with access to a broader range of retailers and goods to promote, as well as a variety of tools and resources to help improve your campaigns and maximize their earnings.

Additionally, affiliates can tap into the knowledge of other effective affiliates and benefit from their experiences by joining an affiliate network. Below are some affiliate networks to consider joining:

CJ Affiliate Network: Commission Junction is a well-known affiliate network that offers a high commission rate for sales generated and generous bonuses for referring new customers. It partners with over 3,800 brands and touts paying over $1.8 billion in affiliate commissions annually.

It offers wide-ranging tools to help businesses increase performance and conversions, such as deep link generator and automation, mobile-friendly conversions, comprehensive reporting, an intuitive dashboard, and a monthly fee. CJ Affiliate specializes in big brand names, as well as smaller product and service suppliers, and offers direct display advertising offering flat fees and commissions. CJ is best suited to affiliate marketers with three to six months of experience and its payment options include cheques and direct deposits.

ShareASale: ShareASale is an affiliate network featuring over 2,500 different merchants to choose from. It offers a variety of commission rates based on the particular product. As an affiliate, you can choose the specific businesses you want to promote and how you want to promote them.

It is free to sign up and has thousands of merchant partners.  It is popular among marketers and merchants due to its user-friendly interface, fast free sign-up, and support for affiliates running multiple websites. The ShareASale website allows affiliates to join in and view their stats and earnings in real-time. It also provides great affiliate partner support, including affiliate marketing classes, training webinars, merchant recommendations, and marketing tools to help you grow your revenue. ShareASale promises prompt delivery of earned commissions.

Additionally, Share a Sale gives users the option to deep connect. As an affiliate, this means that you can direct visitors away from the home page and onto the merchant’s registration page. Deep linking makes it more likely that you will receive commissions for recommendations you make.

Impact Radius: Impact Radius is a popular affiliate network that provides a variety of features and tools to assist retailers and affiliates in reaching their objectives. The platform has an easy-to-use user interface (UI) that allows you to manage campaigns, monitor performance, and improve outcomes. Impact Radius’ sophisticated monitoring and reporting skills are one of its most appealing features.

Users can monitor success across multiple platforms, such as mobile, social, and email, and it offers real-time reporting and metrics to help optimize campaigns and maximize ROI. This affiliate network not only gets you access to a marketplace where you find top brands but also helps you contact your preferred brand’s affiliate manager directly.

Awin: Awin is one of the most recognized affiliate marketing networks, providing a variety of features and tools to assist merchants and affiliates in succeeding in the highly competitive world of affiliate marketing. Awin’s vast network of partners, which includes some of the world’s top companies and publishers, is one of its main advantages.

This simplifies the process of connecting businesses with high-quality associates who can help generate tailored traffic and sales. Whether you’re just starting out in the world of affiliate marketing or looking to take your campaigns to the next level, Awin is worth considering.

Partnerize: Partnerize is a prominent affiliate network that provides merchants and affiliates with a variety of tools and features to help them thrive in the highly competitive world of affiliate marketing. Partnerize is able to produce impressive outcomes for its customers by focusing on data-driven insights and advanced tracking tools.

One of Partnerize’s main advantages is its advanced monitoring and reporting features. The platform provides real-time monitoring across multiple platforms, including mobile, social, and email, as well as potent reporting and analytics tools to aid in campaign optimization and ROI maximization.

FlexOffers: FlexOffers is a well-known affiliate network that links marketers with publishers in order to boost income. It has a user-friendly interface that is simple to use for both marketers and affiliates. It also provides a variety of tools and resources to assist content creators in optimizing their affiliate efforts and increasing their profits.

One of the most appealing aspects of FlexOffers is its extensive network of advertisers, which includes well-known companies from a variety of sectors. This means that publishers can promote a wide variety of goods and services to their target community.

Key Points About Affiliate Marketing Programs:

  • Affiliate marketing programs use a combination of cookies and tracking links to identify when a customer has been referred by an affiliate.
  • The commission that an affiliate marketer earns can vary widely. It can be a flat rate or a percentage of the sale. Some affiliate programs offer tiered commission rates based on performance.
  • Affiliate programs can be a profitable way to generate income for bloggers, influencers, and individuals who can market to a large audience.
  • Most affiliate programs have rules and guidelines that affiliates must follow. It’s important to understand these rules to stay compliant and maintain good standing in the program.
  • It’s important for affiliates to promote products and services that align with their brand or personal values. This can lead to higher conversions and maintain trust with their audience.

By leveraging the power of social media, blogs, and other online platforms, affiliate marketing has grown into a substantial industry, providing many with a significant source of online income.

How to Find the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Business

top 10 business ideas in 2021

There are several ways to find the best affiliate programs for your business. One method is to conduct a Google search for affiliate programs in your industry. Another option is to look into affiliate networks, which contain profiles of affiliate programs.

Finding the best affiliate program for you can seem difficult, but there are several steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly:

Step 1: Research affiliate networks: Affiliate networks, such as Commission Junction, ShareASale, and ClickBank, are great places to start your search for affiliate programs. These networks offer a wide range of products and services in various niches, and they can provide you with useful tools and resources to manage your affiliate campaigns.

Step 2: Look for products and services that align with your niche: It’s essential to choose affiliate programs that align with your niche and target audience. By promoting products and services that are relevant to your audience, you’ll be more likely to generate conversions and earn commissions.

Step 3: Consider commission rates: Commission rates vary between affiliate programs, so it’s important to consider the commission rate when choosing which programs to promote. Look for programs with higher commission rates, but also consider the value and relevance of the product or service.

Step 4: Check for affiliate program restrictions: Some affiliate programs have restrictions on where and how you can promote their products. Be sure to read the program terms and conditions carefully to ensure that the program is a good fit for your marketing strategy.

Step 5: Research the reputation of the affiliate program: Before promoting any affiliate program, it’s important to research the reputation of the program and the company behind it. Look for reviews and feedback from other affiliates, and check the program’s track record of paying commissions on time.

To get to know more about affiliate marketing you can also enroll in an affiliate marketing course .

Final Words

These are some of the best and highest-earning affiliate programs. Now it’s up to you to choose the programs you believe you’ll be comfortable with and earn enough money from customers. As we all know, the affiliate marketing business is booming, and it doesn’t appear that this pattern will be stopping anytime soon. So, why not try your hand at being an affiliate marketer?

Here’s a handy summary of all the affiliate marketing programs we featured:

Which affiliate program is the best for beginners?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

The best affiliate program for beginners is determined by a number of variables, such as the individual’s interests and the products or services they wish to market. However, some associate programs are more user-friendly for beginners than others.

Because of its user-friendly interface, a broad variety of goods to advertise, and comparatively cheap commission rates, Amazon Associates is considered a great affiliate program for beginners. eBay Partner Network, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate are some of the best affiliate programs for beginners.

What is the highest-paid affiliate program?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

There are many affiliate programs that offer high commission rates and it can be difficult to determine which one is the highest paying. Some affiliate programs that are often mentioned as being among the highest paying include Semrush, GetResponse, Fiverr, Bluehost, and Shopify.

What is the best-selling affiliate product?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

There are many products that sell well through affiliate marketing and the best-selling product will vary depending on factors such as the target audience and marketing strategy. Tours, insurance products, online classes, virtual reality products, drones, and health supplements are some popular goods that are frequently cited as top sellers through affiliate marketing.

What are the top 10 affiliate programs?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

There are many great affiliate programs available and the top 10 will vary depending on your specialization and interest. Some popular affiliate programs that are often mentioned in top 10 lists include:

1.       Amazon Associates

2.      CJ Affiliate

3.      ShareASale

4.      ClickBank

5.      GetResponse

6.      Bluehost

7.      Shopify

8.     eBay Partner Network

9.      BigCommerce

10.  NordVPN

What is the best affiliate company?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

There are many great affiliate companies available and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some popular affiliate companies include Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Bluehost.

Which is the best affiliate network?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

There are many great affiliate networks available and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some popular affiliate networks include CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, ClickBank, and Amazon Associates.

Each affiliate marketing network has its own unique features and benefits. For example, CJ Affiliate is known for its wide range of products and services to promote while Amazon Associates is popular for its vast selection of products.

It’s important to research and compare the different affiliate networks to find the one that best fits your needs. Consider factors such as the types of products or services available to promote, commission rates, payment methods, and support when choosing an affiliate network.

Can you be a millionaire with affiliate marketing?

While it is possible to earn a significant amount of money through affiliate marketing, becoming a millionaire solely through affiliate marketing is rare and requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill. Successful affiliate marketers have built large audiences and have developed effective strategies for promoting products and engaging with their audiences.

It’s important to note that success in affiliate marketing takes time and effort. It requires consistently creating valuable content, building an engaged audience, and promoting products effectively. While it’s possible to earn a significant amount of money through affiliate marketing, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. For more read our article affiliate marketing myths .

Is it worth becoming an affiliate?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Becoming an affiliate can be a great way to earn extra income by promoting products or services that you believe in. However, whether or not it’s worth it for you depends on several factors such as the amount of time and effort you’re willing to put into it, the products or services you’re promoting, and your ability to effectively reach and engage with your audience.

How do I become an affiliate with no money?

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Becoming an affiliate with no money is possible because most affiliate programs are free to join. Here are some steps you can follow to become an affiliate with no money:

  • Research and choose an affiliate program that aligns with your specialization, interests, and audience.
  • Sign up for the program and get your unique tracking link.
  • Promote the products or services using your tracking link on your website, social media accounts, or other platforms where you have an audience.
  • Earn commissions when someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase or completes an action.It’s important to note that while joining an affiliate program is usually free, there may be costs associated with promoting the products or services such as website hosting fees or advertising costs.

Save money on shipping costs for your Amazon purchases. Plus, enjoy thousands of titles from Amazons video library with an Amazon Prime membership. Learn more and sign up for a free trial today.

Image: Envato Elements, Depositphotos

top 10 business ideas in 2021

Wow, this list is a goldmine for affiliate marketers seeking the best programs to maximize their commissions in 2023! The variety and potential earnings from these programs are impressive. It’s great to have all these options laid out in one place – this will definitely guide my affiliate strategy moving forward.

Thank you for this comprehensive overview of affiliate marketing programs. As someone who has been navigating the waters of affiliate marketing, I found your insights particularly enlightening. The way you broke down the different types of programs and the strategies for optimizing earnings was very thorough and easy to understand.

It’s refreshing to see an emphasis on ethical practices, reminding us that successful affiliate marketing goes beyond mere profit—it’s about building trust with your audience and recommending products that genuinely offer value. Your tips on how to choose the right program aligned perfectly with my own experience, reinforcing the importance of relevance and alignment with one’s niche.

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