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.

cheap business ideas to start from home

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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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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.)

cheap business ideas to start from home

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cheap business ideas to start from home

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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45 Low-Cost Business Ideas for 2024

Starting your own business doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, according to the Small Business Association, most micro-businesses (businesses with fewer than ten employees) are started for less than $3,000. Therefore we have picked our favorite  low-cost business ideas  to make starting your business easier. Using our detailed guide you can not only start your new business but turn it into a low-cost business idea with high profit.

Exploring your options? Check out additional small business ideas .

A piggy bank next to the page's title

Best Low-Cost Business Ideas With High Profit

We’ve created a detailed guide for 45  low-cost business ideas  and evaluated each one based on ongoing expenses, required skill level, and earning potential to help you get your business started today!

Teaching & Consulting Businesses

These business owners enhance their clients’ lives by imparting knowledge of a particular skill set, whether it’s related to their personal or professional lives. This list of low-cost business ideas is for veterans of the relevant industries who are looking to change pace and pass on their wisdom.

1. Acting Classes Business

Person reading dramatically from a script

This career is for dedicated actors or directors in the performance industry, so you will need at least a few connections within the business. Students will only want to enlist in your courses if you have some kind of credible performance reputation, but you’ll also need the teaching chops to instruct a class of acting hopefuls.

If you don't have one already, you'll need to rent or buy a proper space for teaching, including room the class can walk, run, or deliver dramatic monologues in. A small management and registration staff may be required as your business grows, but by some accounts, you can charge around $500 per student for eight weeks of classes at a rate of three hours per week.

Learn how to start an acting class business .

2. Art Consulting Business

A room laid our beautifully with a pink theme

Consultants in this business are art enthusiasts who work with both artists and collectors to get the right art to the right folks. Due to the huge variety of artistic tastes and styles, this is a career for people with extensive artistic backgrounds, from practicing artists to formally educated graduates with advanced art history degrees.

Ideally, you will want a presence within artists’ networks in order to connect with gallery directors and collectors. In terms of cost and compensation, a consultant will only need to maintain a low-cost professional website, and you will earn via commission, accepting 10%-15% of the art they buy or sell.

Learn how to start an art consulting business .

3. Art Lessons Business

Pair of hands brushing a large amount of orange paint onto a canvas

The world of art is fiercely competitive. Although art appreciation is subjective, you will nearly always need a sizable foundation of natural artistic skill to make a name for yourself. But teaching side gigs can help, so that’s why some artists advertise themselves as teachers. You can instruct in small groups or tutor individual students, but the demographic is up to you, depending on whether you prefer to instruct adults or children.

Between few necessary ongoing costs (students can bring their own supplies and undergo lessons in your home) and a standard teaching fee of $40-$100 per hour, a growing art lessons business has the potential to earn you quite a bit.

Learn how to start an art lessons business .

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the  Top LLC Formation Services

And, use our free tools to help start your business:

  • Use our  Business Name Generator  for help brainstorming your new venture’s name
  • Learn  how to form an LLC , one of the  best business structures  for low-cost businesses
  • Use our free  business plan generator  to start planning your business today
  • Get your unique logo with our free  Logo Maker  and start branding your business
  • After finding your perfect idea learn how to  start a business  and  how to start a business with no money .

4. Relationship Coaching Business

Coach holding a clipboard in front of a couple holding hands

Since it’s a form of therapy, building this business will require solid listening skills and an advanced degree in psychology. Some couples you’ll be working with will be attempting to repair a failing marriage, while others may simply be trying to hone their communication strategies.

Either way, due mainly to student loans, this one can be pricey to jump into. Once you have the degree and the counseling license under your belt, it’s not unusual to make about $130 per hour during a single session.

Learn how to start a relationship coaching business .

5. Home Tutoring Business

Child doing homework looking at her tutor

This is one of many home business ideas with low startup costs. A current or former teacher who identifies as a “people person” is the ideal fit for this job. Many tutors end up with a customer base made up exclusively of children, so it helps to be good with kids. You’ll want to spend time between sessions reviewing your next student’s progress and preparing for their upcoming lesson.

Self-organization and motivation are key in this job, so profitability depends on your work ethic and how quickly your business grows. If you are focused and persistent, $30 per hour could add up to solid profitability.

Learn how to start a home tutoring business .

6. Personal Training Business

Trainer spotting his trainee on a lift

To earn client confidence, a personal trainer should be a walking advertisement of their own successful diet and exercise regimen. You’ll be developing individualized sessions for your customers, taking note of their goals and cross-referencing those with optimal dietary advice and physical activity.

On average, personal trainers make $50,000 per year, but steady customer flow and dedication could see that price rise even higher. You may need to put forth an initial effort into acquiring a certification, plus $1,000 for advertising and a few hundred for liability insurance.

Learn how to start a personal training business .

7. Nutritionist/Health Coaching Business

A health coach reviewing a document with his pupil on a gym floor

People who love giving practical advice are often a great fit for this low-cost business. In this career, you’ll be working to find healthy goals that fit individuals. Consultations with clients will center around personalized plans and discussions of the latest trends in nutrition and exercise.

Regarding ongoing costs, there may be website upkeep, state licensing fees, and maintenance of exercise equipment. The average salary of nutritionists and health coaches is about $43,000 per year.

Learn how to start a health coach business .

8. Online Dating Consulting Business

Computer screen with multiple dating sites pulled up

People who genuinely care about interactions between other human beings may find themselves right at home running an online dating consulting agency. These business owners will meet with clients to help them write and edit their dating profiles, craft written responses, and even take pictures for their profiles.

Costs are pretty low to start, mainly just requiring a computer and a personal website. This is one of several low-cost business ideas with high profit, reaching as high as 95% on services.

Learn how to start an online dating consulting business .

9. Career Coaching Business

An older man reviewing something with a younger man on a laptop

This career is best suited to great communicators, motivators, and those who love being around other people. Career coaches often possess advanced degrees, using these along with in-the-field business knowledge to enhance a client’s professional value or resolve challenges in the workplace.

As with any personal consulting service, you will need a certificate from a qualified program, along with liability insurance. Between these items and advertising, it may cost several thousand to begin down this career path. However, with the right clients, this job is a six-figure earner.

Learn how to start a career coach business .

10. College Planning Business

A paper graduation cap sitting on many one hundred dollar bills

You can excel in this business if you possess a thirst for knowledge and a passion for helping other people. This job entails getting to know young adult clients on a personal level and determining where they’ll fit in the collegiate world. In this business, you’ll be meeting with families, analyzing student records, arranging college-visit itineraries, and strategizing through the admissions process.

This is a low-cost career to jump into, requiring little more than a computer, a website, and marketing materials to get your name out there. Experienced college consulting firms report salaries of $40,000-$80,000 annually.

Learn how to start a college planning business .

11. Project Management Consulting Business

Six people sitting around a well organized set of documents

Highly experienced business owners and other advisors with high-level business experience will be right at home in this career. Project management consultants will assess performance indicators, review project goals, and generally assist other businesses in making sound decisions about which projects to undertake.

The size of the agency will decide much of the overhead costs, including office space, computer & software maintenance, and upgrades to project management applications. Consultants in this agency can earn as much as $50,000 per year per client business, and it is not unheard of to accrue $1 million or more from large corporate clients.

Learn how to start a project management consulting business .

12. Test Prep Business

Woman reading a textbook

Some people have turned test-taking into an art so skillful that it has become a profession all its own. Current or former teachers may feel right at home in a business that emphasizes quizzing techniques, study guides, and familiarity with test prep books.

Between a professional website and gas money to visit your clientele wherever you agree to meet, the ongoing costs of this business are very easy on the wallet. If you advertise well and are good at what you do, you might end up hitting an upper-level five-figure salary.

Learn how to start a test prep business .

13. Music Lessons Business

Closeup of a row of piano keys, with a pair of hands playing them

Any musician skilled enough to make it in the world, from band instructors to symphony-quality violinists, may be qualified to conduct private lessons on the side. This will involve working with students, mostly of a younger demographic, to improve their skills with individualized lesson plans and practice music that challenges them at the right ability level.

Homes are a very normal place to conduct lessons, although some music stores offer discounted rental spaces to teachers who encourage students to make on-site purchases. You can charge an average of $45 per hour, and at 40 hours per week, you will approach six figures annually.

Learn how to start a music lessons business .

Find a Web Domain for Your Business

Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of a business.

Find a Domain Now

Web-based businesses.

These low-cost business ideas are accessible, digitally-driven avenues of income for entrepreneurs of all walks of life. The fact that they are run completely online keeps startup and ongoing costs low and allows their owners to keep incredibly flexible schedules.

14. Affiliate Marketing Business

Affiliate Marketing Image

Affiliate marketing is the art of turning fame into a business. People who have managed to attract an audience are paid  to endorse related products or services on their public platform. For example, if a popular nutritionist blogger endorses a new line of supplements.

Learn how to start an Affiliate Marketing Business .

15. eBay Business

Woman holding a tablet with the eBay app loaded

Studious, business-minded folks with an eye for marketing trends can do quite well through eBay sales. You’ll need to be well aware of your competition, what their prices are, and how to create compelling product offers through imagery and effective ad copy.

Your main source of ongoing costs will be Ebay fees, insurance fees, shipping fees, and acquisition prices -- assuming you are buying your stock from other providers. Generating decent revenue will require a business plan that incorporates frequent transactions and higher-end prices for quality goods.

Learn how to start an eBay business .

16. Etsy Business

A tablet being held with the Etsy application loaded

Etsy is all about handmade goods and vintage paraphernalia, making it an exciting prospect for artists who want to sell their creative works or other unusual collections. Etsy sellers will spend the bulk of their working hours producing art to sell, shipping it, listing new items, and addressing administrative issues like billing and restocking.

Etsy’s cut from your sales is relatively low, with 3.5% being approximately the highest amount you will have to pay for anything like listing fees or transaction/processing charges. The potential profits are extremely variable, depending entirely on what you sell and how often you sell it. Exposure through art blogging can greatly increase your exposure and hike your profits.

Learn how to start an Etsy business .

17. Social Media Marketing Business

Closeup photo of an iPhone with many social media app icons

Social media users with an intimate knowledge of platforms and a robust familiarity with internet marketing practices are ideal candidates for this line of work. There is an entire world of internet marketing strategies, including search engine optimization, digital sales monitoring, and ad campaign management.

Ongoing costs may include software and hardware upgrades, and time /money invested in keeping up with the rapidly advancing world of internet advertising. At the very top of the social media consultant payscale, you can expect $100,000 per year.

Learn how to start a social media marketing business .

18. Data Entry Business

Hands typing on a keyboard

Talented managers with strong logic and organizational skills will be comfortable in data entry, processing requests and organizing customer data. However, if you manage a data entry business with employees beneath you, most of your time will actually be spent acquiring new clients and managing client relationships.

With few ongoing costs particular to this business, you’ll mainly need to take care of internet costs and computer maintenance, which will depend on the size of your operation. This is a potential high-earning business, with the most efficient and talented agencies claiming 20% profit margins.

Learn how to start a data entry business .

Writing & Editing Businesses

These businesses with low startup costs focus on writing and editing content for a diverse clientele. They’re best run by people who are proficient with English grammar and familiar with various genres and writing styles.

19. Proofreading Business

Hand holding a red pen making corrections to a printed document

Professional proofreaders are meticulous writers with a keen eye for detail and a firm grasp of linguistic mechanics like grammar and punctuation. The daily routine of a proofreader involves carefully reading a great deal of content, and making revisions to help the content reach its full potential.

Ongoing expenses are very minimal and revolve mainly around internet provision and the maintenance of a work computer. Some wage estimates place average proofreader salaries at about $48,000 per year, although that does not include freelance proofreaders.

Learn how to start a proofreading business .

Digital Art & Design

These low-cost business ideas require the use of digital tools to create and edit art and other media for clients. This can involve anything from editing family portraits to designing company logos.

20. 3D Printing Design Business

A plastic robot being printed by a 3D printer

Artists familiar with three-dimensional mediums like carving or sculpting can combine their expertise with digital 3D modeling to capitalize on the growing trend of 3D printing. You will spend a good deal of your time designing 3D objects and selling them to consumers who own 3D printers.

Ongoing expenses may include re-stocking materials (if you are printing them yourself), maintaining a professional website, or if you are printing through a third-party like Shapeways, the printing fee that they will charge. The profitability of a business like this is comparable to other online specialty retailers, so it will depend on your ability to target the right demographics and advertise yourself effectively.

Learn how to start a 3D printing business .

21. Graphic Design Business

Various design tools sitting in front of a computer

Graphic design is perfect for artistic entrepreneurs with an intuitive sense of business aesthetics and lucrative design choices. This line of work is all about executing projects for clients, collaborating with illustrators and other artists, and finding effective ways to represent client franchises in ways that will appeal to targeted demographics.

Graphic design software can become costly, but as you begin, the ongoing expenses are pretty low given that you’ll probably be working from home. Talented graphic designers with plenty of experience and positive client reviews can ask for as much as 50% profit margins, although your own business will earn a good deal less than that when you first begin your work.

Learn how to start a graphic design business .

22. Photo Editing Business

Woman drawing on a design pad, with various photography and design tools on her desk

Modern photographers tend to know all about image editing, but anyone familiar with editing software like Photoshop may be a candidate for photo editing. The job itself is pretty straightforward -- you simply receive client photos and edit them.

There aren’t many overhead costs to run a photo editing business, so internet, advertising, and editing software are most of what you need to pay for.

Learn how to start a photo editing business .

Start a Low Startup Cost Business in Your State

Specialty craft businesses.

These low-cost startups rely on the allure of good old-fashioned, hand-cultivated specialty items. For some entrepreneurs, these business ideas may present the opportunity to turn an existing interest, hobby, or skill into a profitable venture.

23. Print Shop

A printer printing prints

Printing shops offer a variety of print and copy services to the public. This includes online printing, direct mail, and business printing.

Most printing stores offer additional services to the public, depending upon the specific needs within the community.

Learn how to Start a Print Shop .

24. Candle Making Business

A candle maker tying a purple candle with twine and burlap

Lovers of arts and crafts with a head for marketing may be a great fit for candle making. Aside from the creative process itself, candle makers will be ordering materials, photographing their creations, and finding new ways to market their products online.

Purchasing the materials and shipping them will be your primary ongoing costs, with online platform service fees cutting a little into your earnings. Earnings depend on the rates at which you make sales, but expect profit margins of 50% as you continue a steady candle-making business.

Learn how to start a candle business .

25. Soap Making Business

An artisinal block of soap with floral ingredients surrounding it

To excel in this low-cost business, you’ll need to love creating handmade products, but you’ll also have to pair that enthusiasm with strong marketing instincts and business acumen. As with any homemade product sales, you’ll spend most of your work life marketing online, running a social media business page, creating your product, and shipping it to your customers.

Consumable product materials will make up the majority of your ongoing expenses, and these expenses will increase in proportion to the size and success of your business. Profits will mainly be determined by your creativity, commitment, and long-term vision for success.

Learn how to start a soap making business .

26. Furniture Upcycling Business

A desk with a pallet converted to be a desk organizer

Thrift store hunters and yard sale veterans can combine their sense of creative potential with carpentry or similar skill sets to begin a furniture upcycling business. Your time will mainly be spent searching for and acquiring new furniture, then working your creative magic to not only refurbish it but improve upon its original value.

The furniture itself will be an ongoing cost, as will any shipping fees, online sales platform fees, and tools/material components necessary to complete your individual projects. This is potentially a very profitable line of work, but ease into it as a side gig before making sure you’d like to turn your full attention to it.

Learn how to start a furniture upcycling business .

27. Bonsai Tree Business

Bonsai tree in front of a paneled wall with a artistic print displayed on a scroll

Gardeners, herbology enthusiasts, and people who love all things miniature may want to consider starting up a bonsai tree business. Bonsai trees are beautiful and challenging to properly cultivate, so ongoing costs may include plant-growing equipment, formal training courses or other instructive resources, and rent for a quality storefront.

Online sales are probably out of the question given the delicate nature of a finely developed bonsai tree. Despite some heavier upfront investments and ongoing costs, bonsai trees can sell anywhere from sixty to hundreds of dollars if correctly grown and pruned.

Learn how to start a bonsai tree business .

Lifestyle Businesses

Our lifestyle category is populated with low-cost business ideas that focus on improving customers’ quality of life. Whether the job centers around planning an event or providing day-to-day assistance, these businesses help people take a load off in the midst of their busy lives.

28. Personal Shopper Service

Man pushing grocery cart while looking at his phone

Extroverted helpers with good memories and navigational skills will excel at personal shopping. The timely delivery of select goods is the primary function of a personal shopper, making sure the client is satisfied and trusts your ability to deliver everything on their list.

The only ongoing costs you’ll be managing are gas prices/occasional car maintenance and as much advertising as you feel like you need. There is tremendous variability in profits earned through personal shopping, since your pay will generally depend on the quantity of good procured for clients and how quick and efficient you can be.

Learn how to start a personal shopper business .

29. Personal Styling Business

Woman cracking her fingers in front of a computer with color swatches around her

Skilled cosmetologists and other friendly fashionistas are all set if they have a reliable network of media personalities or other public faces. As a personal stylist, you’ll consult with clients about their desired image, utilizing a savvy intuition for the art of appearances paired with an up-to-date familiarity with modern fashion.

Ongoing costs are few and far between, as any clothing or cosmetic products will typically be charged to the customer or otherwise reflected in your prices. This is another one of many low-cost business ideas with high profit potential; profits may climb as high as $78,000, but this depends on your service fees and the needs of your clientele base.

Learn how to start a personal styling business .

30. Fashion Consulting Business

A consultant showing her client a green dress

Fashion consultants keep up with the modeling world and all the latest cosmetic trends. Clients rely on their fashion consultant to help them pursue the right aesthetic by offering practical ways to adopt a natural, personalized self-presentation.

A fashion consultant won’t deal with much overhead beyond routine car use to meet with clients and maybe a professional website hosting fee. Fashion consultants enjoy an average annual income of $53,000.

Learn how to start a fashion consulting business .

31. Personal Concierge Business

Man typing on a keyboard on a well organized desk

A personal concierge is a highly organized creative problem solver with an excellent memory. The daily activities of someone in this line of work are difficult to describe because of their variety from person to person. From schedule management to grocery pickups and finance handling, this job’s daily services run the gamut of services performed, thanks to the concierge’s jack-of-all-trades adaptability.

Ongoing costs are low, including personal grooming, transportation, and self-marketing. The average salary for this position is tough to nail down, but it will depend on your employer’s finances and the difficulty of tasks assigned.

Learn how to start a personal concierge business .

32. Professional Organizing Business

A well organized closet with clothing

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to be a creative developer of custom organizational systems, and you’ll have to help clients adopt your systems through personal instruction. As you meet with clients, you’ll be helping them to organize and manage time more effectively, install a new system for the organization of household objects, or efficiently organize important business paperwork for easy access.

Advertising and transportation are your only real ongoing costs here. Typical annual income ranges from $30,000 all the way to $115,000/year.

Learn how to start a professional organizing business .

33. Nanny Service (Babysitting Business)

Woman sitting with a child drawing

The necessary traits for this job are no secret -- you need to love kids. If you are planning on developing a bigger operation, your time may be spent managing calls and reservations for clients, developing unified standards for your babysitter employees, and ensuring a proper fitting of babysitter to family.

Overhead costs will be the same for this business as most others, depending on office rent, company vehicles, rates charged, and an online marketing campaign. An individual babysitter will profit at about minimum wage, but employing other babysitters in your growing company can substantially improve your earnings.

Learn how to start a babysitting business .

34. House-sitting Business

A man and woman sitting on a sofa with their arms folded above their heads

This is an accessible job with a low-key work atmosphere for folks looking to supplement their existing incomes. In this job, it’s typical to take care of normal housepets, water the plants, shovel the walkway, and generally act as a guardian while the owners are away.

There are few ongoing costs beyond transportation, so you can enjoy almost the entirety of whatever fee you’re charging the homeowners. This business tends to be the most lucrative during holidays, but with a reliable reputation you can get work at any time of the year, making this an excellent side gig.

Learn how to start a house-sitting business .

35. Pet-sitting Business

Woman playing tug-of-war with her dog using a frisbee

Animal lovers who like to interact with a diverse range of creatures might consider starting up their own pet-sitting business. Compassionate, responsible folks can enjoy high levels of autonomy as they follow individualized pet routines to keep the animals under their care happy and healthy.

The job may come in tandem with house-sitting, so it doesn’t hurt to be generally familiar with home upkeep procedures like plant care and minor plumbing. You can charge flat fees or work by the hour as you see fit, and annual incomes will typically range from $30,000-$57,000.

Learn how to start a pet sitting business .

36. Dog-walking Business

Small dog with a leash looking up at the person walking them

Another job for animal lovers, this one focuses on canine companion care and the exercise they need. On a given day, a dog walker will pick up the dogs, take them on whatever routes have been agreed upon by clientele, return the dogs home, and manage appointments with new and existing clients.

Ongoing costs may include a variety of dog accessories such as treats, chew toys, quality harnesses and leashes, or transportation crates. Profits are dependent on how many dogs you can get onto your daily schedule, and how much you can reasonably charge -- running a dog-walking business with your own employees will earn you a cut of all profits.

Learn how to start a dog walking business .

37. Event Planning Business

Calendar with colored push pins stuck into it

Creativity, an eye for detail, and good planning skills all come together in the professional event planner. In this career, there is a great deal of customer interaction, marketing, and PR work to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and the occasion leaves all attendees satisfied.

Some ongoing costs may include office rent, insurance, business licenses, and advertising. Profits depend on whether you are acting as an individual or an owner with employees. And individual event planner may average $75,000 per year, but an owner can rake in $80,000 per year.

Learn how to start an event planning business .

38. Wedding Planning Business

Photo of a bride and groom kissing behind a bouquet

For all the matchmakers and romantics out there, this business takes your sweet approach to life and transforms it into a lucrative endeavor. Helping happy couples establish realistic budgets, explore wedding locations, select catering, find the right music. Design invitations, and more.

Ongoing costs are low, consisting mainly of advertising, and you can avoid renting an office by meeting your clients in their homes. Profits depend on your location -- wedding planners in urban areas are more likely to earn upwards of six figures annually. Wedding planners can usually charge several thousand dollars per wedding.

Learn how to start a wedding planning business .

Cleaning & Maintenance Businesses

When people’s homes or yards fall out of shape, it’s common for them to call a pro to avoid the physically taxing cleaning or restoration process. The labor specialists who run these low-cost businesses save their clients time, and even money, by providing reliable home maintenance services.

39. Cell Phone Repair Business

A cell phone being taken apart.

A cell phone repair business focuses on repairing broken or damaged cell phones and tablets.

Learn how to start your own Cell Phone Repair Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Learn how to Start a Cell Phone Repair Business .

40. Home Staging Business

A women staging a home

The real estate market is very competitive. Homeowners who want to sell their property for the highest price need to present it in the best possible way to potential buyers. That is where a home staging business can help.

A home staging business helps homes appeal to ideal buyers by creating interior design which highlights the home's strengths and minimizes its flaws.

Learn how to Start a Home Staging Business .

41. Board Game Company

A game board on display

Many people enjoy playing board games with family and friends. Board game businesses design and make board games for people to play.

Despite the growth of online platforms, the board game industry continues to remain strong. It’s grown since 2013, and the industry almost broke $10 billion in sales in 2016.

Learn how to Start a Board Game Company .

Learn more about starting a business by visting the  U.S. Small Business Administration .

42. Lawn Care Business

Someone cutting grass with a weed trimmer, in yellow Crocs

Physical stamina and a love of the outdoors meet skilled maintenance in the lawn care specialist. This is exclusively daytime work, so the job begins early in the morning with equipment check-ups followed by on-site work as specified by the day’s contracting lawn owners.

Equipment maintenance, insurance, advertising, and labor assistance are some of the ongoing costs to which a lawn care business must attend. A single lawn care specialist will work very hard to earn $30,000-$50,000 per year, but running a larger business with multiple crews will earn you a good deal more.

Learn how to start a lawn care business .

43. Pool Cleaning Business

Person cleaning a pool with a water skimmer

To run a pool cleaning business, you should be self-motivated, comfortable working long hours alone, and ideally, you should enjoy working outside. If you’re marketing your own pool-cleaning company, this will occupy a good chunk of your time. But mainly, your duties will consist of chemical manipulations for clean swimming water, pool pump management, vacuuming, and pool basket emptying.

Supply costs are on the higher side for pool cleaners and may consume up to 20% of their revenue. Pool cleaning is fairly lucrative for a labor job, however, offering as much as $50-$60 per hour.

Learn how to start a pool cleaning business .

44. Handyman Business

Handyman holding gloves and a red hardhat and wearing a fully equipped utility belt

Independent, hard-working people in robust physical condition can put their problem-solving skills to use by starting up a handyman business. There is a massive field of possibilities for someone in this low-cost business, depending on their knowledge of various domestic appliances and home improvement practices.

Ongoing costs can be troublesome for a handyman business, as it requires the right licenses and quality tool replacement. The profits may justify these deductions if your company targets a more challenging or unusual field of repair, which will permit you to charge accordingly for the value of your services.

Learn how to start a handyman business .

45. Cleaning Business

Rubber gloved hands surrounded by many cleaning supplies

Last but not least on our list of low-cost business ideas is a cleaning business. Highly motivated people with energy to spare can be well suited to a cleaning business, which demands a great deal of physical exertion for long periods of time. Cleaning businesses can operate as general services, or specialize in a certain type of cleaning, like residential or office-oriented services.

Ongoing costs for cleaning supplies and equipment maintenance may prove higher than is desirable, but fast, efficient work makes for more customers and more money earned in a day. A smaller cleaning business can still make between $50,000 and $100,000 per year, which can really motivate you to remain on your feet those long hours.

Learn how to start a cleaning business .

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cheap business ideas to start from home

Home Business Ideas

There are a variety of businesses you can run out of your home, and because of the minimal overhead expenses, most of them can be started fairly cheaply. In this article, we outline our top 40 businesses you can start from home.

cheap business ideas to start from home

Online Business Ideas

Whether you’re looking to build an online empire or earn a little money on the side, one of the best things about owning an online business is having the ability to work as much or as little as you want -- from whatever location you prefer.

cheap business ideas to start from home

Unique Business Ideas

There are many ways to leverage American consumers’ fascination with trending specialty products and services. In this article, we discuss 40 niche, clever business ideas that are ideal for the modern entrepreneur.

cheap business ideas to start from home

Side-hustle Business Ideas

If you’re looking to scratch the entrepreneurial itch without giving up your day job, you’re probably on the hunt for a side-hustle that aligns with your personal interests and your schedule. These 40 side-hustles satisfy a range of interests and can easily turn into full-time careers.

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

72 home based business ideas you can start today

  • Rebecca Tomasis
  • Jun 22, 2023
  • 29 min read

home-based business ideas

Starting a business from home is becoming increasingly popular for new and experienced business owners. With the rise of the gig economy and digital technology, including online retail, there are now more opportunities than ever to launch a business that operates out of your home.

Whether you’re looking to supplement your income (see our guide on how to make money from home ) or start an entirely new career, home-based business ideas provide an excellent opportunity to participate in both the passion economy and the sharing economy.

Whether you have a home-based business, travel to your clients, or cram in a few hours at a cafe, the possibilities of avoiding the 9-5 office life are plentiful. In fact, in the U.S. alone, the most recent census (2017) found that 8 million people worked from home .

Starting a business from home is a quick and resource saving way to get a great business idea off the ground. Yankee Candles started off as a small business in the kitchen of Michael Kittredge's family home. Start small, think big.

It takes a self-motivated, highly disciplined person to make a home business successful. Of course you should choose a good business idea that suits you best. Fortunately, there are options available for all skill levels and areas of expertise (including business ideas for stay-at-home moms ). From the lowest overhead costs to the most elaborate ventures, and from freelancers to full-fledged business owners, here are the top 70 home-based business ideas for you to choose from and get started on today:

Pro tip: After coming up with business idea and before you get started putting this into action, take some time to read through the following guides. Begin by reading up on how to start your business , which includes everything from how to create a business website to promote your work. You might also want to check out some business website design inspiration .

Why start a business idea from home

There are many reasons why starting a business from home is a popular choice. Here we go over a few of the key reasons why:

Low startup costs. Starting a business from home can cost from just a few hundred dollars up, depending on which type of business idea you decide to run with. This makes the initial risk of starting a business much more minimal.

Flexibility. Business ideas that work from home allow for more freedom in terms of where you work from. They're often a good self-employment fit for parents with children at home, or for people who live in remote areas. Learn more about how to sell online .

Profitability. Small businesses started from home can grow and with less overhead costs, they can have great potential for profitability.

Easiest business ideas to start from home

Survey taker

Uber driver

Professional organizer

Personal shopper

House cleaner

Data entry specialist

Gift basket arranger

Freelance illustrator

01. Pet sitter

What animal-lover wouldn’t dream of this job? If your friends call you the ‘cat whisperer’ or you light up every time a cute dog passes you by on the street, you’d be crazy not to jump on this business idea . If you’re responsible, caring and organized, it’s worth reaching out to your social circle and online communities to offer your services. This is also an excellent option if you want to earn extra money on the side, or are looking for a job where you can multitask between other projects.

Median annual salary: $30,077

Read more: How to start a dog walking business , Business ideas for kids

dog walking home based business

02. Survey taker

Did you know that you can get paid for expressing your opinion? As a survey taker you’ll fill out forms with your general sense of the public’s opinions. To get started, create a custom email address specifically for this because you’ll have a cluster of emails coming your way. Then, reach out to a minimum of five trusted companies initially, as invitations from each can be few and far between and each one pays differently. Overall, don’t expect to make tons of money from this, rather consider it as a side hustle .

Median annual salary: $16,000

03. Uber driver

An excellent fit for social people who want to have control over their hours. Uber drivers responsibilities entail picking up passengers and safely delivering them to their destinations, as well as keeping their vehicles clean and inviting at all times. Based on a rating scale, you can become a crowd favorite and earn social respect fast if you do a good job. And with Uber, above other ride-sharing services, you’ll be working with the biggest network of active riders. Alternatively, if you don’t want to deal with passengers, you can work with Uber Eats and deliver food instead.

Median annual salary: $34,231

04. Professional organizer

If Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing consultant, is your role model, then getting paid to tidy up others people’s mess could be your calling. Take this a step further and offer your clients tips to improve their organizational methods in the future. Whether it’s apartments or office spaces, the possibilities here are endless. The necessary criteria are communication, motivation and (of course) impressive organizational skills. You can also learn how to make money as a consultant .

Median annual salary: $53,000

05. Personal shopper

Your dream of getting paid to shop has just come true. If you have advanced knowledge of consumer goods and current trending products , you can consult or physically shop for others. From wardrobes to groceries to household interiors and more, take your fashion sense to the market and start making money by helping others.

Median annual salary: $32,808

06. House cleaner

You may not be working from your own home, but you will have a flexible schedule as a house cleaner. Whether you decide to work with one to two houses or set up an entire cleaning service (the choice is yours), the only requirements aside from the basics are that you should be a thorough cleaner and have strong communication with your customers. This can also be a great family business idea as it can be easily arranged around a busy schedule or a popular business idea for students , looking for part time and flexible work.

Median annual salary: $27,339

Read more: How to start a cleaning business

home based business idea home cleaning

07. Data entry specialist

You’d be surprised that a lot of documentation today is still done manually, rather than online. If you want to be a part of converting the stragglers to the digital world, it’s possible to earn an income by entering information from paper files to online computer files. Not to mention, you’ll be helping the environment by saving some trees along the way. The main requirement here is to be highly detail-oriented in order to make sure that no piece of data is left out from your transfer efforts.

Median annual salary: $34,355

08. Gift basket arranger

Gift baskets have become a popular present option for many reasons. They usually include at least one item everyone will enjoy, they can be highly personalized and you can get pretty creative with the items. Based on your customers’ needs, you’ll be able to craft boxes with different assortments. Start small by working with close family and friends, then you’ll be able to use your baskets as samples to get more clients. Take this a step further sell subscriptions to curated gift boxes on a recurring basis. Be sure to create an eCommerce website to sell your gift baskets around the world.

Median hourly salary: $16

09. Freelance illustrator

Take your creative talents and fly solo. Working as a freelancer in the illustration industry allows you to have more control over your work by spending time on projects that you choose, which ultimately will ensue more motivation. You'll have to create a mesmerizing illustration portfolio website that showcases past projects and experience in the field in order to be able to obtain new clients too. Illustrations can also be sold as digital products for extra income.

Median annual salary: $49,380

Business ideas from home with low startup costs

10. bicycle mechanic, 11. pet groomer, 12. music teacher, 13. college planning consultant, 14. babysitter, 15. elder care provider, 16. private tutor, 17. translator, 19. party entertainer, 21. publicist.

Do you have a knack for fixing things? As most people don’t, your skills are bound to come in handy. This is especially the case with bicycles, where 47.5 million Americans cycle regularly , and the number is continuously rising. You’ll be surprised how many people come your way when you market yourself as the ‘handy-man’ in town. Prior experience required is being able to fix bikes from multiple brands, weights and sizes. And if you can work on electric bikes, that’s an added bonus.

Median annual salary: $21,000

bicycle mechanic home based business

From cutting fur to nail trimming, shampooing and brushing, you can be in charge of helping man’s best friend to look fresh, clean and ready to strut their stuff when they walk through their neighborhood. This job is meant for individuals who consider themselves animal lovers, have a lot of patience and know how to care for pets properly.

Median annual salary: $38,033

If you’re gifted at making beautiful, rhythmic sounds come out of an instrument or your vocal cords, this is a way to channel your strengths and spread them to others. From piano to vocals, solfeggio and more, you could become a music teacher. Note that teaching is a skill of its own, so it will require patience, care, communication and fundamental knowledge of your craft in order to start a career or a side gig in this area.

Median annual salary: $46,744

One of the most stressful responsibilities for a high school student is figure out all the answers to their burning questions about college and their future. ‘Will they be able to afford it?’ ‘How will they get into their dream school?’ ‘What will they study?’ If you consider yourself organized, motivating and connected in these areas, your ability to help students navigate their futures can earn you a sufficient income.

Median annual salary: $41,735

If you’re good with kids, toddlers, or newborns, taking on this job is a great way to make a meaningful living. Whether you decide to work as a full time nanny or spend a few hours after school watching your neighbors’ kids, there is always a never-ending demand for work in this field. On top of having the skills and diplomas to work with kids, if you also take a first-aid and CPR course, you’ll be able to differentiate yourself from the market by being a more trustworthy care provider.

Many day care centers often start from a home environment, before expanding and moving into specialized facilities. We love examples like this one . Make sure to do your research before starting a business as either a babysitter or daycare provider—always take legal advice and be sure to comply with local, State and Federal laws and regulations involving the care of children within a private home.

Median annual salary: $33,722

Read more: How to start a babysitting business

If you’re looking to step into a growing field, the senior care industry is it. Approximately 24% of the total U.S. popular will be 65 years or older by 2060 . And just like working with kids, this job involves being responsible, being trustworthy and having a knack for helping others. Here, you will need to provide hands on assistance with large responsibilities, such as meal prep, giving out daily pills, bathing, trips to the doctors and more.

Median annual salary: $23,874

Read more: How to start a home care business

Here’s an opportunity to provide assistance in a field you consider yourself gifted in, as well as able to communicate the process. From mathematics to grammar, languages and more, tutors are always needed at all levels of education, from grade school through post graduate studies.

You can choose to run online tutoring completely from home, and hold all of your lessons online. This also allows you to tap into a global demand for online tutors. Teaching English online for example, or music lessons, are always in high demand.

Median annual salary: $23,345

Read more: How to start a tutoring business

As more business and communication is going global, language barriers are one of the major obstacles in correspondence. If you’re fluent in multiple languages, this skill will serve you wonders in the job industry. Your assistance has most likely been requested before, whether on the job or through family and friends. Yet, now it’s time for you to start earning from it by taking on tasks from companies and individuals that demand these services to function.

Median annual salary: $47,190

This is a job that’s always in demand for individuals looking to mend their precious clothing, from fixing holes and loose threads to hemming skirts and pants—and so much more. It takes skill to work with different fabrics and lines of stitches, as well as sometimes redesigning or creating items from scratch. So, if you’re a needle and thread guru, this could be a great ‘fit’ for you.

Median annual salary: $32,560

The popularity of the entertainment industry is on the rise because having fun is a serious matter. Considering this, if your comic level or vibrant personality make you the life of the party, you might consider becoming a party entertainer. Whether you’re a clown, magician, balloon artist, cartoonist, comedian or something else, your talents will be requested in all areas of fun - just like this versatile performer, Shelley Siller .

Median annual salary: $23,290

If you’re unfamiliar with this term, you might recognize it under other names like ‘birth companion,’ ‘birth coach’ or someone that provides both emotional and physical assistance throughout and after pregnancies and birth. From breathing techniques to birthing plans, and communicating all of the procedures and processes involved, you can be a vital aid in helping women get through this incredibly exciting and stressful life-changing experience. Aside from the necessary training and skills, being a supportive, patient and responsive caregiver is crucial.

Median annual salary: $42,000

This job entails getting media coverage and managing the publicity of businesses, brands or public figures. If you enjoy working with the media, crafting promotions and consider yourself an excellent networker, you can make a living out of it from home (versus being employed at a big PR firm). Some of the duties and responsibilities you can expect with this job include helping each of your clients create a press kit, pitching stories to publications and following up consistently.

Median annual salary: $51,385

Unique home based business ideas

22. personal chef or caterer, 23. party planner, 25. video editor, 26. freelance photographer, 27. freelance graphic designer, 28. interior designer, 29. home staging professional, 30. florist, 31. voice over artist, 32. jewelry designer.

Are you a cooking or baking enthusiast? If so, your work can stretch further than delivering your neighbors fresh baked cookies or impressing dinner guests to a plentiful spread. You can start a business straight out of your kitchen by providing meals and goodies to individuals, households and events. Cooking skills, some basic business skills and a food-related website are required to kickstart your career here.

You can also take this to the next level by extending your home based cooking into the realms of Youtube and TikTok. Take inspiration from Chef Joshua Weissman whose cooking videos and cheap eat recipes have earned him a large social media following.

Go once step further again and combine cooking from home with a food delivery service, to make sure you really offer next level service to your customers.

Median annual salary: $45,929

How to start a food business

Food business ideas

catering service home based business

If you thrive on planning events, set your goals on turning it into your own business. From weddings to birthday parties, corporate outings and more. Most people don’t have time in their own lives to deal with all of the operational details required in order to make their events as extravagant as they wish for them to be. This is where you come in, with basic planning skills, organization, communication and more. You could be organizing caterers, hunting down event spaces, creating wedding websites and more.

Median annual salary: $33,092

Read more: How to start a party planning business

party planner home based service

24. DJ (disc jockey)

Do you have an eye for crowd-pleasing music? If you know how to mix songs and beats into flowing sessions that can keep a room full of people entertained for hours, this could be a great fit for you. And if you don’t have the skills but love the idea, you can take classes and practice with different DJ softwares to get started and feel it out. This is your chance to turn your hobby into a realistically paying job, just like this DJ did.

Median annual salary: $56,779

Read more: How to start a DJ business

DJ home based business

The power of video today is inevitably strong. Brands have come to realize that consumers are eyeing this content more than any other form. So, working as a video creator is certainly worthwhile. And if you’re passionate about production and know how to create engaging clips, you’re almost all set. Once you create a video website and market your talents, brands will start to build trust with you and your work.

Median annual salary: $50,584

video editor home based business

Here’s another hobby turned into a career. Photographers are needed across all realms, from weddings to businesses, magazines and so much more. Bring your talents to whatever field you specialize in, be it nature landscapes, family portraits, newborns, etc. Of course, you’ll need to be tech-savvy with the camera, but business and personable skills will truly keep your business afloat. For starters, you can create a photography website and add your portfolio so that every time you reach out to clients, you’ll be able to market yourself. Here are more tips to help you earn money as a photographer and some places to find freelance photography jobs online .

Check out this photographer’s site for more inspiration on how to get started with freelance photography from home.

Median annual salary: $35,726

Read more: How to start a photography business

Working in this field is one of the utmost creative feats. You’ll turn images, text, shapes and colors into company assets, like logos, business cards, posters, websites and other promotional items. If you’ve studied graphic design and are looking to pursue a career of independence where you can pick and choose your projects and clients, then consider flying solo. This freelance graphic design checklist will help you get started.

Median annual salary: $50,028

Are you constantly imagining ways to improve the spaces you enter, from offices to apartments and homes? Taking on the job of an interior designer will allow you to scale your visions into reality. You’ll be in charge of creating and finding elements that artistically fit together within a space. Oftentimes a level of schooling is required to get started, be it a bachelor's degree or a course. Ultimately, it’s about showing your clients how experienced you are and providing them with a vision and proof of your work.

Median annual salary: $51,775

Read more: How to start an interior design business

This job entails preparing homes and buildings for sale by “staging” the look of them via furniture, paint and accessories. Essentially its interior design, but for mock properties. Therefore, having an eye for visually pleasing design elements and colors is necessary for this job.

Median annual salary: $41,812

In Japanese, the act of arranging flowers is expressed through the term ‘Ikebana,’ or ‘making flowers alive.’ Such a vibrantly fulfilling job is great for creatives with a knack for arranging different types of flowers into uniquely packaged styles for events or sentiments. In order to work in this industry, a high knowledge of these plant species, the ability to arrange them in beautiful ways and work appropriately with clients, budgets and timeframes is required.

Median annual salary: $27,200

Read more: How to start a flower business

home based business ideas to start as a florist

This job entails working in the entertainment industry providing voice-overs for commercials, video games, cartoon movies, movie trailers and more. If you have a very clear voice and fit the tone, you just might get a job. This market is very specific though, and having the right connections sometimes helps more than specific work experience. It’s recommended to take theater or acting classes to sharpen up your vocals.

Median hourly salary: $47.31

Whether you already create jewelry or are considered a crafty person, this fun hobby can become a business for you. It’s possible to sell your goods online , in stores, at festivals and other locations. To do so, you might want to take some jewelry making classes for specific materials you want to work with, from precious metals to wire, beads, stones and more. You can look into selling crafts online if you want a more general idea of how to get started.

Median annual salary: $57,485

Read more: How to start a jewelery business

home based business ideas to start as a jewelry designer

Writer focused business ideas to try from home

34. resume writer, 35. blogger, 36. journalist, 37. freelance business writer, 39. copywriter, 40. grant writer.

If you feel strongly about your writing skills and have ideas for novels, it’s possible to take on writing your very own books as a profession. A job like this certainly requires strong grammar, organization and creativity, but also a lot of motivation to get past the rotating stages of writer’s block. If you set your mind to it, like almost anything else, it’s definitely possible.

Median annual salary: $62,170

Writing a resume is vital if you want to land a job in most fields today. Yet, many people claim to have trouble crafting their own. If you consider yourself an expert in spewing out marketable paperwork to attract employers, then this online business idea will prove itself beneficial to many eager job seekers.

Median annual salary: $35,000

There are many facts and stats that will tell you why starting a blog with a free blog maker is the way of the future. These reasons include generating more engagement and sales for businesses. It’s also become the norm for researching and consuming information online today (look at what you’re doing right now). And what’s in it for you? 45% of marketers outsource content creation , which is a justifiable reason to sit at your favorite café or on your sofa in your PJs and crank out excellent content for the Web. If you have the research and writing skills, along with prior experience, you can get started.

Not sure what to blog about? We recommend starting with something you love, start writing and go from there. We love how this blogger combines her love of wine and her dogs into one really interesting blog.

Affiliate Marketing is often used by bloggers to earn commissions from promoting other people’s products or services. It involves creating content around a product or service, and including an affiliate link in that content. When a customer clicks on the link and purchases the item, you earn a commission, making it a popular choice with bloggers and other content creators.

You can also consider turning your content into ebooks, that can be sold online or used to generate leads to a product or service. Self publishing is a great way to create and promote your own content online.

Median annual salary: $42,170

Read more: How to start a blog

Journalists have one of the most important jobs today, as they educate the public about matters happening around the world. The angle that they choose to take on a story can completely sway public opinion one way or another. That being said, a job in this field is certainly possible. Your responsibilities include thoroughly researching your subject matter and conducting interviews, then conveying all of this through strong writing skills. In this field, it’s about standing your ground and choosing projects that you feel passionate about and believe in. It’s an exciting and independent journey you will venture into. If photography is more your thing, you can also consider photojournalism which also works from home.

Median annual salary: $45,845

If you’re an experienced researcher and know how to craft your knowledge into beautifully written text, this job is a match for you. From writing blog posts to user experience text, marketing emails and more content-related material, there are many directions you can go with this. Writers either branch off from full-time content positions, or take this up on their own, but either way connections in the industry and previous writing experience to back up your claims is important to land yourself gigs. If you want to impress the businesses you work with and create a funnel for them to request your skills, create a freelance website.

Median annual salary: $42,120

A level up from writing content is being able to edit it for both grammar and style. So if you love the field, you might just enjoy making adjustments and improvements to others’ work. A job such as this one requires a high level of grammar and specific knowledge on editing styles. Oftentimes that’s learned on the job, but an editing course will give you a leg up among competitors. You can do this with articles, novels and various other mediums of written content.

Median annual salary: $59,480

Essentially the purpose of this job is to craft the written content for a company for various mediums, from blog posts to ads, newsletters and more. Unlike a business writer, your job is more concentrated on promotional marketing rather than entertaining. It’s a great fit if you love to write and are able to adapt to different companies needs and styles. Most companies need someone to create great content, so you will definitely be able to find work. Digital journalism has been on the rise for a long time and so plenty of opportunities exist.

This job is not the most creative, but it’s always in demand. Your duties would entail writing proposals for a nonprofit organization or institute of education to apply for financial assistance from the government, companies and others. Requirements include knowing the ins and outs of the organization you’re working for, and being able to write, submit and manage proficient grant proposals. Some jobs require degrees, and others are just looking for writing experience.

Median annual salary: $53,806

Beauty and wellness home business ideas

41. hairstylist, 42. fashion stylist, 43. beautician, 44. health coach, 45. wellness instructor, 46. massage therapist, 47. virtual therapist, 48. personal trainer, 49. fitness instructor.

Coloring, highlighting, cutting and styling hair is something you can totally manage from your very own home salon. If you’re passionate about the beauty industry and follow your state’s requirements for opening up shop (licensing, beauty school and certificate, etc.), there’s no doubt you can pamper guests and make them feel more glamorous from the moment they walk into your home.

Median annual salary: $24,850

Does your love for fashion shine through from your clothing choices to recommendations for friends and family? If so, it’s possible to sell your services and start helping others feel more confident about their looks and attire. You can sway this different ways, from high-end fashion to budget-friendly fashion and more. Some go to school for this, which is recommended, yet it’s possible to start a career without proper schooling by finding experience and educating yourself on trends and body types.

Median annual salary: $34,429

clothing store as a home based business

Like being a hairstylist, this is also a way to offer your services out of your very own home. This can include manicures, pedicures, waxing and more. If you are able to do one or many of these, clients will come your way. This is because home salons are typically less expensive than other options, and are naturally much more cozy. To make sure that you attract enough business and maintain a professional aura, create a beauty salon website.

Read more: How to start a beauty business , Beauty business ideas

This emerging market has grown to reach revenues over $6 billion in services . So, for those that love to study the most up-to-date nutrition trends and offer their companions advice for living the healthiest lifestyles, it’s possible to make a career out of it. Your job will entail working one-on-one in regular meetings with your clients, where you can help them define health goals and stick to them in order to maintain overall physical and mental wellness. In order to work in this field, you’ll need to take a course or study a nutrition-related degree.

Median annual salary: $48,239

Read more: How to start a coaching business

Meditation is the fastest growing health trend in America, and yoga isn’t too far behind. These and other tools of wellness are starting to spark the interest of more and more individuals as they’ve been proven to help reduce stress, improve concentration and aid in many other health-related issues. Entering this field is a competitive feat, but if you find your niche, you’ll be able to gain a following. In order to work as a wellness instructor, you’ll need to get a certification in the course of your choosing. You can then begin on your own, teach at a gym or studio, or work on a freelance basis with corporations. As you can see, there are many paths to take.

Median annual salary: $37,900

Read more: How to start a fitness business

If giving your time or gifts to others was always something that made you feel warm inside, providing these therapeutic treatments will be right up your alley. On top of just giving massages, you can also work with other doctors, from psychologists to chiropractors, physicians and more to be able to help your patients in multiple ways. In order to work in this field, you will need to obtain your license after taking a course.

Median annual salary: $41,420

massage therapist template for home based business ideas

If you’re already a working therapist but looking for more flexibility in your life, exploring this option is worthwhile. There are several ways were you can offer online therapy, such as through an application, video chat, voice calls, or messages (audio or text). Of course, you would need to be a licensed therapist to provide this kind of assistance, which means that you will need to obtain your degrees first.

Median annual salary: $79,010

If you enjoy working out as well as motivating others, becoming a personal trainer is a great job for you. A course is required to gain certification but after that you’ll be able to work on your own. Or you could apply to work in a gym, health center, or any other place of fitness.

Median annual salary: $33,120

Teaching classes can be even more fun than participating in them if you’re passionate about a sport. By taking a course in a specific sport/genre that you love, you’ll be able to learn the ins and outs, you’ll be able to gain the deepest understanding of that sport, then spread your knowledge to your students in the style that you want. It will also feel amazing to motivate others by doing what you love.

Median annual salary: $39,820

how to start a home based fitness instructor business

Successful at home business ideas

50. online store owner, 51. bed and breakfast owner, 52. online micro jobs, 53. bookkeeper, 54. tax preparer, 55. gardening business, 56. landscaping business.

Consumerism is increasingly on the rise. If you live in the U.S., or plan on selling goods there, you’ll be pleased to know that this specific market in the largest in the world. In 2016, it was valued at approximately $292 billion . The types of eCommerce business ideas are endless here, from the resale of consignment and vintage items, to selling handmade jewelry, clothes, wood work and more. With some knowledge of budgeting, marketing and sales, all that’s left to do is open your own online store .

Median monthly salary: Ranges from hundreds to ten thousands of revenue per month.

Read more: How to start an online store , things to make and sell

If you love hosting guests, take it a step further and turn your home into your very own boutique hotel. This is an excellent option especially if you live in a popular tourist destination, from New York to San Francisco and more. To get started, you’ll need to have strong business and marketing skills, as well as make sure that you register your home business appropriately with the government. And lastly, create a hotel website for guests to be able to book a stay.

Dealing with guests not your thing? You can still consider managing vacation rentals or flipping property as other property related home business ideas.

Median annual salary: $30,959

bed and breakfast owner for home based business

This vague description can apply to many small freelance jobs, such as transferring website data, creating logos, building dynamic pages and more. Many experts from various backgrounds can find mini jobs here, such as social media, programming, app development, graphic design, photo editing and so many more gigs. You’ll discover these opportunities across various platforms, from Fiverr to Gigwalk and Mechanical Turk.

Median annual salary: Varies according to tasks.

If you’re a trained and employed accountant but would like to step out of the corporate environment and take on your own clients, this is a great option for you. Bookkeepers are always needed, especially for small businesses who can’t afford one in-house. By picking up a few clients, you’ll be able to turn this into a full-time job. And if you’re not experienced in the field, you can gain background knowledge by taking several bookkeeping courses from an online college or one in your area.

Median annual salary: $39,240

Read more: How to start a bookkeeping business

Filing taxes is a burdensome task to many that’s often delegated to tax preparers. It’s also a job industry that’s not going anywhere, as taxes will always need to be paid. If you have a tax accounting background and you are registered with the IRS as a tax preparer, you can start taking on clients and forming your own business out of this handy skill.

Median annual salary: $38,730

If you love to garden, this is another way to turn a hobby into a business. Profit potentials are high, especially if you specialize in a specific area, like organic farming or native plants. Many people struggle to grow their own plants, which means that they would definitely pay for the help. So whether you’re only setting up a garden for them, or consistently maintaining it, your services will be desired.

Median hourly salary: $25,290

Read more: How to start a lawn care business

Landscaping businesses are very common among suburbs and urban areas. They add an artistic touch to buildings that makes them more inviting. Skill requirements include various tasks, from cutting lawns to planting flowers and trees, and arranging stone sidewalks and other pathways. To get started, you’ll also need to invest in pricey equipment, yet the profits are completely worth it.

Median hourly salary: $27,670

Read more: How to start a landscaping business

Innovative home business ideas

57. web designer, 58. youtube personality, 59. social media influencer, 60. video game tester, 61. podcaster, 62. travel agent, 63. virtual assistant, 64. web developer, 65. app designer, 66. digital marketing consultant, 67. call center representative, 68. webinar instructor, 69. research assistant.

70. Virtual media scribe

If you have a knack for design and are considered tech-savvy, web design for business websites could potentially be something you can get paid for. Website builders like Wix will considerably ease the process for you with drag and drop features and hundreds of website templates which are ready to personalize. And if you’re already experienced in the field, you can hone in on more creative options with Velo . But how will you find business? You can apply to become a partner website designer and from there, obtain access to a community of clients in need of your website building expertise.

Median annual salary: $57,470

If you know how to use a camera and have an eccentric personality, making a name for yourself on YouTube might just be your calling. From tutorials and how-tos to comedies, mini-episodes and more, the options are endless. Use your imagination and hobbies, and see where you can shine. Producing this content isn’t directly what earns you money though, that’s a supplemental process obtained through ads and brand endorsement. In order to gain traction, first read up on this guide to starting a successful YouTube channel .

Hand in hand with being a YouTube personality comes video live streaming and gaming. Video streamers recording themselves playing games online, is how entrepreneurs such as Mr. Beast got their start, and it remains a highly trending business to start from home.

Median annual salary: Highly dependent on your success. Money is generated from the streaming platform, as well as from sponsorships, donations and brand collaborations.

Social media influencers are taking over the Web and replacing the power celebrities once had. This is because they are known for being authentic, which means that consumers can relate to them more. In order to become one, you have to consistently work extra hard at building a community based around your goal, whether it’s to promote fashion, sports, or any of your hobbies. You’ll then be able to start making money in several ways, from promoting products to becoming an affiliate, selling your own products (t-shirts, photos, other merchandise) and more.

Median annual salary: Highly dependent on your success.

If your eyes just lit up when you heard this option, keep reading. It’s no joke, you can make money by playing video games all day. It’s possible to work with video game creators to test out the logic of their games and to look for any bugs in the program. There’s no experience required, except the ability to continuously play video games for hours on end. Yet, knowledge of programming or computer science will give you the upper hand at understanding the game’s functions.

Median annual salary: $22,360

Learn more: How to start a gaming business

video game tester home based business

The podcast world isn’t that old as the first one was released in 2004. However, since then it’s become a worldwide phenomenon. From commuting to work to cleaning their house and more, many people love to absorb information strictly through an audio medium because it allows them to multitask. So, if you have the right equipment and an interesting topic or theme to discuss, consider learning f reelance and making your own.

Do you love to explore the world and work with people? Travel agents can do all of this virtually from their computers. In this role, you’ll be in charge of booking trips and activities for people. From hotels to flights, restaurants, tours, top attractions and more, you’re in charge of making sure that your clients have a good time and nothing to worry about while they explore. So, if you love planning trips (even when they aren’t your own), give this a try. Although no degree is required, if you decide to major in travel and tourism in college, it will help you earn credibility and have a better chance of finding employment in the industry.

Median annual salary: $36,990

Just like being an office assistance, this job requires answering calls and emails, planning meetings, making travel arrangements and more. Your tasks will vary depending on who you work for, yet the perk of this versus going into the office is being able to work out of your very own home. Although no degree or training is required, employers are looking for candidates that can manage their time well and have good communication and organizational skills. Other opportunities within this field include medical billing and auditing from home.

Median annual salary: $22,000

Learn more: How to start a virtual assistant business

Just like a web designer, one of your roles will be to design websites, however this position goes much further. On top of that, you’ll need to know more about coding and modifying content, from fixing bugs to adding applications and extensions and more. Agile knowledge of different platforms and coding languages ranging from Velo to Python is necessary as you’ll dive deep into the technical side of websites. Typically, web developers go to school for computer science engineering or programming in order to obtain this knowledge.

Also if you have the necessary qualifications and experience you might want to consider ethical hacking. This is where companies pay ethical hackers to hack their systems in order to identify potential weaknesses for less than ethical hackers to attack and exploit.

Median annual salary: $75,487

There were over two million smartphone applications available in 2018 alone. It’s a rising market as consumers are expecting almost all businesses to offer some kind of application. And lucky for you, many of those businesses are outsourcing this job, especially startups that can’t afford to hire someone full time. This is where you come in, if you have a background in app design and programming, which you’d typically obtain through a college degree in a related field.

Median annual salary: $56,737

From social media to email, SEO and more, digital marketing consultants help companies grow and become noticed by their consumers. It’s possible to offer this in house, for an agency, or start your own individualized work. If you have experience in the marketing field and can send your clients marketing plans and meet your quota, then you might consider going freelance and taking on several clients of your own, while working from home on your own schedule.

Median annual salary: $60,714

Learn more: How to start a marketing business

digital marketing consultant home based business

Customer service is an industry in constant demand with most of the employees working online. It’s possible to find a company that will allow you to work remotely. Your job would entail answering customers questions and fulfilling their requests, from solving issues to connecting them to the appropriate departments and more. This requires staying organized, having patience and working at a timely pace. Previous customer experience, problem solving and people skills are among the requirements necessary to work in this position.

Median annual salary: $32,890

Many people are interested in taking courses online to further their knowledge in particular subjects, from software training to language learning, coding classes, online marketing and and endless amounts of other topics. If you have the knowledge and teaching skills, you can offer this opportunity to people for a price by conducting virtual classes by creating a webinar or an online course.

Median annual salary: $58,758

Oftentimes institutions and businesses pay individuals to conduct extensive research for them. Depending on what you’ve studied and what the job requires, your responsibilities can vary. However, motivation, attention to detail, technical and analytical skills are among the most common requirements.

Median annual salary: $29,098

70. Virtual Medical Scribe

This job involves charting physician to patient interactions, especially during medical exams. Oftentimes, medical scribes are hired as it saves physicians the hassle of filling out paperwork and other pertinent tasks. Here, you’ll be in charge of tracking all of the client-related information, managing documents and data, booking appointments and other administrative medical tasks. This is a great position too if you’re in university, working toward a degree in the health field.

Median annual salary: $24,857

eCommerce business ideas from home

71 Dropshipping

72. Print on demand

71. dropshipping.

Dropshipping can be easily started from home. It's an e-Commerce business model where you sell products online without ever actually having to manage inventory or ship the goods yourself. When a customer purchases an item from your store, it's then shipped directly from one of your assigned suppliers. This allows you to start selling products with minimal upfront investment and no risk of inventory or shipping costs. Dropshipping is an inexpensive way to get started with eCommerce.

Median annual salary: $45,500

Learn more: How to start a dropshipping business

Print on demand is an innovative and unique business idea that can be started from home. With print on demand, entrepreneurs can set up a store online for customers to purchase items with their desired design printed on them. The company who you partner with will then take care of the inventory and shipping so that your business can focus on marketing and promotion.

Median annual salary: $55,637

Learn more: How to start a print on demand business

How to start a business from home

Starting a home business is an excellent way to make money and be your own boss. It can be a profitable venture, as long as you have the right plan in place. To become profitable with your business it is important to have a well-defined strategy that includes your planned marketing efforts, effective financial management and a quality product or service offering. With the right planning and idea, you can turn your home-based business into a successful venture. Don't forget your business name , business plan and registering your business . You'll also want. to consider your business financing, and what type of business to start.

How to promote a business from home

There are many ways to help your promote a home based business. Many of these involve tapping into the potential of online sharing and social platforms. Etsy for example is an online marketplace allowing you to connect with millions of potential customers. And then of course there's Amazon too. Instagram and Facebook are also invaluable platforms for home based business owners to market and sell products. Or if you're looking to connect with those looking for freelancers or consultants, Upwork and Fiverr are great places to start.

Your home business and online security

Many home based business ideas are completely dependent on the internet for their execution, management and promotion. This means any online business owner must be aware of the importance of protecting their website and computer from cyber attacks. Malware, phishing and DDOS attacks are common potentially destructive online attacks that can put businesses of all sizes at risk of identity and data theft, as well as interruptions to business continuity and operations. If you're considering a home based business idea, make sure your website builder prioritizes the security of your site and business.

Home business ideas FAQ

What are the 5 most popular home based business ideas.

In the US, 5 of the most popular at home business ideas include - starting an eCommerce store in response to skyrocketing demand for online shopping over the past few years; online education and tutoring, as demand for remote learning has also soared; freelance writing and content creation as many companies push their content marketing efforts; pet care such as pet sitting and walking; home based food businesses, including homemade food and cake creation.

What is the most profitable business to start from home?

What kind of business can i start from home, explore more business ideas.

Part-time business ideas

Craft business ideas

Reselling business ideas

DIY business ideas

Clothing business ideas

Small-town business ideas

Dropshipping business ideas

Business ideas for couples

Rental business ideas

B2B business ideas

Scalable business ideas

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Business tips

How to start a business with no money: 22 low-cost business ideas

Real businesses that people have started for under $1,000.

Hero image with breads from a home bakery

If you want to create a business to change your lifestyle and finances, you may not have a ton of cash to invest in the venture. That doesn't mean you don't have options. I asked around and was inundated with all sorts of ideas for low-capital business ideas you can start with minimal upfront investment. 

How to choose your next business idea

The business ideas here are just the tip of the iceberg of low-capital opportunities. As you review the examples and come up with your own ideas, here are a few tips to be sure you're keeping your head on your shoulders.

Consider your skills . If you build on what you already know, you won't need to invest in extra training to get started—and you can begin faster with credentials. 

Use your current equipment . You may not have the best tools to start, but working with what you have until revenue flows makes it more accessible.

Fit your timeline . Some businesses (like a landscaping business) can turn a profit relatively quickly, while others (like a blog) will take time to gain momentum. 

Lean on existing tools. Check to see if there are existing marketplaces for what you're building. Think: Etsy for makers, Rover for dog walkers, and Upwork for freelancers. Just be aware that you'll have to pay for the convenience of tapping into an existing customer base. 

Think about your income and lifestyle goals . Do you want a full-time gig or supplemental income ? Are there particular hours or seasons you do or don't want to work? Building a business takes time and effort , so you want to make sure you choose a path that aligns with your plans. 

Make sure you have an audience . A business has to live at the intersection of what it can offer and what customers want. Be sure to validate your business idea to make sure enough people are willing to pay for your products or services to make it worthwhile. 

Remember: because you're starting a business with no money—or very little—you'll need to be much more strategic about the rest of the process.

Local low-cost business ideas

Remote work is a hot topic right now , but there are still plenty of business opportunities in your community. Here are some locally-based low-capital businesses you can set up for around $1,000 (or less!).

1. Landscaping business

If the idea of sitting at a desk all day makes your skin crawl, a landscaping business could satisfy your need to get outdoors. Upfront costs can be as low as $500 , especially if you start with the equipment you already own. Landscaping work is typically seasonal, so you can use automation to help run your landscaping business during the busy months. 

2. Baker or personal chef

Calling all Great British Bake Off fans: have you considered selling your creations? You'll need to check home bakery laws in your state, but if you're already a baker, you likely have some of the equipment you need.

Colin Johnson founded Company Bread from his home in Connecticut. "To get started, all I needed was a $50 license, a $100 food safety course, basic ingredients, and some equipment for larger production quantities. I also invested in a domain name for my website, so the total initial overhead was around $1,000," he shared. "I was able to make up for those costs within a few months."

A screenshot of the Company Bread website

Colin also shared a few words of advice for folks starting a new business from scratch: "You should be able to deliver the same level of service to your 10,000th customer as you did to your first customer. It involves more forward-thinking than I realized, so think about how to scale your business model early. Even if you're not investing a lot of money, you need to be investing a lot of time."

If you love music or just enjoy hyping up a room of teenagers at a Bar Mitzvah, you might consider starting a DJ business. Depending on what equipment you have and what you need to buy, you can start a DJ business for around $1,000. 

Learn more: 5 ways automation can help entertainers streamline work and maintain an online presence

4. Pet sitting and dog walking

For some animal lovers, spending every day with furry friends is a dream job. Typically, the startup costs of setting up a pet sitting or dog walking business are limited to licensing and insurance (though some platforms like Rover will cover those costs for you). If you're looking for something a bit more passive , services like Sniffspot let you rent out your yard to local dog owners. 

Sniffspot website

5. Organizing service

Do you live by the Konmari method and binge organizing shows on Netflix? Turns out you can get paid to do that. You can spend as little as a few hundred dollars to set up a professional organizing service and go on to earn an average of $55 an hour . 

6. Furniture refurbishing

You know those satisfying power washing and cleaning video compilations? You can live that. Picking up damaged couches for free or cheap on places like Facebook Marketplace, cleaning them up, and reselling them is a great business for anyone with a truck and a couple strong people to help. TikTok creators Cameron & Sadie called the gig "the easiest side hustle." Take a look.

@cameronandsadie Easiest Side Hustle! 😊 #furnitureflip #furnituremakeover #sidehustle #sideincome #flips #couchflipping #couch #flippingcouches ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

7. Thrift store flipper

If you want to sell goods without large inventory costs, try buying discounted items and selling them to a niche audience. People who don't live near a thrift store or are looking for really specific types of items will love what you offer. Building an audience around a particular theme makes looking for inventory and building a brand easier. For example, the Vtgspice storefront on Depop sells '90s-era shirts and sweaters.

A VTGSpice storefront selling '90s-era shirts

8. Used book reseller

You can buy books from a thrift store, library sales, or estate sales and sell them to an online audience. If you use Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA) , you don't even need to hold onto the books and ship them to sellers. 

9. Personal concierge

A personal concierge is similar to a personal assistant, except you'll help multiple clients. As long as you have reliable transportation and a computer or smartphone to manage online tasks, there isn't much more you need to get started . 

Learn more: Take inspiration from these tips put together by an executive assistant at Zapier .

Online low-cost business ideas

If you want to work without leaving the house, there are plenty of home-based business opportunities with low startup costs.

10. Virtual assistant

Much like a personal concierge handles local tasks, a virtual assistant helps people manage their work and life from the comfort of their own home. The virtual assistant world is flexible , since you can specialize in general admin tasks or niche business areas like social media management.

Caroline Marshall , founder of Upsource , shared that she "set up as a VA in 2020 investing very little money. I now have a multi-award-winning VA agency company that became an Ltd company last month. A VA business is a great one to start with very little costs."

A screenshot of Upsource

11. Build a blog

Creating and monetizing a blog is one of the most popular ways to earn money online. James Taylor , an SEO consultant , recommends looking at your hobbies if you aren't sure where to start. 

"A hobby blog, in particular, is a great way to get started because you're never going to run out of content ideas. You know what people are searching for because it's your hobby, and you've no doubt searched for similar things in the past. You'll also know what products and information people will need to get started."

While there are some startup costs, your main investment to get your blog off the ground will be time. Mushfiq Sarker , founder of The Website Flip , noted that "the skill sets needed to build a website include SEO, content marketing, and some technical knowledge of how to put a website together. The benefit here is that you can get started for $10 to host a website and then use free platforms like WordPress. As for learning the ins and outs of the business, there are hundreds of YouTube channels and blogs covering these topics."

Once you have your blog set up, you have a few ways to earn money. Robert Jones , founder of Property Investments UK , noted that blogs "can be monetized in different ways (many low-cost and no-cost) from partnerships and affiliates, through to display advertising and selling your own products." 

Learn more: Automated workflows to help you promote and publish your work

12. Coaching and consultation

Have something to teach? Rather than starting a blog, you could begin offering coaching or consulting sessions. Costs can go into the thousands if you let them, but you can also start small with a simple website and marketing. Once you've tested the idea and made some money, you can add to your business. 

Paige Arnof-Fenn , founder and CEO of Mavens & Moguls , said "setting up any type of consulting or coaching business on the cheap (under $1,000) is possible because all you need is a website, logo, name, email, business cards, online stationery for proposals and invoices, cell phone, and a good idea to get going." Paige recommends skipping printed materials like brochures and letterheads to save money. 

13. Freelancing

When you don't have the cash to invest in a business, you can lean on your time and skills. Alex Birkett , co-founder of Omniscient Digital , shared that "service businesses tend to be the easiest to bootstrap since you're selling your own time." Alex and his co-founder David Khim began their agency in their free time outside of their jobs. They kept initial costs low by doing the work themselves and putting off hiring help until they had client cash flow. 

The most in-demand freelance skills include web design, social media marketing, and online chat support. But the opportunities to serve clients are endless. Laura Roeder , founder of Paperbell coaching software , offered a tip for freelancers:

"Many new entrepreneurs think they need advertising, a fancy brand, or an expensive site to get going, but a freelance business just needs one thing: clients! You can start by pitching opportunities on sites like Upwork or Fiverr, which costs nothing. Or look for people who need what you have on Facebook Groups, Reddit, or Twitter."

Liz Heflin , founder of MACE Writing , also praised freelancing as a business with low barriers to entry. She shared:

"When I started freelance writing, it was 2006. I had my $200 laptop and an Internet bill that cost me $50 a month. That's it. That was the entirety of my overhead. I worked 100 percent remotely from my apartment, and I found all my initial jobs on the writing gigs section of Craigslist (of all places). Flash forward sixteen years, and I'm now a content marketing consultant and the founder of MACE Writing. My laptop has upgraded over the years, and I pay for things like a website and hosting. However, my overhead is still incredibly low."

14. Stock photographer

If you already spend time photographing the world around you, why not sell some of those images? You can sell stock photos to earn cash on the side. You can start cheaply and quickly if you already have a camera—even the one on your phone.

Will Yang , Head of Growth at Instrumentl , also suggests aerial photography:

"The overhead costs associated with this type of business are relatively low. You won't need to lease office space or purchase expensive equipment. All you need is a drone and a camera to start offering your services to various clients, from real estate agents to wedding planners. The demand for this kind of service is often high, so you can charge premium rates and remain competitive."

15. Travel planner

Some people just want to be told what time to get to the airport, while others love researching every last travel detail. If you're the latter, think about selling travel planning as a service .

16. Affiliate marketing site

Affiliate marketers promote a product and earn a commission on its sale. If you create a website centered on a personal interest, you can use affiliate marketing to monetize the content. 

Freelance writer Elise Dopson did this with a website focused on her dog's breed. It took her about six months of work to get nearly 7,000 monthly visitors to the site and earn £120/month with Google AdSense and Amazon affiliate earnings. She said the most challenging part about getting started is finding the time. "The work itself (including setup) is pretty easy. It's just finding spare time to get the stuff written," she said. 

Super happy with how my affiliate site is coming along. Started last August and now have 6.7k+ monthly visitors from organic search with <25 posts published on the site 💪 pic.twitter.com/gm9nxt7ybp — Elise Dopson (@elisedopson) August 17, 2020

17. Translation

Hey, multilingual folks: you have a valuable skill set. Startup costs as an online translator are nearly zero , especially if you start looking for work on a job site that quickly connects you with clients.   

18. Dropshipping

Dropshipping lets you sell online without keeping piles of inventory in your living room. Since you only pay suppliers after making a sale, your startup costs are mostly limited to supporting software. 

19. Home tutoring

Digital resources make it easier than ever for you to help students worldwide and earn extra cash. Jamie Irwin , founder of Straight Up Search , recommends that tutors "take advantage of today's technology by utilizing online teaching platforms like TutorCruncher , Skype, and Zoom."

20. Online community

Online communities give you a place to connect with an audience, share resources, and turn a profit. They're also cheap to start. Jimmy Daly , co-founder of Superpath , used a small investment from a personal advisor to build the business in its first year . While it was the perfect setup for him at the time, you don't have to find capital to get started.

"The upfront costs for Superpath were minimal. A Ghost website, Slack, ConvertKit, Zapier, Stripe, Airtable, Notion, and a few other tools. I ran the business for $500 a month for nearly a year. It was so, so lean. If someone is willing/able to do it without a salary for a while, a community-based business is a great option because it's nearly free to start," Jimmy shared. 

Superpath home page

The hard work paid off since the Superpath Slack has more than 7,000 members (and is one of my favorite Slack groups for marketers ), plus a paid Superpath Pro membership.

21. Micro-SaaS

If you have an idea to help an audience, but don't want to work hands-on as a freelancer or consultant, you might try building an app.

Alex Kracov, CEO and co-founder of Dock , shared that he started his tool as a Webflow product. "We built the initial version in Webflow (for just the cost of a subscription) and were able to prove the idea. As the business matured, we invested more money into the company. Still, we started the initial business for under $50 per month. TLDR - I think software businesses can start with low investment upfront, especially if you take advantage of no-code tools like Webflow, Glide, Zapier, Bubble, etc."

Dock homepage

Learn more: How to create an app using no-code tools and Zapier

22. Job board

The great resignation presents a unique business opportunity: job boards. Tomas Laurinavicius , co-founder of Best Writing , built a job board for writers.

Best Writing home page

"When the pandemic broke out in early 2020, my friend Ed and I built a job board for writers using no-code tools like Webflow, MailerLite, Airtable, and Zapier to glue everything together. The building part was pretty quick and cheap (under $100 for software and four weekends to develop the early prototype). We bet on SEO and started by growing our organic traffic and curating writing jobs from other public job boards. We created a free weekly newsletter and began charging companies to reach our audience."

Olivier Breton , founder of Niceboard , also applauded job boards as an easy-to-enter business: "Job boards make for great side hustles (most of our customers are profitable within just two months) and can easily evolve into full-time businesses (we have customers doing six figures in profit through their job boards) with very little upfront capital." 

Niceboard home page

Automate the busywork of your business

Deciding to start a business, even a low-cost one, is a big decision. You have to be ready to contribute time and patience while building your reputation and revenue. But there are a few things you can do to safeguard your time and money. 

Jenn Prochaska , founder of The Write Difference , offered guidance for refining your business idea before getting started : "Decide what one overarching principle guides everything you'll do (e.g., empowerment, community, security), what problem you solve, and for whom you solve it," she shared. 

Nail down your business plan early to help guide your decision-making later on.  

Invest in insurance. Allison Grinberg-Funes , a UX Content Strategist at Liberty Mutual, suggests entrepreneurs "research the laws in their state to see if they'll need a license or certification. And budget for and buy business insurance." The details matter.

Automate the busywork. If you're running your own business on a budget, let the robots take care of the grunt work for you. Here's how to know when to automate .

Have a little more than $1,000? Here are businesses you can start with $10,000 or less .

Read more: 7 free small business budget templates for future-proofing your finances

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Steph Knapp

Steph Knapp is a freelance B2B + SaaS content marketer that loves educating and empowering curious humans. When she's not typing away, you'll find her volunteering at the animal shelter and obsessing over a new hobby every week.

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20 Businesses You Can Start on the Cheap

Table of contents.

cheap business ideas to start from home

Whether you want to be your own boss or just to shore up some extra cash, there are several cheap businesses you can start with little in the way of money. Sure, you may not become the next Facebook or Apple overnight with just a business idea and $500 in your pocket, but there are plenty of opportunities to launch a small business with an equally small investment.

20 cheap businesses you can start with $500 or less

Here are 20 businesses you can start with an initial investment of $500 or less.

1. Online seller 

graphic of a person at a laptop next to online shopping tabs

Whether you want to sell apparel, collectibles or something else, you can easily get up and running online on the cheap. Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay will let you sell your products for a cut of the sale, while e-commerce platforms charge a low monthly fee to hawk your products over the internet.

It doesn’t take too much money to purchase your initial inventory. You can buy bulk items online or at a local discount store, or tap into the inventory you already have at home. (All those old baseball cards may be worth something!) The idea is to sell the products for more than you purchase them, taking into account any marketplace or e-commerce platform fees.

If you’re interested in e-commerce, dive into our guide to the costs of starting an online business .

2. Virtual educator/trainer

One of the cheapest ways to start a business is to provide your own services if you have a talent or skill. Melissa Schneider, executive and leadership coach at Melissa Schneider Leadership Coaching & Development, pointed to a chef in Nashville, Tennessee, who was laid off during the pandemic. He used his love and knowledge of cooking to start offering online cooking classes. The startup cost wasn’t too much, amounting to a computer and internet connection.

“He was able to sell his service in a completely different way,” Schneider told business.com.

Get creative with how you can use your skills in a new and unique way to educate others. If you differentiate your product from the competition , you’re more likely to gain clients or students. One successful education trend that may help is gamification, which encourages interaction and engagement.

3. Dropshipper

Cash-strapped would-be business owners can start a dropshipping business. With this business model, you build an online storefront or use an e-commerce platform, but you don’t hold the inventory. The products are shipped directly from the manufacturer after a customer makes a purchase from your online store. To get a virtual store up and running using this method, all you need to pay for is the domain subscription and the fees associated with using an e-commerce or dropshipping program.

“The beauty of the dropshipping model is you don’t have to actually manufacture any products to get started,” said Meghan Stabler, senior vice president of marketing at BigCommerce. “Rather, you partner with a manufacturer that makes your products and ships them directly to your customers, freeing you up to focus on the fun part: the marketing and customer experience.”

4. Social media marketer

graphic of a person holding a smart phone

Social media has become a powerful tool for companies to get the word out. If you are social media-savvy, there are tons of businesses looking for your expertise to help them develop social media marketing strategies , set up and post on their accounts, and increase their number of followers (and hopefully sales). If you’re an expert with popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even better. Knowledge, not money, is the key to getting this low-cost business up and running.

5. Freelance writer or editor 

If you have a knack for editing and/or writing, you can turn your expertise into a small business. With the proliferation of online content and social media, there are tons of opportunities to get paid for writing and editing. It takes little money to get up and running, but you will have to prove your worth to clients.

With the recent introduction of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Bard, some organizations may be relying on technology instead of freelancers for their content creation. As a result, it’s more crucial than ever to set yourself apart from the competition and prove why your work is superior.

6. Sales consultant 

Whether you want to sell makeup or cookware, there are many low-cost businesses you can start by selling products for existing companies. Take the skincare company Rodan + Fields as an example: It costs just $45 to start selling their products. Meanwhile, Avon charges $5, while Beachbody costs $39.95 for the initial investment and then $15.95 a month.

7. DIY crafts and treats

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that Americans are resourceful and innovative. Scores of people took advantage of the time at home by starting businesses selling crafts, desserts and other items that proved popular. The only costs are for materials. Facebook has been a successful place to market these products locally.

8. Lawn care

graphic of someone on a riding lawnmower

Equipment is the biggest outlay for launching a lawn care business, but if you start small, you’ll need only a lawn mower and leaf blower. Depending on where you live, this might be a seasonal business, but one that can easily expand. Besides the equipment, all you need are flyers and a Facebook page to advertise.

9. Airbnb host

If you have an extra bedroom or living unit, you can become an Airbnb host. The barrier to entry is low – it’s completely free to list your property and become a host. Of course, you will need to have the extra property or space to begin with, but you won’t receive any revenue until you actually start booking reservations. If you’re considering renting out your property, read our article on how to become a full-time Airbnb entrepreneur .

10. Repair service

People are spending more time than ever in their homes and consequently are more focused on home improvement projects. If you have skills in this area, it’s easy to become a repair person without a lot of capital.

11. Pet sitter/walker

This business costs nothing more than the expenses associated with your marketing plan . You just need to have a lot of patience and a love of pets. It’s another one of those enterprises that can easily expand with little overhead.

12. Virtual assistant

Business owners need help with everyday tasks, from organizing record books to responding to customer emails. As a virtual receptionist , you’ll perform all these tasks from the comfort of your home, and you can take on multiple clients at once. All it takes is a computer and internet connection to start a virtual assistant business.

Our ultimate checklist for starting a business from home can come in handy for several ideas on this list.

13. Delivery/errand runner

In the same vein as a dog-walking service, a delivery or errand-running business doesn’t require a lot of upfront cash. You’ll just need to print some flyers, get business cards and promote your service on social media and other online channels. While demand for errand runners rose out of necessity during the pandemic, many have gotten used to the luxury of having others run their errands for them, so finding clients shouldn’t be much of a challenge.

Are you a math expert? Do you play an instrument or have excellent computer skills? Then you can become a tutor, and all it costs is your knowledge. You can conduct tutoring sessions in person or virtually, charging by the hour or half-hour. Your level of experience and client base will determine how much you can charge for your services.

15. Consultant

graphic of two colleagues talking with speech bubbles

Businesses need advice, but not all of them want to hire a full-time employee to get it. That’s where consultants come in. Use your background and expertise to find the areas where you would bring the most value. That may be offering consulting services on marketing, accounting, engineering, information technology or any other area you can find demand for.

If you provide good service at a reasonable cost, your reputation will grow, allowing you to expand your business. To get up and running, you’ll need a website or social media presence and the ability to network on platforms like LinkedIn .

16. Professional organizer

People looking to declutter often turn to professional organizers for help. Customers pay around $30 to $130 per hour, depending on the project and your level of expertise. The overhead costs to become a professional organizer are very little at first: You just have to invest in training and education, design a website , and land your initial customers. After a few successful gigs, word-of-mouth should kick in, growing your clientele. 

17. Translator

If you’re fluent in another language, you can easily launch a translation service. There is demand from the medical, legal, publishing and small business communities for people who can translate information into English. A freelance translation business won’t cost you anything in startup expenses and can quickly expand as your customer base grows.

18. Mobile public notary

Certain documents require approval from a public notary, including wills, loan paperwork, powers of attorney, property deeds and other court papers. A mobile public notary visits clients at their homes or places of business.

Depending on where you live, it can cost $50 to $150 a year to become a public notary. Some states require training courses in addition to those fees. Volume is the key to making money as a public notary. You can charge anywhere from 25 cents to $20 per document.

19. Laundry service

If you have a washer and dryer at home or access to a laundromat, you could offer washing, drying, ironing, and pickup and delivery services to people in your community. Before you get started, figure out if you will use your own equipment or bring items to the laundromat. After that, your only costs are detergent and laundry bags or baskets.

20. Cleaning service

graphic of a person vacuuming

Americans are busy, and the last thing many of them want to do at the end of a week is clean their home. That is where a cleaning service comes in. According to FreshBooks , the average fee for cleaning a home is $180, with an average hourly rate of $45 to $50 per cleaner. Launching a cleaning service won’t break the bank; all you need is a good vacuum, cleaning supplies and a positive attitude.

We listed 20 great business ideas above, but you can draw inspiration from all aspects of life. You can even learn valuable business lessons from the fictional companies you see on TV!

What to know before starting a business

Ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship? There are a few things you should do and understand before starting a business :

  • Business idea viability: Ensure you have a sound business idea. That doesn’t mean you need a 20-page business plan, but you should have a passion for or interest in the enterprise you’re starting.
  • Industry research: Track industry trends and do research about the market, the potential for growth and the initial investment needed. If you want to launch some kind of online business, Stabler said, you need to find a niche or need in the market and start there. If you try to ride a trend, you’ll face a crowded market, and demand for the product or service could quickly fizzle. It’s also essential to understand the shopping habits of your customers and what makes them want your products or services over a rival’s.
  • The four P’s: Stabler said business owners should know their “four P’s”: price, product, placement and promotion. Keep this concept in mind before and during your route to entrepreneurship. You’ll want to know exactly where your business will stand when it comes to each component so you can execute accordingly.
  • Industry language: The business world comes with its own set of vocabulary. It can be helpful to review the ABCs of running your own business so you understand the jargon and tools you’re likely to encounter.

“The tools and technology available today make it really easy to get a new business up and running quickly and affordably, even with as little as a few hundred dollars,” said Stabler. 

That said, Stabler added, “It’s important to remember that starting a business with little cash does not also mean you jump in recklessly. Every entrepreneur should take a measured approach to selling and invest the time upfront to understand their market and their consumer.”

Skye Schooley contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article. 

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41 Online Business Ideas You Can Start in 2023

Rosalie Murphy

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Setting up an online business can help you become an entrepreneur without significant startup costs. The first step: figuring out the best online business idea for you.

What do you have expertise in? What do you love to do? Do you know someone who needs a type of support you could provide? Answering questions like these can offer inspiration as you prepare to start a business .

Here are 41 online business ideas to help you brainstorm. From side hustles to full-time enterprise, e-commerce businesses to services for remote clients, you may be able to run these from home on your own schedule.

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The 41 best online business ideas

If you're not totally set on going all-in on your online business, many of these ideas can be started part time. As you build your side hustle, it may be successful enough to turn into a full-time gig .

1. E-commerce store

Starting an e-commerce website is relatively easy and cheap — at least when compared with opening up a brick-and-mortar store. You can start with a limited amount of inventory, use an e-commerce website builder to set up your store, then market your products on social media and online marketplaces and see how customers respond. These platforms can also help you manage orders, ship your products and take online payments.

2. Social media marketing

If you’ve got a knack for getting likes, favorites, retweets, followers, shares, comments and clicks, then you might want to consider offering social media marketing services to other businesses. By consulting with companies to manage their social media profiles, spread their content across the web, keep their brands on track and respond to customer questions, you can turn your favorite hobby into your day job.

3. Freelance graphic design

Got an eye for aesthetics? Did you go to art school, or have you always spent your free time designing posters in Photoshop or Illustrator?

If so, then freelance designing might be a good choice. Take on clients at your own speed, build up a good reputation online and by word-of-mouth and work on projects that you find interesting.

4. Freelance writing

If you’re skilled in words instead, you might become a freelance writer . So long as you’ve got an internet connection and a keyboard, you can contribute all types of written content, from blog posts to feature stories to product descriptions. It helps if you’ve got a special area of interest or expertise so your employers will know you’re qualified to comment on certain topics.

» MORE: Best bank accounts for freelancers

5. E-book writing

With Amazon and other websites around, self-publishing has never been easier than it is today. If you think you’ve got something interesting or useful to say — and you believe other people will think so, too — then writing e-books could become a lucrative business.

With e-books, you don’t have to design, print or ship physical copies of your work. Of course, you will have to learn how to format an e-book correctly, pay for editing and cover design services and figure out an effective marketing strategy — but there are plenty of examples to learn from.

6. Translation

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, then translating could be the ideal online freelance job. You can do it from anywhere, so long as you’ve got the text you’re working on and you understand the goal of the translation.

» MORE: Check out 16 other e-commerce business ideas

Editing comes in many shapes and sizes, from copyediting a company’s marketing materials to proofreading novels to indexing academic manuscripts. As long as you have a sharp eye for detail, a strong grasp of grammar and a willingness to get in the weeds, then editing could be a great business idea if you’re interested in working when and how you want.

8. Writing a blog

Starting a blog can support other online business ideas by showing off your skills. Interested in coding, photography and video, fitness, food or anything else? Demonstrate your knowledge by writing great articles on those topics for others’ blogs.

If you choose to start your own blog, it can also generate revenue itself through affiliate links or advertisements.

9. Freelance researching

Whether you’re putting together documents for competitor or market research , answering tough technical questions on forums or analyzing statistics to point out trends, you can put your skills to work for your clients — with the freedom to work how you want.

10. Freelance coding and web design

If you’re seeking flexibility, diversity of projects, taking on work at your own pace and being your own boss, then freelance coding or web design for clients may be a good fit.

Plus, you can double down as a software consultant as well, offering your critical eye and expertise without writing code yourself.

» MORE: Best business credit cards for LLCs

11. Software and app development

Want to take freelance coding to the next level? Instead of helping clients, you can work on your own applications, programs, extensions and add-ons. Whether you sell your work in an app store or you’re holding out for the long haul and are hoping to get bought by a bigger company, the cash you make will be a direct result of your effort and ingenuity. App development is also a way to make money on Shopify .

Keep in mind, it’s not as easy to have a predictable stream of revenue until your app is already out and selling, and by then you’ve already invested a lot of time and energy. You’ll want to be sure that there’s a market out there for the product you’re creating, and that people are willing to pay for it.

12. Business coaching

You’ll need a good track record and a variety of testimonials to back you up, but if you’re already an entrepreneur, business coaching can provide an additional revenue stream. You can offer one-off sessions, small-group experiences or ongoing client relationships at a variety of price points.

13. College consulting

If you went to a top-tier university and have strong writing skills, you may be able to help applicants seeking admission to elite colleges. You might find yourself editing essays, steering students toward test prep courses and recommending scholarship programs, among other things.

» MORE: How to start a consulting business

14. Tutoring

For those studious entrepreneurs who scored highly on standardized tests, tutoring can pull in a lot of money without too much effort. The better your results, the better your reputation — which means the more you can charge per hour, session or package.

15. Online fitness trainer

If fitness and health is your passion, then serving as a fitness trainer to clients could be a fulfilling career. While training people online can be more difficult than being with them in person, this is an increasingly popular option for busy professionals. You can also consider related services like nutrition education.

» MORE: A step-by-step guide to starting a fitness business

16. SEO consulting

Maybe you’re a pro at SEO, or search engine optimization. If you’ve got loads of skill and experience in getting websites to rank highly on Google, and you understand how to turn searchers into customers, then there are plenty of companies willing to pay handsomely for your help.

Whether it’s by editing metadata tags, regularly updating the company blog or searching for smart keywords to rank highly on, a good SEO consultant can drastically change how a company’s website appears to search engine users — and just a few positions on Google can make a huge difference in traffic numbers. In short, you could have a big impact on a business’s bottom line, which means this online business idea is in high demand.

17. Selling handmade goods

If you’re handy or creative, you could craft your products and sell them on sites like Etsy, Amazon and eBay, straight out of your home.

Beyond that, if you’re a visual artist, you may also try selling print-on-demand products. That’s a type of e-commerce business where customers order mugs, T-shirts or other goods and with your artwork printed on them, then a third party creates the product and ships it to the customer.

18. Virtual thrift shop

Maybe you’re not into handicrafts but the idea of an starting an online store is still appealing? Selling clothes online using platforms like thredUP and Poshmark is one option.

If you're more interested in other types of products, you can scour local estate sales and secondhand shops for unique finds. You may also discover good finds on websites like eBay. As you present these products in compelling ways on your own site, good copywriting and a strong brand can go a long way to separating your site from the crowd.

19. Affiliate marketing

Social media pros, take notice: You can get paid by companies to highlight products on your blog, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or other social channels. The more followers or site visitors you have, the more of an impact your brand recommendation will make, and the more you’ll earn with product placement.

20. Accounting or bookkeeping

Although entering the industry as a virtual bookkeeper or accountant can be tough because of competition from well-known brands in the industry, it can be done if you have the credentials or target clients in a specific niche. You’ll also need formal training and certification, and it may take time to build up a committed client base — but once you do, your clients may be with you for years.

» MORE: See our picks for best small-business accounting software

21. Telemarketing

If you’re a natural conversationalist who likes helping others, virtual telemarketing is another good online small-business idea to consider. Plenty of companies outsource some of their sales and customer service roles, so if you don’t mind working the phone at home or on the go, then try this option out.

22. Online personal assistant

Thinking about becoming a virtual assistant ? What exactly you’ll do depends on what your skills, experience and network of contacts are, but you can expect tasks from data entry to customer management, research, scheduling and other duties.

23. Data entry

If you’re looking for a job that offers a predictable income without requiring intense creativity, then data entry might be a good place to start. Try looking at online job boards for opportunities.

24. Transcription

Offering transcription services online can take many forms: You can transcribe audio interviews for reporters, create captions for TV shows and videos or develop transcribed versions of podcasts. Services like Rev or TranscribeMe can also send you work as it becomes available, which saves you the work of cultivating your own client base.

25. Travel planning

If travel is your passion, you might consider starting an online travel planning business . You can help clients plan every aspect of their trip — from flights to hotels to activities. You can work on itineraries, give tips about food, currency exchange and safety, and serve as a point of contact between your clients and any international contacts.

Not only can you operate your travel planning business at home, you can also do it while you travel. And more traveling will help you grow your business — you might even start a travel blog or photography site to supplement your planning business.

26. Cybersecurity and IT consulting

As a cybersecurity consultant, you can work with businesses of all sizes to evaluate their systems, run testing and offer tips on how they can improve their set up.

For those looking for something broader, you might consider serving as an IT consultant, assisting businesses or individuals with their technology — helping them get it set up, troubleshoot any issues and offer general operating advice.

With the proper computer set up, you can run your cybersecurity or IT consulting business from anywhere — including potentially traveling to clients’ offices for occasional on-site system assistance.

27. Online therapy

With the emergence of companies like TalkSpace and BetterHelp, you no longer have to have an office or your own practice to counsel patients. Again, you’ll need training and proper credentials. But you can explore the online therapy space by joining one of these new companies or another practice that offers virtual appointments.

28. PR consulting

If you're knowledgeable about business branding and marketing, you might start an online PR consulting business. You can assist businesses with their online presence — including social media accounts, press releases, web content and more — as well as advise them on campaigns, initiatives and overall public image.

As a freelance PR consultant, your hours and responsibilities may vary depending on the specific clients you're working with; however, you'll have more control than you would as part of a firm or agency.

29. Podcasting

Provided you have the right audio equipment and a quiet space, you can record your podcast from anywhere. You can then upload your content to various podcast apps and market your business on social media. Once you reach a certain number of listeners, some podcast platforms will help you sell ads and you'll begin generating revenue.

30. Life coaching

Looking for a way to offer advice and guidance to people without needing the extensive education of a medical professional? Consider life coaching . Although you may need a certification to become a life coach, you have much more freedom to find your niche and decide how you can help people through life's ups and downs.

As a life coach, you can also create resources like e-books and courses to give your clients additional resources outside of traditional phone call or video chat meetings.

31. Video production

As a video producer, you can work with different clients in various industries to shoot, cut and edit video to create the perfect final product. Video production can give you the opportunity to explore a unique medium of storytelling and exercise your creativity.

32. Resume writing and career coaching

If you have a background in human resources, or just know your way around formulating the perfect resume, you might consider starting an online resume writing and career coaching business. You can offer clients advice and guidance on their career path, job applications, resumes and cover letters.

LinkedIn is a great place to get started with this type of online business idea, as many professionals look for career help on that platform.

33. Dropshipping

If you don't want the responsibility of creating your own products or buying inventory upfront, you might consider starting a dropshipping business. With this kind of e-commerce operation, you create your own website, choose products from suppliers, list them on your site, and when an order is placed, the supplier will ship them directly to the customer.

You can get started by browsing dropshipping marketplaces or trying to work directly with manufacturers and importers.

» MORE: How to dropship on Shopify

34. Recruiting

If you're a people person and have good online research skills, you might consider a career as a recruiter. As an online recruiter, you can service different businesses looking to hire new employees and help them find and screen candidates. The more experience you have, the higher-level positions you may be tapped to help fill.

35. Marketing consulting

As a marketing consultant, you can provide guidance on a wide range of topics, depending on your specific expertise, and help businesses execute their online marketing strategies and campaigns. This could include email marketing, social media management and advertising, local marketing , event planning and more. You can specialize in a particular industry or geography, or market your skills to a variety of clients using a network like Upwork.

36. Online fundraising or grant writing

Are you passionate about helping mission-based businesses, especially nonprofits, getting the assistance they need? If so, consider a grant writing business. This requires you to work with clients who need help fundraising to identify grants suited to their needs, then apply for and hopefully win them.

37. Online course teaching

You can find information about practically anything online, but sometimes when you're trying to learn a specific skill or topic, it just helps to hear or see someone else explain it. So if there’s a subject you have specialized knowledge of — a particular software program, a craft, a particular historical event — consider designing an online course. If you have formal qualifications like an advanced degree, you might be able to work with an online course service to teach courses online for their students.

38. Online cooking instruction

Do you have an affinity for cooking or baking? Showcasing your skills online via virtual cooking classes is a great way to earn money while doing something you love. There are a variety of ways you can structure your cooking business: You can offer one-on-one instruction videos, host live classes and even create workshops and cooking programs.

This easy business idea could even translate into a cooking blog, e-books, cookbooks and linking your favorite cooking and baking supplies through affiliate marketing.

39. YouTube channel

One way to promote your new brand, service or message is by creating a YouTube channel. If you feel comfortable on camera, have a spot where you can film and love the idea of reaching a wide audience, YouTube might be the right platform for you. Note, though, that it can take some time for your channel to grow and you'll likely need to network on social media and blogging platforms in the beginning.

» MORE: How to make money on YouTube

40. Voiceover work

To start your own voiceover business, you'll need a microphone, sound editing software and the ability to lend your voice to ad agencies, production companies and anyone else looking for a voiceover.

Then, you can sign up for a freelance voiceover site like voices.com and start searching for the right opportunities. Once you've gotten your foot in the door, you'll have excellent clips to show potential clients.

41. Start a team

If you've been freelancing or running your own company for a while, you might be ready to take the plunge and start your own team of consultants or freelancers. For instance, if you have years of writing and editing experience and can no longer handle all your client inquiries yourself, you might be ready to hire your first employee and expand your capacity.

How to choose an online business idea

These online business ideas represent a variety of e-commerce business models . To choose the right one for you, ask these questions.

How do you want to make money?

Lots of business owners seek out predictable, recurring revenue so they can plan their personal finances. Keeping clients on retainer can help with that. But affiliate marketing, advertising or product sales may be harder to predict. Creating a business plan can help you think through your options and decide which you’re comfortable with.

How will you find work?

If you’re selling your skills as a freelancer, consider searching sites like Upwork and Behance to find the right clients. Networking in your local community, joining industry-specific LinkedIn groups and asking for referrals can be helpful, too.

If you’re selling products or building an audience online, you’ll need different tactics. Search engine optimization can help get your videos or product listings in front of people who will be interested in them. But you may need a significant marketing budget to develop an audience that’s large enough to generate revenue.

How much autonomy do you want?

With some online businesses, like selling handmade goods or creating online courses, you’ll have control over your products from start to finish — which can be freeing but also high-pressure. On the other hand, when you’re producing work for clients, you’ll have to conform to the client’s standards — which may feel confining, but you won’t have to do the work of coming up with ideas yourself. Some solopreneurs aim for a mix of client work and self-directed projects so that they have steady revenue while pursuing their passions.

A version of this article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

One blue credit card on a flat surface with coins on both sides.

The 27 Best Low-Cost Business Ideas (for 2024)

  • 9 months ago

Are you looking for business ideas that don’t require a lot of money? We’ve found 27 low-cost small business ideas to inspire entrepreneurs. We’ll help you find the cheapest business to start based on your needs.

You might have to skimp on some of the best practices, like getting an LLC or business insurance, to get started faster, but with online business ideas and home-based business ideas, that isn’t an issue. These business opportunities will help you find something to start earning income quickly.

Use the links below to find low-cost start-up businesses.

What Kind of Business Should I Start?

What is the cheapest easiest business to start, what business can i do with $100, what business can i start with $500 dollars, 3 low-cost business ideas with high profit potential, top 10 small business ideas from home that are cheap to start, 10 unique business ideas you can start with no money, which business idea do you like for your own business.

When you want to start a business with little money, the most important thing to consider is the cost of starting and sustaining the business. To determine the cheapest business to open, consider these factors: 

  • The equipment and the supplies you buy raise the cost.
  • Renting office space increases the cost. Many home business ideas are also good businesses to start with little money.
  • Traveling to job sites means you have additional costs like commercial insurance, general liability insurance, mileage, and travel time.
  • Most people won’t pay for learning.
  • Some businesses you can start without starting an LLC and getting tax IDs.

A house cleaning business can be started with the supplies in your own home. Plus, you should already know how to do most of the tasks. That’s what makes a cleaning business the cheapest small business to start.

#1. House Cleaning Business

House cleaning is an easy start up business and can be grown into a lucrative business very quickly. What makes house cleaning such a good business idea is that it’s very versatile and has consistently high demand. You can also add on services like carpet cleaning, move-out cleaning, or AirBnB cleaning to expand your revenue streams. 

If you’re interested in starting your own business cleaning houses, the UpFlip 7-Figure Cleaning Business Blueprint will give you all the knowledge and resources you need. It’s taught by Chris Mondragon, who started Queen Bee Cleaning Services with $5,000 and has grown it to a revenue of $120,000 a month ( see our interview with Chris ).

House Cleaning Business Pros:

  • Can start from home as a solo entrepreneur
  • Revenue is scalable as you grow your cleaning team
  • Low startup and overhead costs
  • Consistently high demand  

House Cleaning Business Cons:

  • Work can be stressful and physically demanding 
  • Schedule is determined by when customers need cleaning

We’ll provide more easy to start up business ideas throughout this article.

If you’re looking for good business ideas that you can start for $100 or less, consider some of these great business ideas.

  • Social Media Marketing
  • Open an Online Store
  • Affiliate Marketing

All of these you can start with a computer which puts them on the shortlist for cheapest small business to start.

#2. Digital Marketing/Social Media Marketing

Check out our interview with Jason on how he managed to build a social media marketing agency as a side hustle before it quickly grew into the six-that afigure business it is today.

Social media marketing is one of the best ways to engage with customers online, but many business owners don’t have the time or skills to do it right. A social media consultant helps other businesses get the most value from their social media accounts, either by giving advice or by creating social media posts and other online content that will attract their target customers. 

A social media or digital marketing consulting business is the best low-cost start-up business idea for those with an established online presence. That said, if you don’t already have this proof of your skills, it can be difficult to build trust and get those crucial first clients. 

This blog post has more tips on how to start a social media marketing business if you think you’d thrive as a social media consultant.

Digital Marketing Pros:

  • Minimal upfront costs
  • Leverage your marketing skills for your own small business
  • High profit potential
  • Earnings per client increase as your reputation grows  

Digital Marketing Cons: 

  • Can be difficult to attract clients when you first start
  • Need to stay on top of trends and shifts in the industry

#3. Open an Online Store

Opening an online store is among the most popular online business ideas because of its low barrier to entry. This is one of the best small business ideas for crafters, graphic designers, makers, and inventors, who can design and make their own products to sell online. 

That’s what Vlad Kiksenko did when he started TagPup, and his company making custom dog collars has become the #1 pet products store on Etsy (hear Vlad’s tips to start an Etsy shop in the interview below ).

You don’t have to make your own products to open an eCommerce store, either. Online reselling can also be a low-cost business, especially if you buy from thrift shops and garage sales. 

Mike Wilson makes up to $35,000 every month reselling on eBay, and he started off with just $1,000 worth of inventory (Mike shares his story in this podcast interview ).

Online Store Pros:

  • Easy to start and run from home
  • Can make an income from hobbies you already enjoy
  • Work where and when you want to
  • Low-cost business to both start and run

Online Store Cons: 

  • Can be difficult to attract customers, especially in crowded niches
  • Will need to store, manage, and ship the items you’re selling 

#4. Affiliate Marketing

Instead of selling their own products, affiliate marketers promote products or services on behalf of other businesses. They make money on a commission basis each time a customer buys through them. It’s among the best low-cost business ideas for people with a big online following, especially those who already create popular content like a well-read blog or frequently watched YouTube channel. 

The flip side of this is that it can be difficult to make a living with affiliate marketing if you don’t have a way to promote products or services to a lot of people. 

Affiliate Marketing Pros:

  • Can be a mostly passive income source
  • Can choose a niche that matches your interests
  • Great way to monetize an existing online presence
  • No inventory or space requirements

Affiliate Marketing Cons: 

  • Can be difficult to earn trust from visitors
  • Need a large online presence or strong marketing skills to be successful

Many businesses on this list you can start with less than $500, but you may have some challenges starting a landscaping business, pressure washing business, photography business, or vending machine business with such low cost. Keep reading for more cheap startup businesses.

What is the cheapest, most profitable business ? That depends somewhat on the skills and interests you bring to the table, but there are some low-cost businesses that anyone can grow into a highly lucrative venture. Here are three low-cost businesses to start that have a revenue potential of $100,000 a year or more.

#5. Lawn Care Business/Landscaping Business

The lawn care industry is valued at more than $100 billion annually. Add in the low startup costs, and that makes a landscape or lawn care company a very accessible and profitable business idea. 

Have a look at how Nick Reed started his lawn care business from scratch, allowing him to bring in $200K in revenue while at the young age of 22.

All you need to start a business is some basic equipment and a way to connect with customers, which you can do for free through social media channels. 

UpFlip has an entire YouTube playlist of interviews with lawn care business owners if you want more insights. 

Lawn Care Business Pros:

  • Low startup costs
  • High profitability and scalability 
  • Straightforward business model 
  • Great for people who like working outdoors

Lawn Care Business Cons: 

  • Can be a physically demanding job
  • Need to store and transport heavy equipment

#6. Dropshipping Business

For those looking for an online small business idea you can start with just a few hundred dollars, dropshipping is ideal. You only need an internet connection to get started, and overhead costs are lower than other online stores because you don’t need to handle inventory. 

The most successful dropshipping business owners tend to also be great marketers. People who lack social media or marketing expertise can still excel, though they will likely need to budget for higher advertising costs to see the same profit returns. 

Dropshipping Pros:

  • Easy business to start with little money
  • Flexible work hours and potential for passive income
  • Can be started and run from home  

Dropshipping Cons: 

  • No control over the product or delivery
  • Need strong marketing skills to attract customers

#7. Pressure Washing Business

If you’re looking for the best cheap business to start today, pressure washing should be on your list. All you need is a high-quality machine and you can start taking jobs. 

Just have a look at how Chase Lille, an 18-year-old who is now the proud owner of a lucrative pressure washing business.

What makes pressure washing so profitable is that there are lots of niches you can fit into, from driveway cleaning to windows, roofs, and gutters. You can also take on commercial jobs for other local businesses, not just private homes.

Most pressure washing businesses are one-person operations, which makes the high profit potential even more impressive. You can check out this blog post for more info on how to get started or watch one of the video interviews we’ve done with successful pressure washing business owners to decide if this is your best next business idea.

Start with this video featuring Ryan Woods:

Then take a look at these other great interviews:

  • 18 Year-Old Starts a $144K/Year Pressure Washing Business
  • 16 Year-Old Starts a $4,500/Month Pressure Washing Business

If you want to learn more, check out this podcast episode where we talk to Stephen Rogers, owner of NW Softwash, about how he started and grew his pressure washing business. 

Stephen was only 19 when he started the business in 2019, and within the first year had enough employees he could get “off the truck” and focus on strategic growth. Today NW Softwash brings in a revenue of $120K/month. Listen to his interview below:

Pressure Washing Pros:

  • Straightforward business model that anyone can start
  • Easy to run as a solo entrepreneur
  • Low startup costs and overhead
  • No specialized skill sets required

Pressure Washing Cons:

  • Requires manual labor, sometimes in unpleasant conditions
  • Need to store, maintain, and transport heavy equipment

#8. Vending Business

Vending is both a low-cost business idea and a great option if you want scheduling flexibility, or to run your own business from home. It’s flexible enough it can be started as a side hustle, which is what Benjamin Smith did when he started Friendship Vending Company (hear how he started in this interview ).

Of course, if you do have more money to invest, you can grow your new business faster. Adam Hill bought an existing route for $120,000 and grew it to $50,000 a month in revenue working just 20 hours a month. He shared his insights in an UpFlip blog post and is the instructor of the Vending Bootcamp , which gives other entrepreneurs the knowledge they need to start a business in vending and grow it to its full potential. 

A vending machine business is a great choice for entrepreneurs who want full control over their work-life balance. In this episode we talk to Adam Hill, owner of Hill Vending, to hear his advice on how to start a vending machine business.

Vending Business Pros:

  • Lower time commitment than other small business ideas
  • Easy to grow revenue by adding more machines
  • Low costs (both startup costs and ongoing)
  • Don’t need extensive marketing experience or other specialized skills

Vending Business Cons: 

  • Can be difficult to find clients if your market is already saturated 
  • Need many machines in good locations to see a high profit

#9. Online Courses

Creating online courses lets you make a living sharing your skills and knowledge. And you don’t need to be an expert in anything to excel. Jacques Hopkins played piano as a hobby before he started Piano in 21 Days, and he’s grown that course into a $40,000 a month business (hear how Jacques did it in this interview ).

There are many online teaching platforms where you can sell online courses without needing any technical skills or even having your own website (though setting that up can help you reach more students faster). The most popular include Kajabi , Udemy , and Teachable , all of which come with a built-in potential audience and marketing automation tools to help you build your audience. 

Online Course Pros:

  • Very low startup costs
  • No technical knowledge required 
  • Low ongoing time investment once the course is live

Online Course Cons: 

  • High upfront time investment before you start making revenue 
  • Can be competitive and difficult to attract students to a new course

#10. Delivery Services

Many people today have more on their plate than they have hours in the day. With a delivery business, you can profit from people’s need for convenience by going grocery shopping, picking up restaurant orders, or delivering other day-to-day needs for free. If you have a large vehicle like a truck or van, you can add hard-to-transport furnishings and other items to the list of things you can deliver. 

This is also an excellent way to collaborate with other local businesses by delivering their products to customers. That’s what Adam Haber did when he started Trellus, and they’ve now made more than 35,000 deliveries (hear how Adam got started in this interview ).

Delivery Business Pros:

  • Low-cost business to start and run
  • Can be run easily from home
  • No need for inventory, equipment, or specialized skills

Delivery Business Cons: 

  • Need a fast and reliable form of transportation
  • Work hours are determined by when people need items delivered

#11. Mobile Detailing

A detailing business is the best business idea for car enthusiasts, though anyone who’s good at cleaning can make a high revenue in this industry. Making it a mobile detailing business is convenient for customers and cuts down on upfront costs since you won’t need a commercial garage–you clean customers’ cars at their home or workplace. 

See how Alan, owner of GoDetail, started with just $500 to make some extra money before the business evolved into a profitable business that makes over $900K per year in revenue with 60% profit margins.

Another entrepreneur, Isaiah Barhoum started Big’s Mobile Detailing with just $500 and he’s now bringing in more than $30,000 a month (find out how he did it in this YouTube interview ).

He’s sharing his strategies for scaling a mobile detailing business on this podcast episode.

Mobile Detailing Pros:

  • Can be run out of your home since it’s mobile
  • No specialized skills or knowledge required
  • High demand 
  • High profit potential that’s scalable if you grow your team

Mobile Detailing Cons: 

  • Work can be physically demanding or tedious
  • Often work on weekends or evenings when customer cars aren’t being used 

#12. Software or App Development

For those who understand programming languages and the basics of software design, creating and selling your own app or software program is one of the top low-cost business ideas. Pace Ellsworth shared how he built his company, App-to-Exit, to $45,000 a month in revenue in a podcast interview , if you’re looking for more insights.

Software Development Pros:

  • Potentially low time investment once the app is launched
  • Can be started and run from home
  • Revenue potential increases the more programs or apps you release

Software Development Cons: 

  • High time investment before you see a return
  • Requires programming and developer skills

#13. Handyman Business

From clogged gutters to dripping sinks to squeaky or sticky hinges, there are lots of little tasks around the average home, and not everyone has the time or skills to take care of them. If you’re good at fixing things and have some basic tools, a handyman business can be among the most successful small business ideas. Hear how North Seattle Handyman makes $1,000 a day in this YouTube interview . 

Handyman Business Pros:

  • Tools you’ll need are affordable and easy to transport
  • Easy to start and run from your home  
  • Can run as a one-person business or scale by building a team

Handyman Business Cons: 

  • Often involves physical work and manual labor
  • Work hours can be long and unusual

#14. Web Design

These days, every small business needs a website. Designing these sites is among the best low-cost business ideas for entrepreneurs with graphic design or web development experience. You don’t even need these skills if you’re experienced with WordPress or a similar website building platform, though it’ll definitely be a value-add for customers if you can design custom graphics, layouts, or other features for their sites. 

Web Design Pros:

  • Work at your own pace when you want to
  • Lots of customer demand
  • Free online learning resources to expand your skills and value

Web Design Cons: 

  • Will need a portfolio of sites or online reputation to acquire clients
  • Online trends and technology change quickly 

#15. Mobile Photography

A mobile photography business isn’t the absolute cheapest business to start up, but the upfront costs are significantly lower than opening a brick-and-mortar studio. Most of those initial costs are equipment, so if you already have a high-quality camera you won’t need to spend much to grow a business around it. 

Photography is among the best local business ideas because there are so many niches where you can differentiate yourself. From wedding and event photography to family portraits to working with real estate agents or other small business owners, there’s a wide variety of work available. Mile High Productions turned their love of photography into a $35,000 a month business. Find out how in this YouTube interview . 

Mobile Photography Pros:

  • Wide variety of work available
  • Can be a solo business or scaled with a team
  • Get to meet a lot of people and help them make memories or grow a business
  • Turn your artistic passion into a career

Mobile Photography Cons: 

  • Professional photography equipment can be costly 
  • Less control over when you work than other home businesses

#16. Data Entry

Most business owners have a lot of data they need to keep track of, but what they don’t have is time to record and analyze it. Instead, they turn to data entry professionals. Data entry may not be the most glamorous or exciting career, but if you’re a fast typer with a sharp eye for detail, you can make a consistent living doing it.

Data Entry Pros:

  • Pay depends on accuracy and typing speed

Data Entry Cons: 

  • Most data entry is automated
  • Most people don’t type faster than 40 words per minute

#17. Virtual Assistant Business

Data entry and VA businesses are in the same NAICS code so business owners will see similar profit margins. Being a virtual assistant is a simple business idea that just about anyone can do. 

Virtual assistants handle clerical tasks for clients, like answering emails, managing social media accounts, scheduling meetings, and other day-to-day things. You can start a VA business quickly for free just by signing up for a freelance platform like Upwork , Fiverr , or 24/7 Virtual Assistant .  

Virtual Assistant Pros:

  • Most work is fairly easy
  • Low barrier of entry
  • Highly skilled VAs are invaluable

Virtual Assistant Cons:

  • Language barriers
  • Effectiveness of Standard Operating Procedures

The absolute cheapest way to start a business is if you don’t have to pay anything at all. That might seem like a pipe dream, but the truth is there are lots of businesses you can start completely free. If you’re looking for the best business to start with no money, the options below are a great place to start. 

#18. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Business

Two-thirds of U.S. households owned at least one pet in 2023. That means millions of dogs, cats, birds, and other animals that need to be cared for, even when the owners are traveling, at work, or otherwise unavailable to do so. This consistent demand is what makes a pet sitting or dog walking business a great option for entrepreneurs who love being around animals.

While some exotic pets have complicated care requirements, you don’t need any special skills to take care of a dog or cat–and if you do know how to care for birds, horses, reptiles, tropical fish, and other unique pets, those can add even more value to your services. 

The best part is, customers want you to come to where their pets are, and they’ll provide all the supplies you’ll need. All you need to do to start is connect with customers. Having your own website can help, and you can also find people who need dog walkers or pet sitters on marketplaces like:

  • Rover – The largest network of pet owners looking for pet sitting and care
  • Care.com – Marketplace for child and pet care services
  • Wag! – Platform that connects pet owners with dog walkers and sitters

Dog Walker Pros:

  • Easy to find work
  • Work with pets

Dog Walker Cons: 

  • Low barrier to entry
  • Live animals suffer if you no-show

#19. Personal Training Business

A personal trainer works with individuals one-on-one to help them lose weight, get healthier, or prepare for athletic events and competitions. The main things you need to become a personal trainer are an ability to motivate people and experience with exercise. For athletes and gym rats, it’s the best business to start with little money. 

You don’t need to open your own gym to be a personal trainer. You can start off working with people in their homes, reserve space in a community center, or even teach classes online and work with clients via Zoom.

Personal Trainer Pros:

  • Get paid to help others stay healthy
  • You control your hours

Personal Trainer Cons: 

  • People flake on exercise commitments
  • May need expertise in treatment of certain physical conditions

#20. Personal Concierge Business

A personal concierge helps busy people make plans and accomplish tasks they don’t have time to think about. People might ask a personal concierge to plan a trip, make dinner reservations, schedule home repair or maintenance, do their grocery shopping, or a host of other small tasks.

You don’t need any specialized training to become a personal concierge. Instead, you’ll need skills like time management, communication, problem solving, and strong organization. Having a lot of knowledge about your local area can be helpful, too.

Concierging Pros:

  • Help people get perks
  • Great networking opportunities

Concierging Cons: 

  • You have to be nice even on bad days
  • Sometimes people are rude

#21. Tutoring Business

Did you do well on tests in school? Any subjects where you’re particularly skilled or have niche, in-depth knowledge? Then tutoring is among the best small business ideas you can start with a minimal upfront investment. 

Unlike school teachers, tutors don’t need to be certified or licensed to work with students (though having this kind of credential can help build trust with potential students). The main things you’ll need are patience, empathy, and strong communication skills, along with knowledge in the subjects you teach.

One great way for tutors to find new students is to go through one of the internet’s many online teaching platforms. Here are some of the most popular:

  • Skooli – For tutors who have a Bachelor’s degree or teaching certification in math, English, science, or business
  • Wyzant – Platform to connect students with both in-person and online tutoring services
  • eTutorWorld – Tutoring and test prep for K-12 students
  • TutorMe – Fully-remote 1:1 tutoring 

Tutor Pros:

  • Help people learn
  • Work with people who are trying to improve

Tutor Cons: 

  • Some people are forced to go to tutoring
  • Seasonality

#22. Event Planning Business

Event planners organize large and important events. These could be celebrations like weddings and other personal milestones or professional events like conferences. If you’re an excellent networker, love problem solving, and are highly organized and detail-oriented, an event planning business can be both lucrative and rewarding. 

Event Planner Pros:

  • Can be a lucrative service business
  • A smoothly-run event brings a lot of satisfaction

Event Planner Cons: 

  • Planners need to make friends with Murphy’s Law

#23. Professional Organizer

If you love bringing order to chaos, you’ll thrive as a professional organizer. Organizers go to clients’ homes, so while you’ll need a reliable form of transportation, you won’t need an office space outside your home. Creating your own website or posting success stories on YouTube, Instagram, or Pinterest can help you show your skills and build your client list. 

Organizing Business Pros:

  • People appreciate the new space
  • Combines creativity and construction

Organizing Business  Cons: 

  • Some homes are horribly messy
  • Limited demographics can afford the service

#24. Personal Chef

This is one of the top business ideas with low upfront costs for chefs, line cooks, and other food service workers who want to start their own venture. Personal chefs cook with the client’s equipment and ingredients, reducing expenses compared to a food truck or restaurant.

The downside is you usually don’t get as much creative freedom over what you’re cooking, but for many that trade-off is worth it for lower costs and fewer hours. You can also add revenue streams like online cooking classes or event catering if you want to grow your brand as a chef.

In-Home Chef Pros:

  • Pay is better than many restaurants
  • Less chaotic work environment than most restaurants
  • More freedom of menu

In-Home Chef Cons: 

  • Schedule keeps you away from friends and family dinner events
  • Target demographic limited to top 5% of households

#25. Freelance Writing

A freelance writer can produce all kinds of content. You can be a ghostwriter who writes novels, memoirs, and other book-length works, or write articles for newspapers and magazines. Another option for a freelance writer is to create blog posts, marketing copy, and other text for businesses. 

Whatever your interests or writing style, you can find freelance writing jobs that fit it. The Write Life has a list of job boards and other resources that you can explore to see what kind of work is out there. 

Writer Pros:

  • Great alternative for antisocial people who have teacher-like nature
  • Easy to get into
  • Great money

Writer Cons: 

  • Learning SEO can be challenging for many
  • Clients don’t know what they want (good ones do)
  • AI is impacting demand, efficiency, and pricing

#26. Translation Service

For those fluent in more than one language, translation is among the best businesses with low startup costs you can start. The most in-demand languages to translate to and from English are Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish, and you can see even higher revenue if you’re fluent in three or more languages. 

Translator Pros:

  • High demand
  • Specialized skill set increases job security
  • Needed at all levels of government and business

Translator Cons: 

  • Mostly in-person due to software like Google translate
  • Pay varies based on the type of organization
  • Technology may replace the need for translators

#27. Nanny or Babysitting Business

There’s a reason so many teenagers make money babysitting: it’s cheap to get started and lots of people need the service. Many parents today look for sitters through online marketplaces that verify the background and experience of the sitters on their site. Some of the most popular platforms include Sittercity , UrbanSitter , and Helpr . Just register with one or more of those platforms and you can start your babysitting or nanny business. 

Babysitter Pros:

  • Great entry-level position
  • Kids are hilarious
  • Long-term gigs can be highly profitable

Babysitter Cons:

  • Kids can be super sneaky
  • You’re taking care of the most important thing in your clients’ lives
  • Always have to be on your best behavior

If you’re looking to start a business with little to no upfront investment, we’ve given you plenty of ideas. There are gigs that require no experience, ones you can expand to a team endeavor, and even those to which you can devote just a few hours a week and still make a pretty nice profit.

Did one of the above ideas resonate with you? 

What’s your next step? (We suggest you learn how to write a business plan ).

Brandon Boushy

Brandon Boushy lives to improve people’s lives by helping them become successful entrepreneurs. His journey started nearly 30 years ago. He consistently excelled at everything he did, but preferred to make the rules rather than follow him. His exploration of self and knowledge has helped him to get an engineering degree, MBA, and countless certifications. When freelancing and rideshare came onto the scene, he recognized the opportunity to play by his own rules. Since 2017, he has helped businesses across all industries achieve more with his research, writing, and marketing strategies. Since 2021, he has been the Lead Writer for UpFlip where he has published over 170 articles on small business success.

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4 thoughts on “The 27 Best Low-Cost Business Ideas (for 2024)”

This small business ideas change the I think post more guys

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Girlfriend and I are tossing around ideas about OK a business together and we are both also have hard-working partners her partner owns a big truck. Some of the ideas were landscaping fence building with previous experience and great I have a Lotta family members who owe and started up their own business from scratch, and I am greatly inspired by the same preferences. Pet sitting pet walking. Snow brought bird house, chair, home, cooked meals, companionship, gardening, a business, but not only employees. Men faces multiple barriers to employment or females also. Another idea was consignment, clothing, dumb, runs lawn care. We have a full-time young male employee who has experience working with construction and we have a female full-time experience and care taking care of the elderly rides to appointments and companionship, meal prep and grocery shopping as well as transportation.

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Good Financial Cents®

Home » Make Money » 47 Home-Based Business Ideas to Start Making Money Now!

47 Home-Based Business Ideas to Start Making Money Now!

Whether you are looking to quit the daily grind or trying to make extra cash as a way to get out of debt, starting a home business or side hustle can be the ideal way to meet your goals.

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Jeff Rose, CFP®

Jeff Rose, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner™, founder of Good Financial Cents , and author of the personal finance...

The GFC® Money Expert Review Board

The GFC® Money Expert Review Board

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  • Updated: November 8, 2023
  • 20 Min Read

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Recent figures from the Small Business Administration (SBA) show that total private employment dropped by 15 percent once COVID-19 was declared an emergency on March 13, 2020, yet employment at small businesses saw a higher rate of decline at 17 percent.

The unemployment rate keeps fluctuating as the pandemic runs its course, but it’s likely the job market will be slow for a while. 

The truth is you don’t necessarily have to find a “real job” to move on with your life. There are a lot more ways to earn a living from home than people think, which you can do for yourself and entirely on your own terms.

This guide covers some of the best home-based business ideas, which range from one-off side gigs to actual businesses you can grow over time. Not all of them will work for everyone, but every single person can use one idea from this list to earn some cash without ever having to “clock in.” Some of the home-based business ideas are easy to implement, while others require a certain level of skill. 

The amount of money you can earn will also vary depending on the path you choose. For example, you may be able to earn a few hundred dollars per week delivering food with DoorDash or GrubHub. This gig is one that does not produce passive income , so you’ll only get paid for the time you work. 

With a digital media business or blog, on the other hand, you could build your business over time until it is earning millions of dollars. How do I know? Because I did it. 

Table of Contents

47 home-based business ideas to start today, online home-based business ideas, side gig ideas you can do from home, home-based business ideas that highlight specific skills, miscellaneous home-based business ideas, tips for running a business out of your home, the bottom line on best home-based business ideas.

Whether you are looking to quit the daily grind or trying to make extra cash as a way to get out of debt , starting a home business or a side hustle can be the ideal way to meet your goals. Fortunately, there are countless home-based business opportunities just waiting for you to begin. 

Skip ahead to read about any one of the awesome home-based business ideas we highlight below:

#1: Build Passive Income with a Blog

# 2: Become a Virtual Assistant

#3: Become an Online Freelance Writer

#4: start an online store, #5: piece together some micro jobs, #6: write and publish an e-book, #7: surveys during your spare time, #8: get paid to shop, #9: join a food delivery service, #10: mystery shopping, #11: start a catering business, #12: landscape design, #13: become a tour guide, #14: start a daycare in your home.

#15: Start an Elder Care Business

#16: Drive for Uber or Lyft

#17: become a dog walker or pet sitter.

#18: Travel Planning

#19: Start a House Cleaning Business

#20: start a voiceover business, #21: teach english to overseas students, #22: start a home inspection business, #23: start a massage therapy business.

#24: Start a Tax Preparation Business

#25: Become a Doula

#26: become a hairstylist.

#27: Start a Graphic Design Business

#28: Start a Bookkeeping Business

#29: start a copywriting business.

#30: Build a Translation Business

#31: Start a Grant Writing Business

#32: Do Medical Transcription from Home

#33: Collect Debt for a Living

#34: create homemade goods for etsy.com, #35: start a home-based organization business, #36: herb farming, #37: fix broken electronics, #38: become a tutor, #39: become a personal trainer, #40: teach music lessons, #41: rent out a room in your house, #42: rent out your car, #43: invest in real estate, #44: sell your stuff, #45: invest in stocks, #46: start a child proofing business.

#47: Remove People’s Junk

Some of the best home-based business ideas are ones that can operate entirely online. This lets you keep your overhead expenses at a minimum, but having an online business also means you can work from anywhere. Here are the best online business ideas you can try this year.

#1: Build Passive Income With a Blog

It takes some time to grow an audience and find ways to monetize your blog, but if you love to share your point of view with the world, you can make money blogging and work from home.

Niche blogs are a particular area of growth in this ever-growing profession. Pay can vary widely, but the income potential is nearly limitless. 

With a hosting platform like Bluehost , you could have your site up and running in no time. 

Want to start a blog for super cheap? Check out how my wife and I make money blogging and learn how you can make $1K Blogging .

#2: Become a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants take on a variety of tasks for their clients, which can include answering emails, creating documents, designing basic graphics, and more. Some virtual assistants also write and edit content, and they may even help their clients schedule content for publishing on various mediums. 

While many virtual assistants charge $50 per hour or more, even beginner virtual assistants can easily charge $20 per hour. 

Generally speaking, you can work as a virtual assistant through websites like Upwork and Zirtual . 

Everything you read online was written by someone, and there’s a good chance the writer was paid handsomely for their talent and skill. Freelance writers can easily earn a few hundred dollars for each article they write, but it’s possible to earn a lot more than that if you learn how to master longer and more complicated content.

The hardest part of getting paid to write is finding those first few gigs, although you can usually get started using a website like Upwork . Still, you should check out this post on How to Become a Freelance Writer , which is written by Holly Johnson. Johnson has been earning multiple six figures as an online freelance writer for years, and she has a free webinar and a course you can buy. If you need help getting started, you can read more at EarnMoreWriting.com .

It used to be that, if you had a product to sell, you also had to have a storefront and all the costs associated with it. These days, you can sell anything to anyone anywhere in the world.

Whether you’re marketing the organic honey from your backyard apiary or selling personalized linens that you embroider yourself, you can find a market for your products online.

My good buddy Steve Chou from MyWifeQuitHerJob.com has created an online course that walks people step-by-step through building their own online store . His wife was able to quit her job, and together their online business produces six figures in income each year.

With the advent of Fiverr , we saw a brand new way to assign and accept work. While many beginner jobs on Fiverr only pay $5, it’s possible to earn considerably more with this platform if you are able to secure more advanced gigs or pick up some regular clients.

Apps like Gigwalk and sites like Mechanical Turk also make it possible to cobble together a living with lots of little assignments each day.

The best part is, that you can set up work through all of these platforms online and from the comfort of your home.

Now that anyone can have their work published online, it is possible for anyone to make a fortune off their writing.

The biggest recent example is the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, but there are many authors taking advantage of the ease of e-publishing .

If you love to write and are willing to do your own promotion (and having a blog can really help in that case), writing an e-book is an excellent way to make money fast from home .

Did you know that you can earn money from surveys? 

While there are a ton of survey companies out there, my favorite is Survey Junkie . Depending on your demographics, you can earn anywhere from $2.00 per hour to $5.00 per hour completing surveys on Survey Junkie.

However, filling out surveys is not the only way to earn money on Survey Junkie! You’ll also become a candidate for focus groups, invited to watch videos and reviews, and even earn money by playing games! 

In addition to Survey Junkie, check out these other survey companies that will pay you to answer questions in your spare time :

Branded Surveys

  • Complete surveys and earn reward points.
  • Watch videos, answer surveys, shop, and more. $5 Sign-up Bonus

Inbox Dollars

  • Watch videos, answer surveys, play games, and more. $5 Sign-up Bonus

Online stores compete for your attention and are willing to pay for it. If you shop a lot online, this could be a viable way to make money from home. 

I’m talking about cash-back sites. One such site is Rakuten.com.

This is how it works: Let’s say Rakuten partners with Target. When you buy something from Target on Rakuten.com, Rakuten receives a commission. Because Rakuten wants you to return to their site, they offer you cashback. For example, if you bought a lamp for $60, Rakuten might offer you 3% cashback ($1.80). 

$1.80 doesn’t seem like much, but if you commit to always buying from cashback sites, the money will add up. 

Check out all the cash-back sites below and remember to shop on the ones you like!

  • Ibotta (Grocery Rebates)

Some home-based businesses require you to do “gig work” for other companies. These business ideas tend to be extremely flexible, meaning you can work whenever you want. You can also earn a base rate of pay and tips in some cases. 

When restaurants receive an “order for delivery,” they are responsible for delivering the food. If you’re a pizza joint or a restaurant that gets a lot of delivery orders, you hire employees to deliver your goods.

But what about restaurants that get takeout orders, but not enough to justify hiring a full-time employee to deliver the food? 

Leave it to technology to solve this problem. And perhaps your next business idea. 

Uber drivers take passengers from one place to another. Uber Eats drivers, however, take food orders from restaurants to customers. Exact same concept. Instead of the app pinging you that a passenger needs a ride, the app pings you that a restaurant needs food delivered somewhere. 

There’s a ton of these services popping up and drivers are making a full-time living from them: 

For many people, the idea of getting paid to shop is a dream come true.

There are many mystery shopping scams to beware of, however. Never accept a gig that requires an upfront fee—that’s a good sign it’s not legit.

According to the website Scambusters , legitimate mystery shopping can pay anywhere from $8 per job up to $50 to $100 per job.

If you love to cook on a grand scale, why not start a catering business out of your home?

How much you make depends on the scale of the assignments you take, and your ability to correctly decide how much your materials will cost.

But this is also an industry where you can start small and work your way up to bigger gigs — and profits.

If you’re never happier than when you are landscaping your yard, landscape design might be the home-based business for you.

This is a relatively new field, yet you can learn some skills for this type of work by finding a part-time gig with a landscaping company. From there, you can start building your own client base of people who want their landscapes to look wonderful without having to do the work.

You may love exploring all the fun corners of your hometown, but it might not occur to you to make that hobby a business.

This is an especially good idea if you can offer themed tours or other niche tours.

While it’s possible to create a website that advertises the tours you offer, you can also create “experiences” and market them on Airbnb.com. This will help you reach a wider audience when you’re first getting started, and it can also create some brand awareness about your tours. 

This is an especially good idea for stay-at-home-parents who need to bring in some money. You’re already staying home with your kids, so why not invite a few others to the party? Licensing for in-home daycare varies from state to state, but you will want to make sure you comply with your local regulations.

#15: Care for Elders in Your Community

In most cases, work-from-home elder care professionals make daily house calls to their patients to help with anything from meal preparation to minor home repairs.

If you have a heart for serving the elderly, you could build a lucrative career out of it. You can market your services by word of mouth, social media, and through listing sites like Care.com.

While the hourly rate for eldercare tends to be on the low end, you can typically work any hours or days you want with the right combination of gigs.

Driving for Uber or Lyft requires you to leave home for the day, and you’ll also need to have a newer, reliable car. However, we love the fact that rideshare work is so incredibly flexible. You can typically work any hours or days you want, and you can even drive for both apps (Uber and Lyft) at once. 

While pay can be somewhat unreliable, both Uber and Lyft pay a specific rate per mile you drive. You can also earn tips from generous drivers, and these tips can add up fast. 

Websites like Rover.com can help you become a professional dog walker or dog sitter. You can use this platform to line up enough pet-related work to fill a regular workweek, but you can also use it to find short-term gigs to supplement your income.

Many people charge $29 per night or more to watch dogs or cats in their home and pay for dog walking varies. Either way, this is fairly easy work that you can set up from home and in your spare time if you want.

Since most pet owners don’t quite have the stomach or the time to clip nails, bathe, or give haircuts to their animals, you could also find gigs as a pet groomer. With a couple of small tweaks to a bathroom, basement, or laundry room, you could even have a full-service doggy salon in your home.

#18: Become a Travel Planner

While anyone can check an aggregator site for the best price to fly to Saint Louis, planning a more elaborate trip might be too much for some travelers.

This is where a travel planner comes in, using his skills to find the best trip—including flight, accommodation, rental car, and tours—for the budget.

While this work has typically been done by travel agents, newer “travel concierge” services are popping up all over the place. With that in mind, you could get started in this business with a simple website and some basic marketing tools. 

With very low overhead and a skill set that is very easy to learn, house cleaning is one of the easiest businesses to start.

Depending on how much you want to grow, the income potential is pretty limitless. Most people who clean houses can easily earn $25 per hour , but it’s possible to earn $50 per hour or more if you’re able to clean quickly and efficiently. 

Reach out to people you know in your area to find clients, or post on your neighborhood Facebook page. Once you have a few clients lined up, it will be considerably easier to find more houses to clean via word of mouth and referrals. 

Some home-based business ideas require you to have a specific skill or years of experience. If you once worked in a specific industry and you have years of expertise under your belt, consider these home-based business ideas. 

We’ve all seen YouTube videos or Netflix shows where a narrator is describing the scene or event, but is never seen. This person is called a voiceover actor. And business is booming. 

Want to get in on the action? There are several ways to dip your toe into the entertainment industry, consider these sites below:

  • Back Stage : The largest listing of entertainment jobs in the country (actors, singers, dancers, etc.)
  • Kidscasting.com : Have a cute kid? Kidscasting.com lists jobs daily for jobs around the country requiring kids.
  • Mandy.com : Mandy.com lists voiceover work, film and TV crew jobs, musicians, and more.

I recently met an English teacher and asked him where he taught. His response? 

“Oh no, I work from home and teach students on the other side of the world in China.” 

Teaching English used to be a job folks would take as an excuse to travel. Not anymore! Nowadays, if you have kids and a home to maintain, why not take advantage of technology and teach students online?

VIPKid is an online teaching and educational company based in China. Chinese parents specifically want their kids to learn English from native speakers, preferably from America. 

Work your own hours. Earn up to $22/hour. No need to leave the house.

This is one business idea you may not have considered, but it’s a vital role that new homeowners everywhere depend upon.

An important part of the home-buying process is having a professional home inspector go through the house to determine the condition of the building and point out any potential problems.

A home inspector needs to meet the state regulations for the profession, which varies from state to state, although anyone who has worked in the construction or housing industry will have a leg up.

The median salary for home inspectors worked out to $64,480 in 2022, per figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . 

While licensing requirements for massage therapy can vary from state to state, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork can help any budding masseuse fulfill their local requirements.

While it’s possible to work for a spa or medical clinic, massage therapists can either work out of their own homes or make house calls with a portable massage table. This makes massage therapy yet another field that works well for individuals who want to build a business from home.

#24: Prepare Taxes for People

No one likes dealing with their taxes, yet they need to be paid whether the economy is booming or tanking. This is why at-home tax preparation can be a great business for anyone with a tax background, or anyone willing to take training courses.

Since there are annual changes to the tax code, you will need to refresh your training each year, and you will also need to register with the IRS as a tax preparer.

This is more of a seasonal business idea than it is a year-round endeavor, but it can be a great way to earn some extra income each winter/spring.

A doula is a labor coach that can help a birthing mother in any labor environment, from a hospital to a midwife clinic to a home.

Doulas are non-medical professionals who offer information, emotional support, and physical assistance in the process of giving birth.

While licensing for doulas is not required by most states, getting certified by DONA International , the only certifying body for this profession, is a good idea.

Doulas do have to deal with unpredictable schedules, but they easily can do this work from home.

If you have experience cutting hair and giving manicures, opening up a shop from your home is an excellent way to start your own salon.

Make sure that you follow all of your state’s requirements for doing salon care in a home, as they can be stringent. However, having your own at-home salon can be fruitful since you won’t have to pay to rent an office space, and since you’ll receive the full amount of money your clients pay for services.

#27: Leverage Your Graphic Design Skills

Businesses always need graphic designers to help them convey information visually through logos, advertisements, posters, websites, and the like.

While it is possible to be an entirely self-taught graphic designer, most have either a certification or a degree.

Other than the cost of design software, this business has very little overhead and can be done anywhere with a dedicated computer.

If you have the type of graphic design skills businesses need and you have the resources to buy the software you need to get started, this might be the home-based business idea for you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , graphic designers have a median salary of $57,990.

This is a perfect business idea for trained accountants who would like to work from home, although it is not necessary to be a Certified Public Accountant in order to become a freelance bookkeeper. To work in this gig it’s only necessary to have the background knowledge that bookkeeping courses at any community college can offer.

This kind of freelance work is especially helpful for small businesses that do not need or cannot afford a full-time bookkeeper, making it possible for you to have full-time work through several smaller clients.

These writers put together promotional materials for businesses, including ads, websites, newsletters, commercials, direct mailings, and many others. Copywriters generally have a degree in advertising, marketing, English, or communication, but an excellent writer can do a great job copywriting.

While you can work as a copywriter for someone else, the fact that the bulk of this work can be done online makes it perfect for someone who wants to work at home. The hardest part of starting a copywriting business is getting the first few clients lined up. After that, you should be able to get more work through referrals and networking.

#30: Use Your Language Skills to Translate

If you know a second (or third) language, you can make a living at home translating documents. Also, note that many translators work on a freelance basis, so it’s possible you could create a translation business and then complete one-off work for a variety of clients.

Starting a translation business could be as easy as creating a basic website to advertise your services. You could also reach out to businesses in your area that might require translation from one language to another, or try networking in fields of business you believe may benefit from your services in the future. 

#31: Become a Grant Writer

Non-profits, universities, hospitals, and other community organizations all have a great need for grant money to supplement their budgets, but grants are notoriously tricky to write for the first time.

If you have experience writing grants or are willing to learn how to do it by practicing your skills without pay for a few non-profits, you can start a lucrative freelance grant writing business.

Grant writers can make anywhere from $73,985 .

#32: Do Medical Transcriptions from Home

The medical industry has a great need for individuals to transcribe audio dictations into coherent reports. Transcriptionists do need education—generally a two-year degree—to make sure they are clear on the arcane medical terminology.

You may be able to pick up your own medical transcription clients if you reach out to medical professionals in your area, but it’s also possible to be connected with medical transcription jobs if you sign up for a platform like FlexJobs.com. 

It takes a very thick skin to go into this business, but debt collectors only need a telephone and a computer to work, making it a great work-at-home business. It’s also a recession-proof (or even recession-loving) business.

Licensing requirements vary from state to state, so make sure you do your homework before setting up shop. Generally speaking, you will need to earn a debt specialist certification to find work in this field. 

Everyone loves handmade pieces of furniture. If you’re already spending time in your workshop, why not sell your wares? The same is true whether you are able to make other crafts like candles, home decor, or quilts.

Etsy is an excellent place to start selling without having to have a physical storefront. All you have to do is create an account, take photos of your items, and set a price. The only time you have to leave your home is when you have to the post office to ship your items to their new owners.

If you’re someone who reorganizes closets for fun, offer up your services to harried and disorganized individuals and businesses. You don’t need a degree to start an organization business, and it may not be overly difficult to get clients, either. All you have to do is create a simple website or Facebook group to advertise your services. You could also post ads on local social media pages, or on craiglist.org.

Gardening can be very relaxing, and potentially very lucrative. With both the increased interest in alternative therapies and the demand for locally grown and organic foods, an herb farmer can find plenty of customers, particularly if you’re in an urban area.

While herb farming does require some space for growing, herbs are fairly small and nearly any home can be slightly modified to allow for an extensive herb garden.

If you’re the sort who takes apart the computer for fun, operating an electronics repair shop out of your home is a natural decision.

In particular, repairing iPads and other tablets would provide you with a great deal of business, as many tablet users are looking for a less expensive way to fix smashed screens and other damages that can be costly through the manufacturer.

A background in education is helpful for tutoring, but not necessary. All you really need is mad skills in one or more areas of study. With a ton of knowledge in a specific topic like math or science, you can help local students do better in their classes.

It should be easy to find work as a tutor. You can advertise your services in your local neighborhood, or even reach out to local schools. 

If you have a penchant for fitness and you love helping others reach their goals, becoming a personal trainer should come naturally to you. You could visit clients in their own homes, or you could meet them at a local gym. 

Either way, it’s common for individuals who want help and guidance to pay more than $50 per session for a personal trainer. If you can get a few clients set up on a weekly basis, you can earn real income with this home-based business idea.

Teaching piano (or guitar or violin or singing) lessons out of your house is a well-established way for stay-at-home spouses to make a little extra cash.

If Lois Griffin can do it, so can any musically-minded entrepreneur.

While you can teach music lessons in person, quite a few websites also let you market your services or even teach music lessons online. Some of the best options include Live Music Tutor and Take Lessons .

Here are even more home-based business ideas you can try, although not all of them will work for everyone.

Airbnb, VRBO.com, and Vacasa are all examples of an online marketplace that arranges lodging options between a visitor and a host.

Let’s say you have a guest house or spare bedroom. Why not list the space on Vrbo and make that your business? 

What you can charge per night depends on the area. The more touristy the city and nicer your home, the more you can charge.

  • Simple, secure way to host your home
  • Estimate how much you could earn!
  • Let Vacasa care for your home & guests

It used to seem weird to rent out a spare room to a stranger, or to stay in a stranger’s home when you go on vacation. Thanks to the likes of Airbnb and others, these sharing economy services have shown us it’s not so scary! 

So let me ask – how do you feel about renting out your car? 

Think about it. Rental car agencies (Enterprise, Avis, Budget, etc.) are awful to deal with and too expensive. 

A company called Turo has disrupted the industry. People across the country are earning money from lending their cars out to strangers.

If you aren’t using your car for a couple of days, or if you have a spare one, simply join Turo’s free platform, list the car, and charge whatever you want for the day. 

Real estate investing may seem more like a “side business,” than a true at-home business. Over time, however, making money as a landlord from the comfort of your home is a great place to start on your road to self-employment.

Want to get in on the action but don’t have the experience or time? I recommend real estate crowdfunding. 

Real estate crowdfunding is when investors pool their money together to buy investment properties. Each crowdfunding platform is different. Some focus on commercial real estate, some focus on flipping homes, and others buy with the intent of collecting rent over the long term.

My guide on how to invest in real estate can help you get started. 

This business idea sounds vague, but that’s only because it’s widely open to interpretation. The root of the idea is related to the one above: People shop online a lot these days.

Why not be the one to sell them stuff? Below are places that facilitate online selling. Keep in mind, however, that to make it a viable business, you need to be consistently selling. So think big.

Maybe you could shop at local thrift or antique stores and resell items online. This idea requires creativity.

  • Gazelle : Sell used electronics
  • Worthy : Sell engagement rings and old navy
  • Decluttr : Similar to Gazelle, a marketplace for electronics
  • Poshmark : Sell jewelry, clothes, handbags, etc.
  • LetGo : Furniture, cars, books, computers, etc.
  • eBay : Create a store profile and sell anything!
  • Amazon : Make money selling stuff already listed on Amazon.

Similar to real estate, investing has long served as a way to earn a living without the boss or office required.  

That said, investing is a risky business (literally) so I recommend only those who are experienced and have a strategy to consider this idea. 

Fortunately, many of the top brokerage firms don’t even charge commissions these days. This makes it incredibly more affordable to get started and to keep your long-term trading fees at a minimum.

Keeping our kids safe is so important, but the details of how to do so can be confusing.

A professional childproofing business is inexpensive to start up, but there may be state regulations to follow. It’s also a good idea to apprentice with a child proofer in order to learn the business.

#47: Junk Removal

Anyone who has ever had the unenviable task of cleaning up a house for sale after the death of the owner knows just how important this job is.

Junk removal can be as simple as hauling away unwanted stuff to the dump, or it can be as complicated as separating out the trash from the treasures and handling the actual sale of the goods.

If you have watched Hoarders before, then you know how essential junk removal is. By starting your own business in this field, you can get a piece of the action and some of the profits.

Running a home-based business is a lot different than heading into an office for a 9 to 5 job. You’ll have to deal with considerably more distractions for starters, but you’ll also need to have a certain level of discipline to make it work. After all, you won’t have a boss looking over your shoulder anymore.

In addition to making sure you’re dedicated to your home based business idea and ready to put in the hard work, here are some additional tips that can help:

  • Have a dedicated space to work. If your home-based business idea is one that actually runs out of your home, make sure you have some separate space to work. This could be an area of your dining room where you’re able to set up a desk, or perhaps you have a basement where you could set up a dedicated office space. Whatever you have to work with, make sure you have a work area where you can go to focus on the work ahead.
  • Set a schedule. When you don’t have a regular job, it’s easy to keep putting off your work to the point it never gets done. With that in mind, it’s smart to set strict working hours like you would have if you worked for someone else. You don’t have to work 9 to 5, but you should have set working hours that never change. 
  • Protect your work time from family and friends. Don’t let family and friends sabotage your home-based business since they know you’re home. Make sure you tell everyone that you are actually working from home, so you cannot chat on the phone, run errands for them, or keep an eye on their kids. 
  • Keep your business financials separate. Once your business is up and running, we recommend taking steps to separate your business finances. This typically involves setting up a business checking account , signing up for a business credit card, and creating folders for receipts and other paperwork you’ll need to keep track of for business and tax purposes. 
  • Learn how to outsource effectively. This tip is for intermediate home-based businesses, but it is still important. As you grow your operation, you’ll want to figure out what you should outsource so you can spend more time on your business. This may mean paying a bookkeeper to keep track of your expenses, or perhaps even outsourcing cleaning and errands at your home so you have more time to work. 

cheap business ideas to start from home

If daily commutes, coworkers, and cubicles don’t suit your fancy, why not try one of the home business ideas on the list?

When you work from home, you can call the shots, you set the standards, and you get the chance to pursue your professional passions at your own speed.

If you’re tired of waiting for an employer to create the job you want, then maybe it’s time for you to take control. With a home-based business, you can create the life you want on your own terms. 

About the Author

cheap business ideas to start from home

Jeff Rose, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner™, founder of Good Financial Cents , and author of the personal finance book Soldier of Finance . He was a financial planner for 16+ years having founded, Alliance Wealth Management, a SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm, before selling it to focus on his passion - educating the masses on the importance of financial freedom through this blog, his podcast, and YouTube channel. Jeff holds a Bachelors in Science in Finance and minor in Accounting from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. In addition to his CFP® designation, he also earned the marks of AAMS® - Accredited Asset Management Specialist - and CRPC® - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. While a practicing financial advisor, Jeff was named to Investopedia's distinguished list of Top 100 advisors (as high as #6) multiple times and CNBC's Digital Advisory Council. Jeff is an Iraqi combat veteran and served 9 years in the Army National Guard. His work is regularly featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Inc.com and Entrepreneur.

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92 comments.

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I felt that this information pertaining to self-employment will be a valuable source for me. I was seeking general ideas of what business would be most profiting for me and realistic. I am also interesting in using Amazon and eBay to distribute my products or services.

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Good options

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Thanks for the tips and inspiring video. I am going to share this site with my daughter who need some income, at least until a product she has produced starts selling. If she takes some of the advice given here, she may find a better way to do business. I am a retired executive director for non profits and I have been on boards since the early 80’s including a 9 stint on a national board. Consulting sounds like a plausible occupation! Thanks for your help and I plan to check back! Pat Pahoa, Hawaii

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“Home Based Business Ideas” No. 1 – Uber driver. Are you an idiot? Unless you remotely control your car, own a car, and can drive, how is that a home based business? You were number one in the google search results. Because of people like you genuine people in need like myself have the internet clogged up with garbage click bait affiliate laden BS. You’re ruining the internet and discouraging huge amounts of people from actually doing something to change their lives.

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I need a typist to type my presentation that go my Publisher. Am working on a new novel.

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Most of this work is total crap. Mystery shopping, surveys will earn you so little for the amount of time it’s worthless. There are a million bloggers so does anyone think they have any chance making ok money? If you do better have your head examined. Just to name a few/. The majority of people trying to launch these businesses will fail because these type of businesses have little chance to succeed.

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We are a unique dating software media company. We provide dating software to those that want to sell dating software as a business. Wondering how we can get added to your list.

Robert iDateMedia.com

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Would it be legal to have a car delailing and repair business out of your driveway…

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looking for opportunities that are available to work from . What about Tee Shirts

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Excellent and thorough list and article. Amazing and well done! Your SEO should be front page! Your too generous with the minimum ads as well.

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Hi, i need to start a business from home with little or none start up cost. I am based in Cape Town. Thank you.

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Here are a few more… Photography Car Detailing House Power Washing Window Cleaning Screen Repair and Replacement Handiman Elderly Care Assistant (Changing light bulbs, air filters, minor handiman, Putting out the trash, Walking their dog, ect. doing all the things elderly folks have trouble with or just check in on them daily.) as baby boomers turn elderly, this could be big.

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Another unknown money maker is making crossword puzzles. Magazines will pay a couple hundred to $1000 for them.

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I’m interested in Travel Planning

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You can add Data Entry in the list. That is the best home base job they can have. It was so easy and can be done by anyone.

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What can of a good business can a man do to earn money

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I am looking for work from home in the Accounting field. I have twenty five years of experience and three years of college majoring in Accounting. I live in Mobile Alabama I had my own Accounting business in Virginia If I can help you to balance your books , Work on line with Intuit please send me an email or call me Sincerely Cheryl Macaluso

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I want to start a home work as a translator from English to pushto and urdu and from pishto to english .

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I need to do an investment for manufacture something, I have the money, but not the idea.

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Hi Edwin – Maybe start by taking a look at products you really like, then see if you can improve on them somehow. Can you make it better? Can you make it cheaper? Can you deliver it faster? Can you find a market niche where the product will take off. It’s not necessary to come up with a whole new product, which is also very risky. But if you can take an existing product and make it better you’ll have a better chance at success. Also take old product and see how you reinvent them. That’s what Howard Schultz did with Starbucks. He virtually reinvented coffee, which is something no one thought could be done at the time.

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An encouraging article timely and much appreciated. Realized much more skills acquired over these years, hobbies that I have enjoyed could really help in these “retirement days “. Thank you!

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I have another to add to your list that’s almost as easy to do as going for a daily walk! Clean up litter outside commercial properties for property management companies. The work is done on foot using simple hand tools. I started this as a side gig in 1981 and grew it into a profitable full-time business that I continue to operate today. I share my experience in my book, Cleanlots, and offer free support.

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Pensioner at 63 female need to do something from home have to be home for my husband he needs me. I know English and Afrikaans i can type i have done debtors creditors wages not 100%computer literate but knows how to do invoicing letters wages etc on computer. I love speaking to people telephonically.i also have a valid driving licence

Hi Elizabeth – You might try searching the web (particularly Indeed.com) to see if there are any jobs offered in those areas. Search under “work at home” or similar titles. Otherwise you might put together an impressive resume of the skillsets you have to offer, and shop them around to small businesses. There are millions of online business who hire freelancers to do specific jobs. If you can get just one, you can build on it by adding others as you go along. That will enable you to move into it gradually, and at your own pace and comfort level. Good luck!

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I like below part

My good buddy Steve Chou from MyWifeQuitHerJob.com has created an online course that walks people step-by-step through building their own online store. His wife was able to quit her job, and together their online store produces in the six figures. If you’re interested in learning more, check out his course: Profitable Online Store.

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I enjoyed your article. One thing I noticed was a typo in the ‘Editing’ portion. The line should read “but any eagle – eyed writer could do (a) great job.”

It’s kind of ironic actually. If you ever need anyone to edit, I have a BA in English and would like to get back in that field.

Hi Sage – Our articles are edited, but items get missed by both spell-check and human editors. I ask for mercy on that front!

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Please send information on furniture buisness

Hi Michael – Your best bet would be to google that information.We’ve presented a summary list, but don’t offer specific strategies or “how-tos”.

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DONA is definitely not the only certifying body for doula training.

Thanks for sharing that Lindsay.

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An online business can save lots of money required for rent and expenses. Nearly anyone can start an online base business, as it is a comprehensive & beneficial.

The most trending businesses are; 1. Affiliate Marketing, 2. Facebook Page E-commerce, 3. Teaching online courses, 4. Social media consultant, & 5. eBook author: Publish your book online. Affiliate Marketing leads to be one of the strong and productive ways to make money online. There are a lot of online business ideas, but these five plans will be so obvious to start an online business without risk.

I just want to say that making money online is not simple.It requires a lot of substantial efforts and patience. Every option for business needs time. You should have in-depth information on the subjects as well. Then you will be in a form to act as expertise. Many users think that starting an online business is a simple job. But this story is completely mistaken. I have encountered lots of difficulties in my online journey but I never QUITED. I constantly blog in my own style. I personally doing Affiliate marketing with my current blog and it gives me a good result. I really enjoy it.

Anyways, thanks for sharing, beneficial for those who think that it is impossible to earn money from home…

Hi Akshara – You’ve given a lot of good advice. Though a home business seems easy (but yes, they ARE easy to start), it’s first and foremost a business. That means you won’t be an overnight success. It could take years before it earns enough money to live on. It might be best to start it as a side business. But always remember to run it as a serious business, and not as a casual hobby. One other thing about a business…the hardest part is getting it from zero to making money. You have to be willing to overcome that hurdle.

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This business ideas are really useful for me,I am going to select one of the job from the list to make money.keep doing this great work,keep sharing.

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So many ideas are there to start a business. All it takes is dedication & hard work to make it a success. Great job on the article.

Thanks Katy!

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I found interest in the business opportunities you’ve mentioned in your article. Most of them, Thank you. And, though, I never gave thought to most of them. However, there is inaccuracy in the “opportunities that didn’t exist 15 years ago.” I know because I was involved with them (e.g.,) eBay, online stores are commonly known as e-commerce, and affiliate marketing. Internet marketing (actually) started in the earlier 1990.s.

Hi Kevin – We should have said most of them didn’t exist. It is true that a lot of new opportunities are coming online all the time.

Thanks for the helpful list, recently I quit my 9 to 5 job, I am looking for a home-based business to make money, now I got some idea about that, I am going to create a blog to earn money, keep doing this great work. keep sharing with us.

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Great list here! Some are very out of the box great ideas. I did find great success working from home myself. All I do is refer people to our services from home. When customers pay their electric or wireless bill, I get a check.

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Thanks for a great article. One of the most comprehensive list of home business ideas I’ve seen. It’s got my creative juices flowing. Much Appreciated!

Terry Wright

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Thanks 4 this amazing insight into the Home-based biz. I woud appreciate that 10-step stuff. I’d like to know, what you think of network marketting. Is it sound?

Hi Bounama – Not sure exactly what you mean by network marketing, mainly because the term applied to a lot of different activities. I’d be careful if they want you to put money upfront. And I’d also research it carefully, including checking with the Better Business Bureau in your area.

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This is an ultimate guide and huge opportunity to build career in different are from home. Great work. thank you

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Great! article very informative and this is awesome suggestions for start online business.Thanks for the guideline. It’s very helpful.

' src=

Please send me the 10 step PDF, I found your article inspiring.

' src=

I absolutely love the Off Hour Daycare it’s a money maker to me

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Excellent article, thanks for the hard work. This must’ve taken quite a bit of research time. I fit in at Number 25 as a Pro Blogger, and can confidently add that it will not be easy. I can however assure you Blogging will be SO worth it, once you get the hang of it.

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I think this is terrific. I know that one of the biggest reasons people fail to make it work with starting a business online is the lack of knowledge of how to get started, or the lack of knowledge of how to market their business online with real proven techniques that drive traffic, and provide new and real leads for new membership or product sales. I have found that starting a business online can be the best option from an overhead standpoint, and definitely is the best bet as far as leveraging your exposure. i came across a tremendous opportunity that provides excellent support and a true one step approach to setting up your own profitable business that can, and will generate amazing profits with the right attention and effort to insure it’s success.

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My core competencies are: * Best career Guide & Councillor for students of food tech. * Lecture delivering in the technical institutes food technology. * Skill to organised training to the industries dealing in ISO & Food safety certification. * Working as a Head – Quality Control in liquor industry. * Having expertise in corrective and preventive action through root cause analysis breakdown studies. * Having sound knowledge to provide the turn key consultancy for setting up the small food processing industries.

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Currently it looks like WordPress is the top blogging platform out there right now.

(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

Yes. WordPress is not only free, but it it’s also the most common blogging platform, and it has the largest number of free applications that can be used in conjunction with it.

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Fantastic blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any recommendations? Kudos!

Yes, absolutely, go with WordPress. Not only is it free, but it’s also very user-friendly. And there are lots of free apps available to go with it. I’d also get active on the social media to help you get noticed. You can use an application like Hootsuite to help you manage and schedule your social media activities.

I have new content for your small business blog listings that your readers would be interested to read about. I’ve been providing a simple ‘green’ service at commercial properties since 1981. Using only hand tools, I perform a daily litter cleanup service for the exterior property (sidewalks, parking lot, landscape). Almost as easy as going for a walk! I generate a six figure income yearly from this simple, home based, low cost start up business and I can teach you how to do the same. Details online: http://www.cleanlots.com. Affiliate program available.

' src=

Just an FYI that you may want to edit this article. DONA is not the only certifying organization for doulas. There are many other organizations that offer excellent training for new doulas.

' src=

interested in how to get a job as a customer service rep from home? I have 18 years in the workforce as a customer service rep.

' src=

Can you give me some tips of how I can go about to stare a Coustomer Service Rep business from my home and how do i go about getting clients.

' src=

I’m interested in working from home as a Customer Service Rep. Can you tell me how to get started?

' src=

Can I get more info? My back round is in the Building, Home Improvement industry, I am turning 62 soon and looking a local part time representation.

' src=

Really enjoyed your article..I am in the process of setting up a home based business of making and selling accent pieces and furniture. Please could you send me your pdf on this process I would be great full for any help. Regards Clive

' src=

Excellent article!

' src=

Gosh, I’d sure appreciate a copy of the 10-step PDF for starting a home-based business, if it’s not too much trouble for you. Thanks so much. WOW!

' src=

Item #8 should be changed from interior designer to interior decorator because indeed interior designers are required to have a degree and in many states are required to be licensed. Interior designers need to know building and safety codes among other things. Selecting paint colors and toss pillows is a very small part of the job. Many commercial ID’s do very little “decorating”. See IIDA or NCIDQ for more information.

' src=

Just wondering if I could also get a copy of that 10 step list also, Thanks!

' src=

Hi Karlene,

I would really appreciate a copy too, please

' src=

Hello Karlene,

I would also like a copy of your 10 step PDF guide to starting my own business. Thanks.

' src=

Great information! I would like a 10 step PDF copy too please!

' src=

Hi Karlene love this article I would love to receive a copy of the 10 step pdf for starting my own business. I will gladly appreciate it thank you.

' src=

Lot’s of good ideas although clearly can’t be done from the comfort of your own kitchen table.

Just to add for those who are looking for ways to make money from home without leaving home, think about services you can provide to businesses i.e. being a virtual assistant – taking calls, marketing, data entry.

If you want a business you can do from home, you can start up your own virtual assistant business, join a business opportunity, or just become an internet marketer.

Nice article to get the ideas flowing nonetheless.

' src=

HI KARLENE, I would like to get a copy of that 10 step PDF starting a new business if i can Thank you so much

' src=

Hi Karlene, I would love a copy of the 10 step PDF for starting a new business. Thank you so much.

' src=

All the businesses are good to consider for and i found interesting with medical transcription. One of my friend doing this business these days and the fact he used to earn descent income form the specific job.

' src=

Like Karen, I would like for someone to help me with the “how to” part. I have a couple of business ideas, but when you start researching on the internet you are barraged with plenty of sites that lead you no where, and don’t answer specific questions. @ Karlene: How could I get your information?

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Great suggestions! I’ve personally found number 23—blogging to be an excellent income source. The potential is limitless, just as you say.

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Something for everyone you should be able to find at least one idea from the list. Especially interested in the Opportunities That Didn’t Exist 15 Years Ago section!

' src=

Great article! Love getting new ideas to tie in with what we are already working on. Just curious though as to what your opinion is of the direct sales industry and how viable it is in the long run?

' src=

I have a friend who’s started ebay sales and its worked really well for him

' src=

Thanks for sharing your brilliant ideas! This is one great article!

' src=

It is great to have these ideas on what type of home business that you could start. I have seen these types of articles before. What I would like to see with these articles are some information on how to get the education that may be requires. I would also like to see some recommended steps to assist is starting a homebased business. Thank!

' src=

@Karen, I can certainly help you with the recommended steps. I have a 10-step PDF for starting a home-based biz of your own. Feel free to contact me if you’d like a copy.

' src=

hi Karlene,

I saw your response to Karen regarding the 10-step PDF for starting a home-based biz of your own. I would like a copy too if you don’t mind sharing it with me.

Thank you for responding.

' src=

I am looking to make some changes also and would love a copy of the 10-step pdf you are discussing here as well please. I hope you don’t mind.

' src=

Hi Karlene, I would also like a copy of your 10-step PDF for starting a home-based business. Thanks!!

' src=

Hello Karlene, I would love to have a copy of the 10-step PDF for starting my own business. Thank you so much.

' src=

Hi Karlene, I would also like a copy of your 10 step PDF for starting my own business, please. If it’s not too much to ask!

' src=

Plz snd me he 10 step PDF file for startn a hm based biz. Thk u so much.

' src=

I would love to get a copy of your PDF file for starting a home-based business. Thanks.

' src=

Karlene, I would also like a copy of your 10 step PDF for starting my own business, please.

' src=

Can you alsi send me the pdf for the 10 step process of strarting a business.

' src=

Could you also send me a copy of the document.

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Work from Home Happiness

Work from Home Happiness

Get Hired. Be Happy. From Home.

12 Home Business Ideas You Can Start for Cheap

posted on November 5, 2015

Becoming a solopreneur, whether that means freelancing or starting your own business, is a great way to take control of your work life and earnings. But while making the decision to go solo can be a tough one, coming up with an idea that doesn’t require a storefront isn’t. Thanks to the internet, online marketplaces, and social media marketing there are endless possibilities for starting your own business right from the comfort of your own home.

The best part? Getting started doesn’t have to cost much (if anything!). If the cost of starting your own business has been holding you back or you have budget concerns, check out these 12 home business ideas you can start for cheap!

1.  Cleaning Service

cheap business ideas to start from home

2. Online Writing Services

No list of home business ideas would be complete without mentioning online writing services. Copy editing, ghostwriting, and copywriting are super important in today’s online world of information. Companies from around the world rely on the service of writers to get them noticed in a sea of content. Think you need a lot of education and experience to start a writing career? Think again. You can start a freelance writing career with no prior experience .

3. Event Planner

cheap business ideas to start from home

4. Household Organizer

The saying, “Cluttered desk, cluttered mind,” are words I live by when working from home. The same can be said about running a household and having everything in a state of disarray negatively affecting how smoothly your days go. It’s no secret that organization leads to productivity, but getting (and staying organized) just isn’t everyone’s forte. If you’ve got a knack for order and can help others clear the clutter, you’ve got a home business you can start for dirt cheap. (Bonus points when you let clients know about Amazon’s trade-in program which allows them to get rid of their stuff and earn money back!).

5. Grocery Delivery

Wouldn’t it be great if your car paid for itself? Well, if you use it to be a grocery deliverer, it just might! There’s a reason why services like Uber, TaskRabbit , and Amazon Flex have soared in popularity, people love the on-demand economy and convenience of getting things done when they need it. Cash in on the craze and start a grocery delivery business. This kind of service is easy to market towards busy parents, small business owners, and elderly or disabled individuals who might otherwise have difficulty getting their shopping done (bonus ideas: offer other errand running services to increase revenue!)

6. Property Manager

I once filled in as a property manager for about three months while a former landlord (and good friend!) was away on personal business. Although she had just a handful of properties to her name and about a dozen tenants, I stayed pretty busy keeping up with collecting rent, fielding calls, showing vacant properties, and setting up work orders for repairs. Property owners need highly organized and efficient individuals to handle the day-to-day operations of having income-producing properties.

7. Social Media Consultant

cheap business ideas to start from home

8. eBook Author

Writing an eBook isn’t as hard as you think. The best part of becoming an eBook author is that you literally can earn money while you sleep (or eat, or shop, or any other time!). With eBooks, you do the work once and get paid over and over again. Deciding on a topic and writing your first eBook can be done in a month’s time, even if you have a full-time job and other daily commitments.  The best way to earn money as a eBook author is to build up a portfolio of multiple books. The more you have, the more passive income you’ll generate!

9. Resume Writer

Perfecting your resume is tough, but when you do, it can open many more doors than an outdated or out of touch one ever could. Job seekers recognize the power of a well-crafted resume and are turning to professionals to help them write an effective resume or CV that gets them an interview. There are tons of these kinds of gigs listed on the various freelance marketplaces . Networking on LinkedIn is also a great way to get the word out about your services and start securing work.

10. Virtual Assistant

cheap business ideas to start from home

12. Get Crafty

Crafting is big business! Just look at all the successful Etsy sellers raking in six figures every year. Etsy aside, there are no shortages of sites where you can start selling your crafts today . You don’t need a ton of inventory to get started, just enough to take some really good pictures and set up shop on whichever sites you choose. Many people start out selling part time and end up turning their hobby into a full-time home-based business.

More Resources and Inspiration

If you’re looking for a home-based business idea, but aren’t quite ready to go it alone, you may want to consider direct sales.

The Work at Home Woman has some great information on the Best Products to Sell from Home .

Direct sales success takes a lot of commitment and marketing. It’s certainly not for everyone. If you think you might not be the best sales consultant, take a look at Dream Home Based Work’s massive list of 120 Work at Home Jobs You Can Start from Home , the startup costs vary, but with such a large list, there’s something for everyone!

Once you have decided on a home-based business to start, don’t forget how effective social media is for marketing your services. When done right, you can land your first client by using social media .

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About Ashlee Anderson

Ashlee Anderson is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) specializing in remote work. She's on a mission to help job seekers ditch their daily commute in favor of telecommuting.

Reader Interactions

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November 6, 2015 at 2:46 pm

This is a great list Ashlee. I would personally stay away from a cleaning service. I barely want to clean my own house…but then I have to think of the money I’d make from other ladies who feel like me ;).

I’m already doing the blogging thing and writing services but I wish I were crafty enough to start a crafts business.

Thanks for sharing this. Have a great day and weekend.

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July 29, 2016 at 7:24 am

https://mintvine.com/users/register/48c48b8907e5da6f0672768a0

I have been researching ways to make money online for months I have tried multiple survey sites. I have stuck with mint vine for the past 6 months and I have been making enough a month for a date night out with my husband or a trip to the mall. You can’t quit your day job but for a few minutes a day in your spare time you can make some extra cash. Worth checking out

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January 3, 2017 at 7:02 pm

I’m looking into selling crochet but I’m trying to figure out how I would even advertise to get people interested… I’ve tried etsy before with a different idea and it didn’t work in my favor so I’m at a loss.

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March 17, 2017 at 9:44 am

I want to do online home job so that I will be earning something but I don’t know how to start

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August 17, 2017 at 11:57 am

Please note – that most states require you to be a licensed real estate agent when you manage properties on behalf of someone else. Even a friend. Due to fair housing laws, etc.. Don’t do the property management one until you research with your states real estate commission to determine if you are required to be licensed.

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Under30CEO

How to Start a Business from Home: A Comprehensive Blueprint for 2024

S tarting a business from home is an appealing prospect for many aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you’re looking to turn a hobby into a full-fledged business, capitalize on a unique skill set, or explore a new venture, a home-based business offers flexibility, convenience, and a potentially lower startup cost. This comprehensive guide outlines the steps on how to start a business from home , providing insights into various business ideas, legal requirements, marketing strategies, and growth opportunities.

I. The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Home-Based Business

Starting a business from home can come with countless benefits, including flexible work hours, no commuting, and the ability to create an ideal work-life balance. However, it also has its challenges.

Advantages:

  • Low Overhead Costs: Operating a business from home generally requires less capital compared to renting or buying a commercial space . This can significantly reduce your startup and ongoing expenses.
  • Flexibility: You have the freedom to set your own work schedule, allowing for a better work-life balance.
  • Tax Benefits: You may be eligible for tax deductions on part of your home’s operating and depreciation expenses.

Disadvantages:

  • Distractions: Operating a business from home can come with numerous distractions, making it challenging to stay focused and productive.
  • Lack of Social Interaction: Working from home can be isolating, potentially leading to feelings of loneliness or disconnection.
  • Space Limitations: Depending on your business type, you may encounter difficulties storing inventory or expanding your operations due to space constraints.

II. How to Choose a Home Business Idea

The first step in launching a home-based business is identifying a viable, profitable idea . This idea should be influenced by your skills, interests, and market demand. Here are some steps to guide you in choosing a business idea:

  • Identify Your Skills and Interests: Consider what you’re good at and passionate about. These could be potential business opportunities.
  • Market Research: Investigate whether there’s a demand for your proposed product or service. Understanding your target market and competition is crucial.
  • Feasibility: Ensure the business idea can be effectively executed from home.

III. 30 Profitable Home Business Ideas

If you’re still brainstorming business ideas, here are 30 suggestions for potentially profitable ventures you can run from the comfort of your own home:

1. Buy Products in Bulk and Sell Them Online:

This entrepreneurial venture involves importing goods in bulk and selling them individually for a profit through an online store. To succeed, entrepreneurs need a comprehensive understanding of import regulations, efficient supply chain management, and the ability to identify products with market demand. Operating with lower overhead costs, this business model allows for competitive pricing and increased profit margins.

2. Sell Handmade Products:

Catering to the growing demand for unique and artisanal items, selling handmade products is an excellent business idea for creative individuals. From crafting jewelry to producing homemade soaps, entrepreneurs can showcase their craftsmanship on platforms like Etsy or their own online stores. Success in this business relies on a combination of artistic skill, effective marketing, and an understanding of the target audience.

3. Start a Dropshipping Store:

The dropshipping model enables entrepreneurs to sell products without the burden of inventory management . By partnering with manufacturers or wholesalers, entrepreneurs can focus on marketing and customer service while the supplier handles order fulfillment . This approach minimizes upfront costs and risks, making it an attractive option for those entering the e-commerce space.

4. Start a Print-On-Demand Business:

In the print-on-demand business, entrepreneurs create and sell custom-designed items like T-shirts or mugs. The unique aspect is that products are only manufactured and shipped when a customer places an order. This eliminates the need for holding inventory, reducing upfront costs, and allowing for a wide range of customizable products to be offered.

5. Offer Online Services:

The digital age has created opportunities for individuals with various skills to offer online services. This could include freelance writing, virtual assistance, graphic design , or web development. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr connect service providers with clients, providing a flexible and accessible way to establish a freelance business .

6. Teach Online Classes:

With the rise of online education, individuals with expertise in specific subjects can monetize their knowledge by offering online classes or tutoring services. Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare provide a global reach for educators, allowing them to connect with students seeking to acquire new skills or knowledge.

7. Productize Your Service or Expertise:

Transforming a service or expertise into a marketable product involves creating tangible or digital goods that encapsulate specialized knowledge. For instance, a fitness expert could develop workout plans or instructional videos, offering a scalable way to reach a broader audience and generate revenue.

8. Grow an Audience You Can Monetize:

Building a loyal audience through blogging, YouTube, or social media opens avenues for monetization. Entrepreneurs can leverage their audience for sponsored content, affiliate marketing , or by selling their products directly to engaged followers. Consistent and authentic content creation is key to audience growth.

9. Buy an Existing E-commerce Business:

For those with capital, buying an existing online business provides a shortcut to entrepreneurship. This option offers a ready-made platform with an existing customer base, established revenue streams, and a proven business model. Thorough due diligence is crucial to ensure the business aligns with the buyer’s goals and vision.

10. Start a Subscription Box Business:

Capitalizing on the popularity of curated experiences, a subscription box business delivers themed collections of products to customers on a regular basis. Whether it’s gourmet foods, beauty products, or niche hobbies, this model fosters customer loyalty and offers a recurring revenue stream.

11. Turn Your Pet Into an Influencer:

The trend of pet influencers on social media has created a unique avenue for monetization. Pet owners can leverage their pets’ unique personalities or talents by creating engaging content and partnering with brands for sponsored posts and collaborations. This not only provides entertainment but also opens revenue streams for pet-related promotions.

12. Sell Unwanted Items:

Capitalizing on the decluttering trend, selling unwanted items on platforms like eBay, Mercari, or Poshmark allows individuals to turn unused belongings into extra cash. This business model encourages sustainability and is an effective way to streamline personal spaces while generating income. Effective marketing and presentation of items are key to successful sales.

13. Play Video Games:

For avid gamers, turning their passion into a profitable venture is possible by streaming gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. This not only provides entertainment to viewers but also opens avenues for income through subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships. Additionally, skilled gamers can participate in esports competitions, showcasing their talents on a competitive stage. Offering coaching services to less experienced players is another avenue for monetizing gaming expertise, contributing to the thriving esports ecosystem.

14. Sell NFTs:

With the rise of blockchain technology, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have become a unique way for creators to monetize digital content. Artists, musicians, and game developers can tokenize their work, creating a digital asset that is verifiably scarce and unique. Selling NFTs on platforms like OpenSea or Rarible allows creators to reach a global audience, and the decentralized nature of blockchain ensures transparent ownership and provenance.

15. Become a Virtual Event Planner:

The shift of events to virtual platforms has created a demand for skilled virtual event planners. Professionals in this field coordinate and manage online events, from webinars to conferences. This involves organizing speakers, managing technical aspects, and ensuring a seamless virtual experience for attendees. As businesses and organizations continue to embrace virtual events, the role of virtual event planners becomes increasingly crucial.

16. Launch a Photography Business:

If you possess photography skills, launching a photography business can be a rewarding venture. This could involve offering services for events, portraits, or commercial photography. Additionally, selling your photos online through platforms like Shutterstock or creating a personalized photography website allows you to reach a broader audience and monetize your creative work.

17. Start a Beauty Business:

Entrepreneurs passionate about beauty can explore various avenues within the industry. This might include selling beauty products, offering services like makeup application or skincare consultations, or creating beauty-related content on platforms like YouTube or Instagram. With the right marketing and expertise, a beauty business can cater to a diverse and ever-growing market.

18. Start an Affiliate Marketing Business:

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services of other companies and earning a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link. Entrepreneurs can choose niche markets, build a website or social media presence, and strategically promote affiliate products. Successful affiliate marketing requires understanding the target audience and creating content that encourages conversions.

19. Start a Day Care:

If you have a love for children and a suitable space in your home, starting a daycare can be a fulfilling business. However, it requires licensing and adherence to health and safety regulations. Offering a safe and stimulating environment for children while providing peace of mind for parents can lead to a successful and rewarding daycare business.

20. Sell Stuff on Marketplaces:

Leveraging popular online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy provides a platform to sell a wide range of products to a global customer base. This business model is suitable for individuals looking to start an e-commerce venture without the need to create a standalone website. Success lies in effective product listings, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service.

21. Become a Social Media Manager:

As businesses recognize the importance of a strong online presence, the demand for social media managers continues to grow. Social media managers are responsible for creating and curating content, engaging with followers, and implementing marketing strategies. A deep understanding of various social media platforms, trends, and analytics is crucial for success in this dynamic field.

22. Become a Virtual Personal Trainer:

Certified personal trainers can extend their services to a global clientele by offering virtual training sessions and personalized fitness plans. This business model provides flexibility for both trainers and clients, eliminating geographical constraints. Virtual personal training requires effective communication, personalized workout routines, and the use of technology to monitor progress and provide support.

23. Offer Bookkeeping Services:

Entrepreneurs with strong numerical skills can offer bookkeeping services to businesses in need of financial management. This may involve managing financial records, processing invoices, and preparing tax returns. Reliable and accurate bookkeeping is essential for the financial health of businesses, making this service valuable in various industries.

24. Design Websites:

With the increasing need for online presence, web design services are in high demand. Entrepreneurs skilled in web design can offer their services to businesses or individuals looking to establish or revamp their websites. Providing visually appealing and user-friendly designs is crucial for the success of this business.

25. Start a Dog-Grooming Business:

Combining a love for dogs with grooming skills opens the door to a dog-grooming business. Offering services such as bathing, grooming, and nail trimming, entrepreneurs can cater to pet owners seeking professional and caring grooming services. Creating a safe and comfortable space for dogs is essential for the success of this business.

26. Become a Pet Sitter:

Pet sitting involves looking after pets in their environment while their owners are away. This service may include feeding, walks, and companionship. Offering reliable and trustworthy pet-sitting services can build a loyal clientele, particularly among pet owners who prefer to keep their pets in a familiar setting.

27. Become a Freelance Writer:

Freelance writers can turn their passion for writing into a profitable venture by offering services such as article writing, blog posts, website copy, or social media content creation. Building a diverse portfolio and establishing a strong online presence on platforms like Upwork or freelance websites can attract clients seeking quality content.

28. Manage Airbnbs:

With the growing popularity of short-term rentals, property management services for Airbnb hosts are in demand. Managing bookings, communicating with guests, and arranging cleaning services are essential responsibilities. Successful Airbnb managers ensure a positive experience for guests while maximizing the property’s revenue potential.

29. Start a Landscaping Business:

For individuals with a passion for outdoor work, starting a landscaping business allows them to combine creativity and physical labor. Services may include designing gardens, maintaining lawns, and providing various gardening services. Building a solid reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction is crucial for success in this competitive industry.

30. Start a House Cleaning Service:

Entrepreneurs who are detail-oriented and don’t mind getting their hands dirty can start a house cleaning service. Offering reliable and thorough cleaning services to residential clients requires effective time management, attention to detail, and professionalism. This business can be started with minimal investment in cleaning supplies

IV. How to Launch Your Home-Based Business

Once you’ve decided on a business idea, it’s time to turn it into reality. Here are the steps to launch your home-based business:

  • Write a Business Plan: A business plan outlines your business’s goals, target market, marketing strategy, and financial projections. It acts as a roadmap guiding your business’s growth.
  • Register Your Business: Register your business with the appropriate government authorities. This may involve obtaining a business license, registering a trade name, and setting up a legal structure for your business.
  • Set Up Your Home Office: Designate a space in your home for your business. This should be a comfortable, well-lit area where you can work without distractions.
  • Buy Necessary Equipment: Depending on your business type, you may need to purchase equipment or supplies. This could include a computer, printer, software, or inventory.
  • Market Your Business: Promote your business through various marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, SEO, and paid advertising.
  • Launch Your Business: Once everything is in place, it’s time to officially launch your business. This may involve opening your online store, publishing your website, or starting to offer your services.

Video by Ali Abdaal on YouTube

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions related to starting a home-based business:

What are the best home-based businesses to start in 2024? The best home-based businesses to start in 2024 are those that align with your skills and interests, have a viable market, and can be efficiently operated from home. Some examples include online tutoring, freelance writing, pet sitting, and selling handmade products.

What are some low-cost home-based businesses I can start? Some low-cost home-based businesses you can start include freelance writing, virtual assisting, online tutoring, and social media management. These businesses typically require minimal startup costs.

Do I need a business license to start a home-based business? The need for a business license depends on the type of business you’re starting and the regulations in your area. It’s always best to check with your local government or a business advisor to understand your legal obligations.

Can I start a home-based business while working a full-time job? Yes, many entrepreneurs start their home-based businesses as a side hustle while working a full-time job. This allows them to test their business idea and build their customer base before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship.

What are the biggest challenges of running a home-based business? Some challenges of running a home-based business include managing distractions, separating work from personal life, adhering to zoning regulations, and maintaining self-discipline and motivation.

How can I market my home-based business? You can market your home-based business through a variety of channels, including social media, email marketing, SEO, content marketing, and networking.

Do I need insurance for my home-based business? Depending on the type of business you’re running, you may need business insurance to protect against potential liabilities. It’s best to consult with an insurance advisor to understand your needs.

What tax deductions can I claim for my home-based business? You may be eligible for various tax deductions, including home office expenses, business supplies, and equipment, and vehicle expenses if you use your car for business purposes.

Can I hire employees for my home-based business? Yes, you can hire employees for your home-based business. However, you’ll need to comply with employment laws and regulations, including minimum wage requirements, payroll taxes, and workplace safety standards.

How can I grow my home-based business? You can grow your home-based business by expanding your product or service offerings, targeting new markets, investing in marketing, improving your customer service, and continuously improving your products or services based on customer feedback.

VI. Conclusion

Starting a business from home is an exhilarating journey that holds the promise of personal and professional fulfillment. Beyond the initial excitement, success hinges on the synergy of key elements. Your entrepreneurial odyssey will be most fruitful with the right idea—a concept that resonates with your intrinsic abilities and resonates with your passions. This alignment not only fuels your dedication but also ensures a sustainable drive through the inevitable challenges.

Coupled with this, a meticulously crafted business plan becomes your compass, navigating the intricate terrains of the market. It encapsulates your aspirations, delineates your target audience, and plots the trajectory for growth. A solid plan not only keeps you focused but also positions your home-based business as a viable player in the competitive landscape.

However, the true heartbeat of your enterprise lies in a dedicated work ethic. The commitment to consistently put in the effort, meet deadlines, and adapt to the evolving needs of your business is what transforms a vision into a tangible reality. As you juggle various roles within the confines of your home, discipline, and resilience become your steadfast allies.

In this realm of autonomy, the allure of flexibility and independence takes center stage. Your home becomes the headquarters where innovation flourishes, and your schedule becomes a canvas you can paint with the hues of your preferences. This freedom, coupled with the potential for financial growth, creates a dynamic environment where your business can thrive.

In essence, the key to a triumphant home-based business journey is not just about providing a product or service. It’s about creating a harmonious intersection between your skills, passions, and a market need. This intersection is where your entrepreneurial spirit finds its resonance, and your home transforms into the incubator of your success story. So, as you embark on this exhilarating path, remember that each decision and endeavor should echo the authenticity of your vision, propelling your home-based business to heights beyond imagination.

Images provided by Monstera Production and Vlada Karpovich Pexels; Thanks!

The post How to Start a Business from Home: A Comprehensive Blueprint for 2024 appeared first on Under30CEO .

How to Start a Business from Home: A Comprehensive Blueprint for 2024

101+ small business ideas to start now

cheap business ideas to start from home

Written and reviewed by:

cheap business ideas to start from home

Are you dreaming of becoming your own boss, finding financial freedom or pursuing your passion with the perfect small business idea?

The first step on this exciting journey is to find the perfect small business idea for YOU . In this article, we've curated a collection of inspiring and innovative small business ideas. So whether you're looking to turn a hobby into a business, a problem into a solution, work from home or start a virtual venture, we've got you covered. 

To help you explore the endless possibilities of entrepreneurship, we’ve divided ideas into sections. Y ou can use the jump links below to navigate to the section that interests or suits you most:

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • 💡 Home business ideas
  • 💡 Online business ideas
  • 💡 Side hustle business ideas
  • 💡 Recession-proof business ideas

🏡 Home small business ideas

Home businesses do what they say on the tin! You can start up and run your venture from the comfort of your own home, without the need for a separate office or commercial space.  The benefits of running a home business are numerous, from saving money on rent and overheads to having more control over your schedule and work-life balance. In fact, it’s no surprise that so many new ventures came into being when we were all stuck indoors during lockdown. That said, just because you are bossing it up from your bedroom doesn’t mean you don’t have to comply with any relevant rules and regulations (for example food or premises licences). 

1. Childminder

Kids. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em? Unless you are a childminder and then you can do both! A childminder is someone who provides care and education to children in their own homes – but hands them back to their parents at the end of the day. According to the latest UK statistics, there were 65,600 registered childminders in England as of August 2022. Ideally, you’ll actually like rugrats, have some prior ankle-biter experience and a child-friendly space to entertain and educate the little darlings. 

❓ See also: How to start a day nursery 🎓 Qualifications needed: Childminders in the UK need to hold a valid childcare qualification such as a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education 📜 Rules and regulations: You will need to register with Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) and meet certain requirements, such as safeguarding, staffing ratios and a curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum 💵 Cost: Start from £0

brett widgortz tiney

Even before the cost of living crisis, the childcare cost crisis in the UK was grim. In spite of its name, Tiney.co’s business aim is huge.

2. Home baker

Use your sweet tooth to create a startup! There’s a huge demand for baked goods like bread, cakes, and pastries (particularly specialist bakes that are vegan or allergen-free) from local customers, cafes and online. Sales of baking ingredients and equipment increased by 67% in the UK during the pandemic, and a poll conducted by Bake Magazine found that the pandemic led to a rise in consumers' cravings for comfort foods which has continued in these tricky economic times. 

❓ See also: How to start a bakery business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: You will need to follow food hygiene and safety regulations, such as registering with your local council and obtaining a food hygiene certificate 💵 Cost: Start from £50 for your initial setup such as baking supplies and cookware

cheap business ideas to start from home

Amelia Christie-Miller launched Bold Bean Co. from her basement flat in Madrid. In one year, the startup has won listings in Planet Organic, Selfridges, Gorillas, and Waitrose.

3. Home brewer

Profit from your pint. A home brewer produces beer, cider, or wine in small quantities in their own home using specialised equipment. According to the UK's Society of Independent Brewers , the craft beer industry is booming in the UK, with an estimated 3,000 breweries producing over 14,000 different beers. Beer drinkers are increasingly looking for healthier, low-alcohol and low-calorie options so this might be a good niche to pursue. Many home brewers who started small have ended up in supermarkets!

❓ See also: How to start a microbrewery 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: It is illegal to distil alcohol without a licence in the UK, even for personal use. In England, Wales, and Scotland, the limit is 100 litres per person per year for beer and 90 litres per person per year for cider. In Northern Ireland, the limit is 60 litres per person per year for both beer and cider 💵 Cost: Start from £500 for a basic home brewing kit

cheap business ideas to start from home

As of 2022, Jubel Beer is the top-selling craft beer in Sainsbury’s. But it all started because founder Jesse Wilson thought cider too sweet, and lager too bland.

4. CV writer

It's like being a matchmaker, but instead of matching couples, you're matching resumes to job descriptions. With huge amounts of movement in a highly competitive job market, people need as much help as possible to make sure their skills stand out to potential employees. If you feel you can tailor and tweak experience and expertise to be picked up by applicant tracking systems and showcase the key information that recruiters are looking for, this may be a good business idea for you. You could start small – offering your services to friends and family – and then build your clientele using their testimonials.

❓  See also:   What makes a bad job ad? 7 common pitfalls that put candidates off 🎓 Qualifications needed:  None 📜 Rules and regulations:  None 💵  Cost:  Start from £0

5. Petsitter

We are a nation of animal lovers but we also need to work and like to go on holiday. A pet sitter provides care and companionship to pets while their owners are away. In the UK, the pet care industry is worth an estimated £7 billion and is expected to grow due to increasing pet ownership. The entry requirements for this home business venture are minimal; it mainly requires a love of animals and experience handling them. 

❓ See also: How to start a pet sitting business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: If you are looking after pets in your own home, you will need a licence (but not if you go to the owner’s home) 💵 Cost: Start from £0

6. Massage therapist

Who doesn’t love a good massage? Massage therapists provide therapeutic pummelings to clients to help alleviate pain, tension, and stress. In the UK, the demand for massage therapists is growing, with the industry expected to reach £1.2 billion by 2025 . Needing minimal equipment – a massage bed and your hands! – this is a great business to run from your home. 

❓ See also: Beauty salon equipment and software 🎓 Qualifications needed: Massage therapists in the UK need to hold a Level 3 qualification in massage therapy, such as a VTCT or ITEC diploma, and be registered with a professional body such as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) 📜 Rules and regulations: You should be registered with a professional body such as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) 💵 Cost: Start from £30 for a basic massage table

7. Home hairdresser

Whatever the economic climate, hair just keeps on growing. But why pay for a salon and associated overheads (no pun intended) when you can provide hair styling and cutting services to clients in your (or their) own home? Since the pandemic, the home hairdressing industry is on the rise due to its convenience and personalised service. You could start small by doing “dos” for friends and family and use word of mouth and social media to build your clientele. 

❓ See also: How to start a hair stylist business 🎓 Qualifications needed: Hairdressers in the UK need to hold a Level 2 or 3 hairdressing qualification 📜 Rules and regulations: You must register with your local council. 💵 Cost: Start from £15 for basic hairdressing scissors

🤔 Did you know? Female entrepreneurs are finally closing the gender gap when it comes to running a business. According to GoDaddy data, the number of women-led businesses has increased from 36% to 47% within the last 12 months.

8. Tailoring and clothes alterations

If you are a demon at darning or a ninja with a needle, consider offering clothing alterations and repairs to customers. According to GlobalData , the clothes resale market in the UK grew by 149% between 2016 and 2022 and is forecast to rise by 67.5% from 2022 to 2026. As more and more people embrace the fashion circular economy , this means a huge amount of potential customers looking for nipping and tucking. 

❓ See also: How to start a clothes shop 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

9. Music tutor

In the UK, the music education industry is worth an estimated £4.5 billion and is expected to continue growing, driven by an increasing number of enthusiastic music learners of all ages. You don’t need to be a virtuoso violinist but you do need to be able to play your instrument reasonably well and have a quiet space from which to teach and tolerant neighbours – especially drumming tutors! Reading music would be a bonus and plenty of music tutors are self-taught. 

❓ See also: Starting a tutoring business: 5 simple steps 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

10. Airbnb host

The rise of the post-pandemic staycation is here to stay. Whether it’s a peaceful rural retreat in the Cotswolds or an avant-garde flat in the middle of London, AirBnBs are a solid investment as there’ll always be someone out there looking for a holiday. You’ll need to ensure you own your property (or have permission from the owner), cosy up your space, and make sure you have great pictures for your listing. 

❓ See also: How to start a bed and breakfast business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations : Hosts are required to meet certain safety requirements, such as providing smoke alarms and ensuring that gas and electrical appliances are safe, and should check with their insurance provider to see if they need additional coverage for short-term rentals 💵 Cost : Start from £0 (if you already own a property, that is)

11. Customised stationery design

Why should customers settle for boring, run-of-the-mill invitations, announcements and celebration cards when they could have bespoke pieces that reflect their unique style and personalities? The stationery market in the UK is worth a whopping £2bn annually, and the trend for one-of-a-kind items is on the rise. Whether it's a wedding, a birthday bash, or a corporate or community function, you could use your artistic aesthetic to help people make a statement with their stationery.

❓ See also: Letterhead requirements: legal procedures you need to follow 🎓 Qualifications needed: None, but it would be beneficial to have a background in graphic design, as well as an understanding of printing techniques and materials 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £20 for paper and pens at your local stationery store

💪  Top tip: Find out how to transition your personal space to a professional workspace with our handy guide, how to set up a home office .

12. Homemade or artisanal dog treats and snacks

Post-pandemic pooch passion persists! Take advantage of this doggy love by running a homemade artisanal dog treats and snacks business. You could create unique and delicious dog treats and package and market the products from your own kitchen. The UK pet food market is valued at £2.6bn annually, so plenty of opportunity for some canine kerching!

❓ See also: Top business ideas: pet care 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check basic requirements at gov.uk 💵 Cost: Start from £0

13. Valet service

A valet service provides a range of car-related services, such as parking, cleaning, and maintenance, to customers. In the UK, the carwashing and valet industries are worth over £1 billion, with a projected market size of £9.8 billion by 2025. With no skills and minimal marketing required, this is a great business to run from your home (or the street outside to be more precise). 

❓ See also: How to start a car valeting business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: You should follow environmental and health and safety regulations, such as obtaining a trade effluent consent (trade effluent is any liquid waste that’s discharged into our sewers from a business, industrial or trade process) 💵 Cost: Start from £50 for cleaning products and equipment

14. Takeaway service

Forget the image of a traditional takeaway with flock wallpaper and an over-handled bowl of mints. These days, a takeaway service can involve providing home-cooked meals and drinks for customers to consume off-premises or catering for functions and events. The current UK takeaway sector is worth over £4.9 billion, and the industry is expected to continue growing due to the increasing popularity of delivery services. So if you’ve got a kitchen that can handle cooking in quantities and a talent for tasty tidbits, this could be a venture for you.

❓ See also: Best takeaway POS systems 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: You will need to register with your local council's environmental health service, follow food hygiene regulations, and comply with allergen labelling requirements 💵 Cost: £0

15. Vegan candle maker

According to a report by The Vegan Society , the vegan lifestyle market in the UK is now worth over £3.5 billion, and the demand for vegan products, including candles, is growing rapidly. This is a super easy business to set up and you can sell your offerings at local markets, fairs and gift shops or go the ecommerce route and sell online.

❓ See also: The 6 best ecommerce platforms for small businesses 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

16. Plant rental service

Yes, you read correctly. Plant rental services are a thing. A plant rental service offers the rental of indoor plants to offices, homes, and events for decoration and air-purifying purposes and is a great home-based idea for the green-fingered. You will probably require some suitable outside space though unless you want your living room to resemble a jungle. 

❓ See also: Top business ideas: wellbeing 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

17. Crafter

As with vegan candle making, whether you’re a perfect potter, a master mason, or wondrous at woodwork, you can make your wares at home and sell them. However, passing on your skills could also be a great new business opportunity. The popularity of craft workshops and craft teaching – whether in real life or virtually – has dramatically risen, fuelled by Gen Zers who want to reconnect with the physical, manual world. Your crafting skills could be a crafty little money-spinner. 

❓ See also: Business ideas for 2020: craft teaching 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

18. Antique dealer

If you’re a connoisseur of antiques or a history nerd, dealing with antiques could be your next entrepreneurial project. However, keep in mind this one is trickier than the average trade. Whilst the Antiques Roadshow may paint a rosy picture of what the business is like, in reality, it involves lots of detective work, patience, and arduous competition.  It’s definitely a tough venture to launch, but with the right marketing and negotiating skills, you’ll be able to set yourself up for success. 

❓ See also: How to start an antique business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0, however, if you’re looking for a specialist niche, collecting all your merchandise could take months and has high upfront costs (£25,000-35,000)

19. Pet clothing designer

A pet clothing designer creates fashionable and/or functional clothing for pets. This can include anything from doggy dresses to cat coats. In the UK, pet owners spend an average of £70 a month on their pets, according to a study by American Express . The study also found that 43% of pet owners would be willing to spend up to £50 on a luxury pet accessory. Obviously an interest in animals and fashion would be a good starting point here – and there’s a lot of competition – but our love affair with our pets isn’t going away anytime soon.

❓ See also: How to start a clothing line 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

20. Offer lodgings

This idea is as old as the hills but fantastic as a home business nonetheless, providing you own your own property and have a spare room. More and more people are resorting to renting a room in a private home as it makes financial sense with rents skyrocketing. Plus, many more workers need a city pied-a-terre when commuting from the countryside. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that because it’s your home, you can do what you like. Do implement a tenancy contract agreement and make sure you don’t fall foul of the rules and regs. 

❓ See also: How to become a landlord 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: There are a host of rules and regulations that you will need to comply with. Landlords offering Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) must obtain a licence from their local council; all accommodation must be safe and provide maintained smoke detectors, electrical wiring, and gas appliances. Landlords are also required to protect any deposit paid by the tenant in a government-approved scheme. These are just some of the main rules and regulations for offering lodging in the UK, but landlords should also check with their local council to ensure that they are complying with any additional requirements specific to their area 💵 Cost: You will need to own a home in order to start this business, as it will include the expense of your mortgage payments, utility bills, insurance, taxes, and maintenance costs. Additionally, if you plan to provide additional services or amenities such as breakfast, cleaning services, or laundry facilities, these will also incur additional costs

21. Business development caller

Let’s call a spade a spade. A business development or “cold” caller is essentially someone employed to make an unsolicited phone call to a potential customer to sell products or services. Whilst we all know how annoying these calls can be, there’s a reason they still happen – they work. And that’s where you come in. You can start a business as a “cold” caller from the warmth and comfort of your own home. Entry requirements are low level – a courteous telephone manner and bags of resilience will see you right. 

❓ See also: Small business telemarketing services 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0 although you will need a phone and to decide with your client how your bill will be paid

22. Home personal trainer

A home personal trainer provides fitness training and coaching services to clients who want all the benefits of a gym without all the other muscly, sweaty people. The UK fitness industry is worth over £5 billion, and it is projected to continue growing due to the increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. So with tons of potential trainees out there, this idea is ideal for someone who already loves fitness and has some equipment at home. 

❓ See also: How to start a personal trainer business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

23. Laundry service

If you’ve got a washing machine and are fabulous at folding, this could be a simple and lucrative business to start and run from your home. With the rising demand for convenience and time-saving services, plus the growing number of people renting out their places via sites like Airbnb, there are piles and piles of dirty laundry that need outsourcing. According to a report by IBISWorld , the UK laundry and dry-cleaning industry is currently worth over £3 billion. Get your wedge of the washing pile pie by offering specialist services such as green cleans or delicates days. 

❓ See also: Startups Awards finalist Laundryheap raises £2m to hit £17m valuation 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

cheap business ideas to start from home

Having bootstrapped the business since its inception, along with being new mothers and both working full-time, Carol Lathbridge and Lola Cawood faced a huge amount of challenges.

24. Ironing service

All you need to get this business started is an iron and an ironing board. As people get busier and seek more and more convenience, plus the AirBnB market grows, there’s a huge demand for pressed work clothes and wrinkle-free bedding. This may also be a complimentary add-on to a laundry or cleaning service. 

❓ See also: Laundry start-up ihateironing.com bags £120,000 investment 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

25. Gardener

A great side hustle if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty – people always need lawns mowing, shrubs pruning and leaves clearing. You can start small and as your confidence and expertise grows, acquire equipment and offer landscaping services too. There’s no requirement for formal training but some knowledge of plants would be useful. According to a report by AMA Research , the UK landscaping services market is worth over £5 billion, and it is projected to continue growing due to the increasing demand for maintenance of commercial and communal outdoor spaces. 

❓ See also: How to become a gardener 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

📝 Good to know: Even if you are running your business from home , you still need to register as self-employed for tax purposes.

🖥️ Online small business ideas

An online business is any venture that can be run entirely from your laptop or computer. With little to no startup costs, the rewards of virtual ventures can be huge. Plus, the opportunities are only getting bigger as online shopping becomes the norm.

Over 80% of the UK population makes ecommerce purchases – that means over four in every five UK consumers are digital buyers. By 2025, the penetration rate among the country's consumers is expected to reach 90%!

And the benefits of starting an online business are manifold. From the flexibility to work from anywhere at any time, to lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, here are some easy e-commerce enterprise ideas to get you excited. 

💪  Top tip: There are regulations for selling online that we recommend you check out before creating a website or selling to customers, so that you are covered legally.

26. Personalised apparel

Personalised t-shirts and sneakers are popular – the appeal lies in your customer being able to purchase something that is impossible to get anywhere else. Customers could come to you with their customisation ideas or use your artistic vision to provide them with something original and unique. Personalising takes artistic interest and skill, but with some good online reviews and a popping Instagram or TikTok account, you can gain a reputation fast for creating upcycled, limited edition and bespoke products. 

❓ See also: The ultimate guide to dropshipping: what is it and is it worth it? 🎓Qualifications needed: None 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £3-20 per item, depending on your type of apparel, design complexity and quantities ordered

27. Online tutoring

With the pandemic wreaking havoc on children’s education, online tutoring has never been more sought after for filling in the academic gaps. If you’re highly qualified in a particular subject, or have previous experience working with kids, then you already have a major tick off your checklist. While it’s not necessary to be a fully qualified teacher, you should still have a thorough understanding of the UK education system and the school curriculum, which you can research via gov.uk . And marketing costs are minimal – word of mouth amongst satisfied (and competitive!) parents works wonders here. 

❓ See also: How to start a tutoring business 🎓Qualifications needed: There is no requirement for qualifications to become a tutor. However, if you want to tutor people for accredited education, a degree relative to the level you want to teach at would be appropriate if teaching children 📜Rules and regulations: None but a valid DBS certificate is preferable 💵 Cost: Start from £0

28. Baby sleep consultant

Help exhausted parents get their babies to sleep like a …well….baby. You may want to get yourself professionally trained before you offer up this service or just take advantage of your own experience of bawling babies and teething toddlers. Either way, there are plenty of sleep-deprived parents looking for tailored training programmes or bespoke consultations.

❓ See also: Hello Baby: Trevor Ginn 🎓Qualifications needed: As it stands, sleep consulting is not a regulated profession, but taking some health and safety courses at the minimum would help with competency and credibility 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

Happity Startups 100 2023 DEI winner

Created by parents, for parents, Happity is the UK's biggest finding and booking platform for baby and toddler classes.

29. Digital decluttering service

Are you scared to open your inbox because of 8 million unread emails? Or have you wasted hours looking for a file on your computer that you know is there but you can’t find? If the answer is no, you should become a digital declutterer! This online service helps people and other small businesses organise their digital assets, increasingly important as more of our personal and professional lives move online. You can charge for services hourly or per task but should be well-versed in maintaining a tidy online space. 

❓ See also: Best project management software for small businesses 🎓Qualifications needed: None 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

30. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a method of business where you commission suppliers to ‘drop’ shipments to your customers' doorsteps on your behalf. You don’t have to stock or keep track of inventory, so no extra costs for hiring a warehouse or surrendering your living room to a ton of boxes and packaging materials. All you really have to do is promote your business and build your audience. That said, dropshipping isn’t without its drawbacks – chiefly, dealing with returns and refunds. Plus, choosing a reliable and trustworthy third-party supplier can be the difference between making a profit or going bust. But it’s definitely one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest businesses to start. 

❓ See also: The ultimate guide to dropshipping: what is it and is it worth it? 🎓Qualifications needed: None 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

31. Copywriting

Copywriting is the practice of creating original copy that helps a client achieve a particular goal – usually to persuade customers to buy or use a product or service and therefore increase sales. This could be anything from product descriptions detailing the key features and benefits of an item or service to flyers, social media content and more. Clearly a good grasp of written English is necessary, as well as basic human psychology as you'll need to understand what motivates your intended audience. 

❓ See also: How to become a freelance copywriter 🎓Qualifications needed: None, other than a reasonable knowledge of spelling and grammar 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

32. Web designer

Web designers use website-building platforms as well as their own creative vision and coding skills to create websites for clients who don’t have the know-how or desire to do it themselves. With more and more people deciding to start their own businesses or side hustles, there’s a huge demand for user-friendly, professional-looking websites at reasonable prices. 

❓ See also: Best easy website builders for small businesses 🎓Qualifications needed: None but an understanding of HTML, CSS and Javascript, a basic knowledge of web programming and web design applications such as Adobe Dreamweaver would be useful 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

33. App Developer

Mobile apps generated over $935 billion in revenue in 2023 which means this is a great virtual venture for tech-savvy individuals. You’ll need the ability to write computer programs and have abundant analytical thinking skills. You can either operate as a freelancer for hire or come up with your own app ideas to develop and sell. 

❓ See also: Top business ideas: personal health apps 🎓 Qualifications needed: None although an undergraduate degree in computer science would be helpful 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

cheap business ideas to start from home

As the winner of the 2023 Startups 100 Index, Caura is a vehicle management solution that aims to empower the UK’s 30 million drivers.

34. Social media manager

Are you a social butterfly of the digital world? Could you turn your addiction to Insta and love of likes to financial gain?  From creating killer content to tracking analytics, social media managers are the virtual masterminds behind all those viral tweets, insta-posts, and Facebook rants. They know how to attract an audience, engage with them, and build a community around a brand. And with over 80% of UK businesses now vying for attention online according to Statista , the demand for these online media mavens is higher than ever. It’s a worthwhile venture to pursue and if you love connecting with people and are good at data wrangling. 

❓ See also: What is social media marketing: the ultimate guide 🎓 Qualifications needed : None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: £0

35. Affiliate marketer

Put simply, affiliate marketing is the promotion of someone else’s product by yourself, in return for a small commission on each sale made. Basically, you’re a middle person. Ideally, to get started you’ll already have a blog, active social media following or website that brings customers in to click on your affiliate link so that you earn commission. Commission rates can vary a lot – anything from 5 to 50% – but the good news is that  affiliate marketing revenue has been steadily rising by 10% each year, according to stats from Streamline advertising group. Some of the UK’s top affiliate platforms include Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate), Amazon Associates and Shopify affiliate programme. Don’t believe all the hype though. There are as many affiliate marketer zeroes as heroes. 

❓ See also: Affiliate Marketing: how does it work and is it worth it? 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check the UK's advertising regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidelines: affiliate marketing communications must be clearly identifiable as such and must comply with data protection and privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 💵 Cost: Start from £0

36. Selling eBooks

If you have a story to tell or expert knowledge in a subject – cooking, self-help, photography, poetry or the next great novel – then writing an ebook can be a brilliant and cheap business idea. Although it could cost you a lot of time, financial overheads are next to nothing. You can sell your book via third-party providers – principally, Amazon – or via your own online store. If you really want to guarantee sales before pushing on, you could always arrange a pre-sale, or start a crowdfunding campaign to drum up interest in your virtual tome. 

❓ See also: How to start a bookshop 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0 

37. Proofreader / editor

From books to documents to websites, proofreaders are in continual high demand because all industries produce written content that needs reviewing for the appropriate professionalism, accuracy and tone of voice. Ideally, this is an online venture for someone with a qualification or background in English or journalism but it’s not essential as long as you can polish prose  to perfection and know how to mind your ps and qs. 

❓ See also: How to become a freelance copywriter 🎓 Qualifications needed: None, but it would be helpful to familiarise yourself with style guides such as the Oxford or AP Style and Grammar Guidelines 💵 Cost: Start from £0

38. Online personal stylist

If friends and family are always trying to steal your style, maybe you should consider selling it rather than giving it away for free. All this virtual venture requires is a simple website with some signature looks and a range of style interventions from creating a one-off look for a special event to revamping a work wardrobe or helping a hoarder clear out their closet. So if you have a flair for fashion and want to turn your passion into a paycheck, personal styling might just be the perfect fit for you.

❓ See also: Sustainable fashion: trends and opportunities 🎓 Qualifications needed: None, but some personal stylists pursue formal education in fashion and styling. The cost of studying for a degree in fashion can range from £9,250 to £38,000 per year, depending on the university and course 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: £0

39. Blogger

One of the easiest and cheapest ideas to get off the ground, the beauty of blogging is that you can talk about a topic you are genuinely already interested in. The trick is to pick a topic that other people are interested in too. That way you can build a following and monetise via affiliate marketing or sponsored content. You will need your own website plus some knowledge of SEO and keyword research if you want to make sure you get eyes on your pages but this can be self-taught. In fact, there are plenty of blogs on it!  

❓ See also: Personal branding explained – plus how to create a personal brand 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost : Start from £0

40. Stock photographer

If you've got a camera, a steady hand and a good eye, you could be well on your way to making some serious cash online through stock photography. All you need to do is upload your images to a stock website – such as Alamy or Shutterstock – who’ll licence your photos to their clients for a fee. The good news? This is passive income! Stock photos can earn you anything from £50 to £500 for 1000+ high-quality pictures per month. Lifestyle and landscape shots are always popular. 

❓ See also: How to start a photography business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Dependent on which stock website you choose but always seek permission from people and premises you capture 💵 Cost: £25 for a basic camera

41. Online yoga instructor

Not only will you get to stay healthy and fit with this business idea, but you'll also be spreading good vibes and spiritual wellness to others. And the best part? You can make some serious cash doing it! Whether you're looking for a part-time gig or a full-time career, you can make this work for you as your online audience grows. 

❓ See also: How to become a yoga instructor 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Yoga in the UK is unregulated 💵 Cost: The Yoga Alliance is an organisation that provides yoga teacher certification and sets standards for yoga teacher training programs in the UK. To register as a teacher you'll need to pay an annual membership fee, which can range from £40 to £115 depending on your level of certification. It’s also important to get limited liability insurance to protect yourself in case of any accidents or injuries that may occur during your classes, and that typically ranges from £50 to £150 per year

42. Virtual Assistant

A super simple startup for a super-organised individual. As a virtual assistant you could offer your services to schedule appointments, manage diaries, make and take phone calls, plan travel and manage email and social media accounts for a whole variety of small business clients whom you'll never need to meet. All this admin can take place online! You can decide whether to charge per hour or day, task or project. 

❓ See also: How to become a virtual assistant 🎓 Qualifications needed: None, but a good grasp of basic English and maths plus some computing skills will be very helpful 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: £0

43. Teach English as a foreign language

The demand to learn English – as THE international language – has been and will always be high. The best part is that you can teach all of your lessons online – so there are no overheads for travel or classroom costs. To get started, your native language ideally needs to be English, and an accredited TEFL course will also be required before you start taking on students. You can expect to earn £15 per hour teaching English online, although as you grow your client base and become more reputable, you can increase your fees and charge a much higher rate (up to £40 per hour).

❓ See also: How to start a tutoring business 🎓 Qualifications needed: TEFL courses can range in price, but you'll likely be spending between £75 to £250 on a course depending on the level and hours involved. Although a bachelor’s degree isn’t necessarily a requirement, it will help you attract clients as the market is quite competitive and a degree could set you apart from other teachers 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

44. Finfluencer

Eschewing old-school banking institutions, there’s a growing trend for Millennials and Gen Zers to rely on social media stars for money matters. These financial influencers share their knowledge and expertise on all things personal finance that resonate with 18-25 year olds, from paying off student loans to buying a flat and making their first investment. In fact, according to a recent report by Hootsuite, a whopping 27% of adults in the UK follow at least one financial influencer on social media. If you think you are able to provide financial information and education in an entertaining and engaging way (and have the authority and expertise to do so), this could be for you. 

❓ See also: How to make money as a social media influencer 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) before endorsing any financial services or products 💵 Cost: Start from £0

45. Virtual interior designer

Did you know that the interior design industry in the UK is worth a whopping £8 billion? That's a lot of feature walls and colour pop pillows! A virtual interior designer offers services through an online platform using tech to showcase samples and options without stepping foot in a client’s house. You will need an online portfolio, computer skills and some kind of virtual design software. 

❓ See also: How to start an interior design franchise 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

💳 Side hustle small business ideas

If you want to earn extra income or turn your passion into a profitable venture, side hustling could be for you. A side hustle is a business you operate while holding down your day job, so you can keep the safety of a salary while giving yourself time to build your confidence and company. 

According to current stats, 46% of people in Britain are making a second income. The surge is in no small part due to the pandemic and the current economic downturn, with the report estimating that the side hustle economy is now worth around £346 bn. This trend is likely to continue as more people embrace the flexibility and financial independence that part-time entrepreneurship offers. 

💪 Top tip: Need to make some extra cash? Now’s the time to push your hobby or skills. Here’s the full guide on how to start a side hustle .

46. Reselling clothes

With Gen Z shoppers leading the sustainable fashion and vintage shopping charge, reselling clothes is a great way to target younger audiences and make some extra cash. Apps like Depop and Vinted make the process of setting up a vintage online store painless meaning there’s a low barrier to entry.  All you’ll really need is a smartphone, popping pics of your items, and some social media marketing savviness. Predictions estimate that the resale market will grow 127% by 2026 , so hopping on the clothes resale bandwagon could be a smart side hustle bet with plenty of hacks to keep you on the right side of HMRC.

❓ See also: Sustainable fashion: trends and opportunities 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

47. Voiceover artist

Could your smooth and sultry tones be your side hustle? You could offer your voice for a range of media, including TV, film, and video games. According to data from industry body AudioUK , the UK audio sector grew by 11% in 2019, with voiceover work making up a significant portion of this growth. It’s super easy to get started – all you need is a portfolio and your dulcet tones. 

❓ See also: Business ideas for 2020: podcasting 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

48. Dogwalker

Post-pandemic pooches need walking now their owners are back in the office! It’s a real shame for man’s best friend, but the perfect business opportunity for canine-loving cash seekers. The entry requirements for this business venture are minimal; it mainly requires a love of dogs, experience handling them and some good walking boots, as you'll be doing a lot of walking! Your main costs are going to be insurance and either some printed flyers or social media advertising. This won’t cost you more than a few hundred quid. Considering you can charge up to £20 an hour, there’s good money to be made.

❓ See also: How to start a dog walking business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: You’ll need to be aware of a few rules and regulations, including the legal requirement for dogs to wear leads at all times and your obligation to pick up their mess 💵 Cost: £80-150 per year for liability insurance

🐱 Did you know? 34% of UK households own a cat in the United Kingdom, meaning there’s a large market you can tap into if you're a pet-loving side hustler.

49. Upcycling

Turning trash into treasure can be a viable side hustle business venture if you’re creative and great at DIY. Take any unwanted object and transform it into something that someone else needs, wants or likes the look of. The key is knowing where to sell handmade items locally or online. It’s great if you’re looking for a sustainable business that has a low barrier to entry – after all, there is no wait for products to get made or sampled. Have a look on sites such as Etsy for inspiration. 

❓ See also: Top business trends: sustainability 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

50. Babysitting

With parents busy in the office or couples that simply want a night away from their kids, babysitting will always be a viable business idea if you don’t mind working with young ones. The start-up costs are pretty low – the largest investment you’ll probably make is a website or some flyers to advertise your services. You’ll also need to have a rough understanding of what the hourly rates for babysitting are so that you can be competitive in the market. 

❓ See also: How to become a childminder 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

📝Good to know: In 2021, 69% of families in England with children aged 0 to 14 had used some form of childcare during their most recent term-time week.

51. Language tutoring

As the job market gets more competitive, people are looking to diversify and strengthen their language skills. Plus, parents are always looking to improve their kids’ GCSE and A-level grades. So if you are fluent in French or a native Nigerian speaker, tutoring languages can be a strong side hustle – you can charge from. £24–£28 per hour. Craigslist and similar websites are excellent places to market your tutoring business, often signing up and posting an ad is free. Don’t forget there may also be people (and businesses) out there looking for English language tuition too.

❓ See also: Best easy website builders for small businesses 🎓 Qualifications needed: None but bilingual proficiency or written and oral fluency in the language being taught is preferable 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

52. Videographer

Freelance videography can be a great avenue to make some extra money if you’re good with cameras and editing, but you will need some equipment which can be costly. However, you’ll have a broad market since clients can range from individuals – think events such as weddings and parties – to businesses that want to use videos for marketing. Do specialise so you can perfect your style and your showreel – essential if you want people to know about your side hustle. 

❓ See also: How to use YouTube for business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

86% of marketing professionals reported that they used video as a marketing tool so there’s huge scope for regular work.

53. Urban beekeeping

Nurture bees in the city and harvest honey, beeswax, and other bee-related products to sell yourself or to local stores and businesses. In the UK, the number of beekeepers has increased by 25% in the last five years, according to the British Beekeepers Association . And the good news? You don’t necessarily need a garden or green space. Many successful side hustlers who live in apartment blocks are able to keep bees on their buildings’ flat roofs. 

❓ See also: Business ideas for 2020: urban farming 🎓Qualifications needed: It is recommended that new beekeepers attend a training course to learn the skills and knowledge needed to keep bees safely and effectively 📜Rules and regulations: All beekeepers in the UK must register with the National Bee Unit (NBU) to comply with the law. Registration is free and can be done online. Hives should be clearly marked with the beekeeper's contact information, so they can be identified in case of any issues or emergencies, and placed at a safe distance from public areas 💵 Cost: You will need to purchase beekeeping equipment such as hives, frames, smokers, and protective clothing, as well as bees to populate your hives. To get started, you will likely need around £750-2000

54. Tarot card consultancy

Whether you believe in it or not, there are customers out there who are looking for solace in what Tarot cards reveal. Although traditionally tarot card readings happen face-to-face, there’s been a rising demand for readings on Zoom, WhatsApp or FaceTime. Whilst no qualifications or accreditation is strictly necessary if you are offering the service professionally (as opposed to just for friends and family) you may find a course gives you everything you need to know from the history of Tarot to tips on how to respond to individual concerns. 

❓ See also: The side-hustle effect: meet those running successful side gigs 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: A pack of tarot cards can cost as little as £2.98

55. House-sitting

People need to leave their houses (and pets and plants) unattended for short or longer periods of time whether for business or pleasure. House-sitters allay the anxiety of an unattended home. There are no real operational costs apart from maybe a bit of marketing to ensure homeowners know about your services. That said, you do need a responsible attitude and organised nature to make sure the property is kept secure and be sure to deal with any emergencies such as break-ins or floods.  

❓ See also: Running a business from a rented property 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

56. Market stallholder

Market stalls are an excellent, low-budget way if you have a product to test or a brand to launch. Whether you want to set up a permanent stand or focus on ad hoc, open-air markets, stalls are a quick and mobile way of giving your brand and products exposure and seeing if people actually want them! The main thing to be wary of is your profit margin, as you’ll need to source your products and research your market to make sure that you can do more than just break even. In this way, having a market stall is also really helpful in determining your pricing strategy .

❓ See also: How to start a market stall 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Dependent on the specific market 💵 Cost: Start from £0

57. Jewellery maker

Whether it’s fine or fashion, jewellery making is a side hustle that fits those part-time entrepreneurs who are adept with stones, silver and soldering. You can choose to sell your items online (make sure your photos are dazzling!) or at weekend markets or local retail stores. There’s lots of flexibility (and courses for beginners), but you’ll just need to be careful to balance out the cost of your materials and equipment with the profit made from sales. 

❓ See also: How to start a jewellery business

🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check health and safety considerations for making and selling jewellery, for example EU REACH chemical standards still apply post-Brexit 💵 Cost: Start from £0 to thousands depending on supplies and equipment

💪 Top tip: Is the price right? How much you decide to charge for your product or service is a make-or-break for your business idea. Head to our guide to pricing strategies to find out all you need to know.

58. Online paid surveys

Businesses are always looking for customer feedback to improve their services. However, the average Joe isn’t exactly keen to answer multiple-choice questions just out of goodwill. Therefore, companies will pay money to survey takers to get the feedback they need.  You can choose how many surveys you want to take and when, making this side hustle extremely flexible. Individual payouts, however, can be low. But when you complete multiple surveys across several sites, you can earn up to £800 a year. In general, surveys will pay around £6-9 per hour and your best bet is to sign up with several agencies as they will shout out for specific demographics and interests.  

❓ See also: Customer needs: how to identify and meet them 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Laptop or personal computer (£500-£1000)

59. Repair person

If you are handy with a hammer, swish with a spanner and fond of fixing things? Then offering up your DIY skills to people with household problems or small projects might be the side hustle for you. Start off with friends and family and you’ll soon find you’ll have referrals galore. You could charge an hourly rate of £20 or a daily rate of £120, and offer your repair expertise and bookings online via local community forums or your own website.  

❓ See also: Starting a car repair business: what you need to know to open a garage 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None for basic fixes but be mindful of qualifications necessary for any electrical or heating repairs 💵 Cost: Start from £0

60. Car washing

Car washing can be a lucrative side hustle. It’s estimated that there are over 20,000 car washes operating in the UK. Key factors to consider will be how specialised you want the service to be (deep cleans, waxing etc), where you’re going to be based, and the quality and cost of your equipment. There can be heavy upfront costs when setting the business up, alongside electricity and water. However, considering around 25.6 million people in the country own a car, you have a pretty large market to cater to. 

❓ See also: GoWashMyCar Ltd: Adam Matthecka 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £20 for basic cleaning equipment

61. Selling prints

If you’ve got a knack for graphic design, a quick and easy small business idea is to sell your prints. Whether they appear on a tote bag or on a mug, you can easily set up an ecommerce store or page on Etsy to sell your designs. Although there are some significant upfront costs like buying high-quality paper (if you’re selling posters) and an at-home office printer, the rest of the production is relatively cheap and straightforward. If you want a business that showcases your creative talents,  this might be the one for you.

❓ See also: Marketing for ecommerce businesses: strategies and tips for success 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £30 for a basic printer and £20 for paper

62. Quiz runner

Who doesn’t love a pub quiz? According to YouGov data, 62% of Brits do! So this time-honoured trivia tradition can now be monetised and turned into a business. All you’ll need is some quiz questions (these could be on pop culture, sport, music or anything!), a bit of banter and of course a venue looking for a host. 

❓ See also: Best small business printers 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

Are you a party animal that can keep the floor filled with your banging beats? Maybe you could use your magic at mixing to start a DJ business. To take off, you’ll need to invest in a DJ set, promote yourself on social media, and create a website so people can book you for events. As you put on a good show – whether at parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs or work dos  – and recommendations travel through word of mouth, you’ll get more bookings and potentially make a stable income.

❓ See also: What is social media marketing: the ultimate guide 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

💪 Top tip: So many side hustle businesses would benefit from a website to market or sell products or services. To get you started, why not check out our review of the nine best free ecommerce platforms for small businesses?

64. Curbside composter

Green waste is no longer just waste – it can be a source of revenue. The best part is that as you develop your business venture you’ll also be taking care of the environment by ensuring that waste is properly recycled and doesn’t end up in a landfill. Did you know that 28% of waste deposited in landfills can be composted?  You’ll have a wide target audience as garden centres, landscaping companies, and common-or-garden gardeners all use composts to inject life into their gardens. Plus, the startup costs are minimal as you can DIY a lot of the materials to compost, base the business at home and get your local community to contribute their green waste too.

🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £20 for a basic composter

65. Dating app profile consultant

Hate them or love them, dating apps are here to stay as the most convenient and streamlined solution to meeting your match. However, with such an active market of daters, polishing up your profile so it stands out in a sea of fish can be the crucial difference between someone swiping right or not. If you think you can advise those seeking a soulmate on how to improve their images and copy – diplomatically! – then this could be a great side hustle for you.  The upfront costs are quite low as you’ll mainly need to set up a website and advertise yourself as the ultimate Cupid. As long as you do your research, and can transform swipes into dates (and maybe more), you’ll be able to build up credibility and get yourself more clients. 

❓ See also: How to start an online dating business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Around £100-1000 for the cost of a phone with internet access or a laptop

66. Car boot sale trader

Selling unwanted items from the back of your car can be a quick and easy way to make extra cash. The upfront costs are low since all you need is your car, your stock and a card reader. However, the trick is understanding how to pitch to sell and where to set yourself up to ensure as many passers-by see your store-cum-car boot! As long as you remain organised and preempt customer pain points (like bringing bags for big spenders and change for cash buyers) be prepared to drive back home with an empty trunk. 

❓ See also: The best fuel cards for small businesses 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £10 for the cost of a pitch

67. Personal organiser

A personal organiser is a professional who helps clients declutter and organise their living spaces, often working on tasks such as rearranging belongings more practically, creating storage solutions, and developing systems to maintain order. They may also provide guidance on time management and productivity. According to a survey by the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO), there has been a significant increase in demand for professional organising services in the UK. The survey found that 85% of respondents had seen a rise in inquiries in the past year, and 70% reported that their client base had expanded. The study also revealed that the average fee charged by a personal organiser in the UK is £40-£50 per hour. So, a lucrative side-line for those whose drawers are already tidy. 

❓ See also: 7 best project management methodologies for small business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

68. Mystery shopper

Whilst you would be hard-pressed to make a full-time living from this on its own, masquerading as a real shopper is a great way to earn some extra money. Although the tasks will vary from job to job, you’ll normally be told what to buy, the questions you need to ask employees, the photographs to take, and other things to look out for like cleanliness and lighting. If you’re not keen on physically going to a store, you can also do mystery shopping by phone or email, making it a super flexible option for a side hustle.

❓ See also: Local shopping boom expected to outlast pandemic, surveys show 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

69. Equipment rental

Equipment rental has a large market and what you offer can vary from party supplies and filming gear to large tool rentals and heavy catering machinery. The great part about this business model is your equipment can be making money whilst you are doing something else.  It requires minimal labour as all you’re doing is picking up and dropping off equipment.  However, there may be a significant upfront investment, especially if what you’re supplying is expensive. The upside is that there will be stable demand as lots of customers are looking to simply borrow equipment rather than make a big investment in things they won’t use again.

❓ See also: The best accounting software for small businesses 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

70. Woman (or man) with a van

A woman (or man) with a van is a self-employed service that helps customers move items, make deliveries, and carry out one-off transportation jobs. The idea is that it’s a flexible option for clients as the service can be offered on short notice at a competitive rate. You can tap into the removals, house clearance, and deliveries market.  The upfront costs are quite low, especially if you already own a van, although fuel expenses could quickly pile up. However, if you have repeat customers and a good supply of bookings, your van could have you speeding towards a successful side hustle venture. 

❓ See also: Recession proof business ideas 🎓 Qualifications needed: A valid driving licence 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

71. Caricature artist

A caricature artist creates humorous drawings of people that exaggerate certain features. These cartoon-like creations are a growing trend at weddings, corporate dos and community events as well as being commissioned online. If you are nifty with a nib and can spare some free time to draw and sell virtually or attend venues in person, according to a survey by Bark.com, the average price of a caricature artist in the UK is £130 per hour! 

❓ See also: How to make an online portfolio 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: £30-200 to get started with art supplies

72. Pop-up shop

A pop-up shop is a temporary retail space that is set up by a brand or individual for a short period of time, usually ranging from a few days to a few weeks. These shops are often located in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls, markets, or city centres, and are used to showcase products or services. Excellent for those not yet ready to fully commit to their side-hustle, pop-up shops can be used for various purposes, such as introducing a new product line, promoting a brand, testing a new market, or generating buzz and excitement around a particular event or season. According to a report by Popup Republic , the UK pop-up industry is worth around £2.3 billion.

❓ See also: How to set up a pop-up shop in four simple steps 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

73. Musician for hire

A musician for hire provides live music for events such as weddings or parties or corporate events.  In addition to being a skilled musician, you must also be able to handle the business side of things – including negotiating fees, contracts, and managing your own schedule – as well as some potentially anti-social hours. You can work alone or make sweet music with some other like-minded instrumentalists. According to a report by the Musicians' Union , the average musician in the UK earns around £23,000 per year.

❓ See also: How to start a record label 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

74. Mobile detailing service

A mobile detailing service cleans the exterior and interior of a car at the customer's location. According to a survey by the AA , the average car owner in the UK spends around £162 per year on car detailing so there is money to be made here from people’s desire for cleanliness and convenience. That said, you will need a mode of transport to get you and your equipment to and from jobs plus a website so customers can make bookings. According to Airtasker, you can charge from £37-183 depending on car size which means a sizable profit per clean.

❓ See also: How to start a car valeting business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £100 for transportable vacuum and cleaning materials

75. Rent out your car

Renting out your car to others through a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform can be a profitable business. According to a survey by Turo , car owners in the UK can earn an average of £130 per week by renting out their vehicles. This could work well if you only use your car at the weekends, for instance, and find regulars who want to borrow it for weekday commitments. 

❓ See also: Vehicle tracking costs for businesses 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: These will vary depending on which platform you use 💵 Cost: Start from £0

76. Ghost kitchen

In spite of its name, there’s nothing supernatural or spooky about a ghost kitchen. Instead, it’s just a kitchen facility that prepares food exclusively for delivery through third-party apps such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats. According to a report by Euromonitor , the UK food delivery market is worth around £8.6 billion and you can have a slice of that pie if you have the cooking or baking skills and access to a kitchen. 

❓ See also: How to start a takeaway business from home 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: As with home baking, you will need to follow food hygiene and safety regulations, such as registering with your local council and obtaining a food hygiene certificate 💵 Cost: Start from £0

77. Drone videographer

A drone videographer is a professional who captures aerial footage using a drone. They are skilled in operating drones equipped with high-quality cameras to capture stunning visuals from above. Drone videography is becoming increasingly popular in a variety of industries, including real estate, advertising, tourism, and filmmaking. According to a report by PwC , the drone industry is estimated to be worth £42 billion by 2030, and drone-related services are expected to create more than 628,000 jobs in the UK.

❓ See also: How to start a production company 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: You will need to follow the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)’s regulations. Insurance will also be important, as it will cover you for potential damages or accidents that could occur during filming. You must also obtain a drone pilot certification from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which ranges from £1000-3000 💵 Cost: The cost of drone equipment can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the type of drone, camera, and other accessories you need

78. Custom 3D printing service

Running a custom 3D printing service involves using specialised software and equipment to create customised 3D objects for clients. The process typically involves designing the object in 3D modelling software, converting it into a printable file format, and then printing it using a 3D printer.

❓ See also: 3D printing company Robox secures £280,000 seed funding on Kickstarter 🎓Qualifications needed: None, but you will need to have a strong understanding of 3D printing technology and be able to work closely with clients to understand their design needs and create high-quality 3D prints 📜Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: The cost of a 3D printer can range from a few hundred pounds for an entry-level desktop printer, to tens of thousands of pounds for high-end industrial printers. You will also need to consider the cost of 3D modelling software, materials, and other equipment such as scanners and post-processing tools

79. Alternative funeral planner

For decades, the death services industry has been short on innovation and big on expensive fees and complex admin. Post-pandemic, however, things have shifted. Forget a formal ceremony, you can now enjoy a burial in woodland or at sea, or even an “aquamation” (as requested by Sir Desmond Tutu), an environmentally friendly cremation alternative that uses water, heat and an alkali to dispose of the body. For those that want their funeral to take place in a particular manner or location that represents them, you could offer alternative burial or cremation services (apparently one recently took place in a McDonalds drive thru). 

❓ See also: Best business ideas: easing life’s hard decisions 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check government and local council requirements 💵 Cost: Start from £0

80. Cremation keepsake maker

As personalised funeral planning becomes increasingly sought after, customers are looking for personalised designs that they can use to store the remains of a loved one. Whether you're a jewellery designer, florist or carpenter, turn your talents to help someone create a cherished keepsake that will celebrate the life of the deceased. There are already some beautiful memorial methods, including growing a tree or making fireworks from ashes into bespoke urns. 

❓ See also: Experiential retail: what is it and how can you get involved? 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

cheap business ideas to start from home

Legacy of Lives is a free supportive funeral planning and comparison site.

81. Specialist recruiter

Gone are the days of people staying in a role for forty years or more. The Great Resignation has seen record-high staff turnover rates across businesses. In fact, a report by PwC found that 20% of UK workers planned to jump ship in the next 12 months. Any business idea that supports job seekers to improve their CVs and attract the notice of recruiters will be a winner in 2024. However, we’ve seen a trend for niche recruiters to serve particular employees – whether neurodiverse or seeking flexible working – and specific sectors, for example childcare and later life care. 

❓ See also: How to start a recruitment business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

Flexa

The inspiration behind Flexa came from cofounder Molly Johnson-Jones’ own appalling experience when flexible work wasn’t offered to her.

82. Professional cuddling service

Cuddling is known to provide comfort, relieve stress, and improve mental well-being. A professional cuddling service offers strictly platonic cuddling sessions to individuals for stress relief and emotional support. According to a study by the Mental Health Foundation , 74% of UK adults reported feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope at some point in the past year, highlighting the potential demand for such stress-relieving services. Cuddlers can charge from £60 an hour and can take on multiple clients at once (but are also responsible for ensuring their personal safety and vetting potential clients).

❓  See also: Best business ideas: wellbeing 🎓 Qualifications needed:  None 📜 Rules and regulations: None, but we would highly recommend establishing a strict code of professional conduct to ensure your personal safety 💵  Cost:  Start from £0

83. Same-day courier company

Keeping customers engaged is even more imperative now that face-to-face customer experiences are vanishing. Today's consumers are used to contacting brands via instant messaging apps, utilising virtual checkouts over real ones, and scanning QR codes instead of speaking directly to wait staff. Customers want to get their products quicker than ever, which makes offering speedy same-day delivery for urgent items a winning business idea. To make this business goal easier, you could offer your services specifically to local businesses – think Deliveroo but for retail.

❓ See also: How to start a courier business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

Packfleet

Between carbon-neutral deliveries and a worker-focused mindset that breaks from the gig economy, discover how

84. Wellbeing consultant

Businesses across the UK are waking up to the important role that good health and wellbeing play in boosting employee productivity. Starting a wellbeing consultancy is a shrewd way to help more companies tap into the trend and offer robust support for their team members. Make yourself even more valuable by concentrating on a specific sector, like mental health therapy for construction workers, an industry that has a historically poor record of mental health.

❓ See also: Employee wellbeing and mental health in the workplace: everything you need to know 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Dependant on specialism 💵 Cost: Start from £0

Lee Chambers Great British Entrepreneur Award Win

The brainchild of Lee Chambers, Essentialise is the lemonade that came about when life gave Lee a lemon.

85. Long COVID health tech app

While testing may have stopped, the legacy of the COVID-19 outbreak will no doubt continue for decades. Long COVID brings with it lots of hard to manage symptoms including increased fatigue and decreased lung capacity. In turn, these can have a negative impact on mental health. Apps to help users with breathing exercises or brain training to cope with brain fog will be sought after as the true scale of long COVID becomes better understood. Anyone with tech expertise will be well placed to cater to the growing demand.

❓ See also: Best business ideas: healthtech 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check the gov.uk website for requirements 💵 Cost: Start from £30,000

cheap business ideas to start from home

With a focus on wellbeing support for employees with chronic health conditions, Kiteline Health's app is leading the way in healthtech.

86. Online divorce consultancy

Sadly, recessions cause financial problems, and that naturally leads to marital stress. However, every cloud. Many startups have seen a golden opportunity to simplify a long and outdated process, and help those going through a difficult time. Not only is a divorce an emotionally-taxing time for those involved, it also brings a huge cost burden. If you thought funerals sounded expensive, then look away now. The average cost of a divorce in the UK – including the petition, court fees, and legal fees – is a whopping £14,500. You could gather a team of experts, or even just a well-designed AI chatbot, to make legal advice more accessible to people in early-stage divorce planning. Provide the basic, must-know information for consumers before they spend a fortune on legal fees.

❓ See also: How to start a consultancy business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None, however, some legal experience will definitely be preferred by your clients 📜 Rules and regulations: It’s important to let your customers know that you cannot and do not provide legal advice 💵 Cost: Start from £0

87. Same-sex divorce consultancy

One reason for the increased rate of divorce is the legalisation of same-sex marriage. The most recent government figures show that divorce rates for male and female couples doubled between 2018 and 2019. Sadly, there are still different laws around same-sex marriage unions, and some consumers might feel more comfortable using a service that’s especially knowledgeable about these inequalities – which is why you could profit nicely from a specialist legal advisory service designed for LGBTQ+ couples. 

🎓 Qualifications needed: None, however, some legal experience will definitely be preferred by your clients 📜 Rules and regulations: It’s important to let your customers know that you cannot and do not provide legal advice 💵 Cost: Start from £0

88. Communications app for divorcees

Sometimes, divorces end particularly badly. Communication can fall apart in these situations, so it might help some ex-couples to have a messaging application where they can talk to each other on fair ground. You could include specific elements to aid the settlement process, such as file uploading, as there’s a lot of paperwork involved in this procedure.

❓ See also: Best business ideas: easing life’s hard decisions 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

89. Low-cost pet insurance

According to Sagacity, 32% of low household income pet owners had never had pet insurance for their dog, compared to 16% of high-income households. By offering less risky plans, such as for common pet breeds or innocuous ailments, you’ll be able to bring more competitive pricing to the market and target a previously untapped audience.

❓ See also: Pet business insurance: what protection might I need? 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: As with human insurance, pet insurance is heavily regulated – check Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requirements 💵 Cost: Start from £0

90. Premium pet food manufacturing

Worth an estimated £3 million, this industry is capitalising on the obsession with our pampered pets. Thanks to the Instagrammable wellbeing movement that has swept across the UK, the general food industry is now striving for a more minimally processed and natural ‘feel’ — and the pet food market is following suit. Obviously, developing pet supplements or food requires some background in nutrition or chemistry. But, these can be outsourced if required. The more important factor in pursuing this business idea is your ability to think creatively, which will help you invent recipes and manage resources as a small business manufacturer.

❓ See also: Best business ideas: pet care 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check basic requirements at gov.uk 💵 Cost: Start from £5000 – £200,000 (depending on the size of the operation, be that working from home or possibly buying a premise)

91. Male fertility education

Men are gradually facing up to the vital role they play in the conception process, and many are now keen to take co-ownership of the reproductive health journey. However, there’s a knowledge gap here. While female reproductive health has been discussed for decades, its male counterpart has been largely ignored. Something that tackles the subject from a male perspective, then, could have a big audience – whether that’s a simple book or even a mobile app that guides men through what they should be doing to help their partner conceive.

❓ See also: Leading digital health platform completes $60.1M Series B funding round 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

92. Fertility improving products

As the public becomes more aware of the infertility issue, a market of fertility-boosting accessories and digestibles has arisen designed to enhance the chances of conception. Pregnancy supplements, made with ingredients like folic acid, is one trend. Meanwhile, so-called ‘cooling' underwear has been found to naturally improve male fertility and testosterone. Whatever the product, this business idea is about converting science-backed research into a B2C business model.

🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Food supplements don’t need to be licensed or registered with the UK Government but must comply with food law as detailed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) 💵 Cost: Start from £0

93. Cybersecurity consultant

QMS International’s CyberSecurity Survey Report identified that 75.7% of business owners felt their business was now at increased risk of a cyber attack due to more people permanently working from home. All of this makes 2024 the ideal year to jump into the cybersecurity game. If you’re tech-savvy, have experience in cybersecurity, or have a revolutionary idea to help reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack, this could be your chance to help protect businesses around the country. But, even if you’ve got a great idea without the expertise, there are plenty of freelance programmers and IT professionals who you can hire to help develop the concept.

❓ See also: Cyberattacks peak in February – what can SMEs do to protect themselves? 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

cheap business ideas to start from home

Using a gamified and community-led approach to training, Hack the Box is keeping businesses one step ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats.

94. VR workplace training simulations

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in the workplace are no longer the stuff of science fiction but are playing a part in permanently shifting our ways of working. You don’t have to be a design wizard or VR expert to get started in this sector. If you have experience in a particular industry or profession that you think would benefit from VR training, then why not put together a training programme? You will need a number of solid ideas for specific training programmes, and be able to confidently explain these to your VR designers. Do test before you invest though with a minimum viable product. If user feedback is positive, you know you can sell the product to businesses.

❓ See also: VR companies braced for 2022 after record investment 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

95. Automated accounting software

In a post-Brexit world, startups have tons of new tax challenges to contend with – particularly when it comes to importing and exporting. HMRC has set out new guidance on complicated processes like paying duties and VAT on customs. What a lot of people really want, though, is something that just takes all the hassle away and does (almost) everything for them. However, building any financial software requires consideration of the industry's rigid regulation to build user confidence. Your customers will need to trust that your systems and processes stay current on legislation, and provide a safety net for maintaining rigorous accounting standards.

❓ See also: Best self-employed accounting software 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) before selling or endorsing any products or services 💵 Cost: Start from £0

cheap business ideas to start from home

With a specialist focus on R&D tax claims, WhisperClaims has an intriguing niche for future growth.

96. Financial education mobile app

The bad news: the 2021 UK Financial Wellbeing Survey found that 50% of working age adults don’t feel they understand enough about pensions to make decisions about saving for retirement. The good news? This presents a terrific opportunity for new startups to simplify complex personal financial matters for their customers. The key? Make sure you approach what can often be a pretty dry subject in an engaging and entertaining way. Interactive or gamified elements will be your friends here.

❓ See also: Business finance 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) before endorsing any products or services 💵 Cost: Start from £30,000

❤️‍🩹Recession-proof small business ideas

Starting a business during a recession can be challenging, but not impossible. 

Recession-proof business models are designed to weather economic downturns and thrive in uncertain times. These businesses offer products or services that are in demand regardless of the economic situation, and they often have low overhead costs and high flexibility. 

According to ONS statistics, total company insolvencies in England and Wales in 2022 reached their highest quarterly level since 2009. However, by embracing a recession-proof business model, entrepreneurs can not only survive but also thrive during tough economic times.

97. Online reselling

When times are hard, people don’t want to buy less – they just want to spend less. And they always need shoes, clothes and bags. With a myriad of reselling sites available – think eBay, DePop and Vestiaire – you can resell clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery and other accessories to cash and climate-conscious consumers. 

❓ See also: 6 best ecommerce hosting providers for small businesses 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

98. Confectionary subscription boxes

The UK snack food market was valued at £3.3 billion in 2020, according to a report by IBISWorld . At first glance, you might think confectionery is not price inelastic. After all, you don’t exactly need sweets. However, during hard economic times, it seems people do need a little sweetening and confectionery provides small, regular and cheap comfort. Find your niche – it could be vegan or gluten-free chocolate, exotic or American classic bubblegum – and hook your sweet-toothed customers in with an affordable subscription service. 

❓ See also: The subscription business model: is it right for your business? 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Products must comply with food law as detailed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) 💵 Cost: Start from £100

Modern Milkman

The Modern Milkman is the return of the old-school, traditional milkman with a modern twist – helping to return to fresh, nostalgic deliveries and cut down on waste.

🍬 Did you know? Hershey’s sales actually increased during the Great Depression in the 1920s. While many people were cutting back on non-essential expenses, Hershey's chocolates were still relatively affordable. So Hershey's promoted their confectionery as a small indulgence that people could enjoy without breaking the bank, to great success.

99. Tutoring

Whether you’re catering to parents who need their kids to perform well in their GCSEs or A-levels or to someone who got made redundant and wants to get an online certification, demand for education remains constant regardless of what happens to the economy. If you have specialised knowledge in any area and are good at transferring your wisdom to others, this could be a good bet.

❓ See also: Starting a tutoring business: 5 simple steps 🎓 Qualifications needed: Dependent on specialism or topic 📜 Rules and regulations: May require a DBS check if tutoring children 💵 Cost: Start from £0

Clever Lili

School’s out on traditional learning. South-East based Clever Lili is a new revision app that uses artificial intelligence to help students ace their exams.

100. Low alcohol beer brewer

Alcohol is a ‘guilty pleasure’ industry that tends to perform well even as the country’s economy begins to crush any joy. It certainly serves as a coping mechanism for some and whilst people tend to stay away from pubs and bars, home consumption increases significantly during hard times. But people are continually looking for ways to turn this into a healthier habit and the UK low-alcohol / no-alcohol beer market is rapidly growing. So get brewing!

cheap business ideas to start from home

Sarah McNena and Joelle Drummond founded zero-carbon brewery Drop Bear Beer Co. after they couldn't find a low alcohol beer that tasted good enough to drink.

101. Pet care consultancy

The pet sector has been one of the most well-publicised success stories of the past two years. When we were told to stay at home, households up and down the country invested in a furry friend for extra company. In the UK, it’s estimated that an astonishing 59% of households own a pet. To avoid super long and expensive veterinary training (on average £32,000 in degree fees) take shorter courses, like nutrition or grooming, which would allow you to sell expert services to consumers who are tired of expensive vet bills and want to find affordable advice on primary pet care.

❓ See also: Best business ideas: pet care 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Dependant on specialism 💵 Cost: Start from £0

102. Eco-friendly baby boxes

While lots of adults will cut back on their own expenses when times are hard, it’s unlikely they’ll be stingy when it comes to their kids. From diapers to baby formula, demand for baby products remains pretty stable throughout periods of negative economic fluctuations. Combined with growing awareness of environmental issues, there is a demand for eco-friendly baby products such as organic cotton clothes, reusable cloth diapers, and biodegradable wipes. Could you curate subscription boxes full of sustainable goodies for time-poor eco-conscious parents? 

❓ See also: The subscription business model: is it right for your business? 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

103. High-tech pet products

People might joke about their pets being their children, but during a recession, the same logic as childcare products applies to pet products. Regardless of how tight someone’s wallet is, they will still need to buy pet essentials so this is a viable recession-proof business venture. There is a growing market for high-tech pet products, such as GPS-enabled collars, smart feeders and water dispensers, and pet cameras that allow owners to check on their pets remotely.

🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: £10,000 – £50,000

104. Reskiller or upskiller

If you have particular experience in an industry or sector with lots of jobs available – such as software development – you could offer your expertise to those who are looking to upskill or retrain to help them put their existing talents into a new area, such as coding. The good thing about this business idea is it can be a low-maintenance or flexible operation. You could offer live lectures, online consultations or you could simply upload a training course for people to pay for at a reduced rate.

❓ See also: Mind the AI skills gap: Only 1 in 10 global workers have key AI skills 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

105. Financial adviser

This one is pretty self-explanatory. When people are struggling in the middle of a recession, they reach out to financial connoisseurs to help them break even. If you have the tools and know-how, it’ll be easy to sell yourself to those looking for guidance to navigate turbulent economic waters.

❓ See also: Best self-employed accounting software 🎓 Qualifications needed: Financial advisors must hold a Level 4 qualification approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This usually means obtaining a Diploma in Financial Planning or a similar qualification. For accountants, the most common qualification in the UK is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification. 📜 Rules and regulations: All financial advisers must be regulated by the FCA 💵 Cost: Start from £0

106. Commercial cleaner

No one likes to work in squalid conditions, regardless of how badly the Bank of England says the British economy is doing (and how messy their own home is). Hygiene, especially, became paramount after the COVID-19 pandemic as employers look to sanitise workspaces, bathrooms and public areas. You can start small with local businesses and expand your empire when you get a feel for the sector. 

❓ See also: How to start a commercial cleaning business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: On average, starting a commercial cleaning business could cost between £5,000 to £20,000. If you plan to provide deep cleaning or specialised services, you may need to invest in additional equipment and training, which could increase your startup costs

107. Odd job person

During a recession, people are much more likely to make do and mend rather than get something new. An odd job person is someone who performs a variety of small jobs or tasks for clients, such as minor repairs, furniture assembly, or cleaning and clearing. According to a survey by Rated People , the odd job industry is worth over £9 billion in the UK, with 51% of homeowners admitting to having unfinished odd jobs around their homes. Now is a great time to take advantage of people’s desire to repair rather than replace. All it takes to start is a few flyers, a basic toolkit and word-of-mouth. 

❓ See also: Why starting a business in a recession isn’t as crazy as you think 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: Start from £0

108. Cosmetic chemist

In layperson's terms, a cosmetic chemist is someone who creates beauty products. During a recession, the “lipstick effect” means consumers continue to purchase makeup, skincare, and hair care products as a form of self-care and affordable luxury. In the UK, the beauty industry is worth over £27 billion, with the average British woman spending £70,000 on beauty products in her lifetime, according to a study by Superdrug .

❓ See also:   How to start a beauty salon 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: Check gov.uk website for details 💵 Cost: The cost of starting a beauty product business can range from £2000 – £20,000, depending on whether or not you want to create the products yourself, or buy from a manufacturer or wholesaler that you can then whitelabel and sell on

cheap business ideas to start from home

KinKind’s plastic-free hair and beauty bars keep both its customers and the planet clean, having so far saved over 320,000 plastic bottles from landfill.

109. Job application coach

Recessions mean redundancies. Designing a CV, building a portfolio website, drafting an application letter, preparing for an interview – these common tasks can be not just time-consuming and stressful, particularly for those candidates that are re-entering the job marketplace after a job loss or time at home or who are switching sectors. If you have experience in HR or people management, you could consider becoming a coach to support in the application and interview stages. Advice can be presented digitally, so you could offer your services to people across the country. You could also consider advertising a discounted rate for multiple sessions.

❓ See also: How to start a recruitment business 🎓 Qualifications needed: None 📜 Rules and regulations: None 💵 Cost: £0

Ready to begin? Well, perhaps you won’t be starting your small business right this very moment. But, we hope this article has given you some food for thought and inspiration for the year ahead. If you need more help to start your small enterprise, head to our handy guide on how to come up with a business idea that suits YOU , with considerations from building on your skillset to considering how you’ll overcome the challenges.

Whatever type of business you’re considering launching, have a clarity of purpose at the front of your mind. Focus on who your potential customer base will be – and above all, what particular needs they have that your business can fulfil in a better way than the competition.

Launching a business can be one of the scariest plunges you’ll take. But it can also be deeply rewarding to be your own boss. With the right planning, even a small business idea can quickly become a hugely profitable business.

Other resources that may help you:

  • How to start a business: an 11 step guide to success
  • Startups' business plan template
  • How to come up with a business idea

Startups 100 WINNER

Looking for more inspiration?

  • What are the most successful small business ideas? The success of a small business idea can vary depending on various factors such as market demand, competition, and execution. However, a good place to start would be to try out recession proof ideas.
  • What are the cheapest businesses to start? Service-based businesses, such as freelance writing, graphic design, tutoring, pet sitting, or house cleaning, typically have low startup costs since they primarily rely on your skills and time. Another affordable option is dropshipping, where you sell products online without needing to hold inventory. Additionally, home-based businesses that leverage existing resources, such as starting a home bakery or offering home-based childcare services, can be cost-effective to launch.
  • What businesses can I start from home? Many businesses can be started from the comfort of your home, such as online retail or e-commerce, freelance services like writing, graphic design, or web development; consulting or coaching in various fields such as marketing, finance, or wellness; a home-based daycare or tutoring service, or creating and selling handmade crafts or artwork through online platforms.

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