Online Business Ideas to Start

Online Tutoring

If you have particular expertise in an area, you can offer your services as an online tutor. You can offer private one-on-one sessions or even group sessions. You only need a computer and a good internet connection to get started so make sure to add this to your small business list.

You can use TutorMe to find students and use Zoom to give your classes.

Content Writing

Content writing is a great way to make money online with little capital and is one of the best online business to start. You can use your writing skills to create content such as blog posts, articles, and web copy for businesses and individuals.

All you need is a computer and some writing samples to get started. You can then find gigs at Upwork or Fiverr.

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is someone who provides remote support to clients. This could include anything from answering emails, managing social media accounts, or providing customer service. You don’t need any special skills or equipment to get started.

Working as a virtual assistant falls under the category of small business ideas at home. Check out Upwork and Fiverr to find gigs.

Selling Digital Products

Selling digital products is high on the list of small business ideas. Create and sell ebooks, online courses, templates, infographics, or even music. To get started, all you need is a computer and a few digital products.

Gumroad is a great tool to whip up a landing page including payments so you can sell easily.

Web Design

If you’re a web designer, you can offer your services to businesses or individuals who need help with their websites. All you need is a computer, some web design experience, and a portfolio to show off your work.

Even if you don’t know how to code, you can use a visual editor to create stunning websites that you can sell. Wix is one of the many no-code website builders out there.

If you don’t have a portfolio yet, we recommend creating your first website for either a made-up company or your friend’s business or even offering it to a client for free to get started.

Online Courses

Creating and selling online courses is another proven way to make money with little capital. You can create courses on any topic that you are knowledgeable about and sell them on your own website or on platforms such as Udemy.

For this idea, you need a computer with a video editing tool and some time to create the course. If you’re using a Mac, you can simply use Apple’s iMovie for free.

Graphic Design

If you have an eye for design, you can use your skills to make money online. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help with their logos, flyers, and other graphic design projects.

You only need a computer with a visual design tool and a few portfolio pieces to get started. The most popular tools for graphic designers are Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma and Canva.

Video Editing

Video editing is a great way to make money online with little capital. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help editing their videos for YouTube, social media, and more.

All you need is a computer and some video editing software. The most popular tool for video editors is Adobe Premiere Pro.

App Development

If you have experience in programming and coding, you can use your skills to make money online. You can create apps for businesses and individuals and offer your services.

To get started, all you need is a computer and your coding skills. You can use Microsoft’s Visual Studio as your code editor for free.

No-code App Development

Even if you can’t code, you can still build apps that you can then sell to your clients. No-code tools allow building websites, web apps and even mobile apps for iOS and Android.

👉 We’ve compiled a list of the top no-code tools here and also this step-by-step guide on how to build an app without coding.

SEO Consulting

SEO consulting is a great way to make money online with almost no starting capital. You can help businesses and individuals improve their search engine rankings and get more traffic to their websites.

To do this, you need a computer and good knowledge of SEO to get started. One of the most popular tools for SEO consultants is Moz.

E-commerce Store

If you’re good at creating products such as jewellery or clothes, you can start an online store and sell your products to customers. Shopify is the leading e-commerce platform with which you can easily set up your online shop and take payments from customers for your good.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is another small business idea from home to make money online. You can help businesses and individuals grow their email lists and send out campaigns to their customers.

You can find freelance gigs at Upwork or Fiverr and use an email marketing tool such as MailChimp.

Voice-Over Work

If you have a good voice, you can use it to make money online. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need voice-over work for their videos, commercials, and more.

To start out, you need a computer and some recording equipment like a professional microphone to get started. The most popular tool for voice-over artists is VoiceBunny.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a great way for entrepreneurs to start a small business with little capital in 2023. It involves setting up an online store and selling products without actually buying and holding any inventory.

The way it works is that you partner with a dropshipping company, which will store and ship the products to customers. All you have to do is market your store and handle customer service. It requires minimal start-up costs and you can get up and running right away.

Shopify is the leading tool to set up an e-commerce store easily with no coding skills required.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another great way to start a business with little capital. It involves promoting products and services from other companies and earning a commission on each sale.

All you need to get started is a website that you can use to market the products, and you can start earning money almost immediately.

WordPress is a popular choice to create a website without coding and Amazon’s affiliate program is a good place to start promoting products.

Social Media Consulting

If you’re a social media expert, you can use your knowledge and expertise to help businesses build and manage their online presence. This can include creating content, managing campaigns, and helping businesses grow their audience.

HootSuite is a popular tool among social media consultants.

Online Coaching

Online coaching is a great way to make money online with little capital. You can offer your expertise in a particular area, such as fitness, nutrition, or business, and help people reach their goals. All you need is a website and some marketing to get started.

Blogging

Starting a blog even in 2023 is still a great way to start a business with little capital. You can use your blog to promote products, share your opinions, and even make money from affiliate marketing or advertising. All you need is some time and dedication to get started.

Offline Small Business Ideas

Event Planning

If you are a natural organiser, you can use your skills to plan events such as weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. You might find some gigs by talking to your network and their employers.

The most popular tool for event planners to run events is Eventbrite.

Cleaning Services

Cleaning services are an easy way to start a small business and earn some money. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help with their cleaning needs. All you need is some basic cleaning supplies and some reliable transportation.

Which tool you can use to find gigs depends on your region. Thumbtack is a popular platform in the US.

Pet Sitting

Another popular idea is pet sitting. You can offer your services to pet owners who need someone to look after their pets while they are away.

All you need is some pet supplies and reliable transportation. The platform of choice is again depending on your location but Rover is an often-picked choice for pet sitters.

Landscaping

If you’re good with your hands, landscaping might be for you. Offer your services to individuals and businesses who need help with their outdoor spaces.

For this idea, you should have basic landscaping tools and a reliable vehicle. Check out LawnGuru to find your first gigs or simply ask your neighbours.

Personal Training

If you’re looking for a great way to make money with minimal costs, look no further than personal training!

With a little bit of know-how and some basic fitness equipment, you can start helping people reach their goals. Take advantage of Trainerize to get the most out of your services.

Tutoring

If you’re a whiz in a particular subject or skill, consider tutoring to make some extra cash. You can do this with students in your area or online. You can utilise TutorMe to connect with students who need your help.

Handyman Services

Lend a helping hand and make a little money too! Handyman services are a great way to start earning. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help with their home improvement projects.

You just need basic tools and transportation to get started with handyman services. HomeAdvisor can help you find jobs to fit your skills.

Catering

Food and drink services can be a great source of income with minimal investment. Gather some basic kitchen equipment and use CaterCow to connect with those in need of your services.

You can offer your catering services to businesses and individuals who need help with their food and beverage needs.

Photography

Whether you’re a novice or a pro, photography is a great way to make some extra cash. With your photography equipment. If you have a modern smartphone with a good camera, that might be already enough to get started! You can use SmugMug to connect with customers looking for your expertise.

Home Staging

Home staging is another great option for those looking to make money with minimal capital needs. Offer your services to real estate agents who need help preparing homes for sale. All you need is some basic furniture and decor and reliable transportation.

Check out HomeStaging to find jobs in need of your services.

Small Business Ideas for Teens

Dog Walking

Dog walking is a great way for teens to make money with little capital. Not only is it a great way to stay active and meet people, but it also gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with a furry friend.

All you need are some basic pet supplies. The most popular tool for dog walkers is Rover, which connects you with dog owners in your area who need someone to walk their pup while they are away.

Babysitting

Babysitting is another great way for teens to make money with little capital. It’s a great way to earn money while getting to spend time with children. All you need is reliable transportation and some basic childcare supplies.

A popular tool for babysitters is Care, which connects you with parents in your area who need someone to look after their children while they are away.

Craft Making

The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and craft making. You can create and sell items that you are passionate about.

To create your product you simply need some basic supplies and a website to showcase your work. Use Etsy which is a popular platform for craft makers. Showcase your work and reach customers from all over the world.

Tutoring

Tutoring is a great way for teens to make money with little capital. You can use your knowledge and experience to help students who need help in a particular subject or skill. All you need is reliable transportation and some knowledge of the subject you are tutoring. The most popular tool for tutors is TutorMe, which connects you with students in your area who need help with a particular subject.

Car Detailing

Provide your services to car owners who need help with their car’s exterior and interior and make sure their cars look their best. To do this, you only need basic cleaning supplies and a way to get to your clients.

The most popular tool for car detailers is MobileWash, which connects you with car owners in your area who need help with their car’s exterior and interior.

Lawn Care

Put your gardening skills to good use and help individuals or businesses maintain their outdoor spaces. It’s also a great way to spend time outdoors. LawnGuru is the go-to platform to find people who need help with their outdoor spaces.

Moving Services

Moving services is another way to start a small business and make some money. For this you need basic moving supplies and a van or truck. MovingHelp is a great tool for this as it connects you with people who need help packing and moving their belongings

Social Media Consulting

Have a knack for social media? Use your knowledge and understanding of social media to help businesses and individuals build and manage their presence online as a consultant.

Hootsuite is a great place to start, it’s a platform to manage multiple accounts and gain insights into your social media campaigns.

Editing Services

Use your editing skills and help businesses and individuals with their content. It requires almost no capital investment, you just need a computer to get started.

Grammarly is a great tool which provides AI-powered writing and editing tools to help you quickly and accurately edit any document, correcting grammar and spelling mistakes.

Online Surveys

Doing online surveys is another great way for teens to make money with little capital. You can use your opinion to answer questions for businesses and individuals who need feedback on their products and services.

You can also conduct surveys on behalf of your clients to collect feedback on their products and services. One of the leading tools for online surveys is SurveyMonkey, which provides an easy-to-use platform to take surveys and get paid for your opinion.

How to Start a Business

If you are excited about one of the small business ideas online that we suggested but don’t know how to start, we’ve got you covered!

👉 Check out our guide on the essential steps to start a business to make sure you know exactly what to do.