These 22 online business ideas can be launched quickly and easily. Start your e-commerce business tomorrow.
- Many online businesses can be started with limited startup capital.
- Some of the highest-paying online businesses include corporate counsel consulting and software development.
- Build an online business in a subject or industry that you are passionate and knowledgeable about.
- This article is for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for inspiration to start an online business.
Entrepreneurs have the freedom to create money anywhere in the globe by running an online business. The concept is alluring and more feasible than ever, but many business owners are unsure of where to begin. The most crucial step in launching a successful online business is to identify a business idea that complements your talents and skill set. Find a partner who can assist you in accepting payments online by comparing the top credit card processing companies.
Your product or service should satisfy a particular consumer need whether you want to start a full-time business or just a part-time one for passive income. We’ve put together a list of profitable, need-based businesses that you may launch right away with low beginning costs.
1. SEO consultant
Being an SEO consultant might be a lucrative career choice for you if you have technical expertise in tools like Google Ads and Google Analytics and are familiar with search engine best practices. A lot of small company owners are unaware of the significant influence search engine optimization (SEO) may have on their industry. As you launch your online consulting company, inform those business owners about the potential of SEO to improve their websites and boost conversion rates.
You may utilize your marketing expertise to persuade company owners of the advantages of utilizing analytics data, clever keywords, and content organization to increase organic web traffic. There are several courses available that may assist you if you are inexperienced with SEO or want to refresh your knowledge of digital marketing.
Keep in mind that Google’s algorithms are always evolving, so to be successful and relevant in this industry, you’ll need to keep learning about SEO.
Important lesson learned: Inform small companies about the value of SEO and assist them in expanding their online presence.
2. Small business consultant
Why not start a firm that aids budding entrepreneurs in their success if you have extensive business expertise and knowledge? You may utilize your abilities as a business consultant to help seasoned business owners meet demand and to assist new business owners in getting off to a strong start. If you concentrate your approach on a certain specialized area of business consulting, your chances of success will be higher.
Being active in the online business community may help you establish your credibility, prove your subject matter knowledge, and attract clients.
3. Social media consultant
Small businesses frequently have to manage their social media marketing, whereas larger organizations can engage an agency or a full-time employee to manage their social media accounts. With so many duties, company owners are frequently too busy, overburdened, or undereducated about the value of a social media presence to devote the necessary time to creating and putting into practice an effective social media strategy. You may assist small businesses in choosing the most effective strategies, posting times, and content for their target audience by working as a social media consultant. Their following will increase as will your business as a result.
The most popular business networks are still Facebook and Twitter, but companies sometimes have trouble with more visual platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Snapchat. Although these platforms have substantial consumer audiences, many businesses are unaware of how big they are, how powerful they can be, and how to use them to advance their brands. Focusing your consulting firm on a single platform, like Instagram, may be a wonderful way to earn money while assisting other businesses in improving their content and achieving their business objectives if you have experience in social media marketing and a passion for photography.
4. Niche market e-commerce retailer
Even anything as niche as dollhouse furnishings or organic dog food has a following. Using a specialized e-commerce website, you may connect with clients looking for your particular items. You may stand out from competing companies, increase your trust, and develop your expertise by developing a business in a specialized area. To create a product to offer on your internet business, consider social media or your customers’ wants.
You simply need a web hosting service with a built-in shopping cart function or e-commerce software to get your e-commerce business up and running. You may engage with vendors to send goods to clients on your behalf if you want to streamline the shipping procedure. As a result, you could need to retain less inventory on site.
5. Web designer or web developer
Freelance web design can be an excellent career choice for you if you are a creative, digital expert who enjoys creating the website’s layout, visual theme, font family, and color palette. You may study the fundamentals of web design and become proficient with the tools you’ll need for success, such as Adobe XD, Chrome DevTools, and text editing software, even if you have little to no prior expertise in this sector.
Freelance web development may be your area of expertise if you are more interested in the coding aspect of creating websites. You may start a business building appealing, simple-to-use websites for small businesses if you already know HTML, CSS, or JavaScript and have a knack for finding innovative solutions to issues. You can enroll in a straightforward introductory course to get started if you need to understand the fundamentals of web programming before beginning your full-stack profession.
Use your technical and creative abilities to help entrepreneurs that wish to expand their internet presence. Create a thorough portfolio, then launch your own website to display it and draw in a consistent stream of clients.
6. Blogger
Since almost everyone has a blog, it could seem like an obsolete business plan, but you shouldn’t let the competition stop you from establishing your internet business. Blogging might be a successful business for you if you enjoy writing or have valuable information to offer.
With website builders like Weebly and WordPress, starting a blog as a company is fairly easy, but consistency and quality are essential for success. You must consistently write and provide valuable material for your readers if you want to build a loyal audience. Your readers will be more inclined to follow you if you publish articles that educate, inform, or amuse them.
Once you’ve mastered producing continuous material, you can monetize your blog by offering services like webinars, e-books, online courses, and digital coaching. Also available for sale are sponsored posts and ad space. Although it could take a bit longer and more work to commercialize, this business plan has the potential to be incredibly lucrative. Remember to always have the correct SSL encryption on your website if you decide to sell digital goods.
7. Virtual assistant
Do you possess exceptional task-management and organizational skills? Maybe it’s time to start using those abilities by working as a virtual assistant. Basic administrative chores like inputting data, booking trips, and taking calls make up the majority of VA services. Though not necessary, previous experience in this sector is preferred.
The search for work is made simple for VA professionals by platforms like TaskRabbit and Virtual. They provide you the opportunity to set up an online profile, join up for the activities you want to do, such data research, virtual support, or simple errands, and start accumulating clients.
8. Affiliate marketer
You might want to consider affiliate marketing as a source of income if you enjoy posting customer reviews on websites like Amazon. For many businesses, word-of-mouth marketing continues to be a major source of leads. Many companies are ready to provide convincing individuals who would market their products to the public a percentage of their revenues.
Affiliate programs are divided into three categories: unrelated, related, and involved. Unaffiliated affiliate marketing is a straightforward pay-per-click strategy that needs little to no interaction with the product you are endorsing. While you don’t utilize the product yourself, related affiliate marketing calls for you to have some authority and content about it. Since you’ll be promoting a product that you truly use and like, involved affiliate marketing is perhaps the most successful.
Affiliate programs could be a successful strategy for you if you have a personal website or a social media account with a sizable following. PR agents always look for influencers and brand evangelists to whom they may deliver free samples.
9. Remote tech support
Since many small companies lack the funding to hire a full-time IT specialist, when their systems malfunction, they typically call a tech-savvy friend or relative. By providing rapid remote technical support, you may minimize their need to ask for a favor if you are tech-savvy and have expertise dealing with computers and networks.
Many employers will value your experience and knowledge above a technical degree, even if some may prefer it. By asking friends, relatives, and local company owners about their tech help requirements, you may grow your remote tech support business. On job platforms like Upwork, you may also locate freelance tech support jobs.
10. Handmade craft seller
Online marketplaces for handcrafted items, like Etsy and Art Fire, make it incredibly simple for artisans who can create a consistent supply of high-quality handmade goods, such crocheted blankets or one-of-a-kind painted glassware, while retailers shift their sales to e-commerce. Selling your handmade goods on an online store is an excellent method to make money while staying at home and doing what you enjoy if you have a distinctive talent.
If you buy your creative materials in bulk from a craft provider, the startup expenses for this business idea are really minimal. You’ll soon turn a profit if you can swiftly develop and sell your artwork on an internet store. When local craftspeople advertise on social media, their success rates go up.
11. App developer
People are prepared to spend a lot of money on mobile applications that allow them to control their life from their cellphones, making mobile apps more popular than ever. If you know how to code and have a fantastic new app concept, you can go for it and make your app. For companies that require the development of certain apps, you may also work as an app developer. You must be familiar with at least two popular programming languages, such as SQL, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails, or iOS, as well as the fundamentals of software architecture in order to choose either choice.
There are many software developers seeking to work with consumers to create apps if you have an app concept but lack coding expertise. You might be able to turn app development into a successful business, depending on your circumstances and skill set.
12. Search engine
Although Google and Bing are widely used, not all users’ demands are necessarily met by them. Create your own search engine if you are an authority in a certain topic to aid those with less understanding in finding the information they need. If your search engine allows users to enter parameters, such as subtopics and source type, rather than just performing a generic search, your chances of success may be increased.
13. Drop shipping
You might be concerned about stockpiling items if you intend to operate an online store. Drop shipping allows you to accept online shop customer orders and deliver them straight to a different merchant for fulfillment. Your drop shipping business will be successful as long as your business plan entails selling goods for a price greater than what you will pay to the third-party merchant.
14. Tutoring business
The mere fact that someone is enrolled in classes doesn’t guarantee that they are well-versed in the subject. Consider beginning an online tutoring company in the subject area if you excel at one-on-one instruction and have extensive expertise and understanding in it. You may conduct tutoring sessions remotely and share your expertise with anybody, anytime, anyplace using video chat platforms like Skype. Consider include a budget for Craigslist and Fiverr advertisements in your company plan.
15. Digital courses
Similar to teaching, you might help others all around the world by imparting your knowledge to them. You may easily make money by starting an internet business that provides digital courses to anyone interested in the subject; you can charge for prepared written materials or other downloaded information.
16. YouTube channel
Starting an online teaching company is exceptionally simple thanks to YouTube. Use social media to promote your channel and upload videos of yourself instructing viewers on a variety of topics, whether they are simple or complex. You’ll be able to monetize your films as your audience expands and earn money off of them.
17. Tele coaching
Lessons alone may not be enough for some individuals seeking one-on-one assistance. People who need assistance with professional advancement, bettering their diet, or discovering more purpose in their life may profit from your counseling via video chat programs like Zoom or Skype. As a tele coach, your objective is to provide advice, recommendations, and support for your customers rather than assigning exercises and marks. You’ll come out as more reliable and informed if you keep a blog for your company or frequently post to LinkedIn on the subjects you tutor in.
18. Podcast network
You may benefit from the boom in podcast availability and listenership over the past few years by launching your own podcast network. You can fill the network with whatever podcasts you record, but if you give friends and online strangers the chance to share their podcasts, your network will probably expand more rapidly. You can raise the charge per podcast download as your network expands.
19. Technical writer
There are many copywriters available for hiring online. Even yet, very few copywriters have the technical training necessary to effectively communicate scientific findings or produce an instruction manual for a major equipment. Start an internet company where customers may hire your technical writing skills if you have a background in science and can write about it. To attract clients, promote your services on networks like Fiverr, LinkedIn, and others.
20. Resume and cover letter writer
Most people have asked for assistance while creating resumes or cover letters. To anybody eager to hire you, offer your skills in creating outstanding resumes and cover letters. To improve your chances of beginning an internet company effectively, include samples of your own successful resumes and cover letters in addition to those of other people’s resumes and cover letters that you’ve assisted with.
21. Corporate counsel consultant
Corporations require attorneys to defend them in court and inform them of their legal rights and obligations. You may give business employees a method to keep their legal affairs in order without paying the expensive costs and lengthy in-person commitments required of traditional attorneys by launching an online corporate counsel consulting service. To attract customers and make it clear that your business is entirely online, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have passed the bar exam. This is because when the time comes for your client to appear in court, they’ll need to hire a lawyer in their area who can represent them before a judge or jury.
22. Startup advisor
Many of the most well-known IT firms in the world started out as fledgling startups still searching for the best business strategy. You may give advice to tomorrow’s businesses now if you work with startups. Give new firms the information they need to flourish by utilizing your skills in corporate finance, software development, and other important industries. Your company will succeed like these startups do.
What kind of online business is most profitable?
The best paying of the aforementioned categories of internet businesses is corporate counsel consulting, followed by app development. Some online business gurus predict that educational enterprises like tutoring, online courses, YouTube channels, and even Skype coaching will make more money in the next years, with e-commerce websites coming in right after them.
Looking for other options to launch a business? Check out these suggestions from CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce, or explore these other fantastic company concepts.
How do you start a successful online business?
Although it might be thrilling, starting an internet business is not always simple. To create a business, for instance, you must follow a variety of legal procedures, such as selecting a business name, obtaining a federal employment identification number (FEIN), picking your legal structure, and purchasing business insurance.
Even though every business is different, there are a few measures you can take to increase your chances of launching a profitable internet venture.
- Choosing a company venture or sector should be based on your expertise and enthusiasm.
- Identify a market niche based on the voids within.
- To evaluate your competitors and the feasibility of your product, do market research and competitive analysis.
- Learn about the regulations that deal with internet commerce.
- Look around before settling on a certain piece of software to create your online business.
- Develop a thorough marketing plan (e.g., website, email marketing, SEO, social media marketing, local marketing, etc.)
