Want to know the 20 businesses you can start online? The internet has made running a business a lot easier in the 21st century. Whether you are starting a new business or looking for a side hustle, running an online business is the way to go.
Experts have projected that the online business industry will grow reaching a whopping $8.1 trillion in 2026. With only about 2 billion people in the industry, there is a piece of the pie for everyone.
The big question then is, what are the best businesses you can start online? Sometimes making such a decision can be overwhelming but we’ve made it easy.
Here are 20 businesses you can start online.
One thing to know about starting an online business is that it requires dedication, commitment, and effort. The good part is the reward is gratifying; however, you must pick just the right business to start online so you can reap the reward.
1. Blogging
Blogging is top of my list of 20 businesses you can start online, and rightly so. It is easy and has many success stories to back it up. Unfortunately, blogging is not for everyone as not everyone is called to be a blogger.
Interestingly you can start your blog in half an hour. You can monetize it by using Google AdSense to display ads on your blog.
If you have a passion for writing, then this will be much fun for you. You can start a sports blog, lifestyle blog, or food blog amongst others. Having it in mind though, that to make money running a successful blog you must put in the required effort and dedication.
You can also choose to outsource the writing and proofreading of your articles on websites like Upwork and Fiverr. Just keep in mind that this service doesn’t come cheap.
2. SME Consultant (Small and Medium Enterprise Consulting)
As a consultant, you advise businesses and business operators on business-related issues and how to run their business effectively.
You’ll also guide SMEs to avoid mistakes every startup makes while helping medium entities increase revenue.
So then, when you start your online business consultancy, you have access to a large pool of clients, and you can start your business with little to no money.
3. Freelancing
It’s safe to say, freelancers make the most money in the online business industry but is this really true?
Freelancing offers the most viable alternative to the regular 8 to 5 jobs. The best part about freelancing is that there is no restriction on the kind of opportunities available out there.
All you need to do is have skills and experience in any field and if you have prior working experience, you can leverage the online community and build a good business online.
4. Subscription-box Service
Many customers for convenience often opt for weekly or monthly boxes, from their favorite brands. There are different kinds of subscription boxes including organic foods, makeup, books, and beverage subscription boxes.
You can create products from your home and sell them online through weekly or, monthly subscription boxes. It’s a business you can start online to offer solutions to shopping problems while also making money in the process.
5. Web Designing
If you have any Tech skills, then this is one business you can start online to reap the reward you deserve.
Every functional business often looks to improve its online presence and with your skill and love for building websites, you can work with different clients to help boost their online presence and improve your bank accounts.
The more experience you gain, the better your portfolio and credibility becomes.
6. Dropshipping Business
If you are working with a thin budget, then dropshipping is one business you can start online with relative ease.
Dropshipping simply allows you to partner with suppliers to allow you to sell their products on your page.
It’s a low-risk and high-reward business. No inventory management whatsoever, vendors handle storing and shipping while sellers focus on marketing to clients and prospective customers.
7. Start an Online Store
Building an online store is one of the best 20 businesses you can start. With your online store, you can sell clothes and other products that will lure customers to you.
You can search online or watch videos on YouTube on how to champion a successful online store.
One thing to know is that you will need a functional website as it will be your main business hub. You can carve a niche that you are good at and drive your store with that.
8. Affiliate Marketing
As an affiliate marketer, you make money by earning commission from sales recommendations. It’s a business you can start online with little to no money at all.
Affiliate marketers recommend products and services through email listings, blogs, and websites. But to become a good affiliate marketer you will need to learn different online marketing strategies so you can build an audience online.
9. Virtual Assisting (VA)
If you have decent organizational skills and task management, then this is a business you can start online and make a profit from.
You can become a Virtual assistant to properly utilize those skills. Typically, you will handle tasks like data entry, travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, and calendar management among others.
Being a virtual assistant costs nothing, and with platforms like Zirtual, Upwork, and TaskRabbit you can easily get professional VA jobs online.
10. Remote Tech Support
Due to budgetary issues and sometimes space constraints, many SMEs outsource technical assistance. If you love working remotely and you have an exceptional background in IT then this is a business you should explore.
Beyond having enough time to yourself and making good money, as a Tech support sometimes you only need your phone or laptop to do your work.
You can start your business with little to no money at all. You can set up a tech support service page for your business to attract potential clients.
11. App Developer
Anecdote reports showed that at least 200 billion apps were downloaded over the course of the year. That is a large number if you consider the world’s population is a little less than 8 billion.
The app development business is thriving now than at any other time in history, and as such it could be a business you consider venturing into.
Unlike some other online businesses, you will need to have programming skills and experience with app development. And if you are really interested you can pick up a few lessons on app development and kickstart your app development business journey from there.
12. Start A Podcast
Podcasting is rapidly becoming a go-to business for many who want to start an online business.
Podcast is the audio version of YouTube, it is an episodic series where listeners can subscribe, download, and listen to content you put out on the internet.
As a podcaster, you can make money through partnership, affiliate marketing, advertisement, and sponsorship.
You need to carve a niche you can use to create interesting and engaging content that your listeners can relate to and interact with.
13. SEO Consultant
Search engine optimization consultancy is a high-reward job that requires skills in online marketing and advertising on platforms like Google Analytics and Google AdSense.
As an SEO consultant, you help your client’s website rank high on search engines like Google, which ultimately generates organic traffic for their websites. As an SEO consultant, you will be a massive asset to any business looking to grow and improve their online presence.
14. Voiceover Business
A voiceover business is a less popular yet profitable business you can start online. As a voiceover artist, you provide clients and companies with voice recordings of taglines, ad video narration, and various projects where there’s a need for a voice to be heard.
There are various platforms like Upwork where you can land voiceover gigs to start your online business.
15. Online Course Instructor
If you have a passion for teaching, then there is an opportunity to start an online business by becoming an online course instructor.
By becoming an online course instructor, you can fulfill your passion for teaching while generating enough income for yourself.
First, you will need a platform like Udemy or Coursera that allows you to host online videos or post prerecorded videos when you can take your classes. Then you focus on topics that you have passion for and that interest others.
Although it can be a little time-consuming as you’ll need time to plan your lesson and build your course, however, the reward is satisfying.
16. YouTuber
This business you can start online does not need much introduction. According to Statista, YouTube receives over a billion views daily. And for many starring or directing a video is a lifelong dream, and what better way is there than to leverage YouTube?
You can become a YouTuber by sharing your stories and educating, or entertaining people in the form of videos. So, if you want to Vlog or start your channel, there is a business opportunity to make enough money on YouTube.
17. Become a Video Editor
Not everyone dreams of starring in front of a camera, and as such not everyone can become a YouTuber.
But if you love making and editing videos rather than appearing in them you can start your online business as a video editor. You can also invest your time in making faceless YouTube channels.
YouTube and Facebook videos are becoming more popular than ever, and as such the need for a professional editor is increasingly becoming important.
You can create a profile on a freelancing website where you can get random clients to build your portfolio before you have regular clients.
18. Copywriter
Copywriting has grown in fame over the years and is not showing signs of slowing down. Copywriting is a business you can start with little to no money if you have access to the internet and a phone or computer.
As a copywriter, you are tasked with creating sales copy in the form of text for marketing to help brand improve their online presence and visibility.
All you need is to be able to craft motivational and engaging content as good copy moves readers to take action. However, to thrive in this business you need lots of practice and creativity.
19. E-book Writing
If you are good with words and you have a unique perspective about various topics and aspects of life, then you can leverage the e-book writing business.
You can write and sell your knowledge by writing and publishing books on platforms like Amazon. And beyond publishing your books, you can also offer, e-book writing services to other clients.
As a ghost e-book writer, you can make enough profit, which makes it an interesting online business you should consider starting.
20. Graphics Design Services
Graphics design is the final suggestion on this list of 20 businesses you can start online.
Many businesses and companies need graphic designers to help create beautiful pieces for advertising and marketing purposes.
But not everyone has what it takes to be a graphics designer, making the services of such professionals high in demand.
Many businesses outsource their graphics design business online and if you think you have what it takes, then graphics design services is one business you can start online.
More Related Questions – 20 businesses you can start online
What is the easiest online business to start?
Blogging. Blogging is the easiest online business to start. You don’t need too much to start blogging, and there are free platforms you can leverage to create your blog.
Which online business is best in the US?
Subscription-box service. It is fair to say that subscription-box service is one of the most lucrative in the US. Due to their busy life, people tend to prefer services that offer them easy solutions to some of their basic needs.
Which online business is most profitable?
Affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is the most profitable online business at this current moment in time. You sell other people’s products and make money from it.
What is the cheapest business to open?
Cleaning services. Cleaning services are the cheapest business to open. It’s easy to start with very cost-effective equipment. And it’s growing at an exceptional rate.
Conclusion
Starting a business online is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. There is no excuse whatsoever, and regardless of your skill level, there’s the right online business for you to explore with little to no profit. With our guide to the best 20 businesses you can start online, you can find the right job to make some extra cash.
