Today, there are tons of profitable home business ideas with low startup costs that anyone can start.
However, these ideas do take time, and so, if you’re looking for easy ways to make money online fast, then these might not work for you.
The truth is, certain businesses make money fast and pay big time, especially if you follow a proven plan, but for others, the majority of them actually do take time to make a profit.
Profitable Home Business Ideas With Low Startup Costs
So with that said, here are 55 profitable home business ideas with low startup costs that you can start today regardless of your budget!
1) Start a profitable Blog
Blogging makes a great home-based business as it is a sustainable model that can generate passive income down the road.
The secret to successful blogging is choosing the right niche for you. For many people, the right niche means one that:
- You are knowledgeable about,
- You are passionate about
- Is less competitive and
- Is easy to monetize.
You need to create a blog that offers value to the readers.
You’re going to need some knowledge about SEO and traffic generation to have your blog rank on Google, but if done well, you’ll be able to start making money from your blog within your first year.
2) Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a popular monetization model that you can leverage with or without a website.
The concept behind the affiliate marketing model is to promote someone else’s products and services and earn a commission for every sale generated through your affiliate link.
When a visitor clicks on your link and buys something, you’ll get compensated with an affiliate commission.
To make money with affiliate marketing, you need a strategy to drive targeted traffic to merchants’ websites after warming them properly for sale.
This means that even though you don’t need one to get started, having a website is critical since you will be able to write listicles, product reviews, and tutorials that are usually effective in promoting affiliate programs.
3) Internet Marketing Consultancy
This type of home business is perfect for entrepreneurs who understand marketing, websites, WordPress, and other IT-related services.
You can start an internet marketing consultancy service and charge your customers in guiding them through building their online presence through SEO and social media.
Most small businesses don’t have in-house Digital Marketing experts, so they will outsource these tasks to you.
You just need to have a clear strategy and the know-how to get your first customers and grow from there.
Some of the skills you need to be a great marketing consultant include
- On-page search optimization strategies
- Off-page optimization strategies
- Technical SEO
- Lead generation
- LinkedIn optimization and marketing strategies
- Link building strategies
- WordPress
- Conversion Rate Optimization
- Marketing Automation
- Social Media Marketing
If you can help people attract more online customers cost-effectively, they’ll be happy to have you on a retainer basis.
The best part of the internet marketing model is that you can start making money on a shoestring budget using proven tools like Facebook Ads, Google AdWords and visiting local small businesses in your area to pitch your services.
4) Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a business model used to sell physical products and earn money online without worrying about the actual product’s inventory or logistics.
With this model, you can build your eCommerce website and add products from various manufacturers and marketplaces like eBay and Alibaba. Once someone makes a purchase through your site, you will receive the payment for the order and forward it to the manufacturer in exchange for the item. The manufacturer will then ship that item to the customer.
With drop shipping, you don’t need inventory or any upfront costs since instead of purchasing the items yourself; you work with suppliers who already have what you need and buy it directly from them when your customer orders something.
The biggest benefit of this business model is that you don’t have to worry about the costs involved in stocking and shipping products. You actually don’t have to invest time, labor or money upfront — all you need is a reliable supplier with great products…
One of the most popular dropshipping companies today is Oberlo which allows you to sell from AliExpress and at the same time offers you a WordPress plugin tool to make dropshipping very easy. Other dropshipping solutions you may want to try, besides Oberlo, include:
5) Flea Markets, Garage Sales or Consignment Shops
If you love hunting for treasures and making them look good, why not sell some of your stuff to people who may be after similar items?
Flea markets are big business in America and increasingly becoming popular in other parts of the world.
You can find a space to rent at your local flea market, or you can sell some of your stuff directly to consumers who visit it looking for good deals.
Start by determining which products to sell and how much you’ll charge for them. Then, research the average prices for similar items in your market.
You may want to check out Craigslist for some good deals on items you can sell at the flea market or online using eBay’s consignment program.
If you don’t want to deal with selling stuff on Craigslist, you can use Shpock, an app that allows people to buy and sell their goods locally. You can also use eBay’s consignment program to sell your items for a commission.
To take this to another level, you can start an eBay consignment selling program to help other sellers with their eBay consignment sales. This is what Danna Crawford of PowerSellingMom is doing.
You can also consider starting up a garage sale to clear out old stuff and make a bit of extra cash on the side. The money you get from it will be minimal, but this may work well for you if you have some great finds.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort and money to start a garage sale business. All you need is an open space for setting up stalls and some signage, advertising and promotion in your local neighborhood.
The good thing about this business model is that it’s simple to get started with low costs. The only downside is the high competition from other marketers trying to sell their stuff.
6) Become a Virtual Assistant
If you enjoy working with people, being part of a team and have good knowledge of computer applications, then starting a virtual assistant business might be for you.
Basically, VAs provide their clients with ongoing administrative support in writing, email management, social media updates, data entry, and other time-consuming tasks for business owners.
VAs are entrepreneurs who work on a freelance basis. Some clients may prefer to hire them on an ongoing basis, while others engage them on a project-by-project basis.
If you’re good with people, have some business sense and have great knowledge of computer applications, this is one business model you may want to consider.
To get started, you’ll need time, patience and effort to find clients while at the same time getting familiar with business management tools that will help your VA business scale up.
To help you get started, explore my guide on starting a virtual assistance business at home.
7) Freelance Writing
Not everyone can write well, but those who have a talent for it stand to earn good money from their skills.
Writing is one of the most in-demand skills on the internet, as many businesses need assistance with writing content for their blogs and websites.
So if you’re great at English, enjoy writing and feel comfortable using a computer – you can take on freelance writing as a way to make money from home.
That said, you do need to invest lots of time and deliberate effort in improving your writings so as to deliver what my friend Walter calls ‘pure gold’ to your clients. The skills you need include:
SEO writing: Learn how to optimize content for on-page SEO, such as doing keyword research and using target keywords in the key areas of the article such as the headline, introduction, subheadings, conclusion, meta description etc.
Storytelling: Business writing doesn’t have to be bland. By incorporating a storytelling or narrative approach to your writings, you will be able to break down technical concepts into more understandable formats for readers.
Writing style: An effective content writer is articulate, ingenious and knows how to make things interesting in a way that makes people want to read everything they write.
Copywriting: If you enjoy writing and are familiar with business and marketing, copywriting may be a good side income for you. Typically, it’s a craft of persuasive writing where you convince your target market to take the desired action, usually purchasing a more premium product or service. You need to know how to research and use buyer personas when crafting your marketing copy.
Once you have mastered the skills above, start a blog or website to market your services and use it as your platform to get high paying clients.
You can also find writing jobs using freelance marketplace platforms like Fiverr and Upwork or by looking for jobs in writing job boards.
Flexjobs, though a paid job board, is a hub of many writing jobs, so you might want to check this one out as well.
8) Sell Used Electronics on eBay
Many people have items at home that they no longer need, and keeping them in the cupboard taking up space is a waste.
If you’re someone who’s very much into technology, perhaps you can make some extra cash from your past gadgets by selling them on eBay.
This business idea might be for you if you enjoy meeting new people, love technology, and follow a strict process in managing your inventory.
To get started, you need to buy the gadgets you want to sell on eBay at a low price from friends willing to let go of their gadgets for cheap.
One way to maximize the value of your purchases is by making sure that the items are in good working condition and free from flaws. The other key factor to consider is the item’s demand on eBay – you want to go for gadgets that are trending upwards in popularity or those with stable sales.
Once you’ve determined your target market, acquire your inventory, list them on eBay and wait for them to sell. Keep track of the inventory and don’t overstock on items that are hard to sell.
One of the key factors in running a successful online retail business is learning to make the most out of your product photos. You can also choose to do repairs before listing them. Subtle things like changing cases might not cost much or take much of your time but will make a whole lot difference when it comes to getting a good deal for your gadgets.
9) Start an Etsy Shop
Etsy is a great platform for creating and selling your artsy products online if you have a creative side.
Etsy is a global eCommerce site for artists and craftspeople, where you can set up your own online store and sell your handmade products.
You just need to find the right things to sell and list them on Etsy at affordable prices, and you’re good to go. Some of the most popular items sold on Etsy include:
- Clothing accessories like scarves, shawls and hair clips
- Jewelry pieces like necklaces, earrings and bracelets
- Home decor items like paintings, throw pillows and mugs with funny quotes on them
To run a successful Etsy shop, you need to be adding new products regularly, so people get familiar with you, your store and your products. This helps you establish trust and start buying from you. Getting started is easy – just create an Etsy account if you don’t have one already, choose a theme for your store and list your products.
To make sales, you need to work on getting lots of traffic to your shop. This means marketing it on Facebook and Pinterest, blog commenting and email marketing. You can even try paid advertising if you want to get serious about increasing your Etsy sales.
10) Sell Customized Stationery Items
Stationery is a good business idea if you like working with your hands and designing things.
If you’re artsy and enjoy making personalized stationery, selling them online might be an online business idea for you. Sites like Zazzle and Cafe Press let you upload your designs and set up shop for buyers to purchase from.
You can start this business by making a website where you can display your custom stationery. An excellent way to get started is by creating a free account on CafePress or any other Print on Demand (POD) service and uploading some of your designs.
The money made from running an online stationery store comes from the extra fees they add when someone buys items from you. You can then embed your products on your website and start promoting your business.
Once a customer makes a purchase, the POD service prints according to your designs and guidelines, packages and ships the product to the customer. This means that this business is entirely hands-off – you can sit back and wait for orders to come in.
11) Sell on Amazon
Selling products on Amazon is one of the most popular online business ideas today, especially if you’re selling books, toys or any other product Amazon sells.
Amazon has more than 300 million users worldwide, which means there’s a massive market for whatever products you’re selling. Plus, since they’re already popular and trusted in the online space, getting them to notice your products will be easier compared to marketing them on other platforms.
To start a business like this, you need to create an Amazon seller account and list your product there. Be sure to follow all of their rules so you don’t get banned in the process.
When it comes to selling, you need to consider the costs of getting started on Amazon before actually setting up your store. These costs can include:
Product photography – you’d better know how to do this well since customers will judge your items based on how they look in pictures. If they’re unappealing, no one will want to buy them even if your products are high quality.
Preparing your product for shipment – Amazon will send you the packaging materials you need so you don’t have to pay for it yourself. However, using their materials might not be exactly what you’re looking for, so you can stick with your own methods if that’s the case.
Getting refunds from Amazon – you can’t get back the money you spent on the products that didn’t sell. They will reimburse you if they’re no longer in stock, but they won’t do this for sold items, which is something to consider.
Before starting an Amazon business like this, you must know all of these costs and figure out how to manage them. You might also want to work with a team of professionals who can help you get started.
12) Flipping domain names
For some people, the process of buying and selling domain names is exciting. Although you’ll need to buy new URLs for cheap so you can turn around and sell them at a higher price, later on, this type of business venture isn’t something you can do on your own.
For one, domain names are strictly regulated by ICANN, which means that only people who have accreditation can sell them. For another, buying domains or investing in them is a long-term play that requires patience and some background information about the industry.
If you think this business idea suits you but haven’t taken the first step yet, then now’s the perfect time to start. You can search for domain names at Namecheap or any other registrar to get started.
13) Personal Chef Business
If you enjoy cooking and are good at it, you can make money by becoming a personal chef.
Personal chefs cook food for clients on a regular basis in their own homes or at the client’s house.
Personal chefs must have a good knowledge of cooking, meal preparation, catering, and other related things.
You can start this business by applying for small jobs online or through your local community.
14) Physical Therapy
Being a physical therapist requires advanced medical training and a lot of experience in dealing with patients.
If you are interested in helping people recover from injuries, this can be an excellent home-based business for you to start.
Here are other things that you need to know about being a physical therapist:
- There are different types of physical therapy that you may choose from.
- You should have a physical therapy clinic or office to perform your treatments and consultations with patients.
- You also need certifications and appropriate licenses to start operating. Keep in mind that the requirements do vary from state to state, country to country, so you need to check up with local authorities for this.
You can start this business by getting your necessary medical training and certifications, setting up an office for your clinic, and advertising your services.
15) Run an Online Store
If you’re a savvy online shopper, then you know how important it is to shop around for the best deals possible.
Running an online store is not too different from having a physical store except that you need to invest in a good platform like Shopify or spend some money on e-commerce custom development.
However, a store in itself is not an idea. You need unique products that sell well to be in business. The best way to do this is by finding products in demand and making them yourself or sourcing from China for cheap.
For local deliveries, you want to liaise with a good delivery service in a country that ensures your products are delivered fast and safely to your customers. Niches like fashion, food markets, home decor etc., do well on social media. The secret is to go for products that are unique and highly useful.
You might also want to acquire business insurance, especially if your store sells highly delicate and expensive items. There are several online insurance covers to choose from, but first, make sure you do thorough research to find the best deals.
16) Dog Training
Dog training is fun, but it requires patience because dogs are not the easiest to train. Besides, there are different breeds of dogs, so you must approach each one differently.
You also need to have the skills and knowledge in dog psychology. The best way to gain practical experience is by attending training workshops, seminars and reading books on the subject.
Remember that, though working with dogs is quite inviting for dog lovers, people tend to seek dog training services only when they have a problem with their dogs. This means that most of the time, you will be working with reactive dogs, dogs with separation anxieties or newly adopted ones without any prior or unknown past training.
To get started as a trainer, you need to amp your dog training skills. Start with your dog. You might want to get one if you don’t own one yet. Start with the basics before advancing to more complex training. Once you are confident with your skills training your dogs, you need to work with dogs that aren’t your own. Your own dog loves you and is more likely to forgive mistakes that you tend to make, but dealing with dogs to whom you are a stranger is a whole lot different experience.
In so doing, you will soon learn to determine what training techniques are suitable for what scenarios.
You also need to be good at teaching others how to train their dogs. If you can apprentice with an experienced dog trainer, the better. This is because most dog trainers don’t actually train dogs! They train people. And as a dog trainer, this will comprise the majority of your tasks.
You can find dog training jobs through dog marketplaces like Rover or locally through words of mouth.
17) Professional Organizer
Professional organizers help their clients plan and organize better so that they don’t have to waste time looking for misplaced items. They help them stay organized in the home, office or even when traveling.
Most of the services professional organizers provide are web-based because a lot can be done online these days. For example, you can develop an online platform to connect with clients, create online content about organizing, advertise your services online etc.
As a professional organizer, you have to determine your services and how much you charge for them. Your rates can be hourly, weekly or monthly based. The most important thing is to clearly state your terms on your website so that clients know what they are getting themselves into when they hire you.
You will need to do some research to see what your competitors are offering. Otherwise, you can also try to innovate by doing things differently or better. Remember that the thought of working with difficult people may be challenging for some, but if that is not a problem for you, then this work might be something suited for you.
18) Clothing Designer
Clothing design has always been popular because of how profitable it can be, especially if you have the talent for it.
A clothing line can rake in a lot of money as long as you have some cash to work with and start designing some trendy pieces that will catch the eyes of the buyers.
To be a successful clothing designer, you need to first know your client demographics. Who is going to wear what you design? What are their tastes and preferences? What materials are they most likely to use for their clothes?
This will help determine the type of clothing you will design. However, keep in mind that some designs may be too risky, so you have to gauge carefully what is ahead of the trend and what’s behind it.
You also need to know how much fabric costs before deciding on what to design.
You might want to sell your designs through a retail store or an online shop. Whichever avenue you prefer, it’s best that you start small and then scale into something bigger and better as time goes on.
19) Handyman Business
If you’re into fixing things, then this can be a good business to start with.
You can help people with things like:
- Fixing leaks in pipes
- Draining clogged drains
- Replacing broken windows
- Repairing leaking roofs
- Installing outlets and electrical items
- Doing plumbing work
- Install flooring materials like tiles, vinyl, etc.
The list is endless, and all you need to do is buy some handy tools and start learning the business.
When starting this kind of business, it’s best to start locally in your neighborhood and do small jobs that will get you going.
The key here is to charge fairly and offer long-lasting solutions as these will land you lots of referrals in your local area and build up your reputation.
20) Real Estate Business
If you understand the real estate landscape and its dynamics, you can start your own real estate business from home.
Re-sale of properties is one way to earn money through your home reselling business.
If you visit open house auctions where an investor sells their unoccupied homes or foreclosed/bank-owned properties, you may find profitable opportunities for reselling.
There are lots of real estate gurus out there who teach people how to flip houses.
All you need to do is research well, find foreclosure properties in your area and buy them at a low cost. Then fix them up before reselling them for big profits. The key here is in buying the right properties at the right price.
You can also make money from home as a Real Estate agent helping sellers and buyers transact real estate deals.
21) Handmade Jewelry Business
Selling handmade jewelry is a good idea if you know how to make them and have some capital to invest in the materials.
You can either sell your designs on Etsy or go for consignment, where you directly sell your items with stores that carry similar product lines. You can also start selling at craft fairs.
You might also want to offer a custom jewelry service, where customers place an order detailing what they need to be designed and crafted. You then create jewelry based on the customer’s preferences.
The sky is the limit here as you can make all kinds of jewelry like necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Another idea is to make your own jewelry line for licensing, especially if you know how to create unique designs and designer pieces.
22) App Developer
If you have a flair for software programming or app development, consider starting your own business by creating apps for your targeted users.
Apps are popular today because of how convenient they are to use and how they make our lives easier.
If you know how to create apps for iPhones, iPads, Android devices or any other platform, this is a good business idea that you can start with little capital. You can start by creating small apps at first and then scale up as you get more downloads.
Some of the most popular apps today are in the following categories:
- Games
- Utilities
- Productivity tools, etc.
To create apps, you have to learn the design process along with coding languages for programming purposes. Then, you can either get an app developer’s job from home by working remotely or teach yourself how to code and start your own app business.
23) Computer Repair And Maintenance Business
If you know how to fix computer malfunctions, viruses, and other related problems, you can start a small-scale computer repair business from home.
This works well if you live near a targeted area where many businesses have computer hardware and software problems.
You can advertise your service through local newspapers or offer discounts for bulk orders. You can also set up a website offering your services online to attract more customers.
24) Photography Business
Are you good with photography? You can make money by selling photo prints or working as a professional photographer for local businesses.
You can sell your photos online or set up a store and offer prints, photo albums and other photo accessories to customers.
If you want to work as a professional photographer for local businesses, check with companies in your area if they need any help with photography services. Some of the companies to target include:
- Real estate agencies
- Event managers for weddings, celebrations, parties and other events.
- Landscaping firms
- Florists
You can start by developing your portfolio and acquiring some basic knowledge of photography first. You can also consider taking up an online course in photography to be able to offer more services.
To take this to another level, set up a studio and offer related services such
- professional photography
- Photography classes
- Photo-editing
- Photoshop and Design classes
- Custom picture framing service
25) Rental Property Business
If you’re good with handling properties and have some extra cash, then you can start a rental property business.
Rental properties basically mean real estate properties rented out for a living, storage or other purposes.
If you want to start a rental property business from home, you need to know how to handle security deposits and deal with tenants.
You will also have to be familiar with the real estate laws in your area.
You can start a rental business by acquiring a small-scale property first to generate some cash flow. You can also consider taking up a loan or saving money, so you have enough funds to invest in more real estate properties.
Take caution when purchasing properties as this is a long-term investment, and the value of these properties may increase over time. To get started, learn about your area and talk to real estate agents and learn about the rental property business first.
26) Child Care Business
After a long day at work, moms and dads need to find an affordable place for their children to get quality daycare.
If you’re good with kids and have the patience to deal with them, then this can be a good home-based business opportunity for you.
Here’s how you can make money being a child care provider:
- First, go around to houses in your community and talk to the parents.
- Set up a child care center at your home or rent another building.
- Set up a website and advertise your childcare business online.
27) Website Developer Business
If you’re good with coding and know-how to develop websites, then you can start a website development business from home.
Web designers are always in high demand, and it’s simple to start a web design business from home.
All you need is a little knowledge of website creation, graphic design, familiarity with development tools and frameworks, and the know-how on how to promote your business.
You can start by getting some freelance jobs and grow into a full-time website design business.
To get started from scratch, consider taking a website development course to learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and WordPress page builders like Elementor and Thrive Theme Builder. Then, once you have a hang of it, start developing websites for friends and family members first and use them to build up your portfolio.Â
You can then work on gaining some higher-paying clients from local businesses in your area. Some of the best places to look for clients online are Upwork and Fiverr, as these sites harbor clients looking for custom development projects done for them.
28) Mobile Repair And Modification Business
The smartphone market is growing larger each day, and sometimes these devices do break down or malfunction.
This makes it a good idea for you to start a mobile repair and modification business where you can offer your services and make some pocket money or even turn this into a full-time business.
If you’re interested in this idea, you will need to learn the basics of repairing mobile devices.
You should also consider taking up an Apple or Android course so you can fix any device out there.
You can also purchase inexpensive parts and tools online to get started faster. However, you’ll need to do a lot of research before starting, so it will take some time to get started.
Some of the services you can offer include
- Phone repairs
- Phone unlocking
- Replacing cracked screens
- Replacing batteries
- Installing custom OS and apps etc
Besides repairing works, you can also sell phones, and phone accessories in your shop as these two go hand in hand with the mobile repair shop business.
29) Make money with an Animation Studio
If you have the skills to produce 2D or 3D animations, then this is one of the most profitable home business ideas that you shouldn’t ignore.
There are tons of animation studios out there who need fresh content for their projects all the time.
You just need to connect with these clients and then offer them your services by presenting a compelling proposal to convince them to hire you.
If you already have some experience working as an animator, then consider starting your very own animation studio at home and take the business full-time or part-time.
30) Self-publishing Business
If you’re a writer, then self-publishing is one of the most profitable home business ideas that you can start today.
There has never been a better time to be an author or publisher. With several online publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Publishing, Lulu, Barnes & Noble, and Kob, getting started is as easy as…
Over the past decade, we’ve seen many successful writers do very well making money by selling eBooks on Amazon Kindle.
All you need to do is publish your eBook on these platforms, write compelling descriptions for your books, create your author profile page and start marketing your books online. That’s right, no endless rounds with your editors.
To take this even further, you can join forces with other authors and form a self-publishing company, where you provide book services such as:
- Comprehensive developmental editing services
- Proofreading services
- Cover design services
- Formatting services
- Author training
- Online publishing through Amazon and other publishing outlets
- Marketing services (this can be a small fee per book or an overall percentage of sales)
You can choose to charge these services separately or take a cut from the royalties. Once the ball gets rolling, you can also start working on your series or work with other authors to create your own publishing company.
31) Child Care Center Business
If you live in a neighborhood or community with young families and there is a high demand for child care, then you can start a child care business today.
To get started, find out what licenses and insurance covers are required for your area, put up a daycare business plan, set up a location within your compound and start offering your services.
You can start by offering part-time care, but once you’ve established yourself as a reputable service provider in the community, then it’s time to scale up your business by opening a daycare center.
To succeed with a daycare business, you need to be incredibly organized, detail-oriented and responsible. You can’t afford to make mistakes with this type of job since you’ll have the lives of multiple children in your hands.
Deciding how children are fed is also important. Do you want parents to drop kids with their own food, or do you want to come up with a menu that is served to the children?
If you want to add an educational component to your services, make sure that parents are on board with it before advertising your business.
32) Wedding Planning Business
Another popular, profitable home business idea that doesn’t cost much to start is wedding planning.
Many couples pay a significant amount of money for professional wedding planners because they know too well how stressful and daunting wedding planning can be.
With professionally designed planning templates, predefined to-do lists and detailed checklists, you can kickstart your business with simple eBooks which provide easy-to-follow instructions for couples who want to plan their own wedding.
You can start by selling your eBook online, or you can offer services such as day-of coordination, budget planning and managing the entire wedding so that couples can focus on enjoying their special day.
33) Pet Sitting Business
If you enjoy being around animals and have been taking care of them for years, starting a pet sitting business is a no-brainer since it comes with low startup costs and doesn’t take much to get going.
To start a pet sitting business, you first need to figure out what type of pets you want to work with. Then, scout for clients in your local community, create a website or blog showcasing your services and start connecting with people who need pet-sitting services.
People who need pet-sitting services are usually those who work a lot or have full-time day jobs and don’t want their pets all closed up. The best way to reach these prospects is to distribute flyers in the neighborhood, get involved in the community, and run super-targeted ads on social media.
To be successful with this business, you also need to have excellent customer service skills and enjoy working with animals.
34) Social Media Business
Social media is a platform that you can use to your advantage in starting a profitable home business. By establishing yourself as an expert on social media, you can become a consultant and charge more for your services by helping others be more effective with their social media strategies.
To get started, create a website or blog and start writing content about how other companies can use social media to their advantage. Once you’ve established yourself as an authority on the topic, you’re ready to offer your services as a consultant and charge premium prices for your knowledge.
35) Online Tutoring Business
If you’re an expert at one specific subject or skill, consider offering your services as an online tutor.
There are many websites out there where you can find students looking for personal tutorings, such as:
While it may be tempting to start teaching any subject or skill you know, I highly recommend focusing on the subjects and skills you’re best at and genuinely enjoy teaching.
Teaching something that you’re not an expert in can turn out to be a very costly mistake since you can easily lose students, receive negative feedback and even lose your account.
36) Join a Delivery Service
If you’re a delivery enthusiast and don’t mind spending many hours on the road, then this could be the perfect home business opportunity for you.
There are tons of delivery services out there looking for employees.
There are several delivery services to choose from:
To get started, look for delivery services available in your region, do market research and comparison analysis and settle on a company that meets most of your needs. To start a delivery service, you need to have a bike or a car. Requirements vary from company to company, so you need to check the requirements before applying to be a delivery driver.
37) Event Planning Business
This is a great home business idea for those with a knack for bringing people together in events. So, if you have a knack for planning great events, then this might be another profitable home business idea you can try today.
As a local event planner, you will be helping your clients to put together memorable events to mark important occasions such as weddings, product launches, ground breaks, birthdays, open days etc. You could also run this business from your home.
The idea is to find clients looking for help with their events. Most of them expect someone who can come up with creative ideas, knows what looks good together, and can create a spectacular environment.
To get started, all you need is one event done right. You can offer a discount for a friend or family to let you plan their event for them and then use this event to let others know that you just entered the event planning industry. Your first clients will be your greatest advocates, so make sure you over-deliver.
You can start your home business by reaching out to local hotels, restaurants, event centers and other venues that might be interested in working with you.
The event planning industry is all about creating extraordinary experiences, spurring moments and having attendees feel valued and loved. There are several ways to achieve this, and with the right budget, a creative plan and an incredible team, you can tailor this to provide unique experiences for every event you are in charge of.
Don’t neglect the power of your website. Use it as a portfolio to showcase past events. Your blog is also a great marketing channel you need to focus on. Write about event planning tips and strategies, especially targeting your region. So instead of general event planning tips, think of more local topics such as:
- How to plan a wedding in Newyork
- How to launch a product online
- How to run a marketing event in Canada etc.
This way, you’ll ensure that you are bringing in the most qualified prospects to your website. These prospects tend to easily join your list and are more receptive to your marketing and retargeting campaigns.
38) Home-based catering business
If you’ve got the culinary skills to create delicious meals, then maybe it’s time you start your own home-based catering business.
There are so many businesses out there looking for help with catering their events. You can find clients by reaching out to local caterers and event venues or directly contacting companies that might need your services.
At first, you’ll struggle to find clients willing to pay a high price for your services, but once you show them what you’re capable of and get some positive feedback, things will start to take a turn for the better.
39) Home Based in-person tutoring
Many people still prefer in-person tutoring over video-based tutoring. This is because many learners prefer one-on-one interaction with an expert who can solve their problems.
This means that if you have the academic background to tutor any subject at the secondary or tertiary level, then this could be another profitable business idea for you.
To get started, you need to set up your tutoring room at home. Your next step is to start looking for students and parents who would be interested in your services.
40) Online English coaching business
There are millions of people worldwide who would like to learn English and improve their communication skills. You can get paid for teaching them online if you know how to speak good English yourself.
There are several websites where you can signup to teach English as a second language. These sites make it very easy for you to get started and connect with students from all over the world.
You can start your online English coaching business by using the right tools, including apps, video hosting sites, screen sharing tools and more, to make your lessons interactive.
Using these websites also gives you access to an extensive collection of resources created specifically for ESL teachers. You can find lesson plans, worksheets, templates and more at no additional cost.
41) Home Based Travel Consulting Business
If you love traveling and have lots of travel experience under your belt, then starting a business that helps others plan their trips might be something good for you.
There are people who are so scared of planning a trip, even if it’s just for a few days. What they need is someone to help them take the pain away from traveling so that they can enjoy themselves.
This is where you come in. You can offer your travel consulting services at an affordable rate. As a travel consultant, you will help your clients with things like:
- Deciding best times to travel to a given region
- What to pack for a specific country
- What to expect in different countries
- How to set up transportation when traveling abroad etc.
- Travel essentials such as making sure they have valid travel documents such as Visa and Passports and keeping them safe
There are many things to do and consider when you’re traveling, and if you love it, then starting a home-based business as a travel consultant could be your ticket to the lifestyle you want.
You can also consult for travel agencies in areas such as marketing and web design if you have these skills, thus bringing in even more revenue for you.
42) Event photography business
Are you good with taking photos? Do you enjoy capturing memories in the form of pictures? Then starting an event photography business might be just right for you.
There are several types of events you can photograph, including weddings, graduations, sports events and more. First, you need to find out which type of events are prevalent in your area, then set yourself up as a small business specializing in this field.
From the money perspective, event photography is one of those businesses that will allow you to enjoy rapid growth because it’s a growing industry.
43) Organize workshops and seminars
Are you good at organizing things? Do you enjoy helping people learn new skills or discuss topics relevant to them? If so, then organizing workshops and seminars might be something for you.
There are plenty of niches that could use your help, such as:
- Meditation
- Healthy recipes
- Dance lessons
- Small business
- Digital Marketing
- Online Businesses etc.
You can host your workshops at a local restaurant or even in your own home. Sometimes, finding the right venue might require you to look for it on forums or social media.
Once you get this going, you’ll be surprised how much people will be willing to pay just for the opportunity of attending a workshop and learning something new.
Also, you can start organizing events for other groups such as companies and colleges. If you can pull that off, then your workshops and seminars will be all the more popular.
44) Become a transcriptionist
Thanks to technology, more and more businesses are looking for transcriptionists.
To start working as an online transcriptionist, All you need is a good pair of headphones or earbuds, computer equipment with decent specs and some free time on your hands.
If you know how to type fast while paying attention to detail, then this might be the perfect home business opportunity for you.
There are numerous transcription companies looking for employees or contractors to transcribe different audio files.
Just make sure to do some research, look for companies hiring in your area, do some market research and know if the average pay will be worth it for you.
45) Start a travel agency
If your passion leans towards traveling, maybe it’s time to turn that hobby into your home business.
While many countries don’t allow foreigners to start their own travel agencies, some do allow it.
In those cases, you can start your home-based business and offer all sorts of travel services to small and large companies alike.
It’s an expensive investment, and it will take a lot of time and effort before you become successful, but it will definitely be worth everything once you reach the point where things start rolling in for you.
46) Become a VoiceOver artist
Some people pay good money to have someone record their voice and upload it on their official website.
This is where you come in.
You can make extra cash by recording different voices for video-game characters, cartoon movies, or TV announcers.
The idea is to start your home business with something related to the entertainment industry and then branch out to other things afterwards.
47) Woodworking Business
People have been making furniture, wooden decorations and wood prototypes for thousands of years.
Even in today’s digital world, it seems that there is still a good number of people interested in the traditional way of doing things.
If you know your way around some power tools and have a knack for working with woods, starting a woodworking business is something you should consider.
It’s true that if you want to make it big, you’ll need to invest some money in advanced equipment like CNC routers and get your hands on high-quality materials, but for many people, woodworking can also be a relaxing hobby at the end of the day.
48) Create YouTube videos
Believe it or not, many YouTube stars are making serious money on the side just because of their talent for creating videos and uploading them regularly.
There are many YouTubers out there trying to make it big, so the competition is really tight, and you’ll have to work hard to get noticed by those that matter.
But once you do, your home business can take off like a rocket!
49) Create mobile apps
Whether you have a programming background or not, if you think that you have a great mobile app idea, why not give it a shot?
There are indeed many people out there trying to create their own apps and make it big, but with enough persistence and dedication, your dream of becoming an entrepreneur might just come true.
All you have to do is find the right mobile app building company and start creating.
50) Become an Instagram influencer
Believe it or not, there are many people out there making a fortune by simply posting photos of their products on Instagram and tagging the brands they represent in the process.
If you have over 30,000 followers that constantly check your updates to see what’s going on in your life, then why not start making money out of all that attention?
Influencer marketing is a fast-growing industry, and people are willing to pay top dollar for this kind of exposure.
51) Poultry Farming
Poultry farming is a very profitable home business idea that doesn’t cost much to start.
You only need space and good chicken coops for your poultry to thrive, as well as proper feed and water systems.
Once you acquire the required skills, you should be able to grow your business rather quickly.
To succeed with this sort of business, you need to take time to understand poultry farming, especially when it comes to combating common diseases.
52) Coffee Roasting Business
If you love coffee, then try starting your own home-based business by roasting coffee beans.
Start by buying a decent commercial coffee roaster, and then start testing out various recipes and methods until you find the perfect one that works for you.
One of the first things you need to do is buy green (unroasted) coffee beans from reputable coffee suppliers and then invest in an accurate coffee roaster.
Once you’ve finalized the recipe, start promoting it to local cafes and restaurants and offer your services online as well. Once you manage to get a decent amount of traffic going to your website, you’ll be able to generate a substantial income by selling roasted coffee beans directly to your customers.
53) Garden Services Business
If you’re good with gardening, lawn care or landscaping, then this is an excellent home business idea for you.
You can start by offering garden services to clients in your local community and then post your success stories on your website along with before-and-after photos of each customer’s place.
54) Sports Coaching
If you’re passionate about a particular sport and have lots of experience to back it up, then you should consider starting a sports coaching business.
You can coach kids or adult groups on all sorts of sporting activities like tennis, badminton, squash and swimming. Once you build a solid base for your business through word-of-mouth marketing, you’ll be able to start charging your clients.
55) Mobile Laundry Service Business
If you have a pickup truck or van plus a set of washing machines, then you can start a mobile laundry service from the comfort of your home.
All you need to do is to source for clients in your local community and drive around offering your services to them.
You can start by offering simple services like washing and ironing, but you can offer more advanced services once you have a few regular customers who keep coming back to you for your help.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a total of 55 profitable home business ideas with low startup costs.
Some require absolutely no startup cost, while others will make you invest a bit of money in equipment, stock and training.
If you’re going to be working from home, why not do something that uses your skills and knowledge to generate a nice income?
Taking action is the only thing you need to do to make this happen.
Let us know which home business idea appeals most to you and why.
