29 Ideas for Starting a Small Business Online in 2022

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Having a small business has its allure, but it also presents a unique set of difficulties. The first step in launching any kind of business is coming up with an idea, which is hard work. In this manual, we’ll provide you a ton of suggestions for online businesses and show you exactly how to launch a small business online.

Many people have already taken the risk of starting their own business. And you can too if you have the correct internet business concepts and put a lot of effort into it.

This isn’t about a single easy life-altering tip. That is not how starting an online business works. Instead, we’ve compiled a list of easy ways to launch a business without leaving your day job to assist you in finding profitable internet business ideas.

How to start a small business online

  • 29 best online business ideas
  • How to start an online business
  • Bring your online business idea to life
  • Online business ideas FAQ

29 best online business ideas

  1. Start your own clothing line
  2. Launch a dropshipping business
  3. Sell your art online
  4. Become a freelance writer, designer, or developer
  5. Teach an online course
  6. Flip your thrift store finds
  7. Publish your own book
  8. Start a blog
  9. Become a virtual assistant
  10. Try your hand at being an influencer
  11. Build apps and websites
  12. Launch a podcast
  13. Become an affiliate marketer
  14. Curate subscription boxes
  15. Develop a niche product
  16. Create handmade goods
  17. Become a social media manager
  18. Invest in real estate
  19. Sell on marketplaces
  20. Become a translator
  21. Start an accounting or bookkeeping firm
  22. Become an online fitness trainer
  23. Create and sell NFTs
  24. Start an online coaching business
  25. Do voiceover work
  26. Become an ad consultant
  27. Build niche websites
  28. Start a membership community
  29. Promote sponsored posts on Instagram

1. Start your own clothing line

You can start your own clothes company if you have some ideas for designs and some free time.

If you already have a Shopify store, you may use Printify, Printful, or another similar product-sourcing tool to launch your own apparel line. Each instantly establishes a connection between your store and clothes producers and printers. Additionally, they manage each stage of the retail fulfilment process on your behalf, providing you the freedom to develop and sell a variety of items right away.

Why start a clothing line?

  • There’s nothing more satisfying than creating products that people will use every day.
  • You can start selling right away after creating your Shopify store. The process of designing and delivering your own personalised apparel has been streamlined and made easier thanks to print-on-demand software.
  • You’ll love the feeling of seeing your designs come to life by transforming your creativity into something real and profitable.

We created THINK PUP, a clothing store for dog owners, with the help of Printful, and we were able to earn almost $1,200 in just three weeks. You might also be well on your way to starting a prosperous t-shirt business with some effort and research.

From developing your brand’s story to using influencer marketing to advertise your products, we’ve collected some useful tools that will assist you in growing your garment business at every stage:

  • 21 Ready-to-Use Online T-Shirt Templates and Mockups
  • How to Start an Online T-Shirt Business
  • For the Fans: How to Make and Sell Your Own Merch

2. Launch a dropshipping small business

Do you believe that operating your own business requires a warehouse full of inventory? Rethink that! Dropshipping is a fantastic way to launch a company on a tight budget. By acquiring a pre-existing product from a supplier and delegating tasks like packaging and shipment to them, you may get started right away.

You may avoid a lot of the challenges that could prevent you from launching your own business by using this procedure. The risk of discovering there is no market for your goods after placing a sizable order with a manufacturer or supplier is also eliminated.

Why choose dropshipping?

  • Because you don’t have to have things on hand, your cash flow won’t be constrained by inventory. Less money is at danger up front.
  • Every time you make a purchase, you place an order with a third party, and they take care of the rest of the procedure. Dropshipping removes a lot of potential hassles for aspiring business owners because you don’t have to worry about things like tracking inventory or mailing packages.
  • You can operate your firm from anyplace if there is no warehouse. You get to choose where you want to work, whether it’s in your living room or the café down the street.

If you’re interested in dropshipping, read our Ultimate Guide to Dropshipping to help you get started.

If you don’t have any online store ideas, here are some strategies for narrowing down the perfect product:

  • Find products to sell on DSers.
  • Read our guide Find a Product to Sell: 12 Strategies for Finding Your First Profitable Product.
  • Check out these 17 places ecommerce entrepreneurs go to find product ideas.
  • Find out how we made more than $2,000 in five weeks with imported gaming glasses.

3. Sell your art online

Whether you’re a painter, photographer, or musician, there are many online business ideas and ways to use an elegant ecommerce website to make money off of your most recent creation.

If painting or photography are your strong suits, Printify or Printful let you sell your creations as prints, canvases, and framed posters. This is a wonderful method to make your artwork into a physical object that people can take home and include into their surroundings. Are you a music person? You can offer digital copies of your beats, songs, samples, and more.

Simply visit The Drum Broker, the world’s largest online drum sample retailer. With the aid of apps like FetchApp and ShipStation, it developed a profitable and enduring small company model.

Why sell your art?

  • You’ll be part of people’s lives by getting your work into customers’ homes.
  • You’ll create a platform for showcasing your work by setting up shop online.
  • Making art is a way of life for an artist, not just a hobby. This is your chance to make money from your passion and possibly live the life you want.

4. Become a freelance writer, designer, or developer

A low cost business can be launched based on the talents of writers, graphic designers, and developers. By assisting clients worldwide with their tasks as a freelancer, you may put your abilities to good use (while making some money yourself, of course).

Engaging in lengthy tasks that take up all of your free time is not a requirement of freelancing. It’s simple to take up manageable projects that fit your schedule.

To find people that need your help, try freelancing marketplaces, like Upwork and Fiverr.

It’s important to keep in mind that Fiverr differs somewhat from a conventional employment board. Many of the listed occupations pay $5, as the name would imply. Setting up your offerings properly so you can simply upsell the client for more money is the key to generating a lot of money on Fiverr.

As an introductory $5 service, you may propose to create a 150-word introduction for a blog article. You may add $10 for every additional 150 words as an upsell. You can adjust your offerings until you find a combination that makes sense.

Make a Shopify store if you want complete control over your pricing. Since you won’t be physically delivering anything to your consumers, you can list your services as items and turn off shipping. Even using tools like BookThatApp and Events Calendar, you can let your clients book appointments.

Why freelance?

  • When you freelance, you choose which projects you want to work on and set your own schedule and workplace.
  • Getting paid to do something you’re good at is a rewarding feeling, whether you’re looking to strike out on your own or just want to make some extra cash on the weekend.
  • Freelancing is a wonderful method to create your portfolio and gain practical experience in a variety of industries if you’re new to writing, designing, or producing. You may find that you have a talent or enthusiasm for something you never thought you would.

5. Teach an online course

A low-cost internet business concept for making passive income is teaching online courses. Simply put together a video tour that explains a topic you are knowledgeable about, and upload it on your own personal website.

If you are successful in producing a well-liked, high-value video tutorial series, you will continue to make money as long as students sign up for your course, despite the fact that it requires labour in the beginning.

Think of a subject that you are knowledgeable enough about to teach someone how to accomplish from scratch before you begin to develop your first online course. This might be anything at all, including web development, social media marketing, and music production.

Then, while you take your students through your instructional, capture your screen and voice using a screencasting program like ScreenFlow. You can film and edit your videos on the same platform using ScreenFlow’s built-in video editing suite.

Why teach an online course?

  • You may essentially schedule an online course and forget about it. Build an online course in a few days or weeks, depending on the level of sophistication you want, and you might start seeing the results right away.
  • You only need to impart the knowledge you already possess. Whether you’re building iOS apps, making monthly budgets, or managing Facebook ad campaigns, concentrate on teaching what you’re already an authority in, and the rest will flow smoothly.
  • A new skill is bestowed upon someone as its own reward. Even while there is money to be made from teaching online courses, simply being of service to others is always rewarding.

6. Flip your thrift store finds

Selling your used finds online is a fantastic online business idea if you enjoy visiting thrift stores and looking for excellent discounts.

Your prospective consumers want to buy cool things, but they don’t want to sift through worn-out soccer shirts and braided belts to discover that one truly unique item. Use this to your advantage by branding yourself as a dependable curator who can go out and find those beautiful vintage treasures for others.

Why sell your thrift store finds?

  • You’re going to be browsing the racks at the thrift store anyway, so why not put your addiction to shopping to use and earn some money?
  • Huge margins exist. Your weekend find of a $2 RadioShack ball cap? It can be made into a vintage hat for $40.
  • You’re offering a distinctive product. People won’t be able to locate the vintage collections you put together anywhere else on the internet.

7. Publish your own book

You’ve considered writing and releasing your own book at some point, and that’s fine. Even though it can seem like a pipe dream to have your name appear on a list of bestsellers, it’s actually not that difficult to achieve.

Whether you want to effectively self-publish a science fiction book, a marketing manual, or a picture book for kids, there are many possibilities available today. You can use the Digital Downloads app to publish your writing as an ebook or on-demand printing services like Blurb and CreateSpace.

Install the Digital Downloads software so you may start stocking digital files as products right away if you want to sell ebooks through your online store. Your consumers will receive your ebooks via email or a direct download link after making a purchase.

You only need to place an order with Blurb or CreateSpace whenever your book is bought if you decide to sell physical copies of it. Your book will be printed to order, and they’ll take care of the entire storage and fulfilment procedure.

Why publish a book?

  • If no one is around to read what you write, what’s the point? The easiest approach to get your book into the hands of potential readers is through self-publishing.
  • Printing, storage, and delivery is taken care of thanks to services like Blurb and CreateSpace.
  • Creative writing is your passion and you deserve to be able to make money while doing something you enjoy.

8. Start a blog

Since its inception, blogging has advanced significantly. What was once an online journal has evolved into a tool for marketing and even profit.

A blog is a fantastic home-based online business concept since you can monetize it by selling your own items, posting sponsored content, or hosting third-party advertisements.

The secret to launching a successful blog is to concentrate on developing a committed, dedicated following. Starting with an audience-centric strategy can help you build a loyal following. And after you’ve gained people’s trust, you may start generating income.

Mr. Money Moustache began his well-known personal finance blog in this manner. What started as a movement has evolved into a flourishing enterprise that has garnered widespread media attention.

Why start a blog?

  • The potential for blog growth is limitless. You can diversify into e-commerce, affiliate marketing, online courses, and pretty much any other type of online business. Even paid subscription models are used by certain blogs to generate income.
  • A blog is an ongoing endeavour. Results won’t come right away, but they will probably last longer. A blog remains online indefinitely, or at least until you decide to erase it.
  • It enables you to practise writing, which is a crucial skill for both business and communication. To write better, use programs like Hemmingway or Grammarly.

9. Become a virtual assistant

Are you incredibly organized and enjoy working in the background? If so, you could be the ideal person to launch a virtual assistant (VA) firm.

A VA assists company owners, executives, and entrepreneurs in managing their personal and professional life. There is a wide range of responsibilities, from basic marketing management to appointment scheduling, and all in between. Furthermore, everything is done online.

Why become a VA?

  • Work with the client you want. Even if you’re unsure at first, you’ll discover over time who you enjoy working with and what you enjoy doing for them. You can adapt your company to meet their demands. 
  • Interact with people from other countries. To complete your task and to have the opportunity to collaborate with clients and professionals around the world, all you need is an internet connection.
  • Expand your company to include a VA network. You can hire and train VAs to operate under you and improve revenues if you find that you are too busy or have growth objectives.

10. Try your hand at being an influencer

Although customers are growing more astute, influencer marketing has risen on the marketing scene and offers a ton of business prospects.

There has been a shift toward micro-influencers, profiles with smaller but more engaged followings, as a result of influencers getting into trouble for dishonest business methods. The good news is that you can make money on Instagram without having millions of followers.

Why be an influencer?

  • It’s a chance to learn about marketing, which might be helpful if you want to pursue it as a profession or start another business.
  • You’ll discover intriguing and novel brands. If they hadn’t asked for your services, you might not have found the items and businesses you adore.
  • It’s so easy a monkey can do it. Well, not literally—but you can make your pet the star if you’re camera shy. 

11. Build apps and websites

Learn some coding if you’re tech savvy, then start creating. You can produce digital products for sale or as a service provider using websites, Shopify apps, or mobile apps.

For instance, you might produce a unique Shopify theme template and market it to businesses searching for a low-cost DIY website design solution. Or work directly with customers to create websites and apps that are suited to their unique needs.

Why build apps and websites? 

  • Technology isn’t going anywhere, and the demand for the technical skills necessary to build apps and websites will only continue to grow. 
  • There’s an endless number of platforms and systems out there. If you get bored of one, learn and transition to another.

12. Launch a podcast

Consider recording your voice for a podcast if you like the way it sounds. Similar to beginning a blog, podcasting is a fantastic home business idea with a variety of revenue choices.

Here’s what you need to start your podcast: 

  • A high-quality microphone 
  • Audio recording software 
  • Call recording software

Consider cooperating with well-known individuals as guests on your podcast to market it. Encourage your listeners to subscribe to your podcast, give reviews, and recommend it to others.

Why start a podcast?

  • Podcasts continue to grow in popularity. According to Podcast Insights, 51% of Americans have listened to a podcast.
  • A successful podcast can open up a world of opportunities, including the ability to blog about your episodes, find sponsors and advertisers, and form relationships you never would have been able to otherwise.

13. Become an affiliate marketer

When you share a product or service with your email list, on social media, on your blog, on your website, or through other avenues, you are engaging in affiliate marketing. Each time a conversion is made using your special referral code or link, you get paid a commission.

Look for an affiliate program that aligns with your interests, brand, and target market. Examples include Affiliate Future, ShareASale, and FlexOffers. You might look at the Shopify Affiliate Program in addition to Amazon’s own affiliate program.

Once you’ve registered, begin sharing. Write blog entries, emails, social media posts, and other information praising the merits of the good or service you’re marketing. Don’t bombard your viewers with advertisements or you run the danger of sounding spammy or untrue.

Why do affiliate marketing? 

  • It’s easy: you likely already promote the products and services you use. Now you can get paid for it! 
  • An excellent passive income source is affiliate marketing. Affiliates that sign up for the Shopify Affiliate Program can get an average of $58 for each user who purchases a premium plan and $2,000 for each referral who purchases a Plus plan.

14. Curate subscription boxes

Themed collections of different products are called subscription boxes. Almost every industry offers subscription boxes, from meal-prep kits and craft snacks to workout gear and cosmetics. You may create subscription boxes with almost any theme you like.

Bokksu, for example, curates Japanese snacks and sends them to customers each month.

You collaborate with brands and artisans to buy and resell their products in a bundled offering when you curate subscription boxes. Though there are some boxes (like meal prep kits) where the client picks what they receive, generally speaking, consumers anticipate being surprised by what is inside the box.

Why curate subscription boxes?

  • The seasonal business is successful. Ironically, people buy “subscription” boxes more often as gifts than for themselves. Therefore, this can be a strategy worth considering if you’re only interested in operating your internet business for a portion of the year.
  • Industry growth is evident. From $16 billion in 2019 to roughly $28 billion in 2021, subscription commerce revenues increased.
  • You are not required to develop your own goods. Instead, you might use tried-and-true goods and simply package them attractively.

15. Develop a niche product

You might have the next great idea for an online business if you spot an opportunity in a certain market. Niche goods target a specific market. When done effectively, they benefit a particular neighbourhood.

Industry, demographics, price point, geography, values, and other factors may all be used to define niches. Actually, anything precise enough to target a constrained audience qualifies as a niche. For instance:

  • Conscious consumers: think vegan, sustainable, and eco-friendly products and brands. 
  • Pet owners: you could even drill down by pet type.
  • Remote workers: these professionals have specific attributes different from the traditional office worker.

Why develop a niche product?

  • Niche products are unique and thus buzzworthy. Early success can be all you need to drive press coverage with zero budget. 
  • Although narrowing your focus could be intimidating to some, doing so makes it simpler to develop marketing and language that connects. Instead of attempting to address a large, diverse audience, you are speaking to a group of people who share a lot of similar traits.

16. Create handmade goods

Selling handcrafted goods online would be a fantastic internet business idea for someone who is especially crafty. Whether you create furniture, jewellery, or picture frames, one business concept is to capitalise on your craft abilities and sell goods online.

Despite the fact that you can use websites like Craigslist or Etsy, having your own internet business will provide you more control and make it simpler to monitor and complete orders.

Why sell handmade goods?

  • Devote as much or as little time as you want. It’s your choice on how big you want to grow. 
  • Create on your schedule. Make your handmade goods on a set schedule, when you have spare time, or whenever you want. 
  • Turn your passion into income. Like many of the online business ideas on this list, an entrepreneurial endeavour backed by passion leads to a more fulfilling experience. 

17. Become a social media manager

It takes expertise to grow and manage social media accounts successfully. Consider working as a social media manager or consultant for brands if you have the skills.

You would be in charge of establishing a company’s social marketing strategy, managing campaigns, and other related duties, as well as keeping up a company’s online social presence. With social media occupations predicted to expand by 10% through 2030, it’s a viable online company idea with lots of demand that doesn’t require a lot of startup money.

Make a website, your own social media channels (expand them, use them as social proof to attract clients! ), and a payment processing system to get started. A larger range of social media requirements, such as profile building, outreach, or brand sponsorship management, can be catered to as you gain experience.

Why start a social media management business? 

  • The service-based business has few barriers to entry and it’s relatively easy to get started.
  • You can choose your own working hours and set your own salary. The greater your service costs might be, the more experience and results you can demonstrate.
  • You can turn something you’re already doing every day into a money-making activity as a social media manager. 

18. Invest in real estate

When you do your study, real estate investing isn’t as difficult to get into as it might initially sound. Gaining access to options like easily accessible FHA loans may, depending on the market, be the catalyst you need to assure a cash-flowing firm from the outset.

You don’t have to stress about storing products or dealing with supply chain issues when you buy real estate. Instead, you may research properties while lounging on your sofa. You must budget for initial expenses and purchase essentials, but loans are available to assist.

You can purchase your next property using the cash flow you establish with your first one. If you repeat this often enough, you’ll soon start generating significant amounts of income.

Why invest in real estate? 

  • It’s a long-term investment in a business with appreciating assets and almost immediate cash flow. 
  • Real estate will always be in demand as a need rather than just a want. 
  • It can be relatively hands-off with the right management structure in place.

19. Sell on marketplaces 

It’s not new to be able to sell your products on online markets. However, it’s still a very profitable strategy to launch a long-lasting online business. Listing products, gathering contact information, and accepting payments are all made simple by seller platforms like eBay, Bonanza, Etsy, Offerup, or Facebook Marketplace.

What’s best? These large seller platforms already have traffic built in. It is your responsibility as the vendor to be strategic with your listing and monitor what and how well it sells in order to maximise your efforts. All of this is also possible while relaxing in your own home.

Why sell on marketplaces? 

  • It’s affordable to start without a hefty upfront investment.
  • You get access to a pool of traffic you might not be able to tap into on other platforms.
  • The online selling skills you acquire can translate into adjacent businesses down the road.

20. Become a translator

You can earn money by speaking more than one language. You may launch an online translation company with the use of a laptop and internet connectivity. The size of the translation market has doubled during the past ten years.

You can use your talents as a translator to translate books, meetings, resumes, content for websites, and even online conferences. You can bill by the project or the hour as you hone your abilities. In any case, once you start out with your first few clients, a translation business can be flexible and profitable.

Why start a translation business? 

  • If you don’t want to launch your own company, there are many translation platforms, such as Gengo, that will pay competitively for your abilities.
  • If you prefer a more autonomous method of translation where you can determine your own fees, it is simple to sell your translation services on websites like UpWork.
  • Translation can be a flexible business that doesn’t require ad management or dealing with inventory. 

21. Start an accounting or bookkeeping firm

Profit from the rising demand for bookkeeping and accounting services by turning freelance and providing your services to clients who are wanting to outsource this aspect of their business. It’s true that your chances of success increase with your level of training and expertise.

With the use of software like QuickBooks, some word-of-mouth, and perseverance, you may bootstrap an accounting or bookkeeping business. Referral clients start flowing your way when you start gaining clients and producing excellent work. As a service-based business, the hardest part about starting an accounting or bookkeeping venture is getting started.

Why start an accounting or bookkeeping business? 

  • It’s a great way to put your math skills to use while leveraging the flexibility of being your own boss.
  • You don’t need a ton of customers to generate sustainable income each year. 
  • Building relationships and repeat business are crucial to the success of a service-based industry like accounting and bookkeeping, which makes the digital marketing component of the company easier to run.

22. Become an online fitness trainer

Online subscriptions, exercise applications, and ebook sales are bringing in a fortune for personal trainers like Kayla Itsines. Starting an online fitness business could be a no-brainer if you have a natural aptitude for being active.

Fitness is a visually-driven market, so when you begin going, remember to take use of social media. Being active on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok can help you attract customers and grow your audience. You can also establish a number of passive income streams with a digital fitness business (think digital guide books or PDFs of workout plans).

Why start an online fitness trainer business? 

  • There is already an existing demand for people that want help with their personal fitness journey. 
  • It can all be done online. You don’t ever have to meet people in real life for fitness training if you don’t want to. 
  • You can create evergreen content like courses, cookbooks, or fitness plans that can continue to bring in revenue in the background and require minimal upkeep. 

23. Create and sell NFTs

One of the newest ways to launch an internet business is by producing and selling NFTs. If you use community building and are successful in selling NFTs on marketplaces like OpenSea, there is a passionate niche market worth exploring.

Transforming your artistic talents into sellable NFTs can be a successful pivot into the online business realm if you are already producing physical art. Prior to creating NFT art on the blockchain and creating a brand, educate yourself on what NFTs are, where their true worth rests, and what tools you’ll need.

Why create and sell NFTs? 

  • The NFT industry is booming, with a market cap of over $40 billion, and shows no signs of stopping.
  • It’s extremely easy to get started and mint your own NFTs once you learn the basics.
  • It’s a solid way to leverage your creative skills and generate income as you tap into a wider digital audience. 

24. Start an online coaching business

posses coaching abilities? Join the online coaching sector and begin working with clients in your area of expertise. How? Clarify what you offer and the outcomes clients can anticipate from your coaching efforts to start.

Online coaches like Simone Seol might find clients on Instagram who are interested in the outcomes she can provide through coaching. Social media marketing is a necessary if you decide to pursue coaching. Investing the time to become certified in your specific field of knowledge can help you become known as an authority and boost your credibility.

Why start an online coaching business? 

  • Online coaching has high income potential if you have solid interpersonal skills and can get clients results
  • There’s no gatekeeping to the industry. You can start coaching in any subject you’re knowledgeable enough in to charge for. 
  • Word-of-mouth marketing can be a powerful client generation source once you get started. 

25. Do voice over work

Once you’ve established a vocal brand that producers can rely on, you may work as a voiceover artist from the comfort of your own home. Once you’ve established your own home recording studio, there are no limits to the things you can voice over.

You can narrate everything from audiobooks to coursework to YouTube videos to online advertising. To begin, think about creating a professional website, a demo reel, and a social media presence that will draw possible voiceover clients to you.

Remember that the voiceover market requires creativity, so finding new ways to draw customers and make money may be necessary. These voiceover tutorials can help you get started.

Why start a voice-over business? 

  • Starting a voiceover business can be a niche opportunity for a candidate with the right skills.
  • It has high income potential depending on how it is leveraged.
  • It can be an unconventional way to make money in an industry that isn’t oversaturated. 

26. Become an ad consultant

Advertising is prevalent. Why not earn a consulting fee from companies wishing to improve their advertising strategy? Yes, you can conduct that business entirely online. It is already being done (and being done effectively!) by advertising experts like Monica Louie.

What are the requirements to begin going? The steps here are obvious. Choose the ad kinds you wish to specialise in, whether they are display ads, PPC advertisements on Google, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or any other type of ad, and then start promoting your services with a reliable website and various service offering bundles.

Remember that not everyone is a good fit for consulting. To guarantee that you can give outcomes to the clients looking for your ad skills, you should have a ton of experience under your belt. Hold off on advising if you’re brand-new to ad strategy until you’ve had more exposure.

Why start an ad consulting business? 

  • What you charge for an ad consulting business can be scalable and highly dependent on perceived value.
  • It’s a great online business idea if you’re savvy with people, management, and meeting KPIs.
  • If you enjoy networking it’s one of the best ways to earn consulting clients.

27. Build niche websites

You can construct niche websites as a service-based business with just a learning curve in your way. In addition to the abundance of free internet resources available to you, you can also learn website builder platforms like Shopify to create marketable skills that clients are actively seeking.

Although it’s not difficult to learn how to create niche websites, marketing them may require more effort. Consider using websites like UpWork, Indeed, or Fiverr to get your first few customers. Don’t forget to gather client testimonials as you get things going so that it will be simpler to promote your services to new customers.

Why start a niche website business? 

  • There is very little to no startup costs to get started in a service industry that’s in-demand.
  • You can cut the time you spend creating niche websites in half once you create reusable website templates for yourself. 
  • Building niche websites can be an engaging business venture if you have an eye for design. 

28. Start a membership community 

Can you say monthly recurring payments? A membership business idea can help you with exactly that. Ideas for membership businesses abound.

You can produce content and place it behind a paywall or build a community of members who have monthly access to your area of expertise. For inspiration, look at membership communities like Peak Freelance or Superpath.

Get crystal clear on your value proposition as you choose a membership business strategy. Delivering value can be done through written content, video content, private group coaching, PDFs, manuals, online courses, or downloadable workbooks. It’s also feasible to send each member a physical product each month, but bear in mind that this entails handling postage, additional overhead costs, and inventory management issues.

Why start a membership business? 

  • A membership is a great business model because of the recurring monthly income potential. 
  • You can leverage the build-once-sell-multiple-times model to content creation that software makes possible. 
  • There are plenty of out-of-the-box membership creation tools to get you started quickly building a hub where users can create their own profiles and consume your content. 

29. Promote sponsored posts on Instagram

Instagram accounts in all kinds of niches are making bank through sponsorships. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:

  1. Grow an Instagram page in a relevant industry that lends itself to sponsorships. Accounts like Mochi In The City and Studio DIY are great examples of this. 
  1. Make sure you cultivate an engaged audience that interacts with your content.
  1. Create a brand kit and reach out to potential brand partners to discuss a collaboration. 
  1. Set your prices, publish your sponsored content, and get paid. 
  1. Rinse and repeat. 

Why start an Instagram sponsorship business? 

  • You don’t need any money, certifications, or clients to get started.
  • Instagram sponsorships can be a sustainable business that doesn’t have to take hours of your time.
  • You can grow your Instagram profile organically, without having to invest upfront money into marketing. 

How to start an online business in 6 steps

  1. Validate your idea with research
  2. Develop your product or service
  3. Set up your business finances
  4. Find vendors and suppliers
  5. Build your business website
  6. Market your new small business

Once you’ve chosen a concept for an online business, you should research it thoroughly before putting it into action. Here are the steps to starting an online business.

1. Validate your idea with research

It might sound harsh, but it’s true: just because you think you have a great idea, that doesn’t mean there’s a market for it. 

Before devoting time and effort to beginning your business, determine whether it is practical and whether there is any interest from potential customers. You can engage a company to do the market research for you, but if money is tight, you can also do it yourself:

  • How to Evaluate Market Demand for Your Product Idea
  • How to Use Niche Marketing to Build Your Business From the Ground Up

Make your ideas more clear by creating a business strategy after performing market research. The ups and downs of beginning a new business will help you keep organised and focused if you have a business plan. You can always purchase an established company with proven ideas if you don’t want to launch a firm from beginning.

2. Develop your product or service

Your idea has been confirmed; it is now time to make it a reality. You must build it whether you’re offering a good or a service. Create packages of your service offers, find a factory to make your product, or write your book and find a self-publishing alternative to make it a reality.

If you choose to dropship, the item has already been created for you. You have the freedom to select the goods for which you have a strong passion or for which you have discovered a lucrative market. We’ve put together a guide on choosing the finest products to dropship as a service to you.

3. Set up your business finances

Many new business owners wonder, “How do I get a business bank account? ” Your local government should have the tax identification numbers and other details needed for you to open a business bank account once your company has been formally registered.

As your business expands, you could require money for projects like the launch of a new product or marketing and advertising expenditures. It is simpler for you to handle that capital and keep track of your earnings and expenses if you have company bank accounts.

Having a bank account makes it easier to prepare taxes because all of your business-related transactions will be in one location. Hiring a qualified accountant or tax expert may be an alternative if your company’s finances get more complex. 

Further reading:

  • 15 Best Small Business Accounting Software Tools for Growing Businesses
  • Basics of Small Business Accounting: 12 Steps to Get Your Company on Track
  • Crowdfunding 101: Raise Capital, Validate Your Ideas, and Start a Business
  • The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Small Business Finance

4. Find vendors and suppliers

Particularly for product-based online firms, numerous business connections may be necessary. For illustration, consider a producer, a dropshipper, or a third-party logistics manager. It’s vital to shop about and evaluate your alternatives when deciding which partnerships you want to pursue in order to ensure that you’re receiving the finest answer for your requirements.

Different connections or contractors can be needed for other online company concepts. For instance, you might want to work with a professional editor and book designer if you’re writing a book.

5. Build your business website

You need a website if you want to launch an online business. Additionally, you must have payment processing capabilities if you want to earn money online.

Photo courtesy of: Unsplash

Find a name for your company first. If you’re having trouble, you can utilise a business name generator to help. To begin developing your website, you’ll need one.

After that, pick a domain name and make sure it’s available. In certain circumstances, the cost of a domain name for one year is less than $20. From there, you can use a platform like Shopify to create your own store and begin taking payments from clients right now.

Here are a few other resources to help you get started with your ecommerce site:

  • Shopify’s domain name generator
  • Ecommerce Business Blueprint: How to Build, Launch, and Grow a Profitable Online Store
  • Ecommerce Website Designs: 27 Best Shops And Why They Work

6. Market your new small business

For a new small business owner, getting their first paying customer is a significant accomplishment. Now that your store is operational, you should start marketing your company. But it takes time and effort to attract new clients and develop compelling promos.

Photo courtesy of: Unsplash

It might be challenging to determine the best strategy to expand your online business because there are so many options available, including email marketing, Messenger marketing, smartphone marketing, etc. It’s simple to get sucked into the incorrect strategies and devote your time and resources to the incorrect endeavours.

We suggest reading How to Get Your First Sale in 30 Days: A Promoting Checklist for New Entrepreneurs if you want to make marketing your new store simpler.

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