Are you tired of commuting to work and answering to a boss? Previously, entrepreneurship included the need for commercial real estate, employees, and start-up costs, but starting a business from home has never been more accessible.
If you’re ready to leap into entrepreneurship, we’ve got you covered with home business ideas that capitalize on your expertise.
30 Home Business Ideas for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Whether you want a side hustle while your kid naps or a path to early retirement, these ideas will show you how doable it is to earn an income from home.
Virtual Assistant or Administrative Support
With the increase in fully remote work, becoming a virtual assistant is a viable home business idea. As a VA, you provide administrative support to busy professionals or entrepreneurs remotely. Responsibilities may include managing emails, scheduling appointments, data entry, and social media management.
Some virtual assistants charge an hourly rate, and others offer monthly packages based on the services provided.
Creating a Niche Blog or Website
While not an immediately profitable home business idea, creating a website on a specific niche or hobby you’re passionate about (aka blogging) can be a fun and lucrative internet business in the long run. Content sites–like this one you’re reading right now–earn money through showing advertising and including affiliate links. You earn money when readers see the ads or purchase through your links.
For success as a niche site owner, you’ll need a commitment to growing an audience through your writing and publisher skills.
Online Tutoring or Coaching Services
You can start an online business as a tutor if you have expertise in a particular subject or skill. For example, you can provide academic tutoring, language lessons, music lessons, or business coaching. Try gaining online tutoring experience on third-party platforms such as Outschool while you grow your clientele.
Online tutors and coaches often charge hourly or offer package deals for a longer commitment.
Publish Books on Amazon KDP
Being an independent publisher on Amazon KDP means having the opportunity to share your creative work with readers all around the world on your own terms. With Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you can independently publish your books in digital and print formats without needing a traditional publishing house. This gives you complete control over your content, pricing, and royalties.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of writing novels or illustrating coloring books, on Amazon KDP, you put your ideas into the world, build your author brand, and potentially earn a solid passive income.
Graphic Design or Web Development Services
Help with businesses with branding, logo design, website design, illustration, and other visual assets is frequently required by both businesses and individuals. Offer your creative eye and technical skills by providing graphic design or web development services.
Try using gig sites like Fiver and Upwork to find clients as you build your portfolio.
Social Media Management
Put all those hours scrolling TikTok and Instagram to use by offering social media management services. This home business requires a savvy understanding of social media platforms and marketing techniques and the ability to handle the accounts of multiple clients.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Creating content and repurposing your client’s creative assets.
- Scheduling posts.
- Engaging with followers.
- Analyzing data.
- Providing insights for improvement.
Many social media managers work on a monthly retainer.
Handmade Crafts or Etsy Shop Owner
Consider opening an Etsy shop if you have a specific creative skill and enjoy making the same items multiple times. Sell jewelry, clothes, home décor, or personalized products.
Don’t like to churn out handmade goods but still want to put your skills to use? You can also use Etsy to sell digital products such as crochet and knitting patterns, printables, or templates.
While there is no cost to opening an Etsy shop, Etsy takes a small commission from each sale and charges a listing fee.
Freelance Writing or Content Creation
As a freelance writer, you provide material for websites, blogs, eBooks, social media platforms, and enterprises.
With the rise of AI writing tools like ChatGPT, there’s an increased demand for editors skilled at improving and humanizing AI-generated content. Creating a portfolio demonstrating your expertise in this area can help set you apart from other content writers.
Freelance writers usually charge per word, per project, or hourly.
Online Dropshipping Store
Start an online dropshipping business where you collaborate with suppliers to deliver orders to your consumers. The main benefit of a dropshipping business is you can sell products directly to your customers without managing inventory or shipping.
Begin by creating an online store using a platform like Shopify. Then, use social media or digital marketing to advertise your products.
Earn money by selling products at a retail price higher than the wholesale price you pay.
Personal Fitness Trainer or Virtual Workout Instructor
Turn your passion for health and fitness into a profitable home business as a personal fitness trainer. Offer one-on-one training sessions in person or virtually through video chats.
Charge clients an hourly rate or offer package deals for multiple sessions.
Virtual Event-Planner
In the past, being an event coordinator meant spending a lot of time away from home. With the increase in virtual events, though, there’s a need for help planning online meetings, webinars, workshops, and social gatherings.
Services you can offer with a virtual event planning business include:
- Handling registrations.
- Dealing with technological issues.
- Organizing speakers or presenters.
- Ensuring the event runs smoothly.
Charge clients a flat fee or a percentage of the total event cost.
Home Baking or Catering Services
Do you enjoy baking and cooking? You may love launching a home baking or catering business. Offer custom cakes and specialized baked foods or offer catering for small gatherings. Busy families will also pay for healthy homecooked meal delivery by a personal chef.
Consider spreading the word about your home-based business via neighborhood Facebook groups and sites like NextDoor.com.
Professional Organizing and Decluttering Services
Help people organize their homes and create more functional spaces with professional organizing services. Provide storage solutions, organizing guidance, and done-for-you decluttering.
Once the project is complete, offer coaching for maintaining the newly-tidied space. Charge by the hour or in package deals, depending on the project size.
Digital Marketing Consulting for Small Businesses
Help small businesses improve their online presence and attract their target market with your SEO, social media, email, or content marketing expertise.
Charge an hourly rate or offer tailored packages based on the specific needs of each business.
Online Language Teaching or Translation Services
Leverage your fluency in multiple languages by offering online language teaching or translation services. Conduct language lessons through video calls or create comprehensive online courses.
Another aspect of your business model could be providing translation services for documents, websites, and other written materials.
Earn money by charging an hourly rate for language lessons or providing quotes for translation projects.
E-Commerce Store Specializing in Niche Products
Launch an e-commerce store focusing on niche products. To be successful with this home business idea, you’ll need to identify a unique market or niche that is not readily available in mainstream stores.
Curate a selection of distinctive products and set up your store using a platform like Shopify. Use social media, content marketing, and paid advertising to spread the word about your products.
Photography Business or Stock Photo Selling
If you have skills and experience behind a camera, offer photography services for events such as weddings, portraits, or product photography. Consider offering free photoshoots to build up your portfolio.
Alternatively, monetize your photos by selling them as stock images on popular platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.
Price your services based on the specific type of service or license agreements for stock photos.
Virtual Bookkeeping or Accounting Services
Do you have a background in finance or accounting? Consider starting a virtual bookkeeping or accounting business. Assist small businesses remotely with their financial records, transactions, and tax preparation needs.
Charge clients based on an hourly rate or offer monthly packages depending on the level of service required.
Selling Pre-Loved Items
Start investing in sustainable fashion. Buy second-hand clothing, shoes, and accessories at thrift stores, consignment shops, or online platforms, and resell them for a profit. Curate a collection of pre-loved items with a specific theme and sell them through platforms like Poshmark, Depop, or your online store.
Success in this business requires an eye for trends and knowing the market value and appeal of the items you find.
Online Travel Agency or Trip Planning Services
Combine your love for travel and itinerary planning by starting an online travel agency or offering trip-planning services. By researching vacation spots, locating the best offers on airfare and lodging, and developing thorough itineraries, you can assist individuals and families in planning getaways.
Charge service fees or receive commissions from travel reservations to earn an income from home.
Virtual Interior Design and Home Staging
If you have a discerning eye for decor, you can provide interior design services for clients seeking expert design guidance. You will likely work from home and at your clients’ homes to offer consultations, create mood boards, select furniture, and help clients visualize their dream spaces.
Additionally, you can partner with realtors to offer virtual home staging services. This remote business involves digitally enhancing photos of empty houses to make them more appealing to potential buyers.
Virtual Freelance Photography Editing
A virtual photography editing service is a great business idea if you have outstanding editing skills.
If you don’t want to spend much time away from home on photoshoots, you can partner with photographers who want to outsource post-processing work. You’ll want to develop an efficient editing process to deliver projects quickly and professionally.
Remote IT Support and Troubleshooting
Leverage your technical skills and knowledge in computer systems, networks, and software to start an IT support business. Remotely assist clients with network setup, software installation, network troubleshooting, and general tech support.
To be successful in this home business, you’ll need to be good at translating technical jargon into simple-to-understand language.
Home-Based Childcare or Baby Sitting
Starting a home-based daycare business offers a fulfilling opportunity to contribute to the well-being of young children and earn an independent living.
When setting up your rates, factor in the cost of supplies and food to ensure you’re operating at a profit. Check local regulations for necessary licenses and certifications.
Social Media Influencer or Content Creator
While you may not be a Kardashian, earning a living as a social media influencer or content creator can be a viable home business. Think about ways to create value for an audience by teaching them something, being entertaining, or helping them solve a specific problem.
To succeed, you’ll need to look for ways to differentiate yourself to stand out from other aspiring influencers in your niche.
Online Transcription or Data Entry Services
Utilize your accurate typing abilities and attention to detail to provide online transcription or data entry services. Assist businesses with transcribing audio recordings and entering data into databases or spreadsheets.
You’ll want to become an expert in the AI tools that aid in these processes so you can operate efficiently and deliver projects quickly. Charge a fee based on the complexity and volume of each assignment.
Online Course Creator or Instructor
You can create an online course or become a specialized instructor if you have experience and expertise in a hobby or professional skill.
If, like most people, you don’t have an existing audience, begin teaching on platforms like Udemy or Teachable to reach a wider audience.
Generate income through course sales, one-time purchases, or subscription-based access like a membership site.
Podcast Production and Editing Services
Profit from the podcasting craze by providing production and editing services. Assist podcasters in refining their episodes, booking guests, and preparing for interviews.
Again, this business idea can utilize a growing array of AI tools, so you’ll want to stay up-to-date on industry trends.
Virtual Resume Writing and Career Coaching Services
Support job seekers in crafting impressive resumes and navigating their next career move. Offer virtual resume writing and career coaching services, guiding clients on resume writing, interview preparation, job search strategies, and overall career development.
You’ll be most successful in this type of business if you have experience with recruiting, hiring, or HR. You must love helping people and have a knack for delivering constructive feedback.
Remote Website Testing and Evaluation for Usability
Help business enhance their websites and provide remote website testing and evaluation services for their websites’ usability and user experience.
Charge by the project or the hour for your services. Test websites or applications, point out areas that need development and provide thorough comments.
Starting a Business From Home
These are merely a few starter home business ideas. The best venture for you will consider your goals, existing skills, and how quickly you need to get up and running and begin turning a profit. Look at online business ideas for more ways to earn money from home.
Whatever idea you choose, working for yourself can become a reality with commitment and effort!