32 Business Ideas You Can Start From Home
So with everything that’s been going on in the world lately, you’ve been toying with the idea of starting your own business. If that’s the case, first of all, congrats on your decision! Now is truly an exciting time to start your own business.
For starters, can we say amen to no commute and having more control over your schedule as well as major business decisions? And second, did you know that nearly half of American employees work at home? That’s right, telecommuting is on the rise and with the recent pandemic, we’ve seen even more companies shifting to remote work.
In other words, if you’ve been dreaming about working from home and you want to be your own boss, now is the best time to pursue your dream.
But wait, Ana, isn’t starting your own business kinda expensive?
Well, yes, and no. If you want to open up a bakery or a restaurant worthy of Gordon Ramsey’s praise, then yes, you’ll need some serious capital.
But if your goal is to work from the comfort of your home, no it’s not. All you really need to worry about is the cost of the equipment that you’ll use to provide a certain service or make a certain product.
In reality, the cost depends on the type of business you’re planning on registering. For example registering an LLC is more expensive than registering a sole proprietorship.
And in some states, you don’t even have to register a sole proprietorship. This is one area where you’ll need to consult your state’s or country’s rules.
Anywho, in most cases, you’ll need to pay whatever the cost of registering the business is in your state or country.
You’ll also need a domain and website for your business’ online home so people can find you (and so you’re not at the mercy of whatever fresh algorithm social media networks decide to follow today). Plus a website makes you look legit.
Related: 7 reasons why your small business needs a website
So with all that being said, the only thing you’re probably wondering is but what business can you do from home? If that’s the case, you’re in luck my friend! I’ve got a super handy-dandy list of 32 ideas for businesses that you can start from home today (pssst! And they can be pretty profitable, too!)
So without further ado, here are 32 home-based business ideas to investigate!
1. Virtual assistant
Are you good at several things? A virtual assistant business could be the right match for you. And the best part is that you can find plenty of job opportunities for a virtual assistant. For example, you could specialize in a specific area like providing tech VA services (setting up software and taking care of the techy business tasks) or you could be a design VA, content VA, social media VA… the options are endless.
2. Graphic designer
If you have an eye for design or if you already have experience as a graphic designer, you can easily launch a graphic design business. You can specialize in logo or brand design or you can opt for designing marketing materials other businesses might need. This can include social media templates, lead magnets, newsletters, brochures, and similar.
3. Web designer
Love making websites? Why not start your own web design business?
Related post: How to find the perfect web designer for your website
4. Consultant
Have a lot of experience in a certain area? Providing consulting services is a great way to make use of your skills, help others, and make money at the same time.
5. Video editor
Are your family and friends always bugging you to edit their home videos? Maybe a video editing business is the perfect choice for you. Video marketing is getting more and more popular and many business owners are looking into adding video to their marketing repertoire.
6. Audio editor
Similarly, podcasting is on the rise as well so if you have a knack for making audio recording sound good, offering podcast editing services could be a great way to make money.
7. Drop-shipping
If you’d rather sell products than work with clients, drop-shipping is still alive and well. All you have to do is find a product that’s in demand, create your online store, and start driving traffic to your store.
8. Print-on-demand
Have a cool idea for a t-shirt? With a print-on-demand shop, you can sell your designs without having to order the items and stock them first. Simply upload your design to a website like Printful and print and ship the actual product once you’ve made a sale.
9. Translator
Know more than one language? Consider offering translation services to businesses that have an international audience.
10. Affiliate marketing
Love a certain product or service? Sign up for their affiliate program and start a blog or a Youtube channel where you provide reviews of products and services you love using and include your affiliate link, inviting people to sign up for it.
11. Selling handmade goods
If you love making jewelry, painting, crocheting, knitting or have a knack for any other type of craft, selling handmade products is a great way to combine your passion with making money.
12. Calligrapher
If you have any interest in calligraphy, you can provide personalized handwritten cards, invitations, and even handwritten logos and signage for individuals and businesses alike.
13. Content writing
If you enjoy writing, you can start a business providing content writing services for other businesses. From blog posts to social media updates and even email marketing campaigns, there are plenty of opportunities.
14. Social media manager
Are you always the first to jump on the latest social media trend? Then you might be well off to start a business as a social media manager.
15. Private tutoring
Similar to consulting, if you’re good in a particular subject, private tutoring is an interesting and rewarding way to make money while helping others.
16. Selling information products
Courses, ebooks, training, workshops… you name it. If you have knowledge, package it up and sell it.
17. Blogger
This idea ties well with a couple of others on this list. For example, as a blogger you’ll rely on affiliate marketing, sponsors, paid advertising, and your own information products to make money.
18. Youtuber
If you prefer video over writing blog posts, then starting a Youtube channel is a great alternative to blogging.
19. Twitch streamer
Love gaming and wish you could make money playing video games? Become a Twitch streamer! It’s worth mentioning that Twitch is not just for gamers. They also have a creative community where artists and crafters can stream their creative process. Donations, subscriptions, and your own merch line are just some of the ways to monetize your Twitch channel.
20. Photographer
If you take stunning photos and are obsessed with all things photography, why not take your skills and turn them into a profitable business?
21. Selling on eBay
If you have a lot of things you no longer need, you can sell them on eBay.
22. Pet sitting or dog walking
These two businesses are perfect for animal lovers. Plus, with dog walking, you’ll also be able to get your daily dose of exercise while doing something you love.
23. Event or wedding planner
Are you always the go to person when there’s a party to plan? Put your organizational skills and attention to detail to work with an event or wedding planning business.
24. Virtual fashion or home stylist
If you’ve got a great sense of style, consider offering your services to others as a fashion or home stylist. The good news is that you can offer these services online via Zoom or another type of video messaging app.
25. Personal Trainer
While you might think that you could only offer personal training services in person, it’s time to rethink that. I think last year has proven to all of us that many businesses can be done from the comfort of your home and personal trainer is no exception. Just think of the fitness instructor who started doing his exercise routine on his balcony and dozens of neighbors joined him on their balconies.
26. Personal Shopper
Let’s face it — some of us don’t have time to do our regular shopping. And some of us just dread the very idea. If you love shopping, offering your services to others could be a good way to make extra money.
27. Bookkeeping
With more people launching their online businesses, guess which services they’re going to need? Yup, bookkeeping is one of them.
28. Home or Office Organizer
Is your home always organized and you know where everything is even if someone wakes you up in the middle of the night? Then you my friend, have some awesome skills that a lot of people (me included!) could use!
29. Online Business Manager
If you have a tendency to see the bigger picture, a love of systems, and have no problems delegating to ensure everything runs smoothly, you might fall in love with the idea of working as an online business manager.
30. Landscape Designer
Is your garden the envy of your street? Or do you simply love plants? In either case, a landscape designer is a rewarding career.
31. Florist
Flower arrangements, bouquets, and wreaths, oh my! Only if you have a green thumb (unlike me, who can’t keep a plant alive to save my own life!).
32. Coaching or mentoring
Similarly to consulting, if you have a lot of experience and knowledge in a certain field, you can act as a coach to others, whether they’re individuals or other businesses.
Related post: How to choose the perfect Squarespace template for life or business coach website
Final Thoughts
There you have it! All of the ideas above can easily be started from the comfort of your home and don’t require you to get a bank loan. Now all that’s left to do is act on the idea and start working on launching your business. And if you need a little help launching your business website, be sure to grab my free website launch roadmap below 👇🏻!
