You want out of your 9-to-5.
Not someday. Not when things are perfect. Now.
But every time you think about starting a business, your brain hits the same wall: What business, where do I even begin, and what if I pick the wrong thing?
So you pause. Again.
That pause is costing you time. And confidence.
Most beginners are not stuck because they are lazy or scared. They are stuck because everything sounds complicated, expensive, or meant for someone smarter than them.
In this post, you will find 14 small business ideas with a low starting point, just ideas that anyone can actually start with.
By the end, you will leave with at least one idea that feels like, yeah, I could actually do this.
Let’s get into it.
1. Start a Blog
You don’t need to be a writer, a tech guru, or have years of experience to start a blog. A simple blog can be a great way to share your passion with others and build your personal brand and a following of engaged readers.
Starting a blog is relatively easy and cheap, and there are many platforms to choose from, including WordPress, Medium, and Tumblr.
If you’re thinking about starting a blog, this free step-by-step guide will show you everything you need to know about starting a blog, from choosing a niche to building up your blog to writing your first post and promoting it.
You can monetize your blog with networks like Mediavine Journey, promote affiliate products, write sponsored posts, and the list goes on and on.
However, the way early-day bloggers did blogging isn’t really working anymore, but if you focus on the Pinterest audience and choose a specific niche, like personal finance or interior design, and you are also an expert in that niche, you’re on a good path.
Curious about blogging?
Learn why you might be more ready to blog than you think.
You need to find popular topics that people actually want to read about, be helpful to what they want to solve by sharing helpful information, and, most importantly, adapt when needed.
When your writing skills expand, you can totally start offering your writing services to businesses, websites, or even fellow bloggers who crave top-notch content.
And if you’re up for it, you can even take charge of managing and updating blogs for those busy businesses who can’t keep up with their content game.
2. Start an Online Store
An online store gives you the opportunity to sell products or services to customers around the world. And, with the right platform, you can get started quickly and cheaply without having to wait weeks or months.
Shopify is a great platform for selling online because it is easy to use and has everything you need to get started.
Plus, it is an affordable option that will not break the bank, and even comes with a trial period, so yes, you can try it for free.
And the best part? With Shopify, you can build a professional online store without knowing how to code.
They also have an entirely free course library to teach you how to get started. This is great news for those who are interested in starting their own online store.
The courses cover everything from choosing a product to sell to setting up your shop to marketing your business.
3. Start a YouTube Channel
You don’t need to be a celebrity to start a successful YouTube channel. I mean, there are a lot of YouTubers on the platform who started with just their basic smartphone cameras.
And even the biggest YouTube channels are run by everyday people.
If you’re looking for small business ideas, starting a YouTube channel is a great choice.
Why?
YouTube offers different ways to make money, like AdSense revenue, brand partnerships, and sponsorships.
It doesn’t need much money up front. You can start filming with just a smartphone and some basic video editing software, so it’s easy for anyone to jump in.
Plus, YouTube videos last longer than content on other platforms.
Once you upload a video, it can keep getting views and engagement over time, if it covers topics that are always relevant.
You can simply start by filming yourself talking about a topic you’re passionate about or show off your skills with tutorials and how-tos.
Remember to create catchy YouTube thumbnails for your videos and make sure they’re engaging and informative. If you can build up a large enough following, you can even make money from your YouTube channel through advertising and sponsorships, as I mentioned earlier.
And guess what?
You can take it even further!
You could start offering services like video editing or even become a production guru for other YouTubers. Imagine helping them manage their channels and making things happen behind the scenes.
If you’re not sure how to get started but want to give it a try, check out these YouTube courses on Skillshare.
Experienced creators teach these courses and cover everything from creating scripts to shooting and editing your first video.
It’s always a great idea to learn from the pros!
4. Social Media Consultant
As a social media consultant, you would be responsible for helping businesses create and maintain a strong online visibility.
A good social media consultant will have a deep understanding of how social media works and how it can be used to achieve business goals. They will also be up-to-date on the latest changes and trends in the world of social media.
Most importantly, a social media consultant should be able to help a business owner create and implement an effective social media strategy.
This includes everything from identifying which platforms to use to creating content that engages and grows an audience, to measuring results and making adjustments along the way.
It’s not a simple business you can start now, meaning it definitely needs some experience.
5. Create an Online Course
Whether you’re an expert in a specific field or simply passionate about a hobby, if you have the right knowledge, you can package it into a course and sell it online.
However, there are some basic steps that you’ll need to take before you sell them.
First, you’ll need to think about what topic or topics you want to cover in your course.
Once you’ve decided on a topic, you’ll need to develop a lesson plan and decide how you want to deliver the course material.
Will you use videos, audio recordings, written lectures, or a combination of these
Once you have your content created, you’ll need to choose a platform for delivering it.
Teachable is a well-known platform for online courses.
Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and create a course that is both informative and visually appealing.
6. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a business model in which you can sell products without having to keep any inventory yourself.
How does it work?
When a store owner (you) receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier (this process is mostly automated), who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s door.
Dropshipping businesses can be run entirely online, making them a great option for people with an entrepreneurial mind but limited resources.
There are plenty of opportunities for success with dropshipping out there, but it’s important to do your research and choose the right niche before getting started.
To get started, I recommend watching this free dropshipping webinar on Shopify. And not to mention, Shopify is also a great place to start your dropshipping business!
7. Freelance Graphic Designer
As a freelance graphic designer, you will be responsible for creating designs for clients that meet their specific requirements.
You will need to have a strong understanding of typography, layout, and color theory in order to create designs that are both visually appealing and effective.
There are many free online courses and tutorials available for every level of graphic design, from beginner to expert.
If you’re new to graphic design, you can start by learning the basics with Canva’s free course called “Graphic Design Essentials.” This course will help you understand the fundamentals and improve your graphic design skills over time.
No matter where you’re starting from, you can find the resources you need to improve your skillset, and don’t forget to build a creative portfolio to show off your best work.
If you’re ready to start offering your freelance graphic design services, head over to one of the freelance websites like Fiverr, create a gig, and promote it to land your first client.
8. Instagram Influencer
If you have a knack for taking pictures and an interesting lifestyle, you could be an Instagram influencer.
An Instagram influencer is someone with a large following on the social media platform who can promote products or services to their audience.
To become an influencer, start by posting high-quality photos that are well-composed and visually appealing.
Post regularly to keep your followers engaged.
Also, don’t forget to interact with other users on the platform to get your name out there.
With a little effort, you can turn your passion into a lucrative career as an Instagram influencer.
9. Virtual Assistant
If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money or even start your own business, becoming a virtual assistant is a great option.
You can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help with things like scheduling, customer service, content research, organizing emails, arranging travel, or even just maintaining or updating a client’s social media channels.
Virtual assistants can earn a good income, especially if you build up a large client base. And best of all, you can work from home, setting your own hours and working as much or as little as you want.
10. Freelance Writing
Are you a stay-at-home mom looking for ways to make some extra money? Or maybe you’re a recent college graduate who’s not quite ready to commit to a full-time job?
Whatever your situation, if you’re good with words and have a way of taking complex topics and making them easy to understand, freelance writing could be the perfect gig for you.
As a freelance writer, you can work from home on your own schedule and get paid to write articles, blog posts, web copy, and more.
It’s a great way to use your skills and talents to earn some extra cash, and it’s also a great way to get your foot in the door of the publishing world.
You can get started with freelancer platforms like Fiverr or Upwork that allow you to connect with clients who need content written.
Once you gain confidence and experience, you might even consider starting your own service.
11. SEO Consultant
With Search engine optimization (SEO), businesses can increase their chances of being found by potential customers who are searching for their products or services online.
To become an SEO expert, you need to have a strong understanding of how search engines work and what factors influence organic search rankings.
You also need to be up-to-date on the latest SEO trends and strategies.
To get started, create a gig that outlines the services you offer and the price you charge. Then, start promoting your gig to businesses that could benefit from your services.
You can also start selling your services on Fiverr.
12. Sell Crafts on Etsy
Etsy is a popular online marketplace for handmade and vintage items. If you’re a crafter, Etsy can be a great way to sell your goods. With over 96 million active buyers, Etsy is a great place to start or grow a small business online.
Setting up a shop on Etsy is easy and only takes a few minutes. Once your shop is set up, you can start listing your products for sale.
You’ll also need to take good-quality photos of your products and write clear and concise descriptions in order to attract buyers.
13. Sell Print-On-Demand
Print-on-demand (POD) is a way of doing business where products are made only after an order is placed. This model enables you to sell personalized items without needing to store inventory.
This method includes partnering with a supplier who prints the requested design on the chosen item and delivers it straight to the customer.
To get started, you’ll need to find a good online printing company that offers print-on-demand services like Gelato.
They offer over 150 custom products that can be printed with your designs, such as t-shirts, posters, canvases, mugs, tote bags, and more.
Best of all, it’s free to sign up!
Once you’ve chosen a company, you can either make your own designs or just hire a talented designer from freelance platforms such as Fiverr.
Once you’ve finished creating your designs and are all set to start selling, it’s time to set up your own website to showcase and sell them.
I highly recommend using Shopify because it’s packed with everything you need to get started.
They make it super easy to build your online store, manage payments, and reach customers, even if you’re new to the whole eCommerce thing.
14. Event Planner
If you’re looking for a unique small business idea, why not become an event planner? Event planners are responsible for coordinating all aspects of events, from start to finish.
That means you’ll need to be organized, creative, and have excellent customer service skills.
You’ll also need to be able to handle last-minute changes and unexpected problems.
There are many different types of events that can be planned.
Some common events include weddings, corporate events, parties, and festivals. Each type of event requires different planning and preparation.
If you have experience and passion for planning those events, then starting an event planning business may be the perfect small business idea for you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to leave your mark on the world, one of these businesses might be just right for you, or at least give you a spark to find new, unique ways.
For example, if you have a good business idea that fixes a real problem, it may be better than these common business ideas.
Who knows, that business idea could be the next big thing.
Also, keep in mind that a successful business needs a unique selling proposition to be able to solve the problem better than anyone else.
And don’t forget, there are tons of online resources that can help you level up your skills.
So get to work and good luck!
