15 Best Small Business Ideas for Beginners in 2024

You’re tired of your 9-to-5 job. You want to be your own boss. You have big dreams and you’re ready to make them happen.

But what type of business should you start? And how do you get started?

Or maybe you’re saying to yourself, “I want to start a business but have no ideas.”

Many people (including me) feel the same way when they first start out.

But don’t worry, you’re not alone.

To help you get started, I’ve put together a list of the 15 best small business ideas for beginners in 2024.

From adorable pet businesses to print-on-demand, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s dive in!

1. Start a Blog

You don’t need to be a tech guru or have years of experience to start a blog. This 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.

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 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.

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.

With Shopify, you can create a professional online store without knowing how to code.

They 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.

In fact, some of the most popular YouTube channels are run by everyday people.

If you’re looking for small business ideas, starting a YouTube channel is a great option.

Once you’ve set up your YouTube channel, you can film 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.

But 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 this YouTube for Beginners course on Skillshare.

This course is taught by experienced creators and covers everything from creating scripts to shooting and editing your first video.

It’s a great way 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 presence.

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.

5. Create an Online Course

Whether you’re an expert in a certain field or simply passionate about a hobby, and if you have the knowledge, you can package it into a course and sell it online.

However, there are some basic steps that you’ll need to take regardless of which platform you use.

You’ll need to determine what topic or topics you want to cover in your course. Once you’ve decided on a subject, you’ll need to develop a lesson plan and decide how you want to deliver the 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 course creation platform for delivering it.

Teachable is a well-known platform for creating 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 eCommerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory themselves.

When a store owner 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 entrepreneurs with limited resources.

There are plenty of opportunities for success with dropshipping, but it’s important to do your research and choose the right niche before getting started.

To get started take this free Droppinshing 101 course on Shopify.

7. Freelance Graphic Designer

As a freelance graphic designer, you will be responsible for creating designs for clients that meet their specific needs.

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.

So 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 and create a gig today.

8. Instagram Influencer

If you have a knack for taking pictures and an interesting life, 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, 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. Start a Pet Business

If you love spending time with animals and have always wanted to start your own business, then a pet business may be perfect for you!

From dog walking and sitting to pet grooming and pet products, there are plenty of small business ideas within the pet industry to choose from.

According to a recent study, 70% of households in the United States own at least one pet.

This might be good news for pet lovers looking to start a business.

To get started, think about what type of pet business you’d like to start.

Once you have a good understanding of the market, create a business plan and start marketing your new pet business.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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 make your mark on the world, one of these businesses could be the perfect fit for you.

Moreover, if you have a great business idea that solves a real problem, it may be an opportunity to start your own business.

With a little hard work and dedication, you can be the one to create the solution.

Keep in mind that a successful business needs a unique selling proposition to be able to solve the problem better than anyone else.

Who knows, your unique business idea could be the next big thing.

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!