28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
Starting a small business is a great way to generate passive income. Also, if you plan well and work hard, there is always a chance that it will be a very profitable job.
With the right tools and determination, even the smallest business can become a multi-billion-dollar empire. Of course, choosing the right small business idea is the first stepping stone to success. Discover below the 32 small business ideas that we propose.
Table of Contents
- 32 small business ideas online
- 1. Launch an eCommerce store
- 2. Start a dropshipping business
- 3. Create an affiliate marketing website
- 4. Become a blogger
- 5. Write and publish your books
- 6. Develop and sell mobile applications
- 7. Become an online advertising specialist
- 8. Launch a web development business
- 9. Start a freelance graphic design career
- 10. Offer online coaching services
- 11. Become a dating consultant
- 12. Work as a translator
- 13. Give private lessons online
- 14. Offer SEO services
- 15. Start a YouTube channel
- 16. Become a micro-influencer
- 17. Launch a video editing business
- 18. Work as a virtual assistant
- 19. Manage small business social networks
- 20. Write Grant Proposals
- 21. Resell domain names
- 22. Create a podcast
- 23. Ghostwriting
- 24. Become an online accountant
- 25. Do voiceover work
- 26. Offer freelance editing services
- 27. Work as a remote data analyst
- 28. Design and Sell Custom Fonts
32 small business ideas online
We’ve compiled a list of the most profitable small business ideas, from small investments to long-term strategies.
Launching an eCommerce store and creating an online store is one of the safest profitable business options. Digital shopping has become commonplace, leading to an increase in e-commerce sales around the world.
The best thing about an online store is that it does not entail the difficulties of a physical store. The initial expenses are low since there is no rent to pay.
All you need is inventory and an online store platform to get started. Within the wide variety of options to choose from, WooCommerce is one of the most popular, since it is used with the favourite CMS par excellence, WordPress.
A great alternative for small business beginners is to use website builders. Its comprehensive platform includes everything from hosting and domain names to eCommerce solutions for new businesses.
How profitable the business will be will depend on several factors, such as the type of products and services offered and the size of the target market.
If you want to make money quickly, try to sell products that have low production costs and high-profit margins. Some popular examples are jewellery, video games, and phone accessories. Digital products are also a good option since there is no need to store them.
To succeed as an eCommerce business owner, you must be proficient in many different areas. You may have to dabble in product design, customer service, digital marketing, and many other roles. Although it may seem challenging, it can also be rewarding for those willing to learn on the job.
- Start a dropshipping business.
Do you want to sell online without having to manufacture your products? Dropshipping can be one of the best small business ideas for you.
This eCommerce business model requires you to work with wholesale suppliers. After establishing a partnership, you can request that your items carry your brand, known as white labelling.
When someone orders, you will notify the suppliers to send the product to the customer.
In short, you only have to worry about getting customers while the supplier takes care of production, inventory and shipping. That’s why dropshipping requires minimal startup costs, ranging from $ 150 to $ 350.
If you want to start a dropshipping business, you must join wholesale supplier sites like Spocket or AliDropship. They will provide you with the products to feature on your website.
There are also options like Printify, an on-demand dropshipping service for t-shirts, jackets, and mugs. You can create custom designs and the company will take care of printing and shipping.
When deciding what types of items to sell, be sure to focus on a niche. This will help you establish your brand and make you stand out from the competition.
For inspiration, check out Notebook Therapy. This dropshipping store specifically offers lovely stationery products.
- Create an affiliate marketing website.
Affiliate marketing is one of the best small business ideas for beginners on a budget.
You promote someone else’s product or service and, depending on company policy, receive a commission each time someone clicks on a link or purchases the product.
Affiliate marketing is one of the main ways to earn money for those who are dedicated to creating content. But starting a small business from scratch with affiliate marketing is possible.
Many people do this by creating a review site with links to recommended products, such as This is Why I’m Broke.
The key to being successful in affiliate marketing is choosing a niche you know about, as this will help you establish authority. It would help if you created a loyal audience that trusts your opinion and buys the recommended products.
To get started, join an affiliate program like ours, Hostinger Affiliates, or Amazon.com Associates. There are also marketplaces like ClickBank, where you will find various products to promote.
The amount you earn will depend on the product, the commission size and your website’s traffic. According to Affise, once you build an audience, you can earn anywhere from $ 300 to $ 10,000 daily.
- Become a blogger
If you enjoy writing and sharing your passions, blogging can be one of the best small business ideas to start. You can work from home, create content, and earn money.
Many personalities, like Molly Yeh, began their careers by blogging. Today, she owns two cookbooks and hosts a show on the Food Network called Girl Meets Farm.
Having high website traffic is crucial to creating a bankable blog. Many businesses see this as great conversion potential, making them more likely to partner with you.
With 100,000 page views per month, you can earn between $1,000 and $10,000.
To ensure this, choose a blog idea you are familiar with and have a large audience. This will help you build a large readership early on.
Then make sure you blog consistently to keep your visitors interested. Learn about SEO and content marketing to increase your website’s visibility in search engines.
Once you have a sizable audience, you can earn money through ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Some bloggers also guest post on business blogs, make products and create online courses.
- Write and publish your books.
Gone are the days when you had to submit a manuscript to become an author. Self-publishing platforms are now at your fingertips so that you can start a writing career anytime.
Your main task will be to turn a story into a book. Any genre will do, but to create a bestseller, choosing something popular with self-published book readers will help you. Some examples are romance, mystery, fantasy, and science fiction.
After finishing the book, list it for sale through sites like Amazon KDP or Barnes and Noble Press. Both programs have a huge user base and marketing tools to help you reach the right readers.
Amazon reported that thousands of self-published writers get more than $50,000 in sales.
You may earn little initially, especially if you’re a new author. Therefore, it is essential to check what policies these platforms have on payment to know how much money you can earn.
Another option is to sell the book on your website for an additional source of income. Doing so will give you more control over monetization. Also, you can create a landing page like Let’s Go to NYC to promote your book through online ads.
- Develop and sell mobile applications.
If you have an idea to solve people’s problems, consider turning it into a mobile app.
Aim for something innovative, like NeuralCam Live. This camera app can hide the background and adjust video settings during calls.
Building an app requires development experience. If you are a complete beginner, platforms like Udemy or Codecademy offer many mobile app courses. Even if learning takes more time and money, you can create a more complex app this way.
Or, use software like AppyPie. It already has everything ready for you, so you don’t need any technical knowledge to start developing your mobile application. However, having user interface knowledge and experience can ensure the app is easy to navigate.
You can then make the app available for sale or download it for free.
With the latter option, it is possible to earn money by providing ad space and offering in-app purchases. In this way, you can reach as many people as possible while offering them the option to purchase.
- Become an online advertising specialist.
As digital signage is commonplace, many small business owners need an expert. You can take this opportunity to start a freelance career as an online ad specialist, also known as a PPC specialist.
This small business idea is perfect for those with experience in online marketing. If you don’t have it, there are plenty of online resources to get you started, like Google’s Digital Garage.
The job is to help people achieve their advertising goals on various platforms, such as Google, Facebook or Pinterest. You will create strategies based on your business and products so that the ads reach the right audience.
Therefore, you have to offer more than just PPC auction skills. You have to know project management, data analysis, the KPI system and more.
When you’re ready to launch your career, join platforms like Hubstaff Talent or Upwork to find clients. Consider creating a web page with your resume and putting it on Google paid search to demonstrate your experience.
There are several ways to charge for advertising services. The most common method is to charge for the percentage of the ad spend, between 10% and 20%. In this way, they will pay you regardless of the result of the campaign.
- Launch a web development business.
Web development is another high-demand service. Now that most businesses are going digital, having an amazing website that stands out has become the norm rather than a recommendation.
If you want to start a small programming business, mastering the major coding languages ​​used for website programming is essential. These include HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and more. If you’re a beginner, look up sites like BitDegree to get started.
Also, being familiar with mobile development and UX design can make your website more attractive to potential customers. With mobile users accounting for more than half of Internet traffic, a responsive website is now a must.
To get started, create an attractive portfolio and showcase your best projects. You can build websites from scratch or adapt existing ones.
- Start a freelance graphic design career.
If you have a knack for graphic design, it’s a good idea to turn your talent into a full-time small business.
You’ll create visual elements for your clients’ projects, such as logos, mockups, social media content, etc. Some graphic designers also sell prints and items.
Using the right tools is critical to your success. At the very least, you need a powerful enough computer, a graphics tablet, and a digital pen. Spending thousands of dollars on a MacBook Pro is not the most cost-effective way to start. There are many Windows machines at a much lower price; the only thing missing is the Retina display.
Remember to familiarize yourself with popular programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
In addition, having good communication skills is crucial to turn your client’s vision into reality.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for graphic designers is becoming more competitive.
With this in mind, creating a visually appealing portfolio is key to differentiating yourself. See how designer Alex Coven does it on his website.
- Offer online coaching services.
Life coaching is an affordable small business idea to start. You only need a website, Internet access, and a passion for helping people.
The task of a life coach is to help people achieve their personal and professional goals. Therefore, experience in counselling or social work can give you an advantage.
It’s also a good idea to get a license through programs like iPEC. Certification can justify your prices and services, giving you more reputation in the eyes of potential customers.
Being an online business, you will not be limited by location to look for clients. You can build a website to attract visitors worldwide and offer coaching through one-on-one calls or video programs.
Remember to promote your services through digital ads and social media. As Christine Chen does, you can create a blog or podcast to drive more traffic and share your expertise.
- Become a dating consultant.
Dating consulting is one of the best small business ideas for those who love to help people find a partner.
You will work on helping clients improve themselves so they can have a better love life. The work will mainly focus on developing interpersonal skills, building confidence and preparing for online dating.
The way you direct and sell your services depends on your preferences. If you want, you can put together an entire show on your website, like Cora Boyd. Her Magnetics Love School course includes coaching sessions, workshops, a members-only resource portal, and more.
You can also follow their steps to attract new customers. In addition to using social media, she enjoys guest posting on dating topics on the Tinder blog Swipe Life.
Just like life coaching, you need some counselling skills and training. Acquiring a coaching certification can also boost your credibility.
- Work as a translator
For multilingual speakers and writers, offering translation services is a great business idea. Using your skills, you can translate different types of content, including subtitles, text for the web, books, and more.
Need more professional experience? Sign up for online translation classes and do your test projects. Once you are confident, start this job as a side business. Platforms like ProZ and Translated are very popular among freelance translators.
When you’re ready to dedicate yourself fully to it, consider choosing a specialization to narrow your focus. It will make your task easier since you will be working with a niche that you are familiar with. Also, it can establish you as an expert in the field, which can increase your income.
How much you charge for a project depends on its complexity, length, language mix, etc. The fee may be justified if you get certified by an official translation association such as the ATA.
- Give private lessons online.
Online tutoring is an easy business to start at home and can be done part-time.
Tutors often help students from elementary to college in their chosen subjects, such as math or history. In this case, having a degree is unnecessary, but some relevant teaching experience is necessary.
Other tutors offer language or entrance exam preparation services. For this, it is essential to have an accredited certification that demonstrates your competence.
If you want to get started, join sites like Chegg or Skooli. Both platforms already have their user base, so finding students will be faster. You can teach through texts, video calls, live whiteboards, and more.
Or, create a website to teach your classes. This way, you’ll have more control over your schedules and monetization. In addition, you will be able to be more creative with the teaching methods.
- Offer SEO services
Every website owner knows that the first page results of Google are the most valuable. Unfortunately, only a few companies know how to apply SEO to their sites, and they barely touch the potential of search engine optimization.
Start working as an SEO expert to analyze websites, identify ranking issues, and create a plan to increase organic traffic and SERP rankings.
Usually, a specialist should have a thorough knowledge of on-page, off-page and technical SEO. Therefore, the skill set can range from HTML to keyword mapping and backlink building.
With this in mind, consider taking courses to increase your knowledge before starting a business. Keeping up with the changing trends and using the right SEO tools will also go a long way.
Prices for freelance SEO specialists vary by region and experience. According to Ahrefs, the median rate is about $68 per hour.
- Start a YouTube channel.
Do you have a magnetic personality? Turn it into money with YouTube. This video giant has allowed many to launch profitable businesses just by being on camera.
To start a YouTube channel, choose a niche that fits your interests. If you want a home business with your channel, genres like cooking, gaming, and tech reviews are great options.
The niche should also have a large audience so you can build your fan base quickly. Once you’ve reached 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of viewing, you’ll be eligible to join the YouTube Partner Program.
From there, you will be able to earn money through AdSense. You will also find it easier to partner with businesses, as they prefer channels with an influential audience. Other ways to earn money are merchandising and crowdfunding through Patreon.
To ensure a pleasant viewing experience, invest in good video equipment. Professional editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro will also increase your chances, as the bar is very high.
A good start for your business to become a full-time job would have more than 50,000 daily visits. Influencer Marketing Hub says you can earn $3,500 a month just from those views. Anything above that can make your life comfortable enough to look into other side business ideas.
What you need to know about document management
- Become a micro-influencer
If you have between a thousand and a hundred thousand followers on social media, one of the best small business ideas is to become a micro-influencer.
As an influencer, you will work with companies to promote their products or services to your audience. They can send you articles to review or propose a collaborative campaign. You can also join affiliate networks to find products to promote.
Brands like to work with micro-influencers because they have a higher audience engagement than macro or mega content creators. In other words, they are more likely to influence the purchasing decisions of their followers.
To start with, you need to have an attractive personal brand. Your profile must show your personality, interests, and close relationship with the audience.
Posts need to show relevance to your niche and some follower engagement. Adapt your profile to make it more attractive to companies.
Once you’ve partnered with a brand, it’s essential to embed their product naturally. The power of an influencer is his ability to relate and trust. Looking like you’re selling can cause your followers to quit quickly.
- Launch a video editing business.
Becoming a YouTuber is one of many viable career options for those who like to make videos. You can offer your video editing services if you prefer to do behind-the-scenes work.
Many new businesses need videos for promotions and advertisements.
Look at Lief Ramsaran . In addition to being a filmmaker, he works with YouTuber WithWendy to produce and edit his videos.
Since the main tools are a computer and video editing software, you can turn this into a home business. You may also need external storage to save your raw footage and Photoshop to make interesting graphics or thumbnails.
In addition, an editor must know about storytelling so that the raw sequences make sense and have a good flow. Video storytelling should be easy to follow and grab your audience’s attention from start to finish.
Create a video portfolio of all your past projects to advertise your business. Then, present your services on creative job portals like If You Could or Creativepool.
- Work as a virtual assistant
If you have impeccable time management and organization skills, this could be the best business idea on this list.
As a virtual assistant, you will provide administrative support to entrepreneurs and online businesses remotely. Tasks typically include answering emails, scheduling appointments, making personal purchases, etc.
However, you can also perform special tasks like managing a website, social media accounts, customer relations, etc. Some virtual assistants like Sandee specialize in design services.
Since the job description can vary, it is essential to be able to learn and adapt quickly.
To find virtual assistant work, websites like People Per Hour have many jobs available. You can also make a personal resume site to impress future clients and introduce yourself through online ads.
- Manage small business social networks.
Many small businesses work in small teams and need to hire freelancers to handle certain tasks – including social media marketing.
This is where you come in as a social media manager. You will create content strategies to promote your products, drive traffic and convert visitors into customers.
To do your job properly, it is important to have good communication skills. You have to be able to understand the marketing objectives of the client and use the voice of your brand. Managing customer inquiries through social networks can also be part of your daily tasks.
In addition, it is necessary to know writing and photo editing. These are essential for creating visually compelling posts to spark conversation and drive sales. Use tools like Hemingway Editor and Canva to help you.
Last but not least, you need to know the analytics of social networks. The data collected on social networks is very useful for developing a business plan. Consider using third-party tools like SproutSocial to get a more detailed perspective.
To find clients, create your profile on social networks and show what you can do. Having a portfolio website of your previous campaigns can also boost your reputation. You can offer marketing courses and resources as your business grows, like Natasha from Sol Studio.
- Write Grant Proposals
Consider starting a grant writing business if you enjoy researching and writing documents.
Your day-to-day will revolve around creating grant proposals for nonprofits and startups. They will use these documents to secure funding from donors such as large corporations and government agencies.
A good grant proposal works similarly to a business plan. It should reflect the company’s vision and mission and show why obtaining funding is important.
As a grant writer, you need to communicate these elements in a way that wins donors’ hearts. In addition to writing skills, I get in the habit of making graphs and charts to support customer arguments.
Since you will be working with different organizations, having a broad knowledge base is good. In this way, you will not limit the types of clients and jobs you can accept.
For those who need experience, online grant writing classes are available on Udemy and Coursera. You can also join the Grant Professionals’ Association for further education and networking with others.
- Resell domain names
This practice consists of buying and reselling domain names at a much higher price. It is one of the best small business ideas if you want to start a low-cost online business with almost unlimited profit potential.
Domain resellers often target names that contain business potential and commonly used keywords.
For example, Hotels.com sold for $11 million at the time. The buyer acquired it to create an online accommodation reservation site, as the name implies.
However, these short names take more work to come by. This is why many resellers now buy domains with a local keyword, such as bostonusedcars.com.
You must also be aware of new terms in the media. They may catch on, and some people may do business with them.
To find and buy cheap names, use a. There are also auction sites like JustDropped.com to find out-of-print names. You can create a landing page for the domain and then put it up for sale in the same marketplace.
The initial amount of money you need will depend on the available domains. You can start with as little as $10, but it would be wise to spend a couple of hundred dollars to buy multiple names. Doing this will expand your chances of making a sale.
28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
- Create a podcast
Podcasts have become a very popular form of entertainment around the world. Due to the growing number of listeners and monetization opportunities, more people are doing podcasts as part-time businesses.
You don’t need to have the technical knowledge to become a podcaster. You’re on the right track if you have excellent interpersonal skills and an engaging voice.
Since the podcast market is becoming saturated, try to create a unique show. Try to choose a niche with less competition or develop a concept that has yet to be done before.
Also, invest in premium audio equipment and editing software to ensure a crystal-clear listening experience.
Host your podcasts on your website to make them public. Then distribute them on Spotify, Apple and Google.
Most podcasters generate income through affiliate marketing, live-streaming events, and crowdfunding platforms like Patreon. Once you have a large audience, consider joining ad networks like AdvertiseCast.
28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
- Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting is a great business idea for people who like writing but want to avoid developing their ideas.
You will create content using another person’s name and develop their idea into a complete article. Most ghostwriters usually do book writing, but some also do short-form material, such as blog posts.
In many cases, you will be interviewing someone and researching the topic. In this way, you will be able to capture their voice and their story in writing. If this sounds like a tall order to you, follow this online ghostwriting course by Roz Morris to prepare yourself.
To market your services, it is essential to have an excellent online portfolio of your previous projects.
Please send it to potential clients and plug it into writing job boards like Reedsy. On average, ghostwriters on the platform can earn about 0.35 cents per word. However, the figure depends on the length and quality of the project.
28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
- Become an online accountant.
If you’re good with numbers, offering your bookkeeping services remotely may be one of your best small business ideas.
Today, many business owners need help managing their finances. As an accountant, you will be responsible for your financial statements, incoming and outgoing payments, tax collection, etc.
Since these documents are sensitive, you must convey confidence and professionalism to potential clients. Take a certification exam in your area or join an accounting association to increase your credibility.
Furthermore, problem-solving is also crucial in case your client has budgetary or tax problems.
In addition to a computer and a spreadsheet app, accounting software like FreshBooks will help. It can simplify your work pace, making your performance more efficient.
For freelance accounting jobs, a platform like Upwork can help you.
- Do voiceover work
Do you have a unique voice? Gather your talents to do commercial audio work. You can offer voiceover services for advertising, audiobooks, television programs, etc.
Just like an actor, you have to be able to adapt your voice to different roles. The greater the variety, the more jobs you can apply for. Take voice acting and dialect training classes to improve your repertoire.
Also, you have to get home recording equipment to do your work.
Once you are ready, make an online portfolio. Features a demo reel to show the type of voices you can do. Consider taking some free jobs to gain experience.
To find a job, Voices.com has thousands of opportunities for voice actors. Freelance portals like Fiverr are also a good place to start.
28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
- Offer freelance editing services.
Those with long careers as writers and editors might want to start a business as freelance editors. This way, you will have more control when choosing the projects, rates and deadlines you can work with.
There are several types of editing services that you can offer. You can do specialized editing and focus on the general outline of a text. The main task at this stage is to examine your overall structure and style.
There is also proofreading, which consists of correcting the most technical elements, such as grammar and style. It is about going deeper and choosing the most convenient based on the original vision of each work you are working on.
You can specialize in genres in which you have experience.
To promote your services, collect your best works and present them in your online portfolio. You can also offer before and after samples of the edit, as Kirsten Janene-Nelson does on her website.
- Work as a remote data analyst
Within profitable businesses, there is a high demand for data analysts. As companies become more data-driven, many people turn to data professionals to run the numbers and make more informed decisions.
However, becoming a data analyst has a steep learning curve. First, you need to learn a data processing language like Python or SQL. Familiarity with data visualization tools like Tableau is essential to completing your work.
On top of that, good communication skills are important to translate data into viable business ideas for your clients.
If you have yet to gain prior experience, Datacamp has many data science classes to take.
Start by taking a couple of projects to build your resume online. Get inspired by this website from data analyst Claudia Ten Hoope.
When you’re ready, start looking for jobs on remote job portals. After increasing the number of clients, you can join Toptal, an exclusive freelance job portal for digital professionals.
- Design and Sell Custom Fonts
If you like lettering or typography, consider selling fonts as a side business. This can generate passive income and open up more job opportunities in graphic design.
To get started, you need a creative tablet and a digital pen. You can create custom fonts using Adobe Illustrator or a font-creation app like RoboFont.
To make your font packs more valuable, create multiple styles and weights using the same font. Try also to include decorative icons to add additional features.
Also, show how users can use the font in their projects. In this way, they will be able to visualize the usefulness and benefits of your fonts. Some ways to do this are by creating logos, product mockups, or social media post templates.
You can sell the fonts on sites like Fontspring and Creative Market.
Another option is to create a landing page to sell your font, like Odibee Sans. This allows you more space and control to present the typeface from the best angles.
The price of a fountain depends on where and how often the client will use it. In general, license rules for personal or commercial use may apply.
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28 best small business ideas to start in 2023
