14 business ideas you can start today

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business ideas
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Considering starting a business? Well, there’s no point sitting around and waiting for it to happen. Instead, try one of these 14 business ideas that you can start today. 

Freelancing

Freelancing is a great way to start earning money from home. You can work as a freelancer doing pretty much anything you’re good at, from writing articles to designing logos and even teaching English online. Freelance marketplaces where you can find freelance jobs include Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Guru. These sites connect freelancers with companies and other organizations that are looking for people to work with.

Blogging

Blogging is a business idea that anybody can take on. You don’t need an over-the-top business plan or a lot of money to get started. It just requires commitment and the ability to do some work. Once you have built up a decent following, there are plenty of ways you can monetize your blog, such as advertising, affiliate marketing, and even starting your own product.

Dropshipping

You can start a business selling products online without having to sell any inventory. There are plenty of dropshipping companies that you can use as an intermediary between yourself and your customers. With dropshipping, all you need to do is send orders from your website to the company that will buy the items from manufacturers and have them shipped directly to your customer. Check out BigCommerce for more information on how to set up your Shopify store.

E-commerce website

E-commerce is another way of selling goods online. You can even start your own site using something like Shopify or WooCommerce, which are both user-friendly and easy to use. If you don’t understand what you’re doing, you might need the help of experts in web-based application development.

Teaching/tutoring

If you’re good at one subject in particular, such as English or Maths, then why not teach others? You can start by offering your services to friends and family. If they think you’re any good at what you do, ask if they would be willing to refer you to their friends and colleagues. Once you have built up a bit of a reputation, start advertising your services online.

Consulting

If you possess knowledge or experience in a particular area, then why not use it to offer your consulting services? For example, if you’re an expert in marketing strategy, offering consultancy for small businesses could prove to be very lucrative. Check out Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour for more information on getting started as a consultant.

Mobile applications

With the rise of smartphones and tablets, there’s never been more demand for mobile apps. You can start your own app company or even hire a developer to design them for you if you don’t know how to code. If designing isn’t your strong point, then consider offering your services as

Personal assistant

If you’re good at organizing, managing, and multitasking, then why not become a personal assistant? There are plenty of people out there who need an extra pair of hands to help them through their workday. If you can handle the pressure and stay organized, starting your own personal assistant business could be a great way to make money from home.

Babysitting/petsitting

If you have an affection for children or animals, why not turn it into a money-maker? There are plenty of people out there who need childcare when they can’t be there to look after their kids or pets. Many of them will pay more than the minimum wage to ensure that their loved ones are being cared for by someone they trust.

Landscaping

Landscaping is another business idea that can be done from home. If you have a green thumb, then you could consider offering your services to friends and family before expanding your business too far. While it might sound time-consuming, running your own landscaping business will give you the chance to work outside while making an income.

Catering

If you enjoy cooking, why not use it to make money? There are plenty of people around who would love to hire you as their personal chef if you know how to whip up a tasty dish. The only downside is that this might require you to invest in some professional-grade equipment.

Repairman

If you have the right tools and skills, offering your services as a repairman could prove to be very lucrative. People often overlook the value of their belongings until they break down or stop working. If you can fix appliances like washing machines or computers, then homeowners will not hesitate to pay top dollar for your services.

Social media management

If you’re good at managing social media accounts, why not use them to make money? There are plenty of people out there who need help with their accounts. A lot of them will post jobs on freelancing sites looking for a virtual assistant – all you have to do is apply and wait for the offers to come in.

Fashion consultant

If you know your way around the fashion industry, then why not use it to make money? You can start by offering your services to family and friends. If they think you’re good at what you do, ask if they would refer you to their friends and colleagues. Once you have built up a bit of a reputation, start advertising your services online.