There are many people out there who started with what was just 'small business ideas' and have grown them to be multimillion-dollar companies. I'm sure you've heard of some like Starbucks, Nike, Coca Cola, and Apple to name a few.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to starting your own small business. Being an entrepreneur has its benefits, but there are also risks involved with bringing in the paycheck.
However, one smart move that entrepreneurs opt for is to start small. Small businesses offer a supportive work environment, low overhead costs, and the chance to get your feet wet in the world of commerce.
While most small businesses focus on a target niche, others try to be all things to all people simultaneously. Your choice will depend on your goals. Whether you intend to grow into an industry leader or simply want to create a stable income for yourself and your family.
Disclaimer: Note that some links and banners in this article are affiliate links, which provide us with a small commission if you complete purchases via those links. These are merely good business tools you can use together with these small business ideas. You can read the affiliate disclosure of our privacy policy in the footer.
The Best Small Business Ideas List
I’ve put together a list of small business ideas that you can start on the side or full-time. This idea bank is for anyone who wants to start or grow their business services in 2022.
1. Start a Blog
What is a blog? I’m glad you asked! A blog, in general terms, is simply a website that contains regularly updated content. Blogs are divided into personal blogs, design and development blogs, marketing blogs, etc.
In starting a blog business, one of the first things to do is pick a blog topic you're passionate about. If you want to make money blogging, you must create an engaging, exciting blog that captivates your reader. With a significant following and quality content, you can sell
advertising space on your blog and start earning real money!
It is usually very affordable to start an internet business such as a blog because the costs associated with this type of business are pretty low. It is mainly limited to how much time you're willing to devote to creating the course.
If you are ready to start your blog to get started, I recommend Blue host. To host your blog you will need a website host platform you can grow with, Blue host starts from only $2.95/monthly.
2. Create an Online Course
Online courses are growing in popularity. These days, many people like the idea of learning something new at their own pace and on their schedule - without having to leave home. Also, many people who are between jobs or looking for a change in life start an online course business.
You can start an online course business that uses pre-recorded videos of you speaking to people who want to learn a specific topic or skill. The cost of the course is practically negligible since you can create a course without even leaving your desk.
It's best to combine creating your course with blogging, especially if you have your website. Having your website will enable you to let people know about the existence of your course and also act as a fantastic distribution channel.
The biggest expense associated with an internet business is the time needed to manage it. Make sure that you invest the time and energy into creating a site and a following so that you can be successful in your endeavor.
There are so many ways you can make money online. So, if you feel that you could share your knowledge with a wider audience and you want to try to monetize it, with a course.
There are also some online platforms, including Thinkific and Teachable, to help you get started. You can register on these platforms and start coaching right now.
3. Start an Ecommerce Business
There are many different reasons why you would want to start an eCommerce website. Maybe you love the idea of having your store and being a business owner, or maybe you just want to make extra money by selling products online.
Being an e-commerce entrepreneur can be fun, exciting, and rewarding. In the last few years, new tools and technologies have made it easier than ever for anyone with an idea to create a fully functional e-commerce store. You can design a website that is optimized for conversion and has features most businesses would kill for.
For example, you can start a dropshipping business. Dropshipping is a great opportunity for new entrepreneurs. You don’t have to purchase inventory, fill orders, or go through the process of shipping products.
Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where the retailer does not keep the goods in stock but instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer, another retailer, or their supplier (drop shipper). The seller does not keep items that are listed for sale in inventory, nor store, pack or ship the goods.
Dropshipping applies to a variety of businesses and products. To start your dropshipping business you will need to look into some research on Google, Amazon, and eBay. Choose a niche that you are passionate about.
With dropshipping you may need to build a website, whether you are looking to use a readymade template or start from scratch, I recommend you could use Shopify.
Shopify is a cloud-based, e-commerce platform that allows anyone to easily sell online. Furthermore, it includes all the tools and features businesses need to create a beautiful online store and engage with customers through social media.
If you’re a physical retail business and want the easiest, most affordable solution to accept credit card payments, Blab is a great choice.
They are drag and drop, easy to use, and quick to set up. Their e-commerce features come with marketing tools you need such as email marketing.
The Blab builder platform starts with a $15 monthly plan.
Here are the steps to follow to create an online store on Blab:
- Log in to your account or sign up.
- Choose from one of our professional website templates.
- You can personalize your store with customizable themes, colors, fonts, and other design elements. Add products to your online store.
- To easily accept payments, set up a payment provider such as PayPal and then set up shipping.
- Choose a custom domain.
- Publish your e-commerce website and start selling.
Going forward you will need to drive traffic with e-commerce marketing strategies.
4. Start a Podcast
A podcast is a collection of audio or visual recordings that are distributed over the internet and are free to download and listen to at your convenience.
More than one-third (about 104 million) of Americans listen to podcasts regularly.
Podcasting can be a lucrative business if done properly. Take the biggest podcast in the world, Joe Rogan, who signed an exclusive deal with Spotify for $200 million.
Like any business, you need a business plan. Similar to a blog, you need a content strategy. With these two plans intact you can plan your episodes out and buy the podcast equipment you need.
Next, to reach your audience you need to distribute the episodes through a podcast hosting platform. Signup for a podcast hosting like Buzzsprout, Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher that stores and distributes your episodes.
5. Graphic Design Services
Graphic Design is the art of visual communication and problem-solving through the use of typography, photography, and illustration.
Whether you want to design a logo, poster, or motion graphics, as a freelancer there are free courses online that can get you started. To improve your skills you can invest in a paid course to hone your skills and stand out. Here is an idea of the courses you can start with:
- Design On-demand courses (Fiverr Learn)
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design (Coursera)
If you are experienced in the field, acquiring customers should be relatively easy.
Once you are ready to start serving clients, you can leverage graphic design software like Adobe suite cc, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and others.
I recommend you get started with Adobe Photoshop as part of Adobe Creative Cloud.
Try Adobe Photoshop
6. Copywriter
The field of professional writing is growing rapidly, and content writers are among the most-needed professionals in the business world. Freelance writers who display a talent for a compelling narrative and skill at crafting articles have an exciting opportunity to be successful in this growing profession.
Businesses need more articles and blogs, which means content creation is in-demand. Opportunities are available to freelance writers who can crank out high-quality content quickly.
Small businesses hire writers to create content for various types of media, including social media. Seasoned freelancers earn anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per week.
As an added service you can also offer editing and proofreading and use the latest grammar tools to help you deliver work to an error-free client.
Copywriting gives you the freedom to freelance and makes money from anywhere in the world.
If you are looking for a place to start looking for job opportunities try Fiverr.
7. Web Development
There is a huge market for web development services. Businesses need websites, and most companies don't have the time or money to invest in creating custom solutions from scratch. The goal of a web developer is to create an aesthetically pleasing website that's easy to navigate.
You don't need a degree in web development to build simple websites for small businesses or individuals. All you need are basic computer skills and an eye for detail. You can find clients by promoting your services on social media or in your community.
If you have website development skills or experience, you can design a website using WordPress. There are many templates from the Envato templates library to choose from. As a result, you can design a website that helps your clients grow.
If you do not have skills yet, there are plenty of online resources to help get you started.
Consider signing up for a website design class on Fiverr or Coursera.
8. Social Media Manager
Social media use has skyrocketed over the past decade, making social media management a hot career path. If you enjoy creating content for social media, you can take those skills and translate them into running a business. There are many free platforms to start with like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.
Some of the types of social media management responsibilities may include:
- Social Media strategy
- Page setup, management, and reporting
- Ad Campaign management
- A/B testing campaigns
- Integrating brand content with other email marketing and PPC strategies
To become a successful social media manager, you need experience with the platforms, some understanding of marketing, and an outgoing personality willing to engage customers on behalf of clients. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, check out this list of social media tools you can use to manage your work efficiently.
If you’re looking for jobs to gain social media experience, Fiverr offers a range of opportunities. Once you are more experienced in the field, you can grow your social management services into a digital agency.
Disclaimer: Note that some links and banners in this article are affiliate links, which provide us with a small commission if you complete purchases via those links. These are merely good business tools you can use together with these small business ideas. You can read the affiliate disclosure of our privacy policy in the footer.
9. Instagram Influencer
If you're popular on Instagram, you can make money by promoting sponsored content on your Instagram page. For every post that features sponsored content, you will be paid a certain amount of money by the company that produced that content.
Instagram influencers are in high demand from personal brands looking to advertise products and services to young consumers who spend hours each day scrolling through Instagram feeds.
10. Travel Agency
If you’re knowledgeable and passionate about travel, starting a travel agency might be a perfect business opportunity for you. As a travel agent, you can help people plan their trips. Travel agency services include booking flights and hotels, finding and reserving rental cars, as well as booking excursions, spa treatments, and more.
This is a classic example of an established business that can be run from home. You don't have to travel the world to get started in this industry, but you will need to become a specialist in one or more niches (luxury travel, corporate travel, etc.).
It also benefits your business to establish good relationships with your suppliers. Although consumers increasingly use online booking sites to arrange their vacations, there's still room for professional travel agents. You need to specialize in high-end services or specific destinations or types of trips.
11. Wedding Photographer
Weddings are a staple of the economy. They happen all year long regardless of economic conditions, so there's always room for wedding photographers.
As a wedding photographer, you can make between $200 and $600 per hour depending on the work you do. There are also wedding photographers who charge by the day and not by the hour. Some offer package deals that include a certain number of hours of photography (usually 6-8) as well as an album or other products.
You can create social media business accounts and reach out to potential clients through Facebook and Instagram. You also need to build a strong portfolio, so start by offering friends and family free photoshoots to get your name out there.
It's important to build a network so brides can find you and refer you to their friends. It can take years before you're able to develop your skills and reputation enough to stand out from the crowd.
To take it a step further, you can build a website and reach even more people on the internet. Which will develop your brand and position you are a true professional.
12. Virtual Assistant
As more users and service providers increase on the internet, corporations, businesses, and freelancers need multi-skilled personnel to help with tasks.
Do you have skills that would be useful to business owners? If so, starting an online virtual assistant business could be the right choice for you. You can find businesses in need of virtual assistants on various online job boards such as Fiverr and Flex jobs.
As a virtual assistant, you can provide administrative assistance to clients from home. Your skillset should be quite diverse. Tasks could include handling social media accounts, writing press releases, and designing newsletters, there’s no shortage of tasks you can handle for clients.
Looking at a job site like Upwork could increase your prospects and job opportunities.
Now it’s your turn!
We believe the small business ideas we have shared above, can help you earn a good income even the ones with a low startup cost. It takes more than an idea to make things happen, and thus the ball is in your court.
Above all, we recommend you start an online related business like a blog, e-commerce store, or a consulting firm, as these are less susceptible to sudden market changes, like a world pandemic.
