For many people, running an online business is a dream that offers the promise of financial security and independence. To help you begin the process of starting your own online business and gaining the flexibility and freedom that comes with it, we’ve compiled this list of the best online small business ideas. None of these online business ideas require a physical storefront and for some ideas, so you don’t even have to offer a physical product, just a service.
With the immense growth of the internet and technology in general, there’s an online business idea out there for everyone, regardless of your experience or prior work history. Starting an online business can be one of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable ways to start a business overall — especially when all you need is a laptop and internet connection.
1. Social media marketing
If you’ve got a knack for getting likes, favorites, retweets, followers, shares, comments and clicks, then you might want to consider a career in social media marketing. By consulting with companies to manage their social media profiles, spread their content across the Web, keep their brands on track and respond to customer questions, you can turn your favorite hobby into your day job.
2. SEO consulting
Maybe you’re a pro at SEO, or search engine optimization. If you’ve got loads of skill and experience in getting websites to rank highly on Google, and you understand how to turn searchers into customers, then there are plenty of companies willing to pay handsomely for your help.
3. Freelance designing
Got an eye for aesthetics? Did you go to art school, or have you always spent your free time designing posters in Photoshop or Illustrator?
If so, and if you’re interested in finding the gig on this list of online small business ideas that are right for you, then freelance designing might be a good choice. Take on clients at your own speed, build up a good reputation online and by word of mouth, and work on projects that you find interesting — freelancing has plenty of perks.
4. Freelance writing
If you’re skilled in words instead, you might become a freelance writer. So long as you’ve got an internet connection and a keyboard, you can contribute blog posts.
It helps if you’ve got a special area of interest or expertise, so your employers will know you’re qualified to comment on certain topics. However, the most important factor will always be your writing. Can you write clearly? Do you take the time and effort to really understand what you’re talking about? Are you appealing to the right readers? If you’re confident in your writing skills, then this online business idea is ideal.
5. e-Book writing
If company blog posts aren’t your style, then you might consider writing and publishing e-books instead. With Amazon and other websites around, self-publishing has never been easier than it is today. If you think you’ve got something interesting or useful to say — and you believe other people will think so, too — then writing e-books could become a lucrative business.
6. Translation
If you’re a great writer but aren’t so interested in publishing original material, we’ve still got some easy online business ideas for you. If you’re fluent in multiple languages, for example, then translating could be the ideal job. You can do it wherever you’d like, so long as you’ve got the text you’re working on and you understand the goal of the translation.
7. Editing
Editing comes in many shapes and sizes, from copyediting a company’s marketing materials to proofreading novels to indexing academic manuscripts. As long as you’ve got a sharp eye for detail, a strong grasp of grammar and a willingness to get in the weeds, then editing could be a great business idea if you’re interested in working when and how you want.
8. Writing a blog
While a blog isn’t exactly a business, it can definitely support any of these online business ideas you’re choosing from.
Freelance writer or designer? Show off your skills in each post. Interested in coding, photography and video, fitness, food or anything else? Prove your knowledge by writing great articles on those topics.