Are you looking for the best small business ideas? Whether you are looking for an online business that you can start and do from home, an in-person business, or something else, there are many different businesses that you can start. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 31.7 million small businesses in the world.
Are you looking for the best small business ideas?
Whether you are looking for an online business that you can start and do from home, an in-person business, or something else, there are many different businesses that you can start.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 31.7 million small businesses in the U.S. And 81% of these small businesses (25.7 million) have no employees.
If you’ve dreamed of being one of those 30 million plus people who work for themselves, then this list of small business ideas is for you!
Many of the businesses on this list are affordable to start and require minimal equipment. And you will probably be surprised that you already have what you need to start many of these top small business ideas.
I have been running my business (this blog!) for a little over 10 years now, and I am extremely grateful for it. Even though I’ve made seven figures from my blog over the years, it’s still a very small business overall.
What I love about my business is that I don’t have to commute, I get to be my own boss, I can decide how I earn a living, I am able to create a flexible schedule, and I can travel whenever I want.
There are many other small business ideas on this list that offer the same positives I have experienced from blogging.
Many small business owners I talk to will tell you about benefits!
Today, I am going to talk about the many different small business ideas that you can start this year. I hope you are able to find the perfect one for you and your liking and needs.
36 Small Business Ideas
1. Blogging
Like I said above, out of all of the small business ideas on this list, blogging is my favorite.
This can be a great online option for beginners, as you don’t need previous experience, and the majority of bloggers are brand new to blogging.
I was completely new when I started my blog, and I learned everything I know along the way through trial and error (I’ll be honest, I made a lot of mistakes!), by reading free resources, and by networking with other bloggers.
Since I started Making Sense of Cents, I have earned over $5,000,000 from my blog through affiliate marketing, sponsored partnerships, display advertising, and online courses.
Blogging allows me to travel full time, have a flexible schedule, and I earn a great income doing it.
Here’s a quick outline of what you will learn:
- Day 1: Why you should start a blog
- Day 2: How to decide what to write about (your blog niche!)
- Day 3: How to create your blog (in this lesson, you will learn how to start a blog on WordPress)
- Day 4: The different ways to make money with your blog
- Day 5: My advice for making passive income with your blog
- Day 6: How to get pageviews
- Day 7: Other blogging tips to help you see success
Other similar small business ideas online include starting a YouTube channel and creating TikToks.
2. Selling printables from home
If you’re looking for small profitable business ideas that have low startup costs, then selling printables on Etsy may be a good fit for you.
Creating printables can also be quite passive because you just need to create one digital file per product, which you can then sell an unlimited number of times. Because you only need a laptop or computer and internet connection, it can be quite affordable to start.
But what are printables?
Printables are digital products that customers can download and print at home. Some examples are bridal shower games, grocery shopping checklists, budget planners, invitations, printable quotes for wall art, and patterns.
You can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy.
You can also learn more at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
3. Litter cleanup business
If you’re a business owner, having trash and litter on your property isn’t the best way to welcome people to your business. That’s why business owners and property management companies are willing to pay to have their property cleaned up before open hours and make it more presentable to customers.
Property management companies contract with all types of service vendors to maintain their commercial properties, such as litter cleanup.
This is a small business idea you can start on your own, and you can get paid $30 to $50 an hour.
Litter cleanup is a simple service performed on-foot using unique tools that make the work almost as easy to do as going for a walk.
You will need a broom, dustpan, and grabber tools, and you can have a fairly flexible schedule with a litter cleaning business.
It’s an ideal side hustle or business for early risers, introverts or semi-retired people who enjoy the early morning work and rest of the day to do as they please.
Brian Winch offers free coaching to those who buy his book and start the business.
4. Virtual assistance
A virtual assistant is someone who works for a person, company, or business owner to do administrative and business tasks to help a business run smoothly. Think of them like in-person assistants, except they work at home and online.
Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the most popular small business ideas at home.
In fact, I used to work as a virtual assistant!
I worked for several startups and small business owners. I did not have previous experience, and I simply learned the skills as I worked. It allowed me to earn a great income, plus I was able to work from home.
This is one of several small business ideas on this list that is growing quite quickly, and more and more people are in need of virtual assistants.
Virtual assistant (VA) tasks may include:
- Social media management
- Managing a person or company’s calendar
- Formatting and editing content
- Scheduling appointments or travel
- Creating or assisting with slideshows or presentations
- Email management
- Communicating with clients or customers
And so much more.
The type of work you do depends on the needs of your employer.
Usually, you can start out as a virtual assistant earning at least $15 to $20 per hour, but sometimes you may be able to start at double or even triple that depending on the field you work in and the services that you offer.
As a full-time virtual assistant, you may be able to earn over $10,000 a month.
If you are interested in finding virtual assistant jobs, I recommend signing up for the free workshop 5 Steps To Become a Virtual Assistant. There, you will learn how to become a virtual assistant, even if you have no experience.
Are you interested in starting a small business? What is your favorite small business idea?