75 Best Small Business Ideas in 2024 (Online or Offline)
Starting your own small business may seem complicated, but there are so many business ideas (online and offline) to choose from that allow you to launch your business as a side hustle with very little investment and allow you to scale and eventually turn it into a full time business.
You may have a small business idea in mind already but want to explore other opportunities before you take that first step. In this article, you will find dozens of small business ideas you can start from your home and scale as your client list grows. Let’s take a look.
What Are the Best Small Business Ideas?
Here is a compilation of the best small b business ideas to get you started.
Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are no doubt in high demand everywhere. Large companies to solo entrepreneurs who wear many hats know that they can’t do everything themselves and do it well. Computer, communication and time management skills are important as a VA, which can be developed over time.
Proofreader
Similar to a virtual assistant, proofreaders play a vital role in making sure a companies marketing collaterals are in top shape. You can get started as a proofreader on Upwork and then branch out to include direct client relationships.
Online Office Manager
Every office needs a management system, but not every business can afford a full-time Office Manager employee and many times companies and businesses will contract this work out.
Professional Organizer
Have you ever seen the show “Hoarders?” If you have, you’ll understand the vital role a professional organizer plays in helping people get over their fear of letting things go and getting their home and life in order. This takes very little investment to get started.
Transcriptionist
Even with AI, many companies continue to favor a human transcriptionist. Skills that would be helpful to get started would be good listening skills, fast typing, knowledge of computer programs such as Google Docs or Microsoft word, and proofreading.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a very popular side hustle and full-time home-based business these days. It would make sense to take a course to learn the ins and outs.
Sell products on Ebay
Selling products on Ebay is one of the easiest ways to sell items to people all over the world. Items can be used or brand new. The best way to get started would be to create an Ebay account if you don’t already have one and explore the site. When you’re ready to sell something, you upload a picture and add a description and price.
Childcare Provider
Starting a childcare business can be a very rewarding career. It plays such a crucial role, as moms and dads put trust in their childcare providers to take the utmost care of their most prized possessions for long periods of time and for most days of the week. With many households requiring a two-person income, it’s no wonder the demand for trustworthy, dependable, and caring child care providers will never go away. The startup costs are very low and all you need to start is to open your home and do some planning. You would want to check with your state for any requirements.
Paint & Sip Art Instructor
The paint and sip industry in the US is now worth more than $100 million. You can either purchase a paint and sip franchise or start one of your own. Just remember, if you start your own, you will need a liquor license.
Kids Party planner
Children’s party planning is a great small business to consider and is a scalable business idea that requires little experience, as long as you have some creativity and motivation. Kids are so easy to entertain and there are so many varieties of activities to consider.
Couponing teacher
If you’re great at saving money using coupons, there’s your first step. You already know how to do it. Why not share your knowledge by holding coupon classes for profit?
Financial coach
A financial coach is someone who helps people improve their relationship with money to meet their financial goals. You don’t need any formal training, but you need to educate yourself, find a niche and look for opportunities.
T-shirt printing
With the popularity of printed tees, building a branded T-shirt printing business targeted to specific audiences is a great way to start an online home-based business with little to no start-up costs.
Courier
Courier services can be a profitable sideline, especially if you’re located in an area surrounded by offices. By picking your speciality or niche, you can really target your customers. You’d only need a vehicle and insurance, which you probably already have, to get started.
Home care for seniors
The home health care industry was one of the fastest growing industries last year. You can start your own service-based business with little to no supplies. There are also franchise opportunities for this business idea like Home Helpers.
Translator
Opening your own translator service business is pretty simple. You just need a computer, email address and some kind of web page (your own website, a Facebook business page, etc.)
Pet Sitter
Doggy day care is on this list, but it’s a little different from a pet sitter. A pet sitter can pet sit at the pet owners home or their own home to earn some side-hustle cash. The pet owner usually provides everything needed (food, etc.) and there are little to no startup costs.
Music teacher
If you’re a musician or know how to play an instrument, read music or sing, there’s never been an easier or better time to share your skills with the world. Gone are the days that you have to meet in person for music lessons, making lessons so convenient for customers. I am a great example of a customer and have purchased piano lessons, bass lessons and voice lessons within the last few years, and still continue to this day. There are so many online lesson platforms to choose from with low startup cost.
Graphic designer
Many businesses rely heavily on graphic designers to help them build their brand by designing logos, marketing materials, websites, landing pages and choosing consistent company colors and fonts. There are many graphic design courses online, and you can get started with just a computer and some graphic design software like Adobe Indesign. Not only can you start your own business and offer your services, you could also contract with companies through Upwork.
Become a tasker on Taskrabbit
Furniture assembly, TV mounting, help moving, help hanging holiday lights, yard work and hanging pictures are just a few of the services you can provide as a tasker on Taskrabbit. Over 700,000 people are currently using TaskRabbit to get their tasks completed.
Auto detailer
Owning an auto detailing business could be a very lucrative venture. Just imagine the number of cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs and more that are potential customers.
Home inspector
A home inspection business does have some initial time and money investments, but can be very lucrative after it gets off the ground. You would need to complete a course and check with your state for licensing requirements.
Travel agent
You don’t need an employment history to become a travel agent, and believe it or not, with all the new travel sites like Expedia, folks still want to work with a real person to help in planning their vacations or special trips.
Esthetician/skin care specialist
Skin care is a huge industry and people really care about taking care of their skin. Becoming an esthetician requires some schooling and licensing, and is something you could even offer out of your home.
Hair stylist
Owning your own hair salon is another very scalable business, and one that could even be operated out of your home. Formal training state certification is needed, so you should check with your state.
Vending machine owner
The startup costs of a vending machine business, is the machines themselves and then the cost of goods sold to stock the machines. You would want to check with your state for any requirements.
Doggy Day Care
A doggy day care is a very feasible business to run from the comfort of your own home, especially for dog lovers. Of course, you would want to contact your local city government to make sure you're in compliance with any zoning requirements.
Painter
Painting is a great way to make money and could be a very scalable business with low startup costs. You could also offer extra services, such as wall paper hanging or faux painting techniques such as brick, shiplap or tissue paper. It would require some tools, which you could incorporate into your service pricing.
Body piercing artist
There would be some basic requirements to meet to become a body piercing artist, but once you have those under your belt, the sky’s the limit. You would need to complete an apprenticeship program and pass health and safety training, but this is another example of a studio you can open on your own and scale.
Admin & Customer Support
In today’s world, many companies cut costs by outsourcing their administrative and customer service tasks to other businesses, and many perform their jobs from home. This type of venture could allow you to grow your skillset, making a difference in a customer’s life and help the company grow as well.
Web Designer
Although you can become a web designer without formal education, you could take a college course to increase your skill level. You can even start out by designing your own website that will help develop your skills, and then start offering the service to other businesses.
Real estate salesperson
Although most states require a pre-licensure course, there are several courses online for under $100. Then all you need to do is take your state licensing exam to become licensed and find a sponsoring brokerage.
Ecommerce
Selling items on marketplaces, such as Etsy, Ebay and Shopify is an extremely feasible option to start your own online business. Researching trends to see what’s selling and finding inventory sources are just a few of the initial projects needed to get started.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the most profitable, low-cost and passive income opportunities. There is no inventory to hold, no advertising necessary and you can get started with a web site. That’s it.
Health Coach
There is a popular misconception that you need formal education to become a health coach, but anyone with personal health knowledge and a passion can become a health coach.
Copywriter
Copywriting is a skill that you can offer as a full-time gig or side hustle or it can be one of the menu items in a virtual assistant business. You can even get started on platforms like Fivver or Upwork.
Blogger
Blogging is an excellent way to make a passive income, and all you need to get started is a website or you can find blogging platforms to get you started.
Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping is a skill that you can offer as a full-time gig or side hustle or it can be one of the menu items in a virtual assistant business. You can even get started on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
Resume Service
Resume writing is a service that you can offer as a full-time gig or side hustle or it can be one of the menu items in a virtual assistant business. You can even get started on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
Catering
A home-based catering business can absolutely be much lower startup than a restaurant and can allow you to create your own hours and food menu.
DJ
If you’ve got the talent and equipment, DJ’ing is not only fun, but it can be very lucrative once you build your clientele and you can branch out to clubs, birthday parties, weddings, family reunions and holiday events.
Auctioneer
Being an auctioneer can be a super fun job. Not only can you auction off personal or household items, you could expand into the real estate market. You would need to check with your state to find out their regulations and licensing requirements, and would be a good idea to look into professional organizations like the NAA (National Auctioneers Association).
Photo restoration
If you have a knack for restoring damaged or old photos, this could be an excellent service to provide online or offline. If you already have a computer, the only other startup costs would be the software, and there are many options out there on the internet or you can check out The 4 Best Software to Restore Old Photos.
Become an Instagram influencer
A social media influencer is someone who has established credibility with a large audience in a certain industry and can persuade them. Many of these influencers started out just like you and me and earned a following. Many brands look for and pay influencers to create content to push their products or service.
Learn SEO & become a SEO manager
The first steps to becoming a SEO manager is to learn the fundamentals of SEO and SEO tools. A great way to increase your knowledge and skills in this area would be to optimize your own website and create a portfolio to show your SEO work.
Learn Facebook Marketing and become an ads manager
Becoming a Facebook Ads manager is one of the best side hustles you can start and can be very lucrative with earnings of up to $10,000 per month. To get started, it’s recommended that you create a Facebook business page and start to acquire Facebook ads knowledge. There are also several training courses and tutorials on the internet to help you.
Photographer
Becoming a freelance photographer doesn’t take the best and most expensive gear to get started. Instead, focus on taking great photos and getting your business off the ground.
Print On Demand
Starting a print on demand (POD) business is as simple as researching the best selling products with a Google search and picking a niche. Since third-party dropshippers do most of the work, it saves time, production and shipping, which makes it lower cost and ideal for beginners
Publish your own book
With the help of today’s technology, gone are the days where you have to work with a publisher in order to publish a book. There are now ways to write, edit, publish and sell your own book. So if you have a story that needs to come out, why not give it a try?
Flipping furniture
Flipping furniture is the process of refinishing, painting or bringing back to life old, dull, or outdated furniture, and it’s a great way to earn money. You will need to invest in some tools like paints, pails and brushes.
Clothing line
Believe it or not, you can start a clothing business from the comfort of your home with no upfront costs. Starting with an inventory is not necessary. An easy way to get started is to begin by selling custom printed t-shirts and then expand from there.
Home video conversion
VHS home videos are a thing of the past, and with time, the videos can deteriorate or become damaged permanently. All you need is a computer, VCR and a nifty little $15 piece of hardware to get you started and on your way to offer home video conversion services.
Handmade jewelry
Starting a handmade jewelry business is a great way to make extra money on the side, that can be grown into a full-time business, and there are plenty of marketplaces like Etsy or Jane to get your online business off the ground.
Create a digital course
The elearning industry is estimated to reach a value of $325 billion by 2025. If you have knowledge, skills and have built up your expertise, why not share it with the world?
Medical transcriptionist
Typically one would need a High School diploma and to complete a certified program. Skills needed are fast typing speed, listening skills and knowledge of medical terminology.
Fitness instructor
Many fitness instructors have a college degree, however, some complete a program with a fitness association and then take an exam. Being a fitness instructor requires some people skills to motivate and communicate with their clients.
Handyman
A good handyman can be hard to find (and keep) and if you hone in on your best skills and offer customized services, you could build a customer base for the long term. You would want to check with your state to find out any requirements.
Seamstress
The last time I went to a seamstress to have my daughter’s bridesmaid dress altered, I was blown away with how much work was coming her way and the lack of competition in our area. It immediately made me think what an amazing business this would be for someone with sewing skills. To get started, you just need a sewing machine and a dream!
Public speaker
You can utilize your background and skills to become a speaker and become known for your expertise. Many organizations hire public speakers for meetings, conferences, workshops and webinars.
House Cleaning service
House cleaning would be a great choice if you’re looking for a low startup cost business. No formal training is required and there is such a high demand for quality house cleaners. You also would have the option to expand into other industries and offer cleaning services to businesses.
Makeup artist
Vacation host (AirBNB)
Becoming a vacation home host is a rewarding and fun way to connect with new people and earn extra money (why not make that extra space work for you)? There are a few platforms to list your vacation home and help you start renting out that extra space!
Tattoo artist
Becoming a tattoo artist does require some planning such as completing a tattoo course and apprenticeship program, but it can be a very rewarding and lucrative career choice, and you can open up your own studio and scale your business.
Sell thrift items on ecommerce platforms
If you’ve seen folks like the Thrifter Sifter, you know the potential of thrifting and going to garage sales and then reselling the items on a marketplace platform can be a lucrative business. You would need some space to store your inventory and a packaging area, but it would take very little to get started, and you can keep your costs low upfront and test the market to see what sells.
Become a Youtuber
Becoming a Youtuber means you’re sharing content with your audience. There are tons of step-by-step guides on the internet explaining how to get started, such as choosing a niche, brainstorming content ideas and making sure you have the right equipment. With the right content, becoming a Youtuber can be a very lucrative business.
Food truck
Owning a food truck can be a very rewarding and successful business, and they seem to be in demand, as they’re all over the place. There would be some one-time costs involved such as the truck, register, supplies, advertising and food.
Massage therapist
Massage therapists (especially good ones) are in high demand and is a career you can start quickly. Massage therapy training would be needed to become a massage therapist, along with passing a state exam (for most states) to become licensed.
Dog Walker
Sometimes folks just need their dogs walked during the day (instead of full blown pet sitting or doggy daycare. This is a really affordable business startup idea, and you can even get started on TaskRabbit.
Consulting Business
Whatever it is that you’re doing for a living now - you have knowledge and experience. Why not take that knowledge and experience and help other businesses or companies (or individuals) achieve their goals by starting a consulting business? There are many service offerings, depending on your skills, like social media management.
Wedding Planner
Wedding planning is a big business (nearly $60B wedding services in the US alone), and brides everywhere need organizational help. If you love planning and organizing, this may be a great opportunity.
Tax preparer
The income tax world is ever-changing, so it’s no surprise that the need for tax preparers will always exist. This would be a great opportunity for someone who has some prior knowledge and who loves working with numbers.
Mobile bartender
Mobile bars and mobile bartending is becoming more and more popular. From weddings to sporting venues to conference halls, they are part of the entertainment scene. You can either provide your services at the customer’s chosen venue or choose to invest in your own mobile unit.
Life coach
Last year, the life coaching industry was expected to bring in up to $1 billion in revenue, and there are 18k+ life coaching businesses in the US alone, which makes this a viable successful business idea. In today’s world, people are trying to juggle so much that a life coach can help them focus on what is truly important in life and business and get clear on their goals. Initial start up costs would be minimal with a computer and website.
Career coach
Career coaches help people build their skills to improve their job opportunities. In this era of the great resignation, many are unsure of their career. Not to mention there is a skills shortage. A career coach also helps write a cover letter, perfect a resume and practice interviewing.
Landscaper/lawn care service
This business is a good one to jump into. Even if you don’t have any money to invest, just start. Once you’ve won your first client and asked for a 50% deposit, you can use that deposit to purchase some equipment to get you started. Then just do excellent work and before you know it you'll have more funds to reinvest into your business.
Get Yourself Started
The above list of small business ideas are a great way to get you started on your way to earn extra income with low startup costs.
I recommend you go over this list of business ideas to start more than once and start a pros and cons list. The best small business ideas are ones that you can start on the side with a lower start up cost that you can eventually grow and scale.
Be sure to check back here for more resources, as I’ll be adding more business ideas (and even ones you can start without a degree) to start on the list.
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.
