39

You don’t need a heavy budget to kickstart a successful business. That’s right! There are many ways to make money online without milking your pockets dry. Like every good business, online businesses need time and proper planning to reach greater heights. If you’re unsure how to get started, you’re in the right place.

Here are the top online business ideas without investment that you can try out.

1. Online tutoring

Online tutoring can include teaching any skills such as creative writing, musical instruments or yoga. If you were ever interested in offering online tutoring, here is an easy way to get started.

First, make note of your tutoring prerequisites. As a tutor you must:

i) Have a skill that you are confident in understanding and teaching.

ii) Academic qualifications such as a degree in the same field or past experience.

iii) A properly functioning laptop or smartphone with a good camera.

iv) A stable internet connection.

You can add in more facilities to your online tutoring business in the future but these are the basics you need to get started.

Now for the steps to launch your work from home internet business:

1. Sign up to any online platform such as Tutor.com, Tutorme or others to put your business on the map.

2. You can also use platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to showcase your business and courses.

3. Make study plans, work out a schedule and decide your rates.

4. Try to reach a larger audience using organic methods such as word of mouth and online posting using hashtags.

5. You can film some introductory videos for your course content and skills and post them on social media for more exposure.

Online tutors teaching advanced courses such as SAT and ACT prep can earn around $30-$70 per hour. You can earn by tutoring on skills such as cooking, playing an instrument, academic subjects, content writing and more. The world is your oyster so take your chances and explore the world of online tutoring.

2. Content creation

Online content creation is one of the low risk business examples that is currently very popular. It doesn’t cost you anything to start making video content or to start writing for different blogging sites.

Here are the simple steps to start making content online:

i) Make note of all your interests and skills and decide what format of content you want to create.

ii) Select a platform such as TikTok, YouTube or Twitch for video content or any blogging website for written content.

iii) Start making content and upload regularly.

iv) Perform market research in your area and note what your competitors are doing.

v) Tag related brands and accounts in your content for sponsorship chances.

People making online content earn through ads on their contents and sponsorships by already established businesses, as well as selling merchandise related to their content. Entrepreneurs and young content creators earn large sums by investing creativity and time into their work. But you need to be patient and keep uploading regularly for real results.  

3. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistant is one of the businesses that started online. This position has gained quite a lot of traction in recent years as it is remote, well paying and professional. It’s quite easy to get started as a virtual assistant and you only need to invest your time and hone your skills.

Here’s how to get started on your virtual assistant business:

i) Narrow down the skills you have and which services you want to offer.

ii) Decide on hourly rate and service packages.i.e. $20/hr for 10 hours a month.

iii) Find your target audience and expand. It’s best to start off with platforms like Freelancer, Truelancer, LinkedIn and others. Use your socials to post about your skills and rates as well.

iv) Actively apply and find clients, focusing on small business owners who are looking for extra hands.

v) Recruit more members through outsourcing and expand your services so you can work longer hours and handle more clients.

Common services that VAs offer include: email management, calendar management, social media management, webinar set up, billing/invoices, responding to comments, affiliate services, public relations, transcription, translation, audio services and more.

4. Graphic design

Launching a graphics design business or services requires a properly functioning pc and a stable internet connection. If you have a high-end PC or a gaming laptop with a strong graphics card, graphic design can be your passion.

Kickstart your graphic design business following these steps:

i) Install the necessary softwares such as Photoshop, Vimeo, Canva and other editing platforms.

ii) Research online tutorials on YouTube and online lessons to get started on the basics.

iii) Make samples representing your skills and ideas and post them on sites like Behance and Dribble to find clients.

iv) Decide on your work packages and rates. 

v) Use platforms like UpWork, Fiverr, LinkedIn and Truelancer to apply for projects and send in proposals.

Graphic designers in the US can make anywhere from $2000 to $15,000 per month working on different projects.

5. Freelance work

The term ‘freelance’ has widely become a buzzword as more people shift to this work style. Offering freelance services allows you to have a more flexible work schedule and find clients of different kinds.

It’s easy to kick off a freelance service business:

i) Select your area of interest or niche of services you can provide.

ii) Decide your service rates and packages.

iii) Advertise your services on freelance platforms and freelance groups on social media.

iv) Expand your target audience by reaching out to small business owners and offering customized service packages.

Popular freelance services include blog writing, proofreading, editing, poster design, website development, data entry and more.

6. Print on-demand business

You must have seen small businesses on social media selling custom made shirts, mugs, notebooks, posters and more. These printing businesses can be launched using pre orders.

Most on-demand print businesses follow this structure:

i) Decide what items you will sell in your online business.

ii) Select different patterns and prints and add your logo to make it unique.

iii) Make a deal with a print provider and decide on bulk supply rates.

iv) Promote your business on social media and small business platforms to find your audience.

v) Start printing after you receive pre orders for at least 100-120 pieces.

An on-demand printing business needs some funding after the initial phase and won’t make much profit right from the start. But stay patient and conduct market research to keep your business running.

7. Dropshipping

A dropshipping business means delivering products to customers from the suppliers. If you invest into a dropshipping business, it can grow in scale and make large profits. But can you start dropshipping with no money? Yes, you can use free websites and services to kick off your dropshipping business without a heavy investment.

i) Conduct some research and select your niche to decide what products you want to sell.

ii) Set up an online store using free trials on services like Shopify and others.

iii) Use platforms like AliExpress to find suppliers who let you sign up for free and put their products on your page.

iv) Use social media platforms with hashtags and keywords to drive organic traffic to your website.

v) Handle calls and orders from customers and start shipping.

A dropshipping business isn’t a quick way to get rich. You have to be patient and insistent on keeping your business running.

8. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to earn without spending money. You can use any social media or platform to start affiliate marketing.

Here are the basic steps to kickstart an affiliate business:

i) Select your niche and find products you want to advertise.

ii) Join affiliate networks and contact merchants. The Amazon affiliate program is a common choice.

iii) Select platforms where you want to advertise such as YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest and blogging websites.

iv) Make content and post them with the affiliate link included.

v) You get a commission every time someone clicks on or makes a purchase on your affiliate link depending on the type of associate you have.

Affiliate marketing takes time to expand and make profit. It’s better to have multiple platforms to advertise your affiliate links.

9. Consulting business

Online consulting has a big market with thousands of growing businesses. Many people start on a small scale and then expand to consulting companies.

How to start an online consulting business:

i) Research and find the area or field you want to serve in.

ii) Gather expertise in your interest area and get certifications if possible.

iii) Use free trials on services like Wix or Shopify to create a website to launch your business.

iv) Use social media, LinkedIn and other websites to build a professional consulting network.

v) Find clients through the network and online groups.

There are different kinds of consulting businesses you can start such as IT and business management, financial consultancy, academic consultancy and more.

10. Event planning

You can start an online event planning business by setting up a website and finding the target audience. If you have some extra hands on deck, you can start off with a small group of 4-5 people.

Initial steps for starting an online event planning business:

i) Decide which type of events you want to plan. Starting with small scale events such as birthday parties and meetings is encouraged for beginners.

ii) Grow your network by sharing your service details with friends and family.

iii) Start by planning local events within pre pre-determined budget and build up your portfolio.

iv) List your business name into free work platforms like Upwork, Fiverr and Truelancer.

v) Use social media to advertise your business and reach a larger audience.

11. On demand handcraft service

If you have a creative and crafty side, you can turn it into an online income source. Handcrafted trinkets are quite popular as home decor and people love handmade gifts.

It’s time to turn your creative hobby into passion and start a handicraft business:

i) Decide what sort of craft you’re trying to monetize. Common examples are colored clay showpieces, knitwear, handmade jewelry and more.

ii) Decide your selling prices and product delivery rates.

iii) Set up a free online page using services like Shopify, Etsy or Amazon and post clear pictures of your products with the decided price tag.

iv) Use social media to promote your business and reach larger audiences.

v) Take pre orders before buying the supplies you need for your craft projects.

An online handicrafts business can be started with any material you have and you can use money from the pre orders to create more products.

12. Online catering service

If you have cooking or baking skills, start an online catering business to earn from home. The initial items can be made using ingredients you already have at home after receiving orders.

Here’s how to start a catering service business at home:

i) Make a page on Facebook, Twitter and other social media with the name of your business.

ii) List the items you can make with the fixed price and minimum order amount.

iii) Spread the word about your business and reach out to friends and family for initial orders.

iv) Encourage your customers to leave reviews and promote your business.

v) Make sure to maintain a tight budget while making the orders so you don’t overspend.

Conclusion

These fun online business ideas without investment will jumpstart your work from home earning career. Starting any business without an investment is considered risky. But online businesses can be started without heavy funding. You need to invest into the business later to expand it and get a larger customer base.

Online businesses such as craft work and catering are considered low risk business examples and are easy to organize and maintain. Always make the proper use of social media to expand the reach of your business as much as possible. Setting up an online business with little to no investment takes strategy, time and consistency. So be persistent and patient to keep growing your business.