Starting an online business is sometimes seen as a way to supplement your income, replace it entirely, or unlock the ability to be a millionaire. It’s actually pretty achievable to make a killing online if you have the right business idea, and we’re here to help you find it. Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Start a dropshipping business: Dropshipping is a business model in which ecommerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s door. Dropshipping businesses can be run entirely online, making them perfect for entrepreneurs who want to launch a business with little upfront investment.
2. Start an ecommerce store: Starting an ecommerce store is a great way to get started with online business. You can sell products that you make yourself, or source products from suppliers. Once you have a product or products to sell, you need to set up an ecommerce store and start marketing your products to customers.
3. Start a blog: A blog is a great platform for sharing your thoughts and ideas with the world. But did you know that you can also make money from your blog? By monetizing your blog with ads, affiliate links, or sponsored content, you can turn your passion into a Profit.
4. Start an online course: Do you have expertise that you want to share with the world? Starting an online course is a great way to do that. You can create video or text-based courses and sell them on sites like Udemy or Teachable.
5. Start a podcast: Podcasting is a great way to share your ideas and build an audience. And, like blogging, you can also make money from your podcast by selling ads or sponsorships.
6. Start a YouTube channel: If you’re not into podcasting, maybe you’d prefer to share your ideas with the world via video. Starting a YouTube channel is a great way to do that. You can create videos about anything you’re passionate about and then monetize your channel with ads or sponsorships.
7. Start an e-book business: E-books are a great way to share your knowledge and build an audience. You can write an e-book on just about any topic and then sell it on Amazon or other booksellers.
8. Start an app: With over two billion active Android devices, there’s a huge potential market for app developers. If you have a great idea for an app, you can develop it yourself or hire a developer to do it for you. Once the app is developed, you can sell it on the Google Play Store or other app stores.
9. Start a web development business: Do you have a passion for web development? If so, you can start your own web development business and build websites for businesses and individuals.
10. Start an SEO business: SEO is a process of optimizing websites to rank higher in search engine results. As an SEO consultant, you can help businesses improve their website ranking and get more traffic.
You can find more business ideas here. If you apply your own spin or twist to these ideas, you could become the next viral sensation – or simply gain enough customers to make a decent living.
Resources for running your online business
You’ll need to set up your business for success – here are some resources we recommend.
Web hosting: You’ll need a web host to create and launch your website or online store. We recommend using Fasthosts or Cloudways, both of which offer affordable hosting plans.
Domain name: Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. If you don’t have a domain name yet, you can get one from Fasthosts.
SSL certificate: An SSL certificate is used to encrypt data transmitted between your website and visitors’ web browsers. This is important if you’re running an online store, as it helps protect your customers’ information. You can get an SSL certificate from LetsEncrypt, and it’s easily integrated with Cloudways.
Shopping cart software: If you’re running an online store, you’ll need shopping cart software to accept payments and manage your orders. We recommend using WooCommerce, a free plugin for WordPress that gives you all the features you need to run a successful online store. Alternatively, set up an eBay store or use Shopify for a proven system.
Email marketing: Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your customers and promote your business. We recommend using MailChimp, a free email marketing service that offers powerful features and integrations.
Marketing Funnels: Marketing funnels help you turn website visitors into customers. We recommend using ClickFunnels, a powerful funnel builder that makes it easy to create high-converting marketing funnels. Check out the One Funnel Away challenge here.
Online storage/backup: Dropbox is a great way to store and share files online. You can get a free account with 2 GB of storage.
Accounting software: QuickBooks is the most popular accounting software for small businesses. You can test drive QuickBooks Online for free.
These are just a few of the resources you’ll need to get your business up and running. For more information, check out our complete guide to starting an online business.