4. Graphic Design

Graphic design will forever be one of the best businesses to start because there are so many businesses out there in need of graphic design services but they either can’t or won’t hire a graphic designer on staff. If you’ve got the design chops and have always dreamed of going out on your own, go for it.

Graphic design consistently ranks among the best businesses to start. There’s no time like the present to start making your dreams a reality.

5. Digital Marketing

The demand for digital marketing has continued to grow along with the increases in ecommerce, content marketing, and social media. The industry is expected to experience double-digit compound growth rates through 2020, and you can hit the ground running without incurring a bunch of startup costs.

If you’re starting a digital marketing business, you may want to consider specializing. As the market expands, it’s also becoming more crowded. You’ll be better served by choosing one thing to do really well—Facebook ads, social media campaigns, SEO-based content marketing—rather than trying to tackle it all to mixed results. This is especially true if you’re starting your business as a side hustle or one-person shop.

6. Cleaning Service

Cleaning services experienced a massive spike in demand as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and it’s expected to continue for a while. That’s in addition to the attributes that consistently make cleaning services a good business idea. Cleaning services tend to generate repeat customers, reducing customer acquisition costs. There is steady demand—the windows will always need to be cleaned. And on top of all that, they’re profitable.

7. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based approach where clients will pay rewards, commissions, and/or fees in exchange for referrals or purchases. Affiliate marketing has proliferated in the digital age. It’s how Instagram influencers make their money, and even news organizations are getting in on the action (it’s the reason you see statements like “We may receive a commission if you purchase something from one of our links.”)

There’s no sign that affiliate marketing is going away or slowing down anytime soon, and the opportunities in the market continue to grow. There are a few ways to carve out a niche in affiliate marketing, but they all share one common denominator: you’ll need to build an audience first. Whether you choose YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or your own website as your primary medium, you’ll need to build an audience to really break the bank with affiliate marketing.

Not sure how to do that? Take the free course to learn how to go from 0 to 500k+ followers in 6 months or less.

8. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a subset of ecommerce where a business owner sells goods online without actually keeping goods in stock. As soon as a consumer places an order through your retailer, it’s automatically sent to the dropshipping supplier. They process the order and manage the shipment to the customer, and your business keeps a fee from the purchase.

The lack of inventory makes dropshipping one of the easiest ecommerce businesses to start. Plus, the dropshipping market is estimated to experience a 28.8% compound annual growth rate through 2025, making it an ideal time to make your move into this online business.

9. Online Bookkeeping

Online bookkeeping, the practice of managing finance for individuals and businesses, will forever be one of the best businesses to start. Why? It’s a truth universally acknowledged that most people don’t want to manage their own financials or taxes. Online bookkeeping generates steady business with repeat clients without limiting you to a geographic area—you can from anywhere and service clients in a broader area.

10. Transcription Service

Transcription can be done anywhere, giving you ultimate control of where and when you work. There aren’t really startup costs associated with it, and there is consistent demand from journalists and corporate clients. If you can type quickly and have great attention to detail, you might want to consider starting a transcription business. Bonus: transcription is an introvert-friendly business idea.

11. Lawn Care Service

Lawn care is another industry segment that benefitted from the home-industry boom during the pandemic. A lawn business is ideal to start because it’s customizable, stable, and reliable. There will always be demand for lawn care services, and if you approach it now, you can capitalize on the first-time homebuyers who purchased during the pandemic and now find themselves in possession of a yard they either don’t want to care for themselves or don’t know how to.

12. Real Estate Business

The housing market experienced a boom in 2020 during the pandemic, but does that mean a crash is imminent? Not according to expert forecasts. Many expect a dip as business returns to pre-pandemic normal, but most predict that there will be continued demand for real estate. You might consider starting a business as a real estate agent, helping homebuyers and commercial clients navigate the real estate purchase (and sales) process.

13. App Development

Smartphones have created an entirely new market for apps. If you know how to code—or if you’re good with tech and a quick study—you might want to consider working in app development. There are 2 ways to approach this. First, you can develop your own app. Second, you can work with an agency model, providing app development services for other companies.

14. Translation

If you speak more than one language, you might want to consider entering the translation business. While translation services saw a contraction in 2020, they’re expected to rebound this year. There are a variety of ways to offer translation services like translating websites, marketing collateral, and even working with an individual to translate business dealings through email and in meetings.

15. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant specializes in providing administrative tasks from a remote location, including scheduling meetings, making phone calls, arranging travel, and managing email. Virtual assistant work can be a flexible home business that’s accessible to a wide range of skills and experience. It’s ideal for anyone who is looking for full-time or part-time work. You can find virtual assistant work through an agency, you can start your own sole proprietorship, or you can work as a consultant. It’s up to you!

Have a great business idea that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments!

And if you’re ready to finally start your own business, join us for our free side hustle training. You could be up and running by this time next month.