Running an online business is an incredibly exciting and rewarding way to earn money and it
has literally never been easier to start a business online. The internet is so widespread and
technology is so simple to use that more and more people are realizing their full earning
potential, often in addition to holding down a day job. To get started you need only a
computer, a connection to the internet and, of course, a solid business idea. Here are just 6
online businesses you can start from home, so why not get started today?
1. Use your skills to freelance
For many years if someone referred to themselves as a freelancer they were someone who did not have a regular employer but would charge high hourly rates and fees for their work, either by the hour or the project. However, in recent years, freelancing, in addition to having a day job, has become common practice. People all over the world are freelancing from home to make extra money through their skills and talents.
From web design or coding to online marketing or writing, there are plenty of skills that businesses will pay for on a freelance basis rather than hiring a full-time employee. By becoming a freelancer you can take on as much or as little work as you need/want and, as long as you meet your deadline, you can complete the work on your own schedule. Freelance jobs may be standalone projects or you could end up with regular and consistent work.
To get started as a freelancer, it’s worth knowing that there are freelance work websites out there that give you a platform to market your service and connect with businesses that are looking for what you do. You could also publish your skills and availability on social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn.
2. Create and sell products on Etsy
There’s an out of date assumption that creative artists or craftspeople stay away from modern technology, but this is no longer the case. Thanks to online marketplaces like Etsy, people can now sell their creations and crafts to customers all over the world, and it’s incredibly simple to get started.
From knitting and sewing, painting, sketching, pottery, papercrafts, welding and just about anything else you can think of if you can create high-quality and unique pieces you can sell them on Etsy. Some people have found enough success on Etsy to turn their craft into a full-time business rather than a side business. There are also plenty of starter templates and guides to get your Etsy shop set up and trading in no time.
3. Open a dropshipping store
Setting up and running an online e-commerce store can be a big commitment and can be expensive. You need to buy and store your stock, create and manage a website with product listings and images, market that website and package and ship any products which you sell. A simpler method is to start a dropshipping store which allows you to run an online store with far less work required. When running a dropshipping store you can sell products but you don’t need to keep an inventory or ship the products as a third party wholesaler takes care of this.
The customer buys an item from your website, and you then place the order with the wholesaler who packages and ships the product straight to the customer. This saves you a significant amount of time, effort, and money. There are even platforms like Oberlo with simple templates that guide you through the creation of your website so you can start selling on the web in a matter of days. They will work out just how much you need to sell your product for, in order to make a profit.
4. Start an online consultancy
If you have knowledge or expertise in a particular topic which could be of use to others, why not start an online consultancy service? By starting a consultancy, you can pass on your experience and skills to people who need support or advice. For example, lots of businesses will seek out specialist consultants for particular projects when they don’t have the required skills in their existing team. Their staff may be competent in a number of ways but are lacking specific knowledge in IT, paid search advertising, website or literature design, social media, search engine optimization (SEO) or financial management to take the business to the next level.
Often we are too modest about our skills and experience and don’t realize that what we have learned in our careers could be of genuine value to others. If you’re struggling with confidence in your own skills, take a look at this article on 10 Ways to Build Your Confidence at Work.
5. Become an Amazon Affiliate
Amazon is a giant in the world of e-commerce and most people have used the website at one point or another. What you may not know is that you can tap into this international success by becoming an Amazon Affiliate. Essentially, you create your own website that encourages visitors to click through to Amazon and make a purchase. When one of your visitors makes a purchase on Amazon you earn a commission from Amazon.
An affiliate website is usually focused on a single product type rather than selling lots of different products. This is because it is easier to rank in search engines like Bing and Google when the site is focused on a niche. It also provides a simpler shopping experience for customers when they are searching for a specific product.
Building an Amazon Affiliate website can be time-intensive in the early stages, and you will need to buy a domain and set up the appropriate links, but once it is operational it can bring you income with very little upkeep or effort. You could even duplicate the website’s structure to cover a range of products.
6. Trade website domains
Trading website domains is a lot like trading in real estate, but with lower risk and capital required. You would buy low cost website domain names and sell it on for a profit. If you are clever about it, there is plenty of money to be made, but creativity is helpful. You need to invest in a number of website domains that are low in cost but could be valuable to a business in the future and keep a lookout for the right type of buyer. The more domains you have, the more diverse your portfolio will be, and you’ll maximize your chances of making a sale. You can buy domains with a credit card from domain auction websites or domain purchase websites, and that’s where you’re likely to find helpful advice and support to enable you to get started. It may take some time to find your feet and make a profit, but once you’re started it can be a lot of fun.
Start making money from home today
It’s so easy to start an online business that, arguably, there is very little stopping you from increasing your income by starting a side business. If it’s something you want to do, you absolutely can maximize your earning potential. Here we have mentioned just a few ideas, but there are literally hundreds of ways people have managed to make money from home. Could tomorrow be the day you start your own venture?
nice information…