What type of online business is the most profitable?

This is a question many people often ask.

The answer is that the most profitable online business is one that combines something you enjoy and know well with a business that offers a good return on investment, whether that investment is in time or money. We’re going to look at 17 profitable online business ideas you can start from home this year.

These ideas are perfect for moms, students with some extra time, or anyone looking to start a side hustle that could potentially grow into a full-time business. 

These business ideas range from influencer-type ventures to product-based businesses and everything in between.

1. Etsy Shop with a Cricut Machine

A great idea is to start an Etsy shop using a Cricut machine. 

The Cricut Joy machine, for instance, is a small, portable machine that won’t take up much space at home. You can use it to make labels, customize products, and sell them on Etsy.

You don’t need to create complex products either. Simple custom items like tumblers, cups, mugs, or personalized invitation cards can be popular.

Depending on what you plan to sell, you may need to invest some money upfront. For example, if you’re selling custom tumblers, you’ll need to buy plain ones first to customize with your Cricut. 

Over time, you’ll make back your investment and start to see a profit. It’s also a fun and relaxing project to work on while watching Netflix. 

2. Start a Blog

Another option is starting a blog from home. 

Many people think blogging is outdated or only works for those who started years ago, but that’s not true. There are new blogs popping up all the time that generate substantial income. A quick look at blogger income reports will show how much money can be made through blogs.

I’m a full-time blogger, and while it does take time to grow a blog, it can become a great way to make money. It’s not an instant moneymaker, but with patience and effort, you can build a profitable business. 

If you need help getting started, I offer a free 12-month blog plan that can guide you through the process. There are many ways to make money through a blog, including some passive income options, which makes it a great online business to start.

If you’re ready to begin, I recommend using Bluehost for hosting, and you can follow my free guide to learn how to start and grow your blog into a source of income.

3. Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel is another excellent online business idea. Like blogging, it takes time to grow and monetize, but it can become very profitable.

I run a YouTube channel focused on blogging tips, which isn’t monetized yet. However, I also have another channel with 14,000 subscribers that does generate income. I’ve worked on brand deals, and while my channel is smaller compared to the huge ones out there, it’s still profitable. 

YouTube can be a fantastic business to start if you’re willing to put in the time and effort.

4. Become a Translator

If you’re bilingual, becoming a freelance translator could be a good fit. 

I speak Romanian as my first language and English as my second. I used to be a full-time translator before I started blogging. You don’t need to work for a company to do this—you can freelance from home and get translation projects.

If you have a good understanding of two languages, you can start offering translation services and build a business from home.

5. Digital Products Shop

You can create and sell digital products by setting up an online shop. 

This could include workbooks, templates, planners, eBooks, or any digital items that people can use. Canva templates, for example, are popular if you enjoy graphic design. 

Setting up a digital product shop is easier than you might think and is a great passive income stream. Once the product is created, you can sell it repeatedly without doing any additional work. 

If you’re not comfortable setting up a shop on your own, you can use Etsy to sell your digital products.

6. Create Online Courses

Creating and selling online courses on topics you’re knowledgeable about is another great business idea. 

It’s one of the ways I earn money through my blog. Online courses can cover a wide range of subjects and tend to be priced higher than simpler products like eBooks. Courses can include video training, accountability, and more, which is why they are priced higher.

This is another form of passive income once the course is created and launched.

7. Influencer Marketing

You could also follow the influencer path by creating content on social media platforms like Instagram. 

While it takes time to build a genuine and engaged audience, once you do, influencer marketing can be a great way to earn money through brand deals and sponsored posts. 

If you need guidance on pitching to brands and negotiating deals, I offer resources like the Insta Glow Up Kit.

8. Content Creation for Brands

An alternative to traditional influencer marketing is creating content for brands without posting it on your platforms. 

You can create photos or videos of a brand’s product and sell them to the brand for their own marketing use. This can be a lucrative way to make money online, as many brands need user-generated content for their marketing campaigns.

9. Homemade Products

If you enjoy making things, you could sell homemade products. 

This could include items like candles, wax melts, or baked goods. The options are endless, depending on what you enjoy making and are good at.

10. Prints Shop

You could start a shop selling prints or posters. 

If you’re artistic, you can create original artwork, or you could design digital prints using a tool like Canva. These prints can be sold either as physical products or digital downloads for customers to print at home. 

11. Start a Membership Site  

Creating a membership site can be very rewarding for those involved because it offers a lot of accountability to participants. They pay a monthly fee to join, and this can be done through a website or even on platforms like Facebook Groups. I’m part of a similar business-related membership, and I find it very helpful. The main benefits for me are the accountability and the monthly video lessons provided.  

This is also a great way to earn money online because you get recurring monthly payments. This allows you to have a good idea of how much you will make next month based on the number of members.  

If you can find a topic within your niche that provides valuable information and helps your students stay accountable, a membership site could be a great option for you to start.

12. Be a Social Media Manager  

You could become a social media manager.  

Many brands, even small ones, need help managing their social media accounts. If you can post content, respond to comments or messages, schedule posts, and handle other social media tasks, this could be a great job you can do from home.

13. Offer Freelance Writing Services  

You can offer freelance writing services.  

Some full-time bloggers hire others to write content for them, and there are many publications that seek writers for project-based work. If you enjoy writing, you could write blog posts for others and get paid for it.  

If you’re skilled at writing or want to improve, freelance writing could be a profitable business for you.

14. Create Graphics for Businesses  

Another service you can offer is creating graphics for businesses or blogs.  

This could include designing logos, blog headers, or graphics for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. If you are good at designing, this could be a profitable business.

15. Offer Editing Services  

You could offer editing services, whether for photos or videos.  

Many YouTubers, for example, pay for video editing as their channels grow. While I currently edit my own videos, I might outsource it in the future.  

If you have basic editing skills, you could turn them into a profitable business.

16. Offer Coaching  

Another online business you can start is coaching, which has become more popular recently.  

There are coaches for nearly any topic. In coaching, you typically meet 1-on-1 with students, often using Zoom, to help them with something you have expertise in.  

You can create different coaching packages and meet with clients weekly or monthly, depending on the service you offer. Since coaching is personalized, you can charge more compared to online courses.

17. Become a Virtual Assistant (VA)  

You could also become a virtual assistant (VA).  

In this role, you help someone, like a blogger, with various tasks. This could include managing Pinterest, handling social media, or managing the behind-the-scenes work for a blog.  

If you have experience with these tasks, becoming a VA could be a good business opportunity for you.