One positive outcome of the pandemic was the rise in opportunities to work from home. With the growing trend of remote work, more people are realizing they have the tools and ability to run a business from the comfort of their homes.
Shifting away from the traditional 9-to-5 office routine can be liberating. It allows for more time with family and eliminates the hours spent commuting. A home-based business can provide a better work-life balance. Here are some of our top home business ideas to consider this year:
1. Start an Online Service-Based Business
A service-based business is a great option to run from home. The overhead costs are low—mainly just an internet connection and the right software. You don’t need to manage a product inventory, but you will need to protect your time, as it is your most valuable resource.
Many successful home businesses are run by creative professionals. If you’re skilled at copywriting, you could write marketing content for small business owners. If you have graphic design experience, consider starting a business creating logos, websites, or design kits. Marketing experts could offer consulting services to help entrepreneurs with their strategies, or coach them on reaching their sales goals.
You can sell your services online by building a referral-based business, networking, or using platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find clients. Securing a few regular clients can help keep your business running smoothly.
2. Blogging
If you enjoy writing, blogging can be a profitable home business. Choose a topic you’re passionate about and share it with others who are interested.
While charging for subscriptions is an option, most bloggers make money through ads and affiliate marketing. Google AdSense places ads on your blog, and you earn money when people click on them. You can also promote products, earning a percentage of sales made through your links.
It takes time to build an audience, but focusing on a specific niche, improving your SEO, and engaging in digital marketing can help grow your blog’s traffic.
3. Turn Crafting into Cash
If you enjoy making handmade items—whether it’s sewing, painting, or jewelry making—there’s a large market for unique, artisan creations. You can sell your products online and run your business from home.
Platforms like Etsy provide a space to sell your items, allowing you to showcase your brand and creativity.
4. Buy an Existing Online Store
If you’re unsure about starting a business from scratch, consider buying an existing online store. This allows you to step into an established business and make it your own. You’ll benefit from the cash flow of an existing business while avoiding the uncertainties of building a brand from the ground up.
While this option requires some upfront investment, it’s a lower-risk way to start a home-based business. Marketplaces like Shopify’s Exchange allow you to purchase functioning, profitable online stores.
5. Bookkeeping or Accounting
You don’t need to work in an office to handle accounting tasks. Many small businesses prefer to outsource their bookkeeping and payroll services.
If bookkeeping interests you, you don’t need to be a CPA. A simple bookkeeping certification from an accredited institution like the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) will suffice. You can manage payroll, taxes, and other financial tasks for clients from your home office, focusing on freelancers or small business owners.
6. Bulk Reselling
Another home business idea is buying and reselling products in bulk. By purchasing items at a lower cost and selling them individually for a profit, you can build a profitable home business.
This works especially well if you can find a niche market. You might buy items in bulk, such as imported goods or seasonal products, and sell them individually for a higher price.
7. Virtual Customer Service
Many customer service jobs can now be done virtually, using only a phone or internet connection.
Companies are increasingly hiring freelance customer service representatives, offering many opportunities to work from home. You can choose to work as either a full-time employee or an independent contractor, depending on your preferences.
8. Teach Online Courses
If you have knowledge or skills in a particular area, you can teach others through online courses. Whether it’s a hobby, a language, or professional skills, there’s likely an audience for what you know.
With more people turning to online learning, teaching courses is a great way to make money from home. Popular platforms for online courses include Udemy, Outschool, and Skillshare. You can choose to teach live classes, one-on-one sessions, or offer pre-recorded content.
The Future of Home-Based Businesses
As the workplace continues to evolve, more people are discovering that many jobs can be done from home with just a computer and the right skills. Whether you’re interested in writing, customer service, consulting, marketing, teaching, or crafting, there’s a home business opportunity waiting for you.
These home business ideas could be just what you’re looking for to start your journey into entrepreneurship from the comfort of your home.
