1. Translation
If you know more than one language and you also like to write, this could be perfect for you. You can translate various texts from literature to movie subtitles and even documents, depending on your proficiency level.
This, like many others on this list, is a job that you can have on the side of your main one, or you can practice it full time. You can do this independently or gather a team of translators and offer services on multiple projects at a time.
2. Freelance writing
Being skilled at writing is very lucrative, as you can use that as a freelance writer in a variety of ways. If you are a creative person, you can go for creative writing, or you can write guides, product descriptions, and even technical writing for user manuals. You may have extensive knowledge in a particular domain such as sports, financial investments, or fashion, and you can use that to write insightful articles and blog posts for niche online publications.
3. SEO Consulting
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, has become very important lately for any online business, regardless of the domain or niche they activate in. An SEO specialist can help any website rank higher in Google search pages, so many companies are looking to collaborate with one, especially if they do not have a dedicated SEO department.
If you are an SEO pro, you can make a good income by offering your services as a side job, or you can even partner with content writers and provide a complete set of SEO-optimized content for blogs and company websites.
4. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing can take different forms, depending on your platform and the type of deal you negotiate with the businesses you partner with.
An excellent example of such online business is Casinobonusca, which promotes the best online casinos in Canada and their most desired promotions. We’ve picked them as an example because their focus is not on marketing these platforms but on offering unbiased information on them and their features. Through the efforts of their gambling experts, they manage to provide objective pros and cons for each casino, as well as thorough guides for new players to choosing a gaming site and using it properly.
This shows that you can have your affiliate marketing business and keep your users happy by being honest and still making a profit.
5. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a type of online business that has gained a lot of popularity over the past years. Thanks to how easy it is to do it, you can learn what it is all about by just doing a little research on the Internet.
The biggest benefit of this is that you do not need to create a product or even worry about logistics. Put in the simplest terms, dropshipping means that you get orders for certain products that you then order from the manufacturers and importers. The manufacturer then handles the order, and it gets to your customer without you having to store, process, or deliver the products yourself.
6. Social media marketing
Social media can be a very lucrative marketing tool, and more business owners are discovering its benefits. If you know how to make appealing posts on social media platforms, reach out to as many users as possible, and make them engage with your posts, this might be perfect for you.
The only things you require for this is an Internet connection, a PC, laptop, or even a tablet or a smartphone, and access to a good social media planner.
7. Blogging
Anyone can start a blog, which shows how easy it is for you to turn this into a business. You simply have to have a passion for writing, and you need to find one topic you are interested in or know plenty about. Then, start blogging about it.
You can choose from various platforms, and you can even get your own domain, which is preferable, as it makes your blog look more professional and trustworthy. When all that is set, you can experiment and see what works for you. You can write on any subject and do not try to reinvent the wheel. Simply stick to one niche, analyze your competitors, and try to improve what they are doing.
Such online businesses attract advertising opportunities, which is how you can profit from them.
8. Online thrift shop
If hopping from one thrift shop to another is a hobby for you, why not start your own online thrift shop? Many people would love to buy vintage items but do not have the time to go from store to store and dig in the piles of clothes for a gem.
You can mix business with pleasure and find interesting and nice-looking pieces at low prices and then resell them at a price you deem suitable. Make sure to let your customers know they are thrifted items and do not go overboard with the prices!
9. E-book writing
Another business perfect for those who love writing is creating e-books. Here, you may go two routes: either use creative writing and take a shot at becoming a known novelist or poet, or you can go for guides and manuals. The second option is great if you are highly skilled in one area and can teach other people about it.
You will have to learn how to format an e-book and purchase editing and design services, but the total expenses are way less than for regular books. Also, publishing it yourself allows you to keep more of the profits than working with a publishing agency for a physical book.
10. Software and app development
Software and mobile apps make the online world go ‘round, so you are lucky if you can develop any or both of these. For this business, you can work by yourself or with a team you create and come up with a software or mobile app. Then, you get to decide if you want to sell it or offer it for free to users, place ads in it and gain profit from that.
The best part about this is that it will be your idea, and it can be whatever, from addons to extensions, games, or any other apps and software that can be fun or helpful.
11. Freelance web design
Web design is a very popular coding category, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home for companies and individuals who need to create a nice website for their business. This often goes hand in hand with software development as well, so if you are proficient in both, you can double as a software consultant without even having to necessarily code. You can offer your expertise and critical view to help your customer improve in both areas.
12. College consulting
If you graduated from a top-tier college and have writing skills, you can consider a college consultant side job or even a full-time job. This is easy to practice as you can communicate with your customers via phone or even video chat.
Your job would be to advise students and their families on making it into the college they dream of. The writing skills are required for helping them draft their college applications, and you can also help them with financial aid planning. Therefore, you need to be well informed about any scholarship opportunities and financial aid policies.
13. Online course teaching
Similar to writing an E-book or blogging about a subject, you can choose to start an online course on a topic you know very well if you prefer to talk about it rather than write about it.
While teaching background would make a tremendous difference here, you can do this without it as well, but you should have a passion for and the patience to teach other people what you know. You may choose any subject you are highly skilled or knowledgeable about. You can do this independently or look for a course service hiring teachers.
14. YouTube channel
If you are not camera-shy, you can start a YouTube channel. The best part about this is that you can teach something, test products, play games, or you can even vlog. You have complete freedom to choose the niche you want your channel to be on, but stick to it once you find the right one.
You can make money directly from views, and, with time, you will also get offers from companies to advertise their products and services in your videos. For this, you could use some knowledge in video editing, but there are plenty of online tutorials you can use for that. Also, make sure you learn about the YouTube algorithm and how to write the best title and description for your videos to reach more people.
15. Photography
It is great when you can turn your passion into a source of income. Photography is a very lucrative hobby to have, especially nowadays when there are so many online influencers in need of professional photos.
For this, taking good photos is only half of the job, as you also need to have the skills to edit them. Investing in a professional camera and some accessories should be enough for you to start this project. Make sure you create a nice portfolio before reaching out to offer your services.
Additionally, you can promote yourself on social media, create your own business site, and even start by offering your services for a price a bit lower than the market minimum to build a client base.
16. E-commerce store
Starting an e-commerce store is one of the most common online business ideas, and that is because it is easy and cheaper than opening a physical store. If you are creative and like to craft your own products, you can sell those on either your own website or sites like Amazon or Etsy. If you are not, that is okay, as you can decide on a range of products, buy them from the manufacturer, and sell them yourself. While this can be a side job, if your store gains popularity, you will either have to work full time to fulfil orders or hire a team to help you with logistics and customer service.
17. Accounting and bookkeeping
Being an online accountant is not easy because you have strong competition from firms that offer these services. Many clients feel safer when they work with a firm rather than with a freelance accountant.
If you already have a client base, you can cut their costs as you begin working from home so you will not start from scratch. You can then invest in a professional website where you can have all your certifications and work experience. While it is not the quickest online business to take off, it is not impossible to make it work.
18. Data entry
Data entry is not the best-paid job you can do online, but if you need something that does not require too much effort, time, or attention, this is perfect for you. You can make predictable income from this, and you will be able to work from home or even while travelling, which makes it a very convenient option.
19. Freelance researching
A brilliant online business idea is freelance researching, which allows you to work from home or anywhere you may be, as long as you have an Internet connection. This may take different forms, as you may do market research, answer technical questions, or point out trends based on a thorough analysis of statistics for your clients. You have the freedom to work from wherever, on your own terms, and you will be doing it for a good price.
20. Online personal assistant
Being organized and efficient is excellent for your personal and work life. It can also be good for your financial life because these traits can make you the perfect online personal assistant.
Depending on what you can or would like to do, this type of job may include data entry, research, customer management, and others. You will have to make sure you have a good talk with your clients to determine their needs and expectations and how you can help them.
21. Foreign currency and stock trading
Trading has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years, and it seems like anyone can do it nowadays. The truth is that, yes, anyone can do it after proper research and learning what it is all about.
If done right, this can be a hobby that brings in some extra income, or you can turn it into a full-time gig. However, if you want to make the most out of stock trading, you will have to keep a few thousand dollars in your account at all times. If that is too much, you may start with foreign currency trading.
22. Editing
If you like to read and have a sharp eye for detail and excellent grammar, you may be the next great editor. This comes in many shapes and forms, and the most popular one that most people think about is proofreading novels. However, you may also have to edit a company's marketing materials and even index academic manuscripts.
You may choose the type of work you prefer, or you can be open to editing any kind of content for more chances to get contracts.
23. Transcription
An online business idea that does not require you to have any background knowledge or experience is transcription. If you can type quickly, you can take on a variety of different projects, from transcribing podcasts or audio interviews for reporters to creating captions for videos and TV shows.
This may not pay as much as you would like, but it does give you the freedom to work when and where you want.
24. Cybersecurity & IT consulting
Your knowledge in IT can be put to use even if you do not want to code or develop apps and software. Becoming an IT consultant allows you to assist your clients with their technology. This may mean you have to troubleshoot or help them set everything up. Alternatively, you can be a cybersecurity consultant and offer your expertise and advice to clients and help them evaluate and improve their systems to keep away any hackers or cyber-attacks.
25. Podcasting
We already know you have at least one favourite podcast, and if you do not, you have undoubtedly seen them pop up everywhere. From celebrities to simply someone who wants to share something with the world, anyone can start a podcast, and it is a good online business idea for you as well.
Just as in the case of a YouTube channel or blog, you should find a theme to follow. You can invite your friends to debate specific topics, tell stories, or simply discuss topics you and your audience might find to be interesting.
Your podcast can be audio-only, or you can also have a video version to upload on YouTube. Profits will come from views, plays on streaming platforms, and ads. Additionally, you can set up a service that allows you to receive donations and tips from your listeners.
26. PR consulting
If working in a PR firm or agency is not fulfilling for you, becoming a freelance Public Relations consultant may be a good idea. You need to know about marketing, business branding and the ability to find the best way to communicate with a company's online public. These skills allow you to assist any client with their online presence. This includes handling their social media accounts, writing press releases and other types of content, as well as advising them on how to improve their public image and launch campaigns.
27. Video production
If you are a creative who enjoys producing high-quality videos, you may turn this into a profitable business. Videos are needed now more than ever, as the preference for this type of content has massively increased over the last decade. Therefore, many businesses from a variety of industries need videos for their websites and social media. You will have to invest in equipment and editing software, but it is a job that has very high chances to bring you good profits.
28. Business coaching
This job requires you to have a very good track record and plenty of credentials and testimonials. That is because your clients will be people who want to start a business or need advice on how to improve their existing business. Therefore, you need to show them you are trustworthy enough, since they want to know for sure you can help them be more successful and make more profit.
You can coach over the phone or through a video call and, depending on your level of expertise, you may charge hundreds of dollars for your services.
29. Career coach and resume writing
This online business is perfect for someone with a background in Human Resources. If you have the skills and knowledge and want a more flexible work schedule, you can become a career coach and help others find the perfect job.
You will also assist your clients in writing their resumes, cover letters, and job applications. Everything can be done via email, phone, or chat so you can work comfortably when and from where you prefer.
30. Voiceover
Another easy online business you can start without any experience and in no time is doing voiceover work. When it comes to investments, all you need is a good microphone and sound editing software. There are many websites where you can sign up and lend your voice for ads, such as Voices.com.