25 Unique Online Business Ideas that Make Money. — Teryl Celeste (2024)

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So, you want to be an entrepreneur and start a work-from-home business, but you don’t know what kind of business to start? That’s okay!

There are so many commercial opportunities waiting for you online. You can build a work-from-anywhere business around any concept you can dream up. Maybe you have a hidden talent or would love to turn your hobby into a consistent, reliable income. Then, you’ve already got a head start. The rest of us are not so lucky!

Some entrepreneurs are blessed with revolutionary ideas, and some have to work a little harder for one. If you fall into the latter category, this post is for you.

I will break down and discuss 25 unique ideas for online businesses. These ideas will actually make you money, so you can finally ditch your 9 to 5 and be your own boss.

I struggled for years with the idea of quitting my day job. I couldn’t figure out exactly what I would do; all I knew was that living under the micromanagement of my supervisors was not for me.

Honestly, I just wanted them to leave me alone. I was tired of making small talk at the water cooler. I was visibly annoyed every time they came to me to ask a question. The anxiety of that morning alarm, and having to go into the office, day in and day out, was sometimes paralyzing. I knew it was time to figure something out.

25 Unique Online Business Ideas That Can Truly Make Money

BLOGGING

Blogging has several advantages as an online business. It can be easily combined with many other ideas in this post to boost your earning potential. Stacking different revenue streams will really help you get to a livable wage faster and more consistently. As you get comfortable with one project, you can always find ways to expand into other areas and monetize them.

Blogging will obviously require a ton of writing. What may not be as obvious is that it will involve a significant amount of consistency and research. Many people jump headfirst into blogging without considering how much of a commitment it can actually take.

Consider how much writing and research you want to take part in before going all-in on this possibility. If you don’t want to post more than once or twice a week, you may want to incorporate other business models to boost your prospects.

As your blog grows and money starts coming in, you easily find people to help you write or research the articles. This will be a huge help because much of the heavy lifting will be taken off your back. Just remember that the beginning will be challenging, even if writing is second nature.

FIVERR

Fiverr is a platform that allows you to advertise your freelance offerings for nearly any service you can imagine. This is a wonderful choice because the platform already has an engaged audience looking for whatever skills or services you provide. Since Fiverr already has people actively looking to hire, you don’t have to go out and pound the pavement to find customers.

If you have a talent, you can market it on Fiverr. The advantage of using Fiverr is that buyers will search for the services they want. This takes some of the weight off of creating an intensive marketing strategy to put yourself out there. There will be a certain level of organic traffic looking to hire someone performing your service.

On the downside, there is a lot of competition, and the rating system is very competitive. That is not to say you won’t get any jobs as a newbie. However, it could take you a little while to be able to raise your rates to a level you feel you deserve. Stay diligent, go above and beyond, and you will grow a base of loyal returning clients!

FREELANCE WRITING

If you love writing, this might be an excellent opportunity. You can obviously choose to do this in conjunction with Fiverr or blogging. Still, there are also several opportunities outside of these platforms.

You don’t have to depend on contracted writing opportunities as a freelance writer. You can seek out your own:

• Pitch an idea to your favourite blog or newspaper.

• Enter writing contests with monetary rewards.

• Look for contracts for print writers,

• Write copy for website developers.

You can find opportunities that will suit nearly any writing talent.

If you love creative writing, you can also write a novel and shop around for publishers or even self-publish. Whatever you like to write, there is an audience for it. All you have to do is find them!

VINTAGE ITEM FLIPPING

If you have an eye for exciting or valuable items. You can flip them online. Think eBay, Craigslist, or Kijiji. These are all great outlets for flipping. There are even some Etsy shops dedicated to this.

Browse online sites, buy noteworthy items, and then resell them to make a profit. You can also find some great deals if you enjoy thrifting or garage sales.

This can also be done with free items. Many sites like Craigslist and Kijiji will have a “FREE” area. Claim these items, then sell them for profit.

The beauty of this is that you can flip any of these items with or without improvements. Sell them as is, or add your own creative flair and mark them up even more!

GRAPHIC DESIGN

If you have an eye for style, you can create and sell your design services.

Some examples are:

• Branding templates.

• Logos

• Social media images

• Posters

• Flyers and newsletters

• And more!

You can even create and sell t-shirts, mugs, and other branded odds and ends.

Many people need graphics and images but don’t have that eye for colour and composition. If you do, you can provide a valuable service for those struggling with their branding and logo design.

Sites like Canva will let you get started for free, so you don’t need to invest in expensive graphic design software when starting out. It also has a massive library of stock photos, videos, and templates to give you endless resources to create content.

DESIGN T-SHIRTS

Even if you don’t want to set up a shop to create T-shirts in your home, you can do it through a third-party service. They will take out all the hard work of creating and shipping the products directly to your customers.

Websites like Teespring take the trouble out of running a t-shirt business. All you have to do is design and then promote your shirt. These platforms are often not limited to just shirts. They can print your images on nearly anything you can imagine.

Canva can also come in handy here for designing your products and all the marketing content to promote them.

CREATE AND SELL STICKERS

If you’re a bullet journal or planner junkie, you can create beautiful stickers for your journaling. The stationery community is always looking for new sticker designs to decorate with. If you can create stickers that appeal to them, many bullet journalers are willing to pay quite a bit.

You can sell on your own site or set up a shop on Etsy or Shopify to boost search traffic.

You have several options for getting started here. You can create beautiful graphics on Canva, then order the prints on vista print or sticker mule. Then, once you have made enough profit to invest, purchase high-end printing equipment and a cutting machine to do it yourself.

BECOME AN AUTHOR

Do you have a story burning a hole inside of you? Get it down on paper and publish a book!

You no longer have to have an agent pitch your story to publishers on your behalf. It’s easier than ever to self-publish your book. Going this route does mean you now have to market it yourself, but it also means that your future is in your own hands.

There are no big-wigs to answer to. You get to create the book you want on your terms. The marketing and promotion are by your design, and you can get your true message out there. This is the essence of being your own boss: Finally, dictating your own terms and staying true to your message.

Try writing an instructional manual if you are not the creative writing type. Create a book to guide readers to learn how to do something you are really good at. I wrote a book about essay writing. How meta, right?

AFFILIATE MARKETING

Affiliate marketing can fit nicely into many of these other options or be decent on its own. Affiliate marketing is simply promoting products that you love and already use. Then, if someone signs up using your link, you are paid a commission, or you might get a discount on your service subscription.

When I recommend the products or services mentioned in my blog posts, I often check if they have an affiliate program. I mean, if I’m already planning on sharing them, why not see if I can also get paid? If there is no program available, I still promote them anyways. The affiliate program is just a perk.

You have to believe in and love these products. People trust your word, and that trust is easily broken. You need to take a significant amount of time to build a relationship with your followers. It can all topple down if you affiliate yourself with a sub-par company.

If you’re ever approached by an affiliate opportunity you are unsure of, you must decide if the money they offer is enough to potentially sacrifice all you have built. I get a ton of affiliate offers. I rarely take one that comes to me. The brands that I promote are brands that I use regularly.

CREATE A DIGITAL COURSE

This option allows you to share your expertise on a particular skill. People love learning online. Digital course creation has expanded from the realm of traditional education to encompass nearly anything. You can learn to bake, sew, do graphic design, or even how to build a business.

If you follow me, you know I also own a company called Absolutely Studying. Here I teach students the basics of how to excel in college or university. I also provide tutorials on several topics I specialized in while getting my degree. For students who struggle with study habits and need help creating a truly effective strategy, I also offer courses on studying and getting organized.

If you have something to teach, consider making a digital course and selling it on a platform like Squarespace. I use the member’s area to house my course so it can be accessed directly from my website. You can also use platforms like Udemy or SkillShare, which come with an established audience.

BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

If you enjoy office work without the office commute, consider becoming a virtual assistant. Busy entrepreneurs and professionals will often have jobs they need help with but don’t want to hire an extra person onto the payroll for various reasons. You can be this helper.

Respond to emails, write copy, post on social media, and answer customer concerns. The possibilities are endless.

If this option interests you, you can even go to Fiverr to hang up your shingle. This might even give you an idea of the kind of requests you like to do or the popular types of tasks.

BECOME A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

If social media is your thing, why not handle other businesses’ or professionals’ social media accounts. If you know how to nurture and grow a following, people will pay you to help build theirs.

Growing your social media is frustrating and time-consuming. Many professionals realize the need for a social media presence but don’t have the time to put into it themselves.

You can fill this void and make a pretty penny while doing so!

PROOFREADERS

If you find yourself silently correcting the grammar of every post you come across, you may have what it takes to be a proofreader. Search for online opportunities, create your own website to market your services, or sign up on Fiverr.

If you are quick and efficient, you can knock out several jobs in a single day.

SELL SOAP

Are you the crafty type? Why not channel these efforts into building an artisan soap empire! People love their self-care routines. Nothing is more luxurious than a fantastic soak in the tub with an elegant bar of soap.

Take lessons online and hone your craft until you can make the most impressive and unique bar of soap and sell it for top dollar.

TRANSCRIPTION

Transcriptionists turn words from audio recordings into writing. This can be done for various recordings, from medical reports to TV captions.

This opens up an excellent opportunity for you. While some programs can do this automatically, computers will never be a thoroughly reliable replacement for a human being. Many credible companies still want someone to go through and check the quality and accuracy.

SELL PRINTABLES

If you like to create templates, you can sell them for profit. This is a lucrative because you often only have to make them once, and they can sell indefinitely.

Online printables are a great passive income opportunity because they are low maintenance. Just keep promoting them, and they will make you money in perpetuity.

ONLINE TUTORING

If you enjoy sharing your knowledge but prefer the personal touch instead of a digital course, why not become a tutor?

People are always looking for help with anything from learning languages to complex math problems. If you can teach someone your skills, you can become a tutor!

CREATE AND SELL CANDLES

People love candles. They make your house smell wonderful and set the mood. They are also sold with decent margins.

If you can channel your creative gifts into making artisan candles, this might be the way for you!

DRAFT BUSINESS PLANS

If you are a strong technical writer and good at drafting business plans, this can be a very lucrative business.

Business plans are expensive to make. Many people pay thousands of dollars for them. If you can produce a business plan efficiently, you can make a good living by creating business plans for other entrepreneurs.

FACEBOOK ADS MANAGER

Facebook ads are an accessible choice for small entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. But if you can learn how they work, you can amplify their reach.

Becoming a specialized Facebook ads manager may take some trial and error but could prove lucrative in the long run. Meta hosts courses on Coursera that can help you get started with confidence.

Build websites

I absolutely love building websites. Hands down, my favourite platform to use is Squarespace because it’s just so easy. If you can drag and drop, you can make an incredible website with Squarespace.

I have built a ton of websites. For myself, clients, and even friends and family. You’d be surprised how many people need one but are intimidated by learning how to create it.

If you need to build your own website or want some help getting started, feel free to email me. I’d love to help!

Create an online store with printable

One of the great features Squarespace has, is the ability to seamlessly integrate with third-party selling platforms like Etsy and Printable. If you want to get started with an online store but don’t want to manage inventory or pay for stock, consider using Printable.

Printable allows you to design and list thousands of items on your website. When an order comes in, they can also make and ship it for you! The only thing you have to do is secure the sale.

Become a copywriter

You know what is tough and time-consuming for business owners? Writing copy!

This can be anything from weekly emails and marketing newsletters to product descriptions. Sometimes, the words just won’t come when you are too close. That’s where you come in!

Sales funnel manager

The hardest part of email marketing is creating a funnel that actually works. If you can do this for a new business owner, you will have their heart.

Swoop in and help new business owners set up effective sales funnels to nurture and convert future clients. This can be extremely hard for entrepreneurs who are already overwhelmed trying to figure out how to manage all the other systems.

Podcasting

How much do you love to talk? Podcasting is extremely versatile. You can start one about just about anything.

Of course, there are regular current events and entertainment podcasts. Still, if you look closer, you can find ones dedicated to knitting and ancient Greek gods!

If you have something you could literally talk about for hours, this is for you!

If you want to start your own business, there are many excellent options for any talent.

The best thing about online business is that there is space for everyone. Learning to be an entrepreneur is simple. Practice the habits, create a plan, and keep at it. Persistence is key.

Owning a business is not like a 9 to 5 where you show up, do your work, and go home for the day. It will take long hours to build and long hours to maintain. The rewards, however, are immeasurable. It’s not just about the money. It’s also about the freedom to make your own way and do things how you want.

It may take some time to break through, but it will be worth it!