Profitable side business ideas to start

54 Profitable Side Business Ideas to Start in 2024

ByBilal Last Updated on -

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A side business, or side hustle, is a business you run in addition to your regular full-time job. You can earn some extra income from a side business, and it might even replace your main job one day.

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With the money you’ve made, you can pay off debt, invest, or treat yourself. Aside from the financial benefits, starting a side business can help you learn new skills.

A side hustler who dedicates 14 hours per week to their business earns a median of $1,350 a month

Would you like to start a side business but aren’t sure what to do? Here are 54 side business ideas you can start right now.

Some of these side hustles can grow into full-fledged businesses, while others are easy, time-efficient ways to earn extra income. Let’s begin.

54 Side Business Ideas to Start as a Small Business:

Your dream of owning and running a business doesn’t have to take up full-time hours. If you want some extra cash and your own part-time side-business, there are great options out there! You can keep your day job and run a small side business.

1. Blogging

With a low investment, blogs are one of the easiest business ideas to launch. The only investment is in writing a blog, an Internet connection, and a laptop or PC.

Your blog can earn you money if it ranks first on Google. This is a lucrative way to earn money and it is easy to do.

Data Entry is a small business idea

2. Freelance Writing

Are you a good writer? Do you have a blog or do you contribute to another website’s blog? If so, why not earn money from it? 

Freelancers are in high demand right now! You can make some money on the side in so many ways. It ranges from writing product descriptions to transcribing audio files to proofreading other people’s work.

With just 3-4 completed jobs, you can earn up to $3k per month if you’re good at writing what you do! 

The basic earnings range from $70-$300 per article, which is still great. When practiced and experienced properly, this side hustle can lead to serious income while working full-time.

3. Gardening Business Idea:

Gardening is popular today. It does not require a full-time commitment. Many people wish they had the time or space.

Even if you have a lot of time to devote to your garden, many people would prefer to have someone else take care of it for them.

It is possible for you to start a small gardening business by taking care of the gardens of others or even renting out your own plot of land.

gardeing business

4. Cleaning Business:

Cleaning is one of the easiest businesses to start, and the $76 billion industry has seen steady growth in recent years, so the opportunity is there.  

Cleaning is a service that is always in demand. Owning your own cleaning service can be a profitable side business.

Word of mouth will bring you more clients once you prove to your first customers that you are trustworthy.

Get your cleaning business website designed and developed by our team of experts today.

Pro Tip: A business plan is essential for running a successful cleaning service business. Use this free template to create your own cleaning service business plan.

cleaning side business ideas

5. Affiliation Marketing

In affiliate marketing, you earn commissions from sales generated by other companies & websites.

Since affiliate marketing does not require you to have your own product, you can make money by selling other merchants’ products.

Promoting products on social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest, etc., is one of the most popular business ideas without investment.

6. Ebook Author

You can start selling these E-books from your website, blog, or from Amazon if you know how to create them.

Creating a successful book requires substance and ingenuity. Amateur and professional authors can use online publishing not only to showcase their talent but also to earn money.

Authors make a lot of money selling their books online. You can publish your e-books without any investment. You can get started with Kindle Direct Publishin.

Ebook Author

7. Content Writing

Content writing or copywriting is a lucrative business idea that requires very small start-up capital. Anyone with competent writing skills and grammar knowledge can succeed in this business.

Sound knowledge of the language and its intricacies is the primary requirement, accompanied by innovation and inventiveness.

There are also work-from-home content writing jobs available on various job application sites. 

8. Social Media Influencer

Through authenticity and reach, social media influencers can persuade others by sharing information.

You can build your influence on social media sites and then offer your services to brands that are looking for influencers to promote their products.

Generally, brands pay influencers based on their number of followers. At lower levels, expect to pay around $10 per 1,000 followers. That’s $100 for a micro-influencer and $1,000 for a macro-influencer.

social media influencer

9. YouTube Monetization

With practically no investment, anyone can start a YouTube business. To make good money, you need to understand how to be a successful YouTuber.

With a computer, phone, or other equipment you probably already own, you can create and share your own video content and then earn a portion of the advertising revenue.

YouTube gives you a powerful medium for producing and distributing video content, which is becoming more relevant every day. Online video helps individuals and businesses generate income, influence, and impact. 

YouTube Monetization: Side Business Idea

10. Podcasting

With a smartphone and earphones, you can start a Podcast channel. But before you start your channel, make sure that you have something you think people will find valuable.

Additionally, there are lots of free tools available for setting up your own podcast online, which can be used to generate revenue through advertising

Podcasts can be monetized by placing advertisements at the beginning, middle, or end of the session. 

podcasting

11. Errand Services

You can help people in need by offering to run errands for them when you are low on cash. Despite the fact that you may need to leave the house to perform certain tasks, you can offer your services in exchange for a small fee. 

This business can be run efficiently with excellent management and planning skills. Just help out with errands such as banking, grocery shopping, paying utility bills, delivering things, etc., and earn through your work.

12. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants works on a contract basis with a company and provides assistance with everyday tasks. This can be done from home or remotely.

It has an array of options you can explore to get placed with elite companies, including social media management, administration, scheduling, making appointments, or making travel arrangements.

13. Designing Websites:

Every small and big business requires a website to promote its products or services. A person with some basic HTML coding and graphic design skills can start this business easily.

With the help of an internet connection and a phone, you can start a business creating and maintaining websites for your clients. 

Currently, Web Designers are in high demand by employers, but by 2024 the field is expected to grow by 27 percent, ensuring high salaries and job satisfaction.

Web Development a great side business idea

14. Graphic Designing

Graphic designers have the opportunity to take on a wide range of exciting and varied projects. Graphic designers are creative thinkers and enjoy art, technology, and communication.

Some free cloud-based tools are available to help you create basic graphics for clients if you have a keen eye for design.

Initiating a graphic design business as an individual business or as an organization requires technical knowledge with a creative mind as well as branding experience.

15. Tutoring Business

Nowadays, e-teaching or online teaching is one of the most popular and trending educational businesses. Its demand is also growing.

A person who is passionate about teaching can embark on this venture in two different ways. As an alternative to registering on an online tutoring marketplace, one can create his/her own online tutoring business, or one can invite clients to their homes for tutoring.

You can start a tutoring business if you specialize in a particular subject. This is one of the most popular education business ideas that require little or no capital. 

online tutoring is one of best business idea for teens

16. Yoga Instructor

Making money while sharing a favorite pastime is possible by teaching yoga.

Yoga and Pilates instructors can also work with more students at the same time. While most teachers earn less than $30k USD per year, some earn $300,000 or more.

In our fast-paced lives, people can’t live a healthy lifestyle. You will help people cope with these problems by offering yoga and meditation classes. Apart from that, it will also be a very profitable business venture.

You only need a convenient location and a few workers (optional). If you don’t have any knowledge of yoga or meditation, you can hire a trainer.

yoga instructor

17. Dance/music Teacher

The awesome thing about these two creative businesses is that you can start them from home with minimal investment and spending few hours. Both of these businesses require special skills and experience.

There are many parents who are looking for a suitable dance class for their children. If you are skilled at dancing, you can start a dance academy. A dance academy is a very effective business idea with a minimum budget.

There are many genres of music and dance to choose from. All you need is a room for dance classes. Businesses of this kind gain traction as time passes. So perseverance is key. 

18. Pet/Dog Care Centre

Dog walking services can be offered around your home without spending any money out of your own pocket, or you can offer to train dogs out of your home for clients.

If you love dogs or cats, you just landed an opportunity to make quick money. Many pet owners are guilty of leaving their pets at home while on vacation or at work for long hours. In the absence of proper care, pets suffer from separation anxiety and can be depressed.

You can start by taking pets for walks, bathing them, etc., and later open a hostel that accepts pets in large numbers if you’re passionate about animals.

Pro Tip: Here is a step by step guide on how to start a pet care business.

Pet Care Business Idea

19. Child Daycare

If you love children and have a lot of free time, you can easily start a babysitting business. Babysitting means taking care of other people’s children.

Offering your clients peace of mind about their child in terms of qualifications and security is what this business provides.

Today, many parents rely on daycare centers to take care of their children while they work. While some parents consider daycare centers to be the safest option, others prefer a homely environment.

You can start a Day Care Service if you like children and don’t mind spending a few hours of your day caring for them.

child care business

20. Bookkeeping

Your bookkeeping services can be offered on an ongoing basis to businesses and individuals.

Businesses that cannot afford a permanent accountant need business accounting services like bank reconciliation, e-filling, service tax, sales tax, payroll, etc. One can start a home-based business by providing these services freelance.

Accurate, up-to-date financial reports are the responsibility of a bookkeeper. Most often, their reports go to business owners and managers to assist them in making decisions. However, some bookkeepers work on strategy development.

21. Interior Designing

If you are passionate about interior design, this kind of business may be a great deal with low investment. In such a developing market, interior designers are always in demand.

Interior designers are creative people and get paid to provide art and aesthetics for their clients. Therefore, the interiors they provide must reflect their clients’ tastes.

The profit margins in this business are very high if you deal with unique, fancy, and stylish furniture. You can also do only design work from home.

Pro Tip: looking to start a interior design business but dot know where to start? Here is quick quick on how to start a interior design business.

interior designing

22. Stock Photography

With just a camera and access to the internet, you can take photos and sell them on stock photo websites without studio equipment.

In general, stock photographers make $0.02 per image per month with stock photos, while professionals make $0.05–$0.25 per image per month. Royalty-free sales generate between $0.10 and $99.50, while extended licenses generate up to $500.

You can create portfolios of your images and earn money. You can expand your business by using a variety of websites to sell stock photography.

photography business idea

23. Data Entry Services

Data entry services can also be easily offered to businesses without specialized equipment if you want to work with businesses.

It is one of the simplest ways to earn money by adding data using the appropriate software on a computer and the appropriate data entry operators doing these tasks. Providing data entry services is a viable way to earn money today.

24. Professional Translator

It’s an ideal business for a home-based or remote worker since it can be done over the Internet at low overhead costs. A variety of markets are available to you, including legal, commercial, medical, technical editing, interpretation, etc.

Online translation services are becoming increasingly popular as a way to make money. Knowing and understanding other languages has become increasingly vital in keeping pace with society’s speed as net connectivity and globalization spread. 

The ability to produce a lot of work can earn you a handsome salary as a freelance translator.

25. Resume Writer

With a decent understanding of resume writing, anyone with a decent grasp of the skills of creating excellent resumes for job seekers can start a home-based business out of their home.

As well as editing, structuring, and proofreading skills, you will need a computer with some basic software to start this business.

New graduates and those with little experience can expect to pay less ($100-$150), while those with more experience can expect to pay more ($150 to $400).

26. Baking Business

You can sell baked goods online or in local bakeries with some basic supplies and ingredients you likely already have.

If you are skilled at it, and you can pull a cake out of the oven without burning it, you may be able to do so for a living. Cakes are a must, no matter the occasion.

Well, bakeries do not just serve cakes but also other items like bread, biscuits, and baked items too. It is a sight for sore eyes to see a range of healthy freshly baked loaves of bread.

Pro Tip: Here is step by step guide on how to start a baking business.

bakery business

27. Event Planning

Organizing programs might be something you enjoy, and you can start your own event-planning business that is relatively easy to start, profitable, and rewarding. You can call this business entertainment because it is all about keeping your customers happy.

You can build a business as an event planner who works from home if you are extremely organized and detail-oriented.

You might want to start a small company that organizes events, but a successful business requires special skills and workers. You must have a positive personality and know how to manage events well in order to succeed.

ProTip: The first step in starting a graphics design business is to create a business plan. You can download sample business plan pdf to write a business plan.

28. Dropshipping Business

Drop shipping is one of the most effective ways to start selling products online without manufacturing your own. In addition, you only need a small investment to get started.

Dropshipping Businesses does not require you to stock inventory, so you do not need to maintain a warehouse.

You, as a drop shipper, act as a third party. You must find a reliable vendor or supplier who also manages inventory and has storage facilities.

The drop shipper markets the product on several platforms and brings orders to the supplier. The supplier handles the rest (packaging, logistics, and delivery). 

29. Career Counselling

Career counseling is one of the most innovative businesses in the educational sector today, and one might require a legit degree and a lot of expertise.

The purpose of career counseling is to assist individuals in choosing careers based on their interests, abilities, and natural or acquired skills. With the right expertise, you can start this business without investment. 

30. Consulting Business

With true passion and adequate knowledge, you can start this business. You must understand your area of expertise.

Anyone can start a financial consulting business as a home-based business with the right skills and knowledge. It includes insurance, investment planning, tax consulting, bookkeeping, business consulting, collection agency, expense reduction analysis, and more.

It’s best to generalize this broad category in this category of business for the plethora of fields. Experience and success in your niche will determine profitability.

Explore more consulting business ideas: Here are top 33 consulting business ideas you can start today.

consulting business ideas

31. Fashion Designing

With almost no capital investment, anyone with knowledge and experience in fashion design can start this business.

In today’s world, fashion and lifestyle are one of the most profitable businesses. If you’re a housewife or want to earn more income, you can start tailoring services at home. All you need is a sewing machine and some fashion sense.

In the fashion and grooming industry, there is always a demand. You are highly likely to turn your store and raw materials into a profitable business if you focus on selling and branding partnerships. You can easily get a small business loan for the same if you want to become your own boss.

fashion desining

32. Fitness Trainer

If you have experience of aerobics or yoga, you can start a home-based business as a yoga instructor. You will only need very basic start-up capital and a marketing strategy.

If a person is interested in opening a fitness center, he has multiple avenues at his disposal to obtain a small business loan.

Fitness center subscribers have difficulty coming to the center regularly, but most of them pay an annual subscription, so it is a very profitable business idea. A gym with the necessary equipment in a good location will definitely be profitable.

33. Online Marketing 

There is a lot of technical and branding issues involved in creating an effective marketing tool on a website. Small and big businesses both need to have their own websites.

A successful internet marketing consulting business is one of the most profitable advertising ideas.

Knowledge-based businesses can be started with relatively low investment. In fact, all you need is a computer and an internet connection.   

online marketing

34. Selling Photos

Images with bookmarks such as Photobucket and ShutterStock is helpful because high-quality images can be sold online for a reasonable price.

The photos you submit to such sites will be sold on those platforms, and you will be paid according to the price set.

If your smartphone’s camera is capable, you’re all set. However, you have to upload high-quality photos. If not, you won’t be able to sell photos online since they will be used on websites and other online platforms.

35. Landscaping Business

Landscape experts are knowledgeable landscape architects.

Ensuring all plans meet current building codes and local and federal ordinances is part of landscape architecture practice.

This business will give you a maximum turnover as property rates are sky-high. You need a thorough understanding of planting flowerbeds and gardens.

landscpaing business

36. App Development

There is massive potential and vast opportunities in the mobile app-making business. Since the launch of iPhones and smartphones, mobile apps have become more lucrative.

Currently, 30 million mobile apps are downloaded every day. In this business, one needs to take an app from concept to possible technological reality.

It involves creating a computer program that performs a variety of functions a business requires. To increase efficiency, the application automates tedious tasks like calculating monthly expenses and scheduling sales reports. App development is a profitable business if you have software skills.

37. Online Product Selling

A home business selling online products is perfect for those who have knowledge about a particular product. You can sell from your own website or from a marketplace by registering.

Facebook is a social networking website with more than 2.3 billion monthly active users. In addition to social networking, Facebook offers you the opportunity to create your own online store.

With a little marketing knowledge, you can sell a product or service online on Facebook and make money.

38. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agencies are still profitable businesses in this digital age. You can start your own with your local properties.

Good communication and people skills will help you attract buyers and sellers and earn handsome commissions when you broker a deal.

Starting this business venture requires very little investment, and as you build your network and participate in more deals, the commission you earn can make it a highly profitable venture. 

real estate business

39. Sales Trainer  

In order to have a skilled employee in this field, sales training is an effective tool. Many companies hire a sales trainer to help with this task. 

Salesforce reports that 90% of sales managers believe their teams aren’t engaged because they lack fresh and relevant training material.

Approximately 80 percent of sales managers say they do not have time to train their employees. Anyone with adequate knowledge and expertise can start this business full-time or part-time.

40. Smartphone Repairing

The popularity of smartphones has increased the potential of smartphone repair businesses. Anyone can start their business with some small tools and equipment. 

Learning how to repair devices such as laptops and computers is a one-time investment.

With just a small investment, you can start this business. Every vendor selling mobiles and PCs has a small corner of the store for the repair guy.

mobile repairing business

41. Sports Coaching

Coaching is very popular in sports such as football, cricket, basketball, and tennis. If you want to start this business, you will need to decide whether to focus on indoor or outdoor activities.

A degree in sports coaching can help you train children or individuals who want to make a career in sports. You will need to personally train the individual so he can reach his goals.

If you are a professional in sports you can start acting as a professional sports coach. You just need to have an in-depth knowledge of the topic and explain it well to the students.

sports coaching

42. Tour Guide

This business opportunity requires adequate knowledge of the local culture and history of the area where you plan to start the business. In essence, the business involves providing information about places to entertain people. 

The perfect guide must be a tourist. He/she must have the urge to travel and explore different places. You must become an explorer.

It could be your gig to research tourist spots, shopping places, food options, and other touristy places people love to explore and visit. You can blog or vlog your experiences on YouTube and other websites.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌

tour guide

43. Custom Gift Store:

One of the most profitable business ideas is to start a gift store. Customers are always looking for products or services that are customized for them. Offering what they need will surely increase profits for your business.

You could feature custom-made gifts made by you or someone else in your rental shop if you have one ready.

In order to scale up, you could hire people to customize products and offer consumers who order them customized versions.

Gift wrap business

44. Home Chocolate Business:

You can start a home-based business making chocolates with a low investment in raw materials. Home-made chocolates have a huge market demand for any occasion or event.

Handmade gifts give them a personal touch, as do chocolates. In order to make them sellable, handmade chocolates need proficiency and craftsmanship. Chocolates come in countless combinations and permutations.

To start, you can give handmade chocolates as gifts, and return the favor at birthday parties, and anniversaries.

chocolate business

45. Insurance Agent

Selling insurance policies is the easiest way to earn a high commission if you possess effective communication skills and persuasive power.

Nowadays, everything can be insured. You can include coverage for your health, vehicle, shop, renters, and more.

As an insurance agent, you can choose your segment and start your business journey. A sole proprietorship or partnership may be an option for you. A sole proprietor will usually charge 12-15% commission on every policy written and 5% to 10% on renewals.

46. Marriage Consultant

The Marriage Bureau is one of the most profitable businesses for housewives and retired individuals. It requires a small investment and just a few meetings and greetings.

In the event that you possess the sixth sense needed for a job like this, you may be able to monetize your skills through matchmaking.

There will be groundwork and meeting many people since families who come to marriage bureaus are very specific in their preferences. However, once you get used to it, this business is truly exponential.‌‌

47. Laundry Business

The need for clean and fresh clothes is universal. If you are efficient at providing high-quality laundry services, this business is for you. You might be able to hire a few unskilled workers to assist you.

The laundry business is an easy-to-start business that is easy to manage and gets into the public market quickly. Your washing machine and detergent alone will enable you to profit from the laundry business.

Start this low-investment, highly profitable laundry business if you want to follow in their footsteps. 

Pro Tip: You need a business plan to run a successful laundry business. Download this comprehensive laundromat business plan template to write a winning plan yourself.

laundry business

48. Candle Making

Making candles is an art, but you can make it a profitable business if you use available machinery and make marginal investments by providing bulk orders.

It turns out a YouTube video can give you instructions on how to make wonderful-smelling candles and soap by investing a few dollars and pouring in a lot of creativity.

You can charge a premium for these products since they are handmade, and organic, and can be diversified into a wide variety of products. This is if you know the basics of soap making and candle making. ‌‌

Pro Tip: You need a comprehensive business plan to run a successful candle making business. Download this lender proven candle making business plan template to write a winning plan yourself.

Candle making business idea

49. Aquarium Shop

Providing professional aquarium leasing and maintenance is a low-cost business, and it is a very profitable business.

Fish tanks and fish of all kinds are available in aquarium stores. You need to purchase fish, fish tanks, oxygen setups, and other supplies to start an aquarium store.

The setting of an aquarium is often customized based on the buyer’s size and requirements. You can also sell fish food and tank-related equipment in aquarium stores.‌‌

50. Domain Selling

Buying a domain at a lower cost and selling it at a profit is the business model behind domain flipping.

Identifying domains with potential, waiting for the right opportunity, and then selling them to interested parties, usually companies or organizations, requires creativity and a lot of research.

 It’s your job to sell the domain name to the brand at a price you decide, so you’ll make money. You can buy a domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or any other service.

51. Trading Stocks

An investor buys stocks to receive a share of ownership in a company. Brokers trade stock through an exchange, charging commissions. A broker is simply a person who is licensed to trade stocks.

Having good communication skills can make this a profitable online business if you are on the trading floor or make trades by phone or electronically.

There is no doubt that the stock market offers better returns than a bank account or a bond – but many investors fail to capitalize on that return by not staying invested long enough.

52. Cooking School

Cooking classes may not require a high investment but can earn handsome profits as shown on shows like MasterChef.

In order to get started in this business, all you need is to set up a kitchen and equipment, allied infrastructure, raw materials, and cooking ingredients.

Several financial services firms offer small business loans. Once the cooking class is up and running, the proprietor can handle several batches at the same time. Thus, the investment in Capex is limited, and working capital is sufficient to run the business smoothly.

Pro Tip: Looking to start a cooking school but have no idea where to start? Here is 8 step simple guide on how to start a culinary school business.

cooking classes

53. Computer Institution

The demand for computer literacy and proficiency has increased. If you know how to operate a computer and work with simple tools such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you will succeed.

It is possible to classify any facility that offers technology education classes as a computer training center. However, public libraries, educational institutions, and job training resource centers usually have computer labs and offer basic computer training as well.

Hence, there is a great demand for learning computers, programming, data analytics, IoT, and booming technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics. 

54. Jewelry Designer

The beauty of handmade jewelry lies in the fact that it is unique, and the person who wears it feels a sense of pride and grace by wearing it.

Jewelry design not only offers rewarding work, but it also boasts numerous career opportunities thanks to the fast-growing Indian design industry.

Experiment with making different designs of jewelry at home. Show your designs to different jewelers. Try to find a jeweler that knows you personally so that your ideas do not get stolen.

jewelry business

Recommended: Do you want to start a Jewelry designer business? You must need a Perfect business plan to capture the market. You can download business plan sample pdf.

Summary

Hopefully, the following list of side business ideas will give you an overview of the most profitable businesses with a small investment that you can begin as your next side business along with your studies or job or as your part-time business as your bread and butter, thus helping you to make an informed decision. 

We will continue to update this list as more information pertaining to the industry becomes available.

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