Getting started with your first business can seem like an insurmountable challenge. It isn’t just a case of renting premises, buying stock, and getting going. There are permits, stock images, marketing expenses, website creation, accounting software subscriptions, and much more to take into consideration when creating your new business. These ideas may not be glamorous or have the potential for rapid growth and investor returns like the many tech startups we see so often these days. However, they also won’t cost you a fortune to get started and could give you everything you need for a stable career for years to come. Here is our top 5 list of businesses that won’t break the bank:
1- Run a Pet Sitting Business
This is a great example of a business that can be started with very little upfront investment. Pet sitting is a service that is in high demand but is also very easy to outsource. This means that you can hire other people to look after other people’s animals when they are away, and you can manage the whole process remotely. The only real investment you will need to make is in setting up a website to advertise your service. This can be done for as little as $10 per month with a site like Wix or Squarespace. You can also reach potential customers by posting flyers in local stores and on local notice boards.
2- Become an Online Tutor
If you have a background in a particular subject, you could start a business teaching online. Several websites allow you to post information about your services and find students to work with. There is also a growing need for language tutors as the number of online students grows. You can use something like Toggl to keep track of your time and make sure you get paid for the hours you put in. Tutoring is a great way to earn a consistent income while working from home.
3- Offer Web Development Services
If you have the skills, you could earn a tidy sum as a web developer. You will need to invest in some basic software and hardware, but fortunately, you can get great open-source tools for very little cost nowadays. There are also plenty of online groups and forums where you can find out about any affordable software packages you should be using in your job.
4- Open a Virtual Assistance Company
If you are looking for something a little more long-term, you could consider starting a virtual assistance company. This is a business that provides administrative help to other companies remotely. You will need to have a decent internet connection and a good computer, but beyond that, you don’t need to invest much to get your business off the ground. One of the best ways to find customers is to create a digital marketing campaign using Google Adwords.
5- Provide Computer Repair Services
If you have any computer repair skills, this is a great way to make money while working from home. There are plenty of businesses and individuals that need their computers fixed. If you live in a large city, you might even be able to find customers in your local area by posting flyers in stores and on notice boards. You can also use online tools such as Gumtree to find customers and keep track of your income and expenses.
Conclusion
Starting a new business from scratch is an exciting challenge. You don’t need to get caught up in trying to find the next billion-dollar idea. Instead, you can focus on finding a simple business that you can get off the ground for a low cost. Alternatively, you could try looking at what your needs are.
