Thanks to the internet, there is now a huge range of businesses anyone can start from home. It’s a dream come true for a stressed-out office worker or busy executive in need of a career change. Working from home means you can ditch the daily commute, work flexible hours around your family commitments, and enjoy a productive day in your pyjamas. What’s not to like about that?
If starting a business from home appeals, check out the following six business ideas.
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Pet Sitting
A pet sitting business is perfect for animal lovers. You can walk dogs for working pet owners, visit peoples’ homes to feed and entertain their cats and dogs, or provide a creche service for owners who need a safe place to leave their pooches and other animals for a day, a week, or longer.
To become a pet sitter, you need to abide by strict regulations put in place to protect animals and their owners. New Animal Activities Licencing (AAL) regulations came into effect in 2018. There is a lot of detail, so check this resource before you offer home boarding to clients.
Many pet sitters operate as part of a franchise. The franchise provides marketing materials and other help and assistance in return for a slice of your profits. If you haven’t run a business before, it might be worth going down this route.
Freelance Writing
Can you string a sentence together? Do you understand the basics of punctuation and grammar? If so, you can set yourself up as a freelance writer for hire. Companies are always in need of talented writers to produce copy, blogs, press releases, and marketing materials. It can take a while to build a portfolio and client list, but once you have established a reputation for excellence, finding work won’t be too difficult.
Create a freelancer account on popular websites such as Upwork. The bar is low in terms of earnings, but once you have some positive feedback, you can charge more and look for better-paying clients. It is also worth cold calling local businesses to see if they have any writing requirements.
Web Development
There are millions of websites online, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a few more!
Not all small businesses have a web presence, which is not great when you consider that most of us check online first when we need a service. If you set up a business as a web developer, you can help other small businesses build an effective online presence. Design beautiful websites that are search engine- and user-friendly.
To get started, take a course in web development at your local college. There are also online courses from sites like Codeacademy if you need to study around an existing job.
Online Trading
Online trading is something anyone can do. It isn’t a guaranteed road to extraordinary wealth, but with the right approach and analytical skills, you can make money trading in forex, stocks, and other financial instruments.
To begin trading online, you need to open a trading account with a broker. It is best to start with a demo account until you learn the skills you need to make profitable trades. Some beginners start with an account on a social trading site like eToro, where they can follow more experienced traders and copy their trades. If you’re unfamiliar with eToro, this eToro popular investor guide from InvestinGoal will give you an insight into trader profiles and how you can reach their level of success.
Selling Online
Sites like eBay and Amazon make selling online very easy. As long as you have something other people want to buy, you are in business.
eBay and Amazon work differently, but the main principles are the same. Do some research to find out which niche is likely to be profitable. Remember, many niches are saturated with Chinese sellers who can offer goods at extremely low prices. It is best not to try and compete with them, so stay well away from cheap tech gadgets.
Consider dropshipping if you don’t have room to store a lot of stock. This is a low-hassle way of starting an online business. You act as the middleman between the customer and the wholesaler. The customer places an order with you; you place an order with the wholesaler. The wholesaler ships directly to the customer and you take a slice of the profit.
Once you have a customer base, you can open your own online store and enjoy a higher profit margin.
Childcare
There is always a demand for high-quality childcare. This is a business that suits mums with younger kids, as they can work from home and still take care of their own children. To work as a childminder, you must be registered with the Early Years Register and/or the Childcare Register.
Check this link if you would like to learn more.
This is a very small selection of businesses anyone can start from home. Tell us more about your own experiences.
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