by Nicole Fallon
One of the quickest and easiest ways
to start your own business is to do so online. Rather than spending thousands
of dollars and countless hours finding the perfect brick-and-mortar location,
you can get an online business up and running rather quickly, for a fraction of
the cost. In addition to generating an idea that will get consumers to
gravitate to you, starting an online business requires you to create a
well-designed website and figure out ways — through search engine optimization
and social-media, email and content marketing — to drive consumers to your
site. If you think you have what it takes to become an online entrepreneur in
2015, we've got 13 business ideas to help you get started.
1. Specialized retailer – An online store lets you reach customers all over that
world and that means you can afford to specialize. Whether it's dollhouse
furniture or organic dog food, there's an audience for everything. Using a web
hosting service with an integrated shopping cart or e-commerce software, your business will be
operational in no time. Many vendors will even ship products to customers on
your behalf, which means you don't need to own a lot of inventory.
2. Social media consultant – Larger firms can hire an agency or full-time staff member
to run their Facebook and Twitter accounts, but small businesses often have to
handle their own social media marketing. With so many other
responsibilities, business owners are often too busy or overwhelmed to spend
time developing and implementing a great social media strategy. As a
consultant, you can help them determine the best tactics, posting schedules and
content for their target audience. As their follower count grows, so will your
business.
3. Web design – Have you ever been turned off by a business’s
generic-looking website layout? If you know some HTML and have a good eye for
design, you can launch a service to create attractive, easy-to-use websites for
small businesses. You can put your skills to good use for business owners who
want to take their online presence to the next level. Build up a portfolio of
work with smaller freelance jobs, then create your own website to show it off
and bring in a steady stream of clients.
4. Resume/cover letter writing – It's a tough truth to swallow, but a standout resume and cover letter can make all the
difference when applying jobs. While listing career accomplishments might seem
like an easy task, the fine art of “humble bragging” eludes some of us. Get
hired to help others get hired by writing stellar resumes. Capitalize on the
increasingly important social media branding bandwagon and offer to fix
LinkedIn profiles as well.
5. Professional freelancer – You might not think of freelancing as a business, but with
more and more companies turning to part-time contract workers to fill their skill
gaps, it's not hard to imagine making a living providing businesses with a
variety of freelance services. Depending on your skill sets, you could work for
multiple companies in a variety of fields, offering flexibility and a
refreshing change of pace. According to the freelance job listing website
Freelancer.com, tech services, content creation and web design are popular
fields for contract work.
6. Affiliate marketing – If you're a person that loves leaving customer reviews on
sites like Amazon, stop doing it for free. Word-of-mouth advertising is still a
huge lead generator for many companies, and a lot of businesses are willing to
share a portion of their profits with persuasive individuals who will promote
their products to the public. If you have a personal website with a large
following, this might be easier to accomplish (PR reps are always seeking out
brand advocates they can send free samples to). Smart Passive Income breaks down three types of
affiliate marketing and explains which one is most profitable.
7. Health/nutrition coach – When it comes to nutrition, Americans seem to have a
mental block. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 70 percent
of the adult population is overweight or obese, and many people that want to
lose weight and eat better simply don't know where to start. You don't
necessarily need to be a registered dietitian (RD) to offer meal plans and diet
counseling to your client base, either. With the right combination of personal
support and nutrition and exercise knowledge, you could be helping people get
healthier through your online service.
8. eBook author – Have a ton of knowledge on a particular subject that you
want to share with the public? With e-readers now a staple in most households, self-publication
has become a reality for many writers who might never get picked up
by publishing companies. With the right marketing tools, you can successfully
publish your own books on anything from cooking and weight loss to real estate.
Inbound Pro’s advice from successful e-Book
authors offers tips for writing content that sells.
9. Remote technical support – Many small businesses don't have room in their budget for
a full-time IT employee, so when their systems go on the fritz, they'll usually
call a computer whiz friend or family member. If you have experience working on
computers and networks, you can eliminate their need to call in a favor and
offer immediate remote technical assistance.
10. Virtual consignment store – Bargain hunters and thrift store enthusiasts can turn a
nice profit reselling their vintage clothing finds. Brand yourself by setting
up an independent website as your virtual storefront, but use a managed service
like Google Checkout to handle transactions. High-resolution images and catchy
copy for your products will make you stand out in the sea of Internet users
trying to sell their used items..
11. Handmade craft seller – Online sites like Etsy and ArtFire are platforms that
make it extremely easy for crafters who can produce a steady supply of quality
handmade items, like crocheted blankets or unique painted glassware. Startup
costs are extremely low if you purchase your materials in bulk from a craft
supplier, and if you can turn orders around quickly, you’ll be making a profit
in no time at all. It’s even possible to turn your store into a full-time gig.
12. Teaching online courses – You don’t need a degree in education to teach people how
to do something you know inside and out. You can help others enrich their lives
by offering classes in an area you’re passionate about, like yoga or baking.
Create instructional packets and videos for download from a website, or
schedule real-time Skype lessons with clients.
13. App development – Mobile applications are more popular than ever, and people
are willing to pay good money for ways to manage their lives from their
smartphones. If you have a great idea and happen to know coding, you can run with
it and create your app yourself. If you just have an idea and don't know the
ins and outs of how to turn it into a reality, there are plenty of software
developers looking to collaborate with people on app creation.
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