Types of Online Businesses

25 Types of Online Businesses

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Today, millions of people are making money online, but millions more wait in the wings because they only believe a few ways exist to create an income stream on the Internet.

The good news is that this is far from being the truth. There are many different ways to earn money on the Internet today and many different types of online businesses to leverage for this purpose. 

What follows are 25 types of online businesses that you can start today and create your online business around.


✍️ Blogging

Blogging

Probably the most popular type of online business. And it is actually popular because it works.

There are literally thousands of blogging niches out there.

Not all of them saturated which is definitely a great news. You can start with whatever you like the most and enjoy writing about.

Just make sure that you check the competition in that niche.

Entering highly competitive niches is hard, burdensome and time-consuming and therefore not the smartest way to start blogging.

You can blog about topics that work for you and make money through different monetization methods including

  • selling your own digital or physical products
  • selling partner products
  • affiliate marketing
  • advertising, and other means

The best part is that you do not have to directly sell stuff. Simply offer the right information in the right manner and let your audience do the rest.


🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Select a niche
  2. Create a blog
  3. Start adding content
  4. Optimize & promote
  5. Monetize 💰

Start WordPress Blog at only $2.95/month

Limited-time deal from BlueHost


💸 Affiliate Marketing

Possibly the hottest trend in making money online. Just check this affiliate marketing stats here!

You establish a niche business and sell products from established sources, such as Amazon, while earning a commission for each sale.

It’s simple, costs no money to sell the products, and quite versatile. You will need to create a popular site that draws in those who have an interest in buying such products for it to work.

So, affiliate marketing works great when combined with blogging.


🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Create your marketing channel (like a website or YouTube channel)
  2. Start adding content
  3. Optimize & promote
  4. Monetize 💰


🔧 Tools you need:



📱 Apps

Developing apps is a great way to make money online.

You can create an app for just about anything these days, from games to productivity tools to social media platforms. If you have a great idea for an app, there’s a good chance you can create a successful online business around it.

The good news is that developing an app is not as difficult or expensive as it used to be.

Today, app building is easy and affordable – there are many “app builders” out there that allow you to create an app without needing to know how to code.

Check for example Appy Pie, they provide simple drag and drop tools that allow you to create an app in minutes.


🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Come up with an app idea
  2. Start creating your app using no code app builders
  3. Publish your app when ready
  4. Optimize & promote
  5. Monetize 💰


🔧 Tools you need:

📚 Additional resources for creating a successful app

🛒 E-Commerce

E-commerce is one of the most popular types of online businesses.

An e-commerce business is any type of business that allows customers to purchase products or services online.

Some examples of e-commerce businesses are online retailers, such as Amazon, BestBuy or eBay.

The great thing about e-commerce businesses is that they can be started with very little capital, and they have the potential to scale quickly.


🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Find a niche for your online store
  2. Create your E-commerce website
  3. Add your products/services
  4. Optimize & promote
  5. Sell your products or services💰


🔧 Tools you need:

📚 Additional resources for creating a successful E-commerce store

🧑‍💻 Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a self-employed person who provides administrative, creative or technical support to clients remotely.

Virtual assistants are in high demand, as more and more businesses are looking to outsource tasks that can be done remotely.

If you have experience as a virtual assistant, or if you have any other skills that businesses need, you can start your own virtual assistant business and earn a good income.


🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Register on a freelance platform like Fiverr or Upwork
  2. Create your profile
  3. Start sending proposals to clients and secure your first contract
  4. You can also start this business by creating your own website and marketing your virtual assistant services independently. If everything goes well, you can also expand your business by hiring other virtual assistants and creating a team.


🔧 Tools you need:

  • Fiverr, Upwork or another freelance platform
  • AI Content Tool for creating winning proposals
📚 Additional resources for creating a successful E-commerce store

🧩 Web Design

Do you know how many websites are there?

Over a billion. All those websites were designed at some point and many of them need redesign from time to time. This once created a web design as another online business type and continues keeping it alive as a lucrative business idea.

The demand for web design is still there. If you have what it takes, then it might worth trying.

Importantly, web design today does not require any technical skills. You can create and design new websites in a 100% drag-and-drop mode with tools like Divi, Elementor or Wix.


🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Learn web design. The quickest way to do so is to start by creating your own website using our website creation guide here (it’s super simple). You can use this website to learn web design at your own pace. You can also turn it into your first portfolio over time (portfolio is important in this business type).
  2. If you want to learn web design academically then check Coursera.
  3. Create your web design portfolio (if you haven’t already) to show prospective clients
  4. Register on a freelance platform (Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com) or create your own website
  5. Start sending proposals to clients looking to hire a web designer. Or if you are marketing your services through your own website, then find prospects (for example, sites with outdated design) and start reaching out to them.


🔧 Tools you need:


🖊️ Author

It’s easier than ever to publish your own eBook and sell it directly to the public. You pick a subject that people are interested in, publish it on Amazon, and use basic marketing techniques to sell it.

Simple, effective, and you can write as many eBooks as you want. Even more –  you can sell a single book unlimited times without the need to print it or do anything else. Beautiful, isn’t it?


🌐 Sell Domains

By purchasing domains on the cheap and reselling them, it is possible to make a considerable amount of money.

Many people make their money in this manner, but you do need some luck and skill to make it work. It can also be quite a time-consuming process.

However, if you are able to discover excellent domain names and sell them at a higher price, this may be a highly profitable business.

You can start your domain search using the search box below:



🚀 How to start this online business:

  1. Research domains at Sedo or Namecheap to see what is available
  2. Buy domains you want
  3. Look (or wait) for an opportunity to sell them at a higher price


🔧 Tools you need:

  • Sedo Domain Marketplace
  • Namecheap

Create and Sell Courses

Online courses have become all the rage. You can take advantage by creating a course and selling it online.

If you have knowledge and experience in certain subjects that people want to know about, creating an online course offers considerable benefits to them and to your wallet.


🔧 Tools you need:

In addition, getting detailed reviews and insights about different courses on platforms like EduReviewer can help you make an informed decision that meets your requirements and expectations.


Business Coaching

A profession that has made its way onto the Internet.

If you have considerable knowledge and experience in business, you can provide consulting, coaching, and motivational information through video chats and even simple email and/or other available digital communication channels.

This can be done on freelance platforms or independently via your own website.

For instance, using freelance platforms can help you tap into a vast network of potential clients, benefit from their built-in audience, and easily showcase your expertise to a broader market.

If you choose to operate independently, your initial steps should include defining your coaching niche and identifying your target audience, followed by the creation of a well-thought-out business plan.

Additionally, you may want to consider the option of forming an LLC for added legal protection and professional standing in your coaching business.


Design T-Shirts

This is an easy, inexpensive and quick online business type.

Thanks to numerous platforms that do the heavy lifting, you can now easily go into t-shirts design business and sell t-shirt designs to your customers.


eBay Sales

If you have products, sell them on eBay. It’s quick, easy, and you have a built-in audience.

You only need to get the products and sell them for a profit.


Graphic Designer

If you have some experience in this field, you can attract clients with your talents in graphic design.

Even if you have no experience, you can still start this online business with a tool like Canva which does not require any technical knowledge.

It does take some networking, but if you are good at it, you can make money.


Influencer

Become popular in a niche and you can draw business to you as an influencer.

Building up a large audience means you become attractive to companies. Who in turn will offer money to help direct that audience to the products or services they provide.


Photographer

You can work freelance or build a library of stock photographs that you can sell on stock photo websites or on your own site.

This is possible to do even with your smartphone. Most of the stock image companies have mobile apps for this purpose.

Foap can be a good option to start with.


Research

Business owners, writers, and many others hire researchers to find information for them. You can do the same and earn a tidy profit.

This can be done on a freelance platform (which is not really a business) or on your personal website (which is the true online business).


Sell Your Own Products

If you make items, you can sell them from your own eCommerce store or use places like Etsy.

You can make a considerable amount by selling what you make.

READ ALSO: Types Of Blogs That Make Money


SEO Consultant

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the most popular, passive form of marketing on the Internet.

By becoming an expert in SEO, you can offer your services to businesses around the world in advertising their goods and services in a natural way.

Learning SEO can be a challenging task, but once you do it rewards will be considerable. 


Social Media Consultant

Here, you offer advice to business owners about how to run their social media accounts.

As most of the social media platforms became a pay-to-play area for businesses it is not free to experiment with social media marketing anymore.

With the right advice, businesses can make their social media marketing effective which will positively affect their sales.

You’ll need a solid experience, skills, and knowledge for this, but you can serve many businesses in this manner.


Social Media Manager

Instead of consulting, you can run the social media accounts for business owners, making money from the monthly fees you charge to provide services.

This online business type is quite old now, but it still works.


Travel Consultant

In today’s digital age, you might think the plethora of online travel tools would make the role of a travel consultant obsolete. Surprisingly, it’s quite the opposite. While these platforms offer a wealth of information and booking options, they can be overwhelming for many travelers. That’s where your expertise comes in.

Interestingly, the abundance of travel tools isn’t competition; it’s an asset. People seeking personalized travel plans often find automated platforms lacking in nuance and customization. They turn to you for that personal touch. Meanwhile, you can leverage these very tools to offer an efficient, well-rounded service.

For instance, Skyscanner is excellent for its global reach, Kayak allows for customized search results, and Going specializes in alerting you to significant price drops. Hopper is another app that predicts price changes, advising you on the best times to book.

By using these tools to your advantage, you can provide a service that combines the best of both worlds: the efficiency of technology and the personalization that only a human consultant can offer. This not only adds value but also gives your clients peace of mind, something that automated services can’t fully deliver.


Tutor

From students to clients, you can set up a tutoring service online and teach people from the comfort of your home.

You can work on the subjects you choose and provide valuable assistance that will be appreciated.


Website Developer

If you are not partial to web designing, you can help businesses on the back end of the process.

You will need more technical knowledge, but it works for many people.


Writer

If you can write, you can go freelance and work for business owners around the world.

Many of the articles you see on websites are written by freelance writers who work for a fee.


Advertising Consultant

If you know about advertising options online, you can offer your expertise as a specialist in the field.

This helps businesses of all types better reach their customer base.


YouTube Celebrity

You’ve probably seen them, but you may not know that most of them make considerable money through advertising, affiliate marketing, and membership subscriptions through YouTube itself or from outside sources such as Patreon.

The only requirement is that you create interesting, entertaining videos for your YouTube channel on a regular basis that draws in the views.


Conclusion

The good news is that you can use one or more of these methods to earn money online starting from today. Some of them take very little time to set up.

So, you can start adding to your bank account with one or more of these business ideas already today.


FAQ

What are the benefits of starting an online business?

There are many benefits to starting an online business, such as low start-up costs, the ability to scale quickly and the ability to reach a global audience.

What are some things to consider before starting an online business?

Some things to consider before starting an online business include the type of business you want to start, your target market, your budget and your skillset.

What are some common mistakes people make when starting an online business?

Some common mistakes people make when starting an online business include not doing enough research, not having a clear plan and not being realistic about the amount of time and effort required.

What are the most important things to do when starting an online business?

Some of the most important things to do when starting an online business include choosing the right business model, building a strong brand and creating valuable content.

How profitable online business can be?

The profitability of an online business depends on a number of factors, such as the type of business, the size of the market and the competition. Generally, online businesses have the potential to be very profitable, as they have low overheads and can reach large audiences.

What are some common challenges faced by online businesses?

Some common challenges faced by online businesses include attracting and retaining customers, managing expenses and generating traffic (this is probably the biggest challenge).

How can online businesses be successful?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the formula for success varies from business to business. However, some tips for success include having a strong value proposition, offering quality products or services and providing excellent customer service.

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Article by:

NJ

NJ is all about websites and AI. With years of experience building cool sites, he's also got a knack for diving into AI's exciting possibilities. Always on the hunt for the next big thing, NJ loves to share his discoveries with the world. Whether it's a groundbreaking tool or a fresh concept, if NJ's talking about it, you know it's worth a look.
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Nancy
Nancy
3 years ago

Superb article! I was looking for something like this one.
As I wanted to start my own business.
Thanks for sharing.

Mohamed Rafick
Mohamed Rafick
3 years ago

Great insights. You proved sharing is caring my friend.

Aimash
Aimash
1 year ago

Short and sweet.

The best article I’ve read on the subject. Thanks!

Kevin
Kevin
8 months ago

Great read NJ!

It’s short, informative, and on point. Thank you!

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