15 Best Small Business Ideas for Beginners in 2024
I am fed up with my 9-to-5 job. I want to be my own boss.
Big dreams, ready to go.
Sounds like what you’re thinking right now, doesn’t it?
But where do you start? And how?
Or maybe you are telling yourself, “I want to start a business, but no ideas”
I’m sure many, and I for one, have been in a situation when the very first thought pops into your mind: they feel the same.
But you are not alone; rest in peace!
This is a comprehensive guide for starters. Here are the 15 best small business ideas for beginners in 2024.
From adorable pet businesses to print-on-demand, I reckon you will find something on this list that catches your attention.
So let’s dive right in!
Disclosures: This site contains affiliate links. We may earn commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase any services through our partner links.
1. Start Blogging
After all, anyone can write a blog-the sheer value of someone’s passion needn’t be paid for by a “real” writer, an engineering genius, or even after years of experience. A simple blog just fosters a passion and expresses one’s personal brand in the face of an interested and engaged audience that wants to read.
Blogging is surprisingly easy and cheap to start, and there are hundreds of choices from which to start: WordPress, Medium, Tumblr are just a few.
And you can start writing on what’s on your mind and learn as you go. That’s exactly how began the blog you’re reading now.
If you have considered starting a blog, then this free step-by-step guide will show everything you need to know about starting a blog, from finding the right niche to starting up your blog to writing your first post and promotion.
The more your writing skills grow, the more you can fully begin to offer your writing services to businesses, websites, or even fellow bloggers that need outstanding content.
And if you can handle it, you might just become a chief managing officer in charge of updating blogs for many busy businesses that cannot keep up with their game.
And why not? You can slap ads on it, promote affiliate products, and write sponsored posts-the list goes on and on.
2. Build an Online Store
With an online store, you can reach a global customer base. More than anything, the right platform will get you started quickly and inexpensively-not in weeks or months.
Shopify is ideal for online shopping, providing an easily accessible interface and everything you need to get started doing business.
It is not too expensive, so there’s a minimized risk to drain your wallet and an even more free trial period is offered. Yes, you have read that right; Shopify can be tested absolutely free of cost.
And the best part is that, by using Shopify, you can create a professional online shop without knowing a single line of code.
They also have a totally free course library that teaches you how to get started. This is fabulous news for those who are interested in starting their own online store.
The courses cover everything from picking a product to sell to setting up your shop, to marketing your business.
3. Start a YouTube Channel
One does not necessarily need to be a celebrity to have a great YouTube channel. Besides, most YouTubers started with the basic cameras found in their smartphones.
The biggest YouTube channels are from ordinary people.
So, if you want to find out some of the small business ideas one can consider, then starting a YouTube channel is a great option.
Why?
YouTube monetizes differently and not strictly in the form of AdSense revenue, but also through other forms, including brand partnerships and sponsorships.
It does not require so much money up front. You can start recording with just a smartphone and the most basic video editing application, so it truly becomes accessible to anyone who wants to begin.
Moreover, YouTube videos tend to last longer than on any other social media platform.
Once you have uploaded that video, it can keep receiving views and engagements over time if it matters to themes that are always relevant.
You could simply just start filming yourself talking about your passion for the course subject or show off your skills through tutorials and how-tos.
Ensure that the YouTube thumbnails for your video are catchy, engaging, and informative. You can earn from your YouTube channel, too, through advertising and sponsorships if you create a big enough following, as I mentioned earlier.
And would you believe?
You can go even further.
You could start offering services like video editing or even become a production guru for other YouTubers. Imagine helping them manage their channels and making things happen behind the scenes.
If you’re not sure how to get started but want to give it a try, check out these YouTube courses on Skillshare.
Of course, these courses will be taught by experienced creators who will cover everything from script creation to shooting and editing your very first video.
Learn from the pros, after all!
READ ALSO: 15 Best places in Europe for a perfect family trip
READ ALSO: Top 15 best things to do in Seattle (2024)
4. Social Media Consultant
As a social media consultant, you would help businesses create and maintain online visibility.
A good social media consultant would know how social media works and how it can be used to meet business objectives. He will also be familiar with the most recent alterations and fads that come along with the world of social media.
A good social media consultant would guide the business owner to develop an effective strategy for his/ her social media.
This encompasses everything from determining which platforms you will use to building interesting and growing audiences, right on up to measuring the results to adjust along the way.
This is not one of those easy businesses you can start now, meaning it absolutely requires experience.
5. Build an Online Course
Whether it is because you are an expert on a particular domain, or you simply love a hobby, as long as you have the right knowledge, you can make a course and sell the same online.
Now, that being said, before you can sell them, you first need to take a few very basic steps.
First and foremost, you will need to come up with what topic do you want to cover with your course.
Once you have a topic in mind, you’ll want to brainstorm what your lesson plan is and how you will present your course material.
Do you see yourself using videos, audio recordings, written lectures, or some combination of all three
Once you have your content, you will need to decide on a platform for providing this content.
Teachable is one very popular online course platform.
It has an interface that is easily understandable and usable, thus making it facilitate you to come up with an informative and visually appealing course.
6. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without holding any inventory of your own.
How does it work?
All the store owner, just like you, has to do is contact the supplier (which is mostly automated) so that they will ship the products right to the customer’s doorstep.
A drop shipping business can be completely online, which is apt for the entrepreneurial-minded with fewer resources.
It definitely offers several opportunities in the context of dropshipping, but before that, you have to do some sort of research and pick the right niche to begin with.
To get started, I would recommend watching this FREE Droppinshing webinar on Shopify. Not to mention, Shopify is also a pretty good place to start your dropshipping business!
7. Freelance Graphic Designer
You are a freelance graphic designer that designs according to what the client wants you to do.
Typography, layout and color theory form the underlying learning areas that ensure aesthetical sense and functional integrity in your works.
There are thousands of free online courses and tutorials for every level of graphic design-from beginner to expert.
So, if you are a newbie in graphic design, then start with what Canva terms “Graphic Design Essentials.” It’s free and will train you on the most basic things you’ll need in graphic design.
Where to start is not essential; you can always get a hold of what you need in order to really enhance your skillset, and always, always create a creative portfolio showing off your best work.
And so, if you now feel prepared to start with freelancing in graphic design services, head to one of these freelancing websites like Fiverr, create a gig, and start promoting the same to acquire your first client.
8. Instagram Influencer
So, if you lead an interesting life, and if you are quite good at taking pictures, you could be an Instagram influencer.
An Instagram influencer, by name, is the user who has a large following on the social media platform. He can post for products or services in favor of his followers.
To be an influencer, start posting high-quality photos, which must be well composed and aesthetically pleasing. Posting regularly keeps your followers busy.
And, of course, do not forget to communicate with other users on the service to make your name.
Little effort will make your hobby become a well-paid career as an Instagram influencer.
9. Pet Business
Pet business: You can easily start up a pet business if you like spending time with pets and have ever wanted to start up a business for it.
From walking the dog and sitting to pet grooming and pet products, there are just so many small business ideas relating to pets.
Indeed, it is a great business idea to start a business with pets for quite some people who love to have pets at home. Actually, a recent survey indicates that 70 percent of all houses in the US have at least one pet inside the house.
First, you have to determine what type of pet business you would like to open.
After you have acquired all you can in learning about your market, you can then create a business plan and start marketing your new pet business.
10. Virtual Assistant
If you want to earn extra money, or if you want to open up your own business, then being a virtual assistant is an excellent opportunity.
Offer your services to businesses and individuals who might need help in scheduling, customer service calls, research for content, organization of emails, planning travel, or even just updating or simply maintaining a client’s social media channels.
You can bring in some pretty nice money by becoming one of these virtual assistants, especially after you have built up a large client base. And the best part: you can do it all from home, choose your hours, and work as much or little as you want.
11. Freelance Writing
Maybe you’re a stay-at-home parent looking for some extra cash or maybe you’ve recently graduated from college and can’t or don’t need to commit to a full-time position.
Whatever your situation, you could have a way with words by breaking down complicated topics that can be easily digested, in which case freelancing as a writer might just be the perfect gig for you.
And as a freelancer writer, you can work from your home setting, by your own schedule, and get paid while writing articles, blog posts, web copy, and so much more.
A great way to just use your skills and talents just to raise a bit of cash, and in addition, a wonderful way to get your foot in the door of the publishing world.
You can start by using such platforms as Fiverr or Upwork that you can get in contact with clients who require content being written.
On that site, you might even be able to envision starting up a service there.
12. SEO Consultant
Thanks to Search Engine Optimization or SEO, for instance, businesses stand a bigger chance of being accessed by prospective clients looking for their products and services online.
The knowledge that would give one the position of an SEO expert is understanding how search engines work and how other factors affect organic rankings.
Other than that, you always have to be updated on the newest trends and strategies of SEO.
Create a gig that outlines services you can offer along with the price you can charge and then make promotions to businesses that will use your services.
Start promoting your services on Fiverr.
13. Sell Crafts on Etsy
Etsy is the largest and most prominent online marketplace for selling handmade and vintage items. For craft-making enthusiasts, this might be a good medium to sell craft-made goods. With over 96 million active buyers, Etsy is an awesome destination to begin or expand a small business that happens to take place online.
You get a shop up and running on Etsy in just a few minutes, then the sale listings can start going up.
You also have to shoot good pictures of your products and write descriptions that are concise, clear, and may appeal to such buyers.
14. Sell Print-On-Demand
On-demand printing or print-on-demand is a business model where products are printed only when an order has been placed. As a POD merchant, you can sell customized items without any stock.
This business model involves a partnership with a supplier who prints the requested design on the chosen item and directs it straight to the customer.
To begin, you will need to look for a good online printing company that also has print-on-demand services such as Gelato.
They offer more than 150 custom products to print with your designs like t-shirts, posters, canvases, mugs, tote bags, and the list goes on and on.
Plus, it is free to join!
After you have picked a business, you can either create your designs or hire a talented designer from websites like Fiverr.
You love your products and now you are finally interested in selling them: it is the stage of building your website with which to promote and sell there.
Most, however, still prefer choosing Shopify since it provides you with everything you need in getting started.
They’ve also made it ridiculously easy to build your online store, manage payments, and get in touch with customers-even if you’re a complete eCommerce newbie.
15. Event Planner
If you want a specific small business idea then, you can become an event planner. It is an event planner who makes sure all requirements beginning to the end of the event are clearly met.
That requires that you are well-organized, inventive, and possess good skills in customer services.
You will have to handle flexibility when having last-minute changes come your way, and solutions for unexpected problems also need to be formed.
There are numerous events to plan.