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Many individuals wanting to establish a full-time or side company during COVID-19 are considering home business options. Fortunately, modern technology and software have made it simpler than ever to start a low-cost at-home company.
In no particular order, here are 28 home-based business ideas for 2021:
Online-based companies
1. Podcasts
Over the last decade, the number of individuals interested in podcasting has increased dramatically. While there may seem to be a large number of podcasts accessible, this figure pales in comparison to the number of blogs, which range from 1 million to 600 million. However, as Google and artificial intelligence (AI) include podcasts into search results, we expect their popularity to expand.
(Statistics courtesy of Statista)
The increased ad investment in the business is a boon for podcasters. Over the last five years, advertising revenue has poured into podcasting, and it’s predicted to top $1 billion by 2021.
(Image courtesy of eMarketer)
It will likely take many years to increase your listener base unless your podcast is an immediate smash or you already have a following. Popular podcasts charge marketers between $10 and $50 per 1,000 listeners for sponsorships.
2. YouTube Channel
A YouTube channel, like podcasting, is a low-cost home-based business concept. You can create a channel if you have a smartphone. Although the information may not be of good quality, if it is engaging or useful, you may gain a following.
The enhanced income options embedded into the platform are one advantage of starting a company on YouTube. Businesses are using YouTube to promote. In 2021, the platform is predicted to generate net advertising revenues of $5.21 billion, up 52 percent from 2019.
(Statistics courtesy of Statista)
You’ll need at least 1,000 followers to generate money from a YouTube channel. There’s a YouTube regulation about it. You may employ your newfound video-making abilities as a freelancing marketer for small firms even before you achieve that barrier. YouTube is used by 62 percent of companies to publish video content. It’s the second-most-used platform for companies to distribute video content, behind Facebook.
3. E-commerce Website
How can you take advantage of the eCommerce boom as an entrepreneur? Consider selling your goods online if you already have one. If you don’t have a product, dropshipping—selling someone else’s goods on your website and social media platforms like Instagram—might be a good option.
According to Statista, eCommerce in the United States has been continuously increasing and is anticipated to reach $740 billion by 2023.
(Statistics courtesy of Statista)
During COVID-19, take advantage of the most popular online firms. In 2020, online pet supplies and food grew by 28.5 percent. In 2020, sales of vitamins and supplements over the internet climbed by 15%.
Tip: One of the most difficult aspects of running a dropshipping company is getting customers to visit your website. You’ll also require marketing abilities, such as social media, video marketing, search engine optimization, or online paid advertisements, in addition to website design.
4. Offer Handmade Items for Sale
Because you’ll most likely be utilizing a third-party website like Etsy or Amazon Handmade, this home business concept differs from eCommerce.
Why sell your items via these platforms rather than on your own eCommerce website? Because you’re obtaining access to the people that frequent their website.
You may sell goods like these on Etsy or Amazon Handmade:
- Jewelry
- Pet toys
- Candles
- Ornaments
- Masks
- Knitted garments
- Planners
You will construct your own shop on their website if you use a third-party platform. Building your store’s reputation will take time. On Etsy, for example, your number of sales, product ratings, and favorited store counts are shown at the top. Consumers’ prospective faith in your items and shop will grow as you get more pleased customers.
5. Web Development & Digital Marketing
Despite the fact that websites have been available for decades, users still need high-quality web pages. As a web developer, you have a lot of choices when it comes to building a website.
You may learn to code so that you can make your own websites. You may learn how to design a semi-custom website with WordPress. You may also learn to construct a website using a platform like Wix. You’ll make about $2,500 with a semi-custom website. Custom websites created using code, on the other hand, may make you up to $15,000 or more.
Digital marketing is a catch-all word for any internet strategy aimed at increasing a company’s consumer base. Online advertisements, social media marketing, search engine optimization, and Google My Business are all examples of this. The purpose of digital marketing is to assist a company in making money. You may start a company as a freelancer or a marketing agency if you can accomplish it.
6. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing may represent a variety of things, but it usually refers to when you sell someone else’s goods for a commission. Because the number of advertising dollars spent on affiliate marketing has been gradually increasing, we highlighted it as a potential option.
(Statistics courtesy of Statista)
Because affiliate marketing normally only pays a referral fee after a transaction happens, businesses are growing more amenable to it.
The following is an example of how affiliate marketing might benefit you: On your website, you propose a product, service, or piece of software. You receive a commission for each individual who purchases a product after clicking on your unique link. If you make $30 each sale and have 100 sales in a month, you will make $3,000 in that month.
The problem is that it’s difficult to locate individuals to sell affiliate items to. You’ll need to educate, amuse, or both to attract an audience. This group of people might be found on a website, an email list, a social media platform, or a video platform. After you’ve identified your target audience, you may propose items or services to them.
7. Pet Sitting Service
Consider being a pet sitter if you like animals and have experience caring for them. You may perform your own local marketing to locate consumers, or you can utilize a website like Rover.com to connect with people searching for dog boarding, walking, or daycare.
In terms of cost, a basic hour-long stroll in the neighborhood may cost $15 to $20. A trip to a dog park for an hour that requires more intensive effort and supervision may cost $20 to $30.
The average cost of day-sitting is $37 per day, with a range of $25 to $50. The cost of overnight boarding might range from $50 to $75 per night.
Consider adding other services, such as mobile grooming or dog training certification, to your pet walking and sitting costs.
8. Car Detailing and Washing
Over the previous five years, the vehicle detailing sector has grown at a pace of 4% each year. This is a low-skill, simple-to-start company. Before applying any goods or auto detailing procedures on client cars, you may test them out on your own vehicles.
The problem here is finding a place to work from. Consider contacting business park owners, local gas station owners, or major strip mall owners to ask if you may operate out of their parking lot for a charge.
Tip: Focusing on an eco-friendly vehicle wash is one approach to set your auto detailing company apart from the competition. Consumers are prepared to pay extra for environmentally friendly services, according to 35% of respondents.
9. Rent a Car
(Image courtesy of Turo.com)
Renting out your vehicle on Turo.com, the world’s biggest car-sharing marketplace, is a less labor-intensive automobile-related business. The concept is similar to that of Airbnb, but for automobiles.
The amount you may earn every day is determined by a number of things. One is the cost of the care you decide on. The degree of insurance and protection for the vehicle is another consideration. Choose from a variety of programs, including a risk-averse one in which you only earn 60% on each vehicle rental but don’t have to pay a deductible for damage. Earn 80% with a $1,625 deductible if you’re less risk-averse.
10. Online Dating Consultant
An online dating consultant may be the appropriate home-based company for you if you like matching your friends for dates.
The online dating industry has been continuously developing and is likely to continue to do so in the future. The market was worth $6.4 billion in 2017, and it’s predicted to grow to $9.2 billion by 2025. The dating business as a whole is anticipated to expand.
(Allied Market Research is the source.)
How can you profit from this present and expanding industry? As an online dating counselor, consider specializing in assisting people in presenting their best selves online. People find it challenging to articulate their likes, dislikes, and interests in a manner that is attractive. You may also assist them to prepare for their first date by coaching them on what to say online.
11. Personal Trainer
While COVID-19 has made it difficult to get work as a personal trainer, there is still a market for freelancers. This training may take place at your house, a client’s home, or a public location like a park, beach, or parking lot.
By 2026, the global fitness training industry is predicted to rise by 10%.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
It helps to have recorded client outcomes while working as a personal trainer. Consider taking on a handful of devoted customers at a lower rate and documenting their outcomes if you’re just starting out. Showcase your clients’ achievements on your website, social media, and printed marketing materials to attract new customers.
Your personal trainer fee will range from $11 to $52 per hour, with annual profits ranging from $23,000 to over $100,000, depending on your expertise and total customer demand.
12. Accounting and bookkeeping
An accounting firm oversees a company’s revenue and costs. A bookkeeper may also help customers with payroll and tax returns. This is a versatile company to establish since it can be done remotely and customers may come from all around the United States.
Earning an accounting certification will help you attract your initial customers. Consider taking the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) certificate program, which costs $574 and includes a four-part test. If you don’t have the appropriate school background, pursue the National Certification of Public Bookkeepers (NACPB), which costs $600 and needs 4,000 hours of work experience.
13. Yoga Teacher
Yoga’s popularity has skyrocketed in the last decade:
(Statistics courtesy of Statista)
Yoga teaching, like personal training, has taken a blow with COVID-19. People, on the other hand, continue to desire to practice yoga. By holding lessons outdoors, the freelance yoga teacher may take advantage of the increased demand.
Alternatively, if you want to teach lessons electronically, tools like Namastream may help. This program gives you the tools you need to run a successful virtual yoga company. Create numerous membership choices, set up autopay, and connect email marketing with the program.
14. Massage Therapy
Consider following the trending companies while deciding what kind of company to start. Massage treatment is expected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in 2020, with a growth rate of 23.6 percent. The use of recent technology and software has made running an at-home massage therapist company much simpler.
One disadvantage of owning a mobile massage company is the lack of a natural marketing asset in the form of a storefront. Consider utilizing websites like Soothe to interact with clients as you expand your brand and client base. Soothe connects consumers with mobile massage therapists and enables them to schedule sessions from the comfort of their own homes.
15. Alterations by tailors and seamstresses
A tailor or seamstress may run a mobile company in the same way that massage therapists can. Take measurements and pick up the items at a client’s house. Make the necessary modifications at home.
The amount of money a tailor or seamstress earns is determined by the sort of job they do. A basic hem might cost as little as $10 to $15. Altering a wedding gown might cost you up to $300.
16. Refurbishing antiques
Consider starting a company reselling antiques if you like finding older objects at garage sales and auctions and working with your hands to restore them. This is a frequent practice with antique furniture.
The amount of money you may earn renovating antiques and older furniture is determined by the product’s quality and kind. You must also be able to place your goods in front of the appropriate customer. You may charge a bit less for a piece of furniture than you would for a comparable item at full price. Clients may come to you to refurb their furniture if you establish a brand reputation for yourself.
17. Farmer’s Market
In 2021, herb sales are predicted to expand at a consistent pace of roughly 2.1 percent. Technology has now made it possible to cultivate herbs in the privacy of your own garden. Herbs may be more enticing to you if you want to cultivate food since they have a smaller impact.
In terms of cost, a mini-greenhouse and raised bed will likely set you back $300 at the very least. ZipGrow, on the other hand, offers a more expensive and automated grow solution. A 20′ by 48′ ZipGrow Vertical Greenhouse costs roughly $27,670 in total:
(Image courtesy of ZipGrow)
18. Personal Chef & Meal Prep
Consider creating a personal chef and meal prep service if you like cooking. This company makes meals for busy people and families.
The popularity of meal delivery services like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh has gradually grown over the last several years. Not everyone, however, likes to prepare their own meals. Consider starting a company where you make meals in your own or your clients’ homes.
Skilled & Knowledge Businesses
19. Graphic Designer
The specialized options are what makes a graphic designer an excellent business to start from home. Choose a particular need on a social media network to get started. You may, for example, specialize in designing Instagram Stories or YouTube channel banners and thumbnails. Create a portfolio with a few samples of your specialty.
Then, to attract new customers, try establishing a profile on Fiverr.com. While you may believe it’s ideal to showcase your graphic design skills in a variety of areas, a Fiverr profile that focuses on a single service will attract people seeking that service. After you’ve established a solid reputation, you may branch out into additional design services.
20. Solar Energy Installation
As the cost of solar electricity has decreased, so has the number of installations:
(Image courtesy of the Earth Policy Institute)
The ease with which you can advertise and sell this sort of company makes it a terrific place to start. Potential clients immediately grasp how solar can save them money. As a consultant, you may show them the numbers behind the initial investment and how much money they’ll save over time if they go solar instead of their present energy system.
You’ll need to learn about solar power installations to get started in this profession. Installing and selling solar may need a license in your state, so do your homework. Begin with your own residence. Then it’s on to relatives and friends. Source vendors and understand the ins and outs of installation during this period. Hire more personnel to install the solar panels as your client base grows.
Voice-Over Actor/Actress
Consider becoming a voice-over artist if you can sing or have a deep voice. Voice-over artists are in great demand as e-learning and e-books become more popular. Whether it’s for businesses or simple explainer films, e-learning is a fantastic potential. People yearning for distinctive accents and dialects have also boosted the variety of voice quality.
22. Publicist
Public relations jobs are predicted to expand at a greater rate than most other sectors by 2029, at 7%. Here’s your chance to work as a freelance publicist for a variety of firms, including small and medium-sized enterprises.
Smaller companies may not be able to afford a full-time public relations professional, but they may hire a part-time freelancer to manage their online image and brand. A publicist is also a good fit for internet marketing. You may give advice and direction on how a firm can effectively display its business on these new chances if you are familiar with the newest platforms and features, such as TikTok and LinkedIn Stories.
23. College & Education Consultant
Consider becoming a college and education adviser if you appreciate assisting others in finding the greatest educational choices for their preferred lifestyle. This profession assists high school children and adults with their college applications.
This job may also assist folks in finding employment outside of college. Alternatives to college, such as Lamda School (a coding school) and Google’s Profession Certificate Training Programs, equip learners with in-demand skills and job contacts. Many individuals are unaware of these job prospects, and you may assist them.
From 2019 to 2029, this profession is expected to increase at a rate of 8%, substantially higher than the national average. As educational options expand, professionals will be needed to assist individuals in preparing for and navigating the application process.
24. Day Care
Consider launching a home daycare if you like taking care of children or if you have a kid to watch during the day and feel you can watch a few more. There are around 280,000 regulated home daycares in the United States.
You may need a state license to operate your home daycare, so check your state or county laws. You may also choose to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential to provide prospective customers (parents) confidence and peace of mind in your child care skills. The CDA offers self-directed and online learning opportunities.
25. Airbnb Host
Since COVID-19’s initial lockdowns, Airbnb rentals have increased dramatically. People are seeking a safe method to go away from a home that is socially distant. Consider renting a room or the full property to Airbnb tenants if you feel your home would be a good option to rent out to visitors and vacationers.
Additionally, providing an experience for visitors with your Airbnb home might help you make more money. The possibilities for experiences are limitless. You may teach your visitors how to do things like dancing, surfing, or painting. You may also put on a performance or a tour. Consider these extras to give your visitors a memorable experience.
26. Photographer
It’s advisable to concentrate on a certain genre of photography while starting out as a photographer. That specialty should be the focus of all of your marketing and promotion. Weddings, headshots, goods, fashion, and real estate are among the specialties.
It is possible to spend a lot of money on photography equipment. Even for a novice, the camera, lenses, lighting, and editing software may cost thousands of dollars. Consider buying old equipment on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to get this company off the ground on a shoestring budget. Before you buy something, be sure it’s of good quality.
27. Tutoring through the Internet
Over the last several years, finding customers who are interested in-home tutoring services has been easier. You don’t have to locate your own students as an online instructor. Tutors may connect with students through websites like Wyzant.com, Tutor.com, and HomeTutorSite.com.
It is not necessary to use online tutoring for schoolwork. You may connect with others eager to learn from your experience if you have abilities and a background in music, sports, finance, or economics. For your knowledge, you may earn anywhere from $30 to over $200.
28. Cleaning Service
Many at-home employees are interested in starting a cleaning company because of the cheap cost and plenty of customers. Companies are searching for extensive cleaning of their facilities to reduce illness transmission, especially in light of COVID-19.
A simple cleaning company may be started for less than $1,000. Alternatively, for roughly $4,000, you may work with a franchise like Stratus Building Solutions. Guaranteed client accounts, training, and marketing assistance are all included in the franchise cost.
Conclusion
Practicing the service or selling the product for family and friends is one of the finest methods to start a home-based company. Get testimonials from all of your initial clients in exchange for a free or reduced charge. Market your outcomes and quality experiences to your prospective consumers once you have them.
