Starting your own business has never been easier, thanks to the Internet and crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. If you’re looking to start something small in 2022, consider these 26 great small business ideas to get you started. All of these will be far more viable by 2022, so even if they don’t sound appealing today, they may be just what you’re looking for in 5 years. And if none of them work out… well, keep brainstorming! Because no matter what happens, the experience of taking an idea from conception to reality will be one you’ll remember forever.
26 great small business ideas
If you’re ready to run your own business, consider any of these business areas.
Consulting
This business idea is ideal for small businesses and startups. If you have expertise in a specific industry, you can use your skills to help companies or organizations solve problems or achieve their goals. As a consultant, you’ll work with businesses or individuals on a variety of needs, from marketing strategies and business plans to financial planning and forecasting.
Online reselling
You can easily re-sell your unwanted items on sites like eBay, Craig’s List, or ThredUp. Simply type in what you have available, check off your price and where you are located, and start selling! If you’re crafty, create a tutorial on how to use an item and make some money back. If you don’t want to hassle with shipping (and people often don’t), offer to meet up somewhere local.
Online teaching
There are a lot of online teaching positions—from tutoring over Skype to offering coding lessons. The pay isn’t great, but if you can build up your schedule, and get good reviews from students, it could be worth it. If you have marketing skills or a knack for recruiting, teaching may be a solid side business idea for you. You could also try posting your own courses on Udemy or another platform and building your own following.
Online bookkeeping
Look for services that help entrepreneurs manage their books online. If your business is small and doesn’t have a lot of cash on hand, consider outsourcing your bookkeeping entirely (or at least partially). There are several great businesses out there that offer bookkeeping services for a low monthly fee. In addition, check out free resources like QuickBooks Self-Employed, which is an easy way to set up and manage your own accounting system.
Medical courier service
There is a growing trend of patients demanding more convenience, especially when it comes to medical testing and treatments. Patients often don’t have time during their workday or after work to drive themselves across town for these tests and treatments. A medical courier service would provide an opportunity for business owners who want to start a small business in 2022.
App development
Smartphones are still going strong, and with more than a billion people on Earth now owning smartphones, it’s no surprise app development is a great small business idea. Looking into app development? Don’t forget that mobile apps require a lot of work (and funding) before they’re ready for prime time—and while there are free and easy ways to publish apps, success comes with a price tag.
Transcription service
Technology has made it easier than ever for small businesses to branch out and start a remote operation. If you’re trying to decide what kind of business you want, starting a transcription service might be an interesting option.
Professional organizing
Need money now? The demand for professional organizers is huge, and it’s a field you can enter on your own, with relatively little training or experience. A certification from a group like IFA (International Association of Professional Organizers) will give you credibility and bring you business—and if nothing else, keep your CV updated while you search for paid work. In addition to organizing clients’ homes, many professional organizers also coach clients on how to organize their personal lives, too.
Also Check: Top 10 Communication Apps for Small Business
Cleaning service
If you live in a moderately large city and can afford to buy some basic equipment, starting a cleaning service is a great small business idea. Cleaning services charge per visit, or per hour; either way it’s typically significantly less than professional services like HVAC or plumbing, for example. Nearly every household needs its carpets and rugs cleaned at least once a year, which means there are hundreds of opportunities for new small businesses willing to provide that service.
Freelance copywriting or content writing
Freelance copywriting is a great way to earn side income. This isn’t for everyone, as you will need a portfolio and very good writing skills. But if you like writing, it can be hugely successful with just one or two clients. And that’s where your small business ideas can come into play… Freelance writing is usually transactional; copywriters write one thing once and sell it over and over again. Content writers, on the other hand, are often engaged on a longer-term basis (such as blogs). If you want recurring revenue and some creative flexibility with your small business ideas, freelance copywriting may be right for you.
Home care service
The elderly population is increasing, and there is a constant demand for caretakers who can assist with daily tasks. The job market is competitive, but if you’re comfortable with helping others and want to start your own business, starting a home care service might be a great idea for you. You can get help from social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, or use print media or even classifieds to reach potential clients.
Translation service
If you speak a second language, there’s money to be made translating the text into your native tongue. If not, you can also make a pretty penny teaching foreign students English as a second language. Either way, you can register with sites like VerbalPlanet or TranslatorCity and then bid on jobs as they come up. You do need some specialized software for scheduling appointments and keeping track of your translations for tax purposes, but most of these services are free to use.
Digital marketing
Many small businesses fail because they don’t have sufficient time or money to advertise. For example, a local florist might have an incredible business model, but she can’t buy a TV ad during The Big Game for $5 million dollars if she only has $50,000 in revenue. To help scale their business, some marketers look into digital marketing strategies. A savvy marketer could also decide to hire an outside team or agency that specializes in digital advertising and grow her company that way too. It all depends on how big she wants her company to be!
Owning a food truck
Starting a food truck business is one of the easiest ways to break into entrepreneurship. The barrier to entry is relatively low, and you can even rent a food truck instead of buying one if you’re not sure your idea will take off. In addition, it’s an excellent way for recent graduates (or aspiring chefs) who don’t have much start-up capital but still want a high-risk, high-reward business venture.
Lawn care service
As Americans’ attention turns to their yards, lawn care services are a great small business idea. Homeowners need everything from general lawn mowing service and landscaping, to specialized grass trimming services like mowing around trees and under window sills, keeping lawns weed-free and edged with mulch, and more. If you’re handy with yard work tools and equipment—and enjoy working outside—this could be a great small business idea for you.
Rideshare driving
Drivers tend to make between $15 and $20 per hour, which is more than some part-time jobs. If you already have a car, you can get started by getting a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft for your phone. The average driver makes about 1,000-1,200 trips per month, so if you take 40 trips per week it should easily add up to about 500 additional dollars.
Real estate
Of all small business ideas, starting a real estate company may be one of your best options. Real estate is worth about $22 trillion—more than Amazon and Apple combined. And for good reason: We all need places to live, work, and play. With that kind of money floating around (along with low startup costs), it’s no wonder that every year there are thousands of new real estate companies born.
Graphic design
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job opportunities for graphic designers are expected to grow by 15 percent from 2016 through 2026. The median hourly wage is $31.51 as of May 2017, which is higher than most other occupations. If you’re interested in starting a business focused on graphic design, here are some things you should consider.
T-shirt printing
The internet has opened a door for small businesses that didn’t exist before—and one of these is printing on demand. T-shirt printing services, like Teespring, allow customers and businesses to upload designs and then have them printed on hundreds of sizes, colors, and styles of tees. If you can market yourself well enough on social media, t-shirt selling might just be a lucrative home business idea you can start in less than a year.
Dropshipping
Become a dropshipper and avoid inventory risk. Put your name on an empty storefront without having to invest thousands of dollars upfront—and start making money right away. A good store will have a flat, low-cost monthly fee, but you can be sure it’ll take up much less space than retail stores do and that it’ll let you devote your time and energy elsewhere while still bringing home a regular income.
Pet sitting
We’re sure you’ve heard that owning a pet is good for your health, but did you know it’s also good for your wallet? That’s right—if you have some time on your hands and love animals, it might be a great idea to start a small business caring for other people’s pets. From taking them out for walks or providing daycare, there are many different ways to make money as a pet sitter.
Become a Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants provide a wide range of services for clients across multiple industries. Whether you’re looking to get into copywriting, accounting, customer service, graphic design or other roles, becoming a virtual assistant can help build experience while also growing your skillset and industry connections. As an entry-level job that can be done from anywhere (as long as you have an internet connection), becoming a virtual assistant is also a good way to make some extra money on top of another part-time or full-time job.
Create and Sell Your Own Crafts Online
It’s not just pottery that can be sold online. Lots of people have created an online store selling items they have made by hand. If you love arts and crafts, making things, or are interested in a future career as a crafter, starting an online shop is a great way to get your name out there and make some extra money. Take your time and find something you love to do (even if it doesn’t seem like a business idea now). You never know what might become profitable!
Open an Etsy Shop
Etsy is a great place for selling handmade or vintage items. While some things are one-of-a-kind, there are also many items that you can make and sell en masse. Etsy’s services fall into two categories: listing products on their platform and selling through their sales channels.
Join an Influencer Marketing Group
By joining an influencer marketing group, you’ll be able to connect with social media marketing pros from around your industry. These groups are also a great way to collaborate and make new friends! To find one, do a Google search or ask other influencers in your niche if they’re part of one—you’ll be surprised how many there are. [via GenBizPro]
Turn your hobby into a business
Have you ever wondered how to start a business? If you’re looking for great small business ideas, start with a hobby. Take your passion and find a way to turn it into something that people will pay for. Find out what your friends would be willing to pay for if they could do your hobby as easily as you can (or find something else that people need), and offer it for sale on Etsy or another online marketplace.