Many people dream of becoming entrepreneurs, and often the biggest thing holding them back is lack of funds. While starting a company on a small budget can be tough, the truth is, you don’t always need millions to launch a business. If you know your way around computers and have an active internet connection, then a computer-based business could be ideal for you. Here are 10 businesses you might want to consider.
Software Development
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software developers will grow by at least 22 percent between 2019 and 2029, making this one of the most stable professions worldwide.
Software developers are creative professionals who make computer programs of all sorts. While some developers focus on a specific type of app or program, others create massive networks or underlying systems that help power other programs. And while the software development industry comprises a variety of areas, you can focus on one or more services, such as mobile app or web development, blog maintenance or other upcoming fields such as blockchain and cybersecurity.
Desktop Publishing
Apart from having computer skills, if you are creative and have an understanding of graphics and page layout, desktop publishing could be a viable computer-based business idea for you. Some of the tasks that desktop publishers perform include producing books, magazines, newsletters, brochures, content for the internet, graphic design logos and other business essentials, including planners, invitations and charts.
Web Design
Often, small business owners are able to set up a basic website for their company, but they are not able to customize it to their needs. This is where an experienced web designer or programmer comes in. You can specialize in a specific platform, such as SquareSpace, WordPress or Wix, or even a programming language like JavaScript, Swift or C#.
Virtual Assistant
Many professionals and entrepreneurs need help managing their daily tasks — including email management, lead generation, social media management, project management and bookkeeping, among other tasks — so they hire virtual assistants. It is a good time to launch your virtual assistance service, because according to market research firm Tractica, the use of virtual digital assistants (VDAs) will see a sharp growth across the world, with the number of people using digital assistants projected to increase to 1.8 billion this year.
Podcasting
According to a report by Nielsen, 50 percent of American homes listen to podcasts. So if you’re an expert in a niche topic that you can discuss over a series of podcast episodes, you can turn it into a business. Podcasting is also a great way of finding leads and building connections. However, in addition to a computer and an internet connection, to launch a podcast you will need decent audio equipment as well.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based business that involves earning a commission by promoting another company’s products and/or services — as an affiliate, you promote a product and/or service to others and earn a chunk of the profit for each sale that they make. You don’t have to hold any stock, fulfill orders or deal with customers. Sales are tracked via affiliate links in order for commissions to be calculated.
Partner with Amazon
Amazon has revolutionized online shopping for people across the world. Anyone can sell on the firm’s e-commerce platform, provided they have the goods to ship. Therefore, you can earn decent money selling all sorts of items by partnering with Amazon.
Sell on Etsy
Even though Amazon is the world’s largest e-commerce platform, Etsy might be the right place to sell your wares if you are into jewelry, arts and crafts, handmade beauty products, knick-knacks and other quirky items that cannot be found anywhere else. With Etsy, you do not have to worry about building a website, marketing it, generating traffic or ensuring that customers find your products online.
Tax Preparation
Most individuals and businesses (especially time- or resource-strapped small businesses) can benefit from hiring a professional to file their tax returns. According to a study by the National Society of Accountants, people are willing to pay an average of $229 for a professional to prepare their Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state return, reports CBS News. The tax season is almost around the corner, and therefore, it is the perfect time to offer your services.
Content Writing
The rise of digital media has highlighted the relevance of good content now more than ever. Many businesses seek the help of content writers because, according to Demand Metric, content marketing (inbound marketing) costs 62 percent less per lead as opposed to outbound marketing.
As a content writer, the services you can offer include copywriting, copy editing, blogging, writing product descriptions and more.
