There are a lot of people who wish to start their own business but are intimidated by the amount of time and money it takes for most entrepreneurial pursuits. Fortunately, there are many startup business ideas that don't require a huge initial investment or spending a lot of energy to get started...
The following is a post by MPFJ staff writer, Toi Williams, who is a professional finance blogger for MarketBeat. She has backgrounds in personal finance, sales, and real estate.
Below, you will find eleven business ideas that you could start this week with little preparation.
Startup Business Idea # 1 - Affiliate Marketer
An affiliate marketer makes money by referring people to buy a company’s products, typically via a link to the company’s site. When someone makes a purchase using that link, you receive a set commission or a percentage of the sale. There are literally hundreds of affiliate programs available on the internet. Some of the most popular ones are FlexOffers, Commission Junction, and ShareASale.
Startup Business Idea # 2 - Room Renter
Renting out part of your home to visitors is an easy way to make some extra cash. Start-up companies, like Airbnb, have made it easy for you to create a listing and take reservations from travelers all over the world. While large cities provide the most opportunities, rentals in smaller towns can be just as desirable if they are within driving distance of a popular attraction.
Startup Business Idea # 3 - App Developer
App development can be very lucrative in this new economy, but there is a lot of competition as people race to create the most popular apps. Even if your app doesn’t go on to become a hit, you can still earn a handsome income from the people using it. You can learn everything you need to know about app development on the internet. The Microsoft Virtual Academy provides some useful tips and strategies here.
Startup Business Idea # 4 - Baker
Who doesn’t love cake? If you have skills in the kitchen, you could earn cash as a baker for your neighborhood. Corporate events and people throwing parties are always looking for new treats to tempt their guests, making it simple to create a profitable business. The U.S. Small Business Administration has some helpful tips for starting a home bakery here.
Startup Business Idea # 5 - Website Builder
In today’s economy, businesses get left behind if they do not have an internet presence. Many smaller companies do not have the time or the personnel to create their own website but are willing to pay someone else to create one for them. Learning how to build a website is fairly simple with all of the free website builders available on the internet. Some of the ones most commonly used are Wix.com, GoDaddy.com, and WordPress.com.
Startup Business Idea # 6 - Child Care Provider
If you enjoy working with children, consider starting a business as a child care provider. The business can be operated out of your own home during the hours you choose and the licensing requirements are minimal in most states as long as you do not plan on having a lot of children under your care. Use a search engine to review the regulations regarding child care in your state before you begin to avoid running afoul of the law.
Startup Business Idea # 7 - Seamstress / Tailor
Clothing alteration is a big market these days as fewer and fewer people are learning how to sew. If you have the knowledge and the knack, you can find your services in high demand. Simply makeup flyers advertising your service and post them around town where interested parties are likely to see them. You can get started with the guides and videos here.
Startup Business Idea # 8 - Freelance Writer
There are millions of people creating an income by freelance writing from the comfort of their own home. You can join a freelancing service that finds the customers, sets the prices and takes a cut for their services, or you can find your own customers through advertising and job boards and set your own price for your work.
Startup Business Idea # 9 - Handyman/Helper
If you are handy with tools and know how to do basic home repairs, you can sell your services as a handyman to your local community. Most people would rather pay someone who knows what they are doing rather than taking the chance of messing up the project doing it themselves. The tasks can range from putting together Ikea furniture to painting a nursery to unclogging a drain. Jobs can be found on numerous job boards or you can find local customers by advertising on social media sites and in local newspapers.
Startup Business Idea # 10 - Junk Hauling Service
If you already have access to a large truck or van, junk hauling can be a good way to utilize your vehicle to make some money. If you are willing to go into the home to remove the items for the homeowner, you may make even more money. In many cases, haulers can re-sell some of the junk to scrap metal recyclers and similar businesses to boost income even more.
Startup Business Idea # 11 - Pet Care Service
Establishing a service to care for and/or clean up after pets can be a lucrative business with a regular income. There are lots of opportunities in this field. Some choose to start a mobile pet grooming service, while others establish services to walk dogs daily or remove pet feces from yards on a weekly basis. When homeowners travel, it provides an opportunity for a pet sitting service to come by and care for their animals. Take a look at the services that are already available in the area and find an underserved market to focus your business on.
Photo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/148114704@N05/33978403910/in/
