With the coronavirus crisis, social distancing, and the recession, many sectors have been heavily impacted and have even started to reduce their payroll. This poses a problem of uncertainty on a global scale. For those who had an idea for an online business, this period becomes a great business opportunity on the internet. The question remains, but what to get into? Here is an ultimate guide on Most Profitable Online Business Ideas For Beginners In 2020
Most Profitable Online Business Ideas For Beginners In 2020
Get started in strategic blogging.
Thousands of bloggers Today live by writing about their passions or their area of expertise. The recipe: choose an audience, a niche, and create epic content to gain traffic to monetize.
Why is blogging a good idea for an online business?
If you provide real value to your blog reader, it’s because:
- You inform him about his research by giving him the right information
- You direct him to the related subjects that interest him.
- And that he has a good time on your blog (like you here, right now;))
- This time spent can generate three primary sources of income, such as:
- Advertising (Google Adsense, or a partner of Google ads like the Ezoic program, etc. )
- Selling your own products/services
- Commission on other people’s products or services
Think about it: Anytime you covet information about a product or service, you’re going to be using Google. If your article ranks well on the search engine, you are going to be able to gain readers.
Plus, you learn to write better, which will help you, always.
How to get started in blogging?
The lucrative niches are diverse and varied, from automotive, job hunting, gardening, there are many topics you can cover in blogging. It’s up to you to choose the one that excites you and has the potential for monetization.
Successful, financially independent bloggers are those who focus on an identified target. They see their blog as both a passion and a profitable business.
As a blogger myself, I believe the seven steps to get started are to:
- Choose the niche you are going to address
- Define your goals and create a plan
- Buy a domain name
- Subscribe to a hosting service
- Install WordPress and necessary plugins
- Create content periodically
- Develop your network with other bloggers
By investing yourself regularly in producing on your site and promoting on social media, after a few months you can start to gain traffic and set up monetization strategies.
Freelance content writing
With millions of sites existing on the net, online written content creators are in huge demand right now. If you are good at storytelling and enjoy writing, you can use these skills to build a freelance copywriting online business.
Why is web copywriting a good idea for an online business?
If the articles you produce start to appeal and traffic increases, you can take the next step: recruiting to outsource writing and devote more time to entrepreneurship.
Do not hesitate to register on freelance platforms like Fiverr.
You can find clients there and start writing for them by billing by word count.
Depending on the subjects and the level of technicality required, you can reach amounts of € 100 per 1000 words. (I did it myself and with the expertise, you can earn much more)
Also, web writing is an activity that arms you with skills useful in other online business niches, mainly presented in this article.
How to get started in web writing?
The best way to become a great web editor is to develop the habit of reading regularly, Read a lot. Identify the topics that interest you the most. You will naturally be an excellent candidate to write on it.
- What are your current skills?
- What do you like to do?
Also, write a list of your passions and interests and then develop your writing skills by committing to writing every day. At first, you will experience some difficulty, but with practice, you will undoubtedly improve.
To successfully start this online business idea, you must:
- Learn or take training in blogging, copywriting, writing in general.
- Pick a topic you are going to write about (a niche) and study it.
- Target the right companies to prospect
- Create a blog (bonus step)
- Contact marketing and content creation agencies to promote your offer.
- Create your profiles on freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, Guru.
To boost your value proposition, I strongly recommend that you take web writing (SEO) training.
Start a podcast on one of your passions
Podcasting is a more interactive and much less competitive content creation system than blogging. That’s why this is an opportunity right now.
Why is podcasting a good idea for an online business?
Many podcasters started with passion and eventually grew their audience until they monetized and created real traction around their topics. Some popular podcasters can even earn $ 25-40 for every 1000 people who listen to them not counting affiliate earnings.
Additionally, podcast audiences continue to grow exponentially across the globe.
The ideas are numerous, and if your content is interesting, You will be able to monetize with sponsors, via affiliate programs, or even pay episodes.
How to become a podcaster?
- Choose your topic and make an episode title plan.
- Select a name that makes you want to listen (example: startup podcast, Tech meeting, etc.)
- Create your design (cheap on Fiverr)
- Write a compelling description.
- Buy recording and editing equipment.
- Choose a podcast host.
- Buzzsprout
- Captivate
- Transistor
- Simplecast
- Pod beans
- Castos
- Record your episodes
- Submit them to dedicated platforms (Spotify)
- Promote and monetize
The most important thing is to choose a topic that you like to discuss that you are passionate about and that may interest other people:
Ideally, a niche where you could create at least 100 episodes.
It can be a comedy, politics and news, general culture, history, medicine, finance, golden retriever training.
The initial investment is minimal: a good microphone, recording software and you’re good to go.
Later, you can acquire more complex equipment as you progress.
Become an Affiliate Marketing Pro
Affiliate marketing is all about earning a commission by selling business products or services through YouTube, social media, your podcast, email list, or blog (or even all three at the same time)
Why get into affiliate marketing?
The advantage is that you don’t have to create the product.
You can simply join an affiliate program (like Amazon’s for example) and recommend the product that can serve your audience.
However, you must learn to create a real bond with the audience that follows you AND ESPECIALLY not to try to sell them everything at all costs …
Try to help people by recommending a product that you would use yourself that would be helpful to them.
How to do affiliate marketing?
- Find a product you want to promote
- Search with the name of the product “affiliate program.”
- Create a partnership when it exists
- Promote the communicated link by advising it to people who need it (your blog, social networks, YouTube, by telephone prospecting, etc.)
- If they buy and you made a good recommendation, you get a commission.
I do it myself via my resource page for those interested and, in particular in this article.
The golden rule: Recommend the best products for each context; otherwise, your affiliate marketing project will not survive in the long run.
Create a virtual assistant business
The increase in the number of online entrepreneurs has created a growing need for virtual assistance. The VA (virtual assistant) provides support in teleworking and assists the entrepreneur in his growth.
Why become a virtual assistant?
The virtual assistance market is growing fast and could reach up to $ 12,383 billion in 2024 according to PRNewswire; With the digitization of the economy and the growing social distancing, there is a good chance that it becomes more democratized than expected.
If you are a productive person, you will be able to find your first customers quite quickly on one of these platforms.
You will be able to land missions, gain experience and income and then, why not, start outsourcing needs, when you have made a name for yourself.
How to launch your virtual assistance business?
The advantage is that you can start your virtual assistant business without investing heavily out of your pocket.
The virtual assistant can perform tasks ranging from managing the schedule, corporate social networks, delivering coffee or organizing business trips, etc.
- Determine your targets (which blogger niche for example)
- The first thing to do is create a list of the services you would like to offer
- Social media management
- Blog administration
- Organization of trips/timetable
- Telephone reception
- Excel input
- Choose the name of your company
- Set your prices
- Prospect new clients and make them referrals
- Follow specific ongoing training
You can use your organizational skills to help entrepreneurs and freelancers better organize their administrative and day-to-day work.
Get started with infographic design
A picture is worth a thousand words. Today we increasingly use graphics to convey our messages. Whether you are a business, an advertiser or in the public sector, the demand for web illustration is booming.
Why is graphic design a good idea for an online business?
It can be very lucrative if you become passionate about it and work hard in designing some high demand niche products. Even if the competition is tough, you choose the right business strategy to find a winning position.
There are always creative needs. The most common are:
- Definition of brand strategy
- Logo design
- Web design
- Design for social networks
- Animation
- Brochures
- Infographics
Whether it is to start your full time or to make this activity a source of additional income, creating a graphic design business is a profitable business idea with a future.
How to get started in graphic design?
The first thing to do is to cultivate this skill in design via necessary software such as Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop. It may be interesting to take training on a platform like Udemy to improve your skills.
To be successful in the computer graphics business, I recommend the following steps:
- Train weekly
- Create your creative portfolio
- Join the community of graphic designers (blogs, newsletter)
- Register in freelance platforms like Fiverr
- Start your blog to showcase your work
- Prospect, produce, repeat
Once your portfolio (catalogue of creations/brochures) is ready, you will need to create a commercial action plan and find your customers.
Getting into e-retail
The e-commerce industry is measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars in 2020, and the current context means that its growth will continue to accelerate.
Why is e-commerce a good idea for an online business?
You can now resell your creations on Amazon, Shopify, or by creating your website.
Starting an ecommerce business can be very profitable as well. In particular, if you can identify a market segment that does not receive a dedicated offer.
Even if starting up in e-commerce may require starting capital (to build up stock and set up your platform). This business model is sustainable because there is always a demand for mass consumer goods.
How to get started in e-commerce?
The most important thing is once again to target a niche, especially at the start. This one can be the child, the big sizes, the businessman construction companies, lawyers, liberal professions.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Choose your business model (dropshipping, own stock, etc.)
- Create your site or work with an existing delivery platform
- Target first, then choose the product.
- Source, your supplier
- Create your brand
- Market your products and attract customers
The profitability between wholesale and retail buying is very interesting. Also, by expanding, you will be able to increase the profitability of your business.
Platforms like Shopify have made it possible to create your online business. If you are interested in this adventure, invite you to consult their guide to creating e-commerce businesses.
Become an investor in the stock markets
Interested in the quick gain, thousands of individuals are entering into online trading. Market finance is not a simple business, and for this reason, 90% of people who start up end up losing their money. And the remaining 10%?
Why get into online trading?
Today, there are many tools for trading in the financial markets, whereas, in the past, it was reserved for the financial elite.
Suppose you are interested in economic and financial news if you want to invest in understanding the markets and being ready to train. This is a real opportunity to earn income.
The most passionate even manage to become a full-time trader and generate exciting income.
How to get started in online trading
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Check that this is the right strategy given your background and get started in this business
- Take specialized trading training recognized by business schools such as Newtrading.com
- Choose a trading platform
- Inform yourself regularly about your market
- Plan your strategy and stick to it
It should not be forgotten that even the best investors cannot anticipate all movements and those who do best are those who gain a lot and lose a little.
Starting your adventure in finance, gaining experience can also open the doors of training to resell your expertise at a high price.
Start an online training business.
E-learning is one of the hottest profitable businesses of our time. Whether in the kitchen, entrepreneurship, marketing, and so on, you will always find a specialist (more or less qualified) to help you develop your skills.
Why create an e-learning business?
Forbes estimates that the e-learning market is expected to reach over $ 270 billion in 2022.
Online training is a real revolution in our education and pedagogy system.
Today, we no longer consider so much to register or take vocational training at a university when we want to improve skills; most often, we move towards e-learning.
If you doubt it, I invite you to discover the success of platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Udemy.
J ‘myself have invested in various online training, and I have rarely regretted my choice. The return on investment was present nine times out of 10.
Indeed, e-learning trainers are often people passionate about their field and who have invested a colossal time in mastering a skill.
How to create an e-learning business?
I recommend that you start by finding the subject that you master the most and that you are passionate about. Make a list: do you play a musical instrument? Are you a good copywriter? Graphic designer? What are we complimenting you on?
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Choose your industry, and the training content adapted to your target
- Look for their need and their difficulties on the subject
- Check the viability of your project (are there training courses, similar books)
- Test the title of your training with your audience
- Create your online activity on an e-learning platform or via your means (I prefer the second option and the guides are numerous)
- Set up a sales funnel
- Market and promote your product
If your training brings real added value to your students, you will see that they will recommend you.
Get into IT development
The demand for IT development is growing in double digits, and forecasts indicate that the phenomenon is expected to continue until 2024. It may seem challenging, but with the right strategy, this profitable business idea.
Why get into IT development?
You don’t have to be a renowned programmer to create a software development startup. Even without a technical background, you can take training to learn the fundamentals, or even hire a developer to create your software.
Indeed, the idea of software or application is here more important than computer programming skills. What problem does it solve and for what target?
Software as a service (SaaS) is also a model that continues to prove its worth, whether on a mobile platform or a workstation … It creates regular income.
These are, for example, CRMs and other applications accessible from a website.
How to get started in software development?
If you are already a programmer, you know the business, and you can skip the next two paragraphs.
In case you are not one, you will have to start first with acquiring quality computer programming training.
You can go to a platform like Udemy, a Bootcamp coding (to learn quickly and well) or find yourself a mentor. Gaining the first experience later as a freelance IT developer can allow you to sharpen your skills while being paid by telecommuting.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Identify a problem, a difficulty with your target
- Describe how your application solves this challenge
- Carry out market research to understand if there is a fit with your target
- Start programming and create your product
- Beta test and market it
Start an ebook publishing business
The internet has changed a lot of things in our life … so much so that most of the content we read has become digital. An ebook is a book that can be downloaded online and can be written by either you or a web editor.
Why start an eBook publishing business
No matter what the niche, there is always a topic that needs to be covered in-depth, and that may require writing an eBook if we take each of the online business ideas I’ve presented to you. I’m sure I can write an eBook and manual on each of these projects.
The problem is, a lot of other bloggers and I don’t have the time to do this. The business model of the ebook publisher is simple: you contact bloggers or other companies in need of this type of digital booklet to offer them your services.
You can also create booklets yourself to help people and resell them directly through an e-commerce site. The opportunities to be seized are real; it is up to you to capture them.
How to get started in eBook publishing
A good technique is to see what are the best sellers in your country in the book category on Amazon and write eBooks on those topics.
This will give you a catalog to offer and use these examples as a brochure of your services. What I recommend, once again, is to focus on a niche: personal development, productivity, technology.
These eBooks can also be resold through Amazon Kindle or on your own website/blog. If you are already blogging, the information is already there, and you just need to organize it to create more digestible mini-guides.
The real estate agency on the internet
The real estate business is very competitive, but also very lucrative if you have the backbone and the determination to enter this market.
Why get into real estate online
Real estate doesn’t require you to have a specialized degree to start.
Very concrete the real estate business allows you to cash in quickly because the product is available, the customer’s need still exists, and you just need to connect them appropriately.
This activity also allows you to diversify your sources of income thanks to the variety of real estate that exists AND the different ways of making stable income.
More good news, entry costs in this industry are relatively low.
How to get started in real estate online
Digital tools such as YouTube, social networks, and others now allow you to promote your activity as a real estate agent with unparalleled ease.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Create a business plan and specialize in one type of property
- Formalize the legal elements to invoice and launch your activity
- Start a training course to know the basics of the profession
- Market your services and products on social networks
- Create a YouTube channel or blog
- Use content marketing
- Develop your business strategy
Getting into online translation/interpreting
If you speak more than one language and want to contribute to international cooperation, this online business idea is for you.
Why start a freelance translation business?
The globalization of the economy in recent years has created links of interdependence between economic agents who communicate in different languages.
Even if the reduction in the volume of transactions has given a hard blow to recognized interpretation agencies, the COVID-19 crisis has not set back written and digital communication, which continues to thrive. Today, whether it’s creating video captions, writing a contract, or merely translating blog posts, the opportunities are plentiful.
In particular, if you conduct your business online.
How to get started in online translation?
The first thing to do is to build a network of translators with whom you could collaborate. In this way, you broaden your value proposition and can suggest translation into languages additional to those you are proficient in.
Make sure you orient yourself towards a sector that is on the rise and has many international activities. The targeting you need to achieve in times of crisis should be all the more careful.
You can once again use one of these freelancing platforms to create your GIG and offer your services.
Delicate and personalized pastry online
Are you fond of baking? Did containment reveal your talents at baking cookies, cakes, and whatnot? If you have subscribed to more than one YouTube channel in the field, you might want to consider making it a profitable and lucrative business on the internet yourself.
Why is it a good idea for an online business?
Everyone loves to eat good pastries, and there are many opportunities to eat them: parties, birthdays every day At the moment, personalized cakes are on the rise, but there are many niches: gluten-free, sugar-free, small reception pastries.
How to get started in online pastry making?
We eat with our eyes. It is essential to get into online baking to consider the presentation and creativity of your product.
- The first thing to do is to choose your specialty (Cakes, sweets, etc.)
- Test them with your relatives/friends
- Take training from renowned chefs.
- Prepare a business plan.
- Make a list of the legal permissions you will need to market your products.
- Take beautiful photos
- Market online
Start a drone business
I know, those who don’t know me. You’ll tell me, I twisted, but this is probably one of the immense profitable business opportunities available today.
Before being considered a strange military surveillance UFO or a luxury item for extravagant techs, the drone first stands out for its colossal business scope.
Why launch a business model based on drones?
According to business insider, the drone market, which was valued at 4.4 billion dollars in 2018, is expected to reach nearly 64 billion in 2025.
Whether it’s filming a video report, or short film through the coverage of festive events (for after COVID), or remote agricultural/industrial surveillance, the applications have no limits but your imagination. (Delivery, advertising poster, real estate, so on and of the best.)
As an entrepreneur, just owning a drone opens up possibilities. (if your country legally allows you to use them)
How to get into the drone business?
If you are starting in this area, the legislation is still under construction, so it is essential to be careful to monitor this closely. Find out about the certifications and authorizations required to fly your machine.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Choose your legal entity and complete the legal requirements
- Buy a drone, take out insurance, and get trained
- Identify an issue in demand
- Target a market segment and study the
- create a profitable value proposition
- Market and market your service
Social distancing and the current context means that the demand for photographs made by drones is likely to explode.
Start your social media marketing agency
Today, companies no longer have a choice. They will have to market their offer via social networks because our context will push us to be more and more connected.
Why launch your social media marketing agency?
Those who considered social media to be a waste of time now face a new reality. 2.8 billion people use these platforms.
The market is booming, and any serious business that wants to thrive will face a massive shortfall if it doesn’t expand its online presence. As a social media specialist, you can help companies to grow through these media.
How to get started in social media marketing?
Whether you are alone or able to hire professionals, you will need to train yourself and become an expert. You won’t be able to sell your service if you don’t understand your value proposition.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Identify a niche that is in demand (locksmiths, liberal professions, bakery) and which is expanding.
- Study the market and assess the need
- Create a list of the services you offer (community management, content creation, infographics, etc.)
- Develop your website and blog
- Market your brand image on social networks
- Create your own social media strategy to reach your target
- Equip yourself with the right tools
- Prospect new customers and make referrals.
Undertake in the creation of websites
A website design agency can help entrepreneurs get started and grow their business online. Today, a company that has no virtual presence has no image and will have fewer development opportunities than its competition.
Why is creating a web design agency a good idea for an online business?
Imagine all the businesses that had not taken the digital turn before the coronavirus crisis. Some of them will go bankrupt, but others will reinvent themselves… And to be successful, they will have to do it online.
Showcase sites, e-commerce sites, landing pages, sales funnel, are just as many services that you can offer. Developing a specialty in web design is like creating a company of the future in a world undergoing profound digital change.
How to get started in web design?
Before tackling everything to launch your adventure, it may therefore be interesting to try to prospect the market segment you want to attack and check the potential.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Targeting, you will understand, is fundamental
- Create a professional site
- Develop site models for your target
- Define your pricing policy and create your contracts
- Prospect and learn to negotiate
- Market and repeat
Start a YouTube channel
Is creating videos and distributing them to help and grow an audience a secret dream? Here is a business model that has proven itself in the last few years. What is certain is that the creation of video content is booming.
Why launch your YouTube channel?
The real question is, why not?
Indeed, we observe that video content has wholly taken precedence over other content formats. We use YouTube for everything, and even though there is competition in all niches, everyone has the chance to mark an audience that looks like them.
The advantage is that unlike other online business ideas, the barriers to starting up are low.
You can theoretically get started with your phone and the app. The most difficult therefore is to take the plunge and take action.
How to get started on YouTube?
If you want to consider a content creation business model, it is essential to have a strategy. It is fundamental to be passionate and to like to share your experience, but to generate income; you have to have a project.
To implement this online business idea, I recommend the following steps:
- Plan your content and take an inventory of possible affiliate products
- Start with your smartphone, but as soon as possible buy essential equipment
- Take inspiration from competing channels to produce epic content
- Edit your videos to keep the essentials
- Choose a title optimized for search engines
- Promote your channel on social networks
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the online business ideas that pay off?
The most profitable online business ideas are training, selling digital products, blogging, freelancing, and e-commerce. Good management and regular investment are the common denominators of success.
What business idea on the internet to choose when you have no capital?
If you don’t know what to get into: take stock of your current skills to choose a niche and start blogging. Your blog will always be useful, regardless of your transition choice.
How to start an online business?
Go over the different business ideas that exist, make a choice, and get started. The best way to start is to take action.
Other questions? Leave them in the comments, and I will update them based on your comments.
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