Small Business Ideas - The Ultimate List

Starting your own business is a big deal. Sometimes, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of starting a business and it can be tough to know where to begin.

Sometimes, you have an idea, but it gets punctured by the realities of the market. Or, you have a workable idea, but you don't have the necessary investment or can't deal with the overhead costs.

If you're wanting to get started in the business world, but you're not 100% sure how to do it, this blog will take you through a variety of great small business ideas that any talented entrepreneur can run with. All the small business ideas listed are small enough that you could even start them on the side while you develop your main business or work a normal job.

Keep reading to find out more about how to start your successful business!

Dropshippng

Managing merchandise can be one of the toughest parts of any retail business. There's a huge amount of overhead in storing, maintaining, and managing your stock before it sells.

Dropshipping is a very profitable business idea and one of those even more amazing retail business ideas. Dropshipping is when third-party supplier stores and ships stock to customers on behalf of the merchant. You act as a middleman between the customer and the supplier, meaning you never have to worry about maintaining stock or inventory or even a physical store. A dropshipping business can also be completely hands-off and scalable.

What's more, dropshipping is a relatively low-cost way to get started in the business world. Because of this, it's one of the best small business ideas out there. You don't need to invest heavily in inventory or storage space, and you can run your business from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. All you need is a computer, some time and commitment, and you're good to go!

On-demand printing

The on-demand printing industry has been growing rapidly in recent years. On-demand printing is a process where businesses or individuals can order prints of products on an as-needed basis.

This could be anything from t-shirts to mugs to phone cases. There are a number of different platforms that offer on-demand printing services, and the demand for these services is only increasing.

This is a great small business idea for anyone who is creative and wants to tap into the growing trend of personalized products. You don't need to invest heavily in inventory or storage space, and you can run your business from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. All you need is a computer, and some time and commitment!

Food truck business

The food truck industry has the potential to give you a very lucrative business. With the rise of gourmet food trucks and the popularity of shows like The Great British Bake Off, people are more interested in food than ever before.

Starting a food truck business is a great small business idea for anyone who loves to cook and wants to be their own boss. It's also a great way to get started in the food industry without having to invest heavily in a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

To start a food truck business, you'll need to invest in a good quality truck, some kitchen equipment, and some marketing. You'll also need to find the perfect location for your truck. Once you have all of that sorted, you can start cooking up some delicious food for your customers!

Car detailing business

A car detailing business is a great small business idea for anyone who loves cars and enjoys working with their hands. Car detailers clean and polish the interiors and exteriors of cars, making them look like new again.

To start a car detailing business, you'll need some basic equipment like vacuums, polishers, and cleaning supplies. You'll also need to find a good location for your business. Once you have all of that sorted, you can start advertising your business and growing your client base. It's a great new business idea for anyone looking to turn their passion into their livelihood.

Landscaping business

If you love being outdoors and getting your hands dirty, then a landscaping business might be one of those great business ideas.

A landscaping service business can be anything from mowing lawns to planting trees to designing gardens. If you have a specific skill or interest in a particular area of landscaping, you can specialize in that. For example, you could start a business that specializes in designing and installing water features.

To start a landscaping business, you'll need some basic equipment like lawnmowers, edgers, and trimmers. You'll also need to find some clients! Once you have a few clients, you can start advertising your business and growing your client base.

Write and publish your own book

Everyone's an expert in something. You may have something to contribute to the world of business, or history, or science. You may want to write a great children's book or a stunning novel.

Whatever your idea is, it's never been easier to write and publish your own book. With platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, anyone can self-publish their own book with ease.

This is a great small business idea for anyone who is passionate about writing and has something to say. It's also a great way to build up your portfolio and credibility as an expert in your field. And, once your book is published, it can generate passive income for years to come!

Create an online course

If you know enough about something to write a book about it, you may want to consider creating your own online course.

Online courses are big business these days. Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare have made it easier than ever for anyone to create and sell their own course. Once you have your course idea, you can start by building a syllabus for your students. You can deliver the course over lots of different forms of media, whether that's through text, audio, or video.

This is a great small business idea for anyone who is an expert in their field and wants to share their knowledge with others. In this world of continuous interconnection and developing knowledge, you're bound to find people interested in what you're selling.

Freelancing

If you're good at what you do, and you feel there's demand for it outside of your job, why not try freelancing?

Freelancing is a great way to get started in business without having to make any big commitments. You can start freelancing while you're working full-time or part-time. Or, you can take the plunge and start your freelancing business full-time. You'll want to research freelancing sites like Fiverr and Upwork to see what kinds of services you can offer, and how in demand they are.

While competition may be tough and work may not always be steady, there are a lot of perks to freelancing. When you're freelancing, you get to set your own hours, choose your clients, and work at your own pace. And while freelancers can work in an office, most freelancers work remotely.

So, if you're craving a footloose and fancy-free lifestyle, freelancing may be for you.

Event planning business

Event planning is a good business idea for anyone who loves to plan and organize. If you're the type of person who's always organizing your friends' birthdays and group outings, then event planning might be the perfect business for you.

To start an event planning business, you'll need to be organized, detail-oriented, and good at communication. You'll also need an impeccable business model, a strong social media presence, the ability to offer digital marketing services, and maybe even do some freelance writing.

Sell homemade goods

If you're a creative person with a flair for design, why not try selling your own homemade goods?

There are a number of different platforms you can sell your goods on, whether that's Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or even at local craft fairs. You can sell anything from jewellery to clothes to home decor. And, if you have a knack for marketing, you can really build up a following for your brand. If you're great at website design, you can even create your own online store where you can sell your merchandise.

This is a great small business idea for anyone who is creative and wants to be their own boss. It's also a great way to connect with other like-minded people and build a community around your passion.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a type of marketing where you promote other people's products and earn a commission on every sale you make. This type of work takes little time and can be easily automated.

It's also a great way to get started in business because it doesn't require any upfront investment. All you need is a website or blog, and you can get started right away. And, if you're good at it, you can really start to earn a lot of money.

So, if you're looking for a small business idea that doesn't require a lot of time or money, affiliate marketing may be the right fit for you.

Test apps and websites

If you're good at finding and fixing errors, you may want to try your hand at testing apps and websites. This type of business would be great for people who are good with computers or people who like software and fiddling around with things.

Testing apps and websites is a great way to make some extra money on the side. And, if you're good at it, you can really start to earn a lot. There are a number of different platforms you can use to test apps and websites, such as UserTesting and WhatUsersDo. You can target companies in app development in order to get a good stream of customers.

Lots of successful small businesses start out testing things for other companies. If you have a good business plan and some dedication, you're likely to succeed.

Become a handyman or take on odd jobs

We all do odd jobs around the house. Whether it's fixing a leak in the kitchen faucet or painting a room a new colour, many people devote a lot of time and effort to maintaining their homes. So, if you're really good at it, why not start a business?

There's a lot of demand for handymen and people who can take on odd jobs. There are a number of different platforms you can use to find work, such as TaskRabbit and Angie's List.

Start a cleaning business

Cleaning is one of the most undervalued job roles out there. Cleaning services meet lots of demand, whether it's in the domestic or commercial sphere.

Offering a cleaning service is a great way to get started in business with little upfront investment. All you need is some basic equipment and supplies, and you can get started right away. You can set up your own website so potential clients can find you and hire you. You may also want to use your social media accounts to promote your business further.

Cleaning businesses can be very profitable, and if you're good at it, you can really start to earn a lot of money. There are a number of different ways to market your business, so be sure to do some research and find the best way to reach your target market.

Sell your photography

Demand for photography is skyrocketing. Thanks to the internet, businesses are able to source lots of different images from a variety of sources to meet their marketing and other business needs.

If you're a talented photographer, and you have all the right equipment, you may want to try your hand at selling your photos. There are a number of different platforms you can use to sell your photos, such as 500px and SmugMug. You can also sell your photos on stock photography websites, such as iStock and Shutterstock.

Or, you can set up your own independent business and take orders from clients. There is huge demand for wedding photographers, business photographers, and event photographers. So, if you're good at photography and you want to start your own photography business, there's a lot of opportunity out there for you to earn some really good money.

Become a consultant

If you're struggling to think of a business idea and you're really, really good at something, you don't even have to start a freelancing business around delivering that service. You can start a consulting business and advise people on how to do their job.

There is a lot of demand for consultants, especially in the business world. Identify your niche and figure out what kind of consultation you want to offer. For instance, you may want to offer management consulting, marketing consulting, or even financial consulting.

Once you've figured out your niche, start promoting your consulting services. You can use your own website, social media, or even word-of-mouth to get clients.

Housesitting and petsitting

Who'd have thought that you can make money simply sitting in someone's house?

The reality is that houses don't take care of themselves. People may have gardens to be tendered, plants to be watered, and mail to be collected. And, of course, there are always pets. Dogs need to be walked, cats need to be fed, and all kinds of other critters need care and attention while their owners are away.

Many people also have jobs that require them to be away from home for long periods of time, so having someone around to mind their homes is necessary. You can also target the travel market, where people need someone to tend to their affairs while they're off on holiday.

You can find work housesitting and petsitting on sites like TrustedHousesitters and Rover. If you get really good at it, you may be able to start your own dog walking business off the back of housesitting and petsitting. You'll be able to market that service to pet owners all around town.

Final thoughts

No matter what kind of small business you're starting, you'll need a great point of sale device to process all those payments you're going to receive. Without a quality hospitality EPOS or retail EPOS system, even the best business ideas will fail to launch.

With an Epos Now EPOS system synced with your very own business, you can:

• Set up, onboard and train staff in minutes​

• Meet customers on a variety of channels

• Access your business insights through any device, on the go​

• Real-time reporting on important business processes like staff management and stock levels

• Accept a variety of payment methods, and take advantage of a state-of-the-art payment processing service

• Use by itself, or sync up with hundreds of apps including payment systems, accounting software and much more​

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