45+ online business ideas that anyone can try in 2023

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Tactics to help you streamline and grow your business.

Do you have the entrepreneurial itch but aren’t sure where to begin? Look no further than these online business ideas!

In today’s digital world, there are countless opportunities to start a business from the comfort of your own home.

We’ve compiled a list of 45+ online business ideas for you to explore in 2023, ranging from eCommerce to freelancing to AI prompt engineering and everything in between.

The best online business ideas for 2023: a comprehensive list

Each business idea includes:

  • An overview,
  • Tips on getting started,
  • Ease of starting on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the easiest),
  • And a real-life example to inspire you.
  • Keep in mind that our rating scale will likely be dependent on your existing skillset and competencies.

    For example, if you’ve never seen a profit and loss statement before, you’re going to have a harder time offering freelance accounting services than someone who’s done it professionally in the past.

    That said, anything can be learned on the internet these days, especially in the world of online business. So, we’ll provide some helpful learning resources and online education platforms throughout this post.

    So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and dive into this treasure trove of online business opportunities that could help you kickstart your entrepreneurial journey.

    Let’s get started!

    Sell physical products

    Selling physical products online involves offering items for sale through an online store.

    You can choose to dropship products, meaning you don’t hold inventory, or purchase items at wholesale prices and ship them directly to customers.

    Start by selecting a niche and identifying the products you want to sell.

    Create an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, source your products, either through wholesale suppliers or dropshipping partners.

    Ease of starting: 5/10. This one requires an upfront investment, potential storage space, and can take a while to turn a profit.

    Example: MVMT is an online store that sells watches and accessories, founded by Jake Kassan and Kramer LaPlante.

    Learn more:

    Sell digital products

    Another online business idea is selling digital products. It involves creating and selling items like eBooks, Photoshop (or other pro software) templates, digital assets, and more.

    These products can be delivered instantly to customers, eliminating the need for physical shipping.

    To begin, develop a digital product that offers value to your target audience. Set up an online store using platforms like Gumroad or Shopify and start promoting your products through various marketing channels.

    Ease of starting: 5/10

    Example: Double Your Freelancing, founded by Brennan Dunn, offers digital products like e-books and courses to help freelancers grow their businesses.

    If you already have your own business, consider adding digital products to your offerings. Or, supplement your online courses with digital products.

    Learn more:

    Start your own clothing line

    Starting your own clothing line involves designing and selling apparel, either through an online store or a physical location.

    This can range from custom t-shirts to high-fashion garments.

    Begin by developing your design ideas and creating prototypes. Source manufacturers or suppliers to produce your clothing items, and set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce.

    Promote your clothing line through social media, influencers, and other marketing channels.

    Ease of starting: 4/10

    Example: Gymshark, founded by Ben Francis, started as a small fitness apparel brand and has grown into a global company with millions of customers.

    Learn more:

    Start a subscription box

    A subscription box is a recurring delivery of niche products, often curated around a specific theme or interest.

    Customers subscribe to receive a box of items, usually monthly or quarterly, creating a recurring revenue stream for the business.

    To start, research potential niches and identify products to include in your subscription box.

    Source suppliers or manufacturers, set up an online store, and create a subscription model. Then, market your subscription box through social media, email marketing, and other channels.

    Ease of starting: 5/10

    Example: Birchbox, co-founded by Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna, offers a monthly subscription box of beauty and grooming products.

    Learn more: How to Start a Subscription Box Company In 8 Easy Steps | Cratejoy

    Online art sales

    Selling art online involves creating and selling original artwork, prints, or digital downloads through ecommerce platforms or online galleries.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to showcase your artistic talents and reach a global audience.

    To start, create a diverse portfolio of your artwork and set up an online store using platforms like Etsy, Saatchi Art, or Artfinder.

    Promote your art through social media, email marketing, and collaborations with other artists to grow your audience.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Jasmine Star, a photographer and artist, sells her artwork and prints online through her website, offering a variety of styles and subjects to appeal to a wide audience.

    Become an affiliate marketer

    Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products or services online and earning a commission for every sale you make.

    What sets this online business idea apart from the others is that you’re not actually creating a product or service yourself; you’re just promoting someone else’s.

    Start by signing up for affiliate programs related to your niche, such as Amazon Associates or ShareASale.

    Then, create search-optimized content on your website or blog that promotes these products and services, and include your affiliate links.

    Ease of starting: 7/10, though it may take a while to make sustainable revenue.

    Example: Darren Rowse, the founder of ProBlogger, earns income through affiliate marketing by promoting blogging tools and resources.

    Learn more: Affiliate Marketing For Beginners: What It Is + How to Succeed

    Online course creator

    An online course is a digital product that provides educational content in a structured format, often including videos, written materials, and quizzes or assessments.

    They can cover various topics, from hobbies to professional skills, and can be sold or offered for free.

    To get started, choose a topic you’re knowledgeable and passionate about, create an outline for the course, and develop high-quality content in a chosen format.

    You can host your course on platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Udemy. If you’re struggling with what to make a course on, just ask yourself these questions:

  • What’s something that people ask me about over and over?
  • What topic could I give a presentation on with zero preparation?
  • What unique skillsets or knowledge have I acquired over the course of my life or career?
  • Chances are, you have knowledge that people are willing to pay for, and online education is a massive industry that isn’t going anywhere.

    Ease of starting: 9/10. All you need is free screen capture software, a microphone to capture your voice, and free presentation software like Google Slides.

    Example: Pat Flynn, the founder of Smart Passive Income, has created multiple successful online courses on topics like podcasting and affiliate marketing.

    AI prompt engineering

    Overview

    An AI prompt engineer is someone who specializes in creating and optimizing prompts for AI language models like OpenAI’s GPT-3 or ChatGPT. As more businesses and individuals use AI-powered tools for tasks such as content generation, customer support, and virtual assistance, the demand for AI prompt engineers is growing.

    To become an AI prompt engineer, familiarize yourself with popular AI language models and their capabilities. Start by experimenting with GPT-3 or ChatGPT, learning the ins and outs of prompt engineering.

    Read documentation, follow relevant forums, and consider taking online courses on AI and natural language processing. Build a portfolio showcasing your prompts, outputs, and business cases for AI and reach out to potential clients or employers.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    While getting started as an AI prompt engineer may require some technical background and understanding of AI language models, there are numerous resources available to help you learn. The more you practice and experiment, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to craft effective prompts.

    Example: Since AI is developing so rapidly in 2023, there isn’t a huge pool of examples of current prompt engineers. That said, job postings are popping up with incredible salaries, meaning there’s no shortage of demand for this service.

    Learn more: How to Get a Six-Figure Job as an AI Prompt Engineer | Time

    App development

    Developing an app involves creating software applications for mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets. These apps can address various needs, from entertainment to productivity, and can be sold on app stores like Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

    To get started, brainstorm app ideas, learn to code or partner with a developer, and create a prototype.

    Once your app is complete, submit it to the relevant app store and promote it through various marketing channels.

    Ease of starting: 3/10. The potential payout is nice, but it requires a much higher technical expertise or upfront investment than most other online business ideas on this list.

    Example: Marco Arment, the developer of the popular podcast app Overcast, created a successful business by addressing the needs of podcast listeners.

    Become a consultant

    “If you’re good at something, never do it for free,” to quote Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker from The Dark Knight.

    Starting a consulting business involves offering your expertise and advice to help people with their businesses or personal needs.

    This can cover various industries, from management consulting to health and wellness coaching.

    To start, identify your area of expertise, create a professional website showcasing your services, and build a network of potential clients through networking, social media, and referrals.

    Ease of starting: 8/10. If you have existing expertise, this requires almost no upfront cost.

    Example: Marie Forleo, a business and life coach, offers consulting services to help entrepreneurs and individuals achieve success and personal growth.

    Learn more: How to start a consulting business: 8 tips you need to know

    Design website themes

    Digital assets like website themes are some of the most attractive things to sell online. Why? After you create it once, you’re done.

    You can generate sales in perpetuity, making this a great online business venture for those who want to start making passive income.

    Designing website themes involves creating pre-built templates for various content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Shopify, or Joomla.

    These themes can be sold to individuals and businesses looking to build or revamp their websites.

    To begin, develop your design skills, research popular design trends, and create a portfolio of website themes. You can sell your themes on marketplaces like ThemeForest or TemplateMonster.

    Ease of starting: 4/10. This requires technical expertise but has the advantage of future passive income.

    Example: Elegant Themes, founded by Nick Roach, offers a range of premium WordPress themes and plugins to customers worldwide.

    Work as a virtual recruiter

    Virtual recruiting involves helping employers find and hire skilled candidates remotely. This can be done as a side hustle or a full-time job, offering flexibility and the opportunity to work from home.

    To start, gain experience in recruiting, either through previous work or volunteer opportunities. Build a professional network, create a website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and start connecting with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: RecruitLoop, a platform that connects employers with freelance recruiters, offers virtual recruiting services to companies looking for talent.

    Pinterest virtual assistant

    You’ve probably heard of Pinterest, and you’ve probably heard of virtual assistants, but have you heard of a Pinterest virtual assistant? We hadn’t either.

    A Pinterest virtual assistant helps clients develop and manage their Pinterest marketing campaigns, create pins, and optimize their profiles for maximum visibility and engagement.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time, successful online business, depending on your clientele and how much you put into it.

    To begin, familiarize yourself with Pinterest and its best practices for marketing, including creating eye-catching pins, optimizing descriptions, and using group boards.

    Create your own website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and start networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Simple Pin Media, founded by Kate Ahl, offers Pinterest management services to help businesses grow their Pinterest presence and drive traffic to their websites.

    Learn more: Join the Pinterest VA program and become a Pinterest virtual assistant

    Social media manager

    A social media manager is responsible for managing a company’s or individual’s social media presence, which includes creating and curating content, engaging with followers, and analyzing performance metrics.

    To get started, develop your social media skills and stay up-to-date on platform features and trends.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services and experience, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Social Chain, founded by Steven Bartlett, is a social media marketing agency that manages social media accounts for various clients and creates viral content.

    Learn more: What’s a Social Media Manager? And How to Become One | Coursera

    Online tutoring

    Online tutoring involves teaching students over the internet, typically through video conferencing or chat platforms.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, offering the opportunity to teach various subjects to students of all ages.

    To start, identify your area of expertise, and become familiar with online tutoring platforms like Tutor.com or VIPKid.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 9/10. This is one of the easiest online businesses to start.

    Example: Wyzant, founded by Andrew Geant and Mike Weishuhn, is an online tutoring platform that connects students with tutors in various subjects.

    Stock and crypto trading

    Stock or crypto trading involves buying and selling stocks to make a profit from market fluctuations.

    This can be a high-risk, high-reward venture, but with proper research and risk management, it can be a viable online business.

    To start, educate yourself on the stock market, investment strategies, and risk management. Choose a reputable online brokerage platform like E-Trade or Robinhood, and start by investing a small amount of capital to test your strategies.

    Ease of starting: 5/10. If you want to mitigate risk, be prepared to study a lot of technical financial literature.

    Example: Timothy Sykes, a self-made millionaire, began his career as a stock trader and now teaches others about penny stock trading.

    Learn more: Stock Trading: What You Need to Know to Get Started

    Online event planning

    Online event planning involves organizing and coordinating virtual events, such as webinars, conferences, or workshops.

    This can include managing event logistics, marketing, and attendee engagement.

    To start, familiarize yourself with online event platforms like Zoom or Hopin, and develop your event planning skills.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: Virtual Events Institute, founded by Sophie Ahmed, offers resources and training for professionals in the virtual events industry.

    Graphic design services

    Graphic design services involve creating visual content for clients, such as logos, brochures, websites, or social media graphics.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with a diverse range of clients.

    To start, develop your design skills through online courses or a design degree, and create a professional portfolio showcasing your work.

    Network with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media to find freelance projects or full-time opportunities.

    Ease of starting: 6/10. This is a saturated space that requires a lot of skill, so be prepared to hustle. That said, it’s possible to hire contractors and build a profitable online business that goes beyond freelancing.

    Example: Michelle Marin is a St. Louis-based graphic designer who has found success niching down into several subsets of graphic design, including UX design, logo design, and market research.

    Online personal training

    Online personal training involves providing fitness coaching and workout plans to clients remotely, typically through video conferencing, chat, or email.

    If you’re already a fitness nut, this is a great online business idea, allowing you to work with clients around the world.

    To begin, obtain a personal training certification and become familiar with online training platforms like Trainerize or TrueCoach.

    Create a professional website or social media presence showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Born Fitness, founded by Adam Bornstein, offers online personal training and coaching services, as well as fitness and nutrition resources.

    YouTube content creator

    Being a YouTube content creator involves producing and uploading videos on the YouTube platform, potentially generating revenue through ads, sponsorships, or merchandise sales.

    This can be a fun and creative side hustle or a full-time career, depending on the success of your channel.

    To start, choose a niche, create engaging video content, and consistently upload high-quality videos.

    Promote your channel through social media and collaborations with other content creators to grow your audience.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Marques Brownlee, a tech reviewer, has grown his YouTube channel to over 14 million subscribers, offering reviews, tutorials, and interviews in the technology space. But you don’t need to go viral to make some good money online. Far less popular YouTubers can still get brand deals and make decent money with ad revenue.

    Learn more: How To Make Money on YouTube in 2023: 7 Simple Strategies (+ Video)

    Online language teacher

    Fancy yourself something of a polyglot? You can start a language tutoring business online with almost zero upfront costs.

    Online language teaching involves offering language lessons to students remotely, typically through video conferencing or chat platforms.

    To start, become fluent in the language you want to teach and obtain any necessary teaching certifications.

    Familiarize yourself with online teaching platforms like italki or Preply, and begin networking with potential students.

    Ease of starting: 9/10

    Example: Fluent in 3 Months, founded by Benny Lewis, offers language learning resources, courses, and coaching to help students become fluent in a new language.

    Social media influencer

    A social media influencer is someone who has a large following on social media platforms and can influence their audience’s purchasing decisions through their content and recommendations.

    This can be a lucrative side hustle or a full-time career, depending on the size and engagement of your audience.

    To start, choose a niche, create engaging content, and consistently post on your chosen platform(s).

    Network with other influencers, engage with your audience and consider partnering with brands for sponsored content or product promotions.

    Ease of starting: 4/10. This is a very competitive and sought-after space, especially with Gen Z.

    Example: Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty, is a beauty influencer with over 48 million followers on Instagram, sharing makeup tutorials, product reviews, and beauty tips.

    Podcasting

    Podcasting involves creating and producing audio content that is distributed and consumed through podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This can be a creative side hustle or a full-time career, depending on the success of your podcast.

    To start, choose a niche, develop your podcast concept, and invest in the necessary recording equipment and software. Consistently produce high-quality episodes, and promote your podcast through social media and collaborations with other podcasters to grow your audience.

    Ease of starting: 4/10. Podcasts have virtually zero startup costs but are difficult to monetize, especially if you don’t have a consistent listener base.

    Example: StartUp Podcast, created by Alex Blumberg and Lisa Chow, is a popular podcast that shares the behind-the-scenes stories of starting a business.

    Learn more: How To Start a Podcast in 11 Steps (2023)

    Virtual interior designer

    Virtual interior design involves offering design services and consultations to clients remotely, typically through video conferencing, email, or online design tools.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with clients around the world.

    To start, develop your interior design skills through online courses or a design degree, and create a professional portfolio showcasing your work.

    Familiarize yourself with online design platforms like Havenly or Modsy, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Laurel & Wolf, founded by Leura Fine, is an online interior design platform that connects clients with professional designers to create custom room designs.

    Stock photography

    Stock photography involves capturing high-quality images and selling them on stock photography platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work on your own schedule and build a passive income stream.

    To start, invest in quality photography equipment, develop your photography skills, and create a diverse portfolio of images.

    Submit your work to stock photography websites, and optimize your images with relevant keywords to improve their discoverability.

    Ease of starting: 6/10. This can also be a great way for aspiring photographers to hone their skills or for professional photographers to make money between gigs.

    Example: Jacob Lund, a professional stock photographer, has built a successful career by creating and selling high-quality images on various stock photography platforms.

    Online bookkeeping

    Online bookkeeping involves providing bookkeeping services to clients remotely, managing their financial transactions, and maintaining accurate financial records.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with a diverse range of clients and industries.

    To start, develop your bookkeeping skills through online courses or a bookkeeping certification, and become familiar with bookkeeping software like QuickBooks or Xero.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 8/10

    Example: Bench, founded by Ian Crosby, Jordan Menashy, Adam Saint, and Pavel Rodionov, is an online bookkeeping service that offers personalized bookkeeping and financial reporting for small businesses.

    Ecommerce consulting

    Ecommerce consulting involves providing expertise and guidance to clients on starting, growing, or optimizing their online stores.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with a diverse range of clients and industries.

    To start, gain experience in ecommerce through running your own store or working with online retailers, and stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: EcomEngine, founded by Jay Lagarde, offers ecommerce consulting services, helping clients optimize their online stores and grow their businesses.

    Online music lessons

    Online music lessons involve teaching students how to play a musical instrument or improve their vocal skills remotely, typically through video conferencing or chat platforms.

    It can often take years to become proficient enough in a musical instrument to be able to teach, so this is probably not something you can just pick up in a matter of weeks.

    That said, if you’re already a talented musician, this is one of the easiest businesses to start, both in terms of time commitment and upfront costs.

    Familiarize yourself with online teaching platforms like Lessonface or TakeLessons, and begin networking with potential students.

    Ease of starting: 8/10

    Example: ArtistWorks, founded by David Butler and Patricia Butler, offers online music lessons in various instruments and styles, taught by professional musicians. A common business model in the music education space is for teachers to make YouTube videos demonstrating their expertise, thus attracting prospective students.

    Voice-over artist

    A voice-over artist provides vocal recordings for various media projects, such as commercials, audiobooks, video games, or animations.

    If you’ve got a penchant for the dramatic or a velvety-smooth voice, this could be a lucrative business.

    To start, develop your vocal skills and invest in the necessary recording equipment and software.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your voice-over samples, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: Nancy Cartwright, best known as the voice of Bart Simpson, has built a successful career as a voice-over artist, working on numerous animation projects and commercials.

    Learn more: How To Be a Voice Actor: a Step-By-Step Guide | Backstage

    Online recipe development and food blogging

    Online recipe development and food blogging involve creating unique recipes, writing about food, and sharing your creations on a blog or social media.

    To start, create a blog or social media account dedicated to your food content. Develop unique and delicious recipes, take high-quality photos of your dishes, and write engaging content about food.

    You’ll also want to brush up on the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), as this is one of the most important competitive advantages of recipe sites.

    Promote your blog through social media, email marketing, or collaborations with other food bloggers to grow your audience.

    You could even dovetail your blog into an eCommerce business selling cookware, a YouTube channel, or affiliate sales. The possibilities are endless!

    Ease of starting: 5/10. This is a very competitive space, yet rewarding if you’re able to break through. Consider finding a niche so you’re not going up against massive food blogs.

    Example: Smitten Kitchen, created by Deb Perelman, is a popular food blog that shares detailed recipes, cooking tips, and high-quality photos of the finished dishes.

    Virtual real estate brokerage

    A virtual real estate brokerage involves providing real estate services to clients remotely, such as buying or selling properties, property management, or real estate consulting.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with clients in various locations.

    To start, obtain a real estate license and gain experience in the real estate industry.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Ease of starting: 3/10. Getting your real estate license is no easy task, but there’s a reason real estate has been such a long-lasting side hustle (or career).

    Example: eXp Realty, founded by Glenn Sanford, is a virtual real estate brokerage that provides agents with technology and resources to serve their clients remotely.

    Online financial advising

    Online financial advising involves providing financial advice and planning services to clients remotely, helping them manage their finances and achieve financial goals.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with clients around the world.

    To start, obtain the necessary financial planning certifications and develop your financial advising skills.

    Create a professional website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: Betterment, founded by Jon Stein and Eli Broverman, is an online financial advising platform that offers automated and personalized financial planning and investing services.

    Online pet training and behavior consulting

    Online pet training and behavior consulting involve providing remote coaching and advice to pet owners, helping them address their pets’ behavior and training issues.

    To start, gain experience in pet training and behavior modification, and consider obtaining certifications in animal behavior or training.

    Create a professional website or social media presence showcasing your services, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Stonnie Dennis is a full-time dog trainer and educator who combines two strategies on this list: dog training and running a YouTube channel.

    Online travel planning

    Online travel planning involves providing remote assistance and guidance to clients in organizing their trips, including booking accommodations, transportation, and activities.

    This can be a flexible side hustle or a full-time career, allowing you to work with clients in various locations.

    To start, develop your travel planning skills and gain experience in the industry. Create a professional website or social media presence showcasing your services and past travel itineraries, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: TripHobo, founded by Praveen Kumar, is an online platform that offers personalized travel planning services, helping users create custom itineraries and book accommodations, transportation, and activities for their trips.

    Online nutrition coaching

    Online nutrition coaching involves providing remote guidance and advice on meal planning, dietary habits, and overall nutrition to help clients achieve their health and wellness goals.

    To start, obtain a nutrition certification and develop your coaching skills.

    Create a professional website or social media presence showcasing your services and client transformations, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Nutritionist in the Kitch, founded by Christal Sczebel, is an online platform that offers personalized nutrition coaching services, meal planning, and resources to help clients improve their dietary habits and overall health.

    Learn more: How to Become an Online Nutrition Coach in 2023

    Online voice coaching

    Online voice coaching involves providing remote guidance and advice on vocal techniques and performance to help clients improve their singing or speaking abilities.

    Similarly to music lessons, you’ll want to make sure you’re actually proficient in singing before attempting to teach. You don’t want to end up going viral for all the wrong reasons.

    Create a professional website or join an online platform, such as Lessonface or TakeLessons, to connect with potential clients.

    Ease of starting: 7/10

    Example: Roger Love’s Vocal Academy, founded by renowned voice coach Roger Love, offers online voice coaching services and courses to help clients improve their singing or speaking abilities.

    Online music production

    Online music production involves creating and producing music tracks, beats, or sound effects for clients remotely.

    Create a professional website or social media presence showcasing your services and past projects, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    Instagram and TikTok are great mediums for showcasing your productions and networking with other musicians or producers.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: SoundBetter, founded by Shachar Gilad, is an online platform that connects music producers, engineers, and other professionals with clients in need of music production services for their projects.

    Online video editing

    Maybe you don’t want to show your own face on video, but you still love the craft of video editing. Then starting an online business offering video editing services may be for you.

    (Especially in 2023, when more and more businesses are turning to short-form videos like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.)

    Online video editing involves providing remote video editing services to clients, helping them create polished and professional videos for various purposes.

    Create a professional website or YouTube showcasing your services and past projects, and begin networking with potential clients through online platforms, referrals, or social media.

    You can also leverage freelancer platforms like Upwork to find your first few clients or start by offering to make promo videos for small business owners in your area.

    Ease of starting: 6/10

    Example: Video Husky, founded by Constantin and Julia Oesterling, is an online video editing service that offers affordable, high-quality video editing solutions for content creators, businesses, and other clients.

    Online business ideas FAQs

    Where can I go to learn the skills required for these online business ideas?

    There are plenty of online resources available to help you learn the skills needed for any of the online business ideas mentioned in this post.

    Here are a few popular options:

    • Coursera: Coursera offers a wide range of online courses and specializations from top universities and institutions, covering business, marketing, web development, and more.
    • Udemy: Udemy is another popular platform offering thousands of courses on various subjects, including entrepreneurship, programming, design, and more. You can often find discounted courses on this platform.
    • YouTube: YouTube is a fantastic free resource where you can find countless tutorials and educational videos on any subject. Search for the topic you’re interested in, and you’ll likely find a wealth of information.
    • LinkedIn Learning: Formerly known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning offers a vast library of online courses and tutorials in business, technology, and creative fields. You can access the entire catalog with a subscription.

    Some skills will be more challenging to pick up than others, but with dedication and persistence, you can develop the expertise needed to succeed in your chosen field.

    How long will it take to start seeing success in my online business?

    The time it takes to start seeing success in your online business varies greatly depending on the type of business, your skills, and the effort you put in.

    For some businesses, it could take a few months, while for others, it might take a year or more. The key is to be persistent, continuously improve your skills, and adapt to changes in the market.

    What are some tips for choosing the best online business idea for me?

  • Assess your skills and interests: Choose a business idea that aligns with your existing skills, interests, and passions. This will help you stay motivated and committed to your business.
  • Evaluate the market demand: Research your target market and understand its needs, preferences, and problems. Choose a business idea that addresses a gap in the market or fulfills a specific customer need.
  • Consider your financial resources: Analyze the startup costs and ongoing expenses of each business idea. Select a business that aligns with your financial resources and risk tolerance.
  • Gauge competition: Investigate the level of competition in your chosen niche. Look for a balance between high demand and manageable competition.
  • Plan for growth: Choose a business idea that has the potential for growth and scalability. This will allow you to expand your business over time and increase your earning potential.
  • Can I work on multiple online business ideas at once, or should I focus on one?

    It’s possible to work on multiple online business ideas at once, but it’s generally advisable to focus on one, especially when starting out.

    Focusing on a single idea allows you to dedicate your time, resources, and effort to building and growing that specific business.

    Once you’ve established a successful business and have a solid foundation, you can consider expanding to other business ideas or diversifying your income streams.

    Final thoughts

    As you can see, there is no shortage of online business ideas to choose from in 2023.

    Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced entrepreneur, there’s an opportunity that aligns with your skills, interests, and resources.

    Remember that the ease of starting each business will largely depend on your existing skillset and competencies.

    To increase your chances of success, focus on one idea at a time, research your target market, continuously improve your skills, and stay committed to your business.

    The online business world is constantly evolving, so be adaptable and open to learning new strategies and techniques.

    With hard work, persistence, and the right idea, you can build a successful online business and achieve financial freedom.

    Thanks for reading, and good luck!