Top 10 Online Business Ideas

When it comes to starting a new business (particularly an online business), there are so many different options for what to do. The choices might seem overwhelming.

In order to help you better understand which choices might be more lucrative and profitable, we’ve put together this quick article listing and briefly discuss what we consider to be the top ten online business ideas.

While this list is by no means a comprehensive list of potential business ideas, we still hope that you find it helpful for narrowing down your options when starting up a new online business of your own.

Ten Online Business Ideas

1. SEO Business. Search Engine Optimization is in high demand due to its importance for drawing traffic to websites (by helping sites appear more frequently in search engine search results). And while many people understand the importance of SEO for the success of branding a business, very few people know how to go about optimizing their website content or how to create a professional brand. If you start an online business that specializes in SEO, you can earn money by offering these services to other companies and individuals.
2. Business coaching. If you’re someone who has a lot of business experience, it could be both rewarding and lucrative to put your knowledge and experience to use by coaching others who are less experienced. This sort of venture may need to start off small (since you will need positive testimonials from successful clients to grow your operation), but it has the potential to be profitable.
3. Social media consultant. Social media is an important medium when it comes to marketing. But, most business owners don’t have time to manage their company’s social media accounts. If you have a knack for social media, you can offer your services to companies as a social media consultant and advise them on how to manage their social media platforms.
4. Specialized e-commerce store. Online stores are one of the most popular online business ideas. That being said, the most successful online stores focus on specific niches; if you truly want to turn over a significant profit, do your best to specialize in certain items (such as pet care products or designer handbags) and then reach out to consumers who might have an interest in your specific niche.
5. Web design. One of the most profitable types of online businesses. Web design involves pretty much what you’d expect: you offer your web design services to someone who needs a good-looking and easy-to-navigate website.
6. Affiliate marketing. This sort of business is usually performance-based and involves earning a commission for promoting another company’s goods or services.
7. Copywriting. If you have a passion for the written word, you can put it to use by becoming a copywriter. Copywriters are always in high demand for everything from blogs to marketing to online news sites.
8. Graphic design. Graphic design artists are also always highly sought after, so if you have any graphic design experience (or are willing to develop your graphic design skills) then offering those skills can be profitable. Logo design, in particular, can be a lucrative venture. Set up a website and start selling your cool logo ideas.
9. Translator. If you’re fluent in more than one language, then translation work might be the perfect choice for your online business. Translators are always needed for both written and audio translations and transcriptions.
10. Photography. If you enjoy taking pictures and are good at it, it’s also possible to turn a profit. Many businesses (particularly ones that sell stock photos) will pay generous commissions to anyone who takes photos for them.