Online Businesses You Can Start Today Without Spending a Ton of (or Any) Money

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In the digital age, where the boundaries of time and space are constantly expanding, the notion of starting a business online has become more accessible and empowering than ever before. Many people dream of breaking free from traditional office environments and embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, but the prospect of high startup costs often dampens their spirits. So, if you’ve been yearning to take that first step towards independence, join us as we explore the realms of possibility and unveil the various online businesses you can embark on today without spending a dime!

Online Businesses You Can Start Today Without Making Any Major Investments

If you aren’t in a position where you can drop a ton of – or any – money on starting a business, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t start a business.

E-Store

ecommerce

Utilize free online platforms such as social media, forums, and blogging websites to build your brand presence and attract potential customers. There are numerous free e-commerce platforms available that offer user-friendly interfaces and customization options. Once your store is up and running, focus on building a strong customer base by engaging with them through various social media channels and offering exceptional customer service. Leverage the power of content marketing to create valuable and engaging blog posts or videos related to your niche, establishing yourself as an industry expert.

Blogger

Blogging is an awesome way to earn money from home while at the same time, having a creative outlet and platform that’s entirely your own. There are several ways that you can monetize your blog, including selling ad space, using affiliate links, selling digital products and/or services, and more. While you probably won’t start making a ton of money just after starting, if you stick with it, you can turn it into an ultra-profitable online business.

Girl boss, Mondays in PJs
Photo by Jealous Weekends

Online Teacher

If you’ve got marketable skills that would be of interest to children or adults, you can always create some online courses, and teach on a platform like Udemy. There are a lot of people who are looking for some fun and educational new activities to keep them occupied in their free time these days. You can teach everything from English to music and so much more. Anything that you can turn into a useful lesson for others can earn you some online money with Udemy.

Affiliate Marketer

The sky’s truly the limit with affiliate marketing, and it doesn’t require you to spend any money to get started. If you have a solid network, whether it’s your personal network or you have tons of followers on social media (or a blog,) you could earn a substantial income from home as an affiliate marketer! The products and/or services you choose to represent should be based on you and those who you’re trying to sell to.

While most companies have an affiliate program, if you join a network like ShareaSale, they’ll do most of the work for you, and all you need to do is sign up once (for FREE) and start searching for one of the many amazing companies they have listed in their network! They have everything from mattress and furniture stores to paid survey sites that will pay you for every sign-up! This may be one of the quickest online businesses you can start today, without spending a single cent.

CBD Slinger

If it seems like everyone and their moms are selling CBD, it’s because they are. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t run a successful online CBD business. CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical compound found in cannabinoids, but doesn’t include enough THC to make one feel “high.” Instead, it offers many of the medicinal benefits of the plant, including natural pain and anxiety relief. If you choose to start selling CBD, don’t just jump on the first opportunity you see – and, there will be a lot of them. Make sure you choose a reputable company with good products and reviews, like CBD FX.

Consultant

Woman working from home
Photo by Alizée Baudez

Do you have skills in any particular area of life that others may want to learn, too? This could be professional or personal, as consulting businesses can range from being a digital marketing consultant like me to life-coaching and teaching things like how to be more assertive and get what you want. Plus, consulting could be one of the easiest (and cheapest) methods of launching your home-based business. You can always start by selling to your personal network, or jump right in and create a website and social media pages to promote your services.

Social Media Manager

Photo by Dole777

Are you super-skilled when it comes to gaining followers and engaging on any of the social media platforms? If so, why not try your hand at running social media management for business owners? While many of them may be trying to handle things on their own these days, it’s just not possible in every situation. You’ll definitely have some competition if you choose to go into this field, so make sure you’re marketing yourself in a way that makes you stand out. Perhaps by offering some type of discount package, and featuring your own killer social pages.

Read next: Ten of the Best Ways to Use Canva to Create Awesome Graphics for Your Business!

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Erika Sellmer is a digital content specialist with a passion for remote work and empathic design.