Starting your own online business has many advantages. It’s flexible and offers huge potential, not least thanks to the exponential growth of eCommerce. Just imagine, over 2.14 billion people are shopping online right now. It would be a real shame not to take advantage!
Experts predict continued growth in revenues from eCommerce and other Web-based businesses. With an ever-expanding market, there’s never been a better time to launch your own online business.
In this article, we’ll explore 18 lucrative and exciting online business ideas that you can start today. Whether you’re passionate about digital marketing, web development or online services, there’s an opportunity that’s right for you. For each idea, we’ll provide real-world examples, required skills and relevant statistics to help you make an informed decision.
What’s more, you’ll discover how much you can potentially earn from each activity. Whether you’re looking for extra income or want to make it your main source of income, we’ll provide you with a realistic estimate of the financial possibilities associated with each online business.
We’ll also share the steps you need to take to set up your online business and make money on the Internet, while enjoying the comfort of your own home and independence. Practical advice and useful resources will guide you through the process, to help you turn your dreams into reality.
Don’t miss this opportunity to seize the benefits of online usiness and start your own successful Internet enterprise!
Freelancing as Online Business
In fact, according to a recent study, 75% of freelancers claim to have increased their income compared to their previous full-time jobs. One of the reasons for this is that seasoned professionals can capitalize on their expertise and network, and build their own professional brand – the key to success in freelancing.
While virtually all sectors offer freelance opportunities, it’s interesting to note that web developers, graphic designers and content writers are among the most sought-after professions online. If you want to get started in this free online business, it’s crucial to find a suitable niche and stand out in the competitive marketplace by offering a unique value proposition.
It’s through this differentiation that you’ll be able to take full advantage of the benefits of freelancing and succeed in your business.
Freelancers usually have a portfolio website to promote their services online, which is good practice. But have you ever considered going one step further to strengthen your online presence in your field? Did you know that registering on recognized marketplaces such as Fiverr can help you reach a wider audience and find new opportunities? What’s more, creating an optimized profile on LinkedIn can help you publicize your expertise and make valuable professional connections. The advantage of these approaches is that they generally require no up-front investment, allowing you to develop your online business without financial constraints. So why not explore these options to boost your freelance career?
Create a pro blog is One of the Best Online Business Ideas
Having a blog can be one of the best online business ideas, with estimated revenues ranging from €100/month for amateur bloggers to +€10k/month for pro bloggers.
But to succeed, you’ll need certain key skills: writing, content marketing and search engine optimization (SEO).
But there’s more to creating a successful blog than just sharing ideas on a topic. Before you get started, remember to focus on the following elements:
Find a niche: Opt for a website focused on a particular theme, as this is often more effective than a blog covering too broad a range of topics. Read our blog ideas article for inspiration.
Sell eBooks is Popular Online Business
Imagine a world where you can become an author without sending your manuscript to a publisher. Thanks to the Internet, it’s possible! You can sell your own ebooks on your personal website or popular self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP and Apple Books. And guess what? The estimated revenues are incredible, ranging from 35% to 75% commission on the price of your ebook, depending on the platform.
If you’re a passionate blogger, ebooks are the perfect tool for gathering your existing content and turning it into a comprehensive guide.
One of the major advantages of self-publishing platforms is that they offer you a pre-existing audience. So you don’t have to start from scratch to attract readers. However, it’s important to bear in mind that you can’t claim all the revenue from your ebook. That’s why many authors also choose to create their own website to maximize their earnings.
Create an online store for Online Business
Looking for a profitable online business idea to make your dreams come true? Why not create your own online boutique and sell clothes or other trendy products? Imagine the freedom of running your own business, earning money and living your passion.
With your free WooCommerce online store from EasyHoster, the possibilities are endless. You can target a specific market or reach a global audience. By offering unique, high-quality products, you can set yourself apart from the competition.
Before you get started, it’s important to consider the start-up costs. The development of a website can vary according to its functionality and the platform chosen. A small online store can cost between €100 and €500, while a more complex solution can cost up to €10,000. Be sure to plan your budget accordingly, or choose EasyHoster, which offers you an online store built with WordPress, WooCommerce and Divi 100% free of charge (excluding hosting plan).
And don’t forget, diversify your sales channels! By using social networks like Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, you can broaden your audience and increase your online business revenues. Create a solid online presence by sharing engaging content, interacting with your community and showcasing your products.
Get into dropshipping as Online Business
Dropshipping is ideal for beginners. What’s in it for you? Low risk, high reward (between €200 and €3000/month).
How does it work? Partner with suppliers and sell their products on your own online store. They handle the storage and shipping of the products, and you concentrate on promoting them.
No need to manage stock! This reduces start-up costs. On average, the start-up cost is €200/year, including WooCommerce hosting, domain name, and so on.
But beware: success depends on customer confidence. Select your suppliers carefully to avoid problems. Offer exceptional customer service to ensure customer satisfaction. Add value to your project!
Offer coaching and consulting
Online consulting is an excellent business idea for those who have mastered a particular field. It can help companies in various sectors (marketing, operations, HR, etc.).
For example, if you’re an SEO expert, you can offer consulting services in content marketing, pay-per-click advertising, social networking and more.
However, novice consultants may find it difficult to find clients at first. Start by generating leads on LinkedIn and sending personalized e-mails for the first six months to develop your potential customer base.
Don’t forget to have a professional e-mail address; this will significantly increase your chances of success.
Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a great idea and one of the new professions on the Internet. As an affiliate marketer, you’ll promote a brand’s products or services by adding affiliate links to your content. You’ll earn commissions based on the number of purchases made via these links.
To get started, sign up for affiliate programs such as EasyHoster’s affiliate program, ShareASale’s, Awin’s and others. Next, produce quality content, such as blog posts, providing relevant information about the recommended products. The trick to success is to create original content that interests your readers and caters to their interests.
Buy and sell websites
Do you dream of an exciting and profitable online business? Buying and selling websites is for you!
With an estimated revenue potential of +100k€/year, this business requires skills in web development, web design, SEO and digital marketing. A set of skills that opens the door to incredible opportunities. Take the plunge by acquiring under-performing but promising sites, and get them off the ground! Then sell them on popular marketplaces. Add value to these sites by making them high-performing and optimized for search engines. Explore monetization methods adapted to your niche and attract substantial traffic.
Wait until your sites are generating significant revenue before putting them up for sale. Buyers are looking for a good return on their investment.
Remember, website resellers typically value sites at two to three times their annual income.
Buying and selling domain names
Buying and selling domain names can be a lucrative online business when done right. Indeed, high-demand domains can sell for millions of euros. However, the most popular domains are often unavailable.
Domain resellers often opt for names containing local keywords. These domains are accessible to everyone and also have less competition.
To get started, search for potential, affordable domains on domain checkers or auction sites. Consider buying several names at once to increase your chances of a sale.
Next, create a landing page for the domains you want to sell, or send argumentative e-mails to potential customers.
Create mobile applications
Developing mobile applications is another great way to make money in 2024!
Are you a programming pro? Why not start developing mobile applications?
Enjoy estimated earnings of +80€/hour, and the satisfaction of creating something unique. In addition to application development skills, you’ll need a solid grounding in UI/UX design and product management to succeed. It’s important that you’ve learned to code beforehand.
Did you know that 78% of people prefer mobile apps to websites for online shopping? That’s why companies are adopting multi-channel strategies.
Community management
The income you can expect as a Community Manager ranges from €15 to €80/hour, depending on your expertise.
If you’re looking for a great online business idea for social networking experts, this is a perfect plan!
Get started on content creation, perform social monitoring to stay on top of the latest trends, and train in influencer marketing.
Use your personal account as a portfolio and apply social marketing strategies to attract customers.
Create a portfolio or blog to market your services.
Become a virtual assistant
Looking for a challenge? Digital administration, communication and marketing skills required!
As a virtual assistant, you’ll be the backbone of entrepreneurs and business owners. Booking appointments, answering queries and more!
But that’s not all: you can also provide marketing support, with tasks such as formatting e-mail newsletters and managing social networking accounts. And guess what? you can earn up to €60/hour with these additional skills!
So, ready to start your own online business as a virtual assistant? Start by looking for jobs on platforms like Fiverr or Malt. And don’t forget to create a website to promote your services.
Selling online training
Many people are looking to online training to boost their value on the job market. But how do you stand out in a saturated market? The key is to choose a subject that is unique and as yet little exploited.
Do some market research to see if there’s an interested target audience.
When it comes to web hosting your training course, creating a website with an LMS extension is highly recommended. This gives you total control over teaching and monetization!
Launch a podcast
Podcast sites have become popular, with over 400 million listeners worldwide by June 2023. So now’s the perfect time to create your own podcast channel or vlog.
To stand out from the crowd, select a niche that’s little exploited.
Create a site to host your podcasts and broadcast them on Spotify and Apple Music to reach a wider audience. Also consider developing your presence on social networks to attract more potential listeners.
In the early days, podcasters usually earn money through affiliate marketing. As their audience grows, they may find sponsors or join an advertising network.
Anyone can start a podcast, but investing in quality recording equipment will improve the quality of your podcast. Set aside a budget to upgrade your production tools and software.
Create a Youtube channel
Video creation as a promising business activity is encouraged by the growing popularity of content creators. With over 200 million daily active users, YouTube is the ideal platform for publishing your videos.
You can produce video content from the comfort of your own home, including feedback, software tutorials and cooking recipe demonstrations.
To launch a YouTube channel, focus on getting at least 1,000 subscribers in the first few months. Reaching this goal will make you eligible for the YouTube Partner Program and allow you to monetize your channel.
Become a web copywriter
It’s possible to earn money writing online without having to set up your own blog!
How can you do it? Become a web editor and submit articles to other people’s blogs.
It’s a great Internet business idea, accessible to anyone with writing, content marketing and SEO skills.
Blogs are constantly on the lookout for quality articles, and many platforms accept submissions from writers. Choose sites in a niche you know well to make the writing experience even more enjoyable.
The income you can generate varies according to the length and quality of your articles, ranging from €5 to €2,000 per blog post.
Offer translation services
To succeed in this business, you’ll need linguistic and cultural competence, as well as strong communication skills. This online business is perfect for those who master two or more languages. And that’s not all: in addition to translating, you’ll be able to adapt content to the culture of your target audience.
To find opportunities, look up translation examples on job boards and search for agencies offering freelance positions. Don’t forget to collect your best texts to build up a convincing portfolio.
Obtaining certification training beforehand can open the door to better opportunities and higher pay. Certified translators are highly sought after by prestigious clients, such as government offices and large corporations.
Sell images / photos
To make money selling your photos, dive into the world of royalty-free image banks!
You’ll be amazed at how much you can earn. It can range from a few cents to several thousand euros per photo, depending on license, resolution and distribution channel.
So grab your camera, your creativity and your SEO expertise: the world of photography is waiting for you!
The licensed images you produce will serve many purposes. Companies, for example, love to incorporate stock images into their marketing campaigns to make them irresistible. And guess what? You’re the one who’ll make their visuals shine! First, equip yourself with a quality camera and good lighting equipment. Then, explore the different markets to discover the most sought-after photos. Don’t forget to optimize your images with relevant keywords to make them easy to find.
What are the advantages of starting an online business?
If you still have doubts about becoming an online entrepreneur, here are some common reasons for starting an online business:
Flexible working hours and location. As an online business owner, you can set your own working hours and choose your own environment, leaving you more time for personal activities. You can work from home, in a comfortable café or even while traveling. The freedom to organize your schedule to suit your needs is one of the great advantages of being an online entrepreneur.
Lower start-up costs. Unlike a physical store, growing an online business doesn’t require a physical storefront. With just a laptop and a good Internet connection, you can often make money online. What’s more, you can save on rental costs, maintenance expenses and inventory. Low start-up costs make online entrepreneurship an affordable option for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
A global audience. Online businesses are not limited to a local market. Thanks to the Internet, you can sell your products or services online to customers all over the world. This allows you to reach a much wider audience, increasing your chances of success and growth. You can leverage online resources such as social media and digital marketing to reach potential customers in different countries and continents.
Passive income. There are many online monetization methods, such as affiliate marketing or online display advertising, that make online businesses an exciting sideline. Once your online business is well established, you can earn passive income – income that keeps coming in even when you’re not actively working. This will give you the opportunity to create an additional source of income and enjoy financial freedom while pursuing other interests.
How do you start your online business?
Coming up with a business idea is a crucial first step in the journey of any Internet entrepreneur. But it’s only the beginning of a long and exciting journey. Here are the next steps to help you bring your project to life:
Conduct in-depth market research to identify your target audience and understand specific market demands. It’s essential to know the needs and expectations of your potential clientele.
Decide carefully on the niche you want to explore. Identify a specific sector of activity where you can add value or solve a particular problem for your future customers.
Get an attractive domain name and reliable web hosting. Your domain name should be representative of your brand and easy for your visitors to remember.
Create a professional website that embodies your brand identity. Make sure it’s aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate and optimized for search engines to attract qualified traffic.
Actively promote your product or service on different online platforms to increase your visibility and attract potential customers. Use effective marketing strategies such as social networking, online advertising, influencer marketing and more.
By following these steps carefully and having a clear vision of your project, you’ll increase your chances of success as an Internet entrepreneur.
How to make money fast on the Internet in 2024?
Thanks to this article, you have 18 great ideas for creating your own online business by 2025. Each of these ideas can make you money, so consider your skills, experience and income expectations when launching your business.
For example, if you love writing, why not try blogging, freelancing or even writing an e-book? And if you’re good at sculpting, painting or crafting, you could set up your own eCommerce business.
Becoming a successful digital entrepreneur takes hard work and dedication. By choosing an online business idea that matches your passions and interests, you’ll make the journey less arduous and more rewarding.
We sincerely hope this article has helped you get started on an exciting and lucrative online adventure. May good fortune accompany you on this incredible journey!
