21 Online Business Ideas
Now, let’s get into 21 ideas for starting a business online. Some of these will be the basics you may have thought of already, but others are outside-the-box. Either way, they’re all lucrative and worthy of consideration.
1. App Developer
Mobile apps are incredibly popular, and people often opt to use them over the brand’s website when they’re on a smartphone. Maybe you have an idea for an app that you want to develop and launch on your own. Or, maybe you have mobile app developer skills and want to partner with brands that are in need of app development. And if you have an idea for an app but don’t have the skills to create it yourself, there are a lot of developers out there who’d be thrilled for a collaborator.
2. Audiobook Narration
Audiobook sales aren’t slowing down, which has opened the door to a new gig: audiobook narration. The buy-in is expensive because you have to purchase reliable recording equipment. Plus, you have to make sure you’re comfortable reading into a microphone and that your voice comes out clear, understandable and easy to listen to. To get started with audiobook narration, check out ACX and Bunny Studio, where you can post audition pieces and go after your first clients.
3. Computer Training Online Business Ideas
Just about everyone has a computer today, but not everyone knows how to use one. Even something as simple as email or Microsoft Office comes with a learning curve, one that’s hard for the older generation to navigate. If you know the basics of how to use a computer (or smartphone, for that matter), you may be able to start an online business where you teach people how to get the most out of their technology. You can work one-on-one with people through live Zoom calls, or you can create an online course that teaches people the basics. You can also combine both types of services to sell a standard course and then offer personalized training, too.
Do you have advanced computer, smartphone, or tech expertise? Here are more online business ideas: cater your services to a different market and offer online tech support to businesses and professionals.
4. Customer Service Rep
A lot of businesses, particularly startups and small brands, need to offer customer service but can’t handle the responsibility on their own. Outsourcing customer service is a huge opportunity for those companies to serve their audience without using up time that could be otherwise spent developing products, running marketing campaigns, etc. Consider starting a business where you offer brands remote customer service support – so long as you’re willing and able to learn everything about the companies you work for, you can be a real help to them and their customers.
5. Domain Flipper
This business idea has been around forever, but since there’s no sign of website creation slowing down, it’s just as lucrative – if not more so – as it’s always been. Buying and flipping domains is pretty much what it sounds like. Youthat you expect someone will want to buy at some point, then you re-sell it for a profit. By throwing in some nice-to-haves, you can sweeten the deal for the buyer, too, and encourage them to go through with the purchase. is a good source for domain names that are for sale, and you can get an idea of what’s offered along with the domain names.
6. Fill-in-the-Blank Consultant
If you have expertise in pretty much any field, you can offer consulting services. These online business ideas can range from being a life or wellness coach to a small business or marketing consultant. Basically, if you know the ins and outs of a field, you can likely find people who need help mastering it too.
7. Foreign Culture Consultant
If you’ve lived and/or worked in a foreign country, you likely have firsthand knowledge of the culture, expectations, and requirements. Reach out to companies that have their employees visit those countries. Offer consultation services to prep them before they go.
P.S. If you’re fluent in a foreign language, offers language-learning courses in conjunction with or separate from consulting services. In this way, you can bundle online business ideas for a well-rounded service package.
8. Membership Community Manager
If you’re part of a community – or you want to be – consider creating a membership site that people have to pay to participate in. You can build a website that has a membership or forum section or start a paid Facebook group that’s private and only accessible to members. You can build a community that’s super engaged and wants to interact with one another. Plus, you can exercise control over who’s allowed in and what topics to cover. Remember that the more perks you offer members, the better – it’ll be easier to get them to pay for membership if they know they get a lot in return. Check out these and the to help create your own monetizable website with WordPress.
9. Niche Website Creation Online Business Ideas
There are a ton of professional website designers out there, not to mention easy-to-use software that allows many individuals and business owners to create their own sites without hiring someone at all. But if you have and a deep interest in a specific niche – like dog training, movie reviews, or adventure sports – you can start a business where you build websites for just that topic.
Don’t want to build an entire website? You can create niche templates that you then sell to designers or website owners.
Here’s another alternative: Website maintenance for already-established sites. You don’t have to build them from the ground up, but you can step in when the website owner needs an update or troubleshooting.
10. Online Course Creator
If you have expertise or skills in any area, you can put together an online course to help others. Sites like Skillshare help you bring your knowledge to the masses – and charge accordingly. When it comes to developing online courses, you can think about what combination of active and passive income you want to earn. For example, you can create a course and sell it to customers (which is passive income). Then, hold live Q&A sessions to help your viewers learn even more (which is active income). Check out these powerful LMS plugins to help create your build an online course.
11. Online Recruiting
Some of the best online business ideas are the ones that are practically at your fingertips. If you’ve been in your field for a long time, you may have contacts that specialize in certain services. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you may know other freelance writers or maybe graphic designers, marketers, or website designers. If you have a full address book, you can work as an online recruiter, pairing businesses with candidates.
12. Personal Training and Nutrition Consulting
If you’re a personal trainer – or have always hoped to become one – you can do quite a bit of training online. Bonus: there’s no need to open your own gym or even meet clients in person. As more people get used to staying inside, they’re looking for alternatives to going to the gym and even working out outdoors in public places. Develop custom routines and nutrition plans for individual clients. You can also hold or pre-record classes that groups of people can participate in from their living rooms. Whatever you choose, you can coach and earn without having to leave your house.
13. Podcast Online Business Ideas: Editing, Transcription, and Show Note Writing
There are a few online business ideas that revolve around podcasting – and you don’t even have to become a host yourself. If you love podcasts but don’t want to start your own, consider getting into podcast editing. For this, you’ll need experience with podcast editing software like
Another podcast-related option is to be a podcast transcriber. Many podcast hosts want a text version of each episode, but they don’t want to take the time to listen to the episode in full and transcribe the entire thing. Yes, there’s transcription software available, but it’s not foolproof. Using it can mean spending even more time trying to get an accurate and error-free version of the text.
P.S. Transcriptionists work on all sorts of content beyond podcasts, such as YouTube videos and recorded audio from business meetings. To get started with transcription, check out the program from
In addition to or aside from transcription, some podcasters like to have show notes that they offer in the podcast app and/or on their website. Show notes include recaps of each episode, links to resources mentioned, clarity on certain points (like corrections from the previous episode), etc.
Of course, starting your own podcast or podcast website is always a viable business option as well. You can use to help you integrate a podcast on your website as well.
14. Proofreading
If you’re a copywriter or copyeditor for your regular job (or if you’re just good with words), consider an online gig as a proofreader. Every type of content needs proofreading, from social media ads and marketing landing pages to blog posts and full novels.
15. SEO Consulting or Management
SEO is a somewhat-easy skill to learn, and it doesn’t have to cost you anything as you expand your expertise. There are three basic pillars to this type of business: