Want to launch a business without breaking the bank? Here are 11 low-cost home-based business ideas you can start today:
- Virtual Assistant
- Freelance Writing
- Social Media Management
- Online Tutoring
- Print-on-Demand Services
- Handmade Crafts
- Digital Product Creation
- Life Coaching
- Business Consulting
- Pet Sitting
- House Cleaning
Most of these can be started for under $500, with some costing less than $100 to launch.
| Business Idea | Estimated Startup Cost |
|---|---|
| Freelance Writing | $50 or less |
| Pet Sitting | $25 |
| Virtual Assistant | $75 |
| Social Media Management | $75 |
| Handmade Crafts | $50 |
| Online Tutoring | $100 |
| Print-on-Demand | $31.99/month |
| Digital Product Creation | $0-$100 |
| Business Consulting | $100-$500 |
| House Cleaning | $400-$900 |
| Life Coaching | $1,500-$8,000 |
The key is starting small, using what you already have, and growing as you earn. With hard work and smart planning, these low-cost ideas can turn into profitable home businesses.
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Virtual Assistant
Want to start a business with almost no upfront costs? A virtual assistant (VA) gig might be perfect for you. All you need is a computer, internet, and your skills.
VAs tackle tasks like:
- Managing emails and calendars
- Handling customer service
- Entering data
- Running social media accounts
- Booking travel
- Updating websites
The best part? You don't need fancy qualifications to get started.
Startup Costs: Next to nothing. You probably already have:
- A computer
- Internet access
- A phone
What Can You Earn?
- New VAs: $15-$20 per hour
- Experienced pros: $50-$75 per hour
- Average yearly salary: $67,115
Room to Grow: As you gain experience, you can:
- Charge more
- Focus on high-demand skills
- Take on more clients
Ongoing Expenses: Pretty low. Main costs:
- Software subscriptions
- Marketing (website, business cards)
- Learning new skills
Getting Started:
1. Pick Your Services
Choose tasks you're good at and enjoy. Start broad, then specialize later.
2. Set Your Prices
Check what others charge. Don't go too low, but stay competitive for newbies.
3. Plan Your Business
Outline your:
- Services
- Ideal clients
- Marketing approach
- Money goals
4. Get Online
Make a simple website showing off your skills and services.
5. Find Clients
Use social media, networking, and job boards to land your first gigs.
Pro Tip: Offer package deals or retainers for steady income.
2. Freelance Writing
Want to start a low-cost home business that could become your full-time gig? Freelance writing might be your ticket. All you need is a computer and internet connection to start making money writing for clients.
Startup Costs: Next to nothing. You probably already have:
- A computer
- Internet access
- Word processing software
Income Potential:
- Newbies: $0.03 to $0.06 per word
- Pros: $0.13 to $0.20 per word
- Top dogs: $0.21 to $0.30 per word
Hourly rates? $15 for beginners, up to $150 for experts.
Room for Growth: The more experience you get, the more you can earn. Especially if you specialize:
- Financial writers can rake in $0.30-$0.50 per word
- SEO writers charge $500-$800 per blog post
- Some SaaS content writers have hit the $1 million mark on Upwork
Ongoing Expenses: Minimal. You'll mainly pay for:
- Software subscriptions
- Marketing (website, business cards)
- Learning resources
Getting Started:
1. Pick Your Niche
Choose a topic you know or love. Popular options:
- Tech
- Finance
- Health
- Digital marketing
2. Build Your Portfolio
Show off your skills with:
- Your own blog
- Guest posts
- Free samples for potential clients
3. Set Your Rates
Check out market rates for your niche and experience. Start low to get clients, then bump it up as you improve.
4. Land Clients
Use job boards, social media, and networking. Try:
- Upwork or Fiverr
- Cold pitching
- Tapping your network
5. Deliver the Goods
Focus on quality, meet deadlines, and keep clients happy. That's how you get referrals and repeat business.
Pro Tip: Specialize to earn more. Email copywriters for online courses or SaaS healthcare bloggers can charge premium rates.
"Specializing in a niche makes it easy to become the go-to expert in that field." - Copyblogger
3. Social Media Management
Looking for a low-cost home business? Social media management might be your answer. With social platforms booming, businesses need help managing their online presence.
Startup Costs: Minimal. You probably already have:
- A computer
- Internet access
- Smartphone
Income Potential:
- Newbies: $14-$35/hour
- Pros: $50-$100+/hour
As you grow, you can:
- Charge more
- Offer more services
- Build a team
Ongoing Expenses: Mainly software:
| Tool | Monthly Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Buffer | $5 |
| Zoho Social | $10 |
| Hootsuite | $99 |
| Sprout Social | $199 |
Getting Started:
1. Choose Your Platforms
Pick 2-3 you know well (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn).
2. Level Up Your Skills
Learn platform best practices and stay current.
3. Create Service Packages
Offer tiered options:
- Basic: Content creation and posting
- Standard: Add engagement and analytics
- Premium: Include strategy and paid ads
4. Set Your Rates
Start low to build a portfolio, then increase with experience.
5. Land Clients
Use your own social media, network, and job boards.
Pro Tip: Specialize in a niche to stand out and charge more.
"We started a marketing agency to improve and transform the financial services sector. We took complex subjects like forex, banking, fintech and blockchain and turned them into engaging, fun, talking points." - Contentworks Agency Founders
Social media management isn't just posting. You'll need to understand marketing strategy, analytics, and customer service to succeed.
4. Online Tutoring
Want to teach from home? Online tutoring is booming. All you need is a computer and internet to reach students worldwide.
Startup Costs: Low
- Computer
- Fast internet
- Webcam and headset
Income Potential:
| Experience | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Newbie | $20-$35 |
| Pro | $50-$80 |
| Guru | $100+ |
Some tutors rake in $10,000+ monthly. But building a client base takes time.
How to Start:
1. Pick Your Subject
Stick to what you know. STEM and test prep (like SAT) are hot.
2. Set Up Your Space
Find a quiet spot with good lighting for video calls.
3. Choose a Platform
Join existing sites or go solo:
| Platform | Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preply | $15-$25/hr | You set rates |
| VIPKid | $14-$18/hr | Teach English to Chinese kids |
| Skooli | Varies | On-demand tutoring |
4. Market Yourself
- Craft a killer profile and intro video
- Use social media to your advantage
- Get reviews from happy students
5. Get Certified
A tutoring cert ($200-$250) can boost your cred.
Pro Tip: Teach groups to earn more. Preply lets you teach up to 6 students at once.
"I got my first subscription student about 5 months ago. It means real stability in your hours and it encourages the student to plan ahead." - Maya Reeves, Preply Tutor
Online tutoring offers flexibility and location freedom. With low startup costs and high demand, it's a solid home business choice.
5. Print-on-Demand Services
Print-on-demand (POD) is a cheap way to start a home business. You make designs, and products are only created when customers buy them.
Here's how it works:
- Design products (t-shirts, mugs, etc.)
- Upload designs to a POD platform
- Set your prices
- The platform handles making and shipping
It's pretty simple, right?
Startup costs: $400-$500
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Designs | $0-$175 |
| Website | $30-$100/month |
| Samples | $100 |
| Marketing | $25-$50 |
How much can you make?
You're looking at a 15-20% profit margin per item. For example, if you sell a $25 t-shirt that costs $7.50 to make, you pocket $17.50. Not bad!
Want to succeed? Try these tips:
- Pick a specific market
- Use Canva for free designs
- Start small with 3-5 designs
- Try out different products
Some popular POD companies:
- Printful: Lots of products, good quality
- Printify: 900+ product options, global reach
- SPOD: Fast production (24-48 hours)
"The global print-on-demand market is set to reach $48.4 billion by 2032, showing strong growth potential for new businesses." - Industry report
POD lets you sell custom stuff without keeping inventory. With low costs to start and growing demand, it's a solid choice for home-based entrepreneurs.
6. Handmade Crafts
Want to turn your creativity into cash? A handmade crafts business might be your ticket. The market's booming - $752.2 billion in 2022, with 9.1% annual growth. People love unique, handcrafted stuff.
Here's how to start on a shoestring:
- Pick ONE niche product
- Keep material costs DOWN
- Start with ONE sales channel
- Focus on high-profit items
Startup costs can be super low:
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Materials | $50 - $200 |
| Basic tools | $20 - $100 |
| Packaging | $30 - $50 |
| Online marketplace fees | $0 - $20/month |
| Total | $100 - $370 |
Hot craft ideas:
- Jewelry (beaded, wire, hand-stamped)
- Bath and beauty products
- Personalized stuff (tags, cups, prints)
- Digital printables
- Candles
Take friendship bracelets - cheap to make, everyone loves 'em. Or handmade cosmetics - taps into the organic skincare craze.
Boost your profits:
- Use repurposed materials
- Offer customization
- Sell on multiple platforms
- Use social media for free marketing
Don't treat this like a hobby. Track time and expenses, price smart, and nail customer service.
Sure, it's cheap to start. But you'll need to hustle to grow. Get the right product and marketing, and you can turn those creative chops into a money-making machine from home.
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7. Digital Product Creation
Want a business with almost no upfront costs? Digital product creation might be your answer. Here's why:
- No inventory
- No shipping
- Unlimited sales
- Work anywhere
What are digital products? Anything you sell online without a physical form. Think ebooks, courses, templates, and software.
Startup costs? Minimal:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Computer | You likely have one |
| Internet | $50/month (if needed) |
| Software | $0-$50/month (many free options) |
That's it.
Income potential? High. Some creators make $5,000 to $25,000 yearly from one course. Others earn thousands monthly from ebooks.
How to start:
1. Pick your product
Choose something you're good at. Excel whiz? Make spreadsheet templates. Social media pro? Create a course.
2. Create your product
Use free tools like Canva for design or Google Docs for writing. Keep it simple.
3. Set up shop
Platforms like Gumroad or Teachable make selling easy. Low fees, quick setup.
4. Market your stuff
Use free social media. Share tips, give value, build an audience.
Pro tip: Start small. Test the waters before creating a massive course or ebook.
Real-world example:
"I started selling Excel templates on Etsy in 2020. Within 6 months, I was making $2,000 per month in passive income. All from a $0 investment and skills I already had." - Emma Chieppor, Excel educator
Scaling up: Reinvest profits into better tools, marketing, or outsourcing. But remember, you can start and succeed with almost nothing upfront.
Digital products are a low-cost, high-reward business. With some hustle and smart choices, you could be earning from your couch in no time.
8. Life Coaching
Want to start a business from home with low costs? Life coaching might be your answer.
Here's why it's worth a look:
It's cheap to start: You probably already have what you need - a laptop and internet. Here's a breakdown:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Laptop | You likely own one |
| Internet | $50/month |
| Basic certification | $197-$497 |
| Business registration | Up to $150/year |
| General liability insurance | $42/month |
You can make good money: Life coaches can earn:
- $75-$200 per hour
- $500-$2,000 monthly retainers
- Top coaches: Up to $3,500/hour for executive coaching
In 2015, the average life coach made $61,900. That's higher than the median wage that year.
How to get started:
1. Get certified (it's optional, but a good idea):
Pick an affordable program that fits your goals:
- Transformation Academy: $197 per niche
- Life Coach Training Institute: $195 for basics
- Udemy courses: As low as $19.99 on sale
2. Set up shop:
- Register your business (LLC or sole proprietorship)
- Get basic insurance
- Use free tools: Calendly, Zoom, Stripe/PayPal
3. Find clients:
- Start with people you know
- Network locally
- Share tips on social media to build a following
4. Grow your business:
- Coach online to reach more people
- Offer group programs or workshops
- Create digital products like courses or ebooks
"The more cost-effective programs we've taken gave us just as much, if not more, than the ones that cost thousands of dollars." - Lovely Impact Team
Pro tip: Focus on getting real clients and experience before spending big on marketing or fancy tools.
9. Business Consulting
Want to turn your expertise into cash? Business consulting might be your ticket. Here's the scoop:
Startup costs: $50-$2,000
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Business registration | $50-$500 |
| Website | $16-$100/month |
| Basic software | $12-$375/month |
| Marketing | $0-$600 |
Profit potential: $50,000-$500,000 per year
Consultants can pocket $75-$300+ per hour, depending on their niche and experience.
Getting started:
- Pick your niche (strategy, marketing, finance)
- Register your business
- Set up your home office
- Build a website
- Network and hunt for clients
Success tips:
- Zero in on a specific industry or problem
- Showcase case studies online
- Start local, then expand
- Offer packages and retainers for steady cash flow
Meet Mara: A law school grad who launched a law school admissions consulting biz from home. She helps applicants polish their applications and ace interviews. With minimal startup costs, she built a profitable business in just a year.
Want to grow?
- Create digital products (courses, ebooks)
- Hire subcontractors to handle more clients
- Offer group coaching or workshops
Business consulting can be a smart move if you've got industry chops. Low upfront costs and high earning potential make it worth a shot for those with know-how to share.
10. Pet Sitting
Love animals? Turn that passion into cash with pet sitting. Here's the scoop:
Startup costs: $183-$674
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Website | $4-$35/month |
| Online calendar | $0-$10/month |
| Pet sitting insurance | $129/year |
| Basic supplies | $50-$500 |
Income potential: $34,071-$88,704 per year
Pet sitters can pocket $15-$100 per session, depending on what they do and where they work.
Kick things off:
- Set up your business
- Get insured
- Build a website with online booking
- Start with friends and family
- Join Rover to find clients
Pricing breakdown:
| Service | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pet-care visit | 29.6 mins | $22.51 |
| Dog walking | 30.6 mins | $24.59 |
| Overnight stay | 13 hours | $72.33 |
Level up your biz:
- Add extras like housekeeping or errands
- Boost your online presence
- Take on multiple or special needs pets
- Hire help as you grow
"Build a team to skyrocket your pet-sitting career." - Colleen Sedgwick, Pet Nanny Coach founder
Success story:
Courtney Anderson of waggitytails.com launched in 2014. In a year, she built a 13-sitter team serving 200+ clients. Her yearly revenue? Up 652%.
Pet sitting's a flexible, fun home business. Low costs, high demand - it's a no-brainer for animal lovers wanting to work from home.
11. House Cleaning
Want to start a business with low costs and high demand? House cleaning might be your answer. Here's the scoop:
Startup costs: $100-$500
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cleaning supplies | $300-$600 |
| Marketing | $100-$200 |
| Licenses/permits | $100-$500 |
| Insurance | $500-$3,500/year |
Income potential: $25,500-$120,000+ per year
Cleaners can charge $25-$50 per hour or use flat rates based on home size.
To get started:
- Make a business plan
- Get supplies
- Set up insurance and licenses
- Start with people you know
- Build your online presence
Pricing:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard cleaning | $120-$150 per home |
| Deep cleaning | $200-$400 per home |
| Move-in/out cleaning | $200-$400 per home |
Want to grow? Try:
- Offering special services (eco-friendly or deep cleaning)
- Expanding to commercial cleaning
- Hiring help as you get busier
- Using software to manage bookings and money
"The most important thing is the passion and the mindset. If you want to start a cleaning business, you will start a cleaning business. Failure is not an option." - Kevin Reynolds, Handmaid Cleaning
Real-life success: Grace and Kevin Reynolds started Handmaid Cleaning with just the basics. Their advice? Have a solid plan to grow.
House cleaning is flexible and in-demand. With low costs to start and room to grow, it's a smart choice if you're ready to work hard.
Startup Costs Comparison
Want to start a home-based business without breaking the bank? Let's look at some of the cheapest options:
| Business Idea | Estimated Startup Cost |
|---|---|
| Freelance Writing | $50 or less |
| Pet Sitting | $25 |
| Virtual Assistant | $75 |
| Social Media Management | $75 |
| Handmade Crafts (Etsy) | $50 |
| Online Tutoring | $100 |
| Print-on-Demand | $31.99/month* |
| Digital Product Creation | $0-$100 |
| Business Consulting | $100-$500 |
| House Cleaning | $400-$900 |
| Life Coaching | $1,500-$8,000** |
*Includes $2.99/month for domain hosting and $29/month for platform subscription (e.g., Shopify) **Cost varies based on certification program chosen
Surprised? Many of these businesses can start for under $100. Take virtual assistance, for example:
- Computer: $0 (you probably already have one)
- Internet: $0 (assuming you're already connected)
- Marketing materials: $75
Total: $75
Even house cleaning, which has higher costs, isn't too bad:
- Cleaning supplies: $300-$600
- Insurance: $100-$300 (initial payment)
Total: $400-$900
The best part? You can often start with stuff you already own. Just begin small and grow as you earn.
Wrap-up
Starting a home business doesn't have to cost a lot. Many options need little money to start but can grow and make good money.
Here's a quick look at some cheap home businesses:
| Business Idea | Startup Cost |
|---|---|
| Freelance Writing | $50 or less |
| Pet Sitting | $25 |
| Virtual Assistant | $75 |
| Social Media Management | $75 |
| Handmade Crafts (Etsy) | $50 |
These show you don't need a lot of cash to start a business. With hard work, you can turn what you're good at into a real business.
But it's not just about the money you put in at first. You need to:
- Know your market
- Build a strong online presence
- Make customers happy
- Keep learning
Don't let money stop you. As Gary Vaynerchuk says:
"There has never been a better time to start a business with no money."
With the right mindset, you can make your home business real. Start small, grow slowly, and who knows? Your cheap startup might become something big.
FAQs
What is the cheapest online business to start?
Want to start an online business without breaking the bank? Here are some low-cost options:
-
Blogging: Got a computer and internet? You're set. Start free on WordPress or Blogger.
-
Freelance writing: If you can write, you can earn. Jump on Upwork or Fiverr.
-
Affiliate marketing: Promote products, earn commissions. You'll need a blog or social media following.
-
Online tutoring: Share your smarts via video calls.
-
Virtual assistance: Offer remote admin services.
Here's a quick cost breakdown:
| Business Idea | Startup Cost |
|---|---|
| Blogging | $0 - $100 |
| Freelance Writing | $0 - $50 |
| Affiliate Marketing | $0 - $100 |
| Online Tutoring | $0 - $50 |
| Virtual Assistance | $0 - $100 |
The best part? You can start most of these with just a laptop and Wi-Fi. Pick one that fits your skills and go for it!
