Are you dreaming of working from home but not sure where to start?
You’re not alone! More people than ever are building successful businesses right from their kitchen tables and home offices. The best part? You don’t need to be a computer expert or have lots of money to get started.
In this guide, I’ll share 25 real ways you can make money from home. These aren’t get-rich-quick schemes or sketchy opportunities – these are genuine business ideas that regular people just like you are using to earn income every day. Some people start these businesses as side projects while keeping their regular jobs, while others turn them into full-time careers.
Before we dive into the list, here’s what makes these business ideas great for beginners:
- You can start most of them with just a computer and internet connection
- Many cost less than $100 to begin
- You can learn as you go – no special degree needed
- You can work flexible hours around your family or other job
- There are plenty of free resources online to help you learn
Ready to discover which work-from-home business might be perfect for you? Let’s explore your options!
Service-Based Businesses You Can Start From Home
Let’s start with businesses where you help other people or companies with tasks they need done. These are great starter businesses because you can begin with skills you already have!
1. Virtual Assistant
Think of a virtual assistant as a personal helper for other businesses, but you work online instead of in their office. You might:
- Answer emails and schedule appointments
- Post updates on social media
- Create simple documents and spreadsheets
- Help organize files and calendars
Some virtual assistants also organize travel and hotel arrangements or other similar tasks once they prove themselves.
Startup cost: $0-50 (mainly for a good notebook and planner)
Potential earnings: $15-40 per hour to start
Real example: Sarah, a mom of two, started by helping one local business owner manage their emails for 5 hours a week. Within six months, she had three clients and was making $800 a month working part-time.
2. Freelance Writing
If you enjoy writing and can explain things clearly, this could be perfect for you. You don’t need to be Shakespeare – you just need to write in a way that’s clear and helpful. You could write:
- Blog posts for businesses
- Product descriptions for online stores
- Email newsletters
- Social media posts
Many established business owners like to hand these tasks off to focus on their higher level business priorities so its always an opportunity for you.
Startup cost: $0 (just your computer and internet)
Potential earnings: $50-200 per article or post
Real example: Tom started writing articles about his hobby, fishing, for outdoor websites. He now makes $2,000 monthly writing about topics he loves.
3. Proofreading
Do you catch spelling mistakes and grammar errors when you read? Many businesses need people to check their writing for mistakes. You could review:
- Website content
- eBooks
- Business documents
- Student papers
Proofreading become even easier with Ai assistance (faster too). If you have expertise in a certain area this is a plus (say medical or tech, etc)
Startup cost: $0-100 (optional online course to learn basics)
Potential earnings: $15-50 per hour
Real example: Maria started proofreading student papers in her spare time. She now works with self-published authors, checking their books before they get published.
4. Social Media Helper
If you enjoy using Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, you could help businesses with their social media. You’d:
- Create and schedule posts
- Reply to comments
- Share pictures and updates
- Help grow their followers
Running a business is tough enough, so having someone who’s better than them to run their social media is always welcome and well paid.
Startup cost: $0-20 (for some basic photo editing apps)
Potential earnings: $300-1,000 per month per client
Real example: James started by managing social media for his local coffee shop. Now he handles Pinterest and Instagram for three small businesses, working about 15 hours a week.
5. Online Teaching or Tutoring
If you’re good at explaining things and like helping others learn, this could be your perfect fit. You could:
- Help students with homework
- Teach English to people in other countries
- Help adults learn new skills
- Create simple video lessons
Many people use Zoom and other easy video conferencing/call programs to maximize their reach and payments.
Startup cost: $0-50 (headset with microphone)
Potential earnings: $15-25 per hour
Real example: Lisa, a former teacher, now tutors math online for 3 hours each evening after her kids go to bed, earning about $1,200 monthly.
Digital Products You Can Make and Sell
The great thing about digital products is that once you make them, you can sell them over and over without having to make more! Here are some popular options:
6. Online Course Creator
You can teach others what you know by making simple video courses. Popular topics include:
- Cooking and baking
- Pet training
- Garden planning
- Home organization
- Basic computer skills
You are an expert at something, even if its something simple, and there is someone who wants to know what you know.
Startup cost: $0-200 (microphone and basic video editing software)
Potential earnings: $500-5,000+ per month
Real example: Betty used her phone to record videos showing how to bake bread. Her $27 course now brings in $1,200 each month from new bakers around the world.
7. Digital Planners and Templates
If you’re organized and like making helpful documents, you could create:
- Budget spreadsheets
- Meal planners
- To-do list templates
- Project planning sheets
- Calendar templates
Realtors and Brides-to-be are good niche buyers to target for templates and pdf’s.
Startup cost: $0-50 (template design tools)
Potential earnings: $200-2,000 per month
Real example: Mike created a simple budget template in Excel that helps families track their spending. He sells it for $9 and makes about $800 monthly through his Etsy shop.
8. Printable Products
These are digital files people can buy and print at home, like:
- Wall art and quotes
- Party decorations
- Kids’ activity sheets
- Gift tags and cards
- Planner stickers
Think about products that you like to buy and turn them into your own version on sites like canva.com
Startup cost: $0-100 (design software)
Potential earnings: $200-3,000 per month
Real example: Susan makes colorful birthday party decorations that parents can print at home. She sells them for $12 per set and makes around $1,500 monthly.
9. eBook Writing
You can write short, helpful books about topics you know well:
- How-to guides
- Recipe collections
- Children’s stories
- Self-help advice
- Hobby instructions
Again, you can take what you know and turn it into a good source of home income with ebooks.
Startup cost: $0-200 (editing and cover design)
Potential earnings: $100-1,000+ per month
Real example: Dave wrote a 30-page guide about growing tomatoes in small spaces. He sells it for $7 on Amazon and makes about $400 each month during gardening season.
10. Stock Photo Taking
If you enjoy taking pictures, you could sell them online:
- Nature photos
- Food pictures
- Home and lifestyle shots
- Business scenes
- Holiday themes
Stock photos are used all the time on the internet, even on sites like this one! This is an evergreen niche.
Even if you don’t take many pictures yourself, you can now use Ai to create photos and images that are in demand.
Startup cost: $0-500 (depends on your camera)
Potential earnings: $200-1,000+ per month
Real example: Mary takes pictures of her organized home and desk setups. She sells them on stock photo websites and makes around $300 monthly from photos she uploaded over the past year.
Tech-Based Businesses You Can Learn
Don’t worry – these jobs might sound fancy, but they’re easier to learn than you think. Many people start with just basic computer skills and learn the rest as they go!
11. Website Building
You can help small businesses create simple websites using easy tools like Wix or Squarespace:
- No coding needed
- Drag-and-drop building
- Use pre-made designs
- Help businesses look professional online
WordPress in another website type that many blog and website owners need constant help with. (see below)
Startup cost: $50-200 (for practice websites and learning)
Potential earnings: $500-2,000 per website
Real example: Jenny started by building a website for her sister’s hair salon using Wix. Now she makes about $3,000 monthly creating simple sites for local businesses.
12. WordPress Helper
Many businesses need someone to keep their WordPress websites updated:
- Update plugins and themes
- Add new blog posts
- Fix broken links
- Make small changes to pages
Think about other service businesses that might not have any tech knowledge who might benefit from an online business presence.
Startup cost: $0-100 (for practice and learning)
Potential earnings: $200-500 per month per client
Real example: Bob helps five local businesses keep their WordPress sites running smoothly. He spends about 2 hours on each site per month and makes $1,500 total.
13. Technical Writing
You can write instructions and how-to guides in simple language:
- Product instructions
- User manuals
- Help articles
- Setup guides
- FAQ pages
Do you have expertise on specific equipment? Large to small, if you can translate technical jargo into easy, understandable language this could be for you!
Startup cost: $0
Potential earnings: $30-60 per hour
Real example: Linda writes instruction manuals for kitchen appliances. She works 15 hours a week and makes about $2,400 monthly explaining how things work in simple terms.
14. App Testing
Companies need regular people to test their apps and websites:
- Try out new features
- Report problems you find
- Share your honest opinion
- Help make apps easier to use
New apps come out everyday for our phones, and computers. You can specialize in business apps or gaming or nearly anything else.
Startup cost: $0
Potential earnings: $10-50 per test (15-20 minutes each)
Real example: Mark spends an hour each evening testing apps and websites. He completes about 20 tests per month, earning around $500 extra income.
15. Data Entry
This involves typing information into computer systems:
- Copy information from paper to computer
- Update spreadsheets
- Check for accuracy
- Organize digital files
As we move further into the 21st century, some companies are still working with paper and need data entry assistance. Plus up to database management once you know your stuff!
Startup cost: $0
Potential earnings: $12-25 per hour
Real example: Susan works as a data entry specialist for three hours each morning before her kids wake up. She makes about $900 monthly helping businesses organize their information.
Creative Services You Can Offer
These businesses let you use your creative skills to help others. Even if you’re not a professional artist, there are tools that make it easier than you might think!
16. Graphic Design Helper
Using simple tools like Canva, you can create:
- Social media pictures
- Business logos
- Flyers and posters
- Business cards
- Email headers
Thumbnail images, ebook covers, and cute printables are other examples of items a graphic designer can offer (especially to your friends creating courses, etc)
Startup cost: $0-50 (Canva Pro subscription)
Potential earnings: $25-75 per design
Real example: Amy started making social media pictures for her church using Canva. Now she helps small businesses with their designs and makes $1,200 monthly working part-time.
17. Video Editing
Help people make their videos look better:
- YouTube videos
- Social media clips
- Family videos
- Online course videos
- Business presentations
Video has taken over the internet and the tools for editing are easier to use. TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo, Shorts all need more and more video to function. This could be very lucrative if you find the right creator to edit for.
Startup cost: $0-200 (editing software)
Potential earnings: $200-500 per video
Real example: Joe learned video editing by practicing with free software. He now edits videos for three YouTube channels, earning about $2,000 monthly.
18. Podcast Editing
Clean up and improve podcast recordings:
- Remove background noise
- Cut out mistakes
- Add intro music
- Make sound quality better
- Create episode descriptions
Another big aspect of editing podcasts involves inserting Ad content for sponsors and affiliates.
Startup cost: $0-100 (editing software)
Potential earnings: $50-200 per episode
Real example: Rachel edits podcasts for two health coaches. She spends about 10 hours a week editing and makes $1,600 monthly.
19. Voice-Over Work
Record your voice for:
- Training videos
- Phone messages
- YouTube videos
- Audiobooks
- Business presentations
With the advent of Audible and faceless videos on Youtube, the demand is quite high for voice workers.
Startup cost: $50-200 (microphone and quiet space)
Potential earnings: $100-500 per project
Real example: Bill records voice-overs in his closet (it’s quiet there!) for small business videos. He makes about $800 monthly doing 2-3 projects a week.
20. Pinterest Account Manager
Help businesses grow on Pinterest:
- Create eye-catching pins
- Schedule daily posts
- Organize board layouts
- Track what works best
- Respond to comments
This hybrid service uses some easy graphic design, social media management, and digital organizing skills that are in high demand.
Startup cost: $0-50 (pin design tools)
Potential earnings: $300-1,000 per client monthly
Real example: Kate manages Pinterest accounts for three online craft shops. She spends about 15 hours a week creating and scheduling pins, earning $2,100 monthly.
Online Sales Businesses You Can Start
These businesses let you sell products without storing them at home. It’s a smart way to run a shop without needing lots of space or upfront money!
21. Print-on-Demand Products
Design simple products that get printed only when someone buys them:
- T-shirts and hoodies
- Coffee mugs
- Phone cases
- Tote bags
- Wall art
One way to maximize print on demand is to query local schools, clubs, businesses, and sports teams to be their go to product printer for yearly turnover items.
Startup cost: $0-100 (for sample products)
Potential earnings: $500-3,000+ per month
Real example: Jim designs funny dog-themed t-shirts. The printing company makes and ships them when customers order. He makes about $1,200 monthly without touching any inventory.
22. Digital Product Reselling
Buy the rights to sell other people’s digital products:
- Online courses
- eBooks
- Software tools
- Website themes
- Digital art
PIR has always been a great way to get your foot in the door for selling online products.
Startup cost: $100-500 (for product rights)
Potential earnings: $500-2,000+ per month
Real example: Lisa sells other people’s courses about gardening and keeps 50% of each sale. She makes around $900 monthly through her simple website.
23. Dropshipping Store
Sell products that others store and ship:
- Home decorations
- Kitchen gadgets
- Pet supplies
- Beauty products
- Fashion accessories
Dropshipping is still very viable if you procure a supplier who is timely with shipping. Customers have been trained by Amazon to expect their mailed item to arrive quickly.
Startup cost: $100-500 (website and early ads)
Potential earnings: $1,000-5,000+ per month
Real example: Tom runs a kitchen gadget store from his laptop. When someone buys, his supplier ships directly to them. He makes about $2,500 monthly in profit.
24. Digital Asset Store
Create and sell digital items like:
- Website themes
- Social media templates
- Music and sound effects
- Digital scrapbook items
- Font collections
Selling digital assets is perhaps the easiest way to sell something without needing to store inventory or wait on shipping. It’s all digital and it’s all fast and in high demand.
Startup cost: $0-200 (design software)
Potential earnings: $500-3,000+ per month
Real example: Maria makes Instagram post templates in Canva. She sells them for $19 per pack and makes about $1,800 monthly through her Etsy shop.
25. Website Flipping
Buy small websites, improve them, and sell them for more:
- Fix up the design
- Add better content
- Improve how they make money
- Sell for a profit
Going back to website management and wordpress knowledge, once you gain some experience, you can find what works best for improving blogs and ecommerce sites and jump into flipping. It’s basically digital real estate. Buy the old house, fix it up and make it look pretty, sell for a profit!
Startup cost: $500-2,000 (to buy first website)
Potential earnings: $1,000-5,000+ per flip
Real example: David buys small blogs about hobbies, makes them better over 3-4 months, then sells them for profit. He makes about $2,000 profit per website.
Ready to Start Your Work-From-Home Journey?
Now that you’ve seen all 25 business ideas, you might be wondering, “Which one is right for me?” Let’s make it easier to choose:
If you’re good with people and like helping others:
Starting as a Virtual Assistant or Online Tutor might be perfect. These jobs let you use your people skills right away, and you can start with just one client.
If you’re organized and detail-oriented:
Try Proofreading or Data Entry. These jobs reward careful work, and you can start small while keeping your day job.
If you’re creative but not super technical:
Look at Print-on-Demand or Pinterest Management. Tools like Canva make it easy to create designs, even if you’re not a professional artist.
If you want something with little daily work:
Digital Products or Print-on-Demand might be your best bet. You do the work once and can sell the same items over and over.
Remember:
- Start small and learn as you go
- It’s okay to try something and switch if it’s not for you
- Many successful people started with just 1-2 hours per day
- You can always reach out to others doing the same business for tips
Your Next Steps:
- Pick ONE idea that interests you most
- Spend a week learning more about it (YouTube has lots of free tutorials)
- Set aside 30 minutes each day to work on your new business
- Join some Facebook groups about your chosen business to learn from others
- Give yourself 90 days to try it out before deciding if it’s right for you
The most important thing is to just start somewhere. Even if you only make $100 in your first month, that’s $100 you didn’t have before – and more importantly, you’ve started building something that could grow into your dream work-from-home career.
Ready to begin? Pick your favorite idea from the list and take that first small step today. Your future self will thank you for starting now!