The Internet is growing bigger everyday this means more people are coming online and more business transactions are taking place more than before.
This sudden boom is a sure motivation to those that seek to make money online. Whether you seek to just make some fast cash on the side or aiming to become the next Zuckerberg of your generation, here is how to start an online business that makes you money and a sustain your entrepreneurial ambition.
1.) Dropshipping:
Dropshipping business isn’t a new thing as it’s being here for quite a while now. A little explanation of the concept means that you sell products you don’t own in stocks rather, you only sell based on requests. It’s more like a buying on demand (BOD) whereby each orders placed are relayed to the manufacturer or a bigger sales company that owns the inventories for you and then they ship the product to the end user that ordered from you on your behalf.
What happens afterwards is you pay the company that did the transaction and you get your own share.
Advantage:
1. You don’t have to keep inventories
2. You don’t need huge cash to start. Just a small hosting fee and you’re up online
3. Anyone can do it irrespective of background or location so far you’re connected to the Internet.
Disadvantages:
1. Total make huge profit, you might have to up sell and that could affect your sales
2. Returned goods will most likely affect your income
3. Since it’s nearly free to start, it’s a very competitive market with thousands already in it
2.) Affiliate marketing
is a great way of making money either as a full time Internet user or as a per time user. Many people do think that to successfully start an affiliate marketing program, you need to have a blog of your own etc.
But that’s not entirely true. With a good Facebook page or group which is well endowed with engaged followers or Instagram account or even YouTube channel, you can earn huge affiliate commissions when sales are made through your affiliate links.
How does this happen, you create an affiliate campaign of your favorite product with a reputable affiliate provider or just a company you’d recommend to your friends online. Then you get a referral link which you’d place in websites, post articles etc and then create a good post around it.
But making sure the product attends to a particular problem your followers are facing. You tell how the product is and how it can affect the problem in a positive way.
Advantage
1. You get a huge load of commissions if you make big sales
2. Can be used anywhere online. It’s just a link based business
3. Approval is very easy because companies just needs to make more sales so they don’t care about your reputation. They only care about how much sales they made.
Disadvantages
1. Users can leave your affiliate url while making purchases
3. Copyrighting
is yet another great thing to do online for those that have the passion and excellence in writing. You get hired for copyrighting and you’re paid for your job.
Copyrighting can be a business or just a quick cash making avenue all depends on your ability to create compelling content.
Advantages
1.) You don’t necessarily need to be anyone’s employee to copyright.
2.) Little investment is required (Just a notepad application and an Internet connection.)
3.) You can work from anywhere in the world so far you’re connected to the Web.
Disadvantages
1.) You might be a workaholic
2.) Because of your initial reputation, you might not earn huge amounts due to those that employ you.
4.) E-commerce
is another great way of making money online. Although being a bigger venue of making money online, a mid to huge capital is required because of things involved.
In fact, you should go online assuming you already have a physical shop in place.
Since the Internet is now a busy place to transact business of whatever kinds, you can sell whatever you want and earn bigger profit due to the bigger exposure you have…
Something which might not be there while you have a physical shop that is static in your local area.
Advantages
1.) No limit to how far you can go or how huge your profit can be.
2.) You don’t need a physical shop just a warehouse to keep your inventories
3.) Your company gain bigger and wider exposure which it wouldn’t get while being in a brick and mortar shop.
Disadvantages
1.) If not done well, can affect your sales and increase loss
2.) Since you keep inventories, some goods might fail to make it to the market and might get damaged in turn.
3.) It’s very strenuous like handling sales, customer service, delivery, content creation, securing so on.
5. Digital Products sales
is just like E-commerce just that the difference is the type of goods you’re selling. With digital contents, you don’t need to sell physical products that are perishable.
Digital contents also don’t need to reside in q brick and mortar shop. All you need is an Internet connection and then store you files in the cloud for ease of access to those that purchase. When order is fulfilled, users get a link to download the product and thats all… Business transaction completed.
Digital products come in different forms. All range from what you want to venture into. For example, you can sell software or applications (assuming you’re a developer), Themes or websites, Plugins down to music files, graphics, videos, ebooks… There is no limit to what you can sell online.
Advantages
1.) With a computer that has enough memory, an Internet connection, you can start a digital sales business
2.) It’s very easy as no much manpower is required to fulfill orders and sales. All happen automatically via the Internet
3.) You make a huge profit from just one document because it’s downloaded so it’s infinite. The more you sell, the more money you make.
Disadvantages
1.) Your product can be pirated and sold without your permission if not well copyrighted
2.) If you’re the creator of your product such as software, applications, ebooks etc, production time might take a really long and stressful process before coming with the end product
3.) You need to stand out because of the large competition in the business. Advertisements could be required in some cases.
6. Proofreading
would be a great way to making money online if you’re good at doing it. It’s just as if being paid for your hobby. And the truth is anyone can proofread in as much as you have the patient to read a big piece line by line to identify mistakes and errors and point them all out, then your job is done. You’re paid for this. And the amount of piece you can read will determine how much you can make in cash. Proofreading is a really valuable way of making use of your time.
Advantages
1.) No prior experience is required. Just reading and pointing out errors
2.) You can land a regular gig anywhere anytime.
3.) Just a Computer and an Internet connection is required. So no huge startup capital is required at all.
Disadvantages
1.) It’s very competitive due to huge number of candidates vying for the same spot.
2.) If you’re not good at the language thrown at you, it might affect your work
3.) You have to work long hours because of the stressful nature of reading accurately to point out problems
7. Ads previewing
There are numerous websites online that pay you for previewing advertisements on their networks… It sounds simple right? Yeah it’s simple.
Many of these networks have a huge load of companies that are paying huge amount of money to get their products and services out there to people to view them. So you get paid for specifically viewing ads and the more ads you can view the more money you can make.
Also Read: 12 of the best Ads Previewing websites that pay you instantly
Advantages
1.) There are no hidden costs as your membership is totally free
2.) Previewing ads takes just few seconds or just by entering generic number which is a fast process
3.) The longer you stay, the more money you can make
Disadvantages
1.) Most asks you to refer people to the network before paying you your money
2.) Your account could be terminated without any proper reason
8. Survey completion
Just like ads previewing networks, there are also survey networks and they works almost the same way. The little difference is that you complete a survey about a product or a company and then your overall submission will guarantee your payment.
The reason for surveys is to get a better view from the customers’ points of view about a product, service and company behind them.
So these companies pay a huge amount of money to get these information from people. And since they can’t come directly to people one after the other, they make use of available websites that offers those services.
Advantages
1.) It’s a great way of getting your views across to companies and still getting paid for doing so.
2.) It’s a win win for both parties involved
3.) The more survey you can successfully complete, the more money you can make.
Disadvantages
1.) Most websites offering this service don’t pay on a daily basis like the ads preview.
2.) Unnecessary account termination is a very possible phenomenon
9. Travel agents
People travel for different reasons. Your duty as a travel agent is to get travelers the necessary documents and information that will help get them safely to their destinations.
What this mean is that you as a travel agent can either work independently or for a company as a freelance. It’s advantage is very long and it’s a money making avenue.
Advantages
1.) You get to meet people of different backgrounds
2.) Since people travel almost everyday, your job isn’t going to be boring
3.) The more people you work for, the more money you have
Disadvantages
1.) Travel insurance and policies could be violated and could lead to pedigree distortion
2.) If you’re unable to beat deadlines, your job may suffer
10. Online coaching
There are numerous services online that offers distant learning opportunities to people across the globe. Since it’s an online job, anyone that is connected to the Internet can have access to it.
This means that you can become an international coach online in no time.
People seek knowledge of things or even want to earn degrees. Your duty is to help these people achieve whatever they want and you’re paid.
Online coaching comes in different forms. But mostly, you could be a self starter owning your business or just joining a network that is already known.
Advantages
1.) You impact what you know into people and get paid for your expertise
2.) With your knowledge, you can self start
3.) Your guarantee of success is 90%
Disadvantages
1.) Could be strenuous and time consuming to teach people online
2.) Self starting could take time before recognition
3.) Your pedigree will take time to build so you might remain the same for a long period before getting your first students
11. Gadget repair
We all know iFix to be an incredible service online. There are also other services online that helps to repair your broken gadgets.
Since nearly 98% of the people in the whole world have a gadget or another, the type of gadget you repair is what will definitely get you the reputation you deserve.
You gain access to a huge load of people from different backgrounds and you work your way to great reputation.
Advantages
1.) The better you become, the more people get to trust you.
2.) More trust means more recommendations and that leads to more jobs and more money
Disadvantages
1.) Could require a huge amount of start-up funds and good business strategies to found it
2.) Your reputation won’t grow overnight and so a long investment in time is an issue
12. IoT installation services
From smart security systems to home assistance AI systems, smart home appliances and more. IoT installation gives you the very best opportunity to express your technical expertise.
More people are moving from their traditional home appliances to the more smart and sophisticated appliances. And since this is a quite new industrial, you stand at a great advantage of getting employed
Advantages
1.) You’re hired for your experience and expertise and that increase your reputation and means more money in your pocket
2.) You can be a one man business or need an helping hand but either way, you won’t need a host of team compulsorily
Disadvantages
1.) Mistakes or simple errors could be costly and could damage your business reputation. So being able to work at an accurate pace is recommended
2.) Could be drenching when being a one man provider especially when you have deadlines to beat
13. Internet Provider
Apart from network provision and services, Internet providers offer access to the Internet at a cheaper rate unlike the traditional companies offering this services.
While this is a very great job and business to start online, everyone in the world is interested in going online and more people are getting online like never before.
Offering cheaper services to people who are interested is a great heads up
Advantages
1.) Everyone wants to get online so you offer then that help.
2.) Cheaper Internet provision means more customers
Disadvantages
1.) Requires a host of technical teams to set up and also requires good customer service practices and Startup funds to get the word out to people.
2.) You might not be able to serve at whole large portions of area for a start. So your customers will be limited in numbers due to areas you’re serving
14. Music mastering
If you’re a great music engineer who knows how to master songs, then it’s time you take that to the next stage.
With the every growing demands for good music across the globe, more musicians are spurring from everyday of the week which gives you the advantage of getting hired to master songs.
Since the Internet gives you a connection with no boundaries, then you can work with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Advantages
1.) You’re paid to do what you love doing
2.) You’re available to the globe without boundaries so your employment rate is limitless
Disadvantages
1.) Could become a bombardment of works which might make you lose out on deadlines and could spoil your reputation and relationships with musicians.
15. YouTube video production
YouTube is no doubt the second most visited website in the whole world. This means Billions of people from different countries and cultures across the whole world watches videos everyday on YouTube.
This is a great way of tapping into the region. The service which is rendered for free to everyone can become an avenue of business if death with seriously.
Advantages
1.) You become a popular person online
2.) You make money either by being hired or just working for yourself
Disadvantages
1.) Identity theft might be possible
2.) You’re now a subject of hack
16. Graphics designer
Graphics are the new order of the day. Everyone loves amazing graphics and nice generic designs. People use graphics on their website, computer or smartphone or even in their homes and offices all for beautification.
Graphic designers have a high level of service to render and so you can tap into this space too.
All you do is set up free account on Flickr and then get your work going without any hassle.
Advantages
1.) You can work as a freelancer or for a company on a contractual basis
2.) The better you become, the more hiring opportunities you get.
3.) You make huge load of money, credit and respect from people who buy, lease or use your works
Disadvantages
1.) Extended learning curves required to perfect skills
2.) Building portfolio takes time
3.) Pure dedication is required to attain success
17. Customer assistance
One most important thing every businesses aiming towards the level of success must achieve visibility is customer satisfaction and assistance.
While most companies can’t offer this services either to due to their size, they usually outsource them to other companies or individuals that can do it.
This means that every business needs a customer assistance service. That means a business opportunity for you then as a reputable customer assistance provider.
Advantages
1.) More companies more businesses
2.) A well equipped team can handle this service without any hassle
Disadvantages
1.) Would require a high funds in startup capital
2.) Building reputation takes time before being hired
18. Ghostwriting
As the name implies, ghost writing is the process by which you write a piece for another individual without taking any credit for it. That means you’re ghosted out while the individual you’ve written for takes the glory. We’ll don’t be sad yet… You get paid for that.
Many people uses ghost writers because they can’t write a large amount of content they’re tasked to do.
For example, a big blogger that has a really huge amount followers might need an helping hand not in the form of an employee but a ghost hand.
All you do is get your piece across to the relevant person and then they pay you for what you’re great at.
Advantages
1.) You get paid for how huge you can produce
2.) It builds your reputation and relationships with people of different kinds at different levels
3.) You don’t need to be employed anywhere as you can be a stay at home ghost writer
Disadvantages
1.) If you’re credit-centric, you might feel overshadowed because someone just bought your expertise
2.) You get paid for what you produce. Some people might want very small things so you get paid smaller amounts
3.) It takes time to build a big portfolio of your own
19. Hiring manager
People look for job opportunities everywhere every time. You as a hiring manager is to get the right candidate for a job recommendation to a firm or a host of companies. This is a simple process if you’re a good onlooker.
Getting the most qualified people to do the job and then making sure all work according to plan is what builds up your reputation and payment checks.
Advantages
1.) You work anywhere depend on the company you work with
2.) You make your money even while sleeping
Disadvantages
1.) Few Hiring managers are needed so it’s a very competitive process
20. Paid Reviews
I made mention of Online ads preview and surveys, this one is nearly like that just that it’s way different as it demands a closer look into a product or service before you can successfully do it.
Products reviews is where you take a product and use it and then tell about everything you noticed about the product and why you think others should use it too. That’s why it’s a different way of making money.
Lots of companies pay people to get this done because they can’t afford a bad product to be released to the public so they offer money to people who will use and review those products in a closed system.
Advantages
1.) Sometimes, you could be gifted the product after a review completion
2.) The more products you can review the more money you make
3.) You can incorporate this into your blog or just do it alone on your YouTube channel or just behind close door.
Disadvantages
1.) Before you could land the reputation of being gifted might take you a while
2.) It’s a very competitive market with many already doing it.
21. Web hosting
Web hosting is a really fast growing business of the century. Although it’s been around for a long time now, there is a need for more since more businesses are coming online.
Being a great Web hosting company puts you ahead of the competition because the best is usually preferred to the remainder.
Advantages
1.) More reputation means more customers
2.) Demand for a better hosting provider is on the increase everyday putting newcomers at an advantage
Disadvantages
1.) One bad customer service might ruin your entire business so all customers matters
2.) Huge capital is required to start-up
3.) A big team of technicians is needed as business.
Conclusion
How to start an online business in 2018 might not necessarily mean you have to invest all your whole life sourcing for funds because as far as the internet is concerned, everyone is opened to starting their very own web empire which if well engaged can bring in a big chunk of business that can thrive on the long run.
With nearly half of the global citizens now connected to the internet, It might be a very good idea to plan ahead and understand what people want. Then create a product targeted towards those people to cater for their very need and then rake in your money because the entire concept is to solve people’s problems and help them by becoming an integral part of their lifestyle.