If you’re looking to pad your bank account with some extra funds and cutting back on expenses isn’t an option, then finding ways to earn extra money is a great way to increase income. One of the ways you can do that is by starting a side business from your home.
Starting a side business is a great way to not only earn extra money but also add experience to your résumé. There are thousands of side businesses you can choose from, and most can be started from home with minimal effort to get running. If you need some help getting started, below are some ideas to help get your entrepreneurial juices flowing.
1. Etsy Store Owner
With an internet connection and a passion for making homemade goods, you can start your own Etsy store from home. The cost to start your own Etsy shop is free, but there are selling fees. The three basic selling fees include a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a payment processing fee. To publish a listing on Etsy’s marketplace it costs $0.20.
If you love designing homemade goods, consider starting your own Etsy store to see if the new product business is right for you. You never know, there’s always the chance your Etsy store could turn into a major retail website with a customer base big enough to require a cloud based call center phone system and a large staff.
2. Graphic Designer
Thanks to websites like Upwork and Fiverr, there are thousands of freelance graphic design jobs available online.
If you have strong visual communication skills, consider becoming a freelance graphic designer. This side business can be done from home with a laptop and an internet connection. Even if you don’t have a background in graphic design, you can still pursue this side hustle with easy-to-use tools like, Canva and PicMonkey, which you can use to teach yourself the basics of graphic design.
3. Mobile App Developer
Easy-to-use app development software that requires zero coding expertise, building, and selling, like Zoho Creator and BuildFire, make app development a relatively easy business that virtually anyone can enter. If you think you may have a knack for developing engaging apps, then consider launching your own app developer business from home.
Websites like UpWork make it easy for app developers at any level to pitch their skills to potential customers and build their business.
4. Freelance Writer
This side business can be run remotely from home and all you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
Getting your first few clients can be a challenge, but once you build up your online portfolio and develop a good style of pitching, you’ll be well on your way to starting your own remote freelance writing career.
5. Remote English Teacher
From the comfort of your home, you can get paid to teach English to students in places like Japan, China, and the United Arab Emirates who are eager to learn English and are willing to pay more than $25 per hour for personalized lessons via Skype.
To get started with this side business you need to be fluent in English, have a Bachelor’s degree (which doesn’t have to be in education), and have a full English as a Second Language (ESL) accreditation.
Next Steps
It may take some time to get your side business up and running, so remember to be patient and stick with it. Depending on the type of side business you plan to start, it may also require some startup costs such as purchasing a new laptop, printer, or tablet to get your side business up and running. You can check out online e-commerce websites like TheStore, which sell name brand electronics at a discount, to save money and cut down on startup costs though.
After you settle on the type of side business you want to create, the challenge then becomes taking action. With time, patience, and a bit of work though you can easily turn your at-home side business into something that generates a source of income.
