Starting a business with limited funds doesn’t have to hinder your path to profitability and success. With a solid business idea and the right resources, you can launch a venture without significant upfront investments or large inventories.
Here are 18 business ideas that require minimal initial investment to spark your creativity. From eCommerce concepts to service-oriented ventures, numerous opportunities exist to enter the eCommerce sector.
18 Top Business Ideas to Start with Little Money
- Dropshipping
Traditional retail often involves high costs for manufacturing, acquiring, and storing inventory. Dropshipping changes that by allowing you to partner with a third-party supplier who handles the creation, packaging, and shipping directly to your customers. This model enables you to quickly start an eCommerce business with access to a vast range of ready-to-ship products, making it a cost-effective way to test market fit or explore trending items.
- Print on Demand (POD)
Similar to dropshipping, print on demand lets you outsource fulfillment while allowing you to sell unique products with your designs. You can create and sell items like t-shirts, novelty socks featuring cat photos, or custom stickers. You can also collaborate with freelance artists to develop your designs and use platforms like Printful or Printify to manage sales through your eCommerce site. - Sell on Amazon
Leveraging established marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy can be an efficient way to reach millions of potential buyers without hefty advertising costs. Utilizing services like Wix eCommerce, you can easily import product listings to Amazon and manage your orders and inventory from one central location, speeding up your time to market. - Take Your Brick-and-Mortar Store Online
If you already own a physical store, expanding to an online presence can enhance your revenue without significantly raising costs. For instance, Angel Gregorio transformed her spice bar into a successful online business, achieving over $2 million in sales during the pandemic. eCommerce can be a valuable avenue for any brick-and-mortar operation looking to diversify income streams. - Video Creation
Whether it’s cooking tutorials, workout routines, or family-friendly content, creating videos offers immense revenue potential if you can engage a loyal audience. Monetization options include subscription models, ad revenue through platforms like YouTube, or renting your videos. Providing some free content can help attract customers and encourage purchases. - Subscription Boxes
The subscription box model has gained popularity, with brands like Netflix leading the charge. Three types of subscription services have emerged: replenishment, curated boxes, and access subscriptions. Define a clear niche that aligns with your expertise, such as creating themed gift boxes or tiered memberships based on your products or hobbies. - Start an Interior Design Business
If you have a flair for design, consider selling home decor or offering design services. For example, Kaekoo has thrived by focusing on ethically sourced, handcrafted goods, utilizing strong branding and customer engagement strategies. You can sell unique items, share home decor tips, and inspire customers through your creative offerings.
- Start a Podcast
Podcasting is a booming industry, with ad revenues projected to hit nearly $3 billion by 2025. Use your platform to entertain, inform, and inspire, and consider offering courses or premium content to monetize your efforts. Collaborating with others and volunteering on existing podcasts can provide valuable insights before launching your own.
09. Write a Book
Have you always wanted to write a book? This could be the year you finally get published! Consider self-publishing an eBook and marketing it through your online store or platforms like Amazon. This can be a creative way to start a business with minimal investment.
For inspiration, look to Ashley Antoinette, a New York Times best-selling author and founder of thebooklovers.co. She uses her website to promote her popular Butterfly series and her upcoming Book Lovers App, featuring a countdown to her next book release on her homepage.
Not sure what to write about? Here are some ideas:
- Create a story based on real-life events.
- Transform your old blog posts into an eBook.
- Record an audiobook.
Utilize Wix’s templates designed for authors and publishers, and earn royalties by distributing your eBook or paperback through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing.
10. Provide Remote Consultation Services
Just like brick-and-mortar stores benefit from going online, offering remote consultations can help you reach a global audience.
Consider building websites for clients unfamiliar with Wix eCommerce or other site builders. Alternatively, you could offer virtual tutorials and coaching sessions to guide business owners on best practices. If you’re in the medical field—such as a general physician, nutritionist, or therapist—you can provide consultations via phone or video. Start by creating a website for patients to schedule appointments and integrate Zoom for meetings.
11. Sell Second-Hand or Vintage Goods
If you enjoy finding deals on vintage clothing or second-hand items, you could turn this passion into a business for others with little startup capital.
Choose a niche for your vintage store, such as:
- Clothing or items from a specific decade.
- Vintage formalwear.
- Young adult vintage trends.
- Vintage home decor.
Focus on a value or style you love. For example, Henny Penny Vintage promotes sustainable fashion, while I Can Tell By The Moon Vintage offers romantic antique clothing and decor.
Begin by sourcing, repairing, and selling a few pieces to keep costs low and familiarize yourself with online selling.
12. Start a Candle Business
With the candle industry projected to reach $9.9 billion in annual revenue by 2028, this could be an ideal business for craft lovers or hobbyists with limited startup funds.
Advantages of starting a candle business include:
- Low startup costs, with basic kits available at craft stores or online.
- A wealth of free resources for tutorials and recipes.
- Healthy profit margins, with a potential 25% to 50% markup.
First, perfect your candle-making skills by testing various aspects like scent, safety, and burn time. Decide if you want to market your candles as high-end or more affordable.
For example, Coal and Canary specializes in “hand-poured luxury wood wick candles for every occasion, beautifully packaged in reusable glass vessels.”
13. Sell Handcrafted Goods
If candles aren’t your thing, consider selling other handcrafted items, like knitted accessories or art.
Wix merchant Sena Runa sells beautiful paper-based artwork online and also offers YouTube tutorials and downloadable templates for aspiring artists.
Begin by choosing a niche and target market. Many crafters start selling through marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, or eBay, but to retain control over your brand and customer experience, it’s best to establish your own online shop first.
14. Participate in Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a great low-cost business option.
As an affiliate marketer, you’ll promote another company’s products through your chosen channel, earning a commission for each sale you influence. With around 80% of brands offering affiliate programs, it’s easy to find one that fits your interests. Check your favorite brands or affiliate networks like ClickBank or ShareASale to discover opportunities.
Choose programs with commission structures you’re comfortable with, and promote products you genuinely use and enjoy to maintain your credibility.
15. Monetize Your Blog
A blog can be a creative outlet and a potential money-making venture. Before monetizing, focus on building high-quality content and an engaged audience.
Here are a few ways bloggers can earn money:
- Offer paid membership plans with exclusive content for subscribers.
- Become a freelance blogger by reaching out to brands or searching job boards.
- Earn from online ads by displaying Google AdSense ads on your site and collecting revenue for clicks.
16. Sell Shoes Online
Are you a sneaker enthusiast or do you have shoes collecting dust in your closet?
The shoe business could be a viable side hustle, with yearly shoe sales projected to grow by 14% in 2023. You can start by selling gently used shoes from your collection or thrift stores, or resell trendy styles. Print-on-demand and dropshipping allow you to sell custom shoes without high startup costs.
List your shoes on an online store and utilize platforms like eBay, StockX, or GOAT, where sneakers sell quickly.
17. Sell Books Online
If you love books, consider becoming an online bookseller. You can sell books you own, such as textbooks or children’s books, with tools like BookScouter to estimate their value.
Alternatively, source used books from second-hand stores, library sales, or flea markets, or obtain new books from distributors and local authors.
Decide on your niche as a bookseller, whether it’s a specific genre, used or rare books, or curated collections for specific audiences.
18. Home Staging
If you have an eye for interior design, home staging could be a great business idea with low startup costs. This involves making homes more appealing to potential buyers by rearranging or decorating using existing furnishings.
Start by networking with local realtors and using social media for marketing. As you gain experience and build a portfolio, you can showcase your work on a dedicated home staging website, allowing you to gradually establish credibility in the field.
Tips for Starting a Business with Little Money
If you aim to launch a business on a tight budget, conducting thorough research and setting it up correctly is essential. Here are some steps to help you achieve that:
Choose Your Business Idea and Write a Business Plan
Begin by identifying your passions and skills. Next, research market demands, evaluate potential competition, and explore low-cost business ideas that have growth potential.
Your business plan should include your mission statement (the reason behind your business), a description of your target market (will you sell online through an eCommerce website or use another method?), your marketing plan, and strategies, along with detailed funding plans for your business.
Decide on the Best Business Structure and Register Your Business
You have options for business structures, including Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or Corporation, among others. Following that, you’ll need to acquire a business license, obtain an EIN number, and open a business bank account.
Secure Funding
When starting a business with limited funds, some of the most accessible funding options include bootstrapping, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and crowdfunding.
Promote Your Business
This involves developing a strong brand identity, learning how to create a website, and building a solid social media presence. Additionally, you’ll need to plan and execute marketing campaigns.
Hone Your Business Management
Best practices for effective business management include tracking your finances, complying with all government regulations, and collecting customer feedback, among others.
What Are the Best Types of Business Ideas to Start with Little Money?
Numerous business types can be started with minimal investment. Here are a few examples:
Service-Based Businesses
These enterprises offer services to customers, such as dog walking, house cleaning, or web design. Service-based businesses generally require little startup capital, as there’s minimal need to purchase inventory or equipment (other than perhaps a good vacuum cleaner and cleaning supplies for a house cleaning business).
Freelance Businesses
These ventures allow you to sell your skills and expertise to clients. Freelance businesses can be launched with little financial investment since there’s no need to buy inventory or equipment. However, you may need to spend on marketing and advertising to attract clients.
eCommerce Businesses
These businesses sell products online. You can start an eCommerce venture with little money by utilizing a free website builder to set up your store. Still, you might need to invest in marketing and advertising to drive traffic to your site.
Best Businesses to Start with Little Money FAQ
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