Many of us want to earn extra money from home. And, indeed, starting a home business can be a good way to cultivate additional income, and help you reach other financial goals that you might have. There are a number of ways that you can improve your situation by starting a home business. From creative business ideas, to the more mundane, here are 50 home business ideas.

Use Your Skills

One of the best ways to get started with a home business is to use your skills. A number of business startup ideas grow out of the skills possessed by the business owner. If you have the skills — or if you can learn the skills — here are a few ways to make money from what you’re good at:

  1. Online Store-If you are serious about starting a home business then an online store is an excellent place to start. The best part of an online store is that you do not need a large start up capital, with just a few hundred dollars you can start your own online store. Besides the low start up cost an online store has many other benefits, for example it does not require you to rent office space, it has low overhead costs, does not require long hours etc. If you know what you want to sell online great, however you don’t need to know right now. I know it may seem overwhelming and confusing at first, however I would highly recommend Steve’s course on Profitable Online Store. Steve and his wife started their ecommerce store a few years ago and in their first year they made over $100,000! His wife was able to leave her day job and now only works 4 hours a week. Steve has extensive experience in the commerce business and has helped hundreds of students in successfully launching their business. He doesn’t just send you the material and leave you stranded, but he is there with you every step of the way with regular office hours (virtual office). If you are tired of your 9-5 job and want to break free then an online store maybe the answer. Check out Steve’s course and I would highly recommend you enrol in it, it will probably be the best investment you ever make.
  2. Writing: I always list this first because it’s what I do. If you write, and have reasonably good grammar, you can find gigs providing content, working for print and online magazines, preparing whitepapers (and doing other technical writing), and providing ad copy and press releases. All form the comfort of your home.
  3. home based business ideasGraphic design: Create logos, newsletter layouts, images for ads and other visuals for a variety of clients.
  4. Web design and development: Set web sites, and even maintain them. Develop different aspects of web sites, and design web sites for usability.
  5. App development: Those who know how to develop apps for different mobile devices, and even those who develop web apps, can make money with their skills. Create apps for others to use, or even for them to sell, and you can get your cut and make a profit.
  6. Social media/SEO services: If you are good online, and build social networks, you can leverage your skills to make money by providing your services to others. Help companies and web site owners build their brands in the social media space.
  7. Photography: Use your skills to take photos at different events, and even take portraits. Take stock photos and sell their use on stock photo web sites to create a tidy passive income stream.
  8. Videography: You can also make videos of special events, and put together montages for special events like birthday celebrations.
  9. Presentations: If you have skill at putting together presentations, you can create presentations for others.
  10. Make music: Those with musical skill can make money by hiring themselves out for events, as well as by playing in different venues. Many restaurants like to have live music at least some nights a week, and you could make money from the tips people provide for your playing.
  11. Consulting: Any skill and experience that you have in a number of areas can be used to help you start a consulting business. From knowledge of statistics, to communication, to image, to public relations, it is possible for you to put your knowledge and skill at others’ disposal and make money.

Share What You Know

Some home business ideas grow out of what you know. You can base a home business on your knowledge and expertise in a certain area. Some ideas that can help you put your knowledge to use can include:

  1. Tutoring: Start a tutoring business out of your home. You can approach by providing tutoring help in an area you specialize in, such as math, or English, or test-taking. You can also start a business that allows you to work with others, paying tutors and helping clients get the academic help they need.
  2. Music lessons: For a brief period, I taught piano lessons. (I discovered that teaching was not my forte.) If you know music, whether it’s playing a musical instrument or using your voice, you can share that knowledge, and earn some money.
  3. Art lessons: Teach children and others art. If you have a knowledge of painting or drawing, you can teach others.
  4. Online teaching: One of the growing areas of interest is in online teaching. If you have a college degree, you can teach college level courses in some cases. There are also virtual K-12 schools. You can, if you are ambitious enough, and get the right licenses, open your own virtual academy.
  5. Gardening: Many people need help learning to garden. You can offer your services in helping people set up gardens, and learn to grow their own food. Container gardening classes can help clients learn to grow food in small spaced.
  6. Preserving food: If you know how to can, bottle or dry foods, that’s something that others might pay to learn. You can teach classes and even sell small recipe booklets with ideas for what can be made using preserved ingredients.
  7. Guide: Do you know your local area? The best places to go for fishing or hunting? Do you know a stretch of river? You can start a business guiding people in the area. Even if it’s just a restaurant tour of the tastiest places in town, your guide efforts can be profitable.
  8. Technology: Start a business teaching others how to use technology. There are a number of people who need help setting up their computers, phones and gaming consoles. You can use your knowledge to your advantage.
  9. Craft classes: Hold craft classes in your home. If you know how to sew, crochet, knit, work wood, sculpt, or frame photos, you can teach these classes, earning some money and doing something you love.

Miranda

Miranda

Miranda is freelance journalist. She specializes in topics related to money, especially personal finance, small business, and investing. You can read more of my writing at Planting Money Seeds.