Looking for a way to start a new career, or make extra money to supplement your existing one? Thanks to the Internet, it’s possible to start a company from anywhere. In some cases all you need is a computer, an Internet connection and a good idea.
If you watch television shows like “Shark Tank” or “Dragon’s Den,” you regularly see entrepreneurs who are creating income by marketing their products online. An idea turns into a business, social media draws customers and in many cases the initiative evolves into an actual company.
That’s the beauty of the Internet.
For entrepreneurs, there are lots of opportunities to start businesses that you can run from your kitchen table or spare bedroom. If this is something you’ve been thinking about for a while, now’s the time to take action. There’s never been a better time to hang out your virtual shingle and launch a new business.
Here are four online businesses you can start today.
Affiliate Marketing
Lots of people have discovered and leveraged this method of making money while you sleep. It’s definitely an option that works, but you do have to invest considerable time on the front end. Essentially, it involves placing links on your website or blog to companies with which you’re “affiliated,” so that when a person clicks on the link and buys something on your affiliate’s site, you get a percentage of the sale. “Affiliates can also range from single individuals to entire companies,” writes Neil Patel, adding that, “It’s where the marketing happens. An affiliate promotes one or multiple affiliate products and tries to attract and convince potential customers of the value of the merchant’s product so that they actually end up buying it.” For you, as the affiliate marketer, the challenge is drawing visitors to your website so they find and click the links.
Freelancing And Virtual Assistant Work
Like helping people do business? Consider becoming a virtual assistant. These are the people who provide administrative or technical assistance to companies from a remote location. Maybe you’re good at keeping books, transcribing phone calls or meetings or maintaining records. All of these tasks, as well as others, can be accomplished in a few hours a day. “Most virtual assistants run their own home-based virtual assistant business,” writes business owner Randy Duermyer. “This allows them to earn more, usually $25 per hour or more depending on the tasks required, and have greater control over the duties they perform. However, many small businesses hire virtual assistants in an employment or contract position.”
Sell Handmade Goods
If you’re a crafty person, selling your work online has never been easier. Virtual stores like Etsy allow artists to create and sell all types of items, from imprinted t-shirts and other apparel to a vast range of products, including artwork, photography and much more. There are also several websites that offer print-on-demand services, so you don’t even have to stock inventory. Just upload your design, select from one or several products, write and optimize your product description, add search keywords and name your price.
As with affiliate marketing, you do need to promote your work via social media and other channels so people know it’s there.
Online Trading
Some entrepreneurs are making excellent money through online trading. Just ask Matt Choi, who founded Certus Trading, an online education company that teaches you the fundamentals of trading stocks, ETFs, options, commodity and financial futures, and FOREX. Certus Trading reviews trading information in a simple and practical way that helps you position yourself for consistent winning results. According to Choi, “you’ll learn the strategies that work across multiple asset classes so that you can always find high probability trading opportunities in all market conditions.” The courses also help you develop a trading plan that suits your trading personality so that you can stop struggling, and start achieving consistent profits.
Read More: How to Start an Online Business