Business Ideas With Low Investment That Work
When people think about starting a business, many people shy away because they assume it will require a large investment. However, there are numerous business ideas with low investment. These businesses are relatively easy to start, and many people can initiate them now.
Explore different business ideas with low investment. This will give you some insight and inspiration so that you can decide which one matches your skills and preferences.
App Developer
In today’s world, there is an app for just about everything you could possibly need. To start this business, look at the top 20 more popular apps. Study them and see where they could improve or what they are missing. Develop your app incorporating these missing parts or improvements.
There is no investment necessary to start creating apps. As long as you have the ability to do this, you could start creating apps in your spare time and gradually build your business. Becoming an app developer is truly one of the best business ideas with low investment.
The only thing we would suggest is to take a course to make sure you know how to succeed as an app developer. We recommend The Complete App Design Course.
Baking
If you can bake and your kitchen has the essentials, you can start a baking business. You will want to make about a dozen items that you can take photos of for a portfolio. You can be a generalist and bake multiple items, or stick to one, such as cakes or bread.
You only need to invest in some initial ingredients to get started, making this one of the best business ideas with low investment. It is also a good idea to start a website or create a free social media page to advertise your services.
Bike Courier
If you live near or in a big city, you can easily become a bike courier. Bike couriers can navigate large cities far easier than cars, so you can get items and packages delivered much faster.
All you need is a basic bike and a helmet to get started. Check with your state to see if there are any insurance requirements for this type of business. Then, start contacting companies in your area to let them know about your services.
There really is not much cost to start this business so this is one of the best business ideas with low investment.
Bookkeeping
All you need for this is knowledge of bookkeeping and one bookkeeping software type to use for your clients. The software can be purchased for $100 or less. If you have any education associated with bookkeeping or accounting, this is a major plus.
Reach out to local small businesses to get started. Small businesses are less likely to have a full-time bookkeeper on staff. This makes them more likely to benefit from your services.
If you really want to get started in bookkeeping and not waste any time, we suggest enrolling in the Bookkeeper Business Launch program. It’s by far the best course you can find to help you learn everything you will need to know to get your bookkeeping business off the ground fast. You can read our complete Bookkeeper Business Launch review here.
Child Care Services
All you need is one room in your home that you can transform into a small childcare area. Most states do require licensing for this, so make sure to look into this so that you are operating your childcare business legally.
This low-investment business is ideal for everyone from former teachers to stay-at-home parents. Since you can operate it from your home, this eliminates all commercial real estate costs. Some food, toys and similar items are all that you need to get started.
Cleaning Homes
Since most people are very busy today, if you are excellent with cleaning houses, you can start a business providing this service. To get started, you can spend about $200 on cleaning supplies, making it a very cost-effective venture.
Use social media and local free websites to advertise your services. As you continue to please your clients, you can take advantage of word-of-mouth to build your client list. As you company grows, you can hire others to help you. Just check with your state to determine the liability insurance requirements.
Starting a cleaning business requires very little capital to get started so we rate this as one of the best business ideas with low investment.
Dietary Consultant
More than ever, people are concerned about their health. Obesity is an epidemic and heart disease is the lead cause of death. As a dietary consultant, you can help people to improve their heart health and shed excess pounds.
If you have a background in healthcare, you can start this business for free. You can work out of your home, and all you need is a simple website to advertise your services. This is a business that you can start in under a week.
DJ Services
If you already have DJ equipment, you can start this business for free. If you do not, for $1,000 or less, you can find used or new DJ equipment. You can learn how to DJ for free on the internet if you have never done it before.
Advertise your services on social media to start attracting clients. You can provide DJ services for a variety of events, such as wedding receptions, birthdays and other celebrations and even local events in your general area.
Driving Teacher
Driving is a skill that requires people to learn it from an experienced driver. While driving schools exist throughout the country, they are often rather expensive. You can teach people to drive on a freelance basis. This allows you to charge much less than the schools so that you can tap into a large pool of potential clients.
Pick up a second car that is inexpensive, but in good condition. Check with your state to ensure that you have the right insurance to get started.
Food Delivery
As long as you have a clean background, a relatively new vehicle and a license with insurance, you can start a business delivering food. Life is fast-paced, and many people simply do not have the time to make great meals each night.
As a good delivery professional, you will ensure that they can order food from any local establishment and you will deliver it promptly. Between delivery fees and tips, this is a viable business idea.
Freelance Writer
If you are excellent with the English language, consider working as a freelance writer. Within six to 12 months, you could easily be making a full-time income with this business.
Since most people already have computers with Microsoft Office, this business does not require any investment. You handle all of your work via telephone and the internet, so a decent home office space is all you need to fully run your business.
Graphics Designer
This is one of the best business ideas with low investment. You will need a few tools to get started, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. However, you can purchase this software for a few hundred dollars or less.
Take a course or teach yourself how to make the graphics. There are dozens of free courses online that you can take. Within a few months of learning, you will be ready to launch your business.
Makeup Artist
If you completed cosmetology school, start a business as a professional makeup artist. You can provide your services in your home or go to where your clients are. This eliminates all physical business costs.
You will need makeup and tools. However, since you can build your collection over time, if you have a relatively diverse array of makeup now, you can start for little to nothing. Just make sure that you have products that are ideal for people of all skin tones.
Massage Professional
To start this business, you will need to have completed an accredited massage course. This is imperative because you need to know the proper techniques to ensure that you are providing safe and relaxing services for your clients.
Then, all you need is a massage table and a few basics to get started. You can provide massage services in your home or the homes of your clients, so this is a business you can start with little investment.
Mobile Garage
Minor car repairs can be a pain. Tow trucks can be very expensive. If you open a mobile garage service, you can bring the repairs to the vehicle. This saves people tow fees and you can charge less than mechanics, so it is a win for you and your customers.
Stick to small repairs, such as tires, hoses and belts. Remember that you will be working on cars in parking lots and the side of the road, so you want to focus on repairs that take an hour or less.
Online Teaching
There are dozens of websites on the internet that allow people to teach classes. Several do not require you to be a licensed teacher, or even have a degree in education. You can teach anything from how to create certain crafts, to cleaning and cooking hacks.
To start this business, you simply need an idea, a computer, a camera attached to your computer and the internet. Since the majority of people in the US already have all of this, you can start this business today with no investment.
Party Planning
Everyone loves a good party, but many people do not have the time to plan an awesome bash. If you have a knack for planning parties, turn your talents into a small business. There is little investment necessary since your clients will pay for your expertise and all of the necessary party supplies.
All you have to do is create a website for yourself. Design a mock party or two so that you can start a portfolio to show your skills. For $100 or less, you can start this business.
Pet Care Services
People love their pets and you can cash in on this. You can work as a pet sitter so that when people are out of town, you can keep their pets cared for. If you have grooming skills, you can also provide these services.
With the exception of a basic grooming kit, this business does not cost any money to start. If you will provide the services in your home, check with your state to see if there are any insurance or licensing requirements.
Photography
At some point in everyone’s life, they will need a professional to take some photos for them. While photography is not a unique business idea, you can never have too many photographers. Specialize in a niche, such as weddings or family photos, or be a generalist that will tackle all of your client’s photography needs.
All you need to start this business is one or two professional cameras, good editing software and some basic photography and photo editing skills.
You can even sell your photos online. Learn how to license your photos online here.
Product Reseller
If you have a good eye for finding used items that are worth money, this is a fun and easy way to make some money. Since you control what you spend on items to resell, this is one of the best business ideas with low investment.
Head to garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores to source the items that you will resell. Then, you can sell items locally or on websites, such as eBay, Etsy (vintage), Poshmark or Mercari to start earning money. You can ship anywhere in the world, so you have limitless customers.
Proofreading
A wealth of people can benefit from the services of a professional proofreader. Since you will conduct your business over the internet, you can work with clients all over the world. Help companies to ensure that their communication is flawless, or aid college students with their grammar, spelling, punctuation and fact accuracy.
All you need are an internet connection, a computer and Microsoft Office to get started. Since most people already have these, it will likely cost you nothing to begin building your client base.
We suggest taking a course such as the Proofread Anywhere course so you can get started in the right track. You can read our complete Proofread Anywhere review here.
Resume Writer
If you are excellent at helping people to create stellar resumes, this is a free business that you can start. You can work via the internet, so you can help people from all over the world.
All you need is a word processing program, a computer and the internet to get started. Create about five mock resumes so that you can show your skills. Then, use social media to create a few business pages for free so that you can advertise your resume writing business.
Social Media Consultant
If you have some experience with the primary social media platforms, get paid to share your knowledge with companies. You should be proficient with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also choose to focus on one social media platform.
Both small and large companies need a solid social media strategy to stand out above the competition. To start this business, all you need is a computer, some knowledge and a basic website to advertise your services. This makes it one of the best business ideas with low investment.
SEO Consultant
When someone has a website, the whole point is to get as much traffic as possible. To ensure proper placement on the search engines, the person who creates and maintains the website needs to incorporate proper SEO.
If you are proficient with search engine optimization, you can help people to improve the SEO on their websites and blogs. You can work with clients globally, so there is no limit to how much you can expand your business.
You can learn how to start an SEO business here.
Tailoring Services
The majority of clothing that people buy is mass produced. Since everyone’s body is different, this often results in clothing that does not perfectly fit a person’s body. As a tailor, you will make sure that all clothing items fit flawlessly.
All you need to start this business are some basic sewing skills and supplies. For $200 or less, you can start tailoring clothing. Start a free page on social media websites as a way to advertise your services.
Tax Consultant
Taxes can be incredibly complicated, and no one wants to make a mistake and have to deal with an IRS audit. If you have a talent for taxes, start a consulting business. You can opt to work with businesses or individuals, depending on your expertise.
You can easily advertise your services on local websites and message boards which are usually free. Grab a tax software that is easy for you to use and you will be up and running as a tax consultant.
Tour Guide
If you live near an area that attracts tourists, you can earn money by showing them the best places in the area. You can use social media to advertise your services, so you can start this business with no initial investment.
You can choose to charge a flat fee or per person. Create different tour packages that your customers can choose from. For example, create a tour for foodies and another for people who love nature so that you can customize their experience.
Translation
If you are fluent in at least two languages, start a translation business. You do not need any special education for this. You just need to prove that you are fluent in the languages you plan to translate.
You can stick to providing translation services locally, or all over the world via the internet or phone. You can expand your business by translating both spoken and written word, such as documents, memos, and manuscripts that your clients send to you.
Website Developer
Any person looking to brand themselves needs an excellent website to keep up with the competition. If you can develop websites, you have a nearly unlimited pool of potential clients.
You can choose to specialize in a specific platform too. For example, focus on developing websites for Drupal, WordPress or Joomla. This creates a niche market and will make it easier for you to work on multiple projects at the same time.
Learn to become a professional at web development here.
Yard Cleanup
You do not have to be a professional landscaper or gardener to help people to maintain their outdoor spaces. You can provide simple outdoor services, such as pulling weeds, cutting the grass and doing general cleaning.
You will need some basic yard care equipment to get started. A vehicle that can hold these items, or a small trailer is also necessary. However, there are plenty of options to obtain these items for little cost, so you can start this business with little investment.
