Starting a business with just $10,000 might seem impossible, but it’s not. In fact, there are plenty of businesses you can start for that amount or much less. And, thanks to digital technology, these easy start-up businesses can be done entirely online. And on a budget too. Let’s dive into digital businesses you can start for 10K or less.
1. Freelance writing
If you have a knack for writing, you can start your own freelance writing business. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. You can work from anywhere in the world and set your own hours. There are many websites that will connect you with clients who need writers, such as Upwork and freelancer.com.
Jorden Makelle, who teaches people how to start their freelance writing careers, made $5,000 her first month as a freelance writer, after getting fired from her job.
Quick takeaways from her video:
- Spend some time building out a freelance writer website
- Choose a narrow, high-paying niche (she chose writing for tech companies)
- Join the ProBlogger Job Board
- Build a strong presence on LinkedIn
- Hire an Editor (check out Fiverr and Upwork)
- Use productivity apps like ClickUp, Monday.com, or Basecamp
One of the lowest-cost start-up businesses, all you need is your computer. While you may want to advertise on platforms like Fiverr, you can start writing for platforms that take a commission out of each article, like Writer Access or Constant Content.
As far as freelance writing software goes, you’ll likely want to invest in some of today’s AI writing tools like Grammarly, Jasper, or Frase.
2. e-Commerce Store
Thanks to platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, it’s easier than ever to start your own online store. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and some design skills, this could be the perfect business for you. You can sell just about anything in your store, from physical goods to digital products and services.Â
Shopify created a blueprint that is helpful for anyone starting an e-Commerce business.
Your largest investment will likely be your website design and hosting fees. Beyond that, you’ll need to invest in inventory if you’re selling physical products. If you’re selling digital products or services, you won’t have any inventory costs.
You can use companies like Printify or other dropshipping websites to help with fulfillment if you’re selling physical products.
3. Social Media Agency
Almost every business needs help with its social media presence these days. If you’re active on social media and have a good understanding of how it works, you could start your own social media marketing business. You can offer your services to small businesses and help them create and execute social media marketing campaigns.Â
Your biggest upfront cost will likely be advertising. You’ll also need to create marketing materials, such as a website and social media profiles. You can start this business with just a laptop and an internet connection.
Invoicing software such as Quickbooks can make it easy to keep track of your earnings and expenses.
4. Web design
Are you creative and good with technology? If so, web design might be the perfect business for you. As a web designer, you’ll help businesses create websites that are both aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.
5. BookKeeping
If you’re good with numbers and have experience keeping track of finances, you could start your own bookkeeping business. This is a great option for stay-at-home parents or anyone who wants to work from home. You can set your own hours and rates, and there is always demand for bookkeepers – especially during tax season!
6. Virtual Assistant
If you’re good at staying organized and managing your time, you could start your own virtual assistant business. This is a great option for those who want to work from home and have the flexibility to set their own hours. You can work with individual clients or businesses to help them with a variety of tasks – from bookkeeping to customer service.
7. Affiliate Marketing
If you consider yourself influential, and good at promoting other people’s products and services, you could start your own affiliate marketing business. You can find affiliate programs for just about any product or service out there, and if you can get people to sign up for them, you can earn a commission on every sale that you make.Â
8. Online T-Shirt Shop
If you’re creative and have a good sense of design, you could start your own online t-shirt shop. There are a number of different ways to do this – from setting up your own website to using a platform like Teespring or Printify. You can design your own shirts or use designs that others have already created.Â
9. Real Estate Business (Affiliate Model)
Outside of licensing, business cards, professional photos, and a website, you don’t need much to get started in the real estate business. You can start by working with a broker or firm, and then eventually branch out on your own. If you’re good at sales and marketing, there is always demand for real estate agents.Â
You’ll need a license and a computer. After that, you can refer out the people-to-people part and earn 25-50% commissions (always negotiable).
10. Etsy Business
You can start your own Etsy shop with just $10. All you need is a digital camera, some creative skills, and a strong work ethic. You can create any kind of arts and crafts product that you can imagine, from jewelry to pottery to knitted goods. If you put in the time and effort, your Etsy shop could become a full-time business and earn you a healthy income.
11. Online Course Creator
In recent years, there has been a boom in the number of people making a living by creating and selling online courses. With the advent of technology, it has become easier than ever to create high-quality courses that can be sold to a global audience.
There are a few things you need to have in order to make money as an online course creator. First, you need to have something valuable to teach. Your course must offer value that is not easily found elsewhere. It should be able to solve a problem or address a pain point for your students.Â
Next, you need to be able to market your course effectively. Simply having a great course is not enough – you need to be able to get it in front of the right people who are willing and able to pay for it. This means having a strong marketing strategy that includes social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.
Finally, you need to have the right tools and equipment in order to create a high-quality course. This includes things like a good-quality microphone, video camera, and editing software. While you don’t need the most expensive gear out there, it is important to invest in quality tools that will produce a polished final product.
There are some expenses associated with creating an online course. However, these expenses are relatively small compared to other businesses. For example, you’ll need to pay for a course platform such as Thinkific or Teachable.
12. Graphic Designer
A graphic designer creates visual graphics for advertisements, logos, and websites. They use their creativity and design skills to create images that will capture the attention of potential customers.
You will need some basic supplies, such as a computer, software, and design templates. You can also market your business through social media or online directories. The start-up costs for a graphic design business are relatively low.
13. Editor
If you have a knack for grammar and punctuation, you could start your own editing business. There is always demand for editing services, from students to businesses to authors.
You can start by setting up a website and marketing your services online. Once you build up a clientele, you can expand your business by offering additional services such as copywriting or ghostwriting.Â
14. Sell Printables
Printables are digital files that can be printed out by the customer. They are typically used for things like party decorations, planner inserts, and wall art. You can create your own printables using graphic design software such as Canva. Once you create your designs, you can sell them on Etsy or your own website.
15. Build a Youtube Channel
If you enjoy making videos, you could start your own Youtube channel. You can create videos about any topic that you are passionate about. To make money from your channel, you can join the Youtube Partner Program and sell ads on your videos. You can also sell products or services through affiliate marketing or product placement.
Youtube becomes a true business model when you can leverage your channel to build up a following of loyal fans who are willing to support you through paid memberships. This allows you to provide exclusive content for your paying members, which could include things like behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive videos, or access to a private community forum.
16. Create Sales Funnels
A sales funnel is a process that helps you to sell products or services online. It typically starts with a lead magnet, such as an ebook or course, which entices the customer to sign up for your email list. From there, you can provide additional offers, such as discounts or exclusive content, which encourage the customer to buy your product or service.Â
You can create sales funnels for your own products or services, or you can sell them as a service to other businesses. To get started, you will need to create a lead magnet and an email course. You can then use tools like Clickfunnels or Leadpages to build out the rest of the funnel.
The platform Keap, for example, formally known as infusionsoft has many users that have formed full-time businesses around just this one tool.
17. Sell eBooks
If you enjoy writing, you could start your own eBook business. You can write about any topic that you are passionate about and sell your books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. To make your book more successful, you can create a marketing plan and promote your book through social media or book blogs.
18. Create an App
If you have a great idea for an app, you could start your own business developing and selling it. The process of creating an app can be complex, so it’s important to make sure that you have the skills and experience necessary to do it well.
19. Build a Blogging Business
If you enjoy writing, you could start your own blogging business. You can blog about any topic that you are passionate about and make money through advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts. To be successful, you will need to create high-quality content and build up a loyal following. Â
Bloggers make money by selling advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts.
20. Flip Websites
If you’re good at web design or development, you could start your own business flipping websites. To flip a website, you will need to buy an existing website from a website like Flippa or Empire Flippers. Once you have the website, you can make changes to it and sell it for a profit.
21. Start an SEO Company
If you’re good at SEO, you could start your own SEO company. You can offer your services to businesses of all sizes and help them to improve their search engine rankings. To be successful, you will need to have a strong understanding of how SEO works and be able to create effective strategies for your clients.
22. Create Coloring Books
Low-content books are becoming increasingly popular, especially coloring books. Using a design platform like Canva or book creation software like Bookbolt, you can create your own coloring books to sell on Amazon.
23. Become a TikTok Creator
If you’re good at creating short videos, you could start your own business as a TikTok creator. You can create videos about any topic that you are passionate about and share them with your followers.
To be successful, you will need to build up a large following and produce high-quality content. It’s a side hustle for most, but a few figure out the business model and make it a full-time business.
24. Start a Print-on-Demand Business
If you’re creative, you could start your own print-on-demand business. You can design products like t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags and sell them on platforms like Redbubble or Society6.
25. Host a Podcast
Over the past few years, podcasts have grown in popularity and become one of the most popular forms of entertainment. For some, it’s a hobby, and for others, a side hustle, and a few have made it a full-time business.
Starting a podcast doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, you can start a podcast for less than $100 if you’re willing to invest some time and effort into it. All you need is a microphone, some recording software, and a hosting platform. Once you have those things, you can start recording your podcast episodes and promoting your show.
These 25 digital businesses that you can start for 10K less, are just the beginning.
