Online business ideas can kickstart your entrepreneurial experience with minimal investment. Many successful businesses need less than $500 to start and can become profitable right away.
The global e-commerce world keeps growing rapidly. Experts predict revenue will exceed $6 trillion by the late 2020s. Smart entrepreneurs now have amazing opportunities in niches of all types. You can use your existing skills in many ways - from teaching students worldwide to starting a podcast that could reach 505 million listeners by the end of 2024. The digital marketplace has endless possibilities. The most successful independent sellers focus on Health & Personal Care, Beauty, Home, Grocery, and Apparel markets. US sellers on Amazon alone average more than $290,000 in yearly sales.
This piece explores online business models that need little startup money but have huge growth potential. You'll learn how to match these opportunities with your talents, review costs, and create strategies that help your digital venture grow steadily.
Ready to find out the best small online business ideas? Scroll down now!
Key Takeaways
- Low-Cost Startups: Many online businesses can be started with less than $500 and offer significant profit potential.
- Popular Models: Freelance writing, virtual assistant services, print-on-demand, affiliate marketing, online tutoring, and digital products are ideal for lean startups.
- Growth Potential: E-commerce and telehealth are rapidly expanding, offering entrepreneurs large opportunities.
- Sustainable Growth: Build a professional website, use social media for marketing, automate tasks, and track performance to grow your business steadily.
- Telehealth Opportunity: Telehealth businesses are booming, with platforms like Bask Health helping entrepreneurs launch with minimal technical knowledge and lower startup costs.
Best small online business ideas to start lean
Want to start making money online without spending a fortune? Here are six small online businesses you can start with minimal investment that could bring in substantial earnings.
Freelance writing and editing
Writers are in high demand right now across industries. New writers can charge $20.00-$25.00 per hour, and experienced freelancers earn even more. One writer made $ 5,305.00 in her fourth month. The best part? You just need a computer and solid writing skills to start creating blog posts, website content, or marketing materials.
Virtual assistant services
Business owners just need remote administrative support these days. VAs help with everything from managing emails to running social media accounts and earn $20.00-$30.00 per hour. You can work with several clients at once to create multiple income streams. Getting started is simple - you'll need a reliable computer, fast internet, and basic communication tools.
Print-on-demand stores
Print-on-demand lets creative people run a risk-free business. Your designs get printed on t-shirts, mugs, or other items only after customers buy them. The global market should hit $48.40 billion by 2032. You won't need any upfront investment since customers pay for product costs after purchase.
Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing means promoting other companies' products through your referral links. You earn commissions when people buy through these links - usually 30-50% for information products. U.S. businesses spent $8.20 billion on affiliate marketing in 2022. Many people start this as a side gig before turning it into their main income source.
Online tutoring or coaching
Online tutoring connects you with students worldwide. Tutors charge $20.00-$80.00 per hour, based on their expertise and experience. The global online tutoring market was worth $29.60 billion in 2021 and should grow to $49.90 billion by 2028. Now is a great time to jump in.
Selling digital products
Digital products like ebooks and online courses can earn you passive income. You create them once and sell them repeatedly. The digital product market should reach $26.06 trillion by 2034, thanks to e-learning growth. These products don't need inventory management or shipping, which means higher profits than physical products.
How to choose the right business idea for you
Your ideal online venture needs multiple factors to succeed. Here's how you can find a business idea that matches your skills and goals perfectly.
Match your skills and interests
A business that fits your existing abilities will lead to quick success. Take time to review yourself by asking these questions: What are your core competencies? Which industries have given you the most experience? What roles did you enjoy most? List your skills in categories - technical abilities, industry knowledge, management capabilities, and soft skills. This focused approach lets you target ventures where you'll thrive immediately instead of struggling with a steep learning curve.
Evaluate startup costs and time
The numbers need a close look before you launch. Online businesses need investment in several areas: business licenses ($50-$100+), web hosting ($20-$100 annually), e-commerce platforms ($30-$299 monthly), and payment processing. You should also think over whether you'll need inventory or can use dropshipping to keep initial costs low. The time commitment deserves equal attention—can you handle it alone at first, or will you need help? The best online business ideas don't ask for huge capital or expert knowledge to start.
Research market demand
Market research shows whether your business idea will attract customers. Get demographic information about your potential audience and answer vital questions about demand, market size, location, saturation, and pricing. Use existing sources for general data and direct research methods like surveys and interviews to gain specific insights. This process reveals if your product solves a problem people will pay to fix.
Test before you scale
Build your business step by step instead of going full scale immediately. Break your concept into prioritized, testable assumptions to focus your efforts well. An MVP (minimum viable product) helps test future success without major investment. This method spots potential problems early, confirms your target audience, and estimates what you'll need to launch. Note that testing is an ongoing process that cuts risk and proves your business concept works.
Positioning Bask Health in the online business space
Telehealth stands as a major digital business opportunity this decade. The market will grow from $101.15 billion today to a staggering $791.04 billion by 2032. A remarkable 24.3% compound annual growth rate makes this sector perfect for entrepreneurs who want to start lean, profitable online ventures.
What is Bask Health?
Bask Health's complete platform makes it easy to launch a telehealth business. We built our "Shopify for Telehealth" platform to give entrepreneurs everything they need to create branded digital health experiences without technical knowledge. The platform has HIPAA-compliant video conferencing, secure data transmission protocols, electronic health record integration options, and a nationwide pharmacy network that delivers medications across all 50 states.
How Bask Health supports lean startups
A typical telehealth startup needs $70,000 to $100,000 in original capital. Our ready-to-use infrastructure cuts these costs significantly. The platform takes care of complex technical requirements—from provider credentials to compliance frameworks. This lets founders concentrate on patient care and business growth. Entrepreneurs can launch their business within days instead of months, even without technical expertise.
Use cases for health ecommerce and telehealth services
Consumer behavior changes have led to explosive growth in the telehealth sector. Studies show that 80% of consumers have tried telemedicine, and 76% of people over 55 now use telehealth services. McKinsey reports that $250 billion of current US healthcare spending could move to virtual platforms.
Successful telehealth ventures often employ subscription-based models where patients pay monthly or annual fees for unlimited access to services. This creates steady cash flow and benefits patients—online consultations save you $147 to $186 in travel expenses and work time. Tech-enabled healthcare services have shown impressive Net Dollar Revenue Retention of 140% year-over-year. This proves that recurring revenue models work exceptionally well in this space.
Tips to grow your online business sustainably
Starting an online business needs careful planning and smart execution. Once you've picked your business idea, these four pillars will help you grow sustainably without spending too much.
Build a simple website or landing page
Your online presence makes a big difference to business success—71% of businesses now have websites. A website works around the clock to build credibility and share information with customers even during off-hours. The best approach is to start with a clean site that loads fast, because 61% of visitors leave when they can't find what they need within five seconds. Mobile optimization is a vital part since mobile devices make up 45% of website visits in North America.
Use social media to attract early customers
Social media has become essential for small business growth, with over 4.9 billion social media users spending more than 150 minutes online each day. Small startups should focus on consistency—pick platforms where the target audiences spend time and connect with them often. Bask Health's team recommends the 5-3-1 ratio rule: five posts that educate, three that connect with your audience, and one that showcases your service.
Automate where possible
Business operations can get overwhelming as you scale. Automation streamlines growth and keeps things running smoothly. Research shows companies that invest in new technology are 45% more likely to see annual revenue growth above 10%. The best way to start is by automating one task at a time, like email responses or social media posts. This frees up time to focus on growth strategies and reduces mistakes.
Track performance and iterate
Smart business development relies on informed decisions. Regular weekly checks help keep your business on track. These key metrics need attention:
- Website traffic and engagement
- Customer acquisition costs
- Conversion rates
- Revenue patterns
The process works best when you take small steps—create basic products, listen to customer feedback, and keep improving what you offer. This approach reduces risk while maximizing what you learn in the ever-changing startup world.
Conclusion
Starting an online business is more available to people than ever before. This piece outlines six proven business models that need minimal upfront investment but can grow substantially. Entrepreneurs can use their existing skills and tap into growing markets through freelance writing or creating digital products.
You need to think about your skills, resources, and what the market needs to find the right business idea. Don't rush into a venture. Take your time to assess each chance against your strengths. A minimum viable product helps confirm your idea before you invest too much.
The telehealth space is evolving fast. We at Bask Health built our platform to break down traditional entry barriers. Our solution lets entrepreneurs launch in days, not months. This cuts the typical $70,000-$100,000 startup costs that most telehealth ventures face.
Your business grows steadily when you work on multiple areas. Build a professional online presence. Connect with your audience on social media. Automate routine tasks and make analytical decisions. Small online businesses can become big successes. The key is to start somewhere. The digital world gives you amazing chances to succeed, whether you pick freelancing, e-commerce, or telehealth. Just take that first step.
References
- Chamber of Commerce. (2023, January 12). Prelaunch social media strategy: How to prepare for success. U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/startup/prelaunch-social-media-strategy
- Shopify. (2023, March 8). 50 online business ideas to start in 2023. Shopify. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.shopify.com/blog/online-business-ideas
- Writing Revolt. (n.d.). How to start a freelance writing business. Writing Revolt. Retrieved May 25, 2025, from https://www.writingrevolt.com/freelance-writing-business/
