The internet, since its inception, has compelled many entrepreneurs to embrace the digital marketing concept. Therefore, seeking digital business ideas is a clever step for budding and existing entrepreneurs.
If not well informed, one might even begin to wonder what’s behind the craze of most businesses adopting digital transformation. The answer is simple — digital businesses work smart, not hard.
Going digital not only helps to upscale productivity but also improves customer experience. Also, digital businesses allow you to schedule your work time and work from anywhere you want.
In this article, I have carefully outlined ten profitable digital business ideas that might interest you. They require little capital, and you can have your business running successfully in no time.
Let’s take a look.
1. Graphics Designing
This is one of the digital business ideas that never runs out of demand, thanks to smartphones and personal computers. Graphic designing is all about creating visual content that is aesthetically pleasing and also is used to communicate messages.
When it comes to graphic designing, the opportunities are endless, as there are several niches involved ranging from
- Logo designs
- Book covers
- Website design templates
- T-shirt designs
- banner creatives
- business cards design, and so on.
With the basic knowledge of operating complex design tools like photoshop, you can start and run a successful graphic design business. You could also take advantage of some design platforms with already-existing templates like Canva.
SEE: Sure Ways on How to Make Money with Graphic Design
2. Blogging
Blogging has now become one of the fastest ways of content creation and distribution online. It entails creating and marketing online content which would eventually build your audience.
Once you have built a large audience, there are several means through which you can monetize your effort. Some of which are :
- Affiliate marketing
- Selling ad space
- Guest posts for media outlets
- Information products, etc.
Most bloggers make a common mistake: they jump into blogging without proper thought on what to start with and how to continue.
Therefore, you must carefully pick what you’re good at or a topic that interests you as a blogger. For instance, if you’re a great cook, it will be thoughtful to start a food blog to share your food recipes and cooking process with your readers.
Lastly, fashion, entertainment, food, lifestyle, business, politics and technology are some of the most popular blogs topics.
SEE: Ways To Monetize Your Blog
3. Consultancy Business
This is another smart and profitable digital business idea. If you’re a veteran in some field, rather than practicing, you could set up an online consultancy business, through which you can offer advice to persons seeking help in that field.
There are several fields you can choose from:
- Legal Consultancy
- Financial Consultancy
- College Counselling
- YouTube Consultancy
- Fitness Consultancy
- SEO Consultancy, and so on.
Therefore, the opportunities are innumerable, as people need help in every field. In addition, setting up a consultancy business doesn’t require much.
4. Social Media Management
Most entrepreneurs are too busy handling essential aspects of their businesses to dedicate time for their brand online.
So, they are constantly on the lookout for social media gurus who can help them build a solid online presence, manage their communities, and boost their sales with relevant content creation and social media strategies.
Therefore, you could make a fortune off this skill if you know your onions. Online marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, and Medium are also suitable platforms to pitch your services.
Furthermore, it would be best if you considered working for free as a beginner to build your portfolio, after which you can pitch directly to organizations that may need your services. And you can take on as many organizations as you can to increase your earnings.
SEE: How to Make Money as a Social Media Manager
5. SEO Services
Search Engine Optimization is a way of helping organizations rank high on search engine result pages like Google, Bing, etc., to increase their website traffic, leads, and ultimately sales.
It is fast becoming a complex field, yet the demand for it is ever-increasing. As such, there is a need for individuals who are skillful SEO experts.
There are several free online courses on SEO which you can learn from, including YouTube. Furthermore, you could pay an expert to train you.
SEE: How to Make Money as an SEO Specialist
6. Article Writing
Article writing is also a very profitable digital business idea to venture into, especially if you are skillful with words.
However, being skillful with words may not be enough; you should learn the nitty-gritty of article writing and continue to hone your writing skills.
You can take up jobs by writing for newspapers, journals, magazines, blogs, and even business owners who have websites.
SEE: Top Reliable Ways to Make Money With Writing
7. Proofreading
Proofreaders play a crucial role in content marketing, and there are several proofreading jobs open to skilled individuals on various career platforms like Flexjobs or Fiverr.
Proofreaders have an eye for details as they can spot the tiniest of writing mistakes like grammar errors, improper use of punctuation, and the likes. Therefore, some level of proficiency in the English language is required.
In addition, you should consider building your brand on LinkedIn as many professionals may need your help for their books or anything related to writing.
8. Article Translation
If you happen to be bilingual or multilingual, this is one of the most accessible digital business ideas to consider. The internet has made it possible for businesses worldwide to connect; translation into other languages has become inevitable.
Furthermore, social media job boards present decent opportunities to get jobs. In addition, you should deliver on time and provide excellent customer service, as referrals would go a long way in helping you secure more jobs.
SEE: How to Make Money as Translator
9. Copywriting
While an article writer is involved in content creation, copywriters are more concerned about content marketing. Copywriters are more sales-driven, and they write emails, website content, sales letters, product descriptions, landing pages, etc.
They assist a company’s sales team by planning, researching, and writing copy aimed at promoting/marketing goods and services for their prospective clients.
More entrepreneurs see the need for copywriters as they understand human buying psychology and can help organizations make more sales by leveraging words.
10. Voiceover Artist
If you have a great voice and happen to be a compelling speaker, you could convert this soft skill into an income channel.
As a voiceover artist, you will often be required to mimic a character, narrate a story, market a product or entertain an audience.
The competition within this digital business idea is minimal; therefore, you’d hardly lack customers if you are good at what you do.
11. Affiliate Marketing
At some point, you may have recommended a product to a friend or colleague without getting paid for it.
On the other hand, affiliate marketers recommend products or services to people but with the intent to get commissions for each successful sale based on their recommendation.
They achieve this by signing a deal with the product or service owner to help promote their products/services. So that while the brand makes sales, they can get paid a percentage of the profit for promoting their products/services.
This digital business idea is a great way to turn your good marketing and communications skills into profit. Furthermore, if you have a significant following on social media networks, you could leverage that to make money for yourself.
Lastly, you can start by liaising with physical products producers or take advantage of websites like Clickbank, CJ affiliate, and the likes where entrepreneurs make their products available for affiliate marketers.
SEE: How To Make Money With Affiliate Marketing
12. Software development
Software development is one of the most lucrative digital business ideas you can think of today. Most organizations are embracing mobile app development apart from their websites, and they are willing to pay good money for it.
However, this business requires coding skills, but the opportunities within are endless. Many courses are available online to learn from.
Furthermore, you could develop game apps, educational apps, lifestyle apps, or what have you and promote them on app stores while you make money as people download your app.
SEE: How to Make Money With Software Development
FAQ
What are the best digital businesses to start?
The best digital businesses to start are affiliate marketing, blogging, and article translation. These businesses require little skills and effort to create. Also, as you progress, you’d get better at what you do.
How do you start a successful online business?
Starting a successful online business is easy. Start by identifying your skills and interest. Then, find where your potential customers are and pitch your services to them. However, build your portfolio and be sure you can deliver before pitching to clients.
What kind of online business is most profitable?
The most profitable online business is consultancy services, as this business is for experts and experienced professionals within their fields. Therefore, they charge more based on their high level of expertise.
Are digital businesses better than offline businesses?
Yes. Digital businesses give you the freedom to work from anywhere in the world on your terms.
Conclusion
The world has become a global market, and digital businesses are the order of the day. Therefore, considering digital business ideas is not out of place.
However, I will advise that you should put your writing skills to good use by starting a blog if you love writing. Also, as an expert in your field, it will make sense to launch your consultancy firm and help businesses and individuals who may be willing to get knowledge within your field.
In addition, affiliate marketing allows you to start an online business without necessarily having a skill. Therefore you should consider getting into it if you really want to start a digital business no matter what.
Lastly, you may check out the ideas for shops if you fancy shop businesses.
I hope this post helped.
Thanks for reading.
