17 Easiest Online Businesses to Start in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide

Starting the easiest online businesses may seem too good to be true, right?

Business experts often warn against promises of guaranteed success without putting in effort.

However, there are online businesses that are simpler and require less skill and complexity.

With some patience and the right mindset, you can build an online business that doesn’t demand:

• 16+ hour work days
• Thousands of dollars in startup costs
• A business degree
• Extensive (or any) customer support.

So, if you’re looking to earn extra income or even replace your current salary, here’s a list of the easiest businesses to start right now.

In a hurry? The Affiliate Lab can teach you how to start an affiliate marketing business online, which is a top choice for beginners.

1. Affiliate Marketing

If you’re seeking easy, one-person business ideas, then affiliate marketing is a great option.

Affiliate marketing is simple because you don’t need:

• Your own product
• To deal with customers
• Any money.

This is because you’re promoting products from other businesses and earning a commission when someone makes a purchase.

All you need to do is share links to the products and attract people to click on these links. The more visibility your links get, the more you can earn.

While there are a few techniques that can enhance your success rate.

The first is learning how to build a target audience and the second is mastering the art of writing compelling content.

You can easily learn both of these through The Affiliate Lab by Matt Diggity. This course will simplify affiliate marketing for you.

2. Amazon Influencer Program

In recent years, the Amazon influencer program has emerged as one of the easiest online businesses to start.

You simply create short product review videos on Amazon, which are then added to Amazon’s product pages.

If people view your video before making a purchase, you earn a commission from the sale. There’s no need to drive traffic to a blog or engage in any form of marketing.

You can leverage the massive 4+ billion monthly visits that Amazon receives on average.

Niche Pursuits founder Spencer Haws started the Amazon Influencer program in 2023 and earned over $6,000 in commissions in December.

Here’s a video of him explaining his success:

To learn more about this program, you can discover how to become an Amazon Influencer here.

The only requirement is to have a following on a social media platform to be accepted. People have found that having 2,000 followers is often sufficient.

3. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants perform various tasks for businesses over the Internet. It’s akin to a traditional job, but with the freedom to choose your hours, pay rate, and clients.

This setup also means you have the potential to earn more than in a typical job.

There are numerous virtual assistant jobs for beginners that you can explore, including:

• Social media tasks
• Customer service
• General admin tasks
• Video or audio transcription
• Website maintenance.

Furthermore, there are plenty of websites where anyone can sign up to find virtual assistant opportunities.

Upwork and FlexJobs are popular choices, and there’s also Fiverr, which operates differently.

On Upwork, you apply for jobs you’re interested in, while on Fiverr, you list the services you can provide for potential clients to find.

4. Dropshipping

Dropshipping involves setting up an eCommerce store and listing products from a manufacturer at a markup or wholesale price.

You drive traffic to your product pages through ads or organic sources to generate sales.

Once a sale is made, you place the order with the seller, who then ships the product directly to your customer.

This approach means you only purchase products once a customer has already made a purchase from your store, reducing a significant amount of risk.

If you adopt the entrepreneur mindset, you can explore innovative ways to enhance your service.

For instance, reinvesting profits to stock your best-selling items. This enables you to shorten delivery times and ensure product quality.

To make this online business idea successful, I recommend learning Facebook ads or taking a dropshipping course.

If you enjoy social media and content creation, a social media manager role might be ideal for you.

One of the reasons it’s easy to start this business is that it doesn’t require formal qualifications.

Moreover, there are numerous online resources, such as Udemy courses or YouTube tutorials, where you can quickly learn everything you need.

You can begin by exploring various digital marketing business ideas, which represent the type of marketing services you’ll offer clients.

Next, select a specific niche, such as local dentists or plumbers.

Reach out to local businesses and pitch your services for a monthly fee.

6. Start a Paid Community

Paid community platforms have gained popularity in recent years and continue to grow.

They’re easy to establish and manage, making them one of the easiest online businesses to start.

The concept involves building a community of individuals with similar goals or interests.

For example, a community for individuals interested in growing house plants.

Consider creating a support group for single parents or a community based on your expertise or interest. Offer valuable support and promote your community through social media, a website, or paid ads. You can price membership from $7 to $197 per month depending on the offerings.

Platforms to launch a paid community include:

Check out the Niche Pursuits Community for inspiration and connections with like-minded entrepreneurs!

7. Sell Digital Products

Starting a digital products business online has never been easier. Anyone can turn a unique idea into a digital product and generate passive income. Having a success mindset is crucial.

First, generate digital product ideas like:

• Online courses on web design
• Ebooks on mindfulness
• Productivity planners for Notion

Choose platforms like Thinkific for courses or Gumroad for ebooks and planners.

For a detailed guide, follow the steps in this video:

8. WordPress Web Development

If you enjoy website creation and helping businesses establish an online presence, consider starting a WordPress web development business. Building websites with WordPress is straightforward and lucrative.

There is a high demand for WordPress developers, and you can charge varying rates per website. You don’t need to be a coding expert, but taking the best WordPress courses can boost your confidence.

9. Paid Email Newsletter

If you enjoy writing and have valuable insights to share, consider starting a paid email newsletter. Write engaging content and send it to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.

You can use platforms like Substack to host your newsletter and start promoting it on social media. As your audience grows, you can offer premium content to paid members.

10. Start a Podcast

If you enjoy sharing insights through audio, starting a podcast business could be ideal for you. The podcasting market is rapidly growing, making it a lucrative venture.

Starting a podcast is simple with a decent microphone, audio editing software like Audacity, and podcast hosting platforms like Spotify for Podcasters. You can monetize your podcast through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and promoting your products.

11. Graphic Designer

You can start a graphic design business without extensive education. Utilize online resources and platforms like YouTube to learn graphic design skills that can be turned into a profitable business.

Platforms like Envato Tuts+ offer structured lessons for graphic design basics. Take advantage of these resources to kickstart your graphic design business.

12. Sell Physical Products

Selling physical products online has become more accessible with access to manufacturers and fulfillment centers. You can create products from home or start an Amazon FBA business to reach a wider audience.

By leveraging platforms like Amazon, you can build a physical e-commerce brand quickly and efficiently.

13. Monetize a Blog with Ads

Starting a blog that can be monetized through display ads is a straightforward online business idea. Create a WordPress blog, generate content, and drive traffic through SEO or social media.

Signing up for ad networks like Google Adsense or Ezoic is simple and can help you generate revenue from your blog.

Earn revenue by displaying ads on your site and increasing blog traffic. No product selling or customer interactions required. Amazon KDP allows you to self-publish Kindle books and earn money through Amazon. Print-on-Demand is a hassle-free way to sell custom-designed products. Starting a YouTube channel is a cost-effective option that can be monetized through ads and affiliate products. Freelance writing offers opportunities for self-employment and can be learned easily through online resources. rewrite – to write or compose something in a different way, using different words or phrasing. Please rewrite this sentence.