25 Online Business Ideas for 2025

The ecommerce market is growing, and according to EMarketer, it’s expected to continue to grow to $1.6 trillion by 2028. So, whether you’re looking for a side hustle, want to take your current business digital, or want to quit your nine-to-five and finally start your online business, now is the time to implement your business plan.

25 online business ideas

There are as many different online businesses as websites on the internet. (Over two billion, if you’re wondering.) The options are endless, and the sky’s the limit—if you can think of it and implement it, you can make it into an online business. But to help you get started, here are 25 online business ideas you can start from home.

Emarketer

1. Sell products online

Selling products online has become one of the most accessible and profitable online businesses you can get into. With platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy, you can reach customers worldwide without the costs of a brick-and-mortar store. And because of the wide reach of the internet, you can find suppliers anywhere in the world. 

The key is finding your niche and understanding your target audience. Success comes down to choosing the right products, setting competitive prices, and marketing effectively to your audience. 

• Average Earnings: Earnings vary widely based on product type, pricing, and market demand. But Flippa reports that ecommerce entrepreneurs can earn monthly revenues ranging from $500 to over $10,000.

• Profitability: The global ecommerce market is only continuing to grow, so selling products online can be very profitable. However, success will depend on the quality of your goods and how you market your brand. 

2. Run a dropshipping store

Dropshipping lets you sell products without ever touching them. When customers purchase, your supplier handles the shipping directly to their doorstep. 

This online business model is flexible and has low startup costs. You can run your store from anywhere with an internet connection, test different products without buying in bulk, and scale up or down based on what's working. Plus, with tools like Shopify and AliExpress, you can focus on finding winning products and marketing them to the right audience.

• Average Earnings: Dropshippers can earn between $200 and $2,000 per month, depending on niche selection and marketing efforts.

• Profitability: Dropshipping can be profitable. However, competition is high, and margins can be thin.

3. Curate subscription boxes 

This business model lets you curate themed monthly boxes filled with products your customers will love, like artisanal coffee, indie beauty products, or sustainable lifestyle goods.

What makes subscription boxes appealing is the recurring revenue model. Instead of chasing one-time purchases, you build a loyal customer base who eagerly await their monthly surprises. Plus, you can often negotiate better deals with suppliers by guaranteeing regular orders, which helps boost your profit margins.

• Average Earnings: Subscription box businesses can generate monthly revenues from $500 to $5,000, depending on the niche and subscriber base.

• Profitability: The subscription model offers recurring revenue, enhancing profitability, but success relies on unique offerings and customer retention.

4. Start a blog

The beauty of blogging lies in its multiple revenue streams, including affiliate marketing, sponsored content, digital products, and online courses. If you take the time to build traffic to your blog, it can become an asset that generates passive income for you.

Whether you're passionate about sustainable living, personal finance, or travel hacks, there's an audience hungry for your insights. The key is creating valuable content that solves real problems for your readers and finding your unique voice.

• Average Earnings: Average earnings for bloggers are $53K a year. Top bloggers can make upwards of $10,000 monthly.

• Profitability: You can start a blog for free, but it takes time and dedication to build an audience to earn money.

5. Start a podcast

With just a microphone, basic editing skills, and engaging content, you can create a show that attracts loyal listeners and multiple revenue streams. Podcasting is another flexible online business idea. You can start with minimal equipment and record from anywhere. As your listener base grows, you can monetize through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, premium content, or even merchandise.

• Average Earnings: Most podcasters earn from $100 to $5,000 per month, depending on audience size and monetization strategies. However, top podcasters (like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper) make millions a year off their podcasts.

• Profitability: As your podcast’s popularity increases, so do the opportunities for monetization of your podcast. 

6. Create videos for social media

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are always hungry for engaging content, and businesses are constantly searching for creators who can capture attention on social media. So creating videos for social media is a great way to earn some cash. 

To start, you can just use your smartphone and essential editing apps (many of which you can find for free). As you build your portfolio and client base, you can upgrade your equipment and expand your services to things like product demonstrations, educational videos, etc.

• Average Earnings: Content creators average $82K a year.

• Profitability: Social media usage continues to rise, and video content is especially popular. 

7. Become a VA

With more and more entrepreneurs and businesses opting for remote workers to help with their daily operations, virtual assistants are becoming more popular. As a VA, you can help clients with everything from email management and calendar scheduling to social media updates and basic bookkeeping.

If you're detail-oriented and have basic computer skills, you can start offering services right away on sites like Fiverr. You can begin with a core set of skills and gradually expand your offerings based on client needs and your own interests, giving you the ability to scale this business easily.

• Average Earnings: VAs average $50K a year.

• Profitability: Has low overhead costs, and there is a growing demand.

8. Become a social media management pro

Social media is becoming a major hub for ecommerce. Capital One projects that the social media ecommerce market will reach over $2 trillion by 2029. So, there’s a huge demand for pros who understand how to create engaging content and grow authentic followings.

You can begin by managing accounts for local businesses or startups, then work your way up to bigger clients as your portfolio grows. Social media management means handling everything from content creation and scheduling to community engagement and analytics tracking.

• Average Earnings: Social media managers average $65K a year.

• Profitability: With the importance of social media for online businesses, demand for skilled managers is only increasing.

9. Start a life coaching business

Life coaches help their clients through various life stages and events. This sort of coaching can deal with things like career development, relationship coaching, or wellness planning. And now, with video calls, messaging platforms, and digital courses, you can connect with clients worldwide.

Unlike being a therapist, this career doesn’t require a certification, but having one can increase your credibility and make you a better life coach. 

• Average Earnings: The Average annual salary for a life coach in North America is $67K a year.

• Profitability: With a growing focus on personal development, life coaching is a growing industry, especially with specialized niches.

10. Become a freelance writer

Businesses constantly need fresh content for their social media, blogs, and websites. And there are creative writing opportunities for ghost writers, video game companies, etc. This all means there is a constant need for the services of a good freelance writer. 

To start this online business, you only need a computer, an internet connection, and a way to find clients. Thankfully, with platforms like Fiverr, you can easily find your first client and start building your portfolio.

• Average Earnings: Freelance writers average $48K a year. 

• Profitability: With minimal startup costs and high demand for quality content, freelance writing can be a lucrative online business.

11. Make an online course

Creating an online course can turn your expertise into a steady income stream. You can package your knowledge into digestible lessons that people can access anytime. And one piece of content will continue to provide you with income after you post it once. 

You can teach classes on anything: how to use Photoshop, give courses on investing, or how to train your dog. The internet is vast, and no doubt there’s an audience eager to learn from you.  

• Average Earnings: Successful course creators average between $1000 and $10,000 a month. 

• Profitability: Online learning is growing—the e-learning market is estimated to reach $325 billion by 2025.

12. Become a developer

Businesses of all sizes need a strong digital presence. So skilled developers can build an online business from anywhere with a laptop and an internet connection. You could specialize in creating websites, building custom mobile apps, or both.

The initial cost here is not monetary, but time and energy. The learning curve can be steep for some, but there are tons of resources to help you master languages like JavaScript, Python, or Swift. Once you've got the skills down, you can start small with freelance projects and gradually build your portfolio. 

• Average Earnings: Web developers in the United States have an average base salary of $82,328 per year, with additional compensation such as bonuses averaging $12,143, bringing the total to approximately $94,638 annually.

• Profitability: With the continuous growth of online businesses and digital presence, the need for skilled web developers remains strong. Companies need professionals to build and maintain their websites. 

13. Become a translator

Businesses and industries across the board have to be global-minded to keep up with the competition. That means there’s a real need for translators. Luckily, with the internet, it makes it easy to find and communicate with clients all over the world.

Plus, knowing specific niches like legal casework, scientific research, or business contracts gives you a leg up. Plus, with the rise of remote work, many companies are specifically looking for translators who can work online.

• Average Earnings: Translators typically earn around $57,200 per year.

• Profitability: With globalization, the demand for translation services is increasing, especially for less common languages. 

14. Do voiceover work

Audiobooks, YouTube videos, e-learning courses, commercials, and video games all need voice talent, and you can record them all from your work-from-home studio.

Getting started is surprisingly straightforward. You need a good microphone, a quiet recording space (even a closet with blankets can work!), and basic audio editing skills. Many successful voice actors began by narrating audiobooks or doing explainer videos before moving into more specialized work. 

• Average Earnings: Voiceover artists earn between $73K and $136K a year.

• Profitability: The expansion of multimedia content across platforms has led to a surge in demand for voiceover talent, making it a lucrative field for skilled individuals.

15. Train AI

Companies constantly seek experts to help improve their AI models through data labeling, content evaluation, and performance testing. You don't need to be a coding wizard—what matters most is your ability to think critically and provide accurate, consistent feedback.

The work is super flexible and can be done entirely online. You might spend your time labeling images for self-driving cars, rating the relevance of search results, or helping chatbots understand natural language better. Some even specialize in training AI models to understand specific industries or cultural contexts.

• Average Earnings: AI trainers earn on average between $71K-$133K a year.

• Profitability: As AI technology permeates various industries, the need for skilled AI trainers grows.

16. Become a video game tester

Game companies need testers to catch bugs, evaluate gameplay mechanics, and ensure everything runs smoothly before release. The job involves methodically testing different scenarios, documenting issues clearly, and providing detailed feedback about game mechanics and user experience. You might spend hours testing the same level repeatedly or trying to break the game in creative ways to find potential problems.

While entry-level positions might not pay much, experienced testers can move into specialized roles like compatibility testing or focus group moderation. Plus, it's a great way to get your foot in the door of the gaming industry. The key is to treat it professionally—companies need reliable testers who provide thorough, actionable feedback.

• Average Earnings: Video game testers earn around $79,791 annually.

• Profitability: With the gaming industry's rapid growth, testers are in high demand to maintain quality.

17. Sell music

Whether you're creating beats for producers, composing background music for videos, or producing complete tracks, there are many ways to monetize your musical talents. You can sell your tracks on platforms dedicated to stock music, license them to content creators, or even create custom jingles for businesses. The cool thing is, once you've made a piece of music, it can generate income repeatedly through licensing and royalties. 

You don't need a fancy studio to get started either. You can create professional-sounding tracks from home with a decent computer, some music production software, and quality headphones. 

• Average Earnings: Earnings vary widely; independent artists may earn from a few hundred to several thousand dollars monthly, depending on streams and sales. But the average salary for a general musician in the US is $52K. 

• Profitability: The digital age allows artists to retain more profits by self-publishing, and with effective marketing, musicians can build a loyal fanbase and steady income.

Additionally, Fiverr Music and its vibrant community present valuable opportunities for music professionals. As a dynamic marketplace, Fiverr Music enables creatives across the music industry to connect, share ideas, and collaborate. The Fiverr Music community further inspires by highlighting real success stories and showcasing how fellow musicians are using the platform to thrive.

18. Sell photos

Stock photo websites are always hungry for fresh, high-quality images, and businesses need everything from product shots to lifestyle photos for their marketing materials.

Once you upload your photos to stock sites or your platform, you can earn money long after you've clicked the shutter. Many successful photographers focus on filling specific niches, like food photography or business imagery.

• Average Earnings: Stock photographers on average earn $67K per year.

• Profitability: High-quality, in-demand photos can generate passive income over time, especially as businesses continually seek fresh visual content.

19. Become an affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing is like being a digital matchmaker between products and people who need them. Instead of selling your own stuff, you promote other companies' products and earn a commission when someone buys through your unique link or code. 

To start being an affiliate marketer, you need a platform to reach your audience—whether that's a website, social media following, or email list—and solid content that builds trust with your readers, so they buy what you promote.

• Average Earnings: Affiliate marketers average $82K a year.

• Profitability: With minimal startup costs and the potential to scale, affiliate marketing can be highly profitable, especially when focusing on niche markets. However, building the audience and trust you need to be a successful affiliate marketer can take a long time.

20. Publish your own book

Becoming an author is easier than ever, with platforms like Amazon and KDP providing easy ways to publish your book online. Authors who use these platforms often receive royalties ranging from 60-70% per book sold compared to the 10-15% that traditional publishers give authors. 

• Average Earnings: Median income for authors is $15K a year.

• Profitability: Income on self-published book sales varies wildly and depends mostly on how effectively the author markets their book.

21. Sell your graphic design services

Every business needs eye-catching visuals—from logos and social media graphics to website designs and marketing materials. 

Getting started is pretty straightforward—you need design software, a portfolio showcasing your best work, and some basic business skills. As you build your reputation and client base, you can gradually increase your rates and take on more complex, higher-paying projects. Plus, you can even create passive income by selling templates or design resources.

• Average Earnings: Freelance graphic designers average $51K-$80K a year.

• Profitability: With businesses continually needing fresh visuals, skilled designers can build a robust client base and command competitive rates.

22. Teach online fitness classes

Whether you're into yoga, HIIT workouts, dance fitness, or strength training, there's an audience out there looking for someone to guide them through their fitness journey from home.

You can offer live-streamed classes, create on-demand workout videos, or even provide one-on-one virtual training sessions. All you need is a good camera, clear audio, reliable internet, and enough space to demonstrate exercises. Plus, as you build your community, you can expand into offering workout plans, nutrition advice, or even creating your own fitness app.

• Average Earnings: Online fitness instructors average $59K a year.

• Profitability: The convenience of virtual classes appeals to many, allowing instructors to scale their business.

23. Professional consulting

If you've got expertise in areas like marketing, business strategy, or tech, you can turn that knowledge into a consulting business. Many consultants begin by offering services through platforms like Fiverr while building their client base. All you really need is a reliable internet connection, a professional online presence, and solid expertise in your field.

• Average Earnings: Professional consultants average $110K a year.

• Profitability: With businesses seeking specialized knowledge to navigate complex challenges, consultants can command high fees.

24. Make and sell handmade goods

Turning your crafting hobby into an online handmade goods business can be fulfilling and profitable. Whether you're into jewelry making, pottery, digital art prints, or custom clothing, there's likely a market for your unique handmade goods in today's maker-friendly economy.

You can start small from your home workspace and scale up as demand grows. Online marketplaces like Etsy, as well as social media platforms, make it easier than ever to reach potential customers worldwide without needing a physical storefront.

• Average Earnings: Earnings vary widely based on product type, pricing, and market demand. Some successful sellers report annual revenues between $40,000 and $50,000, with top earners exceeding $100,000.

• Profitability: The handmade market appeals to consumers seeking unique, personalized items. With effective marketing and quality craftsmanship, artisans can achieve significant profit margins, especially when controlling production costs and pricing appropriately.

25. Professional pet care services

With more people owning pets but having busy schedules, there's a growing demand for reliable pet care services like dog walking, pet sitting, and even virtual training sessions.

The great thing about this business is you can start by offering services in your local area while using online platforms to manage bookings, payments, and client communication. Apps and websites make it easy to schedule appointments and keep pet parents updated with photos and progress reports of their furry friends.

• Average Earnings: Pet sitters in Los Angeles earn an average of $20.35 per hour. Full-time pet care professionals can earn between $30,000 and $40,000 annually after expenses.

• Profitability: With the increasing number of pet owners and their busy lifestyles, there's a growing demand for reliable pet care services. Establishing a loyal client base and offering specialized services can enhance profitability in this sector.

Hire top business experts on Fiverr today

Regardless of the online business idea you start, you’ll most likely need help. Fiverr makes it simple to connect with seasoned business professionals who can help take your company to the next level. 

Whether you need a strategic consulting to refine your business plan, financial analysis to crunch the numbers, or a marketing specialist to boost your brand presence, you'll find vetted experts ready to tackle your projects. These professionals bring years of real-world experience across industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

The best part? You can review their portfolios, client feedback, and expertise levels before making your choice. With Fiverr's secure platform, you can focus on what matters—growing your business—while the experts handle the rest.

Online business ideas FAQs

Which business is best to start online?

The best online business to start will depend on your skill set and how you manage your business. But some good options are starting an ecommerce business, dropshipping business, print-on-demand, affiliate partnerships, or even creating a YouTube channel. Using SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing, business owners can grow, and market research helps refine marketing strategies for an online store with high functionality.

What business to start with $0?

Online businesses like copywriting, WordPress blogging, or training AI require no upfront costs.

What kind of online business is most profitable?

On average, the most profitable online businesses include app development, consulting, digital marketing, or starting your own ecommerce store. However, how you market your services and products, as well as how you structure your own business, will determine how profitable your business is.

What is the hottest business right now?

The hottest business opportunities today include SEO consulting, freelance writing, and creating online courses. But any online business can be highly profitable if you can find your niche and are able to find and market to your target audience effectively.