Online business ideas—especially those you can run from home as a side hustle—feel like a distant dream for many.
Seriously, who wouldn’t want to roll out of bed, fire up their laptop, and pull in six figures without ever stepping outside?
Or ditch the soul-sucking 9-to-5 grind, with its bumper-to-bumper traffic, micromanaging bosses, and coworkers who never stop talking?
29 Best Online Business Ideas
Believe it or not, every year it gets simpler for regular folks to brainstorm and launch their own online ventures.
The truth? The internet is a game-changer. If you know how to leverage it, you can build a home-based online business from scratch.
Here are 29 top online business ideas for 2025.
1. Blogging
I’m putting this first because I’ve lived it.
On July 15, 2017, I bought the domain moneydoneright.com—fed up with my full-time job (and its brutal two-hour-each-way commute). I wanted an online business that’d give me more money and freedom.
So I hustled nights and weekends, creating content and promoting my blog on social media.
By January 2018, my blog was earning me over $12,000/month—on the side—while I still worked 50-80 hour weeks (commute not included).
Soon after, I quit my corporate job for good.
Now, working on my blog full-time from home, I’ve more than doubled my income. The best part? It doesn’t even feel like work. I love the freedom it gives me.
For example, today’s a weekday, and I took an hour off to play Battlefield on my PS4. No guilt—my blog earns money around the clock.
2. Become an Amazon Associate
Jeff Bezos recently dethroned Bill Gates as the world’s richest person. Amazon dominates e-commerce—and you can profit from it too.
As an Amazon Associate, you promote products (anything sold on Amazon) and earn commissions—no inventory or shipping required.
3. Slogan Writing
Got a knack for wordplay? You could earn cash brainstorming catchy slogans in your spare time.
4. Voice Overs
If you’re comfortable being recorded, voice-over gigs are booming.
Every day, thousands of projects—TV ads, web videos, radio spots, video games—need voice talent. Most creators won’t pay Hollywood rates, so they hire everyday people for $100–$1,500 per project (10–180 minutes of work).
I know folks making $150–$200 for 10 minutes of talking. Not bad, right?
5. Photography
Skilled with a camera? License your photos online for passive income.
For instance, I source all my blog images from stock sites. Every download earns the photographer a royalty. Upload one great shot, and it could pay you for years.
6. Video Game Testing
Get paid to play? Yes, please.
With new games launching constantly, companies need testers to review them.
7. Real Estate Wholesaling
You can make money in real estate with $0 down. Here’s how:
- Find a motivated seller who needs a quick sale (no agent).
- Negotiate and get their house under contract.
- Assign the contract to a cash buyer (flipper or landlord).
Confused? A 21-year-old clears over $1M/year doing this.
8. Social Media Marketing
Social media isn’t optional for businesses anymore—it’s essential.
Many older business owners panic over this. That’s where you come in (if you’re Facebook/Pinterest/Instagram-savvy).
9. Dropshipping
You’ve heard of six-figure dropshippers—but what is it?
- Pick products you like.
- Set up a Shopify/Amazon store (takes <1 hour).
- Connect payment processing (<30 minutes).
- Drive traffic.
- When customers buy, your supplier ships directly—you keep the profit.
No inventory. No packing. Just facilitating sales.
10. English Teaching
If you’re fluent in English, have a degree, and some experience with kids (even babysitting counts), you can earn $14–$25/hour teaching online.
11. Consulting
Turn your expertise into profit.
I know people who left their jobs to consult and hit $100K+ in two years. One scaled to $1M+ in five.
12. Bookkeeping
Good with numbers? Start a bookkeeping biz—no formal training needed.
Entrepreneur Magazine calls it the #1 most profitable small business:
Interested? Check out Bookkeeper Launch—they’re offering free intro classes.
13. Write an Ebook
Publishing is easier than ever, thanks to Amazon Kindle.
14. Freelance Writing
Strong writers are in high demand (especially with texting killing grammar).
Millions of content pieces go live daily—each needs a writer.
15. Virtual Assistant
Help businesses online—no special skills required. Tasks include:
- Proofreading
- Social media management
- Calendar organizing
- And more.
16. Proofreading
Grammar police? Spelling champ? Businesses need you.
17. Life Coaching
Love helping people? Coaching is profitable and fulfilling.
18. Freight Brokerage
Match shippers with truckers, earning 10–35% profit per load ($100–$500). Do this from home!
19. T-Shirt Design
2 billion T-shirts sell yearly. Design a few hits, and earn passive income for years.
20. Data Entry
Companies prefer remote data entry workers—no office space needed.
21. Ticket Broker
No more scalping in parking lots. Buy/sell tickets online via StubHub/eBay.
22. Travel Agency
Travel agents aren’t dead—70% of cruises are booked through them. Seniors (big spenders) prefer human agents.
23. Tutoring
Know a subject? Tutor online and set your own hours.
24. Translation
Bilingual? The U.S. projects 28%+ growth in translator demand by 2024.
25. Dog Treat Baking
Pet products are a $65B industry. Stand out with healthy, homemade treats.
26. Woodworking
Handcrafted furniture sells for premium prices. Turn your garage into a workshop.
27. Event Planning
People will always pay for weddings/parties. This biz isn’t going anywhere.
28. Import/Export
Grab five random items in your house—at least one was made overseas. Profit by moving goods globally.
29. Property Tax Appeals
Everyone thinks they overpay property taxes. Help them fight it—and get paid well.