
Want to start your own business but worried about high costs? The good news is, you don’t need a fortune to become your own boss.
You can launch any venture straight from the comfort of your bedroom or kitchen, or lounge. All you need is an idea and a laptop. You might wonder if you need a lot of money, but you don’t. A small amount, maybe, depending on the idea.
So, what to start? Here are the top 9 ideas that you can start small and then turn into a huge business.
What is a small business?

A small business is typically a privately owned venture with limited staff, revenue, and operational scale. Examples include a home bakery, freelance services, or a local thrift store. The main advantages of small businesses are low overhead, flexibility, and personal control.
Top 9 Business ideas with low or no investment
In search of some good business ideas to start online? Be it a side hustle or you are looking to be more flexible in your work with a steady flow of income, the following are some of the best businesses to start now:
- Freelance Services (Writing, Graphic Design, Social Media)
The freelancing industry has seen a lot of turmoil in recent years. This employment shift has proven to be quite beneficial. Freelancing platforms have made it relatively easy for freelancers, solopreneurs, and startups.
Whether you write blog posts, design logos, manage social media accounts, or edit videos, you can start with just a laptop and an internet connection. Sign up for platforms like LinkedIn to network, Upwork to find relevant jobs, and a few tools to manage your projects.
Initial cost: Just set up a portfolio or profile.
- Online Reselling (Thrift to Trendy)
Turn your clutter (or someone else’s) into cash. Start by selling unused clothes, gadgets, or accessories on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OLX, Poshmark, or eBay.
Then, with some profit, you can start thrifting or sourcing trending items to flip online.
Initial cost: As low as $0
You can approach this method by starting from your own inventory, which has made online reselling much easier. Sell the things that you bought expensively, but now are in good condition, and not in use. This business can be slow, but fruitful in the long run.
- Home-Baked Goodies or Food Delivery

From cookies and cakes to healthy meal prep, food will always be in demand. You can start from your kitchen and sell via Instagram, WhatsApp, or local food delivery apps.
But where do you start from?
Knowing that you can make your hobby into a full-fledged business or a side gig is exciting.
The best part is that you don’t need any fancy equipment or a big budget to start your business. With the right mindset and planning, you can start your new business smoothly.
Initial cost: Ingredients, packaging, and maybe some marketing.
- Tutoring or Online Courses

Or a fluent speaker in a second language?
With the academic competitions increasing over the years, the demand for tutors have also increased.
Online academic sessions have become the norm for people who can’t physically attend an academy or they want an extra tutoring session. It’s very simple with apps like Zoom and Google Meet.
Initial cost: Just your time and maybe a webcam or mic.
Pro tip: Use Canva to make your slides look super professional.
- Dropshipping Business

The global dropshipping industry is estimated to reach $476.1 billion by 2026, with a 28.8% CAGR. So, it may be a good idea to start it now. One of the simplest and fastest businesses you can launch without any capital is dropshipping. Yes, it might pose challenges like finding the right suppliers, building a brand or dealing with stock. But if you have this sorted out, you can start small but dream big.
Once you start, dropshipping allows you to sell products online without maintaining inventory. You find a supplier (AliExpress, Oberlo, etc.), set up your store (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.), and the supplier ships the goods for you after an order is placed.
Initial cost: Website setup and minimal marketing.
- Content Creator

There are hundreds of thousands of websites, and most of them need new content to stay current. You should start offering your content writing services, especially if you are a native English speaker.
You only need to use freelance websites to market your writing services, or you can approach website owners directly to offer or provide your services. As a content creator, you do not just limit yourself to being a writer. You can be an influencer on Instagram. Suggest good books, talk about world disasters, or maybe some other news. Just create unique and new content to be in the views and monetize the profile. You can also collaborate with brands for some extra cash.
Initial cost: a mic, good reading content, or a mobile phone.
- Affiliate marketing

With projected spending of almost $8.2 billion in 2022, affiliate marketing is one of the most profitable, high-margin, and innovative business concepts in the United States. A social media presence, a website, and a following.
For influencers and creators who have a devoted fan base, affiliate marketing is a popular business idea because it makes it simple to promote the goods they use and the businesses they collaborate with.
Initial cost: Website and content for marketing.
- Virtual assistant

Virtual assistance has helped so much in managing the business and tasks that we don’t have much time to spare on them. Virtual assistants are much better than that, and faster; they don’t have to be by your side or in your city.
Virtual assistants offer a great range in terms of social media work, graphic design, general admin, and sales. You can use virtual assistance as your part-time job without any effort to make some extra income.
So start working as a virtual assistant by promoting yourself on a freelance marketplace like Upwork, Guru, and Fiverr, or join an agency like Time, etc, or Fancy Hands.
Initial cost: Just a good profile on good platforms.
- Digital marketing services

A solo digital marketing agency is a low-cost business idea that you can start fast if you have marketing experience.
If you’re interested in marketing but lack experience, you can learn the basics by enrolling in reasonably priced online courses. Marketing is constantly changing, which is both one of its best and most difficult aspects.
Initial cost: the courses you choose
Conclusion
Starting a business on a small budget isn’t just about saving money; it’s about using what you already have: your skills, time, passion, and creativity. With the right mindset and consistency, any of these low-investment ideas could grow into your full-time income or even your dream company. So take that first step today, success favors the starters.