There are many small business ideas that people can explore to begin their entrepreneurship journey. Do thorough research about your choice before you start. 

Small businesses, however, require time and a good marketing plan to start well. According to research, 80% of new small businesses end up failing within the first year. The reason for this is that people do not make the right choice when choosing a business. Are you looking for a work-from-home small business idea? There are a lot of profitable business ideas that one can run from home. 

Advantages of running a business from home.

1. Running a business from home helps you save time and money.

2. It is flexible. You have more space and freedom to handle your business.

3. Running a business from home allows you to avoid noise and distraction.

4. There are fewer risks in running a business from home.

5. It saves you from bills that may come from using a store, like utility bills or taxes.

6. It is less stressful especially when you have demands from home and you have to balance work and family.

7. Increased productivity.

20 small business ideas to run from home

1. Freelance Graphic Designer:

People look for great designs to represent their business or content ideas. If you are good at designing graphics like logos, blog graphics, flyers, etc. you are good to go. All you need to do is to build a portfolio that will help you attract clients.

2. Freelance writer: 

This business is good for you if you are good with writing and know how you can establish yourself in the world of freelancers. You can start by building your blog, creating web content, and sharing it on your social media platforms. 

Merits

• It is a great business to run because you get to work at your own pace.
• It is very lucrative and on-demand.

3. Cleaning services: 

If you are good at cleaning, you can turn that into a business. Cleaning businesses can be home cleaning, vehicle cleaning, or dry cleaning services.

Merits

• You can easily get customers around your locality.

Requirements

• Cleaning equipment.

4. Catering services: 

Are you good at making delicious meals? If yes, why don't you monetize it? Some people need people to cook for them, also you can make food and post it online for people to order, this can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whichever format you choose, customer satisfaction will bring you more business.

Merit

• Easy to find customers.

Requirements

• Packaging for your business.
• Online presence.

5. Tutor:

If you have experience teaching people and you are good at it, you can become a tutor, either online or physically. Tutors do not come cheap, as long as you are good at what you do, people will be happy to learn from you.  

6. Start a Daycare: 

These days people look for reliable daycare to keep their kids while they work. If you are good at handling children, you can open a daycare in your home. Start by offering an affordable and quality daycare system for your local community.

Merits

• It is a very lucrative business to do.

Requirements

• Space for the daycare.
• License for your daycare.
• Kids games and toys.

7. Makeup artist: 

If you have makeup skills, you can start by creating an online presence for yourself by using your friends as you use yours. This way people get to see what you do and patronize you for your services. 

Merits

• It is on-demand, ladies do makeup almost every day.

Requirement

• Makeup kits.

8. Baker:

If you know how to bake, you can make cakes, pies, or cookies and seek out people around you. You can also teach your skill to people around you who will like to learn and make money from it.

Merits

• It is lucrative.
• It is easy to start.

9. Social media manager: 

If you are good at handling engagement on social media, you can work for a brand by handling their social media channels. You can start this business with your phone or laptop from the comfort of your home. All you have to do is to advertise yourself and look for job positions for social media managers and apply.

Merits

• You do what you love while learning more about social media handling.
• It is easy to find jobs on social media.

10. Sell small-batch goods: 

If you live in an area where people do not have easy access to the market or supermarket, you can start selling these goods at home and they will buy from you.

11. Sell homemade products: 

If you love to create things at home, you can make handmade crafts to sell online. These homemade products or crafts can include:

• Knitted clothes.
• Gift baskets or boxes.
• Scented candles.
• Tote bags.
• Soaps, etc.

Merits

• You can make money doing what you love.
• You have control over your style.

Requirement

This depends on the homemade product you can do or choose to do. Whatever you choose, ensure to carry out the market research to know the requirements. You can sell these products online or through a marketplace.

12. Dropshipping: 

Dropshipping is an eCommerce business where sellers don't have to purchase or store the products they want to sell. All they do is create an online store where the products are displayed for buyers. The sellers partner with the products and will ship any ordered product directly to customers.

Merits

• It is a low-cost business idea.

Requirements

• An online store.
• A product supplier.

13. Design websites: 

Building a website is a small business idea that you can do. Web development is in demand and as a web developer, you already have the skill. Start by putting your business out there and getting clients and with time you are well known for what you do. You can also check online for freelance website designers.

Merits

• No capital is involved.

Requirements

• Expertise in web development.

14. The thrift business: 

Popularly known as Okrika, is a business that involves selling used imported goods. You can start with little capital. Items you can sell include clothes, bags, and shoes. This business is very lucrative, all you need to do is to have the right channel to get your goods and sell them to people around you.

15. Barbering: 

If you have the skills for barbing and you are updated about the new trends of business, you can open a saloon at home where you can monetize your skill. 

16. Hairdresser: 

If you are good at making hairstyles for people then you can easily start a hairdressing business. The business is easy to start and on-demand too.

17. Fashion designer:

 If you have the skills of designing clothes, whether for men or women you can start a business with this. 

Merit

• The business is in demand
• It is lucrative.

Requirement

• Sewing machine and equipment.
• Fashion ideas.

18. Translator: 

This business is good if you can speak different languages. All you have to do is to search for translator jobs online and also build your profile online so that people can find you.

Merits

• It is easy to do.

Requirement

• Be able to speak multiple languages

19. Social media influencer: 

If you are good at creating engaging content, you could build an online following in a particular niche and with time monetize your audience by getting gigs from people who may like to advertise their products with you.

Merits

• You get paid for doing what you love.
• It is not stressful to do.
• You can also create and sell your products to your audience.

Requirements

There are many ways to create an online following like Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, and so on. All you need to do is to choose the right one that you can easily strive in. 

Good contents.

20. Transcriptionist: 

Transcriptionist is a profession where you transcribe audio content into text. It is a popular work-from-home job. The work of a transcriber is very important and in-demand by businesses that don't have enough resources to hire a full-time transcriber. 

Merits

• You can expect to earn an hourly wage and receive bonuses.
• You can find work with different businesses.
• You can easily find a job online.

Requirements

• Listen to audio content and type it into text form.
• Have strong typing skills and be familiar with transcription software.

Related: 30 profitable small-scale businesses in Nigeria. 

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