Want to earn money online but think you need a big budget? Think again. With only a laptop, Wi‑Fi, and some determination, you can start a real business today from your kitchen table or favorite coffee shop.

This guide is packed with actionable ideas, free tools, and insider tips to help you build a profitable venture without draining your savings.

Below you’ll find eight low‑ or no‑cost small business ideas you can launch immediately, complete with step‑by‑step tips, resource links, and realistic income potential to inspire you to take action right now.

Freelance writing is one of the easiest ways to start earning money online. It’s skill-based, flexible, and can be done from anywhere with a wifi connection. 

Freelance writing allows you to work on projects across all different industries. It’s an accessible path to self-employment and creative expression with little to no financial risk.

Think of your service like a mini‑brand. Build a small but polished portfolio using free tools like Contra or Wix. Then pitch clients through lead gen channels like:

• LinkedIn
• Upwork
• ProBlogger Job Board

Want 8 proven ways to secure high-paying writing clients?  Check out our Freelance Writing 101 course that breaks down how I went from $0 to several repeat clients a month and even paying off my car from freelance writing work.

$0 – $200 on average to get started. Part‑time writers can earn $3,000–$5,000/month once established.

Freelance recruiting pays you to connect hiring companies to talent within your networks.

Companies increasingly hire remote recruiters to source niche talent because outsourcing is more efficient than using an in-house HR team.

You get paid a commission (typically $3000 to $12,000+) per successful placement or referral. This commission is typically broken into installments over three months, with the entire amount hitting your account after your client’s probationary period. 

Sign up for platforms like Paraform or Splitle. Companies use these platforms to post their open jobs with the expected commission attached. They will also include necessary qualifications like education, experience, and skills.

Then, you can use LinkedIn to find candidates who have the open to work badge displayed on their profile. Cross-reference their resume or summary with the requirements for the job and reach out with a connect request if it’s a good fit. 

No cost to join; commission-based payouts can be $1,000+ per hire.

Selling secondhand clothing online combines sustainability with profit. You can find unique pieces and give them a second life. This reduces waste and taps into a massive market of buyers who want distinctive, eco‑friendly fashion at affordable prices.

A reselling business can grow from a simple weekend hobby into a steady income stream with worldwide reach.

Source items at your thrift stores and estate sales. Look for items between $5 and $15 with 100% – 300% profit margins. You can use an app like Thrift or WhatIsItAI to determine the value of items before you purchase them. 

Then, list your items on platforms like:

• Depop
• Poshmark
• eBay
• Vinted

Make sure to optimize your listings with high-quality photos and detailed descriptions. This makes it more likely for your items to sell. 

$75 to $150 for your first set of inventory. This, of course, depends on the items you choose to sell. Many sellers average between $1,500 and $4,000 in income per month once they establish a consistent sourcing and listing routine.

Authors, journalists, businesses, and podcasters need fast, accurate research but often lack time. They pay decent money for freelance researchers to compile the information they need for various projects. 

You can use search engines and AI tools to gather this information efficiently and make a recurring income every month. 

You can start by marketing your services on LinkedIn, Reddit communities, and even freelance platforms. Some of our favorites include: 

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Contra
• Twine

When it comes to performing the actual research, you can use Perplexity to find high-quality answers and compile organized data for your clients. 

Consider bundling your services into hourly or per‑project packages and clearly describing what’s included.

Essentially free to start; $25–$75/hour average income depending on your specialization.

Print-on-demand makes it possible to sell physical products without holding any inventory. A third-party supplier prints and ships your designs on demand. That means no upfront investment and little to no risk.

You can test multiple ideas, designs, and niches before committing to a full store. It’s a flexible model that lets creators focus on marketing and design while logistics are handled in the background.

To get started quickly, you can combine several free and low‑cost tools:

• Print providers: Printful or Printify handle printing and shipping.

• Sales platforms: Integrate with Shopify for your own store or Etsy to tap into an existing marketplace.

• Design tools: Create simple but eye‑catching designs with Canva.

Once set up, focus on niche themes and collections to reach passionate audiences and test what sells before scaling.

Under $50 to set up; scalable to $1000s/month.

Turn your expertise into a business by teaching others your valuable skills. This approach works because millions of people are actively looking online for personalized help in subjects ranging from languages and math to fitness, marketing, and crafts.

It allows you to position yourself as an authority while earning directly from your knowledge. The best part? You don’t need inventory or complex systems.

Offer coaching on a specific skill or subject you’re good at. Use Zoom or free platforms to host sessions, and list your services on online tutoring and coaching marketplaces such as:

• Wyzant
• Coach.me
• Skillshare
• Superprof

You can also join relevant Facebook groups and LinkedIn communities where people look for mentors. Build a simple landing page with Wix or Squarespace to showcase your services, testimonials, and an easy booking link so clients can schedule sessions directly.

Completely free to start; $20–$100+/hour in average earnings depending on niche.

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn passive income by promoting products you trust. It’s one of the simplest online business models to start with little to no money.

It works because you’re connecting buyers with products or services they already want and getting paid a commission for each sale, click, or lead you generate. By leveraging your content skills and niche expertise, you can build a steady revenue stream. 

Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or SaaS tool affiliate programs.

Create helpful content or reviews around the products on a blog, TikTok, or YouTube channel. You can even take a faceless content approach like the one in this YouTube video by Sara Finance. Use clear calls-to-action and authentic reviews to build trust.

Free to join; income grows with traffic and trust (can scale to thousands/month).

Consumers love curated boxes with a personal touch because they create an experience rather than just a product. This model works well because of the surprise and convenience, two things people are willing to pay for repeatedly.

You can start small and scale by focusing on a niche (local goods, crafts, wellness items), curating items that align with a specific lifestyle or interest. You can even add your own branding or story to deepen customer loyalty.

Partner with small makers by reaching out to local artisans, small businesses, or suppliers on platforms like Alibaba and Faire. Negotiate sample orders and discuss collaboration terms so you can feature their products in your box.

Consider offering them co‑branding or social media promotion in exchange for discounted rates or exclusive items.

You can also dropship your items through trusted suppliers like:

• Spocket for U.S. and EU suppliers
• Oberlo for Shopify stores
• Modalyst for a curated list of quality products

Use Shopify or Cratejoy to manage subscriptions and automate recurring billing. Build an email list early and create a simple landing page to collect sign‑ups before launch. Promote your box through Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube unboxing videos, partner with micro‑influencers in your niche, and run small ad campaigns to test which audiences respond best.

It also helps to design unique packaging and thoughtful themes.

Low initial cost (samples, packaging); boxes can bring $20–$50 profit each, recurring.

Evaluate your skills, interests, and available time. Start small and validate demand before scaling. Some of these can complement each other — for example, freelance writing + affiliate marketing + recruiting — to build multiple income streams.

You don’t need deep pockets to launch an online business. These eight ideas show you can start today with minimal investment and grow into a sustainable income.

Inside Freelance Writing 101, we show you step-by-step how to launch your freelance writing side hustle and turn it into a thriving business. Take your income from $0 to $5k+ per month with our proven systems.