Although it may not be easy, having a side business in addition to a day job is becoming more common. Many people have aspirations of starting their own business in the future and aim to eventually turn their side business into a full-time career. Others use it as a way to supplement their income or pursue their passions during their free time. The popularity of having a side hustle has continued to increase, with over 44 million Americans having one as of 2017. Furthermore, with the rise of a more mobile and freelance-oriented workforce, this trend is expected to continue.
If you’re interested in joining the gig economy, you should consider trying out the side business ideas we have compiled here. Many of these side hustles have the potential to develop into successful businesses, while others offer a convenient and time-effective way to earn extra money alongside your regular job. Let’s begin exploring these options.
E-commerce store
Compared to opening a physical store, starting an e-commerce website is a relatively easy and inexpensive process. Begin by acquiring a small amount of merchandise and utilize an e-commerce website builder to establish your store. Proceed to promote your products on social media and online marketplaces and observe the customer reaction. Furthermore, these platforms assist in managing orders, shipping products, and accepting online payments.
Social media marketing
If you have the ability to attract likes, favorites, retweets, followers, shares, comments, and clicks, you may want to think about providing social media marketing services to other companies. By advising businesses on how to handle their social media accounts, promoting their content online, maintaining their brand consistency, and addressing customer inquiries, you can transform your beloved hobby into a full-time profession.
Freelance graphic design
Do you have a knack for aesthetics? Have you attended art school, or have you consistently devoted your free time to creating posters using Photoshop or Illustrator?
If that is the case, freelance designing could be a suitable option. You can engage clients at your preferred pace, establish a positive online reputation and through recommendations, and focus on projects that captivate your interest.
Freelance writing
If you have a strong command of language, you have the potential to work as a freelance writer. As long as you have access to the internet and a keyboard, you can create various types of written material including blog posts, feature stories, and product descriptions. It is advantageous to have a specific area of interest or expertise to demonstrate your qualification for discussing particular subjects to potential employers.
E-book writing
Self-publishing has become easier than ever before due to the existence of platforms like Amazon and other websites. If you have something interesting or useful to say, and you believe that others will share this belief, writing e-books could potentially be a profitable venture.
When it comes to e-books, you are not required to engage in the tasks of designing, printing, or shipping physical copies of your work. However, you will still need to acquire knowledge on properly formatting an e-book, allocate funds for editing and cover design services, and develop a successful marketing strategy – fortunately, there are numerous existing examples that can be used as learning resources.
Translation
If you have fluency in multiple languages, translating can be a perfect freelance job for you online. As long as you have the text and a clear understanding of the translation’s objective, you can do it from any location.
Editing
Editing can take various forms, like copyediting marketing materials for companies, proofreading novels, or indexing academic manuscripts. If you possess keen attention to detail, a solid understanding of grammar, and are willing to dive deep into the task, editing could be a lucrative business idea for those who seek flexible work arrangements.
Writing a blog
By starting a blog, you have the opportunity to display your skills and thus, aid other online business ideas. Whether it’s coding, photography, video editing, fitness, food, or any other area of interest, you can showcase your expertise by writing exceptional articles for other blogs.
If you decide to start your own blog, it has the potential to generate revenue through affiliate links or advertisements.
Rent out your home on Airbnb
If your residence is located in a busy, tourist-friendly area that is well-suited for vacations, and you are comfortable with the idea of having strangers stay in your home, then becoming an Airbnb host might be the perfect side business for you.
First, you must obtain permission from your landlord, co-op board, homeowner’s association, or any other relevant entity to ensure that you are allowed to rent out your home/apartment/guest wing/pool house/houseboat. Additionally, you must ensure that there are no legal restrictions on short-term rentals within your city, county, or municipality. Once you have obtained permission, the next step is to create an Airbnb host profile and prepare your home for accommodating guests by cleaning, organizing, and stocking necessary items. Throughout their stay, you must be easily accessible to address any problems or requests from your guests and be prepared to handle difficult guests occasionally.
Renting your home on platforms like Airbnb for short periods may not be the simplest side job, but it can allow hosts to earn an approximate monthly average of $924. This is a considerable amount, particularly when considering the minimal or non-existent overhead expenses.
Become a dog walker.
For animal lovers seeking side business ideas, becoming a dog walker is an obvious choice.
If you are skilled in self-marketing, you have two options: you can either join a dog-walking/pet-sitting agency or start your own business. By joining an agency, you will have to sacrifice a portion of your rate, but the agency will handle all the difficult tasks such as finding dogs to walk and pets to sit. Alternatively, if you decide to establish your own dog walking business, you will have complete control over setting your rates, keeping all the earnings, and scheduling according to your availability. However, you will need to find customers independently. To do this, we suggest creating a small business website and social media accounts, contacting people you know personally, posting flyers in your neighborhood, and relying on word-of-mouth advertising to attract clients.
The amount of money you can earn from dog walking is also heavily influenced by your location. Care.com reports that the average hourly rates for dog walkers vary between $15 and $18, depending on the area you reside in. However, if you manage to establish a regular customer base (assuming you work alone), you have the potential to transform your part-time gig into a full-fledged enterprise. You may even contemplate incorporating pet grooming and pet sitting services into your operations as well.
Software and app development
Are you looking to elevate your freelance coding skills? Instead of assisting clients, focus on creating your own applications, programs, extensions, and add-ons. Whether you choose to sell your work in an app store or aim to be acquired by a larger company in the future, the income you generate will directly reflect your hard work and creativity. Additionally, app development offers an opportunity to earn money through Shopify.
It is important to consider that generating a consistent revenue stream for your app becomes challenging until it is released and sold. By that time, you would have already devoted a considerable amount of time and effort. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that there is a demand for the product you are developing and that people are ready to pay for it.
