20 "Easy to Start" Online Business Ideas for 2021

Unfortunately, over the last 12 months, lots of people have lost jobs or been forced to take fewer hours in order to cope with the problems caused by the global pandemic and subsequent lockdown. If you are getting a little bit fed up with the online casino and playing games you might want to consider starting an online business, and this can be a great way to recuperate any lost income and even start a new career that may reward you in a way you didn’t know possible. Many easy to start online businesses are also perfect as a side hustle, and when you do return to your former job, you will be able to continue this as well. So, here is our list of 20 easy to start businesses for 2021.

Selling

With the likes of eBay and Amazon, it is relatively straightforward to set up a business selling things online. In many cases, companies have been created by someone simply selling excess stuff from their own home and then moving onto buying and selling other stock.

Write a Book

Writing a book and selling it as an eBook on Amazon is straightforward and doesn’t cost any money to list. Whether you have an excellent idea for a Storey or some skills that you can pass on in a nonfiction book, there is plenty of scope to make some money here.

Drop Shipping

Although this is similar to the first suggestion, dropshipping means, you do not need to have any storage space. You are placing an order from your supplier once you receive an order from the customer and they deliver it straight to the source. This means there is no requirement to keep stock or afford stock.

Voice Work

There are plenty of sites that will pay for voice over and narration type work, and they often look for different accents, age groups and genders so it will be relatively easy to find roles to apply for that match your criteria.

Video Editing

There are plenty of service sites where you can register your skills, for example, video editing and people will purchase work from you. If you are handy with video editing software and have time to spare this could be a great way to build yourself a new opportunity.

Design Websites

Again, if you are technically minded, you can probably pick-up work designing websites. The niche market is small businesses who cannot afford to pay for high-end designers but do not have the time or skill to create their websites.

Write CV’s

If you are good with words and formatting, then creating CV’s for people is another opening in the marketplace. Not everyone can transfer their skills and experience onto paper in a way that will attract the attention of an employer.

Teach

Another service that is much in demand on the Internet is online tutoring. One of the most common services is teaching English as a foreign language, but if you have a high-level qualification in any subject from maths, English, and more you can tutor online and pass on your skills.

Proofreading

If you have a high level of English and attention to detail, then you can probably find work online as a proof-reader. The demand for this service increases around college and University dissertation times when students are happy to pay for their work to be checked.

Translation

If you are fluent in more than one language, then you will be able to find work online as a translator. Sites like Upwork or People Per Hour are an excellent place to start to build a career for yourself in this line of work.

Bookkeeping

Again, with small businesses, there is a great market for external providers of services such as bookkeeping. It can cost a lot for them to use Chartered Accountants, and in many cases, there is no need for that level of service, especially if there is no VAT involved.

VA Services

Those with strong admin skills can consider offering a virtual assistant business, where you can answer phones, make appointments, and undertake other admin tasks for local businesses.

Social Media Marketer

If you enjoy social media, then you may be able to find work creating and posting on social media platforms for small businesses and sole traders.

MLM

MLM often receives a bad rap, but it stands for multi-level marketing and is where you are selling products on behalf of the company and receiving commission and then having a team working below you.

Etsy

If you are able to sew, knit or crochet or other hobby type skills, you can sell your makes on Etsy.

Podcast

It is possible to monetise a podcast, but you will need to start and create your subject matter in order to get a strong following first.

YouTube

The same applies to YouTube if you are confident at appearing on a video stream and have unique information to share.

Telemarketing

Even before the pandemic, many large companies have telemarketing roles available for people who work at home.

Trading on the Stock Market

There is good money to be made by trading stocks online, as this brings down any costs associated with the transaction instead of when you use a broker.