AdminBy Elsie Udoh
With the constant rise in the cost of transportation in Nigeria, the simple act of going out each day has become a luxury many can barely afford, and that’s where the shift to remote jobs comes in.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThere are several work-from-home business ideas available for you to start in 2024, whether you’re looking to change your career path and become a business owner or start a side hustle. Working from home gives you flexibility, helps you to save more, and keeps you in control of your time.
But then, how do you know the best one for you? Well, it starts with being passionate about something and then commercialising it to make it pay you. Here are 10 profitable work-from-home business ideas that you can channel your passion towards. These businesses are not only easy to start but require minimal tools, skills and resources to get started.
10 Business Ideas You Can Start From Home
When it comes to starting a business, many people shy away from it due to various reasons ranging from difficulty, high cost, and time consumption. However, these 10 business ideas highlighted below are not complex, nor do they require a lot of capital to start and can be carried out in a few hours. The best part is that you can start and run them from the comfort of your home!
Let’s get started analysing the 10 business ideas that you can start from home in no particular order of importance:
Freelance Writing
If you have a knack for expressing yourself through words, then you can start a business in writing. Find what you love to write about and convert it to a service, whether by writing blog posts, web content or advertising copy. When you are skilled, the demand for your service will be high because businesses are always on the lookout for creative ways to tell their stories, so if you can do that through your writing, you become an asset to them.
To start in freelance writing, you need to adequately hone your skills in writing. You don’t have to wait to be perfect, but once you can provide grammar-free and engaging write-ups, then you are good to go. The good news is that there are apps like Grammarly available to check your grammar for you, so you just have to worry about having writing material (phone or computer), a reliable internet connection and a good writing skill.
You can get started showcasing your skills on sites like Medium, which allows you to write and share for others to read. Once you’ve gotten adequate positive feedback on your write-ups and are ready to start a business from it, then you can reach out to clients on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. These platforms can link you up with clients who would be willing to pay you ₦5,000 – ₦20,000 per article, depending on your experience and the complexity of what you’ll be writing about.
Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant involves doing everything a personal assistant does, but this time, online. So, your typical responsibility would be handling administrative tasks such as managing emails, scheduling, bookkeeping, and customer service.
If you are good with organising things and paying attention to detail, then you can easily thrive in this field. There are also free YouTube videos where you can learn about everything it takes to be a virtual assistant.
Again, this business only requires a computer, as well as project management tools like Trello and communication tools like Zoom. Likewise, you can source clients from Upwork or VirtualAssistantJobs, where you can find clients who would be willing to pay you.
As a virtual assistant, you can expect to earn between ₦30,000 – ₦200,000 per month based on your skill set and client base.
Online Coaching
If you love teaching, then you can transform that love into a business venture. You can offer online coaching services on any subject of your choice, whether academic or specialised skills, such as graphics design, on platforms like TutorMe and other educational websites.
All you need to start is a computer, stable network connection, video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet and a headset with a microphone (not required at the onset) and you can earn extra income of ₦2,000 to ₦10,000 per session, depending on the subject or skill level. You can also market your services independently through WhatsApp or Telegram.
E-commerce Business
This can be a lucrative business to sell handmade crafts, clothes, or imported goods on platforms like Jumia and Konga. These platforms make it easy to set up online stores, taking away the financial burden of setting up a physical store.
With e-commerce platforms like Shopify, product sourcing tools (e.g., AliExpress), and social media for marketing, you can get started easily. Use social media to search for in-demand products and offer them to customers at a fair price to boost patronage.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an e-commerce business model where you sell products without having to purchase them first. When a customer makes a purchase, the product is shipped directly from the supplier. This is an excellent business model for those who want to start an online store with minimal upfront costs.
You need an e-commerce platform like Shopify, a product sourcing tool like Oberlo, and a payment gateway like PayPal to get started.
Dropshipping can be tricky, but it gets easier when you find a trusted supplier to deliver quality products to customers.
Social Media Management
Here, you’re helping brands manage their online presence. This business is in demand with more businesses moving online and engaging in social media marketing. As a social media manager, your main task would be to create content, interact with followers, and analyse performance metrics.
Social media managers can earn between ₦30,000 – ₦250,000 per month. To get started, you need to acquire basic knowledge on the use of social media scheduling tools like Hootsuite and Buffer, as well as design tools like Canva, then have a good camera or smartphone, and you’re good to go.
Graphic Design
If you’re skilled in design, you can offer graphic design services to businesses that need logos, banners, brochures, and website designs. Platforms like Canva and Adobe Photoshop make it easy for you to get started. You can offer your services on Fiverr, 99designs, or even market yourself on Instagram and earn from ₦5,000 – ₦100,000 per project, depending on what your client needs and your level of expertise.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a business model where you promote products or services for a commission. If you run a blog, have a YouTube channel or have a large social media following, you can simply integrate affiliate marketing into it by recommending products to subscribers or followers and earn about 5% to 30% percentage of the sales when someone purchases through your referral link. Tools like Amazon offer affiliate marketing options, which you can sign up for and get started promoting products.
Content Creation (YouTube, Podcasting, Blogging)
This is a lucrative business that enables you to think outside the box. You can create content on anything from tutorials, product reviews, vlogs, or user-generated content and share it on your social media.
This will require that you have a camera or microphone (depending on the content type), video/audio editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, etc, and a website if you’re blogging. Content creation can lead to sponsorships, ad revenue, and affiliate marketing opportunities if properly planned, so take your time to do research and see how you can stand out from others already in this business.
Digital Products
If you’re an expert in a particular field, you can sell digital products like eBooks, templates, or guides on platforms Udemy. This would require a computer, a course platform like Teachable or Kajabi, and video creation tools like Camtasia or ScreenFlow.
How to Get Started
Getting started with any of these work-from-home business ideas is easier than ever. Most of them require minimal upfront investment, and many have platforms to guide you through the process. Here are a few general tips for success:
- Research Your Niche: Before starting, research the market to ensure there’s demand for your services or products.
- Invest in the Right Tools: Make sure you have all the necessary tools to run your business smoothly. Some of the tools have been provided in this article, but you can research further on the business idea of your choice to know about everything you’ll need to get started.
- Stay Organised: Working from home requires discipline, and tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Calendar can help you maintain the right level of discipline by helping you stay on top of tasks and deadlines.
- Promote Your Services: Let social media be your best friend to make your business thrive. You can also create a website or list your services on freelance platforms to attract potential clients.
- Network: Join online communities and groups relevant to your niche to connect with others and find business opportunities.
Conclusion
Whether you have a 9-5 job or not, there’s always room to make extra cash, and this article has provided you with 10 work-from-home business ideas that you can start in 2024. These business ideas are flexible and easy to start, so choose the right niche, necessary tools, and suitable platforms and stay consistent to build a profitable business for yourself.
