Introduction

Starting a business can be a great way to turn your passions and skills into a profitable venture. Besides the money, which most people are after, you will also find a wonderful sense of achievement and satisfaction. It’s really worth the hard work.

What is the easiest business to start?

OK, there’s no way around it… the answer is no business is easy. 

But, but, but – don’t get discouraged. It’s OK. Tons of people just like you decide to start a business everyday, and many succeed. This is doable. It’s not rocket science, and if you don’t mind learning some new tricks and putting in some hours of hard work, you should really give it a try. 

The feeling of making your first few dollars with a new business is really special, and you will get a taste for more.  

But with so many different types of businesses to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll explore the easiest businesses to start, taking into account factors such as financial investment, skills required, and market demand.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Business to Start

When deciding which business to start, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. 

Firstly, it’s important to consider the financial investment required. Starting a business from scratch can be expensive, so it’s essential to have a solid understanding of your start-up costs and how you plan to fund them. 

Secondly, consider the skills and experience you bring to the table. While some businesses may require extensive training and education, others can be started with just a few basic skills and a bit of determination. 

Finally, think about the market demand for your product or service. Is there a need for what you’re offering? Will people pay for it? By taking these factors into account, you’ll be able to choose a business that’s right for you and set yourself up for success.

Top 5 Easiest Businesses to Start

This is the question everybody is always wondering, so let’s dig into some of the “easiest” businesses to start. The reason we are saying they are “easy” here is that you don’t need a lot of money to begin and you can learn the skills you need, if you don’t already have them. Another way to say it, is that these businesses are “attainable” for most people. 

Here are five of the “easiest” businesses to start, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages:

Online Retail Business

• Explanation: An online retail business allows you to sell products directly to customers via an e-commerce website or platform.
• Example: A Shopify ecommerce store, or an Etsy store are both good examples. You’re selling products like clothing, gifts, pet products, etc. 
• Advantages: Low overhead costs, ability to reach a large audience, and the ability to sell products from anywhere.
• Disadvantages: Competition from larger retailers, difficulty in standing out in a crowded market, and the need for a reliable shipping and fulfillment process.

Service-Based Business

• Explanation: A service-based business provides a service to customers, such as cleaning, photography, or personal training.
• Example: Service businesses are things like gardening, hairstyling, house or office cleaning, teaching, etc where you do something in-person.
• Advantages: The ability to work from anywhere, low start-up costs, and the ability to scale the business as needed.
• Disadvantages: The need to consistently find new clients, the need to consistently deliver high-quality services, and the need to establish and maintain a positive reputation.

Dropshipping Business

• Explanation: A dropshipping business allows you to sell products without having to hold any inventory. Instead, you partner with a supplier who handles the shipping and fulfillment process.
• Example: Dropshipping businesses are online normally. Shopify type stores, or Amazon or eBay selling are the most common ways to run a dropshipping business.
• Advantages: Low overhead costs, the ability to offer a wide range of products, and the ability to focus on marketing and sales.
• Disadvantages: The need to find a reliable supplier, limited control over the shipping and fulfillment process, and the potential for low profit margins.

Content Creation Business

• Explanation: A content creation business involves creating and selling content such as blog posts, videos, or images.
• Example: This website is a content creation business example. Content creators write and create articles, and information people enjoy, and then find ways to monetize the audience. You could also create content for others for purposes like their social media posting, or blog posts.
• Advantages: The ability to work from anywhere, the ability to offer a wide range of services, and the ability to scale the business as needed.
• Disadvantages: The need to consistently create high-quality content, the need to establish and maintain a strong brand, and the need to find new clients regularly.

Affiliate Marketing Business

• Explanation: An affiliate marketing business involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission for each sale.
• Example: Affiliate marketing is normally done online on a website. You typically are drawing people to your site with helpful information and then showing them products that link to the affiliate site where the product can be purchased. You sign up with the affiliate and get a percentage of the sale normally. 
• Advantages: The ability to work from anywhere, low start-up costs, and the ability to offer a wide range of products.
• Disadvantages: The need to consistently drive traffic and generate sales, the need to establish and maintain a strong reputation, and the potential for low profit margins.

Where to go from here

See if any of the business types listed above sound like they could work for you. Think about whether you have the skills that might be needed, or if you can learn them (online? offline? people skills? technical skills? good at writing? programming? etc.) 

As we’re learning, starting a business can be a great way to turn your passions and skills into a profitable venture.

By considering factors such as:

• amount of financial investment you’ll need to start
• skills you’ll need to build and run your business, and
• market demand, and how to get in front of your target customers

…you can choose a business that’s right for you and set yourself up for success.

Whether you opt for an online retail business, a service-based business, dropshipping, content creation, or affiliate marketing, or something else entirely, there’s a business out there that’s the perfect fit for you.

Next steps to take

1. Make sure you’ve reviewed and understood our page Startup Checklist and Steps to Start A Business.
2. Start writing down all your potential business ideas and work on finding one that you feel strongly about proceeding with.
3. Discuss your idea with business savvy friends, relatives or mentors and ask them for honest feedback and guidance.

That’s the plan – good luck.