The adage ‘crisis breeds innovation and opportunity’ is a most suitable one at a time when the whole world is gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also established remote work as the new normal. Then why not start your own work-from-home business and become your own boss?
Now is the right time to turn your work-from-home business idea into a lucrative enterprise.
Of course, home-based businesses have existed for years, but now these are expected to proliferate, spreading their wings across previously unexplored domains. Consider that in the future:
- Social distancing practices are likely to gain greater momentum
- More people will shop online
- Many will go online for activities and entertainment
So if you’ve been dreaming of starting your own work-from-home business, this is a good time to make it real.
Best home business ideas
The most important step is to find a home business idea that matches your skills and strengths and that you can execute successfully. Here are five work-from-home business ideas that you can start with very little money.
1. Kids’ fitness classes online
With schools closed owing to the lockdown, kids are missing out on every kind of sporting activity and peer interaction.
Their fitness is a matter of concern for parents, who are more than willing to pay to keep their children occupied.
Hence, opening a fitness class for kids on a virtual platform could be one of the best home business ideas in the time of coronavirus.
You can offer indoor training and fitness classes through an online video conferencing system from the comforts of your home. First of all, you need to work on an attractive website that will attract both parents and their kids to join your regimen. You can customize your classes based on their age group and any special needs. There is a range of free online exercise tutorials available for children on YouTube. Take your pick from specialty designed kids workouts, diet, warm-up sessions, dance, and mind and body wellness programs.
What you need:
PC/laptop, internet connection, Skype/Zoom, mini dumbbells, trampolines, yoga mats, indoor golf equipment, games kit
Initial investment:
Rs: 2,000-Rs 3,000 (assuming you have a laptop at home)
Editor's note: GoDaddy offers two ways to put your new home business on the web: Online Starter Bundle, for those who simply require a business card website, and Websites + Marketing, for those who need a full-featured website or eStore.
2. Remote tech support
Many small businesses cannot afford to hire a full-time information technology (IT) person. So they are on the lookout for remote technical assistance. If you are a tech geek and have experience working on computers and networks, this could be the work-from-home business for you.
Having a technical degree is a plus. You can acquire certifications while on the job.
It is important that you get a dedicated phone line and/or a toll-free number for your clients to get in touch with you and subscribe to a high-speed Internet service plan to ensure a steady, stable connection.
Your experience, knowledge and networking skills are also essential ingredients for remote tech support. You can start to build your remote tech support business by reaching out to friends, family, and local business owners about their tech support needs.
What you need:
Technical expertise, PC/laptop and internet connection, phone connection, remote support tools and software like TeamViewer, Windows Remote Assistance, Chrome Remote Desktop, Skype, and so forth.
Initial investment:
Rs. 3,000-Rs. 4,000 (assuming you have a PC/laptop)
3. Home bakery
If you have a knack for baking cakes and cookies, the lockdown could be the best time to show off your baking skills by starting a home bakery business. As is true for any online business, you’ll need to register a domain name and create an attractive website, with:
- A shopping cart
- Unlimited web pages
- The ability to upload files
Think of a name that best suits your bakery business. Include photos of baked goods along with description, pricing, contact and shipping information. Do not forget to include a return policy. Add recipes, baking ideas, customer reviews, and helpful tips to woo more customers.
In the best home business ideas for baking, consistency and creativity play a vital role.
You also need to market your business online by creating a Facebook page and an Instagram profile and create YouTube instructional baking videos. Join online cooking and baking forums and post helpful comments to persuade people to visit your website. Offer ample discounts and online coupons to your new and existing customers.
What you need:
Microwave oven or OTG, baking ingredients, a website, creativity, baking expertise, delivery boy, and lots of creativity.
Initial investment:
Rs.3000-Rs. 5000 (assuming you have the baking oven)
4. Freelance writing and editing
There’s a huge demand for freelance writers, as website owners need a steady stream of unique and valuable content to attract a following online. The key to the success of freelance writing business’ success is having the right clients from whom you can get steady and valuable projects.
At a minimum, you will need a computer and internet connection for this work-from-home business.
Most businesses prefer to deal with someone who is a specialist or an expert in their field — rather than choose a generalist. So you should pick a certain topic and become an expert in that field.
Writing can take many forms — from resumes to feature articles to marketing materials and even scripts for videos. Also, if you’re good enough with grammar and punctuation, companies will pay you to be a freelance editor.
It makes sense to choose a winning name for your writing business — which should be the same as your website domain name to create maximum impact. Once you earn a good reputation, you can hire a team of freelance writers and outsource projects to them.
What you need:
A desktop PC/laptop, internet connection, headset, excellent writing and editing skills, an eye for detail, domain expertise, an attractive portfolio
Initial investment:
Rs. 2,000-Rs. 3,000 (Assuming you have a PC/laptop)
5. Web designing
With so many businesses rushing to get online, web and graphic designers are in great demand. A course and training in web design and a sense of aesthetics is needed to create attractive, useful websites for all kinds of organizations.
Starting a web design business does require some up-front investment, particularly in software.
You need to have your business plan ready, outlining your services, target market, and financial goals. It is very important to have a website to showcase your portfolio of work online.
You should develop a strong network to access possible referrals. This can include people you've worked earlier with and also other professionals from allied fields. For example, you should have a network of:
- Web writers
- Graphic designers
- Others involved in developing websites
Once you have your business set up, the challenge will be to find the first client. But don’t worry. You can ace that by using your network and through various bidding sites.
What you need:
A digital portfolio, web design tools and software, web design knowledge/certification, creative bent of mind
Initial investment:
Rs. 3000-Rs. 4000
Before you start your work-from-home business
While there are many good home business ideas, those mentioned above are innovative, easy to begin with and need minimal up-front investments. So what are you waiting for? Make the best use of the lockdown time and move on to set up a successful work-from-home business NOW.
The information contained in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an endorsement or advice from GoDaddy on any subject matter. Investment figures are estimates only.
