If you're among the millions of Indians who dream of starting a venture in 2019, you’ve come to the right place. To help you start your entrepreneurial journey, we have curated a list of top 10 small business ideas that you can start today. A lot of them require little to no money to launch.
Editor's note: Put your new business online in less than 5 minutes with Online Starter Bundle.
10 great small business ideas
Here are our top suggestions for businesses that are bound to succeed.
- Tuition centre.
- Food truck.
- YouTube channel.
- Travel agency.
- Content writing service.
- Yoga and meditation centre.
- Restaurant.
- Graphics designing.
- Online apparel store.
- Web development company.
Now, let’s look closer at each of these in turn.
1. Tuition centre
Photo: Naveen Kumar on Unsplash
The first of our top 10 small business ideas is a tuition centre. If you're on a hunt for a zero-investment business idea, then this might be the ideal one.
All this requires is a skill, others wish to learn.
A tuition centre can be started in your home, thus it hardly costs anything on rent or supplies. The only investment that you would need to make is on marketing. Marketing methods can include both online (social media, WhatsApp, etc.) and offline tactics (pamphlets, word of mouth, etc.).
For more info on getting started, read this article.
2. Food truck
No list of latest business ideas would be complete without this one. In the recent few years, the food truck business has become a central attraction in the restaurant space.
The biggest perk of starting a food truck is having access to multiple spots.
If business is not good at one spot, simply move to another spot. This costs less than that needed in starting a stand-alone restaurant. Also, as the primary business of food truck involves footfall rather than delivery, it requires fewer menu pamphlets for distribution.
However, in this digital age just using offline tactics is not enough. You will also need to be active on social media in order to attract customers.
To start, read How to Start a Food Truck Business.
3. YouTube channel
It's no secret that YouTubers like PewDiePie and Lilly Singh are making millions out of their YouTube channels. Creating a successful YouTube channel requires creativity, talent and a focus that others find interesting.
Expect to invest a few years in your YouTube channel before you see returns.
All you need is a setup and a compelling topic (healthy family meals, for example, or how to dress well for less). Once you are ready with your idea, start creating videos and uploading them on YouTube. YouTube might even pay you if your channel becomes popular enough.
Read this article to get started.
4. Travel agency
If you have a passion for traveling, love to make travel plans and enjoy helping others have great experiences, then this might be a good choice for you.
While it might be fairly inexpensive to start, doing market research and attracting clients will take time and effort. But once you create a place in the industry and begin collecting reviews from happy clients, you’ll be on your way.
For more info on starting a travel agency, read this.
5. Content writing service
With the growing number of online businesses, there is also a surge in the number of blogs and websites that require written content in various languages.
Freelancers and bloggers only need:
- A computer and internet connection.
- Proficiency in English or any other Indian language.
- An excellent knowledge of grammar.
A content agency can be a well-paying opportunity with the job flexibility many crave for. The work entails doing some research on the topic provided by the client and creating engaging write-ups that can sell without looking sales-y.
Want to start this business? Read this guide first.
6. Yoga and meditation centre
With both physical and mental stress reaching the apex, the demand for yoga and meditation has also increased.
You can start by offering classes at home with a few members.
The investment in yoga and meditation classes is very marginal and includes only the required mats, blocks and bolsters for performing all the yoga or meditation moves. Care must be taken to create a calm and serene setting.
For more info, read this article.
7. Restaurant
According to a recent research, the Indian restaurant industry is worth Rs. 337,500 crores and growing. Smaller outlets, more food innovation, and same-store sales are driving growth.
A successful restaurant requires adequate funds and realistic goals.
Despite substantial risks and high competition, owning a restaurant is one of the most rewarding businesses in India. If you have a passion for cooking and serving appetizing meals, this is for you.
To know more, read this complete guide.
8. Graphics designing
Another great business idea to start from home is to set up a graphic design studio. All you need is a powerful computer with an excellent graphics card along with design skills.
Graphic designers create everything from logos and signboards to business cards and website designs. They also design book covers and banners. Their clients are other businesses that need help with visual branding.
Learn more about becoming a graphic designer in India.
9. Online apparel store
eCommerce is a booming industry as consumers are becoming used to the idea of buying clothes online.
Experts predict India's online fashion industry will reach USD 35 billion by 2020.
To start with, you would need to:
- Create a business plan.
- Choose and register a brand name.
- Get funding.
- Choose a platform through which you'll sell your apparel.
You can also set up your own eCommerce website or sell through online marketplaces like Flipkart, Myntra and Jabong.
Read this start-to-finish guide to open your own online apparel store.
Related: How to make a website to sell clothes
10. Web development company
Photo: Studio Republic on Unsplash
For those with skills in web designing and development, starting a web development agency can be the path to good profits.
With more and more businesses trying to gain a foothold in the digital arena, building a website has become a requisite. Large companies have web developers in their IT teams. However, SMBs are mostly dependent upon either freelancers or web development companies.
Here is how to start a web development company in India.
Editor’s note: If you need a simple website, you can build it yourself with GoDaddy’s Website Builder. Try it free for 14 days totally risk-free.
That concludes our list of top 10 small business ideas
While all the latest business ideas do have risks, they also have good chances of success. If you really wish to dip your hands in entrepreneurship, these top 10 small business ideas are the great ways to start. Choose the one that suits your skills the best … then dive in!
UPDATE: This post was originally published on 27 March 2019 and was updated on 21 February 2020.
