9 Low Cost Small Business Ideas To Make Money This Year

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Low cost start up business ideas for side hustlers and beginners

Previous to the global pandemic, small business ideas included enterprises in the retail space.

However, the Pandemic has changed how people consume products and services and many of the new small businesses are in non traditional avenues.

There are new and old formats that are supporting how most people are living their lives now and going forward.

Many of these trending businesses are online and remote, with some offline.

The doors of opportunities are open in areas like technical and non technical writing, photography, graphic designers, online bookkeeping, NFTs, fashion, pets and others.

Here is a list of low cost small and micro businesses you can start this year, including some trending niches.

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Medical Courier

Medical couriers transport lab specimens, medical records, test results and supplies between doctors offices, hospitals, other medical facilities and Labs.

The job may include transporting biohazards material.

If you have a valid drivers license, a clean driving record, a High School diploma or GED and a car, you can start this low-cost solo business this year.

One way to become a Medical Courier is by starting your own professional service and marketing it to doctors and hospitals. Another way is to become an independent contractor for a Lab or Health Care company.

A medical Courier makes an average of $30 per hour. Couriers are responsible for learning the handling methods and regulations pertaining to the transportation of specimens and hazardous materials.

The jobs may include some heavy lifting.

Job boards such as Zip Recruiter, Indeed and FlexJobs often have listings for Medical Couriers opportunities.

Create an NFT Business

A Non-fungible Token or NFT is the latest business craze in the digital world. Many NFT have sold for a lot of money, but these are the rare cases. There is an active NFT market for average priced art work.

The art work created by NFT artists has been mainly used as digital collectibles, for gaming and in athletic shops.

However, more companies are joining the virtual art craze like Coca Cola and Taco Bell, for examples.

Digital collectors, investors and hobbyists are the people buying NFTs.

If you’re a digital artist creating and selling NFT may be a small business you want to start.

However, this is a fairly new market and you have to be willing to learn and take some risks in order to successfully run this business.

Selling NFTs involves having a Cryptocurrency account, some people are not comfortable with Cryptos because they are a new and different concept.

But, if you’re a creator getting into NFT requires that you learn basic Cryptocurrency. These currencies can experience large swings in prices daily.

Like any new digital business, you’ll need a leap of faith and be comfortable with new ideas.

The good news is that you won’t be alone doing your NFT thing.

There are companies that have already built platforms to enable NFT creators to sell their work without having to worry about all the backend processes.

Like the Etsy, eBay or Shopify platforms supporting small online businesses, NFT platforms are there to support NFTs creators.

These are the basic processes you’ll need to set up for your NFT shop.

This is just an overview, you’ll need to learn the intricacies of this business and Crypto currency with additional research, before you go on to open a shop.

Open a Cryptocurrency account
Fund your account (digital wallet)
Connect your wallet to an NFT platform – Rarible, OpenSea and Super Rare are some examples
List your NFT creation – be mindful of listing and selling fees

Note that one of the biggest differences between traditional online businesses and NFTs is the payment methods. While PayPal, a bank and credit cards are used in traditional shops, NFTs shops only use Cryptocurrencies as payment.

Online Bookkeeper

For a remote bookkeeper business you’ll need basic Accounting and computer skills.

Many small and mid size businesses need bookkeeping services and many can’t afford a full time bookkeeper.

Some of these smaller businesses employ independent contractors to maintain their books and prepare their periodic taxes.

The Accounting and Bookkeeping for these businesses are generally maintained on software like Quickbooks, Xero and Excel. So, knowledge of these systems is a requirement if you want to start offering your own services.

Online Bookkeepers make an average of $18 per hour and there are certificate programs you can complete to gain necessary skills and learn the softwares.

Accounting companies like Intuit and job boards like FlexJobs, Indeed and Upwork have bookkeeping jobs listings.

Related content: 9 Online jobs paying $20 or more per hour

Technical Writer

Technical writers in all fields are in demand. You can start a small business writing about what you already know and putting it into instructions, manuals, product descriptions, articles and books.

Although technical writers usually write about Computers, Law, Business, Financial, Medical research and such, you can also be a technical writer who have other type of knowledge.

Job boards like Linkedin and Glassdoor post many Technical Writers jobs. Platforms like Upwork you can run your own small business for technical writing.

Amazon often lists jobs for technical writers and technical editors.

Small Business Ideas for Beginners

Online Boutique

A virtual clothing shop can be created on your own platform or on any of the established eCommerce platforms.

You can sell high-end clothes, vintage clothes, plus sizes or any other special niche clothing including personal shopping service.

For some ideas and inspirations check out Pinterest. According to Pinterest Predicts Goth and Vibrant colors are trends to watch for next year (2022).

An online boutique is a business where networking and social media are essential tools to serve your customers.

Pet Care

Pet care businesses continue to grow as more people adopt pets as company and for emotional support. But, also as people start to travel more after the Pandemic, they need reliable pet care services for their animals.

This is a very low cost small business you can offer to friends and others thru social media or your neighborhood App.

There is also the option for you to work as pet sitter using a platform like Rover, Care.com and Wag.

If you have an eye for designs; dogs and cats rooms, cat house design, dog beds and luxury dog room are trends for next year according to Pinterest.

Grocery Delivery Service

This is an easy side hustle business if you own a car or can make deliveries by walking.

There are many Apps you can join and work as a contractor to deliver groceries and food.

GrupHub, Doordash and Instacart are some of the Apps you can join to make deliveries on your free time.

Photography

Do you take photos like a boss?

Photographers use their expertise and creativity to produce and preserve images.

The average salary for photographers is about $20 per hour according to the BLS. The job outlook for photographers is better than average, expecting a 17% annual increase thru year 2030.

In this field you can work for a company, work as a freelancer or create your own business.

Drones photography is a growing area of expertise. You can find more information on The American Society of Media Photographers.

15 Ways to make extra cash with photography

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers use visuals to communicate concept and ideas that inspires and informs others.

Most graphic designers have a bachelor degree and earn on average $25 per hour. Yo can also pursue certification in applications like Photoshop and Illustrator.

If you have an eye for design and have knowledge of design computer software, you can start a small business creating graphics and concepts for websites.

Final Thoughts

You can start a side hustle business or if you’re ready to go full time in any of these 9 niches. The opportunities are all over the map if you’re intent on creating a service or product to sell.

Most of these opportunities you can pursue as a small business or you can work as an independent contractor or an employee.

Other ideas for beginners to make money include; selling things like toys, children games, pet supplies, Smartphones accessories and jewelry.