Online businesses have a number of advantages: home-based operations, minimal startup costs, home-based operations, you can be your own boss, home-based operations, flexible hours—and did we mention you could run them from home?

But while the allure of running an online business from the comforts of home is undeniable and you may have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, you may be wondering about the kind of business you want to run. Here are five types of online businesses you can run from home:


SELL YOUR ARTS AND CRAFTS

Making handicrafts, designing clothes, jewelry-making, printing books and photos—all of these are hobbies you can turn to profit with a website or blog and enough friends who are willing to spread the word about your awesome products. Offer volume discounts, make sure your product is unique and your service memorable, and throw in freebies to keep your customers coming back and your profits on the up and up, as this Entrepreneur article suggests. And, make sure your talent is showcased in the best light by taking professional-grade photos of your products and marketing your wares at trade fairs.


START AN ONLINE RETAIL STORE

Just because you don’t make your own products doesn’t mean you can’t try your hand at selling. If you know where to get the best bargains and think you know what people need or want at various times of the year, why don’t you try your hand at finding products you can buy at wholesale price and sell for a profit? If you are a Divisoria shopaholic or if you have access to products you believe in, why not create your own online store? Make sure any physical products are well-described and well-photographed. Don’t know what to sell? Go for what you feel you could use yourself. That could mean anything from clothes and shoes to herbal products and cosmetics.


MAINTAIN YOUR OWN BLOG AND/OR WEBSITE

What you might not know about maintaining your own website or blog is that you may be able to earn money just by having people come and visit and click on the links you post . Whether you use your website to generate income for you in some other way (like selling products) or as a venue for your own content (like pro blogging ), you need to drive people to view it and click on the ads and other links you earn money from. Not sure where to start? Check out 2CreateAWebsite.com and other how-to sites.


OFFER YOUR WEB SERVICES: WEB DESIGN, ONLINE NETWORKING, ETC.

Got L33T skills in java, PHP, HTML, CSS, and other programming languages? If so, you might want to try your hand at freelance web designing. And if you’re familiar with online social networking, you may just get a company to have you on retainer to manage not just their websites but their Facebook accounts, MySpace pages, and Multiply accounts as well. Check out Smashing Magazine’s roadmap to becoming a professional freelance web designer or get started by listing your website (AKA your portfolio) in the Freelance Web Designers Directory or finding jobs at sites like Project4Hire.com .  


CHARGE A FEE FOR WRITING, EDITING, ILLUSTRATING, OR DOING DIGITAL ART

With all the cost-cutting going around, a lot of businesses are turning to freelance writers, editors, and artists to provide them with their content needs. That means that you can make big bucks from turning a company’s processes and documents into marketable material they can show to prospective customers or coming up with images for their websites or ad campaigns. If you’re trained to edit according to a certain style, like the Chicago Manual of Style, the APA style, or writing for SEO, or if you can draw to another person’s specifications, you can advertise your services and find prospective jobs at sites like Sulit.com.ph, iFreelance.com, and many more. All you need to start is a blog or website that will serve as your online portfolio. It’s also a good idea to start expanding your network to include people you’re likely to work with or for—advertisers, online and print publishers, fellow freelancers, etc.


On fire to start your own web-based home business? Great! Just keep a cool head about you, take note of the dos and don’ts of starting and growing your business, and remember that even if you’re at home and in your fuzzy slippers, it’s still important to be professional and to love what you do. Because no matter what your working environment, skill, dedication, and passion are still—and have always been—the keys to successful endeavors.


(Photo source: sxc.hu)

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26 COMMENTS / Add Yours

• wow this is really helpful especially for stay at home mother like me who needs to earn too. id like to try jewelry making. probably ill do some research so that i know where and how to do it.
  by reeya on 2010-02-26 10:26:53
• I read from a lot bloggers about earning money from google ads so blogging really works even if you are not into selling. Its perfect for full time moms.
  by chinky_baguette on 2010-02-26 10:41:00
• if you love and enjoy what you are doing then there are chances that you will succeed. If you love writing go for blogging, if you're into crafts then go for bead/ jewelry making, as for me i love beauty products, i want to make myself presentable that's why i put up my own online store to help others =)
  by GabBeaMariz on 2010-02-26 11:22:42
• I already have an online shop as well as sell in ebay. It's great because I'm able to have extra money because of it.
  by prettylass8831 on 2010-02-27 08:48:28
• Can anyone offer any detailed advice about earning through blogging? I'm really interested in that area but I don't know how it works. Thank you!
  by Laurie ~ ♥ on 2010-03-03 20:58:27
• Aside from online businesses, you can also earn money by tutoring online :) I'm a college student, I'll start as a tutor maybe next week. Already applied in RareJob. The pay's good :)
  by Karla on 2010-03-04 04:04:00
• Find something you can resell is a great way to start an online biz too!
  by flirteshoes.multiply.com on 2010-03-08 14:00:23
• well, its been very fulfilling to have an inline business. I also do have mine, and its very rewarding
  by annaruiz on 2010-03-09 07:32:41
• Google Ads really works (according to my friends) so if you are any good at writing, blog to earn extra.
  
  by Myleen on 2010-03-09 15:49:57
• Haven't tried it yet but it looks like blogging could be a profitable venture if one knows how to maintain a good blog.
  by meeeow18 on 2010-03-09 18:47:57
• yup you will never now jusat try anything that will help you and your family.Theres a lot of broadband offers here and you can sell all the things that you don't need esp if your a mom.Instaed of giving it to your relatives why not try to sell it online and you can enroll it on bidding on ebay... I tried it once and it clicked.
  by Mhela on 2010-03-09 21:46:25
• Kidburst is looking for local editors to join our partner program. Work from home at your own pace, NO costs, earn extra income. See http://kidburst.com/partner/ for more info.
  by Dave on 2010-03-09 23:01:12
• I have an online business kaya lang di mabenta eh. I sell magazine back issues.
  by Mary on 2010-03-10 18:46:44
• I like this article. I'll bookmark this page. It's necessary to utilize all means of getting extra income especially now that our economic condition is very unpredictable.
  by Mae on 2010-03-11 11:44:31
• Very helpful, thanks!
  by deejay on 2010-03-13 10:42:43
• thank you for this article. one day, i hope i can start my online business.
  by katiyay on 2010-03-13 19:35:05
• Earning thru blogging is easier said than done. And usually, it takes a few months to a year to earn a substantial amount. There's a lot more to it than just writing a post everyday.
  by Sheng on 2010-03-14 21:35:37
• there are already a lot of ways to earn online from free to join and other programs reaching thousands of $$$. staying at home has exposed me from retail to being an affiliate to internet marketing and a lot more. it's really up to you on what your passion is. can your skills be helpful in your endeavor? is it not conflicting with your time? do you believe that this option is the one for you? and please don't be hopping around from one program to another. just focus on one and don't spread yourself too thin. goodluck! http://eca.sh/42rN
  by Paula on 2010-03-20 02:58:18
• mga sis,
  I have an online business which pays you everytime you view online ads. You may visit our site for more info at www.bestptcwebsites.com
  by bhieb on 2010-03-23 22:18:52
• Yes this is indeed a good alternative to generate income. If you're interested you may start earning online by simply clicking this link: http://www.geostring.com/?1067764
  by laminimalista on 2010-03-28 22:03:14
• u guys just gave me a great idea. coz i have an aunt who makes jewelries using beads (i dont know what to call that) i think i can sell it as well when i set up an online store. :)
  by nessy on 2010-03-29 20:42:10
• If you wanna generate extra income online there are are a lot of resources that you can really use online. It is risk free and you don't even have to shell out a capita. If you waould like to know more about kindly emmail me: caliya88@gmail.com
  by rona on 2010-04-02 09:38:35
• Im planning to have my own business. Thanks for this info,
  by SHIRLEY LIM on 2010-04-08 16:26:12
• online business is a good business, you don't need to leave your house.
  by Teresa on 2010-05-01 03:06:16
• I really would want to make money out of blogigng. I love to write! I want to meet a lot of people who are into crafts so I could help promote them. :P
  
  
  by damselflypoet on 2010-07-03 18:01:15
• this is exactly what i need right now. thanks for all the tips and links!
  by isea on 2010-07-12 13:14:29