Top 23 Online Businesses to Start in the UK from Home and Make Money
Table of Contents
When you are looking for online business ideas on the internet, many articles pop up trying to get you signed up for their tricks of the trade. However, you can filter the noise and pick the best businesses that you can start from home with an internet connection and a laptop.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us faced work challenges due to the long-term restrictions and as a result, unemployment was estimated to be at its highest at 4.5% in 2020. Then, there was a rise in the number of successful entrepreneurs, and the demand for online businesses was set to increase. According to a study by the University of Law, 2020 was estimated to see a 12% growth in new business ideas. The pandemic resulted in over 85000 online businesses being established in the UK.
Also, Statista finds that in 2023 the e-commerce growth rate increased by 4.8% which shows that people have a dependency on online business.
I started learning digital skills such as SEO, Google advertising and how to offer digital marketing services for local businesses in the UK. I truly believe that anyone who wishes to start an online business can get started literally with a laptop or even smartphone and an internet connection. All of you who are reading this guide have what it takes for sure.
So let’s dive in and learn how you can get started with an online business idea that works for you.
Why Start an Online Business in the UK?
Starting an online business from home is an excellent way to generate income while enjoying flexibility and independence.
With the rapid advancement of technology and the internet, there are numerous opportunities available. In this guide, I, Fernando Raymond, an online business expert and founder of several internet companies including SeekaHost, which helps people get online with a domain name and web hosting, will walk you through the top 23 online businesses you can start in the UK from home.
Disclaimer: Our recommendations are based on the estimated total earnings in the UK, generated by the listed online business ideas to start from home from higher to lower. The information provided here was correct at the date of publication but may be subject to change.
23 Best Online Business Ideas to Start from Home
For Creatives/Artists
1. Event Planner
If you are excellent at planning and executing the ideas of people, then this business is appropriate for you. No need to hire an office space, you just deliver your brainstorming ideas from your home. You can start by organising small parties such as birthdays, and graduation before jumping into the bigger ones.
Getting started:
- Create a business plan and register your business and website.
- Promote your brand identity through your website and different social media platforms.
Start-up cost:
If you have access to a phone, Laptop and WiFi, you’re ready to begin!
Estimated Earnings:
Event planners earn between £24k-£54k per year and the experienced ones earn more than that depending upon experience and the workload.
2. Podcasting
Podcasting involves creating audio content on a specific topic and monetising it through ads, sponsorships, or listener support.
At SeekaHost we also run a podcast and you can find all the podcasts on our YouTube channel:
Getting Started:
- Choose a niche you are passionate about and knowledgeable in.
- Invest in quality recording equipment such as computers, headphones, microphones, audio interface and editing software including Adobe Audition, Audacity etc.
- Promote your podcast through social media, email marketing, and podcast directories.
- Monetise your podcast through ads, sponsorships, or platforms like Patreon.
Start-up Cost:
The start-up cost is moderate. The initial investment ranges from £200-£1000 for equipment and hosting services, depending upon the production quality and requirements.
Estimated Earnings:
The podcast producer can earn an average salary ranging from £21k- £ 36k per year.
3. Video Editing
Video editors create and edit videos for businesses, YouTubers, or other clients. Check our videos on the SeekaHost YouTube channel and see how James creates amazing videos and uses AI technologies to create amazing videos.
Getting Started:
- First, you must learn fundamental skills such as computer literacy, creativity & imagination, film-editing skills, the ability to use different cameras and familiarity with graphic software.
- Develop your video editing skills using software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
- Create a portfolio showcasing your video editing work.
- Join freelance platforms or offer your services to local businesses and content creators.
- Network with other video editors and potential clients through social media.
Start-up cost:
Low to moderate, £20 to £3000. The initial investment requires a high-performance computer suitable for video editing, professional video editing software and effective marketing.
Estimated Earning:
The entry-level salary is £19k-£47k per year. Earning increases as per experience.
4. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers create visual content for businesses, including logos, websites, advertisements, and social media graphics. You can use AI to create amazing images and when you mix your smart creative thoughts you can create graphics that will make business website owners wow to use your creations using AI.
Getting Started:
- Build a portfolio showcasing your design skills and previous work.
- Use design software like Adobe Creative Suite or Canva to create professional designs.
- Join freelance platforms such as SolidGigs and Upwork to find clients or offer your services to local businesses.
- Network with other designers and potential clients through social media and design forums.
Start-up Cost:
The start-up cost is moderate. You can spend the range £500- £2000 on important software, a high-performance computer and a strong marketing plan.
Estimated Earning:
Freelancers earn £9 to £30 per hour based on expertise and annually they earn £19k- £40k per year with experience in designing, UI/UX and so on.
5. Animator
Animation is a productive venture but it requires professional skills. From designing video graphics to creating animated characters. GIFs, cartoons and emojis-freelance animators are some of the most important jobs for remote workers. Upwork is the best platform to find the best animator job where you can develop successful relationships to propel your career forward.
Getting started:
- Decide the animation niche such as whether it is 2D or 3D animation, motion graphics or visual effects.
- Powerful computers with graphic processing units for rendering.
- Drawing tabs for digital sketching and character design.
- High-resolution monitors for detailed works.
- Audio recording equipment for voiceover and sound effects.
- Video editing software for post-production work.
- Create your portfolio and select a business structure.
- Develop a comprehensive marketing plan covering the target market, marketing strategy and financial projections.
- Set up accounting and bookkeeping systems.
Start-up Cost:
The start-up cost for an animator is moderate which is around £1000-£3000 including a high-performance computer, and software subscriptions including Adobe Creative Cloud.
Estimated Earning:
An animator can earn £18k to £46k in a year depending upon the complexity of the project and the level of experience.
6. Print on Demand
Print-on-demand allows you to design and sell custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without holding inventory. When a customer makes a purchase, the product is printed (like t-shirt printing) and shipped by a third-party supplier.
Getting Started:
- Choose a niche and create unique designs using tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva.
- Use platforms like Printful, Teespring, or Redbubble to set up your store.
- Promote your products through social media, email marketing, and SEO.
- Focus on creating high-quality designs that appeal to your target audience.
Start-up Cost:
If you’re starting a print-on-demand business, there are two methods. The first method is to open a print-on-demand online store using a third-party marketplace where you have to invest nothing. On the other hand, there is a paid print-on-demand store. The start-up cost is moderate and around £300 to £400 including website design to marketing.
Estimated Earning:
In a print-on-demand business, you can earn around £12K- £150K per year.
7. Art Seller
If you’re a professional painter or an amateur, there are more opportunities to sell your art online. Many platforms including Etsy, Zazzle and so on enable the online selling of your works as an independent artist. This could also include creative letters, invitations and wedding cards designed uniquely with the help of different calligraphy software.
Getting started:
- Pick a niche and start by analysing your business’s potential and market situation.
- Register your business.
- Choose the sales channels among different e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Creative Market, Zazzle and Fiverr.
- Promote your artwork on social media and connect with people who are interested in your type of art through Facebook Groups, FB Marketplace and Instagram.
Start-up Cost:
Moderate, around £500 to £2,000. The initial investment is on art equipment, studio and marketing.
Estimated Earning:
As a digital art seller, you can earn £8K- £14K per year.
8. Stock Photography
Stock photographers take and sell photos to websites, businesses, or individuals.
Getting Started:
- Invest in quality photography equipment.
- Take high-quality photos and edit them using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.
- Join stock photography platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images.
- Promote your portfolio through social media and photography forums.
Start-up cost:
Moderate, £1,500 to £5,000. The main investment is in equipment, software subscriptions and marketing.
Estimated Earning:
A stock photographer earns £4.6k-£18k per year.
9. Blogging
Blogging involves creating content around a specific topic and monetizing the blog through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling products. I started my very first blog back in 2013 and that led me to learn SEO skills to rank blog posts, and business websites and become the top SEO consultant in London by 2015.
Getting Started:
- Choose a niche you are knowledgeable and passionate about.
- Set up your blog using WordPress and host it with SeekaHost.
- Create high-quality, engaging content that provides value to your audience.
- Monetize your blog through various methods like Google Adwords once you have a steady stream of traffic.
Start-up Cost:
£200- £1000 for a website, and editing software.
Estimated Earnings:
The estimated business earnings of a blogger is around £2.4k-£120k per year.
For Marketers
10. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies’ products and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral link.
Getting Started:
- Choose a niche that you are passionate about.
- Join affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates, ClickBank, or CJ Affiliate.
- Create content around the products you promote, such as blog posts, videos, or social media posts by using the marketing tool Shopify.
- Use SEO strategies such as SEMRush to drive organic traffic to your content.
Start-up Cost:
Zero cost.
Estimated Earnings:
An affiliate marketer earns £25k- £44k per year with an average income of £33k per year.
11. Digital Marketing Business
Digital marketing is a great home-based online business in the UK because of its high demand, flexible work and potential for significant earnings. A digital marketing agency offers businesses different types of online marketing services to increase their online presence, lead generation, and sales. The agency provides services including Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay-per-Click (PPC), advertising, email marketing, social media management and content marketing. Running a digital marketing agency business from home is an amazing business idea for 2024.
Getting started:
- Determine and create your business plan according to the appropriate revenue model.
- Use different SEO tools such as Ahrefs or SEMrush to increase visibility.
- Promote your business through email marketing platforms including Mailchimp.
Start-up Cost:
It requires £1,000-£5,000 for a computer, internet connection, website, and digital marketing tools.
Estimated Earnings:
The average salary for a digital marketing agency in the UK is £31,882 per year (£15.67 per hour). The entry-level salary starts at £26k and experienced workers earn up to £43k.
12. Dropshipping
Dropshipping allows you to sell products online without having to hold inventory. When a customer makes a purchase, the order is fulfilled by a third-party supplier who ships the product directly to the customer.
Getting Started:
- Choose a profitable niche with high-demand products.
- Set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.
- Partner with reliable suppliers through platforms like AliExpress or Oberlo.
- Focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.
Start-up Cost:
Starting a home-based Dropshipping business in the UK is quite affordable. The start-up cost ranges from £10- £500 for an E-commerce platform subscription, paid product research tools and marketing & advertising.
Estimated Earning:
You can earn around £22k-£43k per year. The average base pay is £31k per year.
For Teachers/Mentors/Instructors
13. Yoga Instructor
Scientific studies show that yoga has the power to improve the quality of life. Around 300 million people practise yoga regularly throughout the globe, and around 500,000 people in the UK take part in yoga sessions every week. Yoga has huge benefits, so the number of people taking part in it is rapidly increasing. If you want to start a yoga instructor business, you need to create your fanbase by providing each session with a different twist.
Getting started:
- Become a certified yoga instructor from any renowned institution.
- Create a YouTube Channel to share your yoga sessions.
- Use an e-commerce website to sell your yoga guides.
Start-up Cost:
Low to moderate. The cost varies around £200 to £1000 including yoga certification courses, equipment, marketing materials and liability insurance.
Estimated Earning:
The estimated business earnings of a yoga instructor is £27.45 per hour, depending upon the location, experience and whether they teach privately or among many students. The annual earnings are approximately £30k-£40k.
14. Music Teacher
Music teachers teach students about different types of music, how to play musical instruments, how to sing a song, compose etc. If you have any of these skills, you can easily make money from home by providing online music lessons.
Getting started:
- It can be helpful if you have a relevant degree or certification in music.
- Create a YouTube Channel and post videos showcasing your exceptional talent in music.
- Link it to your website so that the learner can find and contact you directly.
- You can advertise your services on social media as well as on various platforms like Music Teachers.
Start-up Cost:
Low, around £10 to £110. The initial investment is in musical instruments and a website.
Estimated Earning:
For small group teaching, you can earn up to £42.50 per hour and £27k-£39k per year.
15. Language Teacher
English is one of the most spoken languages throughout the world. A large portion of the population is interested in learning English, and how to read and write in English. Non-English-speaking countries often include English as an additional language. Therefore, many students seek additional support from a native speaker. For this, Craigslist is one of the easiest platforms from where you can find people looking for online English tutors across the world. Read this article, where you can get ideas about the 10 Best Websites for Online Tutoring Jobs.
Getting Started:
- To become a language tutor, you need to be fluent in the written and spoken target language and have passed at least an academic language test like TEFL.
- Having teaching experience is a plus.
- You can teach virtually either via your website or e-tutoring platforms like CheggTutors, and Udemy.
Start-up Cost:
All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection.
Estimated Earning:
Language Teachers can earn £20-£30 per hour with an annual income of £5.5k to £36k for full-time teaching.
16. Online Courses and Coaching
If you have expertise in a particular field, you can create online courses or offer coaching services to teach others.
Getting Started:
- Identify a topic you are knowledgeable about and that has market demand.
- Create high-quality course content using video, audio, and written materials with the help of learning management systems such as Moodle or LearnDash.
- Use Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams for conducting live coaching sessions.
- Use platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or your own website to host and sell your courses.
- Promote your courses through social media, email marketing, and partnerships.
Start-up Cost:
An online course instructor requires a moderate investment of around £500 to £5,000. It covers marketing, website setup, and teaching resources. The basic requirements include a computer and a strong internet connection.
Estimated Earning:
Online courses and coaching offer an estimated business earning of £900-£5.5k Per year.
For IT
17. App Development
App developers create mobile applications for business or personal use.
Getting Started:
- Learn programming languages and app development platforms.
- Create a portfolio showcasing your app development projects.
- Join freelance platforms or offer your services to businesses.
- Stay updated with the latest app development trends and technologies.
Start-up Cost:
Low to moderate that is around £200 to £3000. The main investment includes software licences, development tools and other necessary training or certifications.
Estimated Earning:
The average salary of an app developer in the UK is £34,162k per year and the salary of an entry-level candidate starts from £25k whereas an experienced earns up to £60000 per year.
18. Virtual Assistance
Virtual assistants provide administrative, technical, or creative support to businesses remotely.
Getting Started:
- Identify the services you can offer, such as email management, social media management, or data entry.
- Create a professional website and portfolio to showcase your skills.
- Join virtual assistant networks and platforms like Time Etc, Belay, or Zirtual.
- Market your services through social media and networking.
Start-up Cost:
Very low, £100-£500. The initial costs include a computer, internet connection and any software subscriptions.
Estimated Earning:
The annual full-time earnings range from £24k- £48k per year. Specialisation in areas such as social media management or bookkeeping earn more.
19. Social Media Management
Social media managers help businesses grow their online presence by managing their social media accounts.
Getting Started:
- Gain expertise in social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
- Create a portfolio showcasing your social media skills and past successes.
- Offer your services to small businesses or use freelance platforms to find clients.
- Use social media management tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to streamline your work.
Start-up Cost:
The start-up cost is low to moderate around £200 to £1000. The basic costs include software subscriptions, marketing materials and training courses.
Estimated Earning:
Social media managers earn £225-£400 per day based on experience and client needs. The full-time role offers £20k-£60k per year.
20. SEO Consulting
SEO consultants help businesses improve their website’s visibility on search engines through optimization techniques. This is how I started my online businesses to boom, built an agency (ClickDo) in London, earned money to start SeekaHost, and built the SeekaHost app to become one of the world’s best web hosting control panels.
Getting Started:
- Gain expertise in SEO practices, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.
- Create a website and portfolio to showcase your SEO skills and successes.
- Offer your services to small businesses or join freelance platforms to find clients.
- Keep up with the latest SEO trends and algorithm updates.
Start-up Cost:
The start-up cost is moderate, £600- £3,000. Initial costs include marketing materials, memberships and software subscriptions.
Estimated Earning:
An SEO specialist earns £20k-£40k per year whereas the entry-level gets £20k and the experienced candidates with proven track records get £40k and above.
Writers/Linguists/Journalists
21. Academic Writer
Each year thousands of college and university students write essays, research papers and dissertations. There is a profitable industry for professionals who help such students in writing their papers. This home-based business offers a decent return without stepping outside of your house.
Getting started:
- First, you need to select a domain such as literature, management, law, etc. for which you want to write.
- You must have excellent academic writing, grammar and spelling skills to prove yourself a highly paid writer.
- Create a strong portfolio and use different academic writing accounts like WriterBay, EssayShark, Writerslab etc.
Start-up Cost:
There is a basic investment for laptops, Internet costs, and software subscriptions such as Grammarly, Turnitin, and AI tools.
Estimated Earning:
An academic writer may earn up to £1500 per month and £72k-£96k per year depending upon the experience and complexity of the assignments.
22. Freelance Writing
Overview: Freelance writing involves writing content for businesses, blogs, magazines, or other publications in exchange for payment. Now, with AI and using ChatGPT, you can scale your freelance writing business much faster, even as a single-person business. Read this guide, where I explained the Top 5 ChatGPT SEO Content Writing Strategies for Reader-Friendly Blogs.
Getting Started:
- Should be able to write SEO-optimised content.
- Create a portfolio showcasing your writing skills and expertise.
- Join freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to find clients.
- Network with other writers and potential clients through social media and industry forums.
- Consistently produce high-quality work to build a strong reputation.
Start-up Cost:
The start-up cost is low to moderate £500-£3,000.
Estimated Earning:
As a freelancer, you can earn up to £16.67 per hour and £30k to £70k per year.
You can learn how to start a blog and write content daily, promote via social media (ideally paid) and reach out to UK business owners with business websites that need content creation and publishing. No matter how many AI writer tools there are, many business owners are too busy to use AI to create content and even publish it on their WordPress blogs. So you have a massive opportunity to earn money online as a freelance content writer.
23. Transcription Services
Transcriptionists convert audio or video recordings into written text.
Getting Started:
- Develop your typing and listening skills.
- Create a business plan.
- Join transcription platforms like Rev, TranscribeMe, or GoTranscript.
- Create a professional profile and complete sample tasks.
- Optimise cloud technology with cloud-based transcription tools to optimise workflow.
Start-up Cost:
Very low, you just need a computer and internet connection. The range is £50-100.
Estimated Earning:
£16 to £50 per hour depending on the difficulties. The annual income is £16k to £22k depending on the workload.
Conclusion
Starting an online business from home offers unparalleled flexibility and the potential for substantial income. Whether you choose to start an e-commerce store, engage in affiliate marketing, or offer freelance services, there are numerous opportunities to explore.
Utilise the resources and platforms mentioned in this guide to get started and grow your business.
For more in-depth information and support, visit my online business blog and consider enrolling in courses to further enhance your skills. With dedication and the right strategies, you can build a successful online business from the comfort of your home.
If you need support with getting started you can email me at SeekaHost, join us on social media or reach out via my IG, Facebook or YouTube. I wish you the best to earn a living doing something that you are passionate about while enjoying the best of your life in the UK.
If you want us to add a suggestion here based on your experience, please get in touch with us!
Author Profile
- Founder & CEO SeekaHost™ helping 100 million people get online with the most affordable domain names and web hosting services. Featured on Forbes, Entrepreneur, Reader Digest and many more publications.
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