With the cost of living ever-rising and gig work becoming increasingly available, it seems that everyone has some sort of side business.
If you’re slogging away at your regular job and hoping to take on a passion project that pays, you’ve come to the right place. Once you come up with a suitable side business idea, you may need to create a standout business website.
If you’ve got the work ethic and drive to see your idea through, you might eventually be able to wave your boss goodbye and build your own business empire.
Here are some side business ideas to get you started.
Which is the best side business to start?
11. House sitting
17. Blogging
28. Food delivery
31. SEO consultancy
01. Freelance writing or content creation
Freelance writing is an excellent side business idea if you have a background in content or editorial (although it’s not strictly required). If you have the skills, you can run this side business from just about anywhere at anytime - which is also what makes it a viable weekend side hustle too.
A quick online search will return various job opportunities for freelance writers, including copywriting, editing, proofreading and ghostwriting.
So, how do you get your first writing side gig?
Pitch stories to publications and monitor freelance writing job boards, such as Pro Blogger. Another way to get your writing side business off the ground is by creating a freelance website.
Take some time to learn how to make money with artificial intelligence (AI), too: With a bit of know-how, you can use today’s AI tools to scale and diversify your work.
02. Social media management
Consider yourself a social media whiz? Instead of spending your spare time scrolling through your accounts with nothing to show for it, think about earning some extra income from your social chops.
Almost every business out there has a social media presence but business owners often lack the time or know-how to get the most out of their social media accounts. That’s where you come in.
Learn more: Automated business ideas
To be a good social media manager, you’ll need to develop a social media strategy, create content (text, images and video), create and manage content calendars, handle community engagement and monitor analytics. You’ll also need to stay in the know about new social channels, like Meta’s Threads.
Learn more: How to start a marketing business
03. Graphic design and branding
If you have a sharp aesthetic sense, graphic design could be a great way to earn some extra cash. Graphic designers have a wide range of opportunities available, including creating logos, branding materials and marketing collateral for businesses of all sizes. You can also explore opportunities in web design, UI/UX design and social media graphics, helping clients establish a strong online presence.
If you need to hone your design skills, take some in-person or online design courses to give you that extra edge. Once you have some graphic design samples—whether you’ve made them for money or as a hobby—create a portfolio to showcase them and source potential customers.
04. Tutoring or teaching online courses
Love teaching or have specialized knowledge on a certain topic? Selling online courses can be a fantastic way to start your own business. With online tutoring, you can even impart knowledge without leaving the comfort of your bedroom.
You can sell your courses on your site using Wix Bookings or use one of the many easy-to-use learning marketplaces. For a wider reach, Udemy allows instructors to build online courses on topics like business, fitness and technology.
Learn more:
05. Professional photography
Everyone’s a photographer these days, what with our smartphones always at the ready. But a qualified photographer still brings a certain expertise to the frame, and that’s what people and businesses are willing to pay for.
Photographer Will Pohlman (a.k.a. Will Photo) has carved out a niche: still and video shots of pricey sports cars and motorcycles. His sleek, image-heavy and text-light Wix site showcases his work without having to explain too much.
If you don’t want to deal with shipping logistics, explore other business models, like selling photographs as digital products.
06. Selling handmade crafts and products
If you have a knack for anything crafty, like painting, knitting or woodworking, you’ll love this business idea.
Once you have the skills and equipment to succeed, start selling from your Wix website, an eCommerce marketplace like Etsy or via freelance gig sites like Fiverr.
As long as you make high-quality products that people want (think eco-friendly products), you can have fun while making extra money from this side hustle, which also works as a small-town business idea.
07. Event planning and coordination
Everyone loves an event to remember, and someone needs to plan them. If you’re known for throwing great parties, this could be a lucrative side business idea for you to break into entrepreneurship.
Once you’ve researched what you’ll need (e.g., budgeting, sourcing venues and dealing with vendors), build an events-related website.
For inspiration, check out K Hazel Designs’ elegant website featuring wedding, party and corporate event planning services.
08. Rental services for space, equipment, party supplies or furniture
Newborn? New job? There’s always something to celebrate. But parties need supplies and, therefore, suppliers—which is where you come in.
There may be some startup costs if you don’t already own the necessary items, but once you get started, this side business idea keeps the party going and the money coming.
09. Home or office cleaning/organizing
Do you have a skill set suited to clearing clutter and keeping only things that spark joy? Think about becoming a professional home organizer and turning your passion into a profitable business.
You can help clients organize and label their items, form long-term plans for staying organized and finally get rid of their unnecessary junk.
This side business idea can be highly rewarding for the right person, so don’t clear it from your pile just yet.
10. Pet sitting and dog walking
Becoming a pet sitter and dog walker is arguably one of the most fun ways to start a business. Do it right, and it won’t even feel like work.
To kick off this online business idea, get ready to launch your own website to showcase your puppy petting prowess.
Looking to start a dog walking business? Check out our guide.
11. House sitting
Want to explore another part of the world without shelling out for subpar accommodations? Connect with homeowners on house-sitting platforms like Trusted House Sitters.
As a side business idea, house sitting isn’t the most lucrative—you may only get non-monetary benefits, like free accommodations. However, it can be a perfect plan for remote workers looking for cost savings.
Once you get a few house-sitting sessions under your belt (and those all-important referrals), think about creating a website for your services.
Montana-based Pets & Plants offers not only pet sitting, dog walking and overnight pet care but also house sitting to water those finicky ferns or pick up the mail. In addition, owner Mary Augustine runs a blog to make her site more personal and engaging.
12. Translation services
No matter how you came to learn it, a foreign language is a highly marketable asset in this globalized world.
Language skills matched with specialized knowledge can also be lucrative (think English-Chinese translator who understands civil engineering), as long as those specialized clients can find you.
13. Baking and selling homemade goods
Want to make good use of that sourdough starter in your fridge? Starting your own home bakery is a great side business idea that lets you do what you love—it’s called the passion economy for a reason.
You could also start a personal chef business where you whip up customized meals for busy folks who don’t have time to spend preparing meals themselves.
You’ll need solid culinary skills and the drive to market your business. To ensure your business is above board, check your jurisdiction’s cottage food laws and food handler permit requirements for your chosen side gig.
Learn more:
14. Landscaping and gardening
If you want less screen time and more sunshine, consider a side business idea that opens you up to the great outdoors.
Landscaping, gardening and lawn care are solid options for anyone with a skill and passion for plants. If you’re brand new to landscaping, you may wish to consider an apprenticeship first. Regardless, you may want to work for a stint at an existing landscaping business before striking out on your own.
15. Fitness coaching, personal training, yoga and wellness
Have experience or passion in the fitness space? Turn it into a side hustle idea. But be warned: You’ll need more than a great figure to attract potential clients.
You should get certified, build a social media following (you could double up as a fitness influencer on TikTok) and create a killer website that helps with the heavy lifting.
Get inspired by businesses like TKO Yoga & Fitness, Power of 3 Wellness and Head-to-Toe Training, which offer customers that personal attention they’re willing to pay for.
16. Personal styling and fashion consulting
Are you the type whose friends always ask for fashion advice? Now’s the time to stop giving out that advice for free and become an entrepreneur.
There’s no need for a college degree or extensive fashion experience to become an in-person or virtual/online stylist.
A sharp eye, impeccable taste and a finger on the fashion pulse will suffice. You’ll want to build your customer base by networking with industry professionals, offering pro bono services to gain experience and creating a professional portfolio showcasing your work.
Learn more:
17. Blogging
Not ready to quit your full-time job to pursue your dream of writing a novel? A blog can help you get your thoughts across in your free time, and there may even be some passive income in it for you.
The variety of blogs is seemingly endless. There are food blogs, tech blogs, money blogs and even blogs about blogging.
It can take a while to become profitable but blogs have become a good earner for many people worldwide. Linking to affiliate products, partnering with brands and running ads are some ways to hit that blogging bonanza.
18. Social media influencing
Everyone wants to be an influencer these days, but it’s not all about fame. Even those with a comparatively modest following in a specific area—call them micro-influencers or nano-influencers—can translate that clout into income on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
According to Sarah Adam, Head of Marketing Partnerships and Influencer Marketing at Wix Studio,
“New influencers are joining the industry all the time, alongside brands, agencies and tech companies trying to improve the way to work within the industry. I believe the way in which brands work with influencers today is going to change, and evolve for the better in the future. As long as brands can adjust to that and ride that wave, they will be doing amazing things.”
There are many ways to turn that hard-earned influence into inflow. Once you build a following, try your hand at offering advertisements, premium subscriptions, sponsored content or brand partnerships.
19. Car washing and detailing
There are an estimated 278 million registered cars in the United States alone, and someone needs to keep them shiny and fresh.
The old “wash and wax” is just the beginning. From interior to exterior, floor mats to rims, a beloved ride needs love and attention to stay ship-shape. Check out businesses like Paramount Detail for ideas on turning your geeky gearhead know-how into a tidy payday.
Want to start a car wash business? Learn more from our complete guide.
20. Airbnb hosting or vacation rental management
Renting out a property can be more than a side business. Among the many passive income ideas out there, this is perhaps the one most likely to turn into a main source of income.
Even if you don’t have the money to invest in an Airbnb property, you can rent out part of your own home—maybe a spare bedroom, driveway or even a backyard shed.
21. Conducting language courses
Whether you’re a polyglot or just love the English language, hosting a language course is a great side business idea. Your language course can be conducted through one-on-one sessions, on a language learning platform or even through a podcast.
If you prefer to offer a face-to-face course, make sure you have a quiet environment for hosting, with all the necessary equipment to help students succeed. To attract potential students, post some example language learning content on your YouTube channel.
22. Usability testing
A part of user experience (UX) research, usability testing involves using a website or application and sharing your experience. Essentially, you’re getting paid to browse and give feedback.
Depending on the company you use, you might be expected to answer surveys, have your work recorded (screen, audio or video) or chat live with the customer having their website or app tested.
One platform that offers usability testing work as a side hustle is UserTesting. As long as you have a computer or smartphone that meets the requirements and a microphone—and you pass the company’s practice test—you can earn money and get paid through PayPal.
Bear in mind that you’ll probably need some patience to wait for work, and consistent hours aren’t guaranteed.
23. Starting a dropshipping business
If you want to run an eCommerce store, dropshipping is a great side business idea to get started at a low cost.
Today, you don’t need to purchase, manufacture, store or ship a product to sell it through an online store. You can leave a lot of the logistics work to your supplier and focus on tasks like digital marketing and selecting products to sell.
Depending on your interests and consumer demand, you could dropship personal care products, phone accessories, clothing or pet supplies, all without touching a physical product. That said, you should personally test any product you plan to dropship.
Sound like a great fit for you? Read our guide on how to start a dropshipping business.
24. Virtual assistant
According to job site Indeed, the average salary for a virtual assistant in the United States is $26.33 per hour. Depending on your niche, skills and availability (e.g., part-time), you might be able to earn more than this as a side hustle.
Virtual assistants help out with tasks such as:
Admin
Bookkeeping
Customer service
To bring this side business idea (or new day job) to fruition, check out job websites (e.g., Indeed or Monster), social media (e.g., LinkedIn) and freelancing platforms (e.g., Upwork).
Learn more: How to start a virtual assistant business
25. Affiliate marketing
If you’re looking for a low-risk way to generate some income with minimal upfront costs, give affiliate marketing some thought. Essentially, you promote a company’s products or services through ads, email marketing and other means. Then, you could get some money back based on sales, clicks or leads.
So, what can you expect to earn? A good affiliate commission rate could be from 5% to 30%. If you do a quick search, you’ll find many affiliate programs from well-known companies, such as Amazon Associates and the Wix Affiliate Program.
26. Open a thrift store for secondhand clothes and items
Are you fashion-conscious with a keen eye for a bargain? If you haven’t considered reselling pre-loved clothes as a side business idea, it’s time to start.
At the very least, you’ll need:
Some funds to started
A source of used clothes
Some storage space
If you can’t commit the money and time to opening a brick-and-mortar thrift store, you can sell online (e.g., eBay) or set up a stall at in-person events like flea markets.
27. Transportation service provider
Want to choose your own hours while helping people get to their destination? Ridesharing can put you in the driver’s seat (literally).
According to Bloomberg Second Measure, Uber accounted for 76% of U.S. rideshare spending in March 2024, so it’ll probably be your first choice (with Lyft a close second).
You’ll need:
A driver’s license
Driving experience (variable)
Insurance
A background check
A vehicle that meets the rideshare company’s requirements
28. Food delivery
This gig economy staple is perfect for people who love driving but don’t like making small talk with passengers. Let’s face it: A box of pizza in your backseat smells great and doesn’t complain about traffic, the weather or rising costs.
Popular food delivery apps you should consider include Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes and Grubhub.
One benefit of food delivery is that it has fewer barriers to entry than ridesharing. For example, the vehicle and driver requirements are less stringent, and the work can be done from a car, scooter or bicycle.
29. Professional life or career coach
If you’re looking for a side business idea that could make a real difference in people’s lives, life or career coaching could be for you.
Instead of teaching people what to do, you’re equipping them with strategies and tools they need to succeed on their own.
Life coaching and career coaching are not officially regulated fields, meaning there are no formal legal requirements to get started. However, to practice ethically, you should have a certification in your coaching specialty and expertise to impart to your clients.
Learn more:
30. Becoming a doula or holistic health consultant
Becoming a midwife isn’t really a side business. It’s a full-time commitment that takes years of education and training. If the midwifery career train has passed you by but you hold some regret, think about becoming a doula.
Unlike midwives, doulas generally don’t need training certification (although the requirements may differ by country or state). That said, it’s a good idea to get certified so you can prove your commitment and provide the best experience possible to parents during the prenatal, birth and postpartum stages, like the owners of ATX Doulas.
Similarly, if you have some specialized knowledge of holistic health, you can convert your passion to cash while helping people improve their overall well-being.
31. SEO consultancy
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a high-demand skill that can pay up to $250 per hour. If you have work experience in SEO or you’re eager to learn the tricks of the trade, then look into SEO as a side business idea.
At the very least, you’ll need a computer, an above-basic understanding of SEO and some free or paid SEO tools. To stand out from the competitive crowd online, approach local businesses in your area to see if you can help them out.
Learn more:
32. Technical repairs
Get a thrill from fixing your devices? Experience this thrill again and again while getting paid. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for computer repairs in the U.S. is $23 per hour.
If you start your own small business and market your services through a social media page or your website, you could choose your own hours and prevent mountains of electronic waste. Another option is to buy broken devices, fix them and sell them for a profit.
Side business ideas FAQ
How much tax should I expect to pay for my side business?
In the United States, the self-employment tax rate is currently 15.3%. Depending on your particular side business, you may have other tax responsibilities, like collecting sales tax.
You may be able to reduce your tax burden by claiming relief on business-related purchases (e.g., equipment and bills).