Are you looking to supplement your income with a side hustle that requires minimal startup cost? Thanks to the broad coverage of internet services today, anyone can now start up and advertise their small business free of charge.
One of the best ways to start up a business is to identify what topics you are passionate about. A hobby that brings you some income is very fulfilling. Let’s look at some profitable small business ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs without further ado.

Small Business Ideas for 2023

What are some profitable small business ideas to start in 2023? Let’s explore how to make 2023 a profitable year through these low-budget side hustles.

1. Social media management for businesses

Social media is now a staple source of information, entertainment, and shopping for people worldwide. A great small business idea would be to manage social media accounts for influencers and other businesses.
Social media managers are in high demand in 2023. With a smartphone and an internet connection, you can effectively become a social media manager, especially with the right training.
If you own and manage your social media account, you already have the required appropriate experience.

2. Content writing

Another excellent small business idea to consider is content writing for businesses online. Do you have a passion for writing? If you were praised for your essays in school, you already have a foundation to start content writing.
There are various forms of content writing out there; all you have to do is experiment and figure out which works best for you. Here are some examples of content writing services:
Blog posts
Email marketing copy
Ad copy
Social media copy
Case studies
Video scripts

3. Personal training or fitness coaching

The coaching industry is growing rapidly in 2023. Personal trainers and fitness coaching are in high demand in this age where people are prioritising their health and well-being.
If you are passionate about going to the gym, doing home workouts, Zumba, dancing, or yoga, you can instruct others.
And now, thanks to social media, you can advertise your services at no extra cost. If you consistently post videos of yourself working out professionally, your clients will come to you without any extra invitation.

4. Pet grooming or pet sitting service

People nowadays are obsessed with their furry children. They want to offer the utmost care and attention, whether through having someone watch their pets while they are away or by offering spa services for their pets.
If you are an animal lover, you can set up a small business that focuses on grooming pets for a fee. Services like dog walking are in high demand, especially with many people importing foreign dog breeds.

5. House cleaning or organising service

House cleaning is a budget-friendly way to make more money at no added cost. Many people are interested in getting someone to clean their houses for them due to their busy schedules.
A professional house cleaning agency might be the one business idea that brings you profits in 2023.

6. Handmade crafts or jewellery business

There is a whole demographic of people clamouring to handmade jewellery and crafts in 2023.
With the advent of AI, people are trying to find ways to connect with authentic human creativity. Handmade jewellery offers a personal touch. Jewellery is always popular, no matter the age group.

7. Meal prep or catering service

At-home catering is an excellent small business idea, especially if you have a passion for cooking and entertaining. It involves preparing and delivering delicious meals to clients in the comfort of their own homes, either for special occasions, events, or everyday meals.
At-home catering allows you to work from the comfort of your own home. A popular food business could be baking cakes, juicing, and other snacks. You can receive orders by asking friends and family to share your business on their social media.

8. Event planning or coordination

This type of small business involves helping clients plan and execute various types of events, such as weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, and private parties.
One of the advantages of starting an event planning business is that there is a high demand for this service, as people are often too busy to plan and organise events on their own.
To start an event planning business, you will need to have excellent communication and project management skills, as well as the ability to manage budgets, negotiate with vendors, and handle unexpected issues that may arise during an event.

9. Graphic design or branding service

If you have a passion for art and graphic design, you might want to consider starting it as a side hustle. Every business needs a logo and marketing materials to present to its clients. Graphic design is a skill that few people possess.
Using skills like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premier Pro can help you land some high-profile clients. Be sure to create an excellent portfolio or post your work on sites like Behance and Dribbble.

10. Mobile car detailing service

Do you have a passion for cars? Mobile care detailing involves providing car detailing services to clients, such as cleaning and polishing the exterior and interior of the vehicle, waxing and buffing the paint, and more.
People who are passionate about their cars will be interested in keeping their vehicles looking clean and well-maintained. To start a mobile car detailing service, you will need to have a strong understanding of car detailing tasks.

11. Home repair or handyman service

Most people today couldn’t fix a broken tap to save their life. This is why services like plumbing, carpentry, and electrician services are a vital part of our lives. If you are good at fixing things with your hands, you might want to consider marketing your skills on social media

12. Photography or videography service

Photography or videography service is a great business idea if you have creative talent and a passion for visual storytelling.
This business involves providing clients with a range of services related to photography or videography, such as event coverage, portrait photography, product photography, and video production.

13. Blogging or content creation

Did you know that you can make money online by writing about things that interest you? For example, a recipe blog featuring your family recipes can bring you money if you apply for affiliate ads.

14. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a self-employed professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely, usually from their home office.
As a virtual assistant, your duties may involve managing emails, scheduling appointments, managing social media accounts, conducting research, handling customer service inquiries, and more.

15. Virtual bookkeeping or accounting service

If you have a background in accounting or finance and a talent for managing financial records, this business idea is perfect for you.
This business involves providing clients with a range of services related to bookkeeping and accounting, such as managing financial records, preparing financial statements, and handling tax filings.

16. Airbnb or guest house renting

Do you own property and want to make money from it? Consider signing up for Airbnb and putting your property up for short-term renting.
Airbnb is an online platform that allows individuals to list their properties, such as apartments, homes, and rooms, for short-term rental to travellers.
By renting out your property to travellers, you can earn a significant amount of money, especially during peak travel seasons.

17. Mobile app or web development

Of all the ideas in this list, mobile and web development has the potential to bring in the most income. Mobile apps are in high demand as the world becomes increasingly digitised.
This business involves providing clients with a range of services related to mobile and web application development, such as building custom software, designing user interfaces, and developing websites and mobile apps.
To start a mobile and web development business, you will need to have strong technical skills in programming languages and software development tools, as well as experience in designing and building software.

18. Personal shopping or styling service

Working as a personal shopper is a profitable small business idea. People can’t go out and source their favourite fashion items on their own for a variety of reasons. As a personal shopper, you will perform errands for high-profile clients who have busy schedules.

19. Language translation or interpretation service

Are you a fan of Duolingo? Maybe you have learned another language online and have become proficient in speaking. Language translation might be a great small business idea for you.
This business involves providing clients with translation or interpretation services for a range of purposes, including business documents, marketing materials, legal documents, and more.

20. Social media influencer or affiliate marketing

Saving the best for last – social media influencing is one of the most lucrative forms of earning income in 2023. As an influencer, you need confidence standing in front of a camera. Posting consistently helps you establish a connection with your followers.
However, influencing does not necessarily require you to show every detail of your life. You can consider posting UGC or User Generated Content as well. This type of content allows you to display your photography skills with items sent from brands.

Over to You

Thanks to smartphones and the internet, there are many lucrative small business ideas to choose from in 2023. Whether you are passionate about writing, baking, or photography, you can convert these hobbies into a money-making scheme.
You could start your business from scratch and learn everything on your own from the ground up. Or, you could consider working with a digital marketing agency to get the word out about your business.
This way, you can focus on perfecting your work while they take care of the marketing for you.