More than 40 ideas for a low cost business

There are numerous ideas for a low cost business. Don’t be fooled into thinking your business idea need to be a world first! It doesn’t. Whatever your budget for getting your business off the ground use our ideas for budget business to get you thinking what you could do! We admit, some may not be very glamorous, but perhaps that’s exactly the point. By staying down to earth, you give yourself the best chance of success.

Accountant

Being a qualified accountant is a great opportunity to start your own business! The trick is to market yourself to appeal to your target market. Many accountants are simply too general in focus. Set yourself up to appeal to home run business or a sector you have interest in.

Cake or pastry baker

Have baking flair? Bake cakes and pastries for local deli’s and cafe’s. Be careful to make sure you comply with the relevant red tape!

Personal chef

Cook for special meals and celebrations. Cooking commercially from home means your kitchen will need to meet standards set down by your local council.

Handmade card business

The market is saturated by card makers who think this is an easy way to make money. Stay clear of ebay, and focus on branding and securing a key outlet.

CV writer

Maybe not every writers dream, but many people have no idea how to make the most of their experience. And with so many people out of work, your skills could be in demand. Set up a website to
market your ideas.

Candle maker

A viable home business. Test on friends and family before going commercial. Sell through your own website and promote your candles at craft fairs.

Blogger

As a rule of thumb only high traffic blogs make money! Experiment with different ways to monetise your blog. You can also get paid to write posts promoting products and services. There’s nothing to stop you running more than one blog!

Article writer

Some writing gigs pay peanuts! But you can build up experience using sites like Freelancer. If you have technical knowledge you’ll earn more.

Consultant

Had a career in business? Whether you’ve been a general manager or marketing guru you could set yourself up as a consultant to small businesses. Using your career track record gives you the edge.

Carpet cleaner

Carpet cleaning is a service that’s stood the test of time. Put your business card through letter boxes and contact estate and letting agents. Whether people are trying to sell their house or attract tenants, people realise cleaning the carpets is a good investment.

Furniture repairer

Think less about antiques and more about shabby chic. Bring old furniture into the 21st century or go for more straight forward repairs. You’ll need some room to store pieces.

Typing service

Everyone has a computer these days so why offer a typing service? Whether its a university project or a tenancy agreement you’d be surprised how many people need something professional typed. A small website should do the trick.

Pet sitter

If you have experience of looking after your own pets, why not look after other peoples? Not to be confused with house sitting. Pet sitters need a plausible CV and should be CRB checked. Get business cards printed up and leave them in local vets’ surgeries.

Window cleaner

This business is also about hard graft..in all weathers. But if you want to be your own boss and like the outdoors it could be for you. It can take a long time to build up a client base that will support you but perseverance pays off.

Seamstress

There is trend to “mend and make do”. Capitalise on this by offering a service adjusting ebay purchases, ball gowns, curtains, you name it. Fewer people have decent sewing skills these days.

Picture framer

You don’t need to buy an existing business to be a picture framer. You’ll need specialist skills and tools and it helps if you have an interest in a related area such as painting or photography. The best direction for a home business is to go upmarket to avoid competing with print shops.

Clothes designer

Have you been styling your own clothes for years? If you have talent and confidence create your own designs selling on etsy and ebay. Design with a particular market in mind i.e. over 40s and decide what your niche will be i.e. recyled fabric, silks etc

Ironing

Ironing businesses have stood the test of time. Promote your business by dropping leaflets or cards through letter boxes but pick your target area carefully. Streets of student flats are unlikely t yield results.

General home cleaner

Many cleaners get hacked off working for agencies. Why not start your own business? You can offer specialist services that agency staff aren’t trained for. Get cards printed and put them through letter boxes or contact related business.

Personal shopper

There’s more to personal shopping than you may think. It helps if you can leverage your social connections. Not sure where to start? Use a personal shopping service to get some insights. Traditionally a city based business your customers can be based anywhere.

Property finder

Interested in property? Already a landlord? Why not act as a property finder for other investors? There are many websites who claim to do this, but fewer people work with estate agents. Charge a % of the initial asking price.

Painter decorator

Many painter decorators get their business word of mouth – if they are good and well priced. You just need a couple of jobs to get started. Be prepared to offer advice on paints, colours and finishes.

Carpenter

More people are deciding to stay put rather than sell. A joiner or carpenter has the ability to transform a room adding storage or features. Get a card printed up and contact local decorators to get started.

Handyman services

If your good at DIY then this might be an opportunity for you. It’s tricky to get handymen interested in small jobs, so maybe there is an idea right there. Seriously, think about focusing on what types of customers or work you want. You will need a reasonable selection of tools.

Oven cleaner

You know the old saying where there is muck there is brass. This task is so hated that a number of specialists have sprung up. Could you be one?

Gardener / landscaper

Some gardening companies specialise in garden design. But you don’t have to. There regular work in harden tidy ups and clearances. Put cards through doors offering your services and speak to letting agents.

Proof reader/copy editor

Whether your skills are in proof reading or copy editing or both, not everyone who writes has these skills. Advertise your services on freelancing websites and create your own website!

Virtual assistant

Work for agencies or the The United Kingdom Association of virtual assistants can help give you pointers to starting your business. Choose from office and administration work or even It and programming.

Telephone answering service

Many small companies don’t have a full-time office staff yet realise they need more than an answering machine service. That’s where a telephone answering service comes in. If you’re good you’ll get work.

Tour guide

Live in a beautiful place you know well? Be a tour guide. You definitely don’t need an open top bus. Travel is now skewed towards offering an individual travel experience. Think of a niche or angle and advertise your services on independent travel forums. Get a leaflet printed up and get it into tourist offices.

Second hand/vintage clothes trader

You don’t need connections to start a vintage clothes or goods business but they definitely help! Create a business with personality and set up a Facebook page. Build up a local community of vintage lovers and offer your finds to them.

Jewellery maker

There are many niche jewellery businesses. Whether you like to work with beads, sea ceramics, or buttons! You can sell on etsy and ebay but develop a brand to keep your prices above a level where you can make money. Think of holding a jewellery part to get your friends marketing for you.

Dog walker

Dog walking has changed quite a bit over the years thanks in part to the Dangerous Dogs Act. Dog walkers earn more than you think because it’s not just about giving pets exercise but also about keeping dogs safe.
Put a business card in vets surgeries.

Website designer

It’s true that there are many free website builders now. But small businesses can benefit of more than an online business card. If you can offer basic SEO so much the better. Many website designers are self taught.

ebay business

It’s harder than you think to make money from an ebay business and it can so easily take up all the hours god sends. But it cand be done if you find the right product. Time spend up front doing that will pay dividends. Don’t think about setting up an ebay shop until you’re established.

Event or wedding planner

As anyone who has organised events will tell you the devil is in the detail. If you’ve not had any experience get a friend to let you organise an event for them. These days events are more creative than ever. It’s not just about the venue it’s about the experience.
Focus on one area. There’s a wide choice from children’s parties to engagement parties or even weddings.

Letting agent

Many letting agents work from home. If you’re already a landlord there’s nothing to stop you applying your know-how to other people’s properties and tenants. Network with landlords to find customers. You can do low-cost courses to get up to speed. These are often run by landlord membership associations or councils.

Courier

There are agencies offering work for couriers but there’s nothing to stop you setting up your own business. Focus on a sector or one route to get started.

Press release service

The web has transformed the distribution of press releases but distribution may not be cheap. Therefore it still makes sense of small companies to use a specialist. If you’ve worked in marketing or journalism this could be a business idea for you.

Photographer

There’s more to being a photographer these days than the traditional photography firm taking photos of wedding etc. You can specialise on photos for the online environment or a specific subject. Sell photos online and submit them to sites where people can buy and download digital photos.

Tutoring

You don’t need to be a teacher or ex teacher to start a tutoring business. Your choice of subject however will usually be your own degree topic. Your more likely to be tutoring children in their own home. Be CRB checked and get up to speed in your chosen curriculum. The easiest way into tutoring is if you have children at school already. You’re likely to have useful connections.

Home office services

Help people create their own home office buy helping them buy, and set up a home office. If your IT minded offer ongoing support too.

Interior designer

Got a flair for interiors? When you’re starting out your own home will be your calling card. Many interior designers get their work by word of mouth. Build up a portfolio to market online.