Starting a business may seem like a herculean task. But the business idea you select determines the time, effort and money involved. There are in fact several low investment business ideas that you can get started online with minimum upfront costs. Ecommerce sales are growing in India every year by 51%, so clearly, an online business makes business sense.

An online business allows you to circumvent a lot of traditional startup costs. However, there are no short cuts to success. It would help if you still had a strong idea, brand building and marketing efforts and stellar customer service.

Presenting five low investment online business ideas.

1. Sell a service

Writers, designers, developers, fitness trainers, photographers and more can monetise their skills online. With services-based businesses, you need to realise that your skill and time is your greatest asset.

If you choose a skill you already know and have the tools to do it, you have to create an online store and find clients. You can also couple your service-based business with bespoke physical products. A photographer, for instance, can sell prints or merchandise with photographs.

Also read: You are 5 steps away from setting up your online store with GlobalLinker’s eCommerce platform

2. Design and sell printed stuff

This business works well with the drop-shipping model. Drop-shipping is a method in which the retailer does not keep goods in stock. Instead, it transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer, another retailer, or a wholesaler, who then ships the goods directly to the customer.  Thanks to this model and high demand for printed stationery, clothes, accessories, you can sell all kinds of printed stuff without any difficulty. You can sell three types of printed supplies in this segment:

• Generic products: This includes the already available inventory of your suppliers. Get in touch with suppliers/manufacturers/wholesalers for ready-made supplies of products.
• Exclusive products: You can create exclusive designs of your own and have the suppliers make them.
• Print-on-demand products: Your customers can share their own designs, which you could forward to the suppliers/manufacturers/wholesalers to fulfil on-demand accordingly.
  
  

3. Freelance writer

With the growth of content marketing, online writers have a host of opportunities. Several online activities involve writing in one way or another.

As a gifted writer, you can write content for websites, magazines, blog posts, editorials, etc.

To jumpstart your career, a website with your range of work will be vital as people will want to see your writing style and the different mediums you write for. Beyond being a writer, you could also offer editing services.

Also read: Power of content: How to generate traffic to your eStore using content

4. Create an online fashion store

If you a knack for fashion, it makes sense to sell your clothes online rather than investing heavily in a brick and mortar store. With the rise of social media marketing (especially Instagram marketing), you can have a strong clientele for your unique brand of clothes. Become a trendsetter by building a strong social media following.

5. Sell handcrafted and homemade goods

Suppose you are into making yummy food items, soaps, candles or even pottery. In that case, an online business allows you to sell directly to your customers without the bane of middlemen. Be mindful of any regulations in your product category, especially if it is perishable items.

GlobalLinker’s eCommerce platform (Linker.store) allows you to make an online store for free in 5 simple steps. What’s more, it offers:

• Custom domains
• Customisable templates & themes
• Secure payment gateway
• Inventory management
• Logistics support

More than 20,000 SMEs have already created their online store for free with Linker.store—India’s only feature packed eCommerce eco-system that is free to use. It’s time to explore the hassle-free experience of starting an online business and building your brand identity…free of cost.

Also read: How to drive more traffic to your eCommerce store

Image source: shutterstock.com