67 Small Business Ideas to Start in the UK

If you’ve always dreamed of running your own business but you could never quite settle on an idea that aligns with your interests and budget, this post is for you. Below, we’ve curated more than 70 small business ideas which can be quick to launch and budget-friendly.

In our list, you’ll discover everything from tradesman businesses and eateries to online marketing, IT and home care. Stick around to find out which one aligns most with your entrepreneurial aspirations. Let’s begin.

How to Choose the Best Small Business Idea

The best business ideas often start out small and have a small budget. But apart from the low startup costs, what else should you consider when picking the best business idea for you?

A few important factors that you should have at the forefront of your mind include:

• Your skills
• Your goals
• Your target market
• The location of the business (will it be physical or online?)
• How many people will you need to run it?
• Is it a low or medium-risk venture?
• And is it something you’re passionate about?

Ideally, you’ll want to consider the following best small business ideas based on these considerations. You should be willing to spend time and effort on building your business from the ground up. And also, you’ll want to embark on a continuous learning journey as you arm yourself with research and information to make the best choice for you.

67 Best Small Business Ideas

The best small business idea doesn’t have to mean reinventing the wheel. In fact, it can be something close to your heart and skill set and involve what you are already good at doing. Below, you’ll find a list of over 70 such ideas to help you brainstorm the perfect one for you. And to kick-off the list, we start with small tradesman businesses.

Small tradesman businesses

There are excellent opportunities in the UK for small tradesman businesses. Take a look at some of the options you can choose from, based on your skills.

1. Handyman

Handymen are renowned for their ability to fix big and small problems around the home. From leaking pipes to painting a wall or even hanging up your new television, they’re problem solvers. The good news is that it’s the perfect opportunity to monetize your skills.

And even better — you don’t need a lot of startup capital. At the outset, you’ll need to purchase critical tools and ensure that you have the right type of van to transport you from customer to customer as you’ll be doing jobs in their homes. Later on, you can invest in a branded van and some local advertising.

Some aspects that can set you apart from the competition include offering eco-friendly services, such as energy-efficient electrofitting or using sustainable materials.

Some other good news regarding a handyman business is that the industry is often neglected by larger contractors going after the big jobs. So, you have the perfect opportunity to capitalise on a low-risk, low startup cost business if your skills allow for it. 

2. Gardener

Whether you have experience in gardening and landscaping or you’re simply green fingered and enjoy working outdoors, you can become a local gardener. This can include jobs such as lawn mowing, hedge trimming, planting and pruning plants and even herbs and vegetables, leaf blowing and a whole lot more.

Irrespective of whether you choose to work for small private clients at their homes or you choose bigger clients such as taking care of school grounds or public parks, there’s money to be made here.

That’s because gardening is a type of business that does not require a lot of expensive equipment to begin with. You’ll need shears, hedge trimmers, a lawn mower and a few other essentials as well as a van to carry everything in. 

Be aware that it can be a seasonal job as there’s greater demand for garden services in the warmer months. However, if you arrange your schedule and clientele appropriately, you’ll have work all year round for your gardening and landscaping business.

3. Moving services

Moving services will always be in demand and your biggest expense at the beginning will be investing in a van or moving truck. You’ll also need a few helpers to assist your clients to move from one home to the next with efficiency and speed. 

Luckily, you don’t need prior experience in moving to start your own moving business. And it’s not just about moving. You can also offer ancillary services such as packing with eco-friendly and recyclable materials as an option to ensure you stand out from your competitors.

Once word gets out about your smooth and efficient services, you can start investing in a website and focus on more targeted marketing efforts to boost your clientele’s size. This type of service is required all year round and isn’t seasonal, which means you’ll always be able to put bread and butter on the table.

4. Window cleaner

Another example of a great business idea with little to no prior experience required is window cleaning. You can do so for domestic or business clients who are looking to freshen up their windows and create a clean and bright space.

Today, window cleaning can be performed with special pipes that have nozzles to distribute water and detergents to windows that are high up. They also offer streak-free cleaning, leaving behind a dazzling result.

For your low startup cost window cleaning business, this is equipment you’ll want to invest in, along with a van to ensure that your equipment travels with you. A vehicle wrap with your business details and logo can be done at a later stage as word gets out about your good performance.

5. Gutter cleaner

Next up, we have gutter cleaning. With the changing seasons, and windy and rainy weather in the UK, gutters can quickly get clogged up with leaves and debris. This means that proper drainage from the roof can be obstructed, resulting in water puddles, accumulated gunk, blocked gutters and more.

This is where you as an expert gutter cleaner can shine with your professional service. In our modern age, technology is advancing quickly and this means you can offer streamlined solutions to your customers.

An example of this is gutter cleaning which has a camera attached at the end of the pole to show the cleaner on the first floor what kind of gutter damage there currently is. Once the causes and obstructions have been identified, you as the gutter cleaner gets to work and ensures smooth drainage along the property’s sides and roof.

6. Home cleaner

With people’s hectic schedules, the last thing they want to do at the end of a work week is focus on chores such as cleaning. That’s where you come in as an expert home cleaner who looks after domestic clients’ homes and keeps them sparkling and tidy.

Home cleaning can involve a range of related services such as carpet cleaning, ironing and washing, dry cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, taking out the rubbish, tidying up and a whole lot more. Basically, you’ll be capitalising on something no one wants to or has the time to do with a professional home cleaning service that delivers exceptional results.

More good news coming up: the cost of starting a home cleaning business are considerably low. You’ll invest in cleaning equipment and detergents (possibly pet and child friendly or eco-friendly) and ensure you have a vehicle to transport your equipment from home to home.

These types of cleaning businesses can grow fast and you should also be prepared to bring a team on board to ensure you cater to high demand.

7. Plumber

Plumbers are the people we call for everything from a leaking tap to the installation of a new shower or bath in our homes. And with the UK’s ageing piping infrastructure and increased urban development, there’s high demand for plumbers across the country. 

These individuals deal with everything from installation, repair and maintenance of water systems to drainage and sanitary installations. An added edge you could give your business is to specialise in eco-friendly solutions such as water-saving installations and rainwater harvesting systems.

Another area where you could do well is offering 24/7 availability for emergency services at premium prices. In addition to all this, you can offer both domestic and commercial services for building maintenance or real estate developments to broaden your client base.

Most small plumbing businesses require little startup costs for materials and essential equipment, as well as a van to get from point A to B. You could invest in marketing later on as your business grows, building your own website and creating a local business presence.

8. Roofer

If you have the skills of a roofer and you’ve always dreamed of being a small business owner, a good small business idea is to become a professional and offer your services to the public.

There are many good reasons to become a roofer, including low startup costs, constant demand and the fact that this is a low- to medium-risk business idea that you don’t need an office for. 

Since you’ll be performing jobs at your clients’ homes, you only need the essential equipment, a van or mode of transport and a bit of marketing collateral such as brochures, leaflets or flyers and some business cards at the beginning.

You may need to take on one or two helpers to assist you with the job of fixing roofs or installing roofing materials on domestic and commercial properties. 

9. Electrician

Another good business idea to start in the tradesman category is to work as an electrician. These professionals are in high demand as they deal with the risky aspects of ensuring your lighting and electrical connections work in a safe manner at all times.

Demand for electricians is always high and the investment range for starting a business if you’re well skilled is quite low. You’ll need to register your business and provide certifications that you know how to handle electrical appliances, their wiring and a host of connected potential problems.

As an electrician, you could work individually or alongside a team of several people, bringing your service to local residents. You can charge on a per hour or per job basis, depending on the nature of the work, to ensure that you can make a secure profit from your efforts.

10. Carpenter

Carpenters know their way around wood like no one else. These people are masters of turning boring planks into exciting, novel and modern pieces of furniture. From creating your kitchen to your wall unit in the living room or even beds, desks, shelves and more, the work of a carpenter will always be in high demand.

Unlike most of the trades business ideas mentioned so far, a carpenter will need to ensure that they have the right types and quantities of wood materials to get the job done. They often work according to customer designs and specifications, which can be both commercial and domestic ones.

For this reason, your startup costs are expected to be in the medium range not only because of the materials you’ll need to pre-purchase but also because you’ll need premises from which to work, the right equipment, and the right mode of transport to bring the finished goods to your clients’ property and then install them.

Carpentry businesses generally require more marketing than mere word-of-mouth referrals, although these also work. In a sense, you’ll also need to invest in marketing and promoting your business services online and this can add to your overall startup cost, while remaining in the low- to mid-investment range.

11. Painter and decorator

If you’re looking to invest in a healthy business idea, you could offer painting and decorating services to people who are looking to spruce up their homes. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to give a home a new and inviting look. And if you combine your painting skills with your interior decorating abilities, you have a recipe for success.

This business can be run from the comfort of your own home, unless you would like to have an office or showroom to showcase ideas and successful projects. In addition, for decorating, you’ll need to be able to work with your clients’ budgets and preferences to ensure a stunning final result.

Apart from renting premises (which is not compulsory as you can have an online portfolio showcasing your work), you should also heavily invest in marketing your business to the members of your community. Since this may be considered a luxury service, it’s a good idea to market your brand well as an affordable service provider that’s accessible to a wider clientele.

Depending on your marketing and potential premises cost, this business can entail startup costs in the medium range accompanied by a medium level of risk. However, diversifying your offering by offering both painting and decorating should offset that risk and give you more income streams to enjoy.

12. HVAC technician

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning is a major part of life. While winters can get bitter cold, summers can get unbearably hot, resulting in the need for a well-functioning heating and cooling system that’s found in many modern homes.

As an HVAC technician, you’ll almost never run out of work as this is not considered a seasonal business. Instead, you can enjoy work all year round as air cons break or malfunction just when people need them to work the most.

Becoming your own boss as an HVAC technician is a good small business idea because you don’t need to rent premises to operate from. You simply need a branded van that exposes your business and brand to the public eye as you travel from home to home fixing faulty HVAC systems.

Like other trades jobs, you can charge per hour or per job completed to ensure that you cover your expenses and earn a tidy profit after those are accounted for. Make sure to invest in local marketing and have a dedicated website and contact number to make your business easily discoverable online. 

Small food and beverage businesses

Moving on from trades businesses, we shift gears and head over to the foodie world. If you’re someone with a passion for cooking up a storm, the following small businesses are ideas definitely worth considering.

13. Small restaurant

There’s a lot of potential in opening a small restaurant. You can draw in a niche clientele with your unique offering and food concept. This type of business necessarily requires physical premises that you’ll either need to buy or rent. But with a profit margin ranging from 3% to 15%, you could build a profitable and successful business. 

The investment costs for this type of business will be in the medium range because of the related expenses. Apart from the premises, you’ll need to kit out your dining and kitchen areas. You’ll also need to secure licences for serving food and alcohol (if you choose) and even playing music. Insurance will be a must, both for your staff and your patrons. Other costs will include the costs of the food stock you’ll always need on hand to prepare fresh dishes.

Ideal for those who’ve always loved entertaining and creating amazing dishes, you’ll need to think about hiring a chef, waiters, cleaning staff, etc. There are also utility costs to bear in mind.

14. Street food

If you don’t have the funds to start a small restaurant from the outset, you can always start by offering street food. Food truck businesses are becoming increasingly popular, especially in high-street areas that gain a lot of foot traffic.

The cost of starting a street food stall or food truck will greatly depend on your food concept. You’ll first need to think about the type of food offering that you will create for your clientele, price it accordingly and get the right equipment on board your van or food truck to ensure a seamless and quick eating experience.

To be as thoroughly prepared as possible as a food truck owner, get access to electricity or gas and water to ensure no interruptions to your cooking process. Be sure to invest in fresh ingredients and don’t leave out your business registration, insurance, and licence costs that go with the package.

15. Bar

Opening a bar can be a great small business to start as you serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to your patrons. These venues are often a great attraction because of their ambiance, which is created by the decor and the music.

For the latter, you’ll need a music licence. And it goes without saying that you’ll need a licence to serve alcohol. Your bar doesn’t need to be large but it needs premises nonetheless. This is an additional cost to consider among all other costs of opening a bar.

Something else you need to do careful market research on is the location. Bars are often located near restaurants and nightclubs or even near busy commercial areas where people like to have a drink after work.

16. Coffee shop

If you are a coffee connoisseur and you want to bring your passion for good and aromatic coffee to the public, you might consider opening a coffee shop. Premises will be required although you can choose their size. Just be sure you find a great location with a lot of foot traffic.

You’ll need to hire a barista and get all the coffee-making equipment on the premises. This can add up quite quickly. Naturally, you’ll want to entice your clientele with broad varieties of aromatic coffees, sourced with fair trade principles from abroad.

To supplement your income stream, be sure to offer assorted drinks such as frappes, hot chocolates and other tasty liquids that delight the taste buds. And providing an excellent customer service should be a top priority to get returning customers who can help your business grow.

17. Pastry shop

Love creating tasty treats such as cakes, muffins, doughnuts, cookies and more? Why not start your own pastry shop? You can always catch the breakfast crowd or work on enticing people to your store for your delicious treats, as you cater to birthdays and special occasions as well.

A pastry shop business requires physical premises that you’ll need to buy or rent. You also need a food licence and insurance to go along with your business plan. Make sure you have a team of several people who can help you create your treats and those who are customer-facing and serve your patrons.

Another aspect you should consider is your payment acceptance method. Be sure to cater to cash, card and digital wallet payments for greater earnings potential. Of course, you’ll also need your baking equipment and accessories along with fresh ingredients.

Your utilities shouldn’t be ignored as they are an essential cost. And while this may have the potential to fall into the medium startup cost range, it also has the potential to be profitable.

18. Catering

If you don’t want to be a personal chef to one, you can be a chef to many. The catering business is one where you create scrumptious food for different events. These can range from birthdays and weddings to conferences and many others.

As a catering business owner, you’ll need to have premises to create your treats. You’ll also need the right cooking equipment, cleaning and refrigeration facilities, not to mention fresh ingredients. You’ll also need a van for transportation and accessories such as platters. Furthermore, you may need support staff to help you.

The startup cost for this business idea falls in the mid-range. But once word gets out that your catering exceeds expectations, you can rely on a steady stream of income as events take place throughout the year, which means you’ll enjoy year-round profitability.

19. Juice bar

With a rise in health-conscious consumption, a juice bar could be the business venture for you. You can either offer it from a physical storefront (which doesn’t have to be large) or from a stall where you prepare your juices. Just make sure you choose a location with high foot traffic. 

You can extend your juice offering to go beyond juices and offer smoothies or shakes as well. This diversification of your menu will ensure you attract a greater number of customers.

Starting a juice bar will require sourcing fresh fruits consistently as well as having the right equipment and appliances such as blenders and shakers to prepare your treats. With a low investment, the overall startup cost is also low. It’s just a matter of registering your business and ensuring you accept both cash, card and digital wallet payments.

Curious to learn more? In this article we dive in how to pay yourself as a business owner in the UK.

Creative small businesses

We now turn to several creative small business ideas where you can take your skills to the next level. Let’s take a closer look.

20. Hair stylist

As a hair stylist working for someone else, you’ve likely received a salary plus some commission or tips for the jobs you’ve done. But working for yourself as your own boss could be the move for you. Hair stylists don’t just cut hair. They also create fancy styles for special occasions.

This is where you can create a mobile hair studio where you go to your customers instead of them coming to you. For this, you won’t need physical premises as is the case with a traditional hair salon. You’ll only need a vehicle to get you to your customers’ homes.

With your skills put to good use working for yourself, word of mouth can quickly spread. However, you’re encouraged to invest some of your profits back in your business’ marketing. The better you market your business and service, the more visibility you’ll get online and the higher the chances of earning more.

Luckily, hair styling is not a seasonal business and you can enjoy a profitable stream of income throughout the year. You can also expand your offering to serve men and children, in addition to the traditional female clientele.

21. Nail technician

A nail technician is someone who does manicures and pedicures for a living. It’s becoming a very profitable business idea because there’s so much demand for it. But it doesn’t just cater to women as was the case traditionally. You can also cater to men, offering to trim nails, remove cuticles, do hand massages and more.

As a nail technician, similar to a hair stylist, you can offer an out of the box service by going to your customers’ homes for the job. Alternatively, you can always open up a small storefront where you operate from.

You’ll need a bit of inexpensive equipment such as your gel nail “oven” as well as materials such as the nail polish and accessories for cleaning nails and ensuring they are well manicured. If you choose to work from a physical location, you’ll also need a desk or table, some chairs, and perhaps a sofa for those waiting customers.

If you have the skills of a nail technician, it could be time to break out on your own and profit from your skills with a low-cost investment that has high probability of strong returns.

22. Makeup artist

Next up, we have makeup artists, whose job it is to apply makeup in a professional way for special events. Often, you’ll be called out to go to your clients’ homes or premises where they’re based to offer them greater convenience. This mobility simply means you’ll need a branded car and will not need to invest in a physical storefront.

You’ll need to get your name out there with a focus on local marketing and a strong online presence. You can also market your business and services at industry events such as wedding fairs or others.

As a makeup artist, you’ll obviously need your makeup. The higher the quality, the more expensive it will be. Also bear in mind that some of your clients may have allergies to certain makeup so you’ll want to offer a broad palette of options. 

Apart from this, being a makeup artist can be a profitable business venture as you do what you love while getting paid for it.

23. Photographer

Since we’re on the topic of special events, one area where you can put your skills to profitable use is getting involved in photography. Yes, you’ll need a special camera (probably a DSLR) and the right kind of lenses (micro and macros). You should also know how to adjust the settings and have various light accessories and fixtures available for maximum impact. 

While you can open a photo studio where you can adjust the scene for every occasion, you may also be called out to record and photograph special events. Generally, these include weddings, birthdays, Christenings, anniversaries, graduations, etc.

The cost of your equipment will be the highest cost you’ll have to bear. But be aware that you’ll also need ancillary services such as photo printing and even album creation. Apart from these initial setup costs, you’re well on your way to a good start with your photography business. Just be sure that you market it effectively with the right online presence.

24. Videographer

Similar to a photographer, a videographer records special events on video. This requires a special skill level because it requires capturing footage and then professionally editing it. As such, you’ll need to both have an office or space from which you can work as well as be available to go to your clients’ chosen locations and record the event with professional equipment.

Further to your video camera, you’ll also need a good computer and video editing software. You’ll want access to music and special effects as well. You may also invest in a drone to which you attach a camera for aerial shots.

However, the most important thing is to always discuss your client’s requirements and expectations beforehand so that you create something they will love.

While the initial investment can seem quite high, depending on the quality of the equipment you purchase, the profits will be primarily for you. And with videography catering to events such as conferences and trade fairs, you can make a tidy income from commercial clients. 

25. Graphic design

The space of graphic design is absolutely booming with every business looking for logo creation that can go on all their marketing materials. But graphic design is also about creating a beautiful visual identity for businesses, whether it’s on a flyer or on a website.

If you have graphic design skills, you can freelance and offer your services to other businesses, helping them create and maintain a great brand presence.

As a graphic designer, you’ll need the right software for your needs. You’ll also need a fast computer with good storage. Furthermore, you may want to invest in antivirus and other protection as well as purchase cloud storage to ensure that if anything happens to your hardware, your visuals and digital assets are always safe.

With that being said, you can become a professional graphic designer, running your own graphic design business, by catering to multiple clients’ needs. As you already know, you yourself should have a great visual identity to attract those clients but overall, you have a successful road paved ahead for you. 

The beauty of running your own graphic design business is that you don’t only need to help new business owners. You can also help existing businesses rebrand or assist them in creating stunning visuals for their next marketing campaign. Overall, you won’t be short on work if you deliver quality results.

26. DJ

If you are someone who loves music and wants to share that love with others, you can also become a disc jockey (DJ). Most DJs work at special events such as weddings and conferences. However, there are many other occasions where your services will be needed. 

To succeed as a DJ, you’ll need a vast library of music with all the necessary permissions to use it. You will also need the right equipment, such as a deck and quality speakers, to play your music on while creating a wonderful ambiance for the event.

Your equipment may end up being somewhat costly but with the right marketing, you’ll soon be able to recoup your costs as you get your name out there for professionalism and customised services that your customers will love.

27. Jewellery maker

A great home business idea is to become a jewellery maker. From beadwork to gems and precious metals, you can use your creativity and skills to create masterpieces that your clients will absolutely love.

While you’ll need to source all the materials yourself, and you’ll need specialised equipment for manipulating precious metals, you don’t need a large space or even a separate physical space.

All this can be done from the comfort of your own home while marketing your products on your online shop. Alternatively, if you want to work from a store, you can always display your creations from your storefront while creating a personal brand that showcases your creativity.

Small online businesses

Small business owners come from all walks of life. And the beauty of our digital age is that you can start a business online with little capital while offering your skills to the public at large. Below are a couple of ideas worth considering as you embark on your self-employment journey.

28. Freelance copywriter

A freelance copywriter is an individual who creates text that persuades people to buy or take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or subscribing to a platform. These individuals are wordsmiths and use their words to drive action. And if you are one of them, you can put your skills to good use, working for businesses that need sales-related marketing materials such as landing pages, sales pages, ad copy and more.

There are many platforms where you can freelance to secure your clients. Examples include Fiverr and Upwork. However, you’ll need to focus on building a portfolio of work to showcase your expertise.

In terms of costs, all you need is a secure internet connection and a sound computer where you can create your advertising masterpieces. You can work from the comfort of your own home as you also determine the rates that you’ll charge your clients. You can charge per word, per hour, or on a per-project basis. Your ultimate goal should be to have enough income coming in each month to ensure you are comfortable.

29. Content creator

A content creator’s job is similar to that of a copywriter. However, instead of catering to commercial or transactional search intent, they cater to informational search intent of users who perform searches on search engines online such as Google.

As a content creator, you will create blog articles, case studies, white papers, interviews, business news and other long-form content that aims to solve a user’s search query. The content should always aim to be helpful, both for your user and for the bots crawling your pages.

Tips for success include writing short and crisp sentences, while addressing a specific concern. You should also naturally include keywords in your text (preferably longtail keywords) to also cater to the growing number of voice searches.

Once again, all you’ll need is a stable internet connection and a computer. However, be aware that you’ll spend a lot of time doing research, understanding the user intent and aligning your content with your brand or business’ tone of voice. Again, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are great places to find work.

But ideally, you’ll want to build a portfolio of work to showcase potential clients who need to trust your capabilities. You’ll also want to market your services on platforms like LinkedIn, where professionals gather and can find you.

30. Social media services

When it comes to social media, you already know how popular it is for both businesses and individuals to use. Ultimately, by offering social media services, you will be helping businesses manage their online presence on these platforms.

Through social media management, you will be responsible for developing creatives that align with your business’ tone of voice and brand guidelines, creating a posting schedule, posting and replying to customers who engage with your content.

While social media management may seem like fun, it’s both an art and a science and requires deep knowledge of the ever-evolving social media algorithms. From professional posts on LinkedIn to sales posts on Instagram or Facebook, there’s a lot of work to be found.

However, you need to pair your creative and your logical side so that you create outstanding materials, delivering a consistent business image across every platform.

To succeed as a social media specialist, you’ll need to know the various platforms and social media accounts inside out. You’ll also need to have some creative design skills and be a good planner and organiser.

In addition, apart from being 100% on top of the brand tone of voice and guidelines of the business you’re representing online, you should also know how to communicate well with people as you’ll essentially also act as an extended customer support arm for that business.

31. SEO services

As a search engine optimisation (SEO) specialist, your job will be to help businesses rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs). The reason behind this is that when you cater to users’ search intent, you can drive them to your business pages, where you’ll receive greater traffic and more visibility, and ultimately, potentially leading to conversions.

SEO is a lot more than finding the right keywords to be included in web copy and content. It’s also about doing website audits, studying your business’ backlink profile, helping to secure links, liaising with content creators and giving them briefs to write, studying competitors, determining the ideal content piece’s length, publishing online and more.

Ultimately, you’ll need access to industry-leading tools such as Semrush, Ahrefs, SE Ranking or others. You may also want to invest in keyword optimisation software such as NeuronWriter or Frase. Other software tools that you’ll find handy include artificial intelligence (AI) detectors as well as plagiarism and originality checkers.

While the cost of these tools and software may add up, you can make a tidy sum for yourself by offering reliable and robust digital marketing services to businesses that need your help in improving their online visibility.

32. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is the process of promoting other companies’ products or services on your own blog or website and getting a commission each time a person buys a product from your link. With affiliate marketing, you can work with sites such as ShareASale and others to find merchants that you can promote.

Make sure you’ve got the right tracking tools to ensure that your links work well so that you can get remunerated each time you make a sale. Also, you’ll need to spend time optimising your website or blog, as well as ensuring you write honest reviews and feedback on the products you’re promoting so that you build a brand for yourself that’s founded on trust.

Ultimately, your readers want to know your honest opinion of the product or service and they’ll rely on you for your honesty. There’s a lot of money to be made as an affiliate marketer today as many companies and brands offer affiliate programs, enabling you to promote and sell almost anything under the sun.

33. Personal assistant

You can also work as a virtual assistant online where you help managers and top-level executives with their administrative functions such as booking appointments and calls, setting up their travel arrangements, creating minutes and agendas for their meetings and everything in between.

Marketing yourself as a professional personal assistant in the virtual space to several business owners or managers at the same time means doing in-depth research, being well-organised, paying impeccable attention to detail and having excellent time management and communication skills.

To succeed as a virtual assistant, you’ll need an internet connection, a computer and a reliable phone along with access to the manager in question’s online diary and schedule.

34. Tutor/teacher

If you’ve worked as a teacher or you’re simply good in a particular subject, you can also offer your services and expertise to students who need help with learning. That’s why you can become a private tutor or teacher.

At the beginning, you can start out by going to your students’ homes and doing your lessons there. However, later on, you can move to providing online lessons or even create a tutoring school where students come to you for extra help.

You can teach and tutor every subject under the sun. As long as you understand it well and are good at explaining intricate concepts in simple ways. As a tutor or teacher, you will not need many materials apart from your students’ textbooks and you’ll only need to pay for premises once your business grows. Then, you can start hiring other tutors to help you as you cater to growing demand.

35. Language school

Similar to teaching, you can also open a language school to teach languages if you specialise in speaking one or several foreign languages.

You can also teach English to students who come from abroad and want to improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

To open a language school, you’ll need physical premises where you can teach from. The rental of this property will depend on your location. However, it is a cost worth considering.

Other investments you may need to make include investing in computers and visual presentation materials and tools, desks and chairs, a whiteboard, whiteboard markers, etc.

36. Skill development workshops

If you want to own a small business and you’re an expert in your field, one of the greatest local businesses to start is running skill development workshops. These can range from IT and computers to human resources and recruiting, business development, sales, marketing, bookkeeping and accounting, auditing and everything in between.

Offering your services to business owners and managers who’d like to upskill their workforce, you can rely on your expertise to equip these individuals with heightened and robust skills that equip them for success.

Much like a coach, you’ll help them see common pitfalls and challenges as well as how to overcome them. But you’ll need to market yourself well to get your name out in the public space so that you keep getting repeat work from businesses.

37. Business consultant

A business consultant is a business specialist who helps other business owners manage their business better, making it more competitive and successful. You can offer advice and strategies for cost reductions and savings, improved marketing strategies, better sales tactics, more streamlined production and operation activities, etc.

As a consultant, you’ll get involved in the business and offer strategic advice on how to overcome common challenges. You’ll be paid per hour or on a per-project basis as you deliver cost savings to the business and help them refine their operational structures and processes for heightened profitability.

Here, you’ll need to rely on your business acumen and expertise to deliver outstanding results. And you’ll only be as good as the last business owner you helped. So, maintaining a strong industry reputation will be key for you.

38. Bookkeeping services

If you’re a bookkeeper and you’re ready to branch out on your own with your own online business idea, you can start offering your services to local businesses in your area online. While you do the bookkeeping from the comfort of your own home, you will need to market your business online very well.

That’s because the space can be considered competitive and saturated in some cases. As such, you’ll need to set yourself apart from the rest by offering an exceptional service, with great customer care and accuracy in every entry that you make. 

You’ll need to know your ledgers, balance sheets, cash flow statements and small business accounts inside out. And if you’re strategy-oriented, you can help the businesses you represent make better financial decisions to ensure they remain competitive.

39. Human resources coaching

To run a successful consulting business in the human resources (HR) space, you need to be a good HR professional in the first place. This is where you can share your expertise with others who need your help.

From best practices in recruiting to ensuring full compliance with labour regulations, you must be able to help other businesses and HR professionals succeed in their jobs. This means always staying ahead of the curve in terms of new industry developments. 

Running a coaching business in the HR space doesn’t have to require a lot of capital as you rely on your expertise to coach others to success. You may need a laptop with an internet connection and a website to market your services. Just be sure that you target the right audience with the right message online so that you attract a wider clientele.

40. Business plan writing

For the business savvy among you, you can start an online business by offering business plan writing services. This service is targeted at new or aspiring business owners who need help in putting together a road map to success for their new business venture. 

As a business plan writer, you won’t need much in terms of equipment. A laptop and internet connection will do the job just fine. However, you will need to spend a lot of time consulting with the business owner in question to ensure that you pinpoint their precise needs and expectations so that you can take their ideas and present it in a clear and logical way on paper.

Remember that business plans are often looked at by financial institutions or investors who may choose to support or back the new business venture. That’s where you need to be ultra persuasive and present the business opportunity in a highly favourable light.

Computer and IT businesses

Computer and IT specialists looking for a business to start can take advantage of their skills and offer their customers security, expertise and professionalism. Take a look at some examples of ways in which you can profit from your skills as you embark on your business journey.

41. e-Commerce store

e-Commerce stores are the rage today, offering a myriad of products at affordable prices online and with cheap or free shipping and fast deliveries. This is the convenience that many customers are after and you can ride the wave profitably.

To develop your e-commerce store, you’ll need to know what products you will be selling and at what price. You’ll also need to consider your logistics, such as storage, warehousing and shipping. You will necessarily need an online store that can accept secure online payments made with debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets.

To succeed as an e-commerce store owner, you will need to invest in optimisation of your website so that it ranks high in search results, driving more traffic and visibility your way. In addition, you’ll need to ensure the security of your customers’ online shopping experience by investing in a secure payment gateway.

Being able to offer multiple ways to pay you is another key consideration. However, with free e-commerce and online store templates available online from partners such as myPOS, you can enjoy a streamlined experience as you get your business name out there.

42. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is similar in nature to running an e-commerce store. However, instead of storing physical products in a warehouse or manufacturing them yourself, you outsource this part of your business to a third-party provider who takes care of the production and shipping for you.

For example, say that you want to sell interesting t-shirts or mugs. You can offer them for sale in your online store while your third-party logistics and dropshipping partner creates them and ships them off to your new customers for you.

With the extra hassle of manufacturing and warehousing taken out of the equation, you can easily enjoy a successful business. But you need a website and strong SEO to ensure that you get in front of the right audience.

43. Website creation

With the digital space advancing at a rapid rate, every business wants to be online and needs specialist web development. That’s where you can come to the fore offering your skills and expertise in creating websites for your business customers.

Here, you’ll need a reliable internet connect, a sound computer and specialist software to help you start designing a website from scratch. You’ll also need to consult with your business clients about their ultimate vision and goal for their website so that you create something that aligns with their needs.

From e-commerce stores to an informative website that offers services, your job is to create something unique from scratch while ensuring good user design and a strong user experience with fast website loading speeds and a site that’s also optimised for mobile devices.

44. Coding

If you’re good at coding, you can also put your skills to good use with your own business as you embark on programming and app development for business clients. There are millions of apps in the online space, each competing with the next for user attention. That’s where you step up to the plate and offer a responsive, user-friendly and intuitive app design and software that caters to users’ needs.

To get this right, you’ll need to consult with all the relevant stakeholders involved in the project. You’ll need to be able to create the right project documentation, determine the desired goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), as well as a plan of action that includes automations, testing and quality assurance.

The type of coding language that you use will determine the software that you’ll need to carry out the project, which can involve several iterations as you search for bugs and glitches to correct, which will ultimately create a flawless user experience.

45. IT support

Another successful small business idea you can focus on includes offering IT support to organisations that simply don’t have the time or in-house resources to do so themselves. IT support can range from setting up new employees on the business’ server, helping to implement cloud solutions, installing, monitoring and updating antivirus software across an organisation and so much more.

From hardware to software, you can use your IT skills to give businesses the added assurance they need that they will not face unnecessary downtime due to technical problems that you will be able to easily resolve.

As an extended arm of the company, you can charge on a per-hour or per-project basis or even request a monthly retainer for your services. In some cases, you’ll need to go into the client’s office to set up hardware. However, in most cases, you’ll be able to manage IT problems remotely through team viewing functionalities.

46. Cybersecurity services

With cybersecurity becoming a top concern for many businesses around the UK and the rest of the world, it’s a service that it is in high demand. There are many malicious actors on the web that aim to exploit business software and hardware infrastructure vulnerabilities and this is where you can come in and provide cybersecurity services that protect organisations from harm.

Whether it’s phishing or ransomware, social engineering, a trojan horse or another type of malicious act, you’ll constantly need to monitor the client’s infrastructure for any potential leaks or harmful attempts to penetrate it. This is especially true for business clients that have sensitive client information on hand or process multiple payments that require stringent security standards to be adhered to.

47. Computer repair shop

If you’re great at fixing computer hardware, then opening up a computer repair shop could be the perfect business idea for you. This business model operates on the premise that you can fix hardware problems on laptops, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches and other smart devices.

As such, you’ll need to be familiar with both hardware and software aspects of the technology that you’re operating on. Charging for your services can be done on a per-job basis or on a per-hour basis, depending on how you choose to collect income based on the job in question.

You’ll most likely need a physical space to operate from, although it doesn’t have to be large. Many computer repair shop owners work on their own, although sometimes you can hire an additional staff member or two to manage incoming repair requests or to help you with your actual repair services.

48. Animation studio

A unique business idea for those who are great with video materials is to run your own animation studio. Many businesses are taking advantage of animations for promoting their brand, product or services online because video has the power to attract, retain attention and convert audiences into paying clients.

The animations that you create will be turned into online videos which can then be published on YouTube or on your client’s website. Of course, you’ll need the right hardware and software tools to help you create and edit the animations.

You’ll also need strong creative and design skills to ensure that you create catchy digital materials and assets that inform, entertain and convert.

Care businesses

The most successful small businesses don’t have to start big. You can cater to your local community with a unique business idea. Here are several in the care sector that you might consider.

49. Babysitter/childminder

With many dual- or single-parent households struggling to find time to look after their young children, you could offer a babysitting or childminding service. You can start out small by babysitting for friends and family as you build a portfolio and a good reputation of a sound carer. However, later on, you can rent premises where you can look after several children at the same time.

Apart from the premises, which will need to comply with local regulations, you’ll also need toys, child beds and cots, blankets and linen, a fridge and a stove and more to keep the baby and child food well-preserved.

Looking after children is a big responsibility but it can also be a highly rewarding job. Especially if it helps you make a profit at the end of the day.

50. Home care for elderly people

Another area where you can put your care skills to work in your favour include offering home care for elderly people or people with disabilities. This is a highly rewarding business path that does good for the local community.

You will help with things like light cleaning, doing laundry, helping your clients wash and dress themselves, cooking, doing chores, purchasing medication, taking them to doctor’s appointments and more.

You can start small and build a wider client base. This will mean that you’ll need to hire more carers to join your team as your business grows. The good thing about this type of business is that you do not need a physical office space to rent.

All the services will be provided at the client’s home. However, you will need a Care Manager and certifications by the Care Quality Commission to ensure you provide a service that’s on par with industry regulations.

51. Massage therapist

As a massage therapist, you can help people with their physical ailments who may be recovering from a sports injury or you can offer your services to people who want to pamper themselves. You can choose to be a mobile massage therapist that works from people’s homes or operates from a fixed physical location.

Examples of items you’ll need to purchase beforehand include consumables and non-consumables. Consumables will be candles and massage oils and creams while non-consumables will be your towels and massage bed. You’ll also want to create a relaxing ambiance with your music and decor.

Often, these specialist massage services charge on a per-hour basis, so you’ll need to think carefully about how to price your services.

52. Pet sitting

Pet sitting is necessary for many pet owners around the UK. Whether they go on holiday or a business trip, pet owners will always need someone trustworthy and reliable to look after their furry friends. This is where you can come in with a specialist pet sitting service that looks after your clients’ pets in their homes.

This business idea is great for people who love animals and have some specialised training. However, even if you don’t have pet training under your belt, you will be expected to walk dogs and feed pets in general as well as play with them so that they do not get lonely.

53. Pet grooming

Another business idea for the animal lovers among you is offering pet grooming as a service. This involves trimming nails, cutting fur and bathing people’s animals in a pet-friendly way. To help your business take off, consider whether you’d like to offer mobile pet grooming or grooming from a fixed location.

Once you’ve established this, you’ll need to invest in your basic equipment and materials. You will also need to market your business well to pet owners as well as determine an affordable yet profitable price point at which to charge so that your business grows.

Sports-related businesses

A lucrative business idea is to get into the fitness sector as many health and fitness-conscious individuals look for new and interesting ways to liven up their fitness routines. Explore some interesting business ideas below and get inspired.

54. Personal trainer

A great idea for the fitness fans among you is to start a personal training business. You have two main options to choose from. One is to offer personal training at a fitness centre which you’ll need to run and manage yourself. The second option is to offer either online fitness classes or to go to your clients’ homes and help them achieve their fitness goals.

Personal training can include every aspect of doing a physical activity, from cardio to yoga and pilates, strength training and more. Remember that if you want to teach yoga, you’ll need to get your yoga teacher certification which requires a minimum of 200 hours. While you can train others in yoga without this certification, many will not recognise your ability without it.

Your fitness and personal training business can start small. For example, at the beginning, you may only need a few yoga mats. Later on, you can invest in bigger equipment such as spinning bikes, weights and other fitness machines to help grow your fitness centre.

55. Sports coaching for kids

A unique small business idea that you can tap into that’s not oversaturated is offering sport coaching for kids. This is especially true if you are skilled at a sport and would love to share your knowledge of certain techniques to help develop children’s physical well-being further.

To get started in this field, you can partner with schools to offer coaching on their grounds. You certainly don’t need to own a field. If you’d like to coach tennis or football, for example, you can speak to local sports facilities as well to ensure that you bring your skills to more children. The same goes for local swimming pools and other sports amenities.

In terms of how you’ll earn, you’ll need to think about charging for individual or group classes. You will also need to think about whether you charge on a per-session or per hour basis. With the only equipment that you’ll need being the actual sport accessories (if any) as well as a vehicle and phone to keep you connected to your students, you’re on your way to creating a great business opportunity for yourself.

56. Sports equipment rental

On the other side of the coin for those who love sports but who do not enjoy playing them or don’t find it a key strength of theirs is the option to rent sports equipment to others. This is a midsized investment because you’ll need to go out and purchase a variety of different kits and sports equipment to cater to different ages of sports enthusiasts.

You will also need physical premises, which should ideally be located near sports facilities in your local area. Alternatively, you may opt to offer your services at resorts which offer skiing and snowboarding, for example.

57. Fitness boot camps

For those among you who love fitness and love helping others get fit and achieve their fitness and weight goals, and if you have sufficient space on your property, you can consider offering fitness boot camps to your clients as a great small business idea.

This means rounding groups of people up, taking them in for a couple of days to several weeks and helping them with meal planning and preparation while interspersing this with exercises that help people achieve their goals.

If you don’t have the premises yet, you’ll need to invest in purchasing a property that’s large enough to house a group of people and which can accommodate their sleep and dietary needs. In terms of ways in which you’ll charge, it’s entirely up to you. However, the standard is to charge for the duration of the boot camp while incorporating the total cost of food and accommodation, plus your time, of course.

Unique small business ideas

And now we reach our list of unique small business ideas that are often overlooked. Let’s explore if these new business ideas offer you something you could get involved in.

58. Tour guide

If you live in or near an historical site or location, you could consider becoming a tour guide for tourists visiting the area. For this, you’ll need to do a short course on the history of the area so that you can convey it to others with confidence. Often, these short courses are provided by the local municipality in your area or associated organisations that aim to encourage more visitors.

As a tour guide, you can do walking tours, bus tours, bike tours or more, all depending on the location where you are. Each option offers a range of attractive business opportunities for you to tap into as you use your local knowledge to help others learn more about your area.

The startup cost here is quite minimal and requires little investment apart from your time. In addition, you’ll likely find that this is a seasonal business, which means you should be prepared for fluctuations in income and profitability, depending on when tourists regularly arrive in your town.

59. Bike rental service

While we covered sports rental equipment as a business option above, there’s something special to be said about offering a bike rental service. This type of business idea doesn’t require much inventory apart from the physical bikes you’ll need and a place to store them when they are not in use.

You can rent bikes to people exploring your area or simply looking for ways to get around town in a cost-effective way. Ideally, you’ll want to have an app built for your business so that you can track where your bikes are at all times. This can incur a significant cost. Furthermore, you’ll want to take out insurance in the event that a bike is lost, damaged or stolen.

60. Vending machine business

A great profitable business idea without much intervention or time requirements from your side involves starting a vending machine business. These metal boxes that house snacks and drinks can be strategically positioned in high foot traffic areas where your customers can have access to something to munch on or drink without the hassle of going out and ordering.

Managing a vending machine business is quite straightforward. You purchase or rent the vending machines and position them strategically. You then stock them with items and monitor the stock levels to ensure they are always full and are earning income for you.

While traditional vending machines accept coins and cash, most modern vending machines now offer card payment facilities, which means you can cater to an increasingly cashless clientele. Running this business is very much a hands-off business idea that can earn you a tidy sum with excellent positioning of your vending machines.

61. Furniture restorer/furniture flipping

If you have a passion for furniture, you can restore furniture items and resell them on for a better price than you purchased them. Granted, you’ll need good knowledge of different types of wood, leather and other materials to know the best ways to restore the furniture. However, it’s a good and unique business idea that can offer you entry into profitability.

As a furniture restorer, you’ll need space. The size of the space will depend on your operations and their size. You could start out small and work your way up to bigger premises later. You’ll need important equipment and accessories to help you carry out your restoration work such as sandpaper, varnishes, leather polish and a lot of other bits and ends, depending on the type of furniture you are restoring. 

Ultimately, once you have your furniture item restored, you’re ready to sell it on. To do so, factor in the time it took you to restore the item as well as all the materials you used to get the job done so that you can work out an accurate price. This is as much a business idea as it is a hobby, and if this is something you enjoy, you won’t feel like you are working at all.

62. Vintage store

In the retail sector, there are many opportunities to explore as well. While most high-street stores offer high fashion and trendy outfits, there’s something to be said about vintage stores. Vintage stores can be item-specific or they can offer a range of different products. You’ll need to know how to value them, as these items will usually be over 20 years old, and then market your business so that you attract the right type of clientele.

To open a vintage store, you’ll need retail space for which you’ll pay rent. This will be one of your biggest costs. Your second biggest cost will be your inventory. You’ve got two options regarding inventory: purchase it from others who come into your store with the idea to sell on or purchase and source the items yourself to sell in your store.

Naturally, you’ll need to pay utility bills and take out insurance, which will add to your costs. As will the fact that you’ll need shelving, hangers and other types of furniture to display your items on. In addition to this, you’ll need to offer your customers a convenient way to pay you, and that’s where a point-of-sale (POS) machine comes in handy.

63. Second-hand clothing store

Speaking of retail businesses, you could also open up a second-hand clothing store. For this business idea to work, you’ll need to source quality and undamaged second-hand clothing items from various locations.

Alternatively, you could invite people to bring in their used clothes and purchase them for a cheap price as you sell them on for a higher price. Many second-hand clothing shops operate on the principle of offering greater affordability for high-end items that many people cannot afford. It’s possible to get high-quality clothes at a cheaper price when they are in used form as opposed to buying brand new.

Furthermore, with fast fashion becoming a global environmental problem, you’ll be catering to an eco-friendly and conscious clientele while you do your bit to help the Earth.

As a second-hand clothing store owner, you will primarily need a location and good marketing on your side to help your business grow. Other costs you can factor in include the cost of utilities and insurance, furniture for your store such as hangers, a dressing room, mirrors, racks and shelves and a POS machine to accept payments with.

64. Bed and breakfast

If you have a spare room that isn’t in use or you own a property that you don’t want to rent out to more long-term tenants, you could always cater to the passing tourist crowd by converting your property into a bed and breakfast.

You’ll charge for the room and food on a per day and per bed or per person basis. It will be your responsibility to prepare breakfast so be sure to factor that cost into your final price.

Running a bed and breakfast will mean that you need to market your property quite well. Getting listed on accommodation booking websites will be key as you aim to attract more clients your way. You’ll also need the right booking software to ensure you manage your guests and avoid overbookings in the process.

65. Art studio

For the more artistic and creative among you, you could always start an art studio where you showcase your art and teach art lessons. From pottery and clay pieces to painting and sketching, you could offer your clients an opportunity to tap into their creative side as you embark on your business journey.

You’ll definitely need space for your art studio, which you can either rent or buy. This will be your biggest cost. The next financial factor to consider is your inventory. You’ll need canvasses, paint, pottery equipment, brushes, pencils and easels. You can also create a lovely ambiance with music, which means you’ll need a special licence obtainable from your local authorities.

66. Board game cafe

If you want to take your business idea to the next level and truly offer your clientele something unique, then a board game cafe is the ideal choice. You’ll not only be offering coffee and snacks but a space where people can come and enjoy board games with their friends. 

As such, you’ll need the physical space to accommodate several groups of patrons visiting your coffee shop. You will also need a good supply of board games as well as the associated inventory and equipment that comes with running a typical coffee shop.

Marketing your business will be an important feature as you want to attract a constant stream of customers to your coffee shop. As such, you will want to offer special prices and discounts for larger groups and charge a minimum price for using your space.

67. Music lessons

The last item on our list of small businesses to start in the UK is providing music lessons. This is especially great for those who know how to read music and play an instrument well.

To pass on your knowledge, you’ll need a small space where you can meet with your customers. Alternatively, you could go to their homes and offer your services as you charge per hour for each lesson given.

It can be a highly satisfying experience that earns you income from something you know how to do well. Sharing your knowledge with children and adults is also truly rewarding as you watch them progress from beginners to more advanced students.

How to Get Started With Your Small Business Venture

In order to get started with your small business venture, no matter what type of small business it is, you’ll need to follow a few essential steps that grant you the right to operate in your area. Here are a few of these that you should pay attention to:

• Create a business plan
• Choose your business’ legal structure
• Register your business
• Acquire financing
• Implement a strong marketing strategy
• Choose the right methods for accepting payments
• Launch!

And when it comes to accepting card payments, you can rest assured that it has never been easier (or more affordable) with modern solutions such as myPOS.

Conclusion: Choosing a Small Business Idea

Choosing a small business idea is the first step on your journey to business ownership. Make sure that you select something you will enjoy for the medium to long term. Also choose something that aligns with your passions and skills.

There are many options you can choose from the list mentioned here. However, it’s about considering what speaks to you personally and what you feel is feasible in terms of your abilities and knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right small business idea for me?

To choose the right small business idea for you, consider your interests and passions, your budget, your location and target market as well as your ultimate medium and long-term goals.

What are the essentials for starting a small business?

In order to start a small business, you’ll need a business plan to get started with securing the right finance. Then, depending on your business venture, you’ll need to register your business as a legal entity and pay the necessary tax at the end of each financial year. You need to budget carefully and ensure that your expenses do not exceed your income.

What is the first step to take when starting a small business?

The first step to take when starting a small business is registering the business. There are several business “vehicles” that you can choose from such as a sole proprietor or a limited corporation. The risks and duties of each business structure differ, so make sure you do thorough research on the best option for you.

What factors will impact my small business’ success?

Whether you’re planning to launch an event planning business, work as a property manager or personal shopper or alternatively, offer car washing services, some factors that will impact your business’s success include your business’ location, your market research, competitors, target market, and marketing strategies.