Home Small Business IDEAS
Did you know, 52% of small businesses are home-based? That’s great news for techies who want to give up the 9-to-5 grind. Branching out into an entrepreneur life has its ups and downs, as with anything in life. But if you find the right business, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.
Today, I’ll take you through some perfect home business ideas for those with a technology bent. Whether you’re a history buff who loves research or a tech-geek who’s addicted to Reddit, there’s an idea here you can use to build a profitable business.
1. Tech Support Consultant
All sorts of businesses need technical support on a regular basis. If you have the knowledge, consider positioning yourself as a consultant. Sell monthly retainers to businesses that would need your help on a regular basis – large offices, startups, etc. You can receive requests via phone, chat or email. Depending on the issue, you could walk clients through the problem or even try to fix it remotely.
2. Electronics Repair / Installation Services
People invest hundreds of dollars into their electronics – from 4K Ultra HD TVs to the latest smartphone on the market. Then, accidents happen. A moment of unruly roughhousing or a slip of the wrist has it all come crashing down. If you’re good with electronics, an at-home / on-call repair and installation shop could be a very profitable business.
3. Internet Research
Techies are known for our love of learning, which makes researching web data a logical job choice. To really make money in this business, you’ll need to find a solid niche full of willing clients that regularly need your service.
Some types of research you could offer include:
- Competitor Research Analysis for small businesses, startups or corporations.
- Academic Research for scholars, academics and even students.
- Market Research for businesses wanting to launch new products.
- Data Research for bloggers, novelists and scientists.
- Industry Research for television, movies and novelists.
As you can see, there are plenty of possibilities! It’s just a matter of finding the overlap between what you love learning about and what others are willing to purchase.
4. Genealogy Researcher
History nerds could have a blast as a genealogy researcher. You’ll put your skills to the test by helping families create a their family tree. You should know, there’s a bit of upfront work required to launch into the field – you’ll need a certification or accreditation.
If learning more about the past is your passion, this is a great way to monetize on that while helping others in the process.
5. Digital Media Conversion
Technology has advanced pretty rapidly over the past decade. To give you an idea of how far we’ve come, consider this intriguing statistic:
In 2006, Blockbuster had 5194 stores through the country. 70% of the population was considered to be less than 10 minute of drive from a blockbuster store. (source)
Many homes still have dozens of cassette tapes, camera film and VHS tapes lying around. A digital media conversion company works with families to preserve their memories by transferring media from outdated formats into DVD.
6. Technology Training
Are people always asking you questions about the latest gadget? Positioning yourself as a technology trainer is a great way to share your knowledge while making a profit. You can charge for in-home training, online consulting and even create digital products and courses.
For those of you that don’t mind a bit of public speaking, partnering with local schools and colleges could be a fun way to spread the word. You can also host meetups or give talks at local businesses for the community.
Any Other Ideas to Add?
I like to think of a nerd as someone that’s deeply devoted to a seemingly unpopular niche. By that definition alone, there are tons of doors open for making money doing what you love. It’s a simple supply and demand equation, really. If your knowledge fills a need for consumers, there’s likely a market willing to pay for your services.
Of course, profitability doesn’t happen simply because you have a great idea. Starting your own business requires quite a bit of training, dedication and commitment. But if you’re willing to put in the work, there’s never been a better time to become an entrepreneur.
For all you nerds out there, did I miss any? Let’s fill up the comments with tons of other home-based business ideas!
