Types of Businesses – If you’re dreaming about starting a business but are worried about the costs, you’re not alone. Starting a business in 2025 doesn’t have to be a massive financial burden, especially if you’re smart about it. The good news? There are plenty of business opportunities out there that require low investment but have the potential to grow into something big. Over the years, I’ve learned that starting small is often the best way to go—especially when you’re testing the waters.
Here’s a list of five types of businesses you can start with low investment in 2025, based on my experiences and what I’ve seen work for others.
5 Types of Businesses You Can Start with Low Investment in 2025
1. Freelance Services (Writing, Design, Marketing)
When I first started freelancing, I didn’t even need to spend a dime to get started—just my laptop and an internet connection. Freelance services like writing, graphic design, or digital marketing are perfect for low-investment businesses because you can work from anywhere, and all you need is the right skill set.
If you’re good at writing, there are countless websites and platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer where you can offer your services. Same goes for design—tools like Canva (which you can use for free) and Adobe Creative Cloud (which offers reasonably priced plans) can help you create high-quality designs without the need for expensive equipment. The best part is you can start small, offering your services to a few clients, and build your portfolio over time. As your reputation grows, so can your rates.
I’ve learned that word of mouth is everything in freelancing. I started by offering lower rates to build a portfolio and slowly raised my prices as I got more clients. Plus, with so many online communities and resources available, you’re never really on your own.
2. Online Course Creation or Coaching
In 2025, everyone and their dog is creating online courses or coaching programs, and for good reason—it’s one of the most scalable businesses you can start with very little initial investment. Whether you’re an expert in a particular field or have a talent you can teach, creating an online course or coaching program is a fantastic option.
I’ve seen a lot of people make money teaching everything from yoga to coding to financial planning. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a microphone, a camera, and some video editing software. Platforms like Teachable, Udemy, and Skillshare offer user-friendly ways to create, market, and sell your courses without the need for a big upfront investment.
What I love about online courses is the ability to generate passive income. Once the course is created and published, it can keep selling while you sleep. Of course, you’ll need to put in the work upfront to create content that’s valuable, but once you’ve done that, it’s smooth sailing.
3. E-commerce: Dropshipping and Print-on-Demand
If you’ve ever considered starting an online store but didn’t want to mess around with inventory, dropshipping and print-on-demand are perfect for you. These models allow you to sell products without holding any stock yourself. The supplier ships the product directly to the customer once an order is made—no need to worry about packing or shipping. All you need is a website and a marketing plan.
I tried my hand at dropshipping a while ago, and while there were some bumps along the way (hello, customer service), I eventually found success by focusing on niche products with a passionate audience. Print-on-demand is another option that requires little upfront investment. You design the products—whether it’s T-shirts, mugs, or phone cases—and a print-on-demand service handles the rest.
I’ll admit, building traffic to your online store can be a challenge, but with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy, it’s easier than ever to set up shop. And with social media advertising, you can get your products in front of potential customers without breaking the bank.
4. Social Media Management
With businesses focusing more on digital marketing in 2025, there’s a huge demand for social media managers. If you’re a natural at curating content, engaging with audiences, or running Facebook ads, this is a great business to start with little money. Social media management can be done remotely, and most tools to manage accounts, like Hootsuite or Buffer, offer affordable plans for individuals or small businesses.
I started offering social media management services for small businesses a couple of years ago, and I was able to scale quickly by building strong relationships with my clients. As more businesses see the importance of having a strong online presence, there’s no shortage of potential clients to work with. And if you have a knack for creating content that resonates with people, you’ll stand out even more.
A solid understanding of analytics and trends is helpful in this space, but even if you’re not an expert, you can always learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to start small—offering basic social media services at first, then expanding as your skills improve.
5. Virtual Assistant Services
As more businesses operate online and remote work becomes the norm, the demand for virtual assistants (VAs) has skyrocketed. VAs can do everything from scheduling appointments and managing emails to handling customer service and social media. This is an excellent business idea if you’re organized and detail-oriented.
The best part is that you don’t need expensive tools to get started—just a computer, reliable internet, and good communication skills. I know a few people who started out offering just a few hours of work a week and now run full-fledged VA businesses, working with multiple clients and handling all sorts of tasks.
It’s a low-barrier-to-entry business that has the potential to scale quickly, especially if you’re willing to specialize in a niche. For example, you could specialize in helping real estate agents, coaches, or e-commerce entrepreneurs with specific tasks, which allows you to charge premium rates for your expertise.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to start a business with low investment in 2025, there’s never been a better time. The world is more connected than ever, and there are so many tools and platforms available to help you get started without breaking the bank. Whether it’s freelancing, e-commerce, or becoming a virtual assistant, the opportunities are endless.
The most important thing is to find something you enjoy and are passionate about. With a bit of time, dedication, and a willingness to learn, you can turn a low-investment business into something that’s not only financially rewarding but personally fulfilling as well. So, what’s stopping you?
