15 Best Online Business Ideas In India For 2023

The beauty of an online business is that you can start it from anywhere. All you need is a solid internet connection, time, and the will to keep on going. By starting an online business from home, you will be able to cut down massive capital investments that you would have to make if you had chosen the traditional route. You will also be gifted with flexible timings and can even manage your school and work commitments along with it. Here is the list of the best online business ideas in India to help you start your first online business.

Benefits of Starting an Online Business

1. Cheaper start-up cost

Online businesses are relatively cheaper to start compared to a brick and mortar businesses. With an online business, you are only required to pay for purchasing a domain name and hosting packages. Additionally, the cost that you may incur is for hiring a professional web designer to design an elegant and professional-looking website for your business. While with a brick-and-mortar business, you would be required to pay overhead costs, rent and taxes.

2. Low Marketing cost

You can easily market your online business with the help of online advertisements and social media. Online advertising is quite affordable and allows you to directly reach your target audience. Additionally, with online advertising, you can track your performance and check which campaign is working for you and which isn’t. Another way to promote your products is through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

3. Flexibility

Online business offers the flexibility of location and time of doing business. With an online business, you can work from anywhere and anytime you want. Since you don’t have to present anywhere physically, you have the potential to earn money even while you are sleeping.

4. Global Market

Another advantage of doing an online business is that you can reach potential customers globally since you don’t have to set up a physical shop in their region. Furthermore, you can even set up your website in different languages to accommodate people from different locations.

5. Easy Payment Flow

With online payment services such as PayPal and Razorpay, you can receive a transaction from the customer directly into your bank account. And your global customers can make the payment in their own currencies, and it will automatically get converted to the currency you will receive.

List of Top 15 Online Business Ideas in India

1. Affiliate Marketing

Required Skills	No need for any specific skill. Anyone can start with Zero Investments
Income	₹0.1 – ₹11.9 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox)

Looking to start an online or a part-time business from home without investment? Affiliate Marketing is the right choice. This is because it is the easiest way to earn money online. You can sit in the comfort of your home and earn a significant amount of money. For this, all you need to do is sign up with an affiliate platform to get the latest deals and then promote them. Promotion simply means sharing the affiliate link with your friends and family. When someone purchases the product through your affiliate link, you earn a commission. That commission will be your earnings.

Useful Resources for Affiliate Marketing:

• EarnKaro – Affiliate marketing platforms
• WordPress – Website builder
• Amazon Associates – Affiliate Program
• Flipkart Affiliate – Affiliate program

2. Sell Homemade Products

Required Skills	There is no need for specific skills, anyone can create homemade products and sell them in marketplaces
Income	₹2.7 Lakhs per year (Source: Ambitionbox)

If you have a knack for arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing, makeup, or cooking, you can start selling your homemade products. Here you get to control every aspect of the product you sell, starting from the price and quality to the audience you want to target. Once you have decided on the product and have created it (for example, a candle), you can sign up with websites such as Esty, AuthInda, Amazon Karigar, and Craftvilla. When someone purchases the product, you will earn money.

Useful Resources for Sell Homemade Products:

Required Skills	Need to have good sales skills, accounting, and communication skills
Income	₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 per year (Source: Naukri)

Dropshipping is one of the best online businesses to start from home. This is because you don’t need a warehouse to start this business. You have to create a website, contact sellers, quality check the items you want to sell, and finally list them on your website. When a customer orders a product, you have to contact the seller and let them deliver the product. As a mediator, you get to set the price and hence get to keep the profit. For example, if a product is ₹60 and you sell it for ₹100. You get to keep the remaining ₹40. 

Useful Resources for Dropshipping:

4. Buy Wholesale Products and Sell Online

Required Skills	Good Communication, sales, convincing & accounting skills
Income	₹2.7 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox)

Another way to earn money is to buy wholesale products and sell them online. For example, you found that a certain product is not available in your region. You can purchase them from a wholesaler and sell them in your area. For this purpose, you can launch your website and list yourself as a seller on Amazon or Flipkart. You can even sell your product on social media apps such as Instagram and earn money.

Moreover, you might also like this blog, where we have mentioned some of the best YouTube business ideas that you can start with minimal investment. Do have a look, and you can thank us later for this.

Useful Resources for Selling Online:

Required Skills	No specific skills required
Income	₹2.7 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox)

Having your print-on-demand business is great because you don’t need inventory. You can start a print-on-demand business for a variety of products such as books, blankets, hoodies, T-shirts, watches, and so on. To start, choose a niche you want to work on. Next, you can use your creativity to design your products the way you want. Then you can create an online store by partnering with print-on-demand companies or sell the product yourself on websites such as Etsy. Finally, you promote the product to gain customers and earn money.

Useful Resources for Print-On-Demand Business:

• DesignBUNDLES
• Unsplash
• StockVault
• Pexels
• Pixabay
• Free Stocks

6. Freelancing 

Required Skills	Need to have expertise in a specific skill for which you will be providing services for
Income	₹1.8 – ₹11.5 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox)

Offering freelance services is one of the best small online business ideas from home. This is because you will be paid for your skill, time, and effort. You can work as a freelancer by providing services such as freelance writing, virtual assistance, marketing, designing, SEO consulting, and so on. Unlike traditional businesses, you don’t need a lot of customers. You can run a smooth freelancing business with a handful of clients. If your services are good, word-of-mouth is enough to get you, new clients.

Useful Resources for Freelancing:

• Upwork
• Guru
• Freelancer India
• Fiverr

7. Teach Online

Required Skills	Need to have a higher or a graduation degree in any specific subject that you are willing to teach
Income	₹1.8 – ₹11.5 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox)

Do you excel in academics? Why don’t you become a full-time or a part-time tutor? Teaching online is one of the top online business ideas for students Whatever subject it may be, mathematics, physics, or history, you will find students looking to learn the subject. You can even take music classes online. You can also prepare students for competitive exams such as NEET, IAS, SSC, Bank exams, and so on. Online teachers have the opportunity of fixing their timings. You will also get paid decently. To become an online teacher, register yourself to a job portal and look for opportunities in your area.

Useful Resources for Teaching Online:

• BYJU’s
• Unacademy
• Vedantu
• Khan Academy
• Udemy

8. Virtual Event Planning

Required Skills	Need to have good management, communication and Problem-solving skills
Income	₹3.9 LPA (Source: Payscale)

Virtual event planners are needed for arranging corporate conferences, work meetings, fundraisers, virtual parties, trade shows, educational conferences, and webinars. If scheduling comes naturally to you and you are good with organizational work, you can become a virtual event planner. To become a virtual event planner, get familiar with platforms such as Hopin and Cvent. This will help you to win over your first customers. You can use tools like Instagram to get the word out about the services you offer.

Useful Resources for Virtual Event Planning:

• naukri.com
• LinkedIn
• Upwork
• Monster

9. Photography

Required Skills	Need to have good photography knowledge with a passion for always exploring new places
Income	₹0.3 – ₹6.2 LPA ( Source: Ambitionbox)

Launching your photography business is a great idea if you are into photography. Select a photography niche that you like, and then start taking photos. Once you have a collection, you can either start your store or can sell your photos through apps such as Adobe Stock, iStock, and Shutterstock. It is not enough to know how to take good photos, you need to know how to market them and develop your brand. If you are good at marketing yourself, the photography business will pay you.

Useful Resources for Photography:

• Adobe Stock
• Canva
• Fotolia
• Freepik
• Depositphotos

10. Become a Social Media Manager

Required Skills	Need to have a good knowledge of social media SEO, the latest trends and content creation.
Income	₹4.1 LPA ( Source: Ambitionbox)

If you are good with likes, followers, favourites, and retweets, you might want to consider becoming a social media manager. It is work from home business without investment. To start, all you need is a laptop or a mobile. You can find a job by consulting with companies and spreading their content across the web, keeping their brands on track, and responding to customer questions. Like this, you can turn your hobby into a day job.

Useful Resources for Social Media Management:

• Moz’s – For Guide
• Buzzsumo – For Creating social media
• Trello – For Managing tasks

11. Personal Trainer

An online personal trainer is a fitness professional that provides fitness training and advice via the internet. They can work with clients in various ways, including video chats, email, Skype, and other online platforms. Online personal trainers are typically certified fitness professionals that have experience in nutrition, exercise, and health. They can provide a tailored fitness program to meet the individual needs of their clients. The trainer can design a program that includes strength training, cardio, flexibility, and core exercises. They can also offer nutrition advice, meal plans and recipes, and guidance on healthy lifestyle habits. If you are someone who has been training for some time and has qualified as a certified nutritionist, you can start your online personal training agency. This can be a big money maker due to increased interest in a healthy lifestyle and working out in the post-pandemic world.

Required Skills	Certification in Nutrition Science, Physical Strength, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Communication
Income	₹2.38 LPA (Source: Indeed)

Useful Resources for Personal Trainers:

• Instagram – Networking and Client Onboarding
• Coursera – Skill Development
• Cult Fit – Strength Building
• Facebook – Marketing and Client Onboarding

12. Video Editor

An online video editor specializing in creating and editing videos for clients. This business typically offers services such as video production, editing, motion graphics, colour grading, sound engineering, and more. Online video editing businesses are well-suited for clients looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to produce high-quality videos. By working with an experienced video editor, clients can be confident that their projects will be completed on time and to their specifications. The increased need for online presence and unique content has increased the demand for talented video editors, and companies do not shy away from hiring virtual video editors. You may need to be proficient in software like Adobe Suite, DaVinci Resolve, etc. Video editors do not need to have their hands in every form of video production. They can specialize in a couple of video editing fields which will pay them handsomely for their creativity.

Required Skills	Creative & Artistic Skills, Powerful PC, Familiarity with professional video editing software, Willingness to Learn
Income	₹0.3 – ₹6 LPA (Source: AmbitionBox)

Useful Resources for Video Editors:

• Fiverr – To look for freelance projects
• Upwork – Freelance gigs
• YouTube – Skill Development
• Motion Array – Presets, Templates, & other assets
• Freepik – Graphic Assets
• Skillshare – Video Editing Certification
• LinkedIn – Networking and Client Onboarding

13. Travel Agency

The online travel agency business typically has a website where customers can enter their travel details and find the best deals. They can also read reviews and get advice from experienced travellers. Once customers have selected their flights, hotels, and other activities, they can pay through the website. Then, the online travel agency business will provide all of the necessary documentation, such as tickets and itineraries, to the customer. The online travel agency business can offer additional services, such as travel insurance, currency exchange, and airport transfers. They can also provide tailored packages to suit the customers’ needs. Additionally, they can provide detailed information on attractions, hotels, and other services in the destination, as well as travel tips and advice. Finally, the online travel agency business can help customers with additional needs, such as visas and passport requirements.

Required Skills	Organizational Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Familiarity with Web Design, Multilingual Expertise, Negotiation Capability
Income	₹3.58 LPA (Source: Indeed)

Useful Resources for Travel Agency:

• WordPress – Website Building
• Hostinger – Domain & Hosting
• GoDaddy – Domain & Hosting
• Udemy – Skill Development
• PayPal – Payment Gateway Support
• WooCommerce – eCommerce Website Plugin
• Instagram – Marketing
• Facebook – Marketing

14. Course Creator

An online course creator business allows individuals and organizations to create, publish, and sell online courses. The business provides the necessary tools and services to create the course, including hosting, interactive course materials, and a membership platform. The business also provides marketing and promotional services to help promote the course and increase its exposure to potential customers. The basic services from an online course creator may include website and course creation, hosting, and domain registration. The more advanced services may include automated payment processing, marketing and promotional services, and customer support. The business also offers a variety of features, such as private course forums, instructor support, and course analytics.

Required Skills	Familiarity with Website Design, SEO, Sales, Market Trends, Negotiation Skills, Organizational and Teaching Capabilities
Income	–

Useful Resources for Course Creators:

• Fiverr – To look for freelance projects
• GitHub – Learn & Develop Codes
• Freepik – Graphic Assets
• Adobe Stock – Stock Footage
• Unsplash – Stock Footage and Copyright-Free Images
• Udemy – Skill Development
• LinkedIn – Networking and Skill Development

15. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant business is a great way to provide clients with a wide range of services without being physically present. This type of business allows entrepreneurs to outsource tasks that take up too much of their time, giving them more freedom to focus on other aspects of their business. Virtual assistants offer a variety of services, from administrative to creative tasks. Depending on the client’s needs, virtual assistants can provide customer service, data entry, email management, social media management, scheduling, website design, and more. To get started in the virtual assistant business, entrepreneurs must create a website, market their services, and find clients. It is important to research and determine the rates that virtual assistants are charging for their services. Additionally, entrepreneurs should create a portfolio of their work and build a network of clients to help them gain more business.

Required Skills	Organizational Skills, Interpersonal Communication, Attention to Detail, Tech savvy
Income	₹2.93 LPA (Source: Indeed)

Useful Resources for Virtual Assistant:

• Fiverr – To look for freelance projects
• Indeed – Job Portal
• Naukri – Job Portal
• Freelancer – Freelance gigs
• Coursera – Skill Development
• LinkedIn – Networking and Skill Development

In addition to this, we would also recommend you check our latest blog, where we have listed some of the easiest business ideas for Instagram. Do check it out and let us know if you find it useful.

Steps to Start an Online Business in India

1. Identify a Profitable Niche

The first step is to select a product or service that is in high demand and has low competition for your online business. Research the demands and preferences of your target audience.

2. Choose a Business Model

Now that you have decided on your niche, choose the type of online business you want to start. This business model could be an e-commerce store, online marketplace, or any other model.

3. Create a Business Plan

The next step is to create a detailed business plan that outlines your objectives, plans of action and financial estimates. Additionally add information about your target market, products or services, marketing strategy and financial plan.

4. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits

Depending on the type of business you start, you might need to apply for specific licenses and permits. For instance, you might need to get a food license if you intend to sell food items.

5. Build your Website

Now create a website for your business to showcase all your goods and services. Make sure your website is easy to use even on mobile an has simple navigation. You can also think about setting up a mobile app for your business.

6. Set up Payment and Shipping Options

Once your website is all setup, select a payment gateway that accepts Indian currency. Furthermore, set up delivery options for your products.

7. Create a Marketing Plan

Build a marketing strategy that is designed around your target audience. To reach out to your audience make use of social media, email marketing and other digital marketing techniques.

8. Launch your Business

The last step is of course to commence your online business and start advertising your products or services.

Tips to Start a Successful Online Business in India

1. Market Research

Doing thorough market research is a must before putting your time and money into your business. By doing this you will be able to determine the feasibility of your business idea and see if there are any areas of improvement based on the research data. You can either hire an agency or conduct the research yourself.

2. Develop your Product or Service

Now that you are through with your market research and have a business plan in hand, it is time to implement it. If you are going to sell physical products, you need to find a way to create them. You can either make them yourself or find a manufacturer or a supplier for your products.  For services, you will need to create different packages of your service offering.

3. Business Name and Website

Now it is time to decide on a name for your business. If you are unable to think of the perfect name yourself, you can always take the help of online business name generators.

The next step is to set up a website and for that, you need to decide on a domain name and check its availability. You can buy domain names usually for $20 a year while hosting services start at $8 per month.

Design your logo and website in such a way that it stands out from your competition. Choose the colours that compliment the overall look and feel of your brand and pick a typeface that works in your industry.

4. Marketing

The next thing to do after setting up your website is to promote your business to your potential customers. There are several channels through which you can promote your business-like social media, paid ads, SEO, influencer marketing, content marketing, email marketing, affiliate marketing and mobile marketing.

5. Promotions and Discounts

Giving incentives in the form of discounts, gifts, free shipping, bundle promotions, etc., can help in grabbing your customer’s attention. You can also offer referral programs and games with rewards to show appreciation to your customers.

Conclusion

It’s time to get started and build an online money-making business in your spare time if you’ve been considering how to start an online business. Don’t put everything on the line. Start small and grow from there with a side business. or keep everything minimal. The freedom to do whatever you want is the joy of beginning your own online business.

FAQs