Top 10 Home-Based Businesses to Launch in 2024


Last updated: October 18, 2024

a_man_working_at_laptopFreelancing has reshaped work and entrepreneurship. As of 2023, 64 million Americans are freelancing. Ali Rahmon, a Syrian refugee in Romania, is one such success story.

After relocating in 2014, he pivoted to web and 3D design. By 2016, he launched his site with $2,000 in savings. Social media and influencer collaborations quickly boosted his profile and ESPN’s $2,500 project offer was a turning point.

By 2020, TikTok amplified his reach, engaging NBA teams, and driving monthly earnings to $10,000-$15,000.

1. Graphic Design and Editing

Graphic design tops our list. Freelancers on Upwork earn $15-$150 per hour. Brett Williams’ story is inspiring.

A self-taught designer, Williams founded Designjoy, earning $150,000 monthly. He marketed his service on Product Hunt, attracting 40,000 visits on day one. Similarly, Ali Rahmon’s social media strategies yielded $10,000-$15,000 monthly.

2. Consulting and Accounting Services

Consulting and accounting are lucrative home businesses. Redditor RunningForit charges $100-$150 per hour for outsourced services. Another Redditor, UpSaltOS, excels in food consulting for organic products, exploiting a niche with high rates due to a shortage of food scientists.

3. Homemade Products Selling

Selling handmade products online is profitable. Platforms like Etsy enable entrepreneurs to sell jewelry, art, and vintage items. A birth flower jewelry pack, priced at $6.41, garnered 42,100 reviews with a 4+ star rating.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is booming. With a global search volume of 744,600 in the past month, it’s a hot topic. Bruce Paulson’s shift from SEO to affiliate marketing earned him $203,000 in 2022. Affiliate marketers can earn $58,000-$158,000 annually, plus bonuses and commissions.

5. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a promising venture. According to Shopify, first-year entrepreneurs spend about $40,000. It takes 10-15 months to reach $2,000 in monthly revenue.

6. Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is thriving. Tools like Google Classroom and Zoom enable free classes. Entrepreneurs can start online academies, hiring professionals to teach students globally.

7. Social Media Influencer

Social media influencing is highly profitable. Achieng Agutu, with 488,000 Instagram followers, made over $1 million in her first year. Nano influencers like Jour’dan Haynes earn $600 per post.

8. Online Bulk Selling

Selling items in bulk online is lucrative. Jungle Scout reports Amazon sellers earn at least $1,000 monthly, with super sellers making $100,000. 40% of Amazon sellers earn between $1,000-$25,000 monthly.

9. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is accessible and profitable. Writers on Upwork charge $15-$40 per hour or $40-$200 per project. Redditor Resumes-by-Hedy earns $3,400 monthly from resume writing.

10. Virtual Fitness Training

Virtual fitness training is booming. BreeAnna Cox, founder of BodyByBree, made $450,000 in 2020. Her online presence, including a training app, has over 104,000 Instagram followers.

Our Methodology

We analyzed Reddit threads and over ten rankings to compile this list. Businesses featured in at least 50% of our sources made the cut.

These ventures symbolize the new frontier of home-based entrepreneurship. From virtual fitness to affiliate marketing, the opportunities are vast and varied. Whether you’re crafting handmade goods or consulting on niche markets, the digital age offers endless possibilities for success from home.

You May Also Like: Why 2024 is the Year for Women Entrepreneurs



About The Author

Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Jon Morgan, MBA, LLM, has over ten years of experience growing startups and currently serves as CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter. Educated at UC Davis and Harvard, he offers deeply informed guidance. Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with family, his poodle Sophie, and learning Spanish.
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Growth & Transition Advisor
LJ Viveros has 40 years of experience in founding and scaling businesses, including a significant sale to Logitech. He has led Market Solutions LLC since 1999, focusing on strategic transitions for global brands. A graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Communications, LJ is also a distinguished Matsushita Executive alumnus.
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