27 Best Side Business Ideas In India [2023]

Even though having a side business on top of regular employment isn’t always simple, it is incredibly popular. A passive income can be a fantastic solution for anyone who wants to supplement their income, pursue a hobby in their free time, or establish the business they’ve always wanted to.

Consider trying out one of the 27 side business ideas we’ve listed below if you want to enter the gig business. Many of these side-business concepts are expandable into full-fledged enterprises, while others are simple, quick methods to make some extra money while doing your regular job. Let’s get started.

27 Best Side Business Ideas in India

Become a YouTuber

You could start a YouTuber’s business if you enjoy creating videos. Those who want to work from home and choose their own hours might consider this a fantastic choice.

Whether it’s fashion, food, travel, or something completely different, you can make videos about any subject that fascinates you.

Just a camera and an internet connection are required! Although the rates will differ depending on the kind of content you’re producing and the demand for your services, this is a terrific opportunity to make some extra income. 1

Blogging

Blogging is always likely to be one of the top side business ideas for those who are working. Why blogging? because there are countless ways to earn money and it is the simplest to start. Any free blogging platform, such as Blogger, WordPress.com, or Wix, can do for your personal blog. However, I’ll advise you to always try to start your blog on a paid hosting platform with a unique domain name right from the beginning.

Freelancing

Freelancing refers to performing someone else’s work under a contract and receiving payment for your services. Although the contracts may occasionally be time-limited, you still have complete freedom. With a desktop or laptop, you can work from home and do tasks for clients in other countries. Freelancing might be an excellent side business idea to make some additional cash if you are familiar with HTML, CSS, and Adobe Photoshop.

Become a Tutor

Tutoring can be a high-paying side job for anyone, whether they are a teacher looking for an additional source of income, a former teacher keen to stay connected with students, a grad student with time on their hands and bills to pay, or simply have a strong academic record in the subject they are tutoring.

Alternatively, you can look for nearby tutoring firms. You can decide whether to start your own independent tutoring business with or without the desire to hire more instructors and expand into a multi-employee business. Successful tutors often specialise in specific courses or exams, but many people who are older than adulthood haven’t written a thesis paper or taken the SAT in a while. As a result, it’s important to set aside some time each week to review your knowledge and develop lesson plans.

Become a Virtual Assistant

Starting a virtual assistant business is another well-liked side-business concept in India. The need for virtual assistants is expanding as more companies take their business online.

If you have experience in management or customer service, becoming a virtual assistant can be the best career option for you. To get started, all you need is a computer and an internet connection.

Baking

It’s interesting how much baking can be used to inspire various profitable business concepts. By learning to knead flour, master the oven, and satisfy everyone’s sweet craving, you can begin earning some extra money. You don’t have to quit your day job just yet to pursue this business concept, even if some experts have already made baking their “bread and butter.” Depending on your level of skill, you might start off by perfecting grandma’s nostalgic cookies before moving on to specialising in fine artisanal foods.

Event and Party Planning

For top players, specialising in weddings performs effectively, but there are advantages to being a generalist as well. It is a really diverse company idea because event and party planners use their network of service providers to handle not just weddings but also seminars, corporate events, birthdays, baptisms, concerts, conferences, holiday parties, and other events. Here are some pointers if you wish to operate a part-time comfort event planning business as one of our more interesting side business ideas.

Wedding Planning

Simple ceremonies and two-day weddings are relics of the past. In India, vacation weddings—or, at the very least, themed weddings—have greatly increased in recent years. Since the wedding industry is expanding so rapidly, several films and TV shows have taken their ideas from it. According to estimates, the market for “Big Fat Indian Weddings” is worth $40–$50 million and is growing at a 30–40% annual rate. This is an excellent business opportunity for a beginner because it caters to all income ranges, and you may select according to your budget.

Freelance Photography

Starting a freelance photography business is an option if you enjoy taking pictures. Those who want to work from home and choose their own hours might consider this a fantastic choice.

You can take pictures for businesses, events, or even families. Just a camera and an internet connection are required!

Rates will vary depending on the kind of photography you do and the level of demand, but this is a terrific way to make some extra funds.

Online Consultancy

A consultancy is a type of business that doesn’t require any money but does need to reach a certain target audience. How effectively you promote yourself as a consultant or advisor will determine everything.

You can work as a consultant if you are knowledgeable in any field, such as astrology, finance, or taxes. You need to create a website, list your services and their prices, gather email addresses from customers, and advertise your company online. To reach more customers online, you can use social media networks or purchase ads on Facebook or Google.

Online Restaurant

An online restaurant is a great concept for a side business, whether you enjoy cooking or not.

The company is unlike other home delivery businesses because it specialises in a high-quality food product that isn’t often sold everywhere. In metro areas, this kind of business concept can be quite successful.

Selling Handicrafts

If you’re creative, you could start a company that sells unique, handmade goods. For people who prefer to work from home and choose their own hours, this is a fantastic choice.

You can sell your crafts to both companies and private customers. All you need are a few resources and some basic crafting knowledge.

Package Designing

Package design is an extremely profitable freelancing position that requires you to design the packaging’s outside. In order to produce a recognised and attractive appearance, you must prepare the font, colour combinations, logo to be applied, etc.

You need to be skilled at drawing and 3D image creation to master package design, but it’s your imagination that will set you apart. It’s a type of profession that allows you to earn some extra money while engaging in your interests.

Graphic Designing

Acquiring a formal education in graphic design is undoubtedly beneficial, but you may also acquire the basics on your own very quickly. With two opposable thumbs, some creativity, and some motivation, just about anyone can make a side income by designing (and selling) graphics like these inspirational quotes that can be printed on posters and sold on websites like Etsy.

This is made possible by tools like the increasingly simple-to-use Adobe Illustrator and even more accessible ones like Stencil and Visme.

Social media marketing

Another popular concept for a side business in India is to start a social media marketing company. Right now, there is a big demand for social media marketing services.

Social media marketing could be the ideal choice for you if you have experience using sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Create an Online Course

You can start an online course and sell it on websites like Udemy.com if you are an expert in a particular field or skill. This is another well-known internet enterprise in India that may be started with a small amount of money.

A laptop and an internet connection are all you need to start an online course. Either you or an expert can record the videos for the company. An online course costs approximately Rs 2,000, and you can make up to 70% in royalties from each transaction.

Selling Ebooks on Amazon

The digital version of a physical book is called an ebook. Although eBooks are not exactly a new idea, they are still not very well known in India. The physical book may soon be replaced by an eBook as the proportion of people using digital devices rises daily. because it is affordable and always in supply.

It’s not very difficult to publish an eBook on Amazon; all you need to do is register a free KDP account using your already-existing Amazon profile and list your book in Kindle stores all over the world.

Become an App Developer

It seems like there is an app for everything, sometimes. However, fresh ones keep appearing and selling for a high price. If you identify a market niche that hasn’t yet been fully exploited and you have the necessary coding skills, you might have a good company idea. Even those without the simplest coding knowledge could now create apps. Just be sure to test your app idea before moving forward. Even if your app business idea fails to become a bestseller, you will still acquire valuable skills.

Facebook Ad Specialists

The Facebook Marketing Consultant Program was just released publicly by Facebook. The programme is comparable to the Google Adwords Consultant Programme. The study found that Facebook ads have a significantly greater CTR than Google ads. This indicates that Facebook ads are more likely to be viewed than Google ads.

You can join the Facebook Marketing Consultant Programme and get Facebook certification. As a Facebook Ads specialist, you can gain knowledge of Facebook Pixel deployment, ad campaign setup, etc. You may target any kind of audience worldwide using Facebook ads.

Google Adword Consultant

Every company wants a presence in digital technology, whether it is a multinational corporation or a small business. With more than 60% of the revenue from digital ads, Google Ads is a popular online advertising programme. Completing the Google Adwords Certificate Exam will also qualify you to become a Google Adwords Consultant.

Keyword bidding, keyword selection, SEO, impression share, CPC, CPM, CTR, Analytics, and a number of other metrics are included in Google Adwords. The first level of the Adword certificate is for individuals, while the other is for companies. With the Individual Certification, becoming a qualified Google Ad Partner is simple.

Part-Time Delivery of Goods

The Amazon Flex service has recently been launched in India by Amazon India. You can join Amazon Flex if you have free time and use it to deliver Amazon Prime and non-Prime packages. Download the Amazon Flex India app and register to start receiving payments online every Wednesday for up to Rs. 120–140 per hour.

Boutique, salon, spa, etc.

Personal grooming, fashion, and related services are constantly in demand. You have a really good chance of turning your business idea into a successful business once you have made the initial investment in the store and raw materials. If you can focus on selling and forming brand partnerships, For this reason, it is simple to obtain a small company loan. Now is the perfect time to start any such business if you’re interested in being your own boss.

Ice Cream Business

Selling ice cream is a unique business concept. To attract customers, create unique flavours that are in accordance with the seasons. To explore various ice cream combinations, this enterprise needs a specific set of skills and patience.

Catering Services

The business of catering involves supplying food services at remote places or sites like hotels, hospitals, pubs, aircraft, cruise ships, parks, filming locations or studios, amusement parks, or event venues.

Computer Training Centre

There is a high demand for computer knowledge and skills in the modern world. One’s chances of landing the job are significantly improved if they have a basic understanding of how to use a computer and simple applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint from the Microsoft Office programmes. As a result, there is a high demand for people who know how to use computers, write programmes, and understand the quickly developing fields of technology like artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics, the IoT, etc.

MLM (Network Marketing)

In order to earn profits in multi-level marketing, often known as network marketing, you must sell the goods and services of a partner company. However, a share of the earnings come from the sales team you can build. You may run this entirely referral-based business from your home.

Sell Services On Fiverr

The gig economy is mainly helped by Fiverr. Despite the fact that services on Fiverr start at $5, some sellers are generating yearly incomes of at least six figures. On this platform, you can sell almost everything, but if you want to be successful and rise to the rank of Super Seller, you must consistently provide enormous value, even at lower price points.

Conclusion

Starting a side business and turning a profit are not the same. You need to put in a lot of effort, be dedicated, and be passionate about your work to make a business profitable. You might not succeed on your first try, as I already mentioned. You must experiment with several concepts and assess where you are seeing success. If you can maintain your positive attitude, who knows how successful your small idea can be in the coming years?

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