Top 10 Internet Home Business Ideas You Can Start and Run in Your Underwear

Can Anyone Make Money Online Working From Home?

Of course. Many thousands of people do. You might have friends or family members who make a living with a home-based Internet business already. The problem is that not everyone WILL make money online, because making money on the internet takes a long time to learn, and most people give up because it can be extremely frustrating.

How fun is it to think you can make money at home in your undies?

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With over 300,000 “Internet Home Business” related searches on the internet every month, it’s safe to say that there is a lot of demand for information on how to make money on the internet. Sadly, this also means that there are a lot of shady characters preying on this group of people.


I knew someone who fell for one of these scams once – they taught him how to make money online, and then all he did was sell seminars – on how to make money online. The fact that he had never actually made any money online was beside the point… I guess. Not surprisingly, I’m not a big supporter of his business. :)

When Can You Quit Your Day Job to Work Online From Home?

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for starting an internet home business is this: Don’t expect to replace your day job’s income for 365 days (or so!). Although I will add that service-based businesses tend to bring in revenue faster, I would still allow for a full year to replace your outside-the-home salary.

The Good News About the Home Based Business Industry

As long as you are willing to put in the hours (days… weeks…. months….. ) to learn the ropes, you can bootstrap your business with extremely little money, generally speaking. Remember that some businesses take more to start than others. I’ve probably directly invested less than $3000 getting this blog up and running, and now revenue is increasing at about a 125-140% pace every month after being in business for 16 months. So, where do you start from here? Here are some general rules of thumb.

Internet-Based Business: Startup Rules

  1. Pre-packaged programs only work as much as you can customize it and make it unique and your own. Even then, techniques that work for one niche won’t work in all niches.
  2. Be wary of any “system” that promises instant results (especially anything that sounds like a get-rich-quick scheme!)
  3. Knowing the basics of html, SEO (search engine optimization), social media marketing, website marketing and traditional marketing and sales are a must.
  4. Every business is made stronger by specializing in a tight niche. Know your audience and stick to it.

Unless you have a brilliant tech idea that makes venture capitalists drool (which means you don’t need this list), you need to determine where your strengths are and which business model you plan on following. I have run three home-based businesses in my life, all of which leveraged my current skill set as the foundation for building the business. Look over the following list and single out the ones in which you have at least some experience. You probably won’t have all of the skills necessary, so don’t let that stop you! All you have to do is work hard and be willing to learn.

Internet Business Idea #1: Affiliate Marketing

What is it?
Promote other company’s products and services on your website. When a sale is made, you get a commission.

Most important skills needed
sales copywriting, web marketing, list building, PPC (Pay Per Click marketing),

Best learning resources

Recommended Book
Make a Fortune Promoting Other People’s Stuff Online by Rosalind Gardner
Huge Profits with Affiliate Marketing by Connie Ragen Green

Free Webinar Replay:
Become an Earning Affiliate Marketer

Internet Home Business Idea #2: Blogging

What is it?
A chronologically based website filled with articles, reviews, or journal-style writing. You can sell advertising or incorporate affiliate marketing on a blog to earn money.

Most important skills needed
Writing, social networking, affiliate marketing, web marketing

Best learning resources
Smart Blogging Skills, Know Your Blog Stats, Learn WP Fast

Recommended Interviews
Blogging for Profit with Nicole Dean

Recommended Books

Expert Briefs: Blogging for Profit: The Stripped-Down Naked Truth from 26 Rockin’ Online Business Owners
ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
Mom Blogging For Dummies

Web-Based Business Idea #3: Information Products

What is it?
Selling your expertise in various forms from bite sized reports to full fledged membership sites, people need what know and are willing to pay for it.

Most important skills needed
Copywriting, area of expertise, web marketing, customer service

Best learning resources
42 Day Launch Incubator, Plan Your Offer Funnel

Idea #4 for Internet Home Based Businesses: E-Commerce

There’s an update coming for this idea soon!

Internet Home Business Idea #5: Sell Your Creative Arts, Crafts & Indie Products

What is it?
Creating and manufacturing your own product lines and selling them online.  A favorite website for marketing your crafts is Etsy.

Most important skills needed
Creativity, sales, e-commerce

Best learning resources
Sparkplugging’s CraftBoom Blog, Craft Your Biz

Recommended Books
Etsy-preneurship: Everything You Need to Know to Turn Your Handmade Hobby into a Thriving Business
How to Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond

Home Business Idea for Web Workers #6: Internet Research Business

What is it?
Doing internet research for corporations, law firms and other small businesses.

Most important skills needed
Librarian-style research skills, customer service

Best learning resources
Entrepreneur.com’s Information Consultant Startup Guide

Recommended Book
Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional by Mary Ellen Bates

Idea #7 for Working From Home on the Web: Freelance Writing

What is it?
Providing your writing skills to others, including ghostwriting.

Most important skills needed
Writing skills, customer service, time management

Best learning resources
Sparkplugging’s Freelancers at Home Blog

Recommended Interviews
Find and Secure Freelance Blogging Work with Tom Ewer

Recommended Books
Freelance Blogging Success: How to Find Clients that Will Pay You 00+ Per Article
Freelance Writing Success: How to Set and Negotiate Rates Confidently
Break into the World of Freelance Writing: How I Went from $0 to ,100 in One Month with No Experience (Becoming a Freelance Writer)

Work At Home Web Business Idea #8: WordPress Consulting & Design

What is it?
WordPress is a Content Management System best known as a ‘Blog’ and the need for WordPress management and design is great.

Most important skills needed
WordPress expertise, graphic design skills, Photoshop, etc.

Best learning resources
Tech Based Training, Website Design Mojo, Graphic Design Mojo

Internet Business Idea #9: Coaching/Consulting

What is it?
Providing your specialized knowledge to those who need it.

Most important skills needed
Trade-specific knowledge, sales, customer service

Best learning resources
Smart Coaching Skills

Recommended Interviews:
From Teacher to Business Coach with Bob Jenkins

Web Business Idea #10: VA (Virtual Assistant)

What is it?
Providing administrative and business support to other business owners and small businesses.

Most important skills needed
Customer service, organization, social media

Best learning resources
Become an Educated VA, Free list of 147 tasks you can do as a VA

Recommended Book
Virtual Assistant – The Series 4th Edition

Further Reading

Please visit the Sparkplugging homepage to discover more articles on starting and running an Internet business.

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