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.

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 them and make them 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.

1. Internet Business Idea #1: Affiliate Marketing

   What is it? Promote other companies' products and services on your website. When a sale is made, you get a commission.
   The most important skills needed are PPC (Pay Per Click marketing), sales copywriting, web marketing
   Best learning resources Affiliate Classroom, Shoe Money, Rosalind Gardner
   Recommended Book Make a Fortune Promoting Other People’s Stuff Online by Rosalind Gardner

2. 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.
   The most important skills needed Copywriting, social networking, affiliate marketing, web marketing
   Best learning resources ProBlogger, Blogging for Dollars, Yaro Starak’s Blog Mastermind Program (highly recommended & he has a free report to download)
   Recommended Book ProBlogger, Secrets to Blogging Your Way to a Six Figure Income by Darren Rowse & Chris Garrett

3. Web-Based Business Idea #3: eBay & Auction Selling

   What is it? Selling or reselling products via an online marketplace like eBay, Amazon Auctions, or Craigslist. You can sell used goods, buy goods wholesale, or use a drop-shipping service.
   The most important skills needed Merchandising, sales copy-writing, customer service
   Best learning resources eBay Learning Center, Sale Hoo Training Center, Jenny How
   Recommended Book
   eBay 101: Selling on eBay For Part-time or Full-time Income, Beginner to Power Seller in 90 Days by Steve Weber

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

   What is it? Selling products or a technology-based service on your own website.
   Most important skills needed All of the above, below, and then some!
   Best learning resources Entrepreneur.com’s Online Business Startup Guide
   Recommended Book
   The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds

5. Internet Home Business Idea #5: Arts & Crafts

   What is it? Creating and manufacturing your own product lines and selling them online.
   The most important skills needed are Creativity, sales, e-commerce
   Best learning resources Spark plugging’s Craft Boom, About.com Craft Business 101 Series, Barbara Brabec
   Recommended Book
   The Crafts Business Answer Book: Starting, Managing and Marketing a Home-based Arts, Crafts, or Design Business by Barbara Brabec

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

   What is it? Doing internet research for corporations, law firms, and other small businesses.
   The most important skills needed are 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

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

   What is it? Providing professional services such as copywriting, design, photography, illustration, and programming is usually billed at an hourly rate.
   The most important skills needed are Sales, customer service, trade-specific knowledge
   Best learning resources Our Freelance Parent channel, Freelance Switch
   Recommended Book
   The Business Side of Creativity: The Complete Guide to Running a Small Graphic Design or Communications Business by Cameron S. Foote

8. Work At Home Web Business Idea #8: Recruiting

   What is it? Recruiting candidates for companies who pay a fee when a hire is made.
   The most important skills needed are Sales, relationship building, networking
   Best learning resources Recruiters Network, Hire Ability
   Recommended Book
   Start Your Own Executive Recruiting Business (Entrepreneur Magazine’s Start-Up) by Entrepreneur Press

9. Internet Business Idea #9: Consulting

   What is it? Providing your specialized industry knowledge to corporations, entrepreneurs, investors, or other businesses.
   Most important skills needed are Trade-specific knowledge, sales, customer service
   Best learning resources Entrepreneur.com’s Consulting Business Startup Guide
   Recommended Book
   The Business of Consulting: The Basics and Beyond (CD-ROM Included) by Elaine Biech

10. Web Business Idea #10: VA (Virtual Assistant)

    What is it? Providing administrative and business support to other business owners and small businesses.
    The most important skills needed in Customer service, organization
    Best learning resources Virtual Assistant Startups, Entrepreneur.com’s Business Support Startup Guide, Virtual PA Business
    Recommended Book
    The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants by Christine Durst