Starting your own business in college might seem tough, but the digital world offers many chances to make your dreams come true. You can sell your crafts or offer online tutoring. This article will show you 15 online business ideas that can help you manage your money and keep up with school.
In today’s digital world, smart students use their skills and interests to start online businesses. If you’re creative, know marketing, or are good with technology, there’s a business idea for you. The internet lets you work from anywhere, making it easy to earn money while studying.
Key Takeaways
- The internet has opened up a world of online business opportunities for students.
- Leveraging your skills and passions can help you create a successful online venture.
- Online businesses offer the flexibility to generate income while pursuing your studies.
- Exploring diverse online business models can lead to a sustainable income stream.
- Embracing the digital landscape can empower you to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Sell Handmade Goods on Etsy or Other Online Marketplaces
Are you creative and love making unique items? Think about making money online by selling your goods on platforms like Etsy. With an Etsy shop, you can find many customers and make money from your unique items.
Over 1.6 million sellers use Etsy, and sites like Amazon Handmade, Cratejoy, and Zibbet offer more chances for college crafters and undergrads to sell their handmade products. These sites are great for young entrepreneurs to share their creative business ideas and make money from their hobbies.
Success Story: How Katie Carson Built a Soap Empire on YouTube
Katie Carson is a great example. She started Royalty Soaps in high school and made a name for herself on YouTube with soap-making videos. Her YouTube channel helped her turn her hobby into a business she runs while in college. Katie’s story shows how selling handmade goods online can lead to success for students.
| Platform | Unique Selling Points | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Largest online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. | $0.20 listing fee, 6.5% transaction fee. |
| Amazon Handmade | Leverages Amazon’s massive customer base, but has fewer product categories. | 15% referral fee, $39.99 monthly Professional Seller plan. |
| Cratejoy | Specialized in subscription boxes, catering to a monthly recurring revenue model. | Varies based on plan, starting at $39/month. |
If you’re into making handmade soaps, jewelry, digital art, or other unique items, online marketplaces can help you make money. They offer great chances for students to turn their creative skills into a profitable online business.
Start an Online Tutoring Business
Are you a college student looking to earn extra income? Think about starting an online tutoring business. Use your academic strengths to help high school or younger students get ready for college. This flexible job lets you share your skills and knowledge while making good money.
The global online tutoring market size is expected to hit USD 23.75 billion by 2031, growing at a 14.20% CAGR from 2024 to 2031. The online learning industry has grown by 900% since 2000, making it the fastest-growing market. About 70% of students think online learning is better than traditional classes, and the number of online learners is set to reach 57 million by 2027.
To kick off your online tutoring business, promote your services on campus and through various marketing channels. Build a simple e-commerce website to sell time slots and highlight your skills and what you offer. This is a great way for college students to make money by aiding high school students with summer studies or younger students in preparing for college classes they’ve already mastered.
Based on the numbers, annual earnings for online tutors can be from $30,000 to over $100,000. Computer programming tutors can earn between $50,000 to over $150,000 a year. Starting an online tutoring business requires an initial investment of $1,000 to $5,000, and it usually takes 1 to 3 months to build a successful online tutoring business.
If you’re a college student looking for virtual learning opportunities and want to help your peers with academic help, an online tutoring business could be a great and profitable choice.
Sell Digital Products Like Templates, Music, or Printables
The digital age has opened up many opportunities for student entrepreneurs. You can sell digital products online, like templates, music, or printable art. These products need little money to start, perfect for students in small living spaces.
If you’re good at design, think about making and selling templates. You could create PowerPoint templates, social media graphics, or printable planners. Music students can sell original music clips or beats for commercials. And artists can sell printable art to e-commerce businesses or people wanting unique decor.
This way, you don’t have to worry about storing items, making it easy and cheap for student entrepreneurs. You just need a computer, your creativity, and a place to sell your products. With more people shopping online and the rise of the creator economy, there’s a big demand for quality digital products. This means students can make good money online.
| Digital Product | Typical Pricing | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Online Courses | $100 – $10,000+ | Scalable, high-profit potential |
| Templates | $5 – $10 | Low cost to create, high demand |
| Software and Apps | $10 – $100 per month | Recurring revenue, potential for subscriptions |
| Printables and Downloads | $10 – $20 | Versatile, convenient for customers |
By exploring digital products, student entrepreneurs can use their skills and creativity to start a successful online business with little money upfront. Whether you decide to sell templates, music, or printable art, the chances for success are big.
Offer Local Services Like Childcare, Pet Sitting, or Delivery
Starting a local service-based business as a student is a smart way to make extra money. Think about offering services like childcare, pet sitting, or delivery services for college campuses. These community-based business ideas for young adults don’t need much money to start and fit well with your school schedule.
Key Takeaway: Start With Services You Can Offer in Your Community
By focusing on local services for students, you can make connections, gain experience, and earn money easily. Many students do well with pet sitting side hustles or childcare business for undergrads. They use their knowledge of the area to their advantage.
For example, offering delivery services for college campuses helps busy students, faculty, and staff get what they need without leaving campus. Or, you could make money by taking care of pets in your neighborhood through pet sitting or dog walking services.
| Local Service Business Ideas for Students | Potential Earnings | Startup Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare | $10-$20 per hour | Low (background check, supplies) |
| Pet Sitting | $15-$30 per visit | Minimal (transportation, pet supplies) |
| Delivery Services | $10-$15 per delivery | Low (vehicle, insulated bags) |
“Starting a local service-based business as a student is a great way to earn extra income and gain valuable entrepreneurial experience. The key is to focus on services you can provide within your own community.”
Try Dropshipping and Sell Products Without Inventory
Dropshipping is a smart way for college students to start an online business. You don’t need to keep any products in stock. This model lets you sell items without buying them first or handling storage. It’s perfect for students living in small spaces like dorms, needing only a laptop and internet to start.
For those skilled in design and marketing, dropshipping is a top choice. The focus is on how you present and market the products, not the products themselves. This approach saves time and reduces stress by avoiding shipping and inventory tasks.
| Benefits of Dropshipping | Challenges of Dropshipping |
|---|---|
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To begin with dropshipping, students should find reliable suppliers, set up an online store, and use digital marketing to draw in customers. With the right strategy, dropshipping can be a profitable venture for students aiming to start their own online business.
“Dropshipping is a game-changer for college entrepreneurs who want to start an online business with minimal upfront investment.”
online business ideas for students
The digital age has brought many online business opportunities for today’s college students. Students can sell handmade goods, digital products, or offer services. They can also make money through social media. The key is to pick an idea that fits your skills and student life. This could be dropshipping, content creation, or local services.
Here are some great online business ideas for students to think about:
- Print-on-Demand Business: Sell custom designs on items like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without the need for upfront printing costs.
- Freelance Writing: Use your writing skills for content creation, copywriting, or proofreading for clients.
- Online Tutoring: Teach students in subjects you know well, either one-on-one or in groups.
- Affiliate Marketing: Make money by promoting products or services and using your own affiliate links.
- Social Media Management: Help businesses manage their social media accounts, create content, and grow their online presence.
Looking for a side hustle, an ecommerce business, or a way to earn online income? The digital world has many profitable online jobs for students and digital business opportunities for student entrepreneurs. Use your talents and passions to build a successful internet-based business model. This way, you can create online income streams that suit your student lifestyle.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
Become a Social Media Influencer or Content Creator
If you’re already popular on social media sites like TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, you can make money from your influence. You can do sponsored content or sell branded merchandise to your fans. For students starting out, finding a niche and making content that connects with your audience is key.
Success Story: How Angelina Li Built Fireflyslime on TikTok
Angelina Li is a great example. She started her slime business, Fireflyslime, in college after her TikTok slime videos went viral. As a social media influencer for students, she turned her passion into a successful content creator business ideas. This lets her build online audience as a student and show off her skills as a TikTok entrepreneur to her Gen Z influencer followers.
The “creator economy” is now worth $100 billion and keeps growing. Glassdoor says the average content creator in the US makes $48,000 a year. But, the top earners can make over $100,000 a month from online courses, affiliate marketing, and brand deals.
“In 2024, according to Hubspot’s 2024 State of Inbound Marketing Trends report, 50% of surveyed marketers using influencer marketing plan to increase their investment in this strategy.”
Whether you’re already a social media influencer for students or just starting, there are many chances to succeed online as a student. Use your skills and connect with your audience to become a successful TikTok entrepreneur and Gen Z influencer.
Start an Online Reselling Business
If you have an eye for hidden gems, think about starting an online reselling business. Look for unique and vintage items at local markets, thrift stores, or online. Then, sell them on your own website or a marketplace. Fashion entrepreneurship for undergrads can also mean upcycling old materials into new, unique items. This is a great way for students to join the secondhand and sustainability-focused e-commerce market without spending a lot.
Starting an online reselling business for students can be very profitable. Profit margins can reach up to 50% or more, depending on what you sell. Selling vintage or thrifted items like furniture or jewelry can bring in good money if you know your market well.
Also, reselling luxury designer clothing is a hot trend. You can find items at thrift stores, garage sales, or online. The estate sales business is another way to make money, combining sales of items and service fees.
To begin, set up an e-commerce site for reselling products. You can sell a variety of items, like dropshipped goods, handmade crafts, or wholesale merchandise. With a Shopify plan starting at $29 a month, it’s easy to start, making it a great chance for online reselling business for students.
“Starting an Amazon reselling business is noted as one of the lowest-cost startups with the potential to replace one’s full-time income.”
Sell Print-on-Demand Merchandise with Your Designs
The print-on-demand (POD) business model is a great chance for creative students to sell custom merchandise online. If you’re good at art and design, you can use POD to turn your ideas into a successful online store.
POD is easy to start. You can make products like t-shirts, mugs, posters, and phone cases without worrying about inventory or shipping. The POD service takes care of that, so you can focus on making and marketing your creative products for e-commerce.
Platforms like Printify and Printful offer many customizable products. They’re perfect for artistic entrepreneur ideas and POD opportunities for young adults. These services give discounts, clear prices, and work well with online stores. This makes starting your print-on-demand business for students easy.
| POD Platform | Product Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Printify | Over 200 customizable products, including t-shirts, hoodies, jewelry, and water bottles | Global network of printing facilities, 4.8/5 rating based on 1,800+ reviews |
| Printful | Variety of apparel printing techniques, such as direct to garment, cut and sew, and embroidery | Sample discounts up to 20%, seamless integration with e-commerce platforms |
| Gooten | Diverse product selection, including unique items like calendars and dog beds | International network of vendors, varying print quality and shipping options |
| Lulu | Specialized in printing and distributing books and ebooks | Customization options and transparent pricing for print-on-demand business for students |
When looking into print-on-demand business for students, focus on finding your niche and reaching the right people. With POD, you can make your creative products for e-commerce without the hassle of traditional inventory. Go for your artistic entrepreneur ideas and explore the exciting world of POD opportunities for young adults.
Offer Freelance Services in Writing, Design, or Consulting
As a student, you have many talents that can help you make extra money. You can offer freelance services in writing, graphic design, or consulting. If you’re good at writing, have an eye for design, or know a lot about a certain topic, people need your skills.
Creating a portfolio website or listing on Upwork or Fiverr lets you show off what you can do. Freelancing is great because it’s cheap to start and you can work when you want. Plus, you get to gain real-world experience.
Some of the most in-demand freelance services for students include:
- Writing: Your writing skills can be very useful for blog posts, articles, copywriting, and content creation.
- Graphic Design: If you’re good at visual design, you can offer services like logo creation, social media graphics, or website design.
- Consulting: Use your knowledge in social media, marketing, or academic subjects to help individuals or small businesses.
Remote work and the gig economy are growing, offering more chances for freelance services for students, online freelancing for undergrads, and remote work opportunities for college students. By joining the professional services e-commerce market, you can make your passions and skills into a successful writing, design, or consulting business.
“Freelancing is the future of work. It offers the freedom to choose your own path and the flexibility to create the life you want.” – Angelina Li, Founder of Fireflyslime
Create Local Experiences or Virtual Classes to Sell Online
As a student, you have a great chance to use your skills and local connections to make money online. You can sell experiences or virtual classes, no matter what you’re studying. Hospitality, education, or any other field can turn into a profitable online business.
For those in hospitality, think about offering tours, cooking classes, or other fun experiences for tourists in your town. Teachers-to-be can sell online workshops or courses, meeting the need for virtual learning.
- Use your unique skills and knowledge for local experiences or virtual classes
- Meet the needs of your audience, like tourists, students, or professionals
- Use platforms like Airbnb Experiences, Udemy, or Skillshare to get noticed
By using create and sell local experiences, virtual classes for e-commerce, and experiential products for young entrepreneurs, you can start a successful online business. This lets you share your passions and skills with the world.
| Online Business Idea | Potential Monthly Income | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Local Experiences (e.g., guided tours, cooking classes) | $200 – $3,000+ | Hospitality students |
| Virtual Classes (e.g., marketing, coding, language) | $50 – $5,000+ | Education students |
With your unique hospitality business ideas for students or online education opportunities for undergrads, you can build a successful online business. This lets you share your passions and skills with everyone.
Sell at Pop-Up Events, Markets, or Temporary Retail Spaces
As a student, you can make the most of pop-up retail chances to show and sell your products or services. Whether you’re making your own goods, collecting handmade items, or offering special foods, selling at local markets and events can be profitable. It’s a great way to test your business idea and meet people in your area.
The Walch siblings, Kale and Aubry, did well by starting their vegan “meat” brand at a local farmer’s market. They then opened their own plant-based deli. This pop-up retail helped them see what customers liked and improve their products. This led to their business growing a lot.
The Rise of Pop-Up Shops and Markets
Pop-up shops and temporary stores are getting more popular. They give students and young entrepreneurs a chance to show off their products and services. These community-based commerce chances can help you get your brand known, find more customers, and increase sales when it’s busy.
- Thousands of mobile retailers run pop-up shops in fair and market settings on any weekend across the nation.
- Pop-up shops with specialty or limited-time collections can create buzz and attract foot traffic to individual stores in malls and city centers.
- Businesses can boost sales and expand their customer base through pop-up shops, aiming for brand awareness.
- Pop-up shops are ideal for showcasing online products in person.
By taking advantage of these pop-up retail opportunities, you can enter new markets, connect with local customers, and learn valuable lessons to grow your business. Whether you’re selling handmade items, offering special foods, or providing unique services, pop-up events and markets can be a strong platform for student entrepreneurs.
Organize Engaging Camps or Programs for Kids
Unleash your creativity and teaching skills by offering captivating summer camp programs for children. Whether you love math, drama, or outdoor activities, you can make immersive camps for young minds. This is a great way for students in early childhood education or future teachers to earn extra money and gain experience.
The summer camp industry can be very profitable, with profits between 25% and 40%. But, you need to plan well and follow the rules. You must choose the right business setup and make sure your camp is safe.
Offering summer camps lets you join the growing market for education and kids’. Parents want fun and learning for their kids in the summer. This is a great chance for youth programming entrepreneurship and experiential services for young adults.
For your summer camp to succeed, plan a program that meets your audience’s needs. Include activities, workshops, and adventures for different age groups. Good marketing, easy payment options, and happy customers are key to your camp’s success.
“Investing in summer camp programs not only provides a valuable service to families but also allows you to turn your passion for teaching and youth development into a thriving online business venture.”
Use your skills, creativity, and the internet to start a successful education-focused venture for undergrads. This way, you can make a difference in kids’ lives and earn well. It’s a chance to mix your business skills with your love for kids, making a rewarding online business.
Offer Technical Services Like Translation, Data Entry, or Coding
Students with tech skills can make the most of the growing need for remote work. You can offer services like translation, data entry, coding help, transcription, audio engineering, or tech support. Advertise your skills on campus, social media, or freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr. This way, you can reach students, local businesses, and people all over the internet.
These tech services can pay well. Transcriptionists make about $52,000 a year on average. Web developers can earn $60,000 to $150,000 a year, based on their skills and where they are. The translation field also offers flexible ways to make money, with no set salary range. Using your tech skills, you can earn more to help with school or start your business.
With more people working remotely – about 22% of Americans by 2025 – the need for skills in data entry, coding, and tech support will grow. Being seen as a trusted and skilled service provider can lead to a profitable side job or a full-time remote career.