How to Work From Home and Make Money in 2017: 13 Proven Home-Based Businesses You Can Start Today

by Sam Kerns

Forbes Magazine says that 52 percent of small businesses are home-based, and those business owners earn combined revenues of $929.6 billion.

Owning a business is just like anything else you do in your life: the more you put into it, the better your chances of success.

while it’s true that you will make the majority of decisions about how to run the business, you will still have to answer to each and every one of your customers.

the truth is that you will have to build your business slowly and steadily, just like any other business owner does.

Even if you don’t meet with clients, it will make life easier for you if you dedicate a portion of your home to your business and keep it neat and organized.

The average price paid for a virtual assistant is between $20 and 45 an hour, and if you specialize, you can charge a lot more than that—closer to $100 an hour.

Basically, you can use any computer skill you have and offer it to busy business people.

Your main expenses will be related to computer equipment. You will need a computer, printer, internet connection, and software for the services you’re providing.

You should also have a website, but it’s possible to set it up for free by using WordPress or Weebly.

time tracking application for your projects and tasks.

You can use the name to describe the experience your customers will have when using your product.

Now that you have a business name, it’s time to put it on the internet map.

The best case scenario is to use your business name in your website address.

The cheapest way to open an online store is to use an ecommerce platform

In order to run a successful online store, you’ll need a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate to convince your shoppers that their information is safe.

Who is my perfect customer? (Describe them in age, gender, economic status, and other details) What are these people’s needs or problems? How can I fulfill those needs or solve their problems?

The handmade market is growing so large that Amazon is even expanding their site to include handmade items. And no one can argue the success of Etsy shops, which are entirely handmade.

Consumers typically find website by looking for information, and much of that information appears on blogs.

You’ll need to identify the keywords your potential customers use when searching online,

You will need to design logos, headers for your website and social media, along with other items that will help spread your brand.

website owners increase their sales by approximately 50 percent when they also sell on Amazon, according to executives from that company.

And while that may be a good long term goal, each marketplace has different infrastructures, policies and procedures you’ll have to follow.

eBooks fall into two categories: fiction and non-fiction. And as a book publisher, you’ll have to decide which types of books you want to write.

the basic principle is this: sit down and write.

Decide on your topic and then do the necessary research.

Write a Business Plan

you can get away with a 1-3 page plan that simply outlines your mission, goals, and financial strategies.

Get a Mentor

Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business

Register Your Business Name

Register for State and Local Taxes

Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Because so many people are into artisan foods these days,

Home-based food production

Food truck or bicycle delivery.

Farmer’s markets. If you grow vegetables or fruits, bake delicious breads and desserts, make a great homemade peanut or almond butter, granola, or can salsas and jams, you belong in a farmer’s market.

Catering.

Sell food online.

your first step should be to research the laws in your state to find out what is and isn’t allowed. These laws affect business licensing, zoning, and permits and are different in every state.

The best way to test your products is to form a focus group of people you don’t know who will give you their honest opinion. If

In order for your products to move off the shelves, you need to package them in a way that makes people want to buy them.

You may want to look for local sources of specialty foods by searching out local farms, vendors at farmer’s markets and co-ops.

You’ll need to find the sweet spot in your pricing to ensure that the price is affordable to customers, while still netting a decent profit for you.

If you plan to run a local food business, reach out to the people and organizations that would benefit from your products.

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) issued a report that says 18 percent of existing vending machine owners earn between $1 million and $5 million a year.

business and operating it out of your home, what you need is a plan. A detailed plan of action that will help you get into this business the smart way, avoid scams, and operate profitably.

The SBA provides a listing of all the state’s licensing and permit offices, and you can use it to check the requirements in yours here.

If you buy a used vending machine, you should have some skills to be able to repair it when it breaks, or know someone who can. If

You will need a truck to haul your machines to and from the places you put them. In addition, when you make the rounds to fill the machines, you will need a vehicle with a lot of room to carry the products.

The key to making as much money as you can in this business is to buy your products for the lowest amount you can.