37 Easy Businesses to Start With Low Investment [2025 Ideas]

Starting a business doesn’t always require a lot of capital. In fact, 2025 is shaping up to be the perfect year for low-investment, high-potential startups, especially if you want to build something flexible, local, or fully online. 

So, if you’re looking for a side hustle, a new full-time career, or a creative outlet that pays, here are 37 easy business ideas that don’t break the bank but offer serious opportunity.

Each idea includes:

Let’s dive in!

What makes a business easy to start?

Before we jump in, let’s define what we mean by “easy to start.” These businesses typically:

Now let’s dive into the top options.

37 Easy businesses to start in 2025 without spending a fortune

1. Freelance writing

Have a way with words? Offer writing services to blogs, websites, and businesses. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. Specialise in niches like tech, health, or finance to charge higher rates.

Startup cost: Almost nothing

Potential income: £25 – £200 per article

These niches offer both high demand and strong earning potential for freelance writers in 2025.

2. Virtual Assistant (VA)

Support busy professionals with tasks like scheduling, email handling, and research. You can find clients through freelance platforms or small business groups on Facebook.

Startup cost: £50 - £100

Potential income: £15 - £40/hour

3. Dropshipping

Create an online store without holding inventory. You sell products, and your supplier ships directly to the customer. Focus on niche products with a strong audience.

Startup cost: £100 - £300 (Shopify, domain, ads)

Potential income: £500 - £5,000+/month

4. Social media management

Help businesses create and manage their social media content. Offer services like content planning, posting, and analytics.

Startup cost: £50 - £150

Potential income: £200–£2,000+/month per client

5. Online tutoring

Teach a subject you know well. Whether it's math, English, coding or science, students are always looking for help. You can tutor via Zoom and market through sites like Superprof or Tutorful.

Startup cost: Free to £100

Potential income: £15 – £50/hour

6. Print-on-Demand store

Design T-shirts, mugs, or phone cases without needing to maintain inventory. Use platforms like Printful or Gelato to print and ship products.

Startup cost: £100 or less

Potential income: £10 – £25 profit per product

7. Resume and LinkedIn optimisation

Many job seekers need help with crafting the perfect CV or LinkedIn profile. If you have writing or HR experience, this is a great niche.

Startup cost: £50 - £100

Potential income: £50 - £200 per client

8. Pet sitting and dog walking

Perfect for animal lovers. Start small by offering services to neighbours and grow via word-of-mouth or platforms like Rover.

Startup cost: £50 – £100 (insurance and marketing)

Potential income: £10 – £25 per session

🔸Don’t miss out on our How to Start a Dog Walking Business in the UK? [7 Steps Guide] for all the info you may need!

9. Cleaning services

House cleaning is in constant demand. Offer basic or deep cleans, and target local clients via Facebook groups or leaflets.

Startup cost: £100 – £200 for supplies

Potential income: £15 – £50/hour

🔸 Check out the best ideas on how to name your cleaning business!

10. Car detailing

Provide interior and exterior car cleaning, either mobile or from home. Customers are happy to pay for a high-quality finish. Don’t forget to film the process and post it on Instagram or TikTok! 

Startup cost: £200 – £500 (equipment, insurance)

Potential income: £25 – £100 per vehicle

11. Handmade crafts or jewellery

Sell handmade goods on Etsy or local markets. Use Instagram and Pinterest to market your creations.

Startup cost: £50–£300

Potential income: £5–£100+ per item

🔸 Learn more details about How to start a Jewellery Business in the UK!

12. Digital products (Planners, templates, E-books)

Create downloadable resources once and sell them repeatedly. Great for those with graphic design or writing skills.

Startup cost: £0 – £100

Potential income: £10 – £1000+/month

13. Voiceover or podcast editing

Offer audio editing, podcast production, or voiceover recordings for ads and videos.

Startup cost: £100 – £300 (microphone, software)

Potential income: £50 – £500 per gig

14. Content translation or subtitling

If you're bilingual, offer services to translate or subtitle content. A growing need in the global content market.

Startup cost: Minimal

Potential income: £10 – £30 per hour or per minute of video

15. Affiliate marketing

Promote products via your website, blog, or social media and earn commissions. Requires patience but can generate passive income.

Startup cost: £50 – £100

Potential income: £100 – £5000+/month

16. Online course creation

Turn your expertise into an online course and sell it on platforms like Teachable or Udemy.

Startup cost: £100 – £300 (microphone, camera, hosting)

Potential income: £500+–recurring revenue from sales

17. Flipping items online

Buy items from thrift stores, garage sales, or Facebook Marketplace and resell for profit on eBay or Vinted.

Startup cost: £50 – £200 (initial inventory)

Potential income: £100 – £1,000/month or more

18. Graphic design services

Design logos, social media graphics, and business materials for clients. Offer services on Fiverr or via your own site.

Startup cost: Free to £100

Potential income: £50 – £500 per project. 

19. Data entry services

Data entry is a great entry-level option that doesn't require specialised knowledge beyond accuracy and attention to detail. Tasks can include updating spreadsheets, converting scanned documents into digital text, or managing CRM databases. 

This business is ideal for people with strong organisational skills and basic computer literacy. 

Startup cost: Minimal
Potential income: £10 – £25/hour

20. Photography

If you have a creative eye, photography can become a profitable and flexible business. Start with portrait sessions, family events, or small business branding shoots. 

Equipment like DSLRs and lighting can be rented at first. You can build a portfolio through free shoots for friends or volunteering for events. Social media platforms like Instagram or portfolio websites such as Pixieset help attract local clients.

Startup cost: £200 – £500
Potential income: £50 – £300 per session

21. Transcription services

Transcription involves listening to audio recordings and converting them into text format. It's especially useful for clients in legal, medical, academic, and podcasting fields. While you can start with just a laptop and headphones, foot pedals and transcription software like Express Scribe can boost your productivity. Accuracy, speed, and good grammar are essential.

Startup cost: Free or low (headphones, optional transcription software)
Potential income: £15 – £30/hour

22. Notary public services

In the UK, the equivalent of a notary public is a commissioner for oaths or a solicitor authorised to witness and certify documents. 

If you're already a legal professional, this can be a natural extension of your services. Common tasks include certifying ID copies, witnessing signatures, and preparing statutory declarations. These services are always in demand for immigration, banking, and property transactions.

Startup cost: £300 – £500 for certification/training

23. Meal prep or personal chef

For those who love cooking, meal prep or small-scale chef services are a great fit. You can create weekly packages for busy professionals, parents, or fitness enthusiasts. 

Meal prep clients often seek healthy, allergen-free, or customised options. Cooking from your home kitchen may require inspection and registration with your local council, so be sure to check regulations first.

Startup cost: £100–£300 (tools, ingredients, packaging)
Potential income: £200–£500+/week

24. Airbnb co-hosting

If you know how to run a smooth short-term rental experience, consider becoming an Airbnb co-host. You’d manage bookings, coordinate cleanings, and assist guests – all on someone else’s property. You’ll need great communication skills and a bit of local knowledge to handle logistics, key handovers, and minor guest issues.

Startup cost: Very low (time and a phone)
Potential income: £50 – £150 per stay

25. Tech support for seniors

Many older adults struggle with modern tech. Offering one-on-one lessons or remote help to set up phones, use video calls, or recover passwords can be a valuable (and appreciated) service. This is a people-first business that values patience and empathy above all else, including technical expertise.

Startup cost: £0 – £50
Potential income: £20 – £50/hour

26. Podcast producer

Podcasts are booming, and many creators need help editing, publishing, and managing their episodes. If you're familiar with audio editing software like Audacity or GarageBand, this can become a high-value freelance service. You can charge per episode, per month, or by the hour.

Startup cost: £100 – £300
Potential income: £50 – £200 per episode

27. Local errand service

Offer to run errands for elderly clients, disabled individuals, or busy professionals. Tasks may include grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, running to the post office, or walking the dog. It's an easy way to build a trustworthy, local, word-of-mouth business with loyal repeat clients.

Startup cost: £50 or less (business cards, fuel)
Potential income: £15 – £30/hour

28. Baby sleep consultant

Parents of newborns are desperate for rest. After taking a short training course in infant sleep, you can provide phone or in-home consultations. Your service might include sleep plans, follow-ups, and troubleshooting. Word of mouth and parent Facebook groups can be powerful marketing channels.

Startup cost: £100 – £300 (certification + website)
Potential income: £200 – £500 per package

29. Local tour guide

If you live in a historic or tourist-friendly area, offer themed walking tours: ghost walks, food crawls, or architecture routes. Create a custom itinerary and promote your service on Airbnb Experiences, Google Maps, or local tourism boards.

Startup cost: Minimal (website + insurance)
Potential income: £20 – £100 per tour

30. Handmade skincare products

Consumers are moving toward natural and handmade skincare. With basic ingredients and compliance with UK cosmetic product safety rules, you can create lip balms, soaps, or scrubs. Sell on Etsy, at local markets, or via Instagram shops.

Startup cost: £100 – £300 (ingredients + compliance)
Potential income: £5 – £50 per item

31. Gardening or lawn care

Offer seasonal services like mowing, weeding, hedge trimming, and planting. This suits people who enjoy working outdoors and prefer hands-on work. Build client lists by dropping flyers in your neighbourhood or advertising on Nextdoor.

Startup cost: £200 – £500 (equipment)
Potential income: £25 – £60/hour

32. Mobile bicycle repairs

Cycling is on the rise, and so is the demand for mobile repair services. You can visit clients’ homes or offices to fix brakes, tune gears, and repair flats. Add-ons like bike cleaning and accessory sales can boost income.

Startup cost: £300 – £500 (tools + parts)
Potential income: £20 – £60 per job

33. Candle making

Craft and sell artisanal candles from home, using scents and themes that people love, such as seasonal blends or relaxation lines. Candles are a popular gift, so the market remains evergreen. Sell via markets, Instagram, or online shops.

Startup cost: £100 – £300
Potential income: £5 – £20 per candle

34. Personal styling or shopping

If fashion is your thing, offer virtual or in-person styling consultations. Services can include closet audits, shopping assistance, or outfit planning for events. Ideal clients include professionals, new moms, or people going through lifestyle changes.

Startup cost: £50 – £150
Potential income: £50 – £200 per session

35. Sewing and alterations

Put your sewing skills to work by offering clothing alterations, repairs, and customisations. There’s demand for hem adjustments, zipper replacements, and dress tailoring. You can work from home and offer local pickup and drop-off services.

Startup cost: £100 or less
Potential income: £10 – £50 per item

36. 3D printing services

If you already own a 3D printer, offer to print custom parts, models, or gifts for hobbyists and professionals. Markets include architecture, gaming, education, and even engineering. Niche listings on Etsy or Fiverr help attract buyers.

Startup cost: £500+ (if not already owned)
Potential income: £10–£100 per print

37. Interior decorating or home styling

If you have a knack for aesthetics and home organisation, interior styling is a great business option. Clients may want help refreshing one room or redecorating a full home. 

You can start by offering virtual consultations using tools like Canva or Pinterest boards and grow into in-person services. Partnering with furniture stores or using affiliate links can provide extra income.

Startup cost: £50 – £200 (website, branding materials)
Potential income: £50 – £500 per project

How ANNA can help you register your business

Once you've chosen your business idea, the next step is making it official. ANNA makes the company registration process fast, clear, and affordable – especially for new founders who want to focus on getting started, not getting bogged down in admin.

✅ What you can do with ANNA

💡 Why it works for first-time founders

ANNA doesn’t just register your company – it helps you run it. 

You can pick a simple one-off plan or get full support for filings, mail handling, and accounting. 

Prices start from £19, with more advanced packages for growing businesses.

If you want to move fast and avoid paperwork headaches, this is a smart place to start.

ANNA handles the boring stuff, so you can focus on building your business.

Register your company with ANNA today→