Looking for a great business idea? Read on for ideas that will help you start and grow a successful business in 2022.

• Many of the best small business ideas for 2022 involve an online business model.
• Choose a business idea that you are knowledgeable and passionate about and develop a detailed business plan.
• Before starting a business, determine if there is a demand for the product or service you want to provide.

You want to start a business, but you're having a tough time articulating your idea. If you want to become an entrepreneur, you need inspiration. It all starts with an idea that has room to grow over time.

If you are thinking of starting a business in 2022, it is critical to take the new normal into account. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much about how people consume products and services. While starting a retail business or restaurant might have been good ideas previously, you might want to reconsider those thoughts until you see how the next year plays out. Instead of more traditional businesses, think about ones that can support how people live their lives now. You'll need to create a sound business plan no matter what, but many of the ideas on this list only require a credit card processing partner to accept payments for you to get started.

This list of business ideas includes 21 great types of business to help you find success in 2022 and beyond. If you find an area you want to pursue, review the steps for how to start your own business.

21 great small business ideas

If you're ready to run your own business, consider any of these business areas.

1. Consulting

If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a specific topic (like business, social media, marketing, human resources, leadership or communication), consulting can be a lucrative option. You can start a consulting business on your own, then grow your business and hire other consultants over time.

2. Online reselling

Those passionate about clothing and/or sales may consider starting an online reseller business. Although it takes time and dedication – and an eye for fashion – you can start as a side hustle and turn into a full-time resale business. You could start by using online store websites like Poshmark and Mercari to sell your unwanted clothing, then expanding to your own resale website.

3. Online teaching

The demand for online education has opened up possibilities for entrepreneurs. Since this is an online venture, you can choose any subject you are knowledgeable about and teach a course regardless of your location. If you don't have advanced knowledge in any particular subject, consider teaching English as a foreign language online to students overseas.

4. Online bookkeeping

As with education, technology allows many bookkeeping services to be performed online. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper who wants the freedom and autonomy of running your own business, take advantage of modern technology to start your own online bookkeeping service.

5. Medical courier service

If you have a reliable vehicle and good time management skills, consider creating your own courier service – more specifically, a medical courier service. As a driver, you would be responsible for transporting medical items like lab specimens, prescription drugs and equipment. You could start your courier business on your own, or hire other drivers to work for you.

Did you know? The healthcare industry is expanding, which is a good sign for medical courier service job stability.

6. App development

If you are knowledgeable and experienced in technology, you may want to consider a career in app development. Smartphones are an everyday accessory for many Americans, which has increased demand for mobile apps. Similarly, virtual reality software has become popular in recent years, so there is also a demand for VR app development. 

7. Transcription service

If you have a good ear and can type quickly, a transcription service would allow you to work from home with a flexible schedule. Medical transcription services are especially needed as voice recognition technology proliferates for healthcare provider dictation. If you're not looking to start all at once, or if you have a day job you would like to keep for the time being, you can accept as few or as many transcription jobs as you'd like. To boost your business prospects and justify charging more, consider becoming a certified transcriptionist and delving into a few specialties.

Medical transcriptionists typically charge 6 to 14 cents per line of transcription, which adds up quickly. The typical turnaround time for transcription work is 24 hours, so it's important to stay on top of the jobs you accept. However, the flexibility to accept only a few requests at first means you can scale up as you are ready. Best of all, there is very little startup cost and overhead. You only need a computer, the appropriate software and a secure messaging service.

8. Professional organizing

Looking for a business idea that can really spark joy? Professional organizers, like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and minimize for a living. In an age of materialism, many people are desperate to downsize and take control of their possessions. Minimalism is becoming extremely popular, but people often find it hard to part with things they've owned for a long time. Part of being a professional organizer is helping clients develop a system for downsizing.

If you're a highly organized person who enjoys making spaces functional and comfortable, you might be good at coaching others to do the same. People will pay you to help them devise a method of minimizing their possessions and maintaining an organized space. To promote your business, ask if your clients will let you take before and after photos of the areas of their homes you've organized, and use those to create a portfolio that you can put on social media to attract more clients.

9. Cleaning service

Source: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

If you like to clean, you can easily turn that into a business. With a few staff members, a host of cleaning supplies and transportation, you can offer cleaning services to homeowners, apartment complexes and commercial properties. Most cleaning services charge $25 to $50 per hour. Cleaning services are straightforward businesses that require relatively little overhead; you simply need planning, dedication and marketing to attract customers.

If you're looking to differentiate yourself from other cleaning services, consider adding premium options like floor waxing or exterior power washing for an additional fee. These services could be the deciding factor between your new cleaning service and seasoned companies that maintain too large a client list to provide that level of cleaning.

10. Freelance copywriting or content writing

Source: Prostock-Studio / Getty Images

If you're a natural wordsmith with a bit of marketing knowledge, you can establish yourself as a freelance copywriter or content writer. Whether you write blogs, web content, or press releases, plenty of companies will pay for your services. Increase your value by using SEO knowledge to help clients craft a strategy around specific keywords that their target audience is already using in their online searches. Most freelance copywriters charge $40 to $50 per hour, but those with expertise in a given vertical could charge even more.

Freelance copywriting is a great business to run because as long as you have an internet connection, you can work. It's a business that you can operate from the comfort of your own home, or even from the road if you travel. If you establish a large enough network and gain referrals from satisfied clients, you could even make freelance writing your full-time job.

7. Build and Sell Themes Online

If you’ve got good coding skills and are particularly good at front-end development, you can build a business out of your skills by creating and selling website themes online.

Depending on your skill set, you can build themes for WordPress and sell them on Themeforest.

However, if you have limited knowledge about WordPress, you can build your theme using Bootstrap, CSS, HTML, and Js and then publish it on GetBootstrap.

Consistency and persistence will go a long way in turning this small business idea into reality.

8. Blogging

Can you still make money today by blogging? The short and simple answer is yes.

To succeed with blogging, you need to find a niche with little competition and hit hard on it. Patience and diligence will undoubtedly help.

Blogging is a good business idea for college students, stay-at-home moms, etc.

9. Food Delivery Service

Starting a restaurant can be daunting and capital intensive. If you have been looking at starting one but haven’t got the funds, look into starting a meal delivery service instead.

It works like this: you prepare quality, tasty meals at home and then deliver them to your customers either at work or in their homes.

Depending on the laws of the city you live in, you might need a permit and courier insurance to run this type of business.

10. Property Management

If you’ve worked in the real estate industry before, or you are just good at management, you might find success as a property manager.

The thing is, there are lots of property owners who don’t have the time to manage their properties spread across town. They need someone they can trust to collect rents, fix broken stuff, and kick bad tenants out.  If you’ve worked in the real estate industry before, or you are just good at management, you might find success as a property manager, especially with the right property management software.

So, if you are up to the challenge, by all means, give it your best shot.

Top 10 Most Successful Businesses to Start

Not all businesses succeed. In fact, some go belly up even before they get a chance to start.

You sure don’t want that to happen to you. What business can you start in 2022 that has a high probability of success?

Here are a few:

11. Virtual Assistant Service

Many small business owners and solopreneurs need helping hands to keep their business going, and wouldn’t mind paying to get one.

Why not cash in on this opportunity by offering virtual assistant services to these busy entrepreneurs? Global marketplaces and BPO’s like 1840 & Company can help you find clients

You can help them manage booking appointments, send and reply to emails, make calls to their clients, answer customer queries, and lots more.

The best part is that you can do all this without being physically present.

Crowdsourcing platforms like Upwork, Remote.co, and Indeed can help you find clients.

12. Social Media Management Service

Having a solid online presence is key to surviving and staying relevant in business in this digital age – little wonder why many companies are jostling to establish themselves on social media.

You can also make a business out of this by helping busy entrepreneurs handle their social media accounts.

13. Web Design Agency

In the early age of the web, you needed to know how to write long, intricate codes to build a website. But all that has changed now, thanks to no-code solutions like WordPress and Wix.

If you like to design stuff and don’t mind devoting time to learning how to use WordPress, consider starting a web design business.Automation web testing comes in the website development life-cycle. You can also offer web design as well as automated testing services. And can work as an automation testing company.

To acquire clients for your business, start by telling your friends and family what you do. You’d be amazed at how this simple networking strategy can bring you lots of clients.

How to acquire customers

14. Coffee Shop

Turn your love for coffee brewing into some serious cash-making venture by launching a coffee shop.

If you don’t have the time and dedication to build your coffee business from the ground up, franchising might be a better option. Alternatively, you can purchase an already established coffee shop and rebrand it.

Of course, you will some serious cash to pull that off.

15. Sell Online Courses

Got a skill you can also teach to others without thinking so much about it? Why not start making money out of it by creating and selling your courses online.

And you can teach just about anything: DIY hacks, copywriting, how to fix broken stuff, gardening, etc.

You don’t need expensive filming gear to get started; your smartphone is enough.

Udemy and Skillshare are good places to start.

16. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is ideal for 9-5ers, stay-at-home moms and dads, and anyone looking for a passive side income.

How does it work?

You find a physical or digital product you would like to promote, drive traffic to that product, and hope to make a sale. Each time that product gets sold, you earn a commission.

For example, we run an affiliate program here at Adoric. Each time you refer visitors to us, and they sign up for any of our paid plans, you will earn a 20% commission.

To find profitable products to promote, check out platforms like Commission Junction or Clickbank.

17. Home Tutoring

Home tutoring is another unique small unique business idea worth giving a try in 2022.

The best part is that you can provide this type of service virtually online or physically. And you can teach just about anything: maths, economics, piano, swimming, etc.

Platforms like Tutorme can help connect you with clients looking for your services.

18. Video Editor

Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine just after Google?

This is a clear indication that video consumption is soaring.

Hence, if you are good at video editing, there are lots of people out there that will need your services.

19. eCommerce

Thanks to the internet, selling is now easier than ever. You can sell products to people on the other side of the planet without stressing about it.

When done right, an eCommerce business can be extremely profitable.

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is vital for the success of your business. WooCommerce, Shopify, Oberlo, etc. are some that you can try.

Not sure which to go for?

Check out this detailed WooCommerce vs Shopify comparison guide

20. Amazon FBA

Still talking about eCommerce, Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is one of the small-scale business ideas that you will likely find success with come 2022.

How does it work?

You find products you would like to sell, purchase them, and send them over to Amazon’s warehouses. If your products pass Amazon’s quality test, they will be uploaded online.

When customers place an order for your products, Amazon will package and deliver them. Payments and returns are handled out of the box for you.

Amazon FBA is more convenient than selling via Shopify or WooCommerce. Furthermore, you can use FBA tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout to increase sales on Amazon. If you want to import products from China, then you can get help from a sourcing agent like Sourcing Nova to find the best quality manufacturers.

Top 5 Business Ideas for Women

Are you a stay-at-home mom, single mom, or just a woman looking to take her destiny into her hand by starting a business?

Here are 5 unique business ideas that you should try your hands on.

21. Personal Shopper

Turn your shopaholic craze into a profitable business venture by helping those who haven’t got the time to shop for themselves.

The coolest part is that you need virtually nothing to get started – just your passion for shopping will do.

To get started, talk to as many people as you can and let them know you can help them with their shopping needs. From there, you can begin to scale up by building a website to promote your business.

22. Handmade Crafts

If you are skilled at making mittens, beaded bags, shawls, or any other valuable craft, consider selling your handmade crafts in places like Etsy.

A lot of women have built for themselves a business empire via Etsy – so also can you.

23. Caregiver

A lot of families have aged and sick ones that need to be taken care of at home. So, if got some nursing experience, or you are just a people person, you can make a business out of this.

Keep in mind that you might need to get certified by a recognized body to provide personal care to invalids.

24. Teach English Online

The demand for English teachers around the world has been on the rise. If you speak English natively and have a good internet connection, you can build a business out of this demand by teaching English online.

You can use platforms like VIPKID can help you connect with potential clients around the world.

25. Blogging

If you naturally like to write, you might find a lot of success with blogging. A lot of stay-at-home moms are meeting their family needs from the blogging incomes.

What can you blog about?

Anything you have passion for. It could be about your new reality of being a mom. Or maybe helpful personal finance tips. But all that has changed now, thanks to no-code solutions like Appy Pie website builder, WordPress, and Wix.

To see substantial income from blogging, you need first to build sizable traffic to your website. This will require publishing content regularly.

You can then monetize that traffic using Google ads, Affiliate marketing, etc.

Top 5 Business Ideas for Teens

Who said your teenage son or daughter can’t start a business of their own. If your kid has got an entrepreneurial spirit, here are some business ideas you can encourage them to try their hands on:

26. Car Wash

Make your enterprising kids work for their weekly allowance by letting them wash your car. Once they start getting better at it, you can ask your neighbors and friends if they would like your kids to wash theirs too.

27. Errand-running

Helping others with errands like buying groceries, grooming pets, etc. can be a lucrative venture for teens.

It has a minimal entry barrier, easy to start, and doesn’t require any capital – a bicycle is enough to get started with.

28. Ice Cream Joint

Who doesn’t love a cold cup of ice cream in the heat of summer? Why not sell this business idea to your kid and see if they would run with it.

You can support them by purchasing a vending machine and renting a small space somewhere in your neighborhood.

29. Podcasting

Some people have a natural flair for creating audio content. If you’ve noticed this talent in your teen, encourage them to start a podcast.

And they don’t need to buy expensive gears to hit the ground running – their smartphone is enough.

30. Laundry

The laundry business, though old, still strives till today. This makes it an excellent business opportunity for teens and young persons looking to start their first entrepreneurial venture.

Conclusion

Starting a business and finding success with it can be demanding, but at the same time rewarding.

Business Practices That Rock!

Management

A great business leader is someone who can motivate their team and follow business management best practices for success. Business management is the process by which a company gets its employees to produce the greatest results with the least amount of effort using the resources available to them. Businesses that follow these practices can build a streamlined system in which employees are inspired to produce their best work.

1. Engage Workers

Alienated workers do not care about performing their jobs. All they care about is getting a paycheck and advancing their own interests. The first thing a manager needs to do is find out how to make his employees care about the company's vision. Engaged workers are not only more enthusiastic and productive; they also become less passive, taking responsibility for their performance and attracting fresh talent to the company.

2. Reward Effort

No one likes their work to go unrecognized. Recognition of effort and achievement –thanks for a job well done – makes employees feel valued. It seems like an obvious point, but often business management training overlooks the positive impact of appreciation. Some managers might even feel that being too "touchy-feely" undermines their authority. On the contrary, reward motivates people to achieve more and helps to build company loyalty.

3. Be Vulnerable

Vulnerability is a recurring theme in Lencioni's business management articles. He believes that managers need to stop being anonymous figures in the lives of junior employees and that getting to know employees is one of the best ways for management to engage their workers. He also sees vulnerability as crucial in team dynamics; without being able to speak openly and put one's ideas on the spot, it is impossible for teams to build trust.

4. Stay Committed

When team members don't trust each other, they devote a lot of time to avoiding conflict rather than airing their real opinions and working to find common ground. A state of perpetual ambiguity ensues, in which clear goals and strategies fail to emerge out of group discussion. Lencioni labels this lack of commitment the "third dysfunction" of team dynamics. It can lead to poor decision-making and stifle productivity. Staying committed to the team's initiative means creating an atmosphere where conflict is welcomed, not feared, because differing perspectives help to shape a clear goal.

5. Seek Clarity

A problem with many companies is a lack of alignment among managers, who either stop working to fulfill the company's vision or never understood what that vision was. Lencioni points out that company's need to focus on alignment of core principles by asking the following six questions:

• Why do we exist?
• How do we behave?
• What do we do?
• How will we succeed?
• What is most important, right now?
• Who must do what?

Without leaders developing – and sharing – a clear sense of the company's vision, its values, its strategic goals, and its delegation of responsibilities, the best business management education in the world won't matter, because the company will lack purpose and direction.

6. Create Cultural Cohesiveness

Here, "culture" doesn't refer to socioeconomic status or ethnicity. Rather, it means a sense of shared values that, with the right level of engagement, will lead to the development of productive and efficient outcomes. It is a good business management practice to make new hires based on an alignment with the company's core values and its vision, because workers with shared values make good team members. Diversity of race, gender, and socioeconomic status is a positive thing because it increases collective insight. But, diversity in values can lead to a company's downfall.

7. Focus Team Effort

Sometimes managers invest the bulk of their energy in making sure that the team gets off on the right foot, hosting retreats to boost solidarity, and being attentive to ideas as they first come out. It's essential to focus on ongoing team dynamics, however, to make sure that members don't get distracted by individual activities that lead them off track. Consistent reassessment and realignment of team goals is the way to achieve the best results.

8. Hold Regular Meetings

The importance of meetings to a company's success: "No action, activity or process is more central to creating a healthy organization than the meeting." In order to be fully successful, management should do the following:

• Create separate meetings for tactical and strategic business planning.
• Assess a tactical agenda only after the team has reviewed its progress against goals.
• Make sure there is enough time allocated for the clarification, debate, and resolution of major issues.
• Meet quarterly outside the office to review what is happening in the industry, the company, and the team.

Meetings provide the organization with a regular forum on core values, allowing members to realign principles and give perspective on business practices.

In order to succeed in a competitive field like business management, you need to stay true to yourself before you can hope to have a meaningful impact on the organization you represent. Ultimately, the best practices are ones that focus on your developing authentic connections among yourself, the junior employees, and the company as a whole.