Best low-cost businesses to start with no inventory | Printful

Businesses to start with under $500

If you have a few hundred dollars, you can launch a profitable business that uses your skills – without worrying about inventory or leasing space. Here are four of the best low-cost businesses you can start with under $500.

Cleaning services or a personal organizer business

Offer services to busy professionals or families. Supplies are inexpensive, and you can scale quickly through referrals, repeat clients, and optional add-ons like deep cleaning or organization packages.

• Startup costs: $150-$300 for basic supplies (cleaning products, gloves, vacuum).

• Skills needed: Time management, reliability, attention to detail.

• Earnings potential: $25-$50/hour; up to $2,000/month part-time.

• Challenge: Growth can be limited by your available hours until you hire staff or build systems for recurring contracts.

• Pro tip: Bundle services (e.g., weekly cleaning + fridge clean-out) for recurring revenue. Promote through local Facebook groups to reach nearby businesses and households.

Real-world example: Leigh Achenbach started as an independent contractor for organizing companies in Los Angeles before opening her own business in Tennessee. She credits that hands-on experience with giving her the confidence and skills to handle both client work and the behind-the-scenes tasks of running a business. Leigh’s story shows how starting small can be the best foundation for long-term success.

Online tutoring or course creation

Use platforms like Teachable or Thinkific to create paid online courses or tutor students via Zoom. Focus on high-demand subjects like math, test prep, or writing. Over time, this can grow into a profitable online business.

• Startup costs: $200-$500 for a paid teaching platform, webcam/mic upgrades.

• Skills needed: Subject expertise, clear communication, basic tech fluency.

• Earnings potential: $30-$100/hour for tutoring; $500-$2,000/course for online course sales.

• Challenge: Competition is high, especially in test prep and popular subjects – specializing in a niche helps you stand out.

• Pro tip: Start by offering tutoring services, then package your curriculum into online courses. High school test prep and adult upskilling are in high demand.

Photography services

Offer headshots, product photos, or coverage for corporate events. Build an online portfolio and start with free tools to edit and deliver work. A photography business can work great as a side hustle with weekend gigs or scalable packages.

• Startup costs: $300-$500 (entry-level DSLR or smartphone accessories, editing software).

• Skills needed: Eye for detail, basic photography and editing, and people skills.

• Earnings potential: $75-$200/session for portraits; $300+ for event coverage.

• Challenge: With so much competition, a clear niche helps you differentiate your business and avoid the pitfalls of being too broad.

• Pro tip: Focus on specialized services like brand shoots for small businesses, Airbnb hosts, or pet portraits. Use Instagram to showcase your work and build your social media presence.

Digital products

Create printables, digital planners, or design templates to sell on Etsy or your online store. No inventory needed – just tools like Canva and a platform to host your files. This is a great business model for creatives.

• Startup costs: $100-$300 (design tools like Canva Pro, Etsy fees, branding kit).

• Skills needed: Visual design, niche targeting, and light marketing.

• Earnings potential: $5-$50 per product; $500-$3,000+/month with volume.

• Challenge: Sales depend on steady traffic from search (keywords on Etsy or Google) or discovery platforms like Pinterest. Without consistent marketing, even great designs can sit unsold.

• Pro tip: Choose a niche like wedding planners, teachers, or entrepreneurs and create bundles. Drive traffic with Pinterest and SEO to build a profitable online store with no physical inventory.

Marketing tips for a $500 business

• Promote through local Facebook groups, neighborhood boards, and community events.

• Partner with schools, gyms, or small shops to reach niche audiences.

• Print flyers or cards for $50-$100 and leave them where your target clients are.

• Build a simple website and optimize your Google Business Profile.

Businesses to start with $5,000

At the $5,000 level, you can move beyond bare-bones setups and invest in professional tools, branding, and certifications. While some business ideas may require equipment or supplies, you’ll still avoid the burden of costly inventory, keeping startup costs lean.

Gardening or landscaping business

Offer services ranging from basic lawn care to full-scale design projects. With a $5,000 budget, you can invest in professional equipment and insurance, giving your business credibility from day one. Seasonal demand, plus repeat maintenance contracts, makes this a profitable small business idea with steady cash flow.

• Startup costs: $2,000-$4,500 (basic landscaping tools, trailer/truck rental, insurance, marketing).

• Skills needed: Physical stamina, design or plant knowledge, and project coordination.

• Earnings potential: $300-$1,500 per project; $5,000-$10,000+ monthly with regular clients.

• Challenge: Seasonal demand can cause income swings, so diversify services (e.g., snow removal, holiday light setup) to balance revenue.

• Pro tip: Start small – like lawn care or seasonal cleanup – and upsell design packages. Build trust with local businesses or residential clients and grow via word-of-mouth and social proof.

Niche consulting or life coaching

Turn your expertise into a consulting business that helps people solve specific problems. Whether it’s career transitions, stress management, or financial planning, clients are willing to pay for guidance. A $5,000 budget lets you get certified, build a polished online presence, and invest in marketing materials to attract potential clients.

• Startup costs: $1,500-$3,500 (certification program, branding, website, coaching tools).

• Skills needed: Deep knowledge in your niche (career, wellness, finance, etc.), empathy, and sales.

• Earnings potential: $75-$250/hour; $1,000-$10,000+ per client for program-based packages.

• Challenge: A strong personal brand and trust signals (testimonials, certifications) are crucial to attract high-paying clients.

• Pro tip: Choose a high-demand niche (job seekers, burned-out execs, new parents). Position yourself as a consulting business with an outcome-driven offer and leverage social media marketing to attract potential clients.

Real-world example: Christian, a former Accenture consultant, shared on Reddit how he launched a successful solo consulting career after leaving corporate. Within a year, he built his practice to $400,000 in annual profit by systematically reaching out to his network, customizing proposals, and leveraging freelance brokers. His story shows how consulting can quickly become a high-income path for those with deep expertise and an outreach strategy.

Digital marketing specialist

Offer a high-demand service like search engine optimization (SEO), online ads, or email marketing. With a $5,000 budget, you can invest in professional certifications, specialized tools, and some initial advertising to build credibility and attract clients who need results fast.

• Startup costs: $3,000-$5,000 (certification, premium tools, SEO or ad software, branding, legal setup, light ad spend).

• Skills needed: SEO, online advertising, content strategy, and client communication.

• Earnings potential: $2,000-$10,000+ monthly, depending on services and clients.

• Challenge: Results take time – clients may expect instant return on investment (ROI), so set clear expectations and use case studies to prove value.

• Pro tip: Start as a solo specialist with one core service (for example, website SEO audits). Create simple before-and-after case studies to show the difference your work makes, then upsell related services. Over time, you can expand into a full digital agency as demand grows.

Marketing tips for a $5,000 business

• Launch a clean, SEO-optimized website with lead generation tools.

• Run small paid ad tests on Meta or Google ($200-$500) to validate your offer.

• Collect and showcase social proof early (before/after photos, testimonials, client wins).

• Use niche landing pages or portfolios to attract higher-paying clients.

Businesses to start with $10,000

With a $10,000 budget, you can expand into more advanced services or digital products. Even when equipment or contractors are involved, you’re not tied to inventory management or bulk purchasing – your capital goes into branding, tools, and scalable operations. 

Let’s explore some ideas at the $10,000 tier.

Digital agency

Build a full-service agency that handles everything from design to web development and digital marketing. With $10,000, you can hire contractors, invest in premium tools, and deliver specialized services to clients who prefer one trusted partner instead of juggling freelancers.

• Startup costs: $6,000-$10,000 (branding, software licenses, contractor payments, marketing materials).

• Skills needed: Project management, client communication, quality control, and industry expertise.

• Earnings potential: $5,000-$50,000/month, depending on client size and scope.

• Challenge: Client management can be demanding – clear contracts and boundaries help prevent burnout or clients adding extra tasks outside the original agreement.

• Pro tip: Position yourself as a one-stop shop. Bundle digital marketing services like SEO or social media management for clients who prefer a streamlined solution.

App or software business

At this level, you can go beyond simple eBooks or online courses and create a polished app, membership platform, or software-based tool. While you won’t build the next Facebook with $10,000, you can hire developers to create a minimal viable product (MVP), design high-quality digital assets, or launch a subscription-based resource hub in a high-demand niche (fitness, finance, AI tools).

• Startup costs: $4,000-$9,000 (MVP development, design, platform fees, marketing).

• Skills needed: Subject expertise, project management, and digital marketing.

• Earnings potential: $10,000+ per launch or recurring income from subscriptions.

• Challenge: Tech development often takes longer and costs more than planned – validate your idea with a simple MVP before scaling.

• Pro tip: Start lean with a single tool or feature that solves a specific problem. Test demand, then reinvest profits to expand.

Specialized service-based business

Launch a higher-end service business that needs professional equipment and setup. Examples include a mobile car detailing business, a pet grooming service, or a small moving company. A $10,000 capital lets you invest in quality tools, a vehicle setup, liability insurance, and branding.

• Startup costs: $5,000-$10,000 (equipment, vehicle setup, insurance, marketing).

• Skills needed: Reliability, customer service, niche expertise.

• Earnings potential: $2,000-$15,000 monthly, depending on specialization.

• Challenge: Upfront equipment and insurance costs can be high, so ensure you have enough recurring customers to cover fixed expenses.

• Pro tip: Focus on recurring needs – like repeat car detailing clients or pet grooming packages – to create steady cash flow.

Real-world example: Jennifer launched her mobile dog grooming business with just a small van and a handful of clients. Through word-of-mouth and consistent service, she grew her customer base, added more vans, and generated a six-figure income within a year. Her story shows how a specialized service can scale quickly when niche demand meets great customer care.

Marketing tips for a $10,000 business

• Run multi-channel campaigns (paid ads + SEO + social media marketing).

• Build authority through long-form content (blogs, YouTube, podcasts).

• Develop strategic partnerships with influencers or local businesses.

• Set up automated funnels (webinars, retargeting ads, email drip campaigns).

Your step-by-step guide to launching a successful low-cost business

We’ve looked at business ideas across budgets from $0 to $10,000. Now it’s time to shift from brainstorming to execution. This guide walks you through the practical steps every entrepreneur needs to build, brand, and grow a business on a lean budget.

1. Choose a viable idea that aligns with your skills

The best small business ideas come from the overlap between your existing skills, market demand, and startup costs. Ask yourself:

• What skills or expertise do I already have that others would pay for?

• Is there a high demand for this service or product in my area or online?

• Can I test the business model with a minimal upfront investment?

For example, if you’re detail-oriented, a virtual assistant business could be a good business idea. If you love fitness, launching a personal training business or online courses may be a natural fit.

To make sure your idea has potential, research demand using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, or social media platforms to see what people are searching for and engaging with.

2. Create a simple business plan

Even the most profitable small business ideas can fail without a roadmap. A business plan doesn’t need to be long or complicated – it just needs to outline:

A business plan helps you stay focused, pitch your products or services to potential clients, and manage your finances wisely.

3. Explore funding options

While many small businesses begin with self-funding, you don’t have to rely solely on savings. Options include:

• Small business loans or microloans

• Grants for small business owners in specific industries

• Crowdfunding platforms

• Partnerships or angel investors

Keep in mind that most business owners start lean – funding often grows as your customer base expands.

For more resources, see the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for loan programs and guides.

4. Build your brand and online presence

A strong brand and digital presence set you apart from competitors. Depending on your idea, start with:

• A professional website

• Active social media accounts

• An online portfolio (for creative work like design, writing, or photography business services)

Social media marketing and search engine optimization are low-cost strategies that help you reach potential clients even on a tight budget.

5. Consider legal structures, licenses, and permits

Choosing the right legal structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation) affects your taxes and liability. Research which licenses or permits apply to your industry – for example, a cleaning service or daycare may require specific approvals. Registering properly from the start prevents compliance issues down the line.

Valuable read: How to Start a Business in the US: Taxes and Legal Requirements Handbook

6. Set up your business finances for success

Separate your business and personal finances immediately. Open a business bank account, set up bookkeeping (or use accounting software), and track every expense. To stay organized, you can also invest in simple invoicing or payroll systems early.

What are the key success factors for low-cost businesses?

Whether you’re testing side hustle ideas with $0 or investing $10,000 into a full launch, the same principles drive success.

Passion and persistence

Most business owners start small, but those who thrive bring energy and resilience. Passion keeps you motivated, while persistence helps you overcome slow months and setbacks. Treat your small business idea as a long-term commitment, not a quick win.

Continuous learning and adaptation

Markets, tools, and customer expectations shift quickly. Whether you’re offering tutoring services, launching a personal training business, or running digital marketing services, ongoing learning is critical. Adapt your business model, refine your offers, and keep pace with industry changes to stay relevant.

Networking and customer feedback

Growth comes from relationships. Networking with local businesses, online communities, and industry peers opens doors to referrals and partnerships. At the same time, customer feedback is a free resource that helps refine your services and build loyalty – satisfied clients become your best marketers.

These success factors apply across all profitable business ideas and budgets. Combined, they turn a small business into a sustainable, scalable venture.

Ready to launch your dream business?

Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. The best low-cost businesses to start with no inventory let you test ideas, keep small business startup costs lean, and scale as demand grows. Whether you want to start a business with $0, explore business ideas under $500, or invest $10,000, there are options that match your skills and budget.

And if you’re ready to skip the inventory headaches, Printful is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to launch a low-cost, no-inventory business today. Create custom products, launch your store, and let us handle the printing and shipping.