Running an online business and being your own boss definitely has its appeal. In fact, it’s so enticing that the number of registered online businesses in the country is now 40 times more in the past five months[1]. Definitely, the internet is a great medium to connect with customers without leaving home. However, starting an online business also has its challenges—the biggest one is coming up with enough money for capital. But don't worry because there are many online business ideas you can start for as low as PHP 2,000.
Want to take the leap? Keep on reading to learn more about online business ideas in the Philippines you can start in 2020.
Online Business Ideas 2022
1. Make Artisanal Candles
Aromatherapy candles can help people relax after a tiring day. They are perfect to cap off a busy workday, especially now that most professionals are working from home. They’re quite easy to make as well. Add your own flair and essential oil blends to create the most calming candles.
Starting capital: PHP 5,000 – PHP 20,000
Materials and equipment needed:
- Double boiler
- Candle-making wax
- Wicks
- Essential oils
- Coloring agents
- Molds
- Dried flowers (optional)
- Tin can or glasses as containers
Candle making is one of the easiest online business ideas out there. You can do it at home, even if you have a small space. The profit margin is also high, with quality, artisanal candles selling for as much as PHP 1,000 each.
Read more: 10 Steps to Starting an Online Business in the Philippines
2. Offer Online Tutorials
The country has been in quarantine for more than seven months, forcing students to take their classes online. Students find it hard to adjust to this method of learning[2], needing more guidance than they would in a normal classroom. If you’re an educator looking to make some extra cash on the side, you can offer tutorials in Math, English, Science, and other general subjects.
Starting capital: PHP 3,000 – PHP 30,000
Materials and equipment needed:
- Laptop or personal computer
- Quality camera
- Lighting equipment (optional)
- Quality microphone and headset
- Modules and other educational materials
The starting cost for this online business idea at home is relatively low. If you have a working laptop or personal computer, the capital can go as low as PHP 3,000. You can also use open-source materials for modules. You’re also helping kids adjust to online education in the process. Win-win!
3. Craft Your Own Beverages
Do you love coffee? Are you a milk tea lover? You can turn your love for beverages to an online business idea for beginners. Craft your own blend and sell it for profit. You can offer drip coffees, customizable milk teas, smoothies, and even simple palamigs.
Starting capital: PHP 3,000 – PHP 7,000
Materials and equipment needed:
- Ingredients for your chosen blends
- Mixer
- Plastic bottles or cups
- Sinkers (optional)
- Straws (optional)
This is one of the easiest online business ideas you can start. Again, you can begin in your own kitchen with the equipment you already have, such as your family blender. It’s not labor-intensive and the profit margin is quite good, too. You can sell your blend for as much as PHP 150 per 500ml.
4. Declutter Your Preloved Items
If you want to test the waters before fully committing to an online business, you can try selling your secondhand items. This way, you can have an online business without an investment since you are selling secondhand items. Check your closets, storage, and garage for items that you can sell. However, make sure that these items are still usable and in good condition. This is also one of the many good online business ideas for students.
Starting capital: PHP 2,000 – PHP 5,000
Materials and equipment needed:
- Bubble wrap
- Packaging tape
- Disinfectant
- Parcel pouches
You’re hitting two birds with one stone with this idea—decluttering your home and making a small profit. It’s the perfect online business if you’re on the fence about starting an online shop. You can also sell anything from books to kitchenware.
Read more: Online Barter: Is It Illegal and Is It Safe to Trade Goods?
5. Resell Skincare Products
Self-care is just one of the many ways people do to cope with pandemic-related stress. Now that people are spending more time indoors, makeup is taking a step back for skincare. You don’t have to formulate your own products to turn this online business idea at home into reality. You can resell beauty products and kits with a starting capital of at least PHP 5,000.
Starting capital: PHP 5,000 – PHP 15,000
Materials and equipment needed:
- Beauty products to resell
- Packaging tape
- Bubble wrap
- Disinfectant
- Pouches
The global beauty industry is worth over $250 billion[3], and while the industry tends to get oversaturated, people are still looking for new skincare products to try. This business idea is worth your while if you don’t want to make the products yourself. All you need is your marketing skills and some research to back your products up.
6. Sell Essential Items
Another of those online business idea products you can start during the pandemic is selling essential items like face masks, face shields, disinfectant, and various grocery items. You can offer your products on social media and provide free delivery to attract customers. Start by buying your products in bulk and selling them for retail prices online.
Starting capital: PHP 5,000 – PHP 30,000
Materials/equipment needed:
- Essential items for sale
- Boxes
- Bubble wraps
- Grocery bags
- Motorcycle for delivery
Instead of going to the mall to get essentials, more and more people prefer shopping online. This business venture is fairly easy to get up and running. You just have to find a supplier you can trust and offer competitive pricing. You can also start small by just selling face masks and face shields. Once your business grows, you can add grocery items to your offerings.
Read more: What is the Best Type of Loan for My Business?
7. Build Apps and Websites
If you have coding and design skills, you can make decent money by offering your services. You can create mobile apps, e-commerce websites, and other digital products. All you need are your skills and a decent laptop or personal computer.
Starting capital: PHP 5,000 – PHP 30,000
Materials and equipment needed:
- Personal computer or laptop
- Programs for coding and web design
- Microphone and headset
This online business idea is profitable because there will always be a demand for tech-savvy people. Companies are always looking for professionals who can help build their apps or websites. However, you have to make sure that all your skills are up to date.
8. Start an Online Loungewear Store
Who doesn’t want to stay at home in style? You can start an online loungewear store for as low as PHP 5,000. It's one of those online business ideas you can start during quarantine. You can offer pajamas, dasters, slip dresses, and even nighties. Make the clothes yourself or buy them in bulk. Taytay and Divisoria are the most popular hotspots for sellers wanting to buy clothes in bulk and at affordable prices.
Starting capital: PHP 3,000 – PHP 15,000
Materials/equipment needed:
- Loungewear items for sale
- Vehicle for transportation
- Parcel pouches
- Bubble wrap
- Packaging tape
Loungewear and casual clothing are seeing a rise in demand, especially from people spending most of their time at home. You can take advantage of this demand by offering comfy and stylish clothes at affordable prices. The profit margin is enticing, too. In Taytay tiangges, you can get clothes for as low as PHP 50 and sell them for as much as PHP 200. Now that's a great online business idea for you!
9. Monetize Your Own Art
This is one of the many online business ideas that tap your existing skills. If you’re an artist who offers digital and/or traditional paintings, why not sell them online? You can sell pieces you’ve already made or offer your services to make custom art.
Starting capital: PHP 3,000 – PHP 30,000
Materials/equipment needed:
- Laptop or personal computer
- Graphic tablet
- Other art materials
It’s a time-consuming venture, but you can charge as much as PHP 10,000 for your service, depending on the project. You can also offer your services to individuals or clients and offer to make logos, t-shirt designs, portraits, posters—the possibilities are endless.
10. Sell Homecooked Meals
You can start this online business idea at home and in the comforts of your own kitchen. Why not offer your world-famous kare-kare? You can also cook more adventurous meals and sell them online. It’s labor-intensive as it takes time to prepare the ingredients but you can make decent money.
Starting capital: PHP 2,000 – PHP 5,000
Materials/equipment needed:
- Ingredients for the dishes
- Plastic containers
- Stove
- Pots, pans, and other kitchen equipment
You can sell your homecooked meals starting at PHP 200 per tub. You can also sell your dishes on a pre-order basis, so you’re sure that you have customers paying for the food. This business is also perfect if you have a small space as you only need your kitchen to get started. It's one of the more common online business ideas out there, but if your meals are great and affordable, it's easy to stand out.
Read more related articles:
- Make Money Online: How to be a Shopee or Lazada Online Seller
- How to Register Your Online Business and Pay Taxes to BIR
Final Thoughts
These online business ideas in 2020 are only some of the many ways you can make money online. Make sure to research about the venture you want to start and study your market. Research is important before starting an online business at home.
Sources:
- [1] Number of online businesses up 40 times (Manila Bulletin, 2020)
- [2] Students say they have a hard time with online classes (Ong Ki, Manila Bulletin, 2020)
- [3] 45 Beauty Industry Statistics That Will Impress You (Cvetkovska, LoudCloud Health, 2019)
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