Starting an online business in 2025 offers more options than ever. With advancements in AI and evolving platforms, it’s possible to build a high-revenue business from scratch. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or aiming to make six or even seven figures, there’s a strategy that fits your goals.
In this guide, I’ll cover, 7 best online businesses to start from zero today. From selling digital products to using AI tools for affiliate marketing, these ideas aren’t just trendy—they’re built for scalability and long-term success. Let’s dive in.
1. Selling Your Own Digital Products
Creating and selling digital products like online courses, eBooks, or memberships is one of the most effective ways to build a profitable business. This model puts you in complete control with low startup costs.
Why Digital Products Work
Digital products focus on providing high-value information. You’re essentially teaching a skill, solving a problem, or offering transformation. Unlike physical products, you don’t deal with inventory, shipping, or other logistic headaches.
The math here is straightforward. If you sell a course for $1,000 and aim for two or three daily sales, you’re looking at roughly $83,000 monthly—equivalent to a million-dollar business annually. Alternatively, 830 customers paying $100/month for membership community access also gets you there.
Setting It Up
To start, pick a platform to host your content. Tools like LearnWorlds simplify the process, offering features to build your website, host videos, and process payments. You’ll also need to drive traffic through email marketing, blogs, or YouTube.
Focus on recurring revenue by offering memberships where users pay monthly. Whether your niche is fitness, photography, or personal finance, the recurring model adds stability.
What Holds People Back
Selling courses often intimidate newcomers. It requires learning marketing, email strategies, and video production. But here’s the truth: those willing to put in the work can build sustainable, life-changing income.
AI tools can even help simplify the process by generating email templates, lesson outlines, and content ideas.
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2. Affiliate Marketing Using AI
Don’t have a product to sell? Don’t worry—affiliate marketing lets you promote others’ products and earn commissions for every sale. Using AI tools, you can speed up content creation and target the right audience.
How It Works
Affiliate marketing is simple. Create content—blogs, YouTube videos, or social posts—that recommends products or services. Add affiliate links, and when someone buys, you earn a percentage.
Unlike ads, affiliate commissions provide higher earning potential per visitor, especially for niches like software or high-ticket items.
Top Affiliate Marketing Strategies
Here are four ways to succeed:
- Blogging: Write review or comparison articles optimized for search engines. AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude can generate article ideas and even write drafts for you. Target transactional keywords like “best [product] for beginners” to drive purchases.
- YouTube: Create product review videos or tutorials. Add affiliate links in video descriptions for easy clicks. For example, niche channels on travel or DIY projects perform well here.
- PPC Ads: Pay-per-click ads can fast-track results. Target high-value keywords on Google or Bing. Work out your ROI carefully by negotiating higher commission rates with affiliate programs.
- Short-Form Content: TikTok and YouTube Shorts work great for quick promotions. TikTok’s low-friction shopping experience makes it particularly effective for product recommendations.
AI tools help too. Use them for keyword research, article outlines, or even video scripts. This cuts down time and effort while keeping your content relevant.
3. Starting a Faceless YouTube Channel
Not everyone wants to be in front of a camera, but that doesn’t mean YouTube isn’t an option. Faceless YouTube channels are rising in popularity thanks to AI and easy access to b-roll footage.
How It Works
Instead of filming yourself, create content using voiceovers, stock footage, and text overlays. Popular topics include motivation, educational tutorials, and niche interests like history or stoicism.
Tools You’ll Need
Start by using tools like ChatGPT to write scripts and Motion Array for b-roll footage. For voiceovers, you can either record your voice or use text-to-speech software.
Apps like Descript enhance your voiceovers automatically.
Here are the 10 Best Microphones for voiceover work.
Challenges with Faceless Content
The main downside? Editing takes more time. Unlike a “talking-head” video, faceless channels demand more graphics, clips, and transitions to keep viewers engaged. High-quality production does pay off, though—it shows professionalism and keeps your audience returning.
Monetization Options
Faceless channels make money through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links in video descriptions. You can even use your channel to drive traffic to your own product or service.
4. E-commerce and Drop Shipping
E-commerce, particularly drop shipping, is another strong option. You sell products without holding any inventory, with suppliers handling shipping directly to customers.
How It Works
Platforms like Shopify make it easy to set up your e-commerce store. You sync your store with suppliers using tools like Inventory Source—this ensures real-time updates on stock availability.
Challenges of Drop Shipping
Drop shipping comes with unique hurdles. Competition is fierce, as you’ll often find yourself up against big players like Walmart or Amazon. To stand out, focus on topline branding—like custom inserts in packages or a curated product selection.
Alternatives
Prefer selling something unique? Platforms like Etsy are perfect for selling handmade goods or niche products. You can also explore Amazon FBA if you want to scale faster.
Marketing Tips
Running ads is crucial for e-commerce success. Use platforms like Google Shopping to show your products at the top of search results. Add retargeting campaigns and email marketing to drive repeat customers.
5. Developing AI-Based Software
If you’re looking for a high-revenue option, software is king. AI tools are booming, and software companies often attract massive valuations.
Why Software Works
Software businesses succeed thanks to recurring revenue. Think subscription models—users pay monthly for continuous access. For example: 1,000 customers paying $50/month equals $600,000/year.
A SaaS company (Software as a Service) can sell for six to eight times its yearly revenue.
Getting Started
Start by identifying a niche problem AI can solve. Then, create a minimum viable product (MVP). You can partner with a developer or use AI tools to prototype. From there, refine the tool, market it aggressively, and build a user base.
Example Case
Entrepreneur Peter Levels built multiple small AI tools, bringing in $300,000/month. He focused on simplicity, scaling with just a few highly-targeted tools rather than large teams.
6. Podcasting for Content Repurposing
Podcasts are now more than just audio—they’re a way to scale content across multiple platforms.
Why It Works
Record one 1–2 hour podcast, and you can repurpose it into:
- 3–5 long YouTube videos.
- 4–5 short videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
- Audio episodes for Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.
This approach maximizes output while minimizing effort.
Tools to Streamline
Leverage tools like Opus Clip to automatically create highlights. Combine these with AI transcription tools for even faster editing.
Monetization
Podcasts make money through ads, sponsors, affiliate marketing, and driving traffic to your own products, like courses or memberships.
7. Starting an AI Agency
If you want to make money fast, sell your time and skills through an AI-focused agency.
Common Services to Offer
- AI content generation (blogs, social posts).
- SEO and PPC advertising.
- AI-powered video editing or social media management.
Start by pitching small businesses or solopreneurs. Over time, transition from doing the work yourself to managing a team.
Pricing Your Services
Your revenue depends on packages. Offer good-better-best options: $1,000/month for basic services, $3,000 for premium, and $8,000+ for full-scale campaigns.
The key here is scalability. Hire contractors for more complex tasks while maintaining profitability.
Final Thoughts
These online business ideas aren’t get-rich-quick schemes. They require effort, consistency, and patience. But with the right focus and tools, you can build something scalable and financially rewarding.
Want to start big? Combine content creation, like YouTube or blogging, with selling digital products or courses. Use AI to speed up everything from brainstorming to production. The opportunities are endless—the only missing piece is taking action.
FAQs
- What are the best online businesses to start with no money?
Explore low-cost options like affiliate marketing, dropshipping, and blogging that require minimal upfront investment. - How do I choose the right online business for me?
Learn how to align your skills, interests, and market demand to find the perfect online business. - Can I start an online business with no experience?
Yes! Discover beginner-friendly ideas and resources to help you get started. - What tools do I need to start an online business from scratch?
Get a checklist of essential tools, including website builders, email marketing platforms, and SEO tools. - How long does it take to make money from an online business?
Understand the timelines for different business models and learn how to accelerate your earnings. - Are online businesses profitable in 2025?
Find out which industries are booming and how to tap into them for maximum profitability. - What are some online business ideas that require no inventory?
Explore options like digital products, print-on-demand, and freelancing to avoid inventory hassles. - How can I market my online business effectively?
Learn about cost-effective marketing strategies, including social media, content marketing, and SEO. - What are the biggest challenges of starting an online business?
Understand potential hurdles and get tips to overcome them, such as time management and competition. - How do I scale an online business from zero to success?
Discover growth strategies, from automation to outsourcing, to take your online business to the next level.
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