This business is for people who are huge movie fans and have strong opinions about the latest releases. Your website will be a hub for everything movie-related and the entertainment industry. Revenue for this business will come mainly from advertising, but also through the sale of movie paraphernalia.  

Skills needed: You must be able to critically evaluate movies in your reviews using analytical skills. In addition, you need a distinct and recognisable writing style to set you apart from the multitude of other critics. Basic knowledge of online marketing techniques would be helpful.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There is some international potential for you in other English speaking markets, but because movies have different release dates and availability worldwide then there is not a huge amount. This is not an expensive business to start-up if you already own basic computer equipment. It would be advisable for you to invest in sophisticated tracking software so you can see where the visitors to your website are coming to you from as this is useful data for potential sponsors and advertisers. You will most likely also need mailing list software in order to manage a large number of subscribers.  The overall start-up cost will range from £2,500 to £5,000 (3,000 - 6,500 EUR, 5,000-10,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing by encouraging readers to forward your reviews to people they know
• Pay for strategic banner advertising on related (non-competing) entertainment websites
• Have regular competitions to give away some of the free products you will be sent for review purposes
• Run an RSS feed or ‘What’s New’ page that will inform readers as soon as you post new content
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: Form a partnership with a newspaper or magazine to get your reviews and articles published in print form. This is worthwhile even if they do not pay you as the additional exposure will generate web traffic.  

Notes: Promoting your website and attracting sponsors is the key to the success of this business. Ensure that it is easy for potential advertisers to contact you.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Rotten Tomatoes – Probably the largest move review site
• Future Movies – A good example of this type of business

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

The purpose of this business is to act as a helping hand for other small businesses that might need assistance, either because they are too busy to perform some functions themselves or they do not have the required knowledge. This could involve providing advice on common legal or tax issues – information which is freely available but can be hard to find. You will also provide them with a list of all the resources available to them in their local area ranging from accountants to office stationary supplies. The opportunities for generating revenue will largely be referral based so you will have to work closely with local businesses to get them on board. 

Skills needed: You will need to have previous experience of owning a small business and an in-depth knowledge of all the processes involved. If you have knowledge of online marketing techniques it would be helpful to promote your business.

Business environment and set-up cost:  There is very little international potential for this business as it is focussed on your local area. You will need to purchase a computer, printer and software as well as paying for the design of your website. In addition, you may need powerful software to manage your mailing list and track referrals. Remember to also set aside a marketing budget, as you will need to drive traffic to your site. The overall start-up cost will range from £5,000 to £15,500 (6,000 - 20,000 EUR, 10,000-30,000 AUD/USD).

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Get your website listed in link directories and web-rings for SMEs
• Participate on small business newsgroups and forums, linking to your website from your signature
• You could organise local SME conferences or networking events and then charge businesses a small fee if they wish to participate.
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could organise local SME conferences or networking events and then charge businesses a small fee if they wish to participate. 

Notes:  It will be essential for you to provide accurate and up-to-date information or else you will put off customers. You must have a good referral system in place to ensure you will get paid. 

Online examples & resources: 

• Inc.com – Resources for entrepreneurs
• Internal Revenue Services – A list of resources available to US businesses
• Microsoft Small Business Center – Software for SMEs

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here 

A personalised calendar is a popular gift item which many people enjoy giving to friends, family, co-workers or even just for personal use. The calendar can have photographs that are special to you and even include personalised dates that are special to you. Calendar’s are often also used as a corporate promotional tool and can display products or advertising. With the technology available today it is relatively easy to publish your own calendars.  

Skills needed: You will need to be talented in the field of graphic design and familiar with the software that is used to create it.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There is some international potential for you in other English speaking markets but the language barrier may prevent you from being successful all over the world. You will have to purchase a computer and scanner (if you do not already own them), as well as a high quality printing device. The correct software will also need to be purchased and some money set aside for promotional purposes. The overall start-up cost will range from £1,000 to £3,500 (1,800 - 5,000 EUR, 2,000-7,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing to encourage your clients to recommend your service to their friends
• Get your website listed in link directories and web-rings related to gift ideas
• Display some samples of your creations on your website
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could expand your product line to include other custom products such as mouse mats.  

Notes: You will have a lot of competition for this sort of work so you may wish to focus on one particular niche in order to make your mark. If you have a high volume of orders you may find that you need to outsource to a professional printing company.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Picture Perfect Calendars – A good example of this type of business
• ePrintable – Free printable calendars

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

Organising a wedding is a very stressful process that involves a lot of planning and an awful lot of purchasing. The costs can soon add up so people often try to save money by shopping online. Online stores specialising in wedding products can therefore be very lucrative businesses, particularly if they focus mainly on their local area and provide a personalised service. This could include a gift wrapping service and a gift registry section of your website from which friends and relatives can purchase presents for the happy couple.  

Skills needed: You will need to be knowledgeable about all aspects of marriage, including how other cultures and religions celebrate and have different requirements. If you have previous wedding planning experience it would be a big asset. In addition, you must have some grasp of online marketing techniques so that you are able to reach as wide of an audience as possible and also some basic web publishing skills to enable you to keep the website updated by yourself.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  This is very much a regional business as the cost-saving factor of using the Internet would be lost if the products had to be shipped internationally. The set-up costs are low for this business, especially if you already own the equipment (computer, scanner, printer and digital camera). You will need to pay for the website design and hosting as well as an inventory of the products you will be selling. The overall start-up cost will range from £2,500 to £10,000 (3,000 - 12,000 EUR, 5,000-20,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing to encourage your clients to recommend your service to their friends
• Get your website listed in link directories and web-rings related to weddings
• Pay for strategic banner advertising on non-competing wedding related websites
• Run an affiliate program to generate referrals from partners
• Put competitions on in association with your suppliers to give wedding products as prizes
• Develop (or pay someone to develop) a wedding registry for your website
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: By forming partnerships with local firms (e.g. caterers or DJs) you could earn referral fees. 

Notes: Your business will only be successful if you are able to generate a high volume of traffic. The website will have to be constantly updated in order to show the professionalism of your business.  

Online examples & resources:  

• The Knot – A large wedding supplier
• Discount Wedding Supplies – A good example of this type of business

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here

Although MP3 technology has completely changed the music industry, there are still niche areas that could provide you with great business opportunities.  It is up to you what you wish to sell, but it could be CDs / digital downloads, musical instruments or collectibles and paraphernalia. The key is to have a well-designed website and build a strong community around it that your customers feel a part of. This will keep them coming back on a regular basis.  

Skills needed: It is essential that you must be very knowledgeable about the musical niche you are focussing on. It will be your responsibility to provide content for the website and play a ‘guru’ role in regards to the community you establish.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There is some international potential for this business but postal charges for the items you are selling will discourage this to some degree. The set-up costs are quite low for this business if you already own the equipment (computer, printer, scanner & digital camera). You will need to pay for the website design and hosting as well as an inventory of the products you will be selling. The overall start-up cost will range from £2,500 to £10,000 (3,000 - 12,000 EUR, 5,000-20,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make your website easy to find via the major search engines by optimising it with keywords
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing to encourage your clients to recommend your service to their friends
• Get your website listed in link directories and web-rings related to music
• Pay for banner advertising on non-competing music websites
• Run an affiliate program to generate referrals from partners
• Have a featured artist or product section of your website.  This could focus on a specific artist for a period of time – for example a local band that needs exposure. You could even interview them or get them to record an exclusive session
• Establish a weekly newsletter and discussion forum to create a community surrounding your chosen music in which you can provide information and help
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: There are numerous ways you can expand if you begin with a minimal product line and become successful e.g. selling gig tickets or organising events.  

Notes: It is important to remember that you will be unable to compete on a large scale with the main retailers but if you focus on one area you know well then you can still be successful.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Sonic Garden – An online community for independent musicians
• CTG Music Community – Excellent example of a niche music centre
• Music Centre UK – An instrument seller

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

If you are interested in human history or even just the history of a particular area then online genealogy research could be a good part-time business for you. You will receive a fee for undertaking the research on someone else’s behalf.  

Skills needed: You will need very good (dissertation level) research skills and a keen interest in genealogy. It would be helpful if you also had basic web publishing skills so you can easily maintain your website. If you have specialised knowledge about an area or community it will help differentiate you from the competition.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There are no barriers to this business trading internationally. It is extremely likely that you will receive many international research requests from people who want to trace their roots to your local area. If you already own a computer, printer and scanner then your only start-up cost will be website design and maintenance. The overall start-up cost will range from £1,500 to £2,500 (2,000 - 3,500 EUR, 3,000-5,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make your website easy to find via the major search engines by optimising it with keywords
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing to encourage your clients to recommend your service to their friends
• Get your website listed in link directories and web-rings related to family tree research
• Pay for banner advertising on websites your target market may visit e.g. historical landmarks in your local area
• Become involved in online discussions on mailing lists and forums related to genealogy to demonstrate your expertise, using a clickable banner as a signature that links to your website
• Run a mailing list to keep subscribers informed about new discoveries you make and wish to share
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could become a re-seller of family history research software or provide consulting services to teach people techniques on how to research.  

Notes:  Clients will need to see documentation that proves your findings – if this is not available online then you may have to track some down in person and make copies. You will most likely charge per hour of your time spent researching – make sure you are upfront about your fees beforehand by making them easily available on your website.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Meet the Family – A good example of this type of business
• 1901 Census – A useful resource for researchers
• Start Your Genealogy Research – A useful guide for people beginning to research online

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

If you are interested in fashion and cosmetics then you could provide a ‘virtual makeover’ for your clients. This would involve using image manipulation software to preview the effect of various treatments. The money earning potential comes mainly from affiliates (who will pay you referral fees) and from re-selling beauty products.  

Skills needed: You must have good computer skills and be able to use a digital camera and scanner. It will be necessary to have had some previous experience of fashion and beauty consulting.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There are no real barriers to providing makeovers for international clients because the whole process will take place online (although fashion trends do vary globally). The set-up cost will be low for this business if you own the equipment (computer, digital camera, scanner etc.) and software already. However, you will still need to pay for the design and hosting of your website. The overall start-up cost will range from £2,000 to £6,000 (2,500 - 7,500 EUR, 4,000-12,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make your website easy to find via the major search engines by optimising it with keywords
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing to encourage your clients to recommend your service to their friends
• Get your website listed in link directories and web-rings related to fashion and beauty
• Ask clients for permission to be featured in a ‘before and after’ portfolio section of your website
• Write articles about fashion and send them to women’s e-zines in exchange for promotion
• Offer free giveaways and run competitions in conjunction with your affiliates
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could sell appropriate advertising space on your website if you generate high traffic. You could also use your website as a gateway to providing hands-on fashion consultancy.  

Notes: This is a competitive market but there is more than enough demand for you to make this business successful.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Daily Makeover – A website with makeover studio
• iVillage – Considered the best free makeover software

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

Online tuition allows a person to learn skills or knowledge at a time and place that is suitable for them. They can still benefit from all the positive aspects of personalised one-on-one tuition through instant messaging, voice chat (VoIP) or even online video conferencing. You could also critique their projects or assignments via e-mail. This business would be ideal for a retired teacher looking to earn some extra income.  

Skills needed: You must have tutoring experience in a specialised subject and good communication skills. Basic web publishing skills would be useful so that you can keep your website updated.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  The international potential for this start-up varies depending on the value of your skills in other countries. There is also a language barrier that will prevent you from tutoring to a high standard in many countries. If you already have your own computer, printer, scanner and fax machine then your only other cost will be developing and hosting your website. The overall start-up cost will range from £1,000 to £2,500 (1,500 - 3,000 EUR, 2,500-5,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make your website easy to find via the major search engines by optimising it with keywords
• Place reciprocal links to your website at places related to learning, such as university and academic websites
• Use viral marketing to encourage your clients to recommend your service to their friends
• Ask clients to provide a testimonial that you can put on your website
• Operate a mailing list to keep clients informed about your services and availability
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could sell appropriate advertising space on your website if you generate high traffic levels, or you could become a re-seller of educational products and software.  

Notes: There is a lot of competition in this sector, but there are fewer specialised tutors around. It may be useful if you can provide tuition in a niche subject.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Tutor.com – A big company specialising in offering online tuition to students
• Liveperson.com – A method of chatting live to professionals
• Private Tuition Guide – A useful guide to the do’s and don’ts of private tuition

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

If you have a talent for comedy then there is potentially a market for you on the Web. Although it can be difficult to translate a skill like this into money, there are opportunities available. If you can build up enough of a following through a mailing list or website then there is the possibility of attracting sponsorship deals. You can also earn freelance money on the side by providing custom work for clients.  

Skills needed: You need to have a talent for creating cartoons or joke writing.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  Your work has international potential but probably only in countries with a similar culture to your own, because humour is a very subjective thing and what is funny to one group of people may be offensive to another. Start-up costs for this business will likely be low because you will presumably already own the equipment you need if you are seriously considering this as a career. However, you will need to spend money on developing a website and on a marketing campaign to generate traffic. The overall start-up cost will range from £1,500 to £3,000 (2,000- 4,000 EUR, 3,000-6,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Become involved in newsgroups and forums related to online advertising or the industries targeted by your ad network, using a clickable banner as a signature that links to your website
• Place links to your website at web directories related to comedy
• Write contributions to periodicals and release online press release to promote your work
• Form partnerships with popular e-zines and provide them with exclusive content
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: Once you develop a loyal following then there is the potential for a large range of tie-in merchandise.  

Notes: Make sure your work does not infringe copyright.  Also, if you are licensing your artwork out to clients then it is important to have clear contracts in place which dictate the terms of the agreement and usage rights.  

Online examples & resources:  

• ‘How Web Comics Work’ – Step-by-step guide to creating a web comic
• Pixia – Powerful free cartoon drawing software
• Google Sketchup – A free tool from Google that allows you to draw 3D models

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

An ad network is an effective method of effectively delivering online advertising to a target market. Your responsibility as manager of the network would be to sell adverts and find appropriate high-traffic websites on which to place adverts for your clients. This is not unlike traditional ad agencies in that your priority is to identify target demographics for the client and your revenue comes from a percentage of the overall marketing budget you are managing.  

Skills needed: You will need to know how the online advertising business operates. If you have graphic design skills then you will be able to create your own banner advertisements for clients – this will eliminate the cost of outsourcing this service.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  Due to the nature of online advertising, there are no real barriers to you working for overseas clients. You will need all the standard computer hardware and will need to get your website developed and hosted. The main expense will be the software required to run the network, as it needs to be powerful enough to serve the correct adverts to website visitors and provide your clients with reports on the traffic and trends it records. The overall start-up cost will range from £1,500 to £5,000 (2,000- 6,000 EUR, 3,000-10,000 AUD/USD), however the sky is the limit as far as advertising software is concerned and therefore the most sophisticated and highly targeted software can cost up to £50,000 (65,000 EUR or 100,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Become involved in newsgroups and forums related to online advertising or the industries targeted by your ad network, using a clickable banner as a signature that links to your website
• Place links to your website at online advertising directories
• Use your own ad network to place targeted banner advertisements for your services
• Run an affiliate program to generate referrals and increase awareness of your business
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: If you have graphic design skills then you can offer additional advert design services  

Notes: Make sure that the software you purchase is the right one for your level of business – this will require some research on your part as to how sophisticated it will need to be. Be readily available for your clients via phone or e-mail and be prepared to offer them last-minute volume discounts to get rid of excess capacity ad space.  

Online examples & resources:  

• ValueClick Media – One of the largest ad networks
• iMedia Connection – A list of the major internet ad networks

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here