Start a home typing and document service

Students, job seekers, authors, sole traders, small firms, landlords and older people who would rather not type or format documents themselves.

Charge per page, per word or per hour, with a minimum fee for small jobs and a rush surcharge for fast turnaround. Regular small business clients can be offered a monthly arrangement.

• Fast, accurate typing
• Strong spelling, grammar and proofreading
• Confident with Word, Google Docs and PDF tools
• Reliable with deadlines

• Client documents can contain personal data, so check your obligations under UK data protection law and whether you need to register with the ICO
• Consider professional indemnity insurance in case of costly errors, and check whether you need public liability cover
• Keep files secure and delete them when agreed, and consider a simple confidentiality agreement for sensitive work
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check any home-use rules with your landlord or mortgage lender
• Demand can be uneven, so don't rely on a single client

Startup costs are typically around £50 to £600, depending on the equipment and software you already have and how much you spend on basic marketing. These are estimates, so check what you genuinely need before buying.

Monthly revenue is typically around £150 to £1,200, depending on how many hours you work, your rates and how steady your client base is. These are estimates, and demand can be uneven, so avoid relying on a single client.

Client documents can contain personal data, so check your obligations under UK data protection law and whether you need to register with the ICO. Also check insurance, registering as a sole trader with HMRC, and any home-use rules from your landlord or mortgage lender.