Online business services ideas you can start in the US

50 ideas

These 50 ideas all serve other businesses and can be run online, so you can work without an office, a shopfront or a local client base. They suit people with a trade, admin, finance or hiring background who can turn that experience into a service, as with a bookkeeper for one trade or industry or hiring support for small businesses.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Small outsourced customer support team

Run a small team that handles customer calls and enquiries for online stores and software companies under contract.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
3,106 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.8% in a year
Financial adviser discussing pension and savings plans with a client at a desk.

Virtual fee-only financial planner

Help individuals and families plan savings, investing and retirement by video call, for a flat or hourly fee.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
23,359 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Accountant reviewing tax forms and using a calculator at a desk.

Online accountant for small businesses

Keep the books and file the tax returns for local small businesses, mostly remotely, on a monthly fee.

  • $1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • Online
47,699 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year
Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Part-time headhunter for a few select searches

Take on one or two senior searches at a time alongside your job, using your professional network.

  • $300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,897 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.5% in a year
Person typing information from paper documents into a computer at an office desk.

Document data processing service

Lead a small team that handles ongoing data entry and document processing for offices, practices and companies.

  • $1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • Online
4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year
Accounting team reviewing financial reports together in a modern office.

Online accounting firm for a niche

Serve one type of client remotely, such as freelancers or online sellers, with bookkeeping, payroll and tax support.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Part-time
  • Online
55,052 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year
Consultant reviewing budget charts with a client on a laptop in an office.

Online personal budgeting and money coach

Coach individuals and couples on budgeting, debt payoff plans and savings goals by video call.

  • $300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
14,568 US businesses with employees in this field, +11.9% in a year
Staff at desks processing data on computers in a shared administrative office.

Outsourced customer support team

Run a small remote team that answers customer emails and chats for online shops and software companies.

  • $1.5k-7.5k
  • Part-time
  • Online
36,864 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year
A worker processing healthcare invoices and claim forms at a desk with a computer.

Medical billing agency with a small team

Run a billing company serving several practices, with a few billers working remotely.

  • $3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Online
3,628 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.1% in a year
A consultant presenting a branding strategy chart to a client in a meeting room.

Online marketing consultant for one niche

Serve one type of business remotely, such as online shops or coaches, with audits, strategy and monthly check-ins.

  • $200-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
52,258 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.5% in a year
Stack of sanding discs and grinding wheels displayed on shop shelves.

Online abrasives store for one trade niche

Sell abrasives online to one group, like woodworkers or auto body shops, shipped from a small stockroom.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,605 US businesses with employees in this field, +6.0% in a year
Local business owners chatting and exchanging contacts at a networking breakfast.

Online networking community for owners

Host virtual meetups and a members' group where owners in one niche or region trade referrals.

  • $100-1k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
14,855 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
Operator with headset taking a call and writing a message at a desk.

24/7 answering service with a small team

Run a small team that answers calls day and night for clinics, trades and offices that need round-the-clock cover.

  • $3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Online
1,035 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.7% in a year
Notary stamping and signing a legal document on a desk at an office.

Remote online notary

Notarize documents over video from your desk for clients anywhere your state allows.

  • $300-1.2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,776 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.9% in a year
Rolls of tape, cardboard boxes and bubble wrap stacked in a packaging supply store.

Online packaging supplies shop for small sellers

Sell boxes, mailers and tape online to Etsy, eBay and Shopify sellers, shipped from a spare room or garage.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,605 US businesses with employees in this field, +6.0% in a year
Bookkeeper recording figures in ledgers at a desk with a laptop.

Bookkeeper for one trade or industry

Focus on one type of client, like contractors or e-commerce sellers, and become the go-to bookkeeper for them.

  • $500-3k
  • Part-time
  • Online
47,699 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year
A career adviser discussing job options with a young person across a desk.

Online career coach

Help people choose a career path, update their resume and prepare for interviews over video calls.

  • $200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,526 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.8% in a year
Consultant reviewing export documents with shipping containers in the background.

Online export guide for e-commerce sellers

Coach online shops on shipping, duties and local rules so they can sell to customers in Canada, the UK and beyond.

  • $300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,360 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.6% in a year
Scientific instruments and glassware arranged on a laboratory bench with a researcher.

Niche lab supplies online reseller

Sell gloves, glassware, pipette tips and other lab basics online to schools, small labs and startups.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,392 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year

Refurbished ice cream equipment and parts seller

Buy, refurbish and resell used soft-serve machines, freezers and parts to new ice cream shops and cafes.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,637 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

Hiring support for small businesses

Help small employers write job ads, screen applicants and run interviews, working evenings and weekends alongside a job.

  • $200-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,526 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.8% in a year

Divorce paperwork preparer

Help people fill in and file uncontested divorce forms without a full-price lawyer.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,776 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.9% in a year

Online toner store for a niche audience

Run a small online toner and ink shop for one niche, with orders shipped straight from your supplier.

  • $500-3.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,190 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year

Online laminating machines and supplies store

Sell laminators, pouches and film online to schools, offices and small print shops.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,637 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

About these ideas

Others are online resale or supply models, such as an online workplace safety supplies store. Before choosing, think about who your customer is, how you will reach them, and whether you need a license, insurance or agency appointment to sell. Start with one narrow niche and a simple offer you can test with a few paying clients.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a license to start an online business services company in the US?

It depends on the service and your state. Insurance sales, tax work and some financial services often have licensing rules, while many admin or consulting services do not. Check with your state agencies and a qualified adviser before taking clients.

How do I find my first clients for an online B2B service?

Start with people you already know, then focus on one niche, such as a single trade or type of seller. Check where those owners spend time online, like forums or groups, and test a clear offer with a few clients before scaling.

What should I check about taxes and insurance when working online?

Check how your business structure affects taxes, whether you must collect sales tax on any goods you sell, and if you need professional liability or general business insurance. Rules vary by state, so confirm details with your state revenue department or an accountant.