Profitable and Untapped Small Businesses to Start in South Africa with Little or No Money
If you’re looking for low-budget small business ideas in South Africa or from anywhere in world, this article explores 40 low-budget small business ideas in South Africa (or anywhere in the world) that you can start today.
Starting a business can be a tumultuous journey and a big risk, but it is one worth taking.
The absence of capital shouldn’t stop you from dreaming. There are so many businesses that can be started with close to nothing.
Most of the ideas discussed are internet-based due to the financial limitations. It is challenging and risky to start a physical business if you don’t have enough funds to cover rent, salaries, inventory, utilities, etc.
The internet is the best place to start a business on a budget.
If you lack experience with online businesses, don’t be frightened, it’s not as complicated as it seems. You’re not going to be writing code or performing complex tasks. Don’t let the ‘fear of the unknown’ stop you.
Related: How to get a free website, domain, hosting and business emails
Top 10 Low-Budget Small Businesses to Start with R200 in South Africa
Among the 40 low-budget small business ideas in South Africa, some require as little as R200 to get started.
The R200 budget will be used to get a professional business logo from Fiverr. A logo is the first step to instilling confidence in customers by showing that you’re a credible business.
Here are the top 10 businesses to start with R200 in South Africa:
1. Editing, proof reading and beta reading
If you are great at catching typos and grammatical errors, editing/ proofreading other people’s work can be a great side hustle for you.
Similar to editors, beta readers are people whose job is to read and critique other people’s unpublished writings. Fiction writers use them a lot before publishing new books.
A great place to find work as an editor, proof reader or beta reader is on freelancing platforms like Upwork, Guru and Freelancer.
2. Resume writing
A lot of people seek professional guidance with their CVs before applying for jobs. You can find resume writing gigs is on Upwork, Guru and Freelancer.
In order to thrive doing this job you’ll need to be good at highlighting relevant experiences and skills, optimizing text so that the resume will stand out against others, and keeping things short and concise.
But it doesn’t take very long to write a resume in most instances, so you could potentially take multiple orders per day.
3. Virtual assistance
Virtual assistants are self-employed people who provide technical and administrative assistance to busy individuals through the internet.
It is such an in-demand service, and the advantage is that you get to decide who to work with and how much to charge for your time.
Some common virtual assistant tasks include bookkeeping, editing reports, data entry, responding to emails, etc. You can find clients on freelancing platforms.
4. Social media management
Many companies get overwhelmed by the amount of work required to keep their social media pages active. But especially in today’s business climate, social media is everything! So businesses can’t really afford to not have active social platforms.
That’s where you could come in if you have an understanding of how social media works and how to get attention for social media profiles. Many businesses would jump at your offer to manage their accounts.
Some tasks of a social media manager include posting regularly, increasing the number of page followers, engaging with users, etc. You can find clients by simply reaching out to various companies to see if they would be interested in your services.
5. Ghostwriting
A ghost writer is a person who is hired to write a book, speech, article, song and many other forms of written content on behalf of another person who takes credit as the author.
Ghostwriting is a fantastic business opportunity for people who are good with words. A short book that would take about 6 weeks to write can cost upwards of $10,000.
And ghostwriting for others can also teach you a lot about the craft, potentially opening up opportunities for you to write and publish your own works someday.
6. Tax preparation and book keeping
If you’re good with numbers, you can offer your services to small businesses as a tax preparer or a book keeper. The great thing about such a business is that clients will be paying you on an ongoing basis, it’s not a one off service (particularly book keeping).
By building relationships with multiple clients and being able to depend somewhat on always having work you can really obtain a lot of financial security.
Furthermore, the better of a job you do, the more likely it is that a client would suggest you to one of their friends. It’s common for this type of a “snowball effect” to occur in book keeping, so oftentimes you just keep getting more and more clients.
7. Data entry
Data entry is another fantastic business opportunity you can start with no capital whatsoever. You can find work by either reaching out to small businesses to pitch your services, or by advertising on online freelancing platforms.
Many people find data entry to be a tedious task, but if you’re someone who enjoys small details and precise work then you might find that data entry is the perfect job for you.
Just make sure that you have sufficient knowledge of software relating to data entry, as well as basic typing skills.
8. Drive other people’s cars on Uber
If you have a driving license, some years of driving experience, and a good sense of direction, then this can be your perfect side hustle.
You might be surprised at how many people need a lift to get around, and either don’t like driving or simply can’t drive themselves. So not only are you making some money, but you’re also providing an important service as you do so.
9. Child care services
This is great business for people who are good with children. Many parents often get held up with commitments and need help babysitting. You can either turn your home into a daycare or go watch the kids from their homes.
This is yet another example of where reputation can be a huge factor in getting more jobs. If you do a good job babysitting one person’s kid then they’re likely to suggest you to a friend, therefore giving you more business.
Just make sure that you have enough people skills to deal with the parents as well as the kids, because their opinion of you really matters in this industry.
10. Dog training/walking
If you’re good with dogs then you can take a short online course to learn how to train them. Just like with child care services, you can choose to either train the dogs from your home (if you have enough space) or from the clients’ homes.
Dog walking is service you can offer to busy individuals who have no time to take their dogs out for a walk. This is perfect for people who enjoy being around animals. It might also be the ideal path for people who haven’t mastered their social skills since most interactions are with pets and not humans.
Top 10 Small Businesses to Start with R1,000 in South Africa
Use the R1,000 budget sparingly on branding materials such a business logo from Fiverr, business cards and brochures. You can print them small quantities just for a start, and then the remainder of the cash can be spent on online ads. Also make sure to get a free website to showcases your products/services.
Here are the top 10 businesses to start with R1,000 in South Africa:
1. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the most common ways to make money online. You simply refer customers to the affiliate companies, and they send you a check for the referral.
The earning potential is limitless as you keep getting paid as long as you keep referring customers. Some high paying affiliate programs include Bluehost, Shopify and ClickFunnels – some paying as high as $100 per referral.
2. Freelancing
A freelancer is a self-employed person who offers his/her skills to companies without being tied to them long term.
Any marketable skills you have e.g. graphic design, web design or writing can become your source of income when you present them as a service that people pay for. Clients can either pay you an hourly rate or a fixed amount of money based on the type of work you’re doing.
3. Consultation
Many people have issues they need resolved, and you may have the answers they’re looking for. You can build your consultation service around an area that you’re skilled at, for example finance or marketing, and then advertise your services online.
Keep in mind that consultation gigs are easier to get if you do have some sort of proof that the advice you’re giving is worth the money.
For instance, testimonials from previous clients, success stories, or even your own story of your success in the industry you’re consulting about could go a long way in getting new gigs.
4. Online coaching
If you have profound experience in a certain area, or you simply just enjoy working with people, then you can become a coach. Depending on your experience, you can be a life coach, a fitness coach, career coach, dating coach, etc.
This job is great for financial security because if your clients like you then they will probably keep paying for your services long term. So as you build a solid recurring customer base, you’ll be able to depend on a certain amount of money coming in.
5. Tutoring
If you are knowledgeable in a certain academic area, then you can become a tutor. You can either offer your services from your home or go to the students’ homes. Use your R1,000 budget to print brochures and business cards.
People who have good social skills are especially great at this job because they can put their students at ease and make the experience a lot easier. Plus, the more your students like you, the more likely they are to hire you again or suggest your services to friends.
6. Personal training
This is the perfect side hustle or even full time job for fitness enthusiasts. A lot of people need help losing weight and getting in shape so you are guaranteed to find clients. You can train them from their homes or accompany them to a gym.
And a lot of personal trainers have also found ways to move onto other platforms. They write blogs about fitness, sell custom workout plans, and even make YouTube videos on the topic.
7. Graphic designing
If you have a creative mind and you’re good with Photoshop or similar tools, then you can become a graphic designer. There’s no shortage of design jobs freelancing platforms like Fiverr.
You might be hired to design things like logos, banners, graphics for clothing, or even tattoo designs! The possibilities are endless, and you’ll always be creating something new.
8. Build websites
Building an entire website from scratch is a lot easier than many people imagine. Platforms like Wix and WordPress have eliminated the need for coding knowledge and made it possible to build fully functional websites using drag-and-drop builders that anyone can use.
There are countless YouTube tutorials that cover the subject profoundly.
9. SEO Freelancing
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is the practice of improving a website’s ranking on search engines like Google to make it easier for people searching to find them.
Many growing companies spend fortunes on SEO, it’s a highly marketable and in-demand skill that you can easily learn through YouTube tutorials and online courses.
10. Tour guide
If you know the ins and outs of your city, and are well versed with its history, then you can become a tour guide. It’s a great part time job as well as an opportunity to network with people from different parts of the world.
This career path is also perfect for people who would like to stay a bit more active, and who don’t particularly like office jobs. When you’re a tour guide, you’re on the move constantly!
Top 10 Small Businesses to Start with R2,000 in SA
Split your R2,000 budget between branding materials such a logo from Fiverr, business cards and brochures, and online ads.
Some of the businesses ideas may require specialized equipment, but they should still fit within your budget. Also make sure to get a free professional website before launching.
Here are the top 10 businesses to start with R2,000 in South Africa:
1. Sell stock photos
If you are good at photography, you can sign up to be a contributor on stock photo platforms like Shutterstock, and get paid a commission every time someone buys your photos.
You don’t need expensive equipment for this, a decent smartphone camera can do the job. Use your 2k budget to buy some inexpensive props to help enhance the quality of your photos.
2. Drop shipping
Drop shipping is a product fulfillment method where sellers doesn’t own stock of the products they’re selling online. Whenever someone places an order, they simultaneously order the product from a supplier and ship it directly to them.
You’ll need an e-commerce website where you can publish all the different items you’re selling. Use the 2k budget on Google and Facebook Ads to get people to your website.
3. Sell outsourced services online
Selling outsourced services is similar to drop shipping in the sense that you are advertising services that you don’t necessarily have the skills or resources to fulfill.
Whenever a client pays you for some work, you simply outsource the work to a freelancer, and keep the margin on top. Fiverr is a great place to find cheap freelancers to outsource to.
4. Start an “outsourcing” agency
Many businesses are constantly looking for ways to cut down their costs while increasing efficiency.
An outsourcing agency is a company that provides third party services such as IT, accounting, human resources and marketing to other companies as temporary contractors. This helps eliminate the need for fulltime employees.
This is a great business to start with a small team. Make sure that you have a presentable website and some marketing materials such as brochures and business cards.
5. Make organic soaps
A lot of people are very demanding when it comes to the soaps they use. You can make organic soaps that cater to specific needs.
The soap making process is very easy, you can find numerous tutorials online. The great thing about such a business is that you are guaranteed lots of repeat business since soap tends to run out fast.
6. Create a course based no something you’re good at
Online teaching platforms like Teachable can be used to create and sell courses on almost any topic, including musical instruments, art, cooking, mathematics, etc. Teachable alone has millions of students who are actively looking to learn new things.
Most people have a natural skill for something or an interest that they’ve cultivated, and if you’re one of those people then this is a great opportunity to turn something you’re passionate about into something you can use to make money.
7. Gardening and landscaping
If you have a passion for plants, then gardening and landscaping could be your gig. You can offer your services to homeowners and spend time working in their gardens, and as your business grows, you can employ more people to help with the physical work while you only focus on marketing.
Just make sure that you take plenty of photos of the jobs that you do. This is one career in which having a great portfolio can really set you apart from the competition and result in you landing new jobs.
8. Errand services
A lot of people are often too busy to run their own errands. An errand business can be operated with just a phone and reliable transportation. Use your small startup budget to print brochures and business cards that can be distributed in your neighborhood.
For this type of service though, you’d have to be able to successfully complete many different types of errands. Examples may include picking up dry cleaning, grocery shopping, or taking someone’s car to get washed.
9. Grocery deliveries
Shopping is a chore that many people don’t have time for, and the idea of having groceries delivered right to their doorsteps can be appealing.
You don’t need to own stock of the groceries, you simply partner up with a nearby store, and anytime somebody requests for a delivery, they act as your supplier.
10. Handyman/repair services
If you’re good at repairing things then you can start a handyman business.
Print some brochures that explain the various areas you specialize in, for example plumbing, furniture assembly, or electrical work, and distribute them in your neighborhood. Use your 2k budget to buy the various tools you’ll need.
Top 10 Small Businesses to Start with R5,000 in South Africa
A budget of R5,000 is more than enough to help you start a small business in SA comfortably. Use it to get a logo from Fiverr, business cards, brochures; as well as on online ads to help get your first customers.
You’ll also need free professional website before launching your new business in SA.
Here are the top 10 businesses to start with 5k in SA:
1. Voice overs
A voice over artist provides audio recordings to clients based on a diverse set of needs. Such recordings can be used in presentations, advertisements, movies, video games, etc.
It’s a great business to start if you have a unique ‘radio voice’. The main piece of equipment you’ll need is a quality microphone.
Especially as things like animated YouTube videos, audio books, and podcasts are becoming more popular, the demand for voice overs is going up. You’ll have no problem gaining clients with this career.
2. Start a podcast/ YouTube channel
If you love sharing knowledge and are great at telling stories, then starting a podcast or a YouTube channel is definitely for you. As your channel grows, so will your income from ads and sponsorships.
Your smartphone camera may be good enough for the videos, however you may also need a tripod and a quality microphone.
3. Interior designing
If you have an eye for design then you can start an interior design business. You don’t need a large upfront budget, only a decent website to showcase your work, and a small marketing budget for online ads.
This is a great job for creative and artsy people, and the career can really be a great outlet for them to get that creative energy out. If you do really love interior design then your passion for the job will come across to people, and that kind of enthusiasm for your job can be a great selling point.
4. Forex trading
Forex is a global marketplace where one currency can be traded for another. Traders look for opportunities to buy a currency when its value has depreciated and then sell as soon it hikes for profit.
The most popular exchange for forex trading is IQ Option. You get a free practice account with a $10,000 deposit to play around with. Once you feel confident, you can deposit your R5,000 to start trading.
5. Crypto day trading
The cryptocurrency market is similar to the forex market. Although Bitcoin is the most popular crypto, there are hundreds of others that can be traded online on Binance.
Day traders look for opportunities to buy crypto at their lowest and then sell as soon as their prices hike for a quick profit.
You can get started by buying bitcoin with your R5,000 budget on LocalBitcoin, and then transfer it to Binance to begin trading.
6. Real estate brokerage
Real estate brokers link buyers and sellers of a property and then get paid a commission. It’s a great business with an incredible earning potential. Some of the wealthiest people in the world are in one way or another involved with real estate.
Your 5k budget can be used for scouting vacant properties and online marketing. There are numerous ways to find clients as a real estate broker.
7. Vehicle brokerage
A vehicle broker links buyers and sellers of cars and then gets a commission from the sale. People are always looking to buy or sell cars at any given moment, it’s a business with no shortage of clients. Your budget can be invested on a website, business cards and online marketing.
And a great thing about commissions off of items like cars is that they can be quite hefty. Meaning that if you get enough large commissions at once, you could easily afford to take some time off occasionally when you have enough money put back. There tends to be more flexibility with this job than with some others.
8. Rent out a room in your home in Airbnb
Airbnb is an online marketplace where people can lease out rooms in their homes to budget travelers. It can be a great source of passive income if you’ve got spare rooms in your house (for example when your roommate has travelled or kids have gone to boarding school).
If you are concerned about security, Airbnb provides up to a million dollars insurance to cover any potential damages caused by guests.
9. Buy and sell niche products
Niche products are products that appeal to small groups of people with specific interests. For example, workout supplements appeal specifically to body builders and fitness enthusiasts.
They are great products to sell because they generally don’t have much competition, unlike mainstream products like mobile phones and TVs. Do some research to find niche products that you can buy with your 5k budget and then sell on online marketplaces.
10. Party promoter
Do you know someone who owns a bar, club or venue? You can negotiate a fee with them, and in exchange, you help attract people to their venues.
This is a great business to start if you have a large social network that you could reach out to. Your budget will be entirely spent on marketing the venue/event that you’re promoting.
These 40 low-budget small business ideas in South Africa or anywhere around the globe, offer diverse opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
