10 Online Business Ideas for E-commerce Beginners in 2022

It is easier than ever for anyone to start a business with or without commercial experience in this “online age”. The great thing about starting an online business is the freedom to earn money from anywhere. However, there are many ideas for small businesses and deciding on one can be a daunting task.

This article is for beginning entrepreneurs who are considering starting an online business. In this post, we’ll discuss how feasible it is to become a first-time ecommerce entrepreneur, as well as viable business ideas you can consider in 2022.

Is it a good idea to start an online business now?

The pandemic came with unexpected events that left an effect that will not be forgotten in the short term. Even now, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can still be felt in different aspects of our lives. Aside from the threat to public health, the pandemic disrupted the activities of small businesses, large corporations, and even the global economy at large.

Many people had to work remotely, and physical organizations had to think of creative ways to meet consumer needs during this crisis. According to a report, about 41.3% of companies closed temporarily due to the pandemic. [1] In addition, many people lost their jobs, income levels fell, and the world economy contracted, causing many countries to enter recession. [two]

However, after almost two years of pandemic and living with different variants of the virus, many companies are re-emerging. Despite the massive business closures, the world is witnessing an increase in online businesses as people find new ways to earn a living.

It may sound ironic, but sometimes certain companies have the potential to prosper during or after a crisis. Many organizations, including Airbnb and Uber, started during the 2007-2009 global financial crisis. [3] The data even shows that, surprisingly, there are still many business opportunities to explore as the world tries to adjust to the post-pandemic period. [4]

Then yes! Now could be the perfect time to start an online business. Entrepreneurs can fill different industries and niches in the online market space.

Here are three reasons why now is a great time to launch a podcast, become an app developer, pursue affiliate marketing, or pitch an idea that can grow into a successful online business.

1. Plenty of opportunities

The pandemic has made it clear that many things can work online, and this is the best time to start a business from the comfort of your home. From online physical preparation to online courses to home delivery, many opportunities emerged from the pandemic to meet people’s changing needs. Online platforms connect businesses with the right customers, and if you have the right business ideas, you will find plenty of opportunities.

2. It’s easier to sell and buy things online

The e-commerce business model was widely adopted during the COVID era, as many physical businesses had to close and many people had to shop online. People are getting used to buying and selling online, so why not make the most of it? People with business ideas can take their businesses online and reach a wide range of audiences with the help of different online platforms and tools.

3. Advanced technology

Technology companies and financial institutions are increasingly making progress in supporting e-commerce businesses. Now, it’s easier to start an online store and easily accept payments with minimal setup. So this is a great time to take advantage of all the tools and resources to open a booming e-commerce business.

10 best online business ideas for beginners in 2022

The first thing to keep in mind as a first-time entrepreneur is that some business ideas have high potential and some do not. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the market space to discover which online business has great potential.

We have done some research to compare the success rate of different e-commerce businesses despite the disruption of the pandemic. After extensive research, we have compiled ten online business ideas that can help entrepreneurs make money.

1. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is one of the best ways to make money online without investing or buying products in advance. Drop shipping may be the answer if you are concerned about where to store inventory or run your business.

With a drop shipping business, you can sell online by taking customer orders and then finding a third-party wholesaler or retailer to handle inventory management and order fulfillment for the business. You will have to sell at a higher price than the third-party vendor for this method to work.

2. SEO consulting

If you have a good understanding of SEO (search engine optimization), you might consider starting a consulting business for companies with websites. With the rise of online business, many companies and brands are obsessed with staying ahead of their competitors by ranking high and turning their search engines into customers. However, only a small percentage of these people have in-depth knowledge of SEO, schematics, link building, and other digital marketing methods.

A good SEO consultant helps analyze how a brand’s website is performing and prescribes an effective strategy that increases traffic and customers. This business is in demand, and if it’s something you’re good at, consider pitching your idea.

3. Virtual online training

The pandemic showed everyone, including the education sector, that learning does not have to stop even in crisis situations. In 2020, many people had to study online, offline institutions moved online, and people with skills in specific areas translated their knowledge into online courses and training.

True, there are already so many online learning platforms, yet the demand for them continues to grow. Many people are turning to online platforms to learn new skills and access valuable resources. Whether it’s fitness, digital marketing, SEO, or UI / UX design, whatever niche you’re good at, 2022 is a great time to pack your knowledge and skills and sell them to people.

Some ways to sell your course online include hosting online training sessions, desktop publishing a valuable e-book, and taking video tutorials. If you can’t decide what to sell as a course, take advantage of apps like Social Triggers that teach people how to sell what they know. [5]

4. Become a freelance app developer/web designer

Technology has made application and software development a great niche for starting an online business. In addition, more and more companies need application developers to create websites and mobile applications. Most likely, anyone who wants to start an online business right now needs a website and may not have the technical knowledge to create it on their own. Also, existing sites are always looking to update and improve their sites to meet customer needs.

If you are creative and have an interest in coding, HTML, CSS, and other aspects of web design, being a freelance web designer could be one of the best online business ideas for you. In the meantime, if you are inexperienced in this field, you can take advantage of valuable web design resources, courses, and tutorials available for beginners.

5. Freelance graphic designer/writer

Freelancers enjoy flexibility; they have the opportunity to accept projects that fit their schedules. Plus, with freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, freelancers can decide what to work on and who to work with.

If you have a knack for graphic design, you can showcase your work and meet the demands of both small and large businesses. Almost all online brands require the services of a designer to create infographics, logos, posters, and other visual designs.

Also, if you have writing skills, you can use your talent to land job offers to write blog posts, e-books, and sales copies of people all over the world.

6. DIY craft seller

Do you love design and crafts, art and aesthetics? Now is a good time to build a showcase to display and sell handmade arts and crafts. If you have beautiful crafts that you make at home, you can sell them at an e-commerce store. And if you can’t make the products yourself, you can get a supplier and sell them online.

Additionally, creatives such as photographers and artists can turn their beautiful works and canvases into a source of income in their own eCommerce store.

7. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing works by recommending a product or service by sharing the referral link on your blog, social media, email, or other platforms. For every time someone clicks your referral link or places an order through the link, you earn a commission.

Many companies are looking for affiliate marketers to help them generate customers through effective word of mouth marketing. Sites like Amazon offer affiliate programs that work well for people looking to get started in this niche. You can also consider other affiliate programs that suit your brand and niche.

8. Become an influencer

An influencer earns through brand endorsements. They work helping brands promote their products or services on their page.

Influencers typically have a large following on social media and are viewed by people as experts in a particular niche. For example, if you frequently post fashion tips and have a large following, you can become an influencer for fashion brands and get paid to promote your services.

One great thing about influencer marketing is the number of platforms available to use. You can start a podcast, become a TikToker, create a YouTube channel or an Instagram account. The goal of influencer marketing is to become an expert in one or more niches, build a presence, have a large following, and you can get paid to promote people’s products.

9. Social media management

It’s safe to assume that all brands now understand the importance of social media marketing to promote their products or services. Social media is an integral part of online marketing and it is no wonder that many companies are investing in it.

However, managing your own social media accounts is not an option for many business owners due to other tasks that require your attention. They prefer to outsource this work to social media enthusiasts and experts who understand social media marketing and are capable of managing their pages.

10. Niche market retailer

Whether it’s clothing, furniture, or pet supplies, there are buyers for just about everything. If you don’t consider yourself an expert in social media management, affiliate marketing, or other online business ideas, you can create an e-commerce store to sell specific products.

You can do a little research to see what products you might be able to sell on your online store. Setting up an e-commerce store is relatively easy these days – you can create your hosting service with built-in e-commerce software, or list your products on an e-commerce marketplace.

How Alibaba.com can help you as a first-time e-commerce entrepreneur

Alibaba.com is one of the best global markets to start an e-commerce business. It is an e-commerce platform where there are more than 140 million sellers and buyers.

With Alibaba.com, entrepreneurs have access to a showcase to sell their business and reach a wide audience. You can sell all kinds of goods and items, such as crafts, jewelry, pet supplies, and much more.

Alibaba.com offers a number of functions that allow sellers to:

Also, if you are concerned about reaching your target audience, Alibaba.com offers advertising and digital marketing tools that increase your exposure to interested buyers.

Start selling on Alibaba.com

Starting an online business on an e-commerce site is a great way to become your own boss. While online businesses have their cons too, they are often simplified when choosing the right platform.

Once you’ve settled on a small business idea and have an internet connection, you can take advantage of all the tools that Alibaba.com offers. This e-commerce platform provides you with a streamlined and efficient showcase to sell your products.

Ready to launch your best business idea? Open a seller account on Alibaba.com and reach customers around the world today!

References: 1. https://www.pnas.org/content/117/30/17656 2. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/business-51706225.amp 3. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/social-triggers 4. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/crisis-solutions/covid-19.html 5. https: // www.crunchbase.com/organization/social-triggers