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Easily Managed: 25 Ideas for Low-Maintenance Businesses

By Jacinta Sherris

Published on 30 Apr 2023 7 min read

In today’s fast-paced world, many entrepreneurs and individuals are looking for low-maintenance businesses that they can start up or invest in. These businesses offer a great opportunity for anyone who wants to make money but doesn’t have a lot of time to dedicate to business management or physical labor.

In this guide, we’re going over 25 low-maintenance businesses that can offer an opportunity for passive income. 

What Are Low-Maintenance Businesses? 

Low-maintenance businesses are companies that require minimal supervision and support, as well as minimal capital investment, to operate effectively. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and investors are increasingly drawn to low-maintenance businesses due to their ability to provide a high return on investment with a lower level of risk. 

Achieving success in any business venture requires a significant investment of time, money, and effort, but low-maintenance businesses require less of each, making them an appealing choice for many. In other cases, some may require a large investment upfront, but then generate largely passive income over time. 

25 Low-Maintenance Businesses

If you are eager to start your own business, it’s essential to choose a path that interests you. Take a look at 25 solid business ideas that are low-maintenance. 

1. Rental Property: Investing in a rental property can be a great way to generate passive income without much effort 
2. Dividend Stocks: Investing in dividend-paying stocks can generate passive income in the form of regular dividends paid out to shareholders
3. Blogging: Start a blog on a topic you’re passionate about and monetize it through advertising and affiliate marketing
4. Dropshipping: Start an online store and use a dropshipping model to sell products without having to store inventory or ship products
5. Peer-to-Peer Lending: Invest in loans through a peer-to-peer lending platform and earn interest on your investments
6. REITs: Invest in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and earn passive income from the dividends paid out to shareholders
7. YouTube Channel: Create a YouTube channel on a topic you’re passionate about and monetize it through advertising and sponsorships
8. E-Book Sales: Write and sell e-books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
9. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products on your website or social media and earn a commission on sales
10. Digital Products: Create and sell digital products, such as courses, e-books, etc.
11. Online Course Sales: Create and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable
12. App Development: Develop and sell mobile apps through app stores like Google Play or the App Store
13. Stock Photography: Sell your photographs through stock photography platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock
14. Print-on-Demand Merchandise: Design and sell merchandise, such as t-shirts or mugs, using print-on-demand platforms like Printful
15. Podcasting: Start a podcast on a topic you’re passionate about and monetize it through advertising and sponsorships
16. Selling on Etsy: Create and sell handmade products on Etsy
17. Investing in Index Funds: Invest in low-cost index funds and earn passive income through the growth of your investments
18. Vending Machines: Install and manage vending machines in high-traffic areas
19. Airbnb Hosting: Rent out a spare room or entire property on Airbnb
20. Royalties: Earn royalties on creative works, such as books, music, or artwork
21. Storage Unit Rentals: Invest in storage units and rent them out to individuals or businesses
22. Online Survey Sites: Participate in online surveys and earn cash or gift cards
23. Create and Sell Printables: Create printable templates for things like meal planning, budgeting, or home organization and sell them on platforms like Etsy
24. Laundromat: A self-service laundry facility where customers can wash and dry their clothes using coin-operated machines
25. Car Rental Business: A business that rents out cars to customers for a fee, typically for short periods

Note: It’s important to remember that passive income does not necessarily mean zero effort. All of these business ideas require some initial investment of time, money, or both. Additionally, some may require ongoing maintenance, even if it’s minimal.

Advantages of Low-Maintenance Businesses

One of the key benefits of low-maintenance businesses is that they typically require less time and money to operate than traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. This allows business owners to focus their resources on areas that generate the highest return on investment, such as product development, marketing, and customer engagement. 

Another benefit of low-maintenance businesses is that they can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional businesses, as they do not require as much physical space or equipment. 

Additionally, low-maintenance businesses may offer greater flexibility in terms of management and growth potential, as they can be scaled up or down relatively quickly and easily.

8 Tips for Starting a Low-Maintenance Business

Starting a new business can be both challenging and rewarding. One of the most important aspects of starting a successful low-maintenance business is to identify a business idea that requires minimal time and effort. Here are some tips to help you get started on the road to starting a low-maintenance business.

1. Choose an Area That Fits Your Skills

Identify a business idea that fits your skills and interests. This can be anything from online writing to social media management, just to name a few. Likewise, if you have a license like a realtor’s license, you may be a good candidate for investment properties. These businesses can be run from home, which will help you cut down on overhead expenses such as office rent and utilities.

2. Stay Focused on Your Specific Niche

Creating a niche for yourself is also a crucial aspect of starting a low-maintenance business. By focusing on a specific area, you can build a reputation as an expert in that field, which will help you attract clients with similar interests. 

Start by identifying your target audience and create customer profiles to provide insight into their behavior, preferences, and needs. Knowing your customers intimately will help you create targeted marketing strategies, tailored products, and personalized services that cater to their needs. Use customer feedback to refine your products and better serve your customers.

3. Incorporate Automation Tools

Another tip for starting a low-maintenance business is to automate your processes whenever possible. For example, if you are a writer, you can use software that helps you automate your research, writing, and editing. This will save you time and allow you to focus on other aspects of your business.

4. Organization is Key

Another tip for starting a low-maintenance business is to stay organized. Keep track of your finances, sales, inventory, and customer records. Use software programs, and apps, or hire an accountant/bookkeeper to help you stay on top of your books.

It’s also important to create monthly or quarterly business plans and set realistic goals to measure your progress. Engage in constant learning and stay up-to-date with industry trends, new technologies, and consumer behavior shifts.

5. Choose the Right Business Structure

When starting a business, there are many important decisions to make, including choosing the right business structure. This decision can have a significant impact on your business’s legal and tax obligations, as well as its management and operational structure.

The four most common business structures are sole proprietorships, partnerships, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), and corporations. Each has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific circumstances. For example, if you are starting a small business and want to maintain control over all decision-making and profits, a sole proprietorship might be the best option. However, if you’re planning to start a business with partners, a partnership or LLC might be more appropriate, as they offer more flexibility and protection for multiple owners.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Out Funding

As a business owner, financing can be critical to getting your idea off the ground or when it comes to helping you grow.  If you have a strong business model and a clear expansion plan, seeking funding may be a viable option. There are many options for small business funding, so make sure to explore them all and weigh the pros and cons of each. This can include a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, business credit cards, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), and more. 

7. Don’t Forget to Open a Business Bank Account

As a business owner, one of the most important decisions that you’ll need to make is choosing a bank to manage your finances. Opening a business bank account is essential not only for managing your day-to-day cash flow but also for separating your personal and business finances. This helps you keep track of your business expenses, pay taxes on time, and build a good credit score.

8. Get Creative With Outreach

Networking and getting creative with your marketing strategy are essential elements of building a successful business. By identifying your target audience, networking with them, and using creative marketing tactics, you can reach the right people and build a strong, loyal customer base. 

This could be done by attending events where your target audience is likely to be present, such as trade shows or conferences. You could also consider joining groups or associations that cater to your target audiences, such as professional organizations, social clubs, or online communities. Another strategy is to create a captivating digital marketing campaign that targets your specific demographic. 

Low-Maintenance Businesses Are Worth Exploring 

Low-maintenance businesses offer an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to achieve financial independence without investing too much time and money. These businesses can provide a steady income stream for those who are willing to put in the effort to get them up and running. With the right research, planning, and execution, low-maintenance businesses can be a great success story for any entrepreneur.

One way to make starting and managing your new business more efficient is to capitalize on the small business tools offered by doola. From bookkeeping to entity formation to business banking and more, doola makes it easy to access the resources you need to turn your business into a success. 

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