According to 1-Grid, one of the legacies of the coronavirus, apart from the economic and social implications, will be the fact that all companies need to be online to not only survive but to thrive.
There are many benefits to starting an e-commerce business, the main one being the cost-effectiveness of the online space. Starting an online business requires less overhead costs and financial commitment to start. Plus, you can work from anywhere and anytime – all you need is an internet connection.
These are a few business ideas that you can start now to bring in an additional stream of income:
Website design
Website design in South Africa is a very lucrative career path. You’ll need the necessary skill sets, an eye for design, need to be brand-oriented, and have an understanding of the user journey and responsive design. You’ll also need to register your business with the CIPC.
Catering services
There is a lot of money to be made with catering services. The country is in Advanced Lockdown Level 3 now, and the sale of prepared hot foods is allowed. Gatherings are illegal under lockdown regulations, but you can start servicing households with meal preps or hearty meals.
This is a rewarding business if you already have a knack for cooking or baking. Then create a business website that showcases all your services and work on finding your first customer. Tip: licences and permits govern the catering industry, so you need to ensure you comply.
Blogging
Blogging can be a lucrative side hustle if you’re consistent and strategic about it. Register your domain, get a suitable web hosting package and start blogging. You can make money from AdSense, through affiliate marketing, selling sponsored blog posts and freelancing. There are endless ways to make money with blogging.
Online tutoring
The Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in a rise in online learning. Students are attending online classes and people, in general, are interested in upskilling themselves through online learning. There are a lot of reputable online learning platforms – you need to do your research and find one that fits your skill set.
Start a YouTube channel
There are so many opportunities on YouTube in the South African landscape. All you have to do is find your niche and start making videos. YouTube is a long-game, and it might be a while before you start seeing money come in from the platform, but the professionals say that you need to be consistent and deliver compelling content for your audience. It’s easier to pick a subject matter that you’re already passionate about, so that it feels like a creative outlet and a hobby rather than a job.
Sell products online
If you have products that you make or can buy at wholesale prices and sell them on your e-commerce platform, then consider building your online store in under 10 minutes. Many e-commerce web builders have online store functionality that will make your business operations seamless.
