Due to the economic situation of our country, if even you’re earning salary every month it can’t settle all your monthly expenses. You definitely need multiple source of income to foot your monthly bills and expenses.

The Internet has made the world a global village, creating numerous business and job opportunities for the employed looking to earn passive income and the unemployed looking to start a business of their own.

With about 4.57 billion people who are active internet users as of July 2020 according Statista global digital population, any business started online is bound to be successful if properly managed.

Online businesses have many advantages over the traditional offline business. If not for any other thing, you don’t have to pay for exorbitant office and store rent, government business permits and tax to start an online business. Again, you’ll have the option to manage your online business from Nigeria or any other part of the world

Some people have make up their mind to start an online business, but couldn’t because they have no idea of an online business to start.

If you fall within this category of people, I have carefully compiled a list of lucrative online business ideas you can start in Nigeria.

So without wasting much of your time, here is the list of some lucrative online business ideas you can start in Nigeria.

30 lucrative Online Business Ideas in Nigeria to start

1. Blogging

Blogging is the one of the profitable online business ideas you can start in Nigeria with less investment.  It is not a fast way to make money online in Nigeria but if you’re dedicated you can earn your living online through blogging.

If you’re tech savvy, and you can read and write; starting a blog can be the best option for you.

You just need a computer and internet connection to start a blogging business.

With as little as $3.95 per month, you can get a web hosting account and free domain from Bluehost to start your own blog.

That’s so cheap!

Hostgator also offer a cheap web hosting services and free domain name. With just a click, you can setup your blog with hostgator.

 The different categories of blog niche ideas you can start, to make money online in Nigeria include:

• Fashion and Style Blog: This is a competitive niche but if you are good at fashion and remodeling, you can start up fashion and style blog. Fashion and blog is a lucrative blogging niche. Take for instance; Danielle Bernstein, a personal fashion and style blogger who runs WeWoreWhat makes $15,000 per Instagram post. Fashion and style niche is almost saturated but if you have passion for fashion, you can always succeed.
  Linda Ikeji is one of the notable Nigerian fashion bloggers who has made millions of dollars from her blog.

• Tech and spices blog: People want to know about the latest technology in town. And new technologies emerge every day, so you can easily fit into this blog niche if you’re starting blog. Some new tech blog niche ideas to consider include electronic, gadgets, phones and price, cars and price, and many more. The big brands already into this niche include Techcrunch, techloy, wired, extremetech, techradar, zdnet and gizmodo.

 

• Small business ideas blog: There is high level of unemployment in the country and people are looking for small business to start. If you’re an innovative entrepreneur or business oriented individual, you can start up this type of blog niche. There are so many small businesses you can show people online how to start and make money from them. Profitableventure, businessnewsdaily, smallbusiness.chron.com, entrepreneur.com are big brands who already into small business ideas blog niche.

• Education and School Academic blog: Educational blog is another category of blog niche you can start. Some ideas to consider in educational blog include local and international scholarships, local and international exams, academic competitions, how to gain admissions into local and international high institutions and universities, exams questions and answers, school strike, academic events and rest of them. Blogs like Myschoolgist, universitybusiness, currentschoolnews are already into blog niche area.

Read: 10 Reasons Why You Are Not Making Money Online

• News and Gist blog: News and Gist blog are entertainment blog. You don’t need to be a Journalist before you can start this blog niche. All you need is to be current in events and happenings, consistent in your writing and publishing. There is already enough competition in this niche.

• Job Listing blog: Fresh graduates and many others are seriously in need of jobs they can apply for. You can liaise with different employment agencies and set up blog that list current and latest jobs. Most often, audience to this kind of blog niche is geographically localized. So, you can start this kind of blog niche in your own locality. Sites like Jobberman, naijahotjobs in Nigeria are already into this niche area.

• Nutrition and food blog: If you are a nutritionist and a good cook, you start a blog where you teach people how to cook and prepare food menu. There are rarely such blog on the web. So, you can start it today and grow the niche. Most housewives, moms, and mummies are interested in learning how to cook delicious food for their man and children; you can start a nutrition and food blog to educate these categories of people how to cook delicious meal.

Read more on how start a blog in Nigeria; step by step Guide

2.     Online store

An online store is one of the best online business ideas you can start on low investment.

If you have a product you are selling offline then you can take it to online, you can display them online via online store where the whole world will see it and purchase your product.

If you don’t have enough money to start an online store from scratch, you can sign up with already established online store like Amazon, Jumia, Kong and many others to display your products and services.

One good thing about online store is that you can be the only one selling a particular product online and target both local and international audience.

E-commerce websites are notable Online Stores. Some companies like EBay and Amazon where the first to start online store, Jumia, Konga and others have joined.

You can still make money if you start your own online store business today. There are thousand and one product and services that are not yet available online, be the first to introduce it online.

You can sign up with Shopify to create an online store.

3.    Dropshipping

Another online business ideas /model you can start that is more like an online store is Dropshipping.

Dropshipping is all about marketing and selling of products online without producing any product of your own.

You don’t need to own or buy your products in advance or pay for somewhere to store a product before you can start a dropshipping business. Again, you don’t have to manufacture anything yourself.

All you need to do is build an online store that sells hot products and make sure your transaction process is running smoothly.

One of the popular kinds of dropshipping business you can start is Print-on-demand. In Print-on-demand dropshipping, you advertise different customized products such as bags, t-shirts, posters, books and many more without purchasing inventory. After your price negotiation with a buyer and payment is made, the distributor or manufacturer of the product will package the product, and then ships it to your customer.

4.     Web payment integration & setup services

Receiving of payment online for products sold over the internet has been one of major challenges of many online businesses.

If you’re tech savvy or good at interpreting web payment setup documentation, web payment integration and setup services is an online business idea that is lucrative you if you start it.

There are many web payment integration and setup service companies  but only few of them know the technicalities involve in integrating and setting up online payment processor platform.

If you have the skill, you can start it up or you can learn the skills.

Few individual and companies like Ediaro teams, cloudware Technologies are already into this business.

The capital start up varies depending on your entry level but you start on a low capital investment.

5.     Digital marketing agency

With the fast growth in digital technology and change in buying pattern, brands are on the lookout for expert digital marketers that could help them increase their leads generation and sales conversions.

If you have digital marketing skills, starting this online business idea can be the best option for you.

And if you know what you’re doing, you can make money big time through digital marketing agency.

The capital requirement will depend on your entry level into the business. The cost might be high if you’re going to build a marketing team.

If you’re starting a digital marketing agency, it means that you have to be ready to compete with the likes of Wild fusion, Ziza Digital, CK digital, Crank Digital and many more that are already into this business.

Read more on how to start digital marketing agency in Nigeria

6.     Ask and get answer website

Ask and get answer websites proffer expert solution to people common problems. A lot of needs exist in our world today and people are seeking for solutions to them.

Ask and get answer from experts is a website that gives users special answers especially from expertise.

There is no specially skill that you need to have before you can start ask and get answer website.

But, before you start this kind of business idea; you have to ensure that you have at least few team of expert on ground that will attend to questions users ask.

You can always build trust and reputation when the answers users received from your website address their needs or solve their problem.

To get started with ask and get answer website, you need to hire an expert web developer who will help you build the website.

Some big guys in Ask and get answer business include Quora, Ask.com, naijaonlinebiz ask and get answer section.

7.    Website Flipping

Website flipping refers to building or buying, improving and selling of websites. The term website flipping comes from property industry investment where investors will buy a property, renovate it to add value and then sell it at a higher price.

Website flipping is one of the online business ideas that if done professionally can result in a huge profit. And you can start website flipping with very low investment.

There are two ways of entry into website flipping business. The first method is to create your own new websites, grow the website to certain profitable level and then sell to it recover your cost of building it and at the same time make profit.

The second method is to purchase an existing website, renovate it and sell it at a higher price.

You can actually start website flipping business by checking out websites listed on Flippa.com to understand the nitty-gritty of doing the business idea.

8.     Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is another lucrative online business idea you can start in Nigeria with no capital.

In affiliate marketing, you are strictly promoting hot brands and products on your website by placing the brand’s banner and text link on your affiliate page.

The usual way of making money online on affiliate marketing is through commissions on referral.

There are lots of people worldwide who are making over $2,000,000 a year doing affiliate marketing.

If you want to be successful in affiliate, you build a blog for driving traffics and acquire some level of skills in Affiliate marketing. So, you need to acquire the basic knowledge of affiliate marketing for you to succeed in this business.

Some hot brands affiliate marketing companies are Amazon, Aliexpress, Jumia, Konga and many more.

9. Games development

Developing games is now a lucrative business as many parents want to purchase games online for their kids.

When you develop different educative kids’ games that parents can easily download on desktop and mobile, you can make a lot of money from that.

But, the downside of this business is that you may need some basic specialize coding and software development knowledge.

You can go for specialize training on game development to acquire the knowledge or if you’re smart enough, you can download YouTube video on online game development and project to learn how to develop simple educative games for kids.

 

10. Software and Programming services

Software and Programming services is an online business idea that is in hot demand.

There is an increasing demand for different software, applications, widgets and plugins by companies, organizations and business.

However, you will need to acquire the knowledge of software development and programming before you can go into software and programming services.

That’s to say that, you need to patiently go through the hurdle of learning programming languages to excel in this business but when you acquire the knowledge you are a hot cake.

Some of the richest online entrepreneurs are programmers.

Business Moguls like Larry Page, Mark zuckerberg, Bill Gate are all programmers.

11. Web designing services

There many business companies seeking to build well designed professional website to compete effectively with other companies who are already into similar or the same business

You can start web designing services practically no investment.  This is certainly one of the best online business ideas for someone wanting huge amounts of flexibility.

All you need is just to learn the basics of coding. You can do this at CodeAcademy. In addition to learning basics of coding and you can as well as do some specific online web design courses to build up your practical skill.

There are a lot companies and individual who are already into web designing business.

However, you sign up free on freelancing websites like Fiverr, Freelancer and many others to offer professional web designing services.

12. Project research & Data analyzing services

Researchers, undergraduate and post-graduate students are in constant search of project topics and data analyst online.

If you’re well-grounded in research topic formulation, statistical and bio-statistical analysis, you can start a project/research and data analysis business.

You’ll also need to have the knowledgeable of use of computer statistical analyzing software.

Project research and Data analyzing services best suit those people who are in academic line.

13. Graphic designing

Graphic designing involves communicating ideas to inspire, inform, educate or captivate consumers through both physical and virtual art forms that include images or graphics.

Graphic designers make money online, big time by rendering graphic designing services on websites like Fiverr, Freelance, Etsy and many more.

You can also offer your skills as a designer on Envato Studio or sell your graphics on graphicriver.

14. Local SEO Services

Companies spend huge sum of money to get experts to help them positioned their websites on the first page of search engine result (SERP).

Ranking high on Google’s SERP is serious battle today as every online business owners wants to appear on Google’s #1 search result page.

If you have experience and SEO skills of getting businesses to rank high locally among the top ten pages on Google search result, you can start local SEO services.

Search Engine Optimization Company is a lucrative business especially if you’re good at it.

15. Email marketing services

Email marketing services is a lucrative business if you know how to setup a good email marketing service.

You may have heard this slogan, “money is in the list”. The list is the email list. You can offer this service to both big and small companies that want to promote their brands.

You can start business from the comfort of your home. However, you’ll need good email marketing software to survive in this business.

16. Online catering

An online catering is a business idea that covers a wide range of catering services.

Catering services you can offer online include online catering training, Confectioneries online shop, chocolates and Ice cream online stores.

If you are a trained caterer, hospitality manager or have good knowledge of catering, you can start online catering service.

There are rarely catering services online.  So, online catering business is still less competitive for now.

17. Advertising Network

Advertising Network Company serves to connect advertisers with publishers who provide Ad spaces on their website for advertisers to place their product or services in form of advertisement.

The role of an Advertising network company is to compile the Ads from advertisers after Ads price bidding and then post it on the Ad space provided by publishers.

At the end, both the Advertising Network Company and publishers share in the money generated in the advertisement program.

The Advertising Network industry is competitive industry.

We already have some big brands like the Big G (Google), media.net, Addynamo and magnet in this industry.

18. Online health and medical consultancy

There are lots of health problems ranging from fertility issues to a number of stubborn diseases.

If you are medical doctor, orthodox doctor, health professional or well-grounded in solutions to health and medical issues then you can start a consultancy services on health and medical related matters.

However, you need to know your jurisdictions or boundaries and make sure you obtain necessary license and permit.

19. Web hosting reseller business

Web hosting reseller business involves buying webhosting packages and reselling to clients who want to create their own websites.

The business of reselling hosting account packages is usually more lucrative if you are into website design and development because one major problem in this business is getting clients.

Some webhosting resellers companies have wind up today because of lack of clients.

People prefer hosting their website with a web hosting company directly rather than web hosting resellers.

Read more on Starting Profitable Domain Name & Webhosting Reseller Business in Nigeria

20. Online course training

Training people online on how to do certain special things is another online business idea to start in Nigeria.

If you possess certain excellent skill or knowledge for a particular subject or business, you can start an online training course for people on this skill.

You can organize your online training course using Webinar, Zoom app, meet.google app or you can package the training in Ebook, PDF, Aweber, etc.

This is one of the top online business ideas with low capital investment. Immatex e-business consulting and media Agency offer online training course for different online businesses.

You can try our services today.

21. Forex Trading

Foreign exchange trading also known as Forex trading is one of quick ways to make money online but not without its high risk.

There is constant fluctuation of currencies in Forex markets. Currencies rises and falls every day.

If you have the basic knowledge and technicalities involved in trading currencies with some cash at hand, you can start Forex trading.

Forex trading may require that you have some cash because you’re going to leverage on that.

And it is a risky online business idea as you can lose all your money. Business is lucrative if you have fundamental skills of Forex trading.

If you don’t have a good money management strategy, it is not advisable you go into Forex trading.

22. Crypto-currency trading

Crypto currency trading is online business idea similar to Forex trading.

The world is going Digital. And People have begun to accept digital currency as general mode of payment for goods and service.

The fluctuation in the price of digital currencies has created opportunity for people to trade digital currencies and make money from it.

The world most accepted and the most traded crypto currency is Bitcoin. Some Nigerians are already into the business of trading Bitcoin.

Though the market is highly volatile, you can still make money trading crypto-currency. Start trading crytocurrency like Bitcoin, you’ll need a Bitcoin wallet.

You can sign up with Blockchain wallet, Coinbase and many others and start trading.

23. Freelance Writing

Freelancing writing is more of an online job than an online business. It is one of the fastest ways to make money online.

If you’re a good writer and you possess the skill of communicating effectively to large audience through writing, starting freelance writing is the best option for you.

There are many companies seeking for freelancers. Freelance writing is something that is not relatively new as such; it has been into existence for long.

Sites like Fiverr, ODesk, and Freelancer are some of the sites that accept freelancer writers. So, you can sign up with any of them and start your freelance writing career.

24. Paid survey

Paid survey is also more of an online job than online business idea.

Your Opinion is highly valuable. You can help evaluate new products, test new advertising, and tell companies what you think. This is what a paid survey is all about.

One good thing about Paid Survey is that you can do it on your leisure time. You can also handle multiple paid survey programs at the same time but the downside of it is that not all companies pay individual in all countries.

Ensure that your country is listed in a get paid survey program before joining any online paid survey program.

Some companies that offers Nigerians paid survey include: MOBROG, Triaba, Iwadi and many others

25. Blog setup & installation services

There are many people and companies seeking to own a blog for one reason or the other. So, blog setup and installation service is one of the lucrative online business ideas with no money investment.

If you are good at the technicalities involve in blog setup and installation; you can start this online business idea.

The blog installation and setup business requires little capital for its startup, you need is website and you may probably register your company.

There are few companies that I know who are into this business in Nigeria for example; Doncaprio limited, Immatex e-consulting and media Agency.

26. Social media consultancy

Many online business owners and companies are now realizing the benefits of social media. Such as its usefulness in increasing brand online presence as well as in driving traffics to sales page.

That creates an online business opportunity for social media marketers.

You can take advantage of the opportunity and start offering social media consultancy for brands.

You can manage social media accounts for big brands as well as small businesses.

27. Online directory services

Online directories get different businesses listed online including their owners, contacts and locations.

You can build an online business directory offers business owners (especially offline business owners) opportunity to list their businesses online for people to discover their business, products and services.

There are many of such directories online today. We have the hotel directories like hotel.ng, medical institution directories and many more.

This business niche is already a competitive one.

28. Website and blog review

Starting a website where you review both popular and unpopular websites and blog can be a lucrative online business Idea.

But you have to first develop your brand reputation and authority in the niche for you to excel in this business.

Without having shown yourself as an authority in this field, nobody will trust your review and you find it difficult to get a client.

29. Online personal finance management services

People spend money buying software that could enable them handle their money wisely.

If you have a financial managerial skill, you can start a website service that offer personal financial tips on management of money and financial decisions for a person or family including budgeting, investments, retirement planning and recommended practices believed to ensure long-term financial security.

You must prove that you’re an authority in this field for you to succeed in the business. That means you must have both financial accounting and management knowledge.

30. Resume and proposal writing service

Most companies requires good resume from applicants. There is unemployment everywhere today, so thousands of people are seeking and applying for new jobs every day.

Offering resume writing service is lucrative business idea which if you have the skill, you shouldn’t hesitate in starting.

When you combine resume and business plan/proposal writing services, you’ll become a hot cake if you build authority in this line business.

Bonus

Virtual assistant

Another web based business opportunity is to serve as a Virtual assistant. It is more of an online job than online business ideas.

Starting an online virtual assistant job gives you flexibility and allows you to be into other online business.

You can also maintain multiple clients at once. Your duty as a virtual assistant is perform tasks that your client may not have the time to attend to or work consider not too relevant.

Such duties and tasks include things like answering phone calls, outreach, product listings, and responding to emails.

Conclusion

You can start any of the above online business ideas provided you are connected to the internet.

Even if you’re in United State, United Kingdom, Europe, Lebanon, South Africa, Ghana, Australia, Cameroun, Pakistan, China or  any other place in the world; you can still start and run any of the online based business ideas above .

People like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, HP and other online billionaires started by discovering an online business ideas and they quickly move to create profitable online business in that line.

As an experienced entrepreneur who have managed many business empire online, I will advise you start with an online business idea you have passion for, stick on it and diversify later

Internal Helpful Resources:

• Top 15 Reasons why online businesses fail
• Basic tools for starting profitable online business
• How to Start an Online Business in Nigeria (Step by Step)
• CAC NIGERIA online business Registration; creating account & Name search availability
• 10 Helpful tips for starting an online business

 

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Which among the Online Business  Ideas would you like to start? Tell us! You can use the comment box below.