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Are you hoping to start your own business this year? Or perhaps you're just looking for a side hustle to help you earn a bit of extra cash?

Either way, you might be looking for a business idea that is both profitable and enjoyable. 

The good news is, there are so many exciting opportunities out there, you just have to choose the one that’s right for you. 

To help you do this, we’ve pulled together a list of 10 profitable business opportunities/ideas for 2021. 

1. Online teaching 

The demand for online teaching has sky-rocketed in recent years, particularly during 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced millions to study from home. 

Not to mention, technology has opened entrepreneurs up to a world of possibilities, from tutoring school pupils to teaching languages, running fitness classes and everything in between! 

No matter what kind of teacher you are, the need for online tutorials and education is continuing to  rise in 2021.

2. E-commerce 

When it comes to setting up an e-commerce business, there are several options. Depending on the nature of the products you want to sell you might need these made to your own spec (if it’s a new product) or you might be buying in bulk and storing, packaging and shipping these yourself. 

Alternatively, you could set up a dropshipping business so you don't have to deal with the inventory or shipping at all. 

The only downside is that dropshipping can be more competitive and the customer experience isn't always as good. So consider this before building your e-commerce empire.

3. Digital marketing 

In today’s digital world, marketing strategies are changing with businesses spending more on their online budget and less on traditional marketing methods. So if you're a whizz in any of the following, you could consider setting up your own digital marketing services:

• Social media
• Content writing
• Email marketing 
• Search engine optimisation 
• Graphic design 
• Online advertising 

You might choose to specialise in one thing or dabble in a few, it’s up to you. But digital marketing is big right now and can be a very lucrative industry to get into. 

4. Pet care

People love their pets and if you do too, then starting your own pet services can be a very rewarding business opportunity. 

From long stays in their home while people go away on holiday, to dog walking and puppy care, owners love to know their pets are being looked after. As such, pet services are growing in demand.  

5. Food trucks and delivery services 

Takeaway food has always been a treat but with more and more people finding their inner foodie, whilst not wanting to rent their own restaurant, food services are booming! From food trucks to home-based catering, door to door food delivery is very popular, particularly since the pandemic. 

Plus, people are increasingly careful about what they eat, more people are embracing plant-based lifestyles while others look for healthy alternatives. So if you’ve got a knack for cooking, this could be a very profitable and fun venture for 2021.

6. Translating services 

Being bi or even multi-lingual is always a hugely sought-after skill in many industries. If you want to run your own business and you can speak more than one language, consider offering your translation services either for translating text or as an in-person translator (or both). 

7. Drone videography 

If you know how to fly a drone well, believe it or not, you can turn this hobby into a business. There are currently several more common uses for drone videography (though new ideas are emerging all the time) these include: 

• Wedding or event photography/videography 
• Television 
• Digital marketing 
• Location spotting 
• Construction site inspections
• Agriculture 
• Showcasing houses and properties for estate agents 

This is still quite a new industry with not many offering this service so 2021 could be the perfect time to get involved. 

8. Virtual assistant 

Even the most organised business owner requires help with their day to day management. These are usually administrative tasks such as answering emails, scheduling meetings and even social media management to a certain extent (answering customer queries and messages). 

If you’ve got even the most basic administrative skills, you could be a helpful virtual assistant. More and more businesses are turning to virtual assistants to make their working life easier. So why not help out other business owners from the comfort of your own home.

9. Content writer 

If you’ve got a way with words, consider becoming a content writer. Lots of businesses are investing in their online content marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts, so you could create blog posts and articles to help them achieve this. 

But this is not the only job for writers, you could also write marketing copy, become a bid writer, work in PR or become a freelance journalist - it really depends on where your writing talents lie and what you're passionate about. 

10. Online bookkeeping

Technology has made it possible for many bookkeeping and accounting services to be performed online and completely remotely. As such, if you’ve got the skills and qualifications to offer bookkeeping and/or accounting, you could set up your own business. 

People, particularly smaller businesses, will always need some help with their bookkeeping and staying on top of their finances. So this is a future-proof business venture for 2021 and long into the future.

Deciding which idea is right for you 

Above we’ve outlined some of the most feasible and profitable business ventures for 2021 but before you settle on an idea, we thought we’d share some final top tips for choosing the right venture for you: 

• Choose a business idea and industry that you're genuinely passionate about 
• Do some research into the market before investing and setting up your own business 
• Take into account the ‘new normal’ in a post-pandemic world as COVID-19 has certainly changed the way people consume goods and services 

But most of all, don’t rush into anything! Take your time and make sure you choose the perfect idea and that you're starting up your business for all the right reasons. 

These are just a few ideas for some of the most profitable business ideas for 2021, you can find more inspiration below: 

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2747-great-business-ideas.html 
https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2021/01/06/46-of-the-best-business-ideas-that-you-can-start-in-2021/ 
https://www.oberlo.co.uk/blog/business-ideas-that-make-money