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UK Business Ideas
If you're interested in running a small business from home, you've come to the right place! Use this free list of the latest UK home business ideas to get inspired to start your home business.
We also have a handy home business checklist that covers many of the practical things you need to think about when starting your own business.
With so many different business types to choose from, we're sure you'll find a business idea that can really take off.
You will need to properly research your market openings in a new window, put together a realistic business plan that opens in a new window, and you may need to secure financing for your opening in a new window, such as a seed loan to help with the purchase of equipment, stock and premises.
22 UK Business Ideas you can try in 2024
#1. Pet sitting service
From pandemic puppies to fluffy kitties, Covid-19 has seen a spike in pet ownership.
A survey by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) opens in a new window found that two million owners acquired a new pet between March 2020 and May 2021, with 34% of respondents claiming to be first-time pet owners.
As workers slowly return to the office, pets in the country may need to be cared for during the day through pet sitting services.
#2. Dog walking business
Just over a quarter (26%) of UK adults own a dog, according to the PDSAOpens in a new window – that's a whopping 9.6 million canines across the country – and most need regular exercise.
Starting a dog walking business opens in a new window may be a good idea once pandemic restrictions are lifted and more people return to the workplace.
#3. Publication of e-books
If you've always thought you had a creative talent or are an avid reader and writer, then trying to publish your book online could be an ideal business venture.
Online tools have simplified the process and you can self-publish your book on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing opens in a new window and Apple Books.
You will remain responsible for the rights, have creative control over your work and typically take around 70% of the cover price.
#4. Beauty salon
If you've used the lockdown and Covid restrictions to develop your own hair, nail or eyelash care skills, offering beauty services to others could be a potential business idea - and one that can be started from home or run as a mobile service.
#5. Courier services
Courier services open in a new window ferries to fast food and home shopping could increase in the coming years as people switch to online shopping and takeaways after high street shops close.
According to research by IBISopens in new window, revenues from courier services are expected to grow at an annual rate of almost 10% in 2021/2.
It's a scalable business, from starting with a small van or bike to building a fleet.
#6. Online fitness classes
With the rise of video conferencing, fast broadband and a willingness to shed pounds in the fight against Covid-19, online fitness could be a potential winner in 2024.
You'll need virtual studio space and a way to accept online payments, with course subscriptions having the potential to generate regular income.
#7. Online tutoring
If you enjoy teaching English to foreign exchange students or have special expertise in a particular subject, online tutoring using video conferencing tools may be an option.
Don't limit it to school students either. Consider becoming an online mentor, coach or consultant for businesses where you have valuable skills and experience.
Find out more in our free Career Mentoring and Coaching Exploration course opens in a new window.
#8. Gardening services
Starting a gardening business could be ideal if you have always been an avid gardener and loved the outdoors.
The Association of Horticultural Trades is aiming to make the £28 billion horticulture industry open in a new window more sustainable.
Consider starting a sustainable gardening business using peat and chemical free products.
#9. Online shop
According to a survey by Statistaopens in new window, the UK has the most advanced e-commerce market in Europe, with Britons spending roughly double the amount online compared to second-place France.
There are many tools for creating an online store that opens in a new window, such as WooCommerce and Shopify opens in a new window, which allow you to quickly open an online store that you can create from home.
#10. Home baking
The UK baking industry as a whole is growing and is estimated to be worth £8.7bn according to Hallidaysopens in new window.
According to an analysis of home baking insurance policies by Simply Business over the past few years, the number of home baking businesses has grown by 157 percent in 2020.Opens in a new window.
From making cakes for special occasions to homemade sandwiches and pastries for workers nearby, the demand for home baking could continue to rise in the coming years.
#11. Photographic services
The demand for wedding, christening and party photography opens in a new window may have dropped in the last few years due to the pandemic, but with restrictions easing and people wanting to capture their special moments, the demand for photographers may be on the rise.
You will need to invest in decent photography equipment and study photography techniques, but it is a relatively easy business.
#12. Bicycle repairs
Cycling is becoming more popular as people want to adopt a healthier lifestyle and minimize their carbon footprint. A new window will open.
According to recent government statistics opens in a new window, people took more cycling trips and cycled further in 2020 than in 2019.
If this trend continues, bicycle repair and maintenance may offer business opportunities – either as a mobile service or a street shop.
#13. Second hand sale
As environmental awareness increases, this could be linked to an increased willingness to buy clothing second-hand rather than off the rack.
With nearly 4,000 stores in the UK selling used products, sales grew by a healthy 17.6% in 2019, according to Statistaopens in new window.
#14. Create sustainable products
From natural deodorants and skin care to sustainable cutlery, products made from organic ingredients and materials could be an attractive proposition for environmentally conscious consumers.
A Deloitte survey opens in a new window found that 32% of consumers are heavily involved in adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.
#15. Become a freelancer
Whether it's graphic design, web development, finance or project management opens in a new window, freelancing means leaving work for a company and renting your skills outright.
According to recent figures opens in new window there were almost 2.2 million freelancers in the UK in 2020, up one per cent on 2019, with freelancers working in highly skilled or technical professions accounting for almost half of the 4.4 million single self-employed people in the UK. .
You will need a strong portfolio of previous work and time to promote your services.
Online freelance directories are a good way to list your services and earn commissions from the comfort of your own home.
#16. Social media marketing
You don't have to be an influencer to win on social opens in a new window.
If you are familiar with social platforms such as Facebook opens in a new window, LinkedIn and Instagram opens in a new window, you can run other businesses' social media accounts and save them time while you manage social media posts opens in a new window window, customer interaction and promotion. .
#17. Wedding catering
With restrictions easing, events such as weddings and parties could return to the calendar.
With civil ceremonies now allowed to take place outdoors opens in new window and experts predicts will be the biggest year in the wedding industry opens in new window demand for catering opens in new window and wedding services opens in a new window could enjoy a revival.
#18. Sustainable energy
It may not be one to start at home, but green energy could soar as a sector as the UK goes net zero by 2050.
From solar panel installation services to the creation of small solar and wind farms, green energy could become a booming industry, with the solar market expected to grow by 5% between 2020-25, according to research from Mordor Intelligence.
#19. Drone photography
Aerial photography could reach new heights thanks to cheaper drones available to UK pilots.
From property photography and videography to weddings and events, around 14.2% of UK drone owners open in a new window, according to the UK Drone Users Report.
Visit the UK Civil Aviation Authority opens in a new window for advice on drone piloting and licensing.
#20. Interior design
With some workers spending most of the last two years at home, the amount spent on home renovations increased by 36%, with the median spent on home renovations reaching £15,000.
Whether you're skilled with a paintbrush or a dab hand at choosing wallpaper, your start-up can help you turn any home into a castle.
#21. Subscription boxes
According to recent figures from Royal Mailopens new window, almost half (44 per cent) of online shoppers in the UK now subscribe to some kind of subscription delivery service.
From healthy snacks and flat-pack flowers to razor refills and skin care products, subscription boxes can be profitable and save customers the hassle of remembering to make regular purchases.
#22. Create an application
With everyone seemingly glued to their mobile phones, it's no wonder the UK app development industry grew at an average annual rate of 18.6% between 2017 and 2025 according to IBISopens in new window.
There are plenty of free and low-cost app building tools, and plenty of online courses that can teach you the basics.
You just need a good idea, development skills and a marketing plan to help your app on its way.
