From Offering Technical Services to Modeling, Top 10 Small Business Ideas for College Students

The ultimate guide to the best small business ideas

In the digital world, college students have a plethora of opportunities to make money. Starting a small business can help reduce tuition debt and earn real-world experience to become more hireable in the future. Students can set their hours to manage studies and there is no shortage of clever small business ideas. Here’s a look at the top small business ideas for college students with an entrepreneurial spirit.

1. Service-based business in the neighborhood

Students can look for different services that they can provide to people living in their neighborhood. These services can range from dog walking, childcare, pet sitting, delivery, personal shopping, landscaping, cleaning services, or landscaping services. Most often older people or small families with working parents require help to carry out such odd jobs. These can pay well depending on the service and effort involved. This is a good alternative to selling products as students can start without much of an initial investment.

2. Social media influencing

For those who are big on social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, there is a huge opportunity to make money or get free stuff by advertising or promoting products for various brands. Even with fewer followers, students can make this happen as several smaller or medium-sized brands today engage a mass of micro-influencers instead of a few big influencers as they provide better ROI for their campaigns. This may allow students to earn money by developing a niche or getting products that they can use.

3. Upcycling products

Upcycling is a great way to revive products or clothes which can be sold for a profit. The business provides environmental and a monetary benefit as well. There is a huge market for upcycled products like furniture, bicycles, or the most common upcycled item, clothes. This is a great business opportunity that may require a little bit of investment but provides a potential profit-making opportunity. The upcycled products can be sold on various platforms on the internet like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, which specialize in selling upcycled goods.

4. Making audiobooks or eBook versions of out-of-copyright works

This is another great opportunity that requires little to no investment to get off the ground. Students can create modern eBook versions or Audiobook versions of old books that are out-of-copyright. While modern books like the "Harry Potter" series and more will be barred from this, works which are several decades old can be used as they are often out of copyright and free to use/reproduce. Students can look for harder-to-find works or books in medieval literature or 18th-century books that would still interest the modern audience.

5. Matched betting

Matched betting involves the process of gaining profit from free bet promotions offered by betting companies. However, to do this, the person must be over 18. Although it isn’t exactly gambling, people can end up losing money if they make an error. Students can get their family or friends to invest in the process of placing a free bet with a website. Today, almost all bookmakers, like Smarkets, have these offers to entice new customers to place bets with them, as per a Save The Student report. With proper research done, these bets can yield about 50%-80% of the betting amount and students can keep a cut of it.

6. Modeling for stock photographs

Students who are comfortable getting in front of the camera can sign up to appear in stock photographs. They need not look like a model to feature in stock photos as they are meant to look authentic and realistic. They can collaborate with photographers or simply grab a camera and shoot or sell their photographs in different common settings. Students can sign up on multiple stock-image sites and submit their pictures to all of them to get the best possible coverage, and make money. Once their photos are accepted, they can make a decent income.

7. Digital revision resources

Students can also create comprehensive revision resources for students and put their organizational skills to good use. Students can employ techniques to prepare for exams and can create comprehensive tools to help and guide other students through their revision. They can create easy-to-use revision planners that cover the course material in a calendar format with pointers to help students manage their time, and sell them to fellow students. These can be easily sold as printable PDFs or on popular sites like Etsy.

8. Technical services

Students who are often tech-savvy can provide several technical services to fellow students or the local community. These services can range from providing translation services, photo editing, proofreading, file conversion, transcription services, or even basic tech support with PCs and other devices. Further, students who are well acquainted with social media marketing or digital marketing can even help local businesses promote their products/services online. Students can advertise their skills within the campus or reach a wider audience on social media platforms.

9. Market research consultancy

Students can participate in the market research process of several brands and businesses that are targeting their demographic. Several youth-oriented brands are looking to sell to students. These brands heavily rely on market research and insights from their target audience to develop effective marketing strategies. Thus, students can participate in these activities and provide insights and services in exchange for money. However, the earning potential through this method may be low as compared to others.

10. Print-on-demand 

Selling print-on-demand is a great option for starting a business on a low budget. While it does require some investment, it only comes after the orders from customers have come in. Students can create digital prints and designs for various products like t-shirts, camp mugs, badges, and several more items. They can put these up on websites like Etsy and when a customer orders a product, they can order for the design to be printed by a third party and further sell it.