Roughly half of the 36.2 million small businesses in the U.S. are currently based out of people’s homes. And the number could be increasing as people have less patience for commuting and adding to their startup expenses. Telecommuting, fortunately, is supported by a large number of small-business ideas.

Internet-based businesses can often easily be run by people who would prefer to work from home. It’s also an especially popular choice for sole proprietors who launch their company without a staff.

For founders who are bootstrapping their business, working from home is often a necessity. The average cost of starting a small business, as estimated by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is $30,000. Home-based startups, however, average between $2,000 and $5,000.

Thinking about starting a business from your home? Here are a few ideas that could be well suited to that goal. (For more inspiration, read Inc.’s full guide to 25 small-business ideas for 2026.)

The skills and knowledge you’ve built up over the years, whether that’s in some corner of the business world or a popular (or niche) hobby, is likely in higher demand than you realize. The e-learning market reached $314 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $615 billion by 2029.

The trick to success with this small-business idea is to find a niche that’s not already overcrowded. Your insights about specialized skills can make it easier to attract paying clients. It’s also a good idea to offer your instructional lessons in a variety of manners, including video lessons, downloadable resources, and quizzes.

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