Building an online income in 2025 is not as simple as picking a random business idea—especially if you have no experience. The truth is, choosing the wrong business model could lead to wasted time and money. In this video, I want to break down the best and worst business options you can start in 2025, so you know exactly which ones to avoid and which ones could bring you success. The best part is, some of the businesses towards the end of the list don’t require crazy skills or large investments to get started. In fact, they are the exact businesses I would pursue if I were a complete beginner.
Let’s begin with the businesses I recommend avoiding in 2025 if your goal is to build a successful business and quit your 9-to-5. These include starting a digital agency, real estate investing, stock trading, or any brick-and-mortar business, like café carts or restaurants. You might have heard online gurus recommend these ideas, but let me explain why you should stay away from them if you’re new to business.
The first problem is that many of these businesses require significant upfront investment. For example, opening a café or physical store could cost over $100,000 before you even know if your idea will succeed—an extremely risky move if you lack experience. Similarly, real estate investing or stock trading require large sums of money to get started, and if you’re a beginner, the chances of making a profit are very low.
Even digital agencies, while not requiring massive initial investments, come with their own set of challenges. Starting a video content agency, for example, demands specialized skills like video editing, lead generation, marketing systems, and team management. Many beginners fail because they dive into businesses that require these high-level skills without realizing it. This leads to wasted time and money, and many give up prematurely. Instead, if they picked a more beginner-friendly business, they could see results more quickly.
Now, let’s look at some beginner-friendly businesses to start in 2025, ranked from worst to best:
- Drop Shipping: While drop shipping has its challenges, it remains an opportunity with relatively low barriers to entry. I personally started with drop shipping, and after several failures, I eventually succeeded. One of the products I sold made me $60,000 at just 17 years old. People like Davey have made over $500 million by drop shipping, so the opportunity is there for the right person. However, it comes with risks. It requires at least $300 to get started with organic advertising on platforms like TikTok, and if you plan to use paid ads, you’ll need $3,000 to $5,000. Drop shipping isn’t a guaranteed path to success—it requires skills in inventory management, customer service, and marketing. It’s a good option if you’re willing to learn and work through the challenges.
- Freelancing: If you want to start making money quickly and don’t want to take on the risks of drop shipping, freelancing is a great option. Whether it’s copywriting, video editing, programming, or web design, freelancing only requires learning one skill. Once you have that skill, you can start offering your services and earning money within a few weeks. For example, there are people who begin as freelance copywriters or web designers and make good money from their first projects. This is a great way to build an income without the need for large investments or extensive experience.
In conclusion, when choosing an online business model in 2025, it’s crucial to select something that aligns with your skills and budget. Avoid businesses that require large upfront investments and advanced skills unless you’re prepared to spend time learning. Start with something like freelancing or drop shipping, where you can begin earning money quickly with minimal risk.
