11 Best Online Businesses for Moms

Thanks to the internet, you now have tons of ways to build some of the best online businesses for moms. And there’s little that prepares you for the craziness of running your own business like running after children. 

Organizational skills? Check. (At least once the kids have gone to bed.) 

Ability to handle uncooperative clients? Aye. 

The desire to relax after a long day with a glass of wine? (Okay, so this one isn’t a requirement – but it’s still nice once in a while.)

Fortunately, with a computer and an internet connection, you can fulfill your desire to build your career and raise children at the same time. All you need is a brilliant idea to set you on the right path. 

(Note that while most of these are primarily online businesses, a few offer a hands-on component for the tactile businesswomen.)

1. Blogging

Median salary range: $22,000-$50,000 $10-$24/hour)

Blogging is one of the best online businesses for moms who want to make money on their own schedule. Whether you want to earn an extra $1,000 or $10,000 per month, it’s possible with a good idea, some marketing savvy, and your own webpage. 

That said, it’s not the quickest way to make money, as your income primarily comes from ads and affiliate links. Generally, you should expect to spend 6-12 months building your readership and blog base before turning a decent profit. 

But before you can even think that far ahead, you need a fire idea to get people interested. It’s also wise to spend some time learning online skills like:

• Copywriting
• SEO (search engine optimization)
• Graphic creation
• Marketing

Once you’ve mastered these skills and acquired a devoted readership, your earning potential only rises from there. Best of all, you don’t have to be a grade-A writer to make bank – just passionate about your cause. 

2. Podcasting

Median salary range: $33,000-$65,000 ($16-$32/hour)

If you have a lot to say and your children don’t find you as fascinating as they should (yet), you may want to start a podcast. Telling stories, voicing your spin on current events, or exploring niche topics all perform well in this growing field.

Podcasting is one of the great online business ideas for moms due to its ability to scale. To start, you just need a microphone, headphones, and editing software. If your podcast gains traction, you can scale up to more expensive gear and your own podcast editor. 

Still, like many other online businesses, actually turning a profit takes time (and sponsors). You’ll have to build your listener base, self-promote, and acquire advertisers. Once you’ve achieved broad name recognition, you can branch into merchandise and live podcasting to pad your profits.  

3. Teaching Online Courses

Median salary range: $32,000-$70,000 ($15-$34/hour)

In today’s knowledge-hungry world, you can create a profitable online course on nearly any subject. Popular courses find themselves limited only by niche, outreach, and what people are willing to pay. 

Platforms like Thinkific, Udemy, and Teachable allow you to show the next generation everything from fixing sinks to exploring their passion for cooking. Alternatively, if you’re often complimented on your patience, you could teach older generations how to use that new-fangled technology.

Better yet, these online course creator platforms offer all the tools you need to build your course and offer certificates. Many also include promotional tools so you don’t have to waste time marketing.

4. Life, Health, or Fitness Coach

Median salary range: $25,000-$49,000 ($12-$24/hour)

Has anyone ever told you that you’re a natural motivator? Complimented your healthy, glowing skin you earned through healthy diet and cardio fitness? Do your friends come to you to help fix life’s problems?

If you love personal development, working out, or eating right, then becoming a life coach may be your dream career. You can work on your own schedule channeling your good energy into helping others. Plus, in-demand niches and quality coaches can earn upward of $300 an hour! (Especially in group coaching sessions.) 

That said, this career isn’t for everyone. It often requires a lot of face-to-face (via Zoom) with clients, and you really need to love your lifestyle. It also helps if you’re great at rolling with the punches and getting people back on their motivational horses. 

If that sounds like you, then life coaching is one of the best online businesses for moms out there. 

5. Flipping Items on eBay

Median salary range: $25,000-$39,000 ($12-$19/hour)

Moms who love thrifting, flea markets, garage sales, and couponing, this one’s for you. 

One great online business for moms involves simply going out and finding “steals.” That is, items you think you can flip for a hefty profit. Your local Goodwill, bargain market, or antique stores all make prime hunting grounds for great deals. 

Once you’ve loaded up on product, it’s time to set up your eBay profile and ship your items nationwide. (After you’ve made a quick stop to pick up boxes and packing tape.) 

Unlike the other jobs on this list, flipping for profit often requires leaving the house and spending long hours shopping. But if that sounds like your dream gig, you can make upwards of $40,000 per year in pure profit. Just be sure to price your finds correctly so eBay and shipping fees don’t erase your hard work!

6. Starting an Etsy Shop

Median salary range (for work from home crafters): $35,000-$72,000 ($17-$35/hour) 

Selling on Etsy is a fantastic way to earn both passive and active income, depending on your profile. You can sell anything from digital products (like eBooks and online courses) to physical crafts like crocheted sweaters. On Etsy, almost anything goes. 

One of the biggest perks of Etsy’s platform is the built-in audience and automatic promotion tools. You can set your own prices and work at your own pace. 

Plus, if you use Etsy for dropshipping or digital products, you can rely on it as a source of hassle-free passive income. 

7. Dropshipping

Median salary range: $28,000-$46,000 ($13-$22/hour)

Dropshipping is one of the best online business ideas for moms who have a little capital to invest. 

The premise is simple. Using an eCommerce site like Amazon or Shopify, you order ready-made products. (Alternatively, you can order “blank” products with your own branding on it.) Then, once you’ve paid, your order is shipped to a warehouse.

Next, you set up a business through Amazon, Shopify, or a dropshipper of your choice. When consumers order your product through the site, the warehouse ships it out. The eCommerce site gets their cut, you pocket the profit, and voila! That’s dropshipping. 

Starting an online dropshipping business saves you the hassle of making, storing, and/or shipping your own inventory. That said, it requires some capital upfront, and it’s crucial to choose a product that doesn’t have too many dropshippers vying for customers. (Or to put your own spin on a common product – i.e., t-shirts.) 

Once you’ve leapt those hurdles, all that’s left is raking in your passive income! 

8. Web Design

Median salary range: $41,000-$72,000 ($20-$35/hour)

Web design requires a bit more expertise than the other ideas on our list. While you don’t necessarily need a degree, you will need a strong eye for design and coding. It also helps to take a few courses and learn at least the basics. 

In short, web designers are responsible for designing a website’s visuals and functionality. You’ll need to create navigational buttons, build or choose graphics, and generally make sure the site looks good and functions smoothly. Additionally, you’ll need to know at least HTML, CSS, and/or JavaScript to do well. 

If you lack a portfolio, you can pick up small, low-paying jobs on freelance sites like Upwork or Fiverr. Once you’ve gained some credibility, you can kickstart your graphic design business with larger contracts. 

The median salary for web designers ranges from fairly low to above-average. But some professionals – namely those versed in scripts like Python and Objective-C – may command hourly prices of $75 or higher. 

9. Graphic Design

Median salary range: $30,000-$35,000 ($14-$17/hour)

Graphic and visual design work allows stay-at-home moms to capitalize on their creativity. Depending on your skills, you can specialize in:

• Creating logos or ads
• Creating signage
• Designing or redesigning a website’s appearance
• Putting together leaflets, pamphlets, flyers, and other informational material

As a graphic designer, you can pick and choose your projects, allowing you to build your own work-life balance. Being good with people also helps, as part of the job involves interpreting clients’ desires and addressing concerns. Additionally, if you have strong writing skills, you can often charge more for your services.

10. Virtual Notary

Median salary range: $31,000-$70,000 ($15-$34/hour)

You may think of notaries as the quiet individual who stamps documents at the bank. But notaries have a broad range of duties, as their official duty is serving as an impartial witness. States appoint these individuals to prevent fraud and ensure compliance in a wide range of legal activities. 

Thanks to the internet and Covid-19 pandemic, many notarial duties can now occur primarily online. As long as you meet your state’s eligibility requirements, becoming a notary is quick and easy. In turn, that makes virtual notarizing one of the best online businesses for moms on our list. 

Once you’ve gained your certification, the virtual process involves hopping on a video call (like Zoom) and conducting your duties. Depending on your state, you may need specific proprietary software to conduct affairs. And, based on your clientele and the scope of the deal, you can charge anywhere from $20 to over $1,000 for a single call!

(Bear in mind that some states currently don’t allow or heavily restrict remote notarizations.) 

11. Independent Travel Agent

Median salary range: $16,000-$58,000 ($8-$28/hour)

Travel agents are master researchers and planners. They love learning about new places and sharing that information with prospective travelers. As an independent travel agent, your duties could include:

• Researching the various locales you serve
• Coordinating transportation and lodging
• Booking various activities and reservations
• Building an activity-packed itinerary
• Providing “need-to-know” information regarding a location’s weather, culture, and environment

You can start your own travel agency by building your own website and advertising your skills. (It helps to have a few testimonials.) Alternatively, you can work with a travel-based freelance site to build your agency from the ground-up. 

The Best Online Businesses for Moms: Whatever Fits Your Lifestyle

If you’re a stay-at-home mom who wants to further her career, what better way than starting your own business? Whether you want to go big or stick with a side hustle, there are plenty of options available to you. All you have to do is pick the best online business idea for moms that suits your passions and lifestyle. 

FAQs

What is the Best Online Business for Stay-at-Home Moms?

That depends on your needs and goals. For true flexibility, designing your own dropshipping or online teaching business offers enormous passive income potential. On the other hand, if you prefer to get out of the house, you might try product flipping. 

What are the Best Online Businesses for Moms to Work on Part-Time?

Excellent part-time business ideas for moms include blogging, podcasting, web design, and even becoming a virtual notary. 

Can Moms Start Businesses?

Of course they can! If you have a passion and a buyer willing to pay for it, you can start your own business. (Though the startup costs can vary from free to insanely expensive, depending on your idea.) 

What is the Best Online Business for a Beginner?

Blogging, starting your own Etsy shop, and flipping product all require little background and let you learn at your own pace. But if you need income now, you might try becoming a virtual notary or even your own travel agency.