The landscape of home-based businesses is currently dominated by the information technology niche, with digital properties at the core of top-earning niches. However, not all would-be entrepreneurs have the digital skills and talents to develop, maintain and improve online-based products and services. And, by corollary, not all people who can become your potential customers need digital products and services.
On the contrary, the market for traditional products and services is still alive and well, allowing less tech-savvy entrepreneurs to become successful and provide high quality service to their customers. These niches will always be in demand because, no matter how much we live our lives in the online environment, we still have needs and problems which we need to solve in the traditional, offline world.
Therefore, today we will present the top home-based business ideas which need little to no IT and tech knowledge. These are businesses which are always in demand, will never go out of fashion or utility, and have the potential to help you earn a satisfactory income for you and your family. Let us get started:
1. Medical/Legal Transcription
Laboratory technicians, doctors, lawyers and paralegals are using voice recorders to make notes, give instructions, and test results and any other documents for the sake of convenience. All these voice recordings need to be transcribed in printed form to be introduced in files, transmitted to hospital, courts and anywhere else where they are needed.
In order to open a transcription business you will need a computer with internet connection and audio playback software (your computer operating system usually includes such software among the standard features), headphones and text editing software. You will also need to install a foot pedal to pause and restart recordings quickly, without taking your hands off the keyboard. Also, you may need to purchase a specialized dictionary for terms used in medicine or law (depending on the type of service you wish to provide).
2. Proofreading
For this type of business you will simply need a computer connected to the internet with text editing software installed on it. You will receive documents and be expected to read them carefully, correcting all spelling and grammar errors. Depending on your level of expertise as a linguist and the clients’ requirements, you may also rephrase ambiguous sentences and improve the readability factor of the text.
3. Tutoring
Teaching others is a rewarding job for millions of people worldwide. As a private tutor, you have the benefit of working one on one with a single student at a time, giving them the opportunity to gain insights and specialized knowledge in their field of interest. In order to conduct your tutoring sessions, you will need a computer with internet connection and audio/video messaging software (such as Skype, which is free to install and use). You may also need text editing software to prepare and correct homework submitted by your students.
4. Event Planning
This is a low-tech home-based business for resourceful people who can always spot the perfect location, negotiate the best prices with caterers and suppliers, provide a listening ear and heartfelt advice for nervous brides-to-be and expecting mothers planning their baby shower. You will need a lot of patience, a good voice and data plan for your mobile phone, and the proverbial good luck in finding an excellent deal for leasing a restaurant or obtaining discounts for large orders of finger food and floral arrangements.
5. Estate Sale
Disposing of the property of a recently deceased relative is a heart wrenching experience for most people. At this difficult moment they need a tactful and savvy person to go through the property, estimate the fair value of books, furniture and antiques, and sell them for a good price. This job involves no technology at all, but lots of compassion for the bereaved and the skill of identifying valuable items among the mass of property and obtaining a fair price for them through direct sale or online auction.
As you can see, you do not need to master web design, programming, operating complicated devices or machines in order to run any of these home-based business. All you need is the skills in supplying the respective services, the desire to serve the customers and the will to succeed. Good luck!