Home-based Business Ideas – Top 10 in Philippines

2022 has been an exciting year, spurring many Filipinos to think of different small business ideas from home. With the global economy recovering and the internet bridging consumers and sellers across the globe, it’s not surprising that more small businesses are popping up everywhere.

And the truth is, starting a small business doesn’t have to be complicated. Several home-based business ideas can easily be started in the Philippines with a capital of as little as 10,000 pesos. And with the advent of technology, you can now run and manage your home based business entirely online.

So if it has always been your dream to be your own boss or to challenge yourself with a rewarding career, we’ve included 10 great small home-based business ideas for you to consider.

 

#1. Online Selling

Online selling is at the top of our list and is one of the most popular small businesses in the Philippines. Thanks to platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook Marketplace, it’s now easier to set up an online shop and start selling your products to customers around the country and abroad.

To start selling on these platforms, all you need to do is to create, upload your products and launch your online store, and you are open for business. One quick business idea is to adopt the reselling business model, where you source products from your local store and sell them to customers from a different city at a higher price.

There are so many things you can sell on the internet. After all, millions of consumers in the Philippines are shopping online for products ranging from clothes and cosmetics to furniture and appliances. Your role is simply to make it easier for them to access these products through your online store.

 

The pros of selling online in the Philippines:

 

• • • It’s easy to create a webstore
  • • There is a large potential customer base
  • You can reach a large number of consumers all over the country

 

The cons of selling online in the Philippines:

 

• • • Highly competitive landscape
  • • You need to understand online marketing and how to reach your customers online.
  • You must be prepared to invest in a good eCommerce platform and/or shopping cart software.

So if you’re looking for a small home-based business that has the potential to grow, online selling is definitely an excellent option to consider, given its low barriers to entry.

#2. E-loading Business

E-loading business is all about online buying and selling load credits for mobile phones. It’s a popular small business in the Philippines as it involves little start-up capital and can be run from the comfort of your own home.

All you need to get started is a computer with an internet connection and a place to store your inventory of load credits. Once you have these prepared, you can start marketing your e-loading business to potential customers and earn profits.

 

The pros of e-loading in the Philippines:

 

• • • It requires little start-up capital
  • • It can be run from home
  • • There is a large potential customer base
  • It’s a business that is in demand

 

The cons of e-loading in the Philippines:

 

• • • You need to have a reliable source of inventory
  • • You need to have an understanding of how online marketing works
  • You need to be prepared to invest in a good eCommerce platform and/or shopping cart software

 

#3. Vegetable Business

A vegetable business can be regarded as a small business idea because you can grow and sell your home-grown vegetables online. It’s an excellent option for those who have some space at home and are looking for a low-cost business to start.

To kickstart this home-based business, all you need is some basic gardening supplies and seeds. Once you have these ready, you can start planting and growing your favourite vegetables. And when they’re ready for harvesting, you can either sell them fresh or processed (such as pickled or canned).

 

The pros of starting a home-based business selling vegetables:

 

• • • Low cost
  • • Vegetables can be grown at home
  • There are a wide variety of vegetables in constant demand

 

The cons of starting a home-based business selling vegetables:

 

• • • You need space for gardening
  • • You need to have some basic gardening knowledge and skills
  • The business can be seasonal, depending on the vegetables you’re growing

 

#4. Handmade Business

A handmade business can be home-based where you make and sell your products from home. This can include anything from clothes and accessories to home decor and art.

Handmade businesses are generally popular as it allows you to share your creativity and skills to products that are unique and in demand.

All you need are two main things to get started: basic supplies and a place to sell your products. This actually applies to both selling online or offline.

 

The pros of starting a home-based handmade business:

 

• • • You can showcase your creativity and make unique products
  • • It can be relatively low-cost to start
  • You can choose to create and sell things that you love making

 

The cons of starting a home-based handmade business:

 

• • • You need to have some skills and knowledge to make the products
  • • You need to have a market for your products
  • The business can be time-consuming

 

#5. Cosmetic Retailer

A cosmetic retailer is a small business where you sell cosmetics and beauty products. It’s a popular option in the Philippines as there will always be a large potential customer base and demand for these products.

So long as you have basic knowledge about cosmetics and beauty products coupled with a platform to sell, you’re good to operate your cosmetic business online.

The pros of starting a cosmetic business online:

 

• • • Both women and men love looking fabulous, so the demand is always there
  • • You can start with a small investment
  • You can sell your products both online and offline

 

The cons of starting a cosmetic business online:

 

• • • You need to have some knowledge of cosmetics and beauty products
  • • You need to find a reliable source for your inventory
  • You may need to store your inventory at home or in a warehouse

 

#6. Print-on-demand business

A print-on-demand business can be included as a small business where you sell products that are printed on demand. This can range anything from printing on clothes and accessories to home decor and art prints. Print-on-demand businesses are popular as they allow you to be creative and make printed tote bags or tshirts based on your design.

Like every other home-based business today, you should have some knowledge about the printing industry practices before considering how you want to promote your print-on-demand home-made business. Having an online store with samples and references for potential customers to view can be a good starting point.

And if you’re working with external vendors, then a great way to do this is to get their past work and testimonials to showcase on your online store. As your customer pool increases, you should also add their feedback to your website.

 

The pros of starting a print-on-demand business:

 

• • • You don’t have to print anything in bulk
  • • You don’t need to buy expensive equipment to get started
  • You don’t need technical skills or knowledge to run this business

 

The cons of starting a print-on-demand business:

 

• • • You lose control over the quality of products and the fulfillment process
  • • You are almost entirely reliant on your printing partner for their availability and equipment
  • • The business can be time-consuming
  • Returns and refunds can be a common issue

 

#7. Sari-Sari Store

A sari-sari store isn’t a new business idea, but it is something anyone can start easily. We all love a shop that sells all the typical household items we need daily, such as food, drinks, cigarettes, and other smaller items, which makes it a popular option in the Philippines as these can be considered necessities, which will also be in demand for these products.

To get started, all you need is some basic knowledge about household items, a small space in your house to store your products and an online platform (such as online or at markets) to list all of it.

 

The pros of starting a sari-sari store:

 

• • • There is always a high demand for these products
  • • You can open a shop with as little as PHP 5,000
  • • With a good location, growing this small business into a grocery store is possible
  • Alternatively, you can adopt the offline to online (O2O) business model and create a web store showcasing your best-selling products

 

The cons of starting a sari-sari store:

 

• • • You must be familiar with different household items
  • • You need to find a reliable vendor for your inventory
  • This business can be time-consuming

 

#8. Ukay-Ukay business

Another local favourite, the ukay-ukay business, is a small business where you sell second-hand clothes, shoes, and other items. This can be done online or offline and is a popular way to start your entrepreneurship journey as it requires little investment.

However to get started, you do need basic knowledge about setting up an online store and a reliable source for your inventory.

The pros of starting an ukay-ukay business:

 

• • • Your profit comes quick as everything is calculated on a per-sale basis
  • • The business model is relatively simple
  • • You can run this business entirely from the comfort of your home
  • You get to interact with people from all walks of life

 

The cons of starting an ukay-ukay business:

 

• • • You must be prepared to negotiate with customers
  • • It takes some experience to discover which items are sellable
  • • The business can be time-consuming
  • Stiff competition due to the low barriers to entry

 

#9. Dropshipping business

Dropshipping is another business where you sell online products sourced from a third-party supplier. The difference, however, is that your role is simply to market and promote those products while order fulfillment is managed and handled by the supplier.

This means it is easy for new entrepreneurs to start, as you only need basic knowledge about setting up an online store and sourcing suppliers for your inventory.

The pros of starting a dropshipping business:

 

• • • You can run this business entirely from home
  • • No need to invest in inventory or hold any stock
  • • Low barriers to entry as it requires little investment
  • Dropshipping businesses are scalable

The cons of starting a dropshipping business:

 

• • • You need to source reliable suppliers for your inventory
  • • You may face stiff competition from others in the same industry
  • You need to be familiar with eCommerce platforms and how to run an online store

 

#10. Baking Business

If you already love baking and do it regularly, why not convert that passion into a profitable small business? You can choose to sell baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, and even bread. It is entirely up to you, from simple homemade goodies to artisan crafts.

You only need some baking experience and a reliable oven to get started. Then it’s all about marketing your business and getting the word out through family, friends and social media.

 

The pros of starting a baking business online:

 

• • • You don’t need much to get started, just an oven and a website
  • • Everyone loves delicious treats, so demand is always there
  • You can get started with a tiny capital, mainly to buy your ingredients

 

The cons of starting a baking business online:

 

• • • Your competition might be stiff depending on your location
  • • Your output and sales volume are entirely dependent on your oven’s capabilities
  • This business can be both time-consuming and labour intensive

 

Common Trends About Starting Your Own Small Home Business

Starting your own small home-based business ideas in the Philippines isn’t tricky. Sure, you will need a small capital to start most of them, but that’s just for all businesses.

Most businesses also require inventory or a product to sell. The other trend you might have noticed is that most of them will also require a website, given today’s digital age. A website is instrumental for marketing and promoting your business and can also serve as a powerful business tool and asset.

Launching a fully functional online store with the right tools and apps is very easy.

And that’s exactly what Shopboxo does.

It gives you a beautiful online store that you can set up and launch in just a few clicks. Plus, the entire store is entirely free to set up.

So, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are looking for a way to earn some extra income, then check out this app. Just remember to do your research, have a solid business plan, and be prepared to work hard to make your business a success!