It’s not a new topic today, discussing amazing ideas on digital business frame since COVID. We are experiencing, in every corner of the world, a new wave of digital products
Though in DRC the thoughtframe to innovate in Digital business is still small, we have a lot to learn from other countries who, up to this time, have tested many amazing idea.
In this article, about 10 amazing ideas for starting a digital business in DRC, we will learn some of the things that have already been used by your nect door neighbour, without you knowing about it.
Those ideas are :
1. Being an influencer
Yes, influencer marketing has exploded on the marketing scene, and though consumers are becoming more savvy, there are still plenty of business opportunities to be had.
Because influencers have gotten in hot water for dishonest practices, there’s been a movement toward micro-influencers—profiles with smaller but more engaged followings.
Good news: you don’t need millions of followers to earn money on Instagram.
Why be an influencer?
It’s an opportunity to get an introduction to marketing—particularly valuable if you’re interested in pursuing that as a career or additional business venture.
You’ll learn about new and interesting brands. You might discover products and companies you love that you never would have found had they not solicited your services.
It’s so easy a monkey can do it. Well, not literally—but you can make your pet the star if you’re camera shy.
2. Build Mobile apps and websites
If you’re tech savvy, acquire some coding skills and start building. Whether it’s mobile apps, Shopify apps, or websites, you can create digital products for purchase or as a service provider.
For example, you can create a custom CMS theme template and sell it to merchants looking for an affordable approach to designing their website. Or work with clients directly to build websites and apps tailored to their specific needs.
Why build apps and websites?
Technology isn’t going anywhere, and the demand for the technical skills necessary to build apps and websites will only continue to grow.
There’s an endless number of platforms and systems out there. If you get bored of one, learn and transition to another.
3. Launch a podcast
If you like the sound of your own voice, consider recording it for a podcast. Podcasts are a great home business idea with multiple monetization options, similar to starting a blog.
Here’s what you need to start your podcast:
A high-quality microphone
Audio recording software
Call recording software
To promote your podcast, consider collaborating with prominent figures as guests on your show. Encourage listeners to leave reviews and share your podcast with their friends and family.
Why start a podcast?
Podcasts continue to grow in popularity. According to Podcast Insights, 51% of Americans have listened to a podcast.
A successful podcast can lead to endless possibilities: turn your episodes into a blog, solicit sponsors and advertisers, and make connections you never would have been able to before.
4. Become an affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing is when you recommend a product or service by sharing it on a blog or social media to your email list, on your website, or on other channels. You earn a commission each time someone converts through your unique referral link or code.
Find an affiliate program that suits your interests, personal brand, and target audience. Mostly all online betting company in DRC has an affiliate program, maybe you can reach out to one of those companies and ask them to sign you up as an affiliate manager.
Once you’ve signed up, start sharing. Create social media posts, blog articles, emails, and other content about how great the product or service you’re promoting is. Don’t oversaturate your audience with ads, otherwise you risk coming across as spammy or inauthentic.
Why do affiliate marketing?
It’s easy: you likely already promote the products and services you use. Now you can get paid for it!
Affiliate marketing is a great source of passive income. With the Shopify Affiliate Program, affiliates earn an average of $58 for each user who signs up for a paid plan and $2,000 for each Plus referral.
5. Develop a niche product
If you recognize an opportunity in a certain niche, you might be on to your next successful online business idea. Niche products cater to a unique audience. When done well, they serve a specific community.
Niches could be based on industry, demographic, price point, geography, values, product attributes, and more. Really, a niche could be anything specific enough to target a small group of potential customers. For example:
Conscious consumers: think vegan, sustainable, and eco-friendly products and brands.
Pet owners: you could even drill down by pet type.
Remote workers: these professionals have specific attributes different from the traditional office worker.
Why develop a niche product?
Niche products are unique and thus buzzworthy. Early success can be all you need to drive press coverage with zero budget.
Though niching down might be scary to some, choosing a specific target customer makes it easier to create marketing and messaging that resonates. Rather than trying to speak to a broad, diverse group, you’re talking to a group of individuals with lots of shared characteristics.
6. Create handmade goods
If you’re particularly crafty, selling handmade products would be a great online business idea for you. Whether you make jewelry, picture frames, or furniture, one way to monetize your craft skills is to sell products online. Handmade goods is a great industry for creatives and even an achievable business idea for kids.
While you can use platforms like Craigslist or Etsy, your own online store will give you more control and make it easier to track and fulfill orders.
Why sell handmade goods?
Devote as much or as little time as you want. It’s your choice on how big you want to grow.
Create on your schedule. Make your handmade goods on a set schedule, when you have spare time, or whenever you want.
Turn your passion into income. Like many of the online business ideas on this list, an entrepreneurial endeavor backed by passion leads to a more fulfilling experience.
7. Become a social media manager
Effectively managing and growing social media accounts is a skill. If you have the chops, consider becoming a social media manager or a consultant for brands.
You’d be responsible for maintaining a company’s social presence online, developing its social marketing strategy, managing campaigns, and other related tasks. It’s a solid online business idea with plenty of demand, with jobs in social media expected to grow by 10% through 2030, and it doesn’t take that much startup capital to begin.
To start, create a website, your own social media channels (grow them and use them as social proof to win clients!), and a payment processing system. As you gain more experience, you can start catering to a wider array of social media needs, like profile growth, outreach, or brand sponsorship management.
Why start a social media management business?
The service-based business has few barriers to entry and it’s relatively easy to get started.
You’re able to be your own boss and decide your earning potential. The more experience and results you can show, the higher your service fees can be.
You can turn something you’re already doing every day into a money-making activity as a social media manager.
18. Invest in real estate
It might sound scary when you hear it, but investing in real estate isn’t hard to break into once you’ve done your research. Depending on the market, getting your hands on opportunities can be the kickstart you need to ensure a cash-flowing business from the start.
With real estate, you don’t have to worry about stocking inventory or supply chain troubles. Instead, you can scout properties from the comfort of your couch. There are startup costs and purchase requirements to account for, but you can get loans from friends and family to help cover them.
The cash flow you establish with your first property can be reinvested into buying your next. Do this enough times and you can start making some serious revenue numbers.
Why invest in real estate?
It’s a long-term investment in a business with appreciating assets and almost immediate cash flow.
Real estate will always be in demand as a need rather than just a want.
It can be relatively hands-off with the right management structure in place.
19. Sell on marketplaces
The ability to sell your goods on marketplaces isn’t new. Yet it’s still a very lucrative way to start a sustainable online business. For those in Abidja, there is www.mycocody.com where you can sell anything according to the categories.
In DRC, we have not yet identified multi-vendor leader, once it’s done, we will write about it. But in the meantime, one can be a seller on platforms like eBay, Bonanza, Etsy, Offerup, or Facebook Marketplace make the process of listing products, capturing contact information, and receiving payments easily.
The best part? These massive seller platforms already come with built-in traffic. As the seller, it’s your job to get strategic with your listing and keep track of what sells and how well so you can optimize your efforts. You can do all of this from the comfort of your home, too.
Why sell on marketplaces?
It’s affordable to start without a hefty upfront investment.
You get access to a pool of traffic you might not be able to tap into on other platforms.
The online selling skills you acquire can translate into adjacent businesses down the road.
20. Become a translator
Knowing more than one language can make you money. Along with internet access and a laptop, you can be well on your way to starting an online translation business. The translation industry is booming—it doubled in size in the last decade.
As a translator, you can apply your skills to translating content, meetings, résumés, books, or even online conferences. As you refine your skills, you can charge by the hour or by the project. Either way, the bottom line is that a translation business can be both flexible and lucrative once you get started with your first few clients.
Why start a translation business?
There are plenty of translation platforms, like Gengo, willing to pay competitively for your skills in case you don’t want to start your business on your own.
Alternatively, it’s easy to list your translation services on platforms like UpWork for a more independent approach to translation where you get to set your own prices.
Translation can be a flexible business that doesn’t require ad management or dealing with inventory.
Which point among those outlines above, have you easily related to ?
Do you think now is the right time for you to start an online business?
Write in the comment section below , and let’s discuss how you are planning your rollout.
