USA TODAY US Edition

3 online business ideas for couch potatoes

- NerdWallet NerdWallet is a personal finance website and USA TODAY content partner providing general news, commentary and coverage. Its content is produced independen­tly of USA TODAY.

Maybe you like eating ice cream in your underwear — no judgment, live your truth — but if you also aspire to achieve entreprene­urial greatness, consider the infinite possibilit­ies of the World Wide Web.

Truth bomb: Success will likely rely on at least some time spent outside your home (sorry).

To help you start a business, we’ve identified three online business ideas with moneymakin­g potential.

1. RETAIL

Whether you’ve designed something people didn’t know they wanted (hello, selfie stick!) or purchased a bunch of top-notch jewelry wholesale, one idea is to set up an online store to sell your goods.

Pro tip: According to market research firm Forrester Research Inc., toys and pet products are hot right now.

2. AFFILIATE MARKETING

Got a hot take? So does half the Internet. But if your blog, Tumblr, YouTube channel or Instagram account captures a lot of eyes, you can turn your Internet musings into a solid side hustle.

Adding affiliate links to your content means you get a percentage of the profit when your readers click.

Pro tip: Don’t go crazy with links. Make sure what you’re promoting aligns with who is reading your website.

3. TECH

Keeping up with the latest tech opportunit­ies puts innovators on top. If you know how to program, code or design, you’ve got an “in” to a consistent­ly growing field.

Pro tip: To get started, consider focusing on ways to amp up websites and create apps for local businesses.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O ?? Success will likely rely on at least some time spent off the couch and outside the home.
GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O Success will likely rely on at least some time spent off the couch and outside the home.

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