18 Businesses That Run Themselves
Running a business that operates itself sounds like a dream come true. Imagine having a steady stream of income without the daily grind. While fully automated businesses are rare, many business models allow for significant automation, enabling owners to enjoy more freedom and less hands-on management. Here are 18 types of businesses that can largely run themselves with the right systems and tools in place.
Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping is an e-commerce model where the store owner does not keep inventory. Instead, products are purchased from a third party and shipped directly to the customer. The key to success in dropshipping is finding reliable suppliers, automating order processing, and investing in marketing strategies that drive traffic to the online store.
Print on Demand
Print on demand allows entrepreneurs to sell custom-designed products without holding any inventory. Platforms like Printful and Teespring handle the production, packaging, and shipping. Business owners focus on creating unique designs and marketing their products. Once a system for design and advertising is in place, the business can run with minimal oversight.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies’ products and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral link. This business model requires initial effort in building a website or social media presence, choosing the right products to promote, and creating content. After the setup, affiliate marketing can generate passive income with little ongoing effort.
Subscription Box Service
Subscription box services deliver curated products to subscribers on a regular basis. Once the supplier relationships and logistics are established, the business can be largely automated. Using fulfillment centers to handle packaging and shipping can reduce the need for day-to-day management.
Online Course Creation
Creating and selling online courses allows experts to share their knowledge and earn passive income. Platforms like Udemy and Teachable provide the tools to create, market, and sell courses. After the initial effort of course creation, the ongoing work is minimal, primarily involving occasional updates and responding to student questions.
Blogging
Blogging can be a lucrative business with multiple revenue streams, including advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products. A successful blog requires consistent content creation initially. However, with evergreen content and strategic SEO, a blog can continue to attract visitors and generate income with less frequent updates.
E-book Publishing
Self-publishing e-books is an excellent way to earn passive income. Authors write and publish their books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Once published, e-books can generate ongoing sales without additional work. Marketing efforts, such as building an author website or social media presence, can further increase sales.
Mobile App Development
Creating a mobile app that offers value, whether through entertainment, productivity, or solving a problem, can generate ongoing income through sales or in-app advertising. Once the app is developed and launched, maintenance and occasional updates are necessary, but the day-to-day operations are minimal.
Real Estate Rentals
Owning rental properties can provide a steady income stream with proper management. Hiring a property management company can handle the day-to-day responsibilities, such as tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance. This allows the property owner to enjoy passive income with minimal involvement.
Stock Photography
Photographers can sell their images to stock photo websites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. Once uploaded, these photos can be purchased by individuals and businesses worldwide. This business model allows photographers to earn passive income from their work long after the photos are taken.
YouTube Channel
Creating a YouTube channel and monetizing it through ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing can be a lucrative business. Consistent content creation is essential initially, but evergreen videos can continue to generate views and income over time. Using tools to schedule and automate uploads can further reduce ongoing effort.
Digital Products
Selling digital products such as templates, graphics, music, or software can be a profitable and low-maintenance business. Once the products are created and listed on platforms like Etsy or Gumroad, they can be sold repeatedly without additional work. Automated delivery systems ensure that customers receive their purchases instantly.
Social Media Management
Social media management services involve creating and scheduling posts for clients. Using tools like Hootsuite or Buffer, social media managers can automate most of their work, allowing them to manage multiple accounts with minimal daily effort. Building a portfolio of clients and establishing a system for content creation can lead to a largely self-sustaining business.
Membership Sites
Creating a membership site that offers exclusive content or services can generate recurring revenue. Once the site is set up and initial content is created, the ongoing work involves adding new content periodically and engaging with members. Automating member onboarding and payment processing can further streamline operations.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Developing and offering a SaaS product can provide a continuous revenue stream. Once the software is developed and launched, maintenance and customer support are necessary, but many aspects can be automated. Subscription-based models ensure a steady income while reducing the need for constant sales efforts.
Rental Equipment
Renting out equipment, such as party supplies, tools, or recreational vehicles, can be a profitable business. Investing in high-quality, durable equipment and setting up an efficient booking and rental system can automate much of the process. Using a management company to handle logistics can further reduce the owner’s involvement.
Automated Car Wash
Owning an automated car wash requires a significant upfront investment but offers the potential for passive income. Once the facility is set up and operational, it requires minimal daily management. Hiring staff for maintenance and customer service can further reduce the owner’s responsibilities.
Vending Machines
Investing in vending machines placed in high-traffic areas can generate steady income with little ongoing effort. Once the machines are stocked and set up, the primary tasks involve restocking and maintenance. Using a service to handle these tasks can make the business almost entirely hands-off.
Running a business that largely operates itself requires careful planning, investment in automation tools, and selecting the right business model. While no business is entirely hands-off, these options offer significant potential for reduced day-to-day involvement, allowing entrepreneurs to enjoy more freedom and passive income.