Everybody wants to make money, but not everybody knows how to do it without going broke first. So, I’m here to show you how to start an online business with less than $100—because, let’s be real, ain’t nobody got thousands to throw around just to “see if it works.” You ready? Let’s go!
Step 1: Pick Your Money-Maker
Before you even touch that $100, you gotta know how you’re gonna flip it. Here are a few solid options:
- Freelancing – You got skills? Sell ‘em. Writing, designing, editing—you name it.
- Affiliate Marketing – Promote products and get paid commissions.
- Dropshipping – Sell products without ever touching ‘em.
- Print-on-Demand – Create designs and let someone else do the shipping.
- Digital Products – E-books, courses, templates—make it once, sell it forever.
- Blogging or YouTube – Get people’s attention, then monetize.
Pick one, stick to it, and let’s keep it moving.
Step 2: Find a Niche That Pay
A niche is just a fancy word for “what are you talking about and who cares?”
- Passion + Profit – Find something you actually enjoy that people are willing to pay for.
- Check Demand – Use Google Trends, keyword tools, and see what’s poppin’.
- Solve a Problem – People spend money to fix things. Be the fix.
Some hot niches:
- Health & Fitness
- Personal Finance
- Beauty & Skincare
- Tech & Gadgets
- Productivity Hacks
Pick your lane and own it.
Step 3: Get Online (For Cheap!)
Website ($10-$15)
If you’re serious, get a website. It makes you look legit.
- Domain Name ($10-$15) – Namecheap, Google Domains, whatever.
- Hosting (Free – $10/month) – Bluehost, SiteGround, or just use a free Wix or WordPress site.
Social Media (Free)
You ain’t gotta spend money to get seen. Get on:
- TikTok
- YouTube
Your business lives where the people are. Simple.
Step 4: Make Your Brand Look Good
- Business Name – Keep it simple and easy to remember.
- Logo (Free or $5) – Canva or Fiverr got you covered.
- Color Scheme – Pick 2-3 colors. Don’t go crazy.
- Clear Message – Who are you helping and why should they care?
No need to get fancy. Just make it look clean and professional.
Step 5: Get Customers Without Spending Money
No budget? No problem. Here’s how to get people to notice you:
- Content Marketing – Write, record, post—give value first.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Learn how to get free traffic from Google.
- Social Media – Be consistent. Post daily if you can.
- Email Marketing – Build a list with free tools like Mailchimp.
- Collabs & Shoutouts – Work with others to grow faster.
Marketing is about getting attention. Make sure when people find you, they stay.
Step 6: Make That Money
It’s time to turn clicks into cash. Here’s how:
1. Freelancing (Quickest Money)
- Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer—pick one.
- Sell services like writing, editing, or virtual assistance.
- Start with $10-$50 per gig, then scale up.
2. Affiliate Marketing (Passive Hustle)
- Join Amazon Associates, ClickBank, or ShareASale.
- Recommend products on blogs, YouTube, or social media.
- Get paid every time someone buys through your link.
3. Dropshipping & Print-on-Demand (Low-Cost E-commerce)
- Start a Shopify or Etsy store.
- Work with Printful or Spocket to fulfill orders.
- Sell trending products without stocking inventory.
4. Selling Digital Products (Easy Profits)
- E-books, templates, courses—make once, sell forever.
- Sell on Gumroad, Etsy, or your own site.
- No shipping, no hassle, just cash.
5. Monetize Your Content
- YouTube: Ads + Sponsorships = Money
- Blog: Google AdSense + Affiliate Links
- Social Media: Brand deals and sponsored posts
Step 7: Level Up & Scale
Once you start making money, don’t blow it—reinvest!
- Upgrade your tools.
- Get better marketing.
- Automate your business.
- Outsource tasks to free up time.
The goal is to make more money without working more hours. Smart moves, not hard moves.
Final Words: Just Start Already
Look, you ain’t gotta be perfect. You just gotta start. With $100 or less, you can build a business that pays you for years. But you gotta take action.
What to Do Next:
- Pick your business model.
- Set up your online presence.
- Start marketing.
- Monetize & reinvest.
The sooner you start, the sooner you make money. So quit waiting—get to work!
