1 of 20

Write now Article Tools

The hard part about compiling a list of "The Best Home Businesses" is that it doesn't account for different kinds of people, with different levels of time and motivation. What is "best" for someone, maybe a nightmare for someone else!

I believe that the real trick is to work backwards from what you want or need to earn. Once you've got that nailed down, you identify the businesses that can generate that level of income.

From that pool of businesses that earn what you need, you then look at the time commitment involved. When you find one that matches both your income needs and your schedule, you've found a winner!

The list below is comprised of seven hot home businesses, with varying levels of income and time commitment. After reading this list, be sure to also check out the "Franchise" section in the back of Entrepreneur Magazine. There you'll find hundreds of other home-based businesses that might fit your lifestyle.

Idea #1: iPod Loading

As the boomer generation finally caves to the digital media wave, an iPod is generally one of their first purchases. Since most of these folks have amassed a mountain of CD's over the last 20 years, it is a monumental task to transfer them all to their iPod. For $1-3 per CD, many of them are more than happy to pay someone else to do the dirty work.

The great part about this business is that your time is free for a few minutes in between each CD being transferred. It's an easy one for stay-at-home parents to do, while still lavishing attention on their kids.

Potential Income - $15 - 45 per hour.
Potential Time - Aside from needing to market the business, you can work as much or as little as you want.


Idea #2: Medical Transcription

Medical transcription (transferring doctors oral or written records to clients' records) continues to be one of the great go-to's for a work at home business. With the baby boomer generation requiring increasing medical care, this industry will continue to have plenty of opportunities.

This business generally requires a lot of initial effort to drum up business from local doctors, but then it's a no-brainer. To do it right, you'll need to be able to have some focused alone time to do your work.

Potential Income - $15 - 18 per hour.
Potential Time - At least 20 hours per week.


Idea #3: Home Inspection

With the mortgage market thoroughly stalled, this business seems counter-intuitive. But, because a lot of the people working in this industry were part-timers who have since moved on, there is actually a reasonable

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Best home businesses for 2008?
We want to hear your view. Write now!