We’ve all learned how important it is to have more control of our income, as well as a flexible backup plan. That has left many Canadians wondering if they should start a home business or side hustle.
Remote / home office options have always had their perks, from eliminating commutes to taking care of dependents. Something we probably never considered before, however, is what happens if there’s a pandemic or natural disaster that makes it risky or impossible to work anywhere else?
In this scenario, and with a global recession looming, there are some online business models that are more suitable than others.
Top 5 Online Businesses to Start in 2025
These are the online businesses that are consistently generating revenue and are poised for growth in 2025. You can start them as a side hustle or go full time right away.
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1. Content: Writing, Video or Graphics Design
Website and social media content is in high demand and that isn’t going to change in the foreseeable future. You can offer content creation services, such as blog posts, tutorials, copywriting, infographics, and videos, or provide corporate ghostwriting. There’s a growing demand for AI content editors and trainers as well. There are countless, affordable Udemy online courses if you need to develop skills in your chosen niche.
All you need is a website, which doesn’t have to be fancy or overly technical. Demonstrate your skills on your website and in social media, so potential clients and employers are convinced you know your stuff. If you get more work than you can handle, consider hiring other freelancers or a Virtual Assistant to pick up the slack.
Check out How to Start a Digital Content Freelancing Business in Canada to get started.
2. Start an AI Business
It’s no secret that AI is the way of the future, to one degree or another. Entrepreneurs are eyeing the space with great interest, although most don’t know what to bet on at this point. The experts at Shopify shared the following AI business ideas for inspiration:
- AI content marketer
- AI content editor
- AI personal assistant business
- AI graphic designer
- AI SEO specialist
- AI social media manager
- AI marketing agency
- AI implementation consultant
As AI integrates into virtually all aspects of business, more opportunities to specialize in it will become available. The profitable possibilities are endless for those who keep an eye on what’s trending. We’ll cover AI’s entrepreneur potential more in 2025. Sign up for the Online Business Canada newsletter so you don’t miss a single online business idea.
3. Virtual Assistant (VA)
Virtual assistants may do anything from social media management to secretarial tasks. Any skill you have that can be done remotely, is marketable under the ‘Virtual Assistant’ label. Tasks like collaborative design and bookkeeping are easily accomplished thanks to “the cloud”, along with other online collaboration and file sharing tools.
Providing virtual assistance is generally the same as any other freelance job and there can be similarities in the services offered. If you need marketable qualifications, you can take a course in executive administration, medical assistant, computer tech, marketing, or other profession suitable for working from home.
Further Reading: How to Become a Virtual Assistant (VA) in Canada
4. Digital Info Products
Create & sell information products such as courses, white papers, reports, or ebooks. Once they’re created, you can sell them over & over again with little more than the occasional update. They can be created and sold from anywhere online, via your website, marketplaces, or any number of virtual teaching platforms.
Learn More: How to Develop Your Own Online Learning Products
5. Affiliate Marketing
As more Canadian merchants arrive online, opportunities for online publishers to advertise for them will grow. In the US, affiliate programs are already used frequently as a low-risk, affordable way to reach the online masses.
For publishers (website/blog owners), affiliate marketing is one of the rare businesses that don’t require customer service. It’s probably the most hands-off way to make money online.
Affiliate programs allow you to advertise for a company and earn a percentage of the sales you generate for them. It works best with a website and steady traffic to it. This will be your home base for everything from building a mailing list to social media promotion. Once you’ve established a following, both on your website and in newsletter subscribers, your income will grow. That said, you can also try affiliate marketing without a website.
Learn More: How to Start Affiliate Marketing in Canada
Related Reading
If you need more guidance, follow our checklist How to Start an Online Business in Canada.
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7 Recession Proof Online Businesses To Start From Home
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Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business/marketing education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
I’m excited about finding new markets outside of the USA and the internet makes it all so possible. Let the raving lunatic surround himself with enemies if he wants to, the rest of us will move on just fine building friendships and doing ethical business. Canada needed a kick in the behind alright but to get us moving forward, not to bring us to our knees. Never that. It’s just not how we’re made here in Canada. Resilience is kind of our thing. 😉
I suppose we’ll meet a saturation point for these online businesses soon? Or do all the failures make room for more? 😉
online education is getting crowded but the demand is high and there’s room for more! Good luck all!
Still no ecommerce? I think its stabilized enough now but maybe not if you don’t have suppliers in place. Newbies & such.
I got started last year but the goal is to have a full online business up & running by the end of this year or earlier. I’m doing ecommerce and freelancing to start and probably some affiliate marketing when I learn more. Can’t wait!
It’s been really tough to get through ecommerce landmines so I have to agree about beginners. There’s enough to learn when starting a business without landmines. It depends on their experience though if they’re used to dealing with supply chains they should be ok. Others are great choices for anyone really.