Americans launch 430,000 new cheap businesses monthly in 2024 – a remarkable 50% jump from 2019. The numbers make sense since almost 90% of millionaires built their wealth by owning businesses.
Starting a profitable venture needs less money than before. The digital world opens up countless opportunities to start low-cost businesses that could bring high returns. Telehealth stands out as a prime example. The sector hit $101.15 billion in 2023, and experts expect it to grow 24.3% through 2030. On top of that, telehealth visits cost $40-$50 compared to $136-$176 for traditional appointments. These numbers make telehealth attractive both to consumers and entrepreneurs.
You might want to start a business with little money or tap into the telehealth industry specifically. This piece shows you useful, proven ways to launch your venture in 2025. We'll show you digital business models that need minimal investment, help you match your skills to what the market needs, and guide you through steps to build a business that brings real profit.
You don’t need deep pockets—just keep scrolling.
Key Takeaways
- Digital-first business models like freelancing, dropshipping, and affiliate marketing offer low-cost, scalable paths to profitability.
- Shifting consumer habits post-pandemic favor new, affordable brands—especially those offering online convenience and value.
- Choosing the right business means aligning your unique skills with market demand, not just chasing trends.
- Proper validation of demand through surveys or beta testing drastically lowers the risk of building something nobody wants.
- Telehealth stands out as a low-investment, high-return sector, especially with Bask Health’s white-label tools that slash startup costs.
- Subscription-based telehealth models can generate recurring income and long-term client retention with minimal operational effort.
Why low-cost businesses are thriving in 2025
The business world of 2025 favors entrepreneurs who start with small budgets. This change has opened up amazing chances for people wanting to launch a cheap business to start that makes a real difference.
The rise of digital-first entrepreneurship
Young entrepreneurs from the Millennial and Gen Z generations lead the way in digital business. These tech-smart business owners put more money into digital tools than older generations do. Their strategy works well – 71% of Millennial and Gen Z small businesses dream of seeing their business go viral. They also get ideas from social media trends (74%) and change their plans based on what they see online (67%).
AI has become a must-have tool for success rather than just helping businesses grow. Among young business owners who use AI now, 46% plan to increase their investment in this technology in 2025. This digital-first mindset helps new businesses compete well even with limited money.
Post-pandemic shifts in consumer behavior
The pandemic changed shopping habits forever and created perfect conditions for low-cost startups. Online spending grew by 20% since January 2020, and this wasn't just temporary. Yes, 92% of consumers who tried online shopping in 2019 indeed became permanent converts.
Brand loyalty saw big changes too, with 75% of consumers trying new shopping behaviors during the pandemic because they wanted convenience and value. As a result, 39% of them, mainly Gen Z and millennials, left their trusted brands for new ones. This openness to try new brands gives quick-moving startups a chance to win customers.
How small budgets lead to big wins
Digital tools today help entrepreneurs get amazing results without spending lots of money. Small and medium-sized businesses on Amazon made an average of $160,000 in sales over 12 months ending May 2021, and they made up more than 50% of all units sold.
What made them successful? Digital dashboards that give useful business data. A successful business owner explained that Amazon's platform shows detailed information about inventory and sales for each product variant – something that would take "considerable time and financial effort to replicate" through old-school methods.
New businesses find both financial security and easier operations through digital platforms. Low startup costs let entrepreneurs focus on growing their business instead of worrying about expensive equipment or using their savings to handle cash flow.
How to choose the right business for your skills
Picking the wrong business is why many small ventures fail. The best cheap business to start won't succeed unless it lines up with your skills and what the market wants.
Match your strengths to market needs
A good self-evaluation comes first before you pick any business niche. Take stock of your skills and resources that could make your business stand out. You shouldn't turn a hobby into a business without proving there's demand—many entrepreneurs fall into this trap.
Smart business owners check job postings and professional networks to see if people want their expertise. They spot problems they can solve better than others. People buy solutions to their problems, not just products or services.
Avoiding saturated niches
Market research helps you find niches that aren't full of long-time competitors. You should spot gaps in what's available—what do customers want but can't find?
The core factors to analyze competition include:
- Keyword search volume (moderate numbers often beat very high ones)
- Number and size of existing competitors
- Product listing age (newer listings mean less established competition)
- Review counts (lower numbers might show less competition)
Rather than fighting big companies directly, target the segments they ignore. This strategy lets you position yourself better without taking on competitors with deeper pockets.
Proving your idea has real demand
Test your business concept through market testing before you go all in. Create prototypes, run surveys, or test pilot versions of your product.
Your talks with potential customers should turn assumptions into questions. Stay open to feedback—it might show your product isn't what the market wants, so you can make it better before launch.
Note that 35% of startups fail because they create products nobody wants. Getting a full picture cuts this risk and builds your confidence. Investors like this approach too.
Digital business models that need little money
Looking for a cheap business to start in 2025? The digital world offers several proven ways to make money that won't break the bank but still bring great returns.
Freelance services like writing and design
Freelancing opens doors to entrepreneurship for people with marketable skills. Freelance writers create many types of content—from blogs and emails to product descriptions and press releases—for clients who need original material that lines up with their content strategies. Web developers, graphic designers, and digital marketers can start their service businesses with just a computer and an internet connection. Platforms like Fiverr help freelancers connect with clients directly, so you don't need expensive marketing.
Affiliate marketing and content creation
Affiliate marketing contributes between 15% and 30% of major brands' total internet sales. This performance-based approach lets you earn commissions by driving sales through affiliate links, and it grows about 10% each year. Content creators who focus on affiliate marketing can make money through multiple channels:
- Brand partnerships and sponsored content
- Ad revenue from platforms like YouTube
- Membership platforms like Patreon that provide steady income
The best affiliate marketers vary their programs and team up with influencers who share their values to boost their reach effectively.
Dropshipping and print-on-demand
The global dropshipping market should grow 22% yearly from 2025 to 2030. This business model lets you sell products online without keeping inventory—your supplier takes care of storage and shipping. Most dropshippers aim for 15% to 20% profit margins.
Print-on-demand services also let you create custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and wall art (a market growing from $61 billion in 2023 to $97.7 billion by 2030) with no inventory risk. Your designs go to print only after customers place their orders.
Selling digital products like courses or templates
The digital product market should hit $26.06 trillion by 2034. Online courses, ebooks, templates, and digital art need time to create but very little money upfront. These products can generate passive income with high profit margins since you don't have production or shipping costs. Digital products stand out as some of the most flexible, low-cost business ideas with high profit potential.
Starting a telehealth business with Bask Health
Telehealth is a chance for entrepreneurs to start a cheap business with huge growth potential. The global telehealth market hit $101.15 billion in 2023 and will grow at 24.3% yearly through 2030.
Why telehealth is booming in 2025
The numbers tell an amazing story. Telehealth will reach $196.81 billion in 2025 and grow to $1,211.14 billion by 2034. People want convenient healthcare options now more than ever. Research shows 80% of patients prefer virtual visits over going to a clinic for non-urgent care.
How Bask Health lowers startup costs
Starting a traditional telehealth business costs between $80,000 and $100,000. Bask Health's white-label platform works like "Shopify for Telehealth" and helps you launch in days, not months. We handle everything - from EMR providers to pharmacy partnerships, compliance checks, and secure payment systems.
Steps to launch your telehealth business
Here's how to start your telehealth venture with us:
- Choose your niche (chronic care, mental health, etc.)
- Research your market to verify demand
- Set up your platform using our no-code builder
- Get access to our multi-state licensed provider's network
- Start with our HIPAA-compliant infrastructure
Compliance and licensing essentials
Getting proper licenses is vital since states require medical providers to be licensed where patients live. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact helps qualifying physicians get multi-state practice approval faster. Our platform handles complex compliance needs through end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and complete audit trails automatically.
Recurring revenue through subscription models
Subscription pricing creates steady income streams. Most telehealth subscriptions cost between $30 and $100 monthly. Bask Health's tiered pricing starts at just $9.99 per month. This makes healthcare available to more people while keeping businesses profitable. Healthcare facilities using our platform cut their process handling time by up to 70%.
Conclusion
You don't need huge capital investments to start a business in 2025. Digital transformation has opened up new opportunities for entrepreneurs who have limited resources. Many paths exist now - from freelancing and affiliate marketing to dropshipping and digital products. You just need to match your skills with what the market wants.
Telehealth emerges as one of the most exciting sectors for new entrepreneurs. The market is set to reach $1,211.14 billion by 2034, and consumers increasingly prefer virtual healthcare. This innovative field offers great potential if you want to start small but aim for substantial returns.
We've broken down the traditional barriers to entering this profitable market at Bask Health. Our white-label platform helps you launch in days, not months, without the typical $80,000-$100,000 startup costs. While we take care of the reliable infrastructure—from compliance requirements to provider networks—you can focus on building your healthcare brand.
The path you choose matters less than validating your market properly and lining up with your strengths. The most profitable ventures solve real problems and fill existing market gaps instead of competing head-on with well-established companies.
The year 2025 marks a golden age for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. Digital tools have made business ownership accessible, and motivated people can build profitable ventures with minimal upfront costs. The real question isn't if you can afford to start a business—it's if you can afford to miss these amazing opportunities.
References
- Printful. (n.d.). Print-on-demand business ideas. Retrieved from https://www.printful.com/blog/print-on-demand-business-ideas
- Lemlist. (n.d.). Affiliate marketing strategies. Retrieved from https://www.lemlist.com/blog/affiliate-marketing-strategies
- Fromm, J. (2025, January 2). How tech will fuel Gen Z and millennial business success in 2025. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2025/01/02/how-tech-will-fuel-gen-z-and-millennial-business-success-in-2025/
- Entrepreneur. (n.d.). Need a business idea? Here are 55. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/need-a-business-idea-here-are-55/201588
