10 Home-Based Business Ideas for Enterprising Filipinos

More Filipinos than ever started businesses in their homes right after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This growth in home-based online businesses has only continued since then, and the annual economic value of pandemic-related digital transformation is expected to hit PHP 5 trillion by 2030.

If you’re thinking of what business you should try as a homeowner in the Philippines, then you’re in luck. In this article, you’ll learn about a few proven home-based business ideas that are likely to remain viable in the near future. 

And if you’re dead set on starting an online business, you can maximize your odds of success by creating a professional or business website and investing in search engine optimization services to increase your business’s reach, credibility, and conversions.

1.) Online Reselling

Online selling is one of the most popular home-based options for Filipino entrepreneurs, particularly for those who want to build experience running their own business from the comfort of their own home. 

The most popular online reselling business model today is dropshipping, where you set up an online shop and serve as a middleman for wholesale suppliers from sites such as Alibaba. You can think of dropshipping as similar to a consignment business where you mainly handle the sales and promotions of the products. 

Of course, because online reselling is so popular, you’ll want to set yourself apart from everyone else. Creating a quality ecommerce site and investing in local search engine optimization should give your fledgling business a leg up over the competition.

2.) Freelance Writing

The demand for written content is far bigger than you probably imagine. Almost every website needs fresh content to keep it viable, and virtually anyone with a computer and free time can help meet this demand. Additionally, businesses now require massive amounts of content to keep their marketing and promotions competitive.

The great thing about freelance writing is that it is quite flexible compared to many of the other popular options on this list. You don’t even need a particularly good internet connection. Many freelancers do it as a part-time gig to supplement their income or even as a means to become digital nomads.

3.) Professional Consulting

If you have special skills and certifications, you could consider setting up a consultancy. Whether your field is finance, marketing, beauty, architecture, interior design, health, or anything else, you might be able to leverage your qualifications into a viable business. 

To gain more clients and add legitimacy to your consultancy, make sure to set up a professional website and have it optimized for local online searches.

4.) Food and Catering

This home-based business model experienced a huge boom during the pandemic, and it continues to be a popular one among the more culinarily inclined.

While it seems to be an easy way to earn a living, don’t be fooled. It takes more than a great recipe to succeed in this highly competitive field. To excel in the food business, you need a good grasp of logistics, supply chains, people management, quality control, marketing, and customer service.

5.) Accounting and Bookkeeping

If you’re a qualified CPA or bookkeeper, you have valuable skills that every business needs. Apart from recording transactions, you can also help busy entrepreneurs with their BIR, SSS, SEC, and other regulatory compliance needs. Given the sheer number of businesses being set up, you will basically never run out of clients.

6.) Education

Improvements in Philippine broadband reliability have made it possible for more skilled solo entrepreneurs to get into the teaching business. Whether you’re qualified to teach yoga, foreign languages, aerobics, music, or anything else, all you need to start teaching is a few contacts and a reliable broadband connection.

Of course, you’ll need more than those to succeed. Having patience, empathy, and a well-maintained and properly optimized professional website can go a long way in distinguishing you from your competition.

7.) Photography

Event photography has become extremely competitive in recent years, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a viable way to earn an income. If you already have the gear and you’re fine with the irregular hours, unpredictable locations, and demanding clients, you can make your photography hobby into a decent source of income. And the best thing about it is that you can do all of the requisite photo editing work at home.

What’s more, if you have good quality amateur photos, you can use those to snag your first clients. With a good portfolio site and good editing skills, you can even get steady gigs shooting weddings, parties, company gatherings, and other events.

Of course, this isn’t strictly something that you can do entirely from your home. Having access to reliable transportation will be a big plus if you do decide to go pro. 

8.) Video Content Creator

Making vlogs, video commentaries, product reviews, and other forms of online video content is something that a lot of people do as a hobby, but it could also be a way to earn a decent income. 

Provided their online presence is large or targeted enough, video content creators can become influencers, with opportunities to earn an income from sponsorships, advertisements, partnerships, as well as sales from their own online stores. 

Of course, it’s easier said than done. But if you have a unique perspective or approach to your topic and the endurance it takes to grow your brand, there’s no reason why you can’t be the next big video influencer.

9.) Repair

Unlike in other countries where it is relatively easy to return or replace items, appliance repair is still an extremely sought-after service in the Philippines. If you have a knack for fixing things, you can turn your expertise into a viable business, especially if you can repair or modify complex consumer goods such as electronics. You won’t need a physical store either, thanks to on-demand courier services like Lalamove and Grab Express.

10.) Back-Office Outsourcing

If you have experience working in BPOs, agencies, and other similar workplaces, you might be able to leverage your technical know-how into launching a viable home-based business. 

There is a growing demand for professional sales, marketing, customer service, and virtual assistant services among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, not all SMEs can afford to hire professionals for these types of jobs full time. This opens up opportunities for experienced professionals to provide these types of services from their homes on a freelance basis.

Should You Start Your Own Business at Home?

Starting a business from your home offers a few distinct advantages. The most obvious advantage is the cost savings since you won’t have to rent and set up a separate business location. You’ll also save yourself all the hassles of commuting to and from your workplace if you run your business from home.

However, not everyone is cut out to run a business. Running one from your home also removes some of the work-life barriers some people consider to be important for a well-rounded and happy life. That said, if you want to take the leap, you’ll be in good company.

Many Filipino entrepreneurs already created successful businesses from their homes. With the digital economy set to keep growing, there is still room for more to follow in their footsteps.