30 Business Ideas in the Philippines for 2014

It’s already February but you still have more than 9 months left to start your business this 2014. In the Philippines, there are many business opportunities that you can choose. But the best opportunity for you is the one that’s according to your skills, resources, passion, mission, and conviction. If you still don’t have an idea what business to start, here are 30 business ideas that you might want to establish this year or even in the coming years.

1. Digital media and publishing

This idea includes blogging and developing websites that regularly publish news and articles. You can create a blog or blogs depending on your chosen category, such as news, business, sports, fashion, food, and lifestyle. Digital publishers earn money through online advertising, which may come from Google Adsense, affiliates, and direct sponsors.

2. Online marketing

This idea includes providing digital marketing services to clients local and abroad. Online marketing services may include social media marketing, search engine marketing, content marketing, and analytics. You need to have a solid background, knowledge, and experience in online marketing to offer these services.

3. Mobile app development

Mobile applications are hot today. Mobile app developers are getting millionaires and even billionaires. Just think of the creator of Flappy Bird or even the creator of WhatsApp. So if you want to get rich, learn how to develop mobile apps for Android and iTunes. Of course this industry is also competitive. Thus, it takes a lot of hard work and some luck to succeed.

4. Website design and development

Businesses need a company website to build a presence on the Internet. Hence, they need web designers and developers to create a website for them and ensure that they won’t lose customers online.

5. Website flipping

This idea involves buying and developing websites, then selling them for profit at the right time. To succeed in this business, you should also have a knowledge in web development, content creation, and online marketing.

6. Virtual assistance

This business idea involves supplying administrative, technical, and creative services to various clients here and abroad through the Internet. This can be a home-based business. So if you want to work at home through the Internet, this can be a good business opportunity for you. Virtual assistant (VA) can provide specific services, such as encoding, transcription, graphic design, web design, writing, billing, accounting, and customer support.

7. Renewable energy products and solutions

In the Philippines, the cost of power or electricity is quite expensive for the common households. Climate change is also a big issue. That is why Filipinos are trying to find alternative solutions for their energy source. There’s a good demand of renewable energy products, such as solar panels, solar chargers, and solar appliances. You may also provide services, such as solar system installation on every household or commercial establishments. It’s nature-friendly, so if you love the nature, this business idea could be great for you.

8. Preschool and day care center

Teaching is one of the best professions in the world. And if your passion is teaching kids and toddlers, why not start a preschool or day care center? Aside from the basic registrations with the government offices, this business also requires special license or endorsement from the DepEd.

9. Tutorial center

If you’re an expert, you can share your expertise to people, and make money from it. There are tutorial centers for music, sports, art, design, and technology. So it depends on your expertise.

10. Money changer, pawnshop and money remittance center

You may have a hybrid business that includes money changer, pawnshop and money remittance center in one location. However, each of them may have separate business license. To learn more about this business, it’s always a good move to attend training and seminars to get yourself ready for this. You may read our post “10 business ideas that are available for training in the Philippines” to learn more.

11. Lending business

Financing and lending can be a good business as long as you have the resources and know how to manage your receivables from debtors. This business may require license from SEC and BSP though.

12. Events and party business

People are mostly busy. But they still want to make their special occasion a memorable one. That is why they need the service of an event planner or organizer. With this business, your job is to organize and manage the events and parties of your clients, whether it’s a wedding event, a debut, a corporate party or any other occasion.

13. Real estate business

For a developing country like the Philippines, real estate business can be a good business. This idea includes “buy and sell” and leasing real properties, such as house and lot, condo unit, commercial lot, and apartment. But before you enter in the real estate industry, make sure that you have done your own research.

14. Meat shop

Meat is one of the basic food of humanity. Thus, people will always be looking for a meat shop that sells clean and high-standard meat products, such as pork, beef, and chicken. You may also sell tocino, bacon, vegetables, fruits, and other related products.

15. Coffee shop and tea house

Coffee shops and tea houses are great places to hangout with our friends and colleagues. There, we can chat, use our laptops and other gadgets, and have a great coffee or tea to complete our day. If you love coffee or tea, then you can bring this business idea into reality.

16. Bar and restaurant

This business idea is common, but this should not be excluded in our list. If you love to cook or if you’re a professional chef, then this business should be on the top of your list.

17. Native food and delicacies

Filipinos love to bring “pasalubong” to their family and friends when they visit them or return from a travel. And the best “pasalubong” for Filipinos are none other than the best delicacies sold in that particular town or region where we came from. If you love Filipino tradition, this idea is a good business for preserving and promoting our own culture and tradition.

18. Water station and water infiltration

We need safe water for drinking. That is why water stations are still thriving. You may also consider another idea that may also boom this year and in the coming years. I’m talking about providing water infiltration system on households. With this solution, people will not already buy bottled water or buy from a water station since pure and safe drinking water is already processed at their own home.

19. Pet care

Filipinos love their pet. They care for them like humans. And if you love to take care of pets, whether it’s yours or it’s owned by other people, then a pet care business could be perfect for you.

20. Fitness and sports center

Health is wealth. People need to be fit and stay healthy to live a longer life. With our modern lifestyle that is exposed to stressful job and unhealthy foods, we need to visit a gym, get a fitness coach, and join sports events, such as running, hiking, and cycling. Isn’t it a great idea to run a business while you’re keeping yourself and your clients fit and healthy?

21. Recycling business

Yes, there’s a treasure in the garbage. There are already some Filipinos who become rich in the recycling and scrap metal business. To be successful in this business, you have to be hardworking and persistent until your business grows and succeed.

22. Car wash and auto detailing

If you have the passion for cars, this business idea will be interesting for you. It’s time to apply your knowledge and skills in caring and improving the form and performance of your customers’ cars.

23. Travel and tour business

We, Filipinos, love to travel. So if you want to ensure that our countrymen will have the best “travel and tour” packages to enjoy, this business is a good opportunity to serve them. You may also add a “car for hire” and other related business to fully serve your clients.

24. Laundry shop business

If you live in an urban area or in a location near schools and dormitories, a laundry shop can also be a good business opportunity. However, before you invest money to this business, you should study first your target market, your competition, and your capability.

25. Arts and crafts

If you’re a creative person who loves making and designing crafts, this business idea could be profitable for you. You can also start this at home, and expand with a craft store or boutique when your business thrives and attracts more customers. You can also build an online store for your products. With online marketing, such as marketing on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, you could also attract more customers to buy your creative products.

26. Manpower services

This business idea includes starting and operating a security agency and janitorial services. There are companies that want to outsource this kind of services from agencies rather than hiring in-house security guards and janitors to save money and time for the hiring process.

27. 3D printing

Have you heard of 3D printing? It’s the latest technology in the printing industry. A 3D printer can produce a three-dimensional solid object of any shape from a software or application. If you’re wondering if 3D printers are already available in the Philippine market, the answer is yes. CDRking is already selling 3D printers for Php100,000.

28. Business processing and bookkeeping

If you’re an accountant or an accounting technician, you can start a business processing and bookkeeping firm to handle the business and compliance processing of your clients. This processes include business registration, reporting, bookkeeping, and taxation. This business may also include accreditation from the BIR.

29. Franchise a business you love

If you have the financial capital, you may choose to franchise an already established and success proven business. There are many successful franchising business that you can choose, depending on your passion, experience, and location. You can go for the big franchises, such a Jollibee, Mcdonalds, and the like. You may also start with food carts, which are more affordable and cost for less than Php100,000.

30. Start a business out of your profession

Finally, if you already have a college degree or a professional license, utilize your profession to start a business. For example, if you’re lawyer, start a law firm. If you’re a dentist, start a dental clinic. If you’re an architect, start an architectural firm. If you have a degree in journalism, start a writing or editorial firm. However, make sure that you already have a meaningful professional experience before you start your own firm.

Do you have any other business ideas and tips to add in the list above? We’ll be glad to read them at the comments below.

Also read:
45 Small Business Ideas in the Philippines for 2016
40 Internet Business Ideas You Can Start at Home
Business Ideas and Trends for the Future

Photo courtesy of Alexander Stein