45 Small Business Ideas in the Philippines for 2016

Do you want to start a business in 2016 but still puzzling about what business ideas and opportunities are best for you? Well, there are many businesses you can choose to start in the Philippines. However, you also have to assess yourself if you’re ready to start and if you possess the required skills and resources to operate your chosen business. Aside from having a great plan and securing the required capital, timing is also vital to business success. Most importantly, entrepreneurs also have to choose the type of business that will not only succeed in 2016 but also in the long run.

Here’s a list of 45 small business ideas you can start in the Philippines this 2016. From this list, you can ask yourself which business will match your passion, skills, experience, money, team, and potentials.

1. Website design and development
Do you know how to create corporate, professional, mobile-friendly and user-friendly websites? Are your skills updated with the latest website designs? If yes, then consider starting a web design business, and provide services to companies local and abroad.

2. Search engine marketing
Are you knowledgeable in search engine optimization and PPC advertising? Can you help businesses improve their rankings and visibility on search engines, like Google, Yahoo and Bing? Businesses worldwide are looking for SEOs who will help them make their brands rank on the first page of Google search results to gain more website traffic and generate more leads.

3. Social media marketing
Can you create social media pages for businesses and grow their followers and engagements? Many companies need social media managers and marketers to help them reach their target customers and manage their customer relationships through various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

4. Content marketing
Can you write engaging articles, design informational graphics or produce amazing videos? Do you have the skills to promote them to millions of audience? Help businesses and busy entrepreneurs by creating content for their websites, blogs, social media pages and online marketing campaigns.

5. Blogging and online publishing
Choose a niche that is based on your passion and expertise. Then build an influential blog or online magazine that can generate 100,000 to a million regular monthly readers. With this traffic, you may earn income from online advertising, sponsorship, and other blogging earnings.

Also read: How to Earn Dollars in the Philippines from Blogging by following these 10 Steps

6. Writing and editing services
Articles, eBooks and other informational content are used by business owners, website owners and online marketers to promote their brands. They usually prefer Filipino writers and editors since Filipinos are fluent in English and more cost-effective.

7. Translation services
Groups of countries, like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are integrating and building better economic relationships. Tourism is also booming in the country. Hence, expect that more foreign companies and individuals will be looking for translation services in the country.

8. Virtual assistance
Filipinos are known as hardworking people, fluent in English, and can adjust to any time zone. That is why busy entrepreneurs and executives around the globe are looking for Filipino virtual assistants who will help them accomplish some of their tasks, such as encoding, making presentations, accounting, and marketing.

9. Mobile App development
Mobile applications have already been a part of our everyday lives. We always use them in our smart phones, whether they are android or iOS phones. In 2016, the demand for mobile apps will continue, as businesses also need them to promote their brands and products to mobile users.

10. Software and A.I. system development
Artificial Intelligence isn’t already the future but it’s already the present. If you’re into software programming and you know the programming languages for artificial intelligence then it’s your time to shine now.

11. Affiliate marketing
Do you have a website, blog or social media pages that have a lot of followers or audience? Can you convert them to leads or sales? Earn commission income by promoting products from affiliate networks.

12. Online shop and online selling
Build an online shop to sell your own products, which may include consumable items, apparels, and others. You may also partner with Lazada.com.ph or Zalora.com.ph.

13. Travel and tour agency
Many of the best islands and beaches in the world are found in the Philippines. The Department of Tourism is eyeing to attract 10 million foreign tourists and more than 50 million local tourists in 2016. So what are you waiting for?

14. Tour guide
As a tour guide, you do not only earn money but you can also promote the beautiful tourist attractions in your city or region. If you love tourism, travel and adventure, then this small business is probably the best for you.

15. Breakfast and bed
Can you turn your house into a pension house, and provide inexpensive accommodation services to tourists who are traveling to your hometown? Because of the booming tourism industry in the Philippines, this kind of small business may flourish in 2016.

16. Car/motorcycle/bike for hire
As a tourist, I’d like to tour around the town with a motorcycle or a bike to see the tourist attractions or simply the beauty of the place that I am visiting. You can also add this to your travel and tour or accommodation business.

17. Souvenir items and local delicacies
Tourists are not only visiting a place for its tourist attractions but they are also after its special delicacies and other “pasalubong”.

18. Outdoor shop
Are there mountains to hike, caves to explore, and other nature wonders to start an adventure with in your place? If yes, and if there are no outdoor shops in your area yet, why not fill in the demand?

19. Real estate brokerage and management
In the past years, the real estate industry in the Philippines has boomed. Consequently, many Filipinos are now owners of condos and other real properties. But many of them don’t know what to do with their real properties. You can help them sell, lease out, and manage their real estate investments.

20. Bookkeeping and business processing
The process of bookkeeping, taxation and compliance of businesses in the Philippines is still a strenuous process. Even though the BIR has implemented electronic filing of tax returns, many business owners still find it as a burdensome process. If you’re an accountant or an accounting technician, helping these business people ease the process is a good business in 2016.

Invoicing is an essential part of every successful business because you are required to issue invoices for your sales or services. It is also for business control over your taxes, cash flow, and management decisions. Using a ready-made invoice template will not only save you time billing customers but also ensure that your invoices are always accurate, consistent, and professional.

21. HR system and management consulting
There are many businesses that are already growing. Their employees are already increasing. You may find them and start offering HR system installation and other management services to ensure that their growth would not disrupt the smooth flow of their organizations.

22. Small business consulting
Are you knowledgeable and experienced in making small businesses grow and succeed? Why not help other small business owners succeed too? To attract clients, you have to create case studies or whitepapers of your successful projects in the past.

23. Business center
Are there business centers yet in your hometown offering services, such as photocopying, printing, and computer and Internet rental? If none, then why not be the first, especially if the demand is high and there’s already a reliable Internet connection in your area.

24. Micro lending business
This small business can be profitable if you know how to maintain a high collection rate. Giving smaller yet more competitive interest rate than your competitors can also help your business attract more customers.

25. Home fitness equipment sale
In 2016, many people are getting busier and workaholic. They might not have the luxury of time anymore to spend hours in gym. Thus, they might choose to do their workouts at home. Dumbbells and space-saving fitness machines can be marketable this year.

26. Bikes and parts sale
Bikes are ideal for fitness and for easing traffic congestion. Expect that the demand for bikes and bicycle parts will increase in 2016. Don’t forget to consider the folding bikes.

27. Food supplements
Everyone wants a healthier life. However, sweets are everywhere, and many people can’t resist them. Due to the lack of healthy foods intake, many people will resort to food supplements.

28. Organic food and natural personal care products
Many consumers are now becoming more aware of the harmful chemicals found in some of the artificial products in the market due to the easy access of information on the Internet. To be safe, they would go for a natural product, whether it’s a snack food, soap or a shampoo.

29. Catering service
Filipinos love to prepare and serve food to guests during special occasions, such as fiestas, birthday celebrations and baptism. But cooking and serving food can be exhausting, especially for the working moms. Their solution? Call a catering service provider.

30. Event organizing and party needs
People want their events and parties to be smooth and enjoyable rather than stressful. They also want their moments to be picturesque for Facebook, Instagram and other social media. Help them realize their wishes.

31. Photography
Can you capture, edit and generate amazing photos of people, places, events or just anything? Do you have a professional DSLR camera? Promote your photography business or career by building your portfolio of stunning photos and outstanding projects.

32. Farming and agriculture
Aside from investing in commercial real estate, why not invest in agricultural lands? Even if you’re still working abroad as an OFW, you could buy agricultural lands and hire farmers to cultivate them. Also remember that the urban areas in the Philippines are expanding. Hence, the market value of agricultural lands might increase anytime soon.

33. Rice retailing
Can’t afford to buy agricultural lands to go into farming business? Why not run a rice retailing business instead? Rice will always be in demand since Filipinos can’t live without it. To be a rice retailer, one must secure a license from the National Food Authority aside from the usual licenses from the government.

34. Meat shop
Just like rice, meat is also one of the most basic needs of Filipinos. If you have the right location, target market, supplier, and if you can win your competition, this business can be profitable.

35. Convenience store
A convenience store can serve customers 24 hours a day. If you live in a place where people are still working and active at night, this kind of store might be the one that they are looking for.

36. Solar panel installation
We need to live in a world which is free from pollution. We have to start using renewable energy to light up our homes.

37. Survival preparedness
Climate change is affecting all of us. We can’t stop super typhoons, earthquakes, and other serious natural calamities from happening, but we can prepare ourselves and lessen damages. Why not sell survival kits, medical kits, and other survival preparedness products?

38. Carpentry and construction
Nowadays, typhoons are becoming super typhoons. We have to make our houses, offices and other buildings become more resilient.

39. Furniture manufacturing
Do you have the talent in making furniture or custom designed furniture? With your unique talent and masterpieces, plus your entrepreneurial and marketing skills, you could build a successful furniture manufacturing business.

40. Market on wheels
Aside from being resilient, some businesses also have to be mobile. I remember when typhoon struck our city, and no stores or merchants were available to sell us basic goods. I wished there were market on wheels during that time.

41. Pet care and grooming
This business will probably still flourish in 2016, especially that more Filipinos are becoming obsessed with the care, welfare and even the fashion of their beloved pets.

42. Digital printing
The May 2016 Philippine Election is fast approaching. Politicians and political parties need tarpaulins, t-shirts and other materials for their campaign.

43. Car wash business
With more affordable cars and easy financing that are available in the Philippines, more and more Filipinos are becoming car owners. The car industry boom might be one of the reasons of traffic congestion in Metro Manila but you have to clean those cars anyway.

44. Training center
Knowledge is not only power but can also be an income generating asset. If you have already mastered a certain talent or skill, whether it’s about art, music, sports or business, start a training center and teach people to do your stuff right.

45. Franchise business
Another good business idea in the Philippines is to start a business idea that’s already proven successful – a franchise business. This business can be a food cart, a shop or any other small franchise business. Starting this business is easier but its cost is higher than normal since you will have to pay for the franchising fee.

So what idea is best or practical for you? If you have other business ideas that you believe can be good in the Philippines for 2016 and beyond, feel free to share them in the comments below.

Finally, remember that starting a business doesn’t only begin with a brilliant idea. Successful business owners and entrepreneurs start a business with the right plan, strategy, skills, team, financial resources, and timing.