5 Top Online Business Ideas for 2026
• Originally broadcast January 13th, 2025 via email •
| 💡 Travel Blogging Tip of the Week 💡 5 Top Online Business Ideas for 2026 |
One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how many people are craving more flexibility and stability in their lives.
Mike and I took Ellie to a doctor’s appointment yesterday, and we both commented on how grateful we are that we can adjust our schedules so we can both be there.
It’s something we don’t take for granted.
I also know that kind of flexibility isn’t available to everyone.
But what if it was?
What would you do differently if you had more control over your time? What would you spend more time on, and what would you let go of?
That question has guided my work for years.
It started with teaching English online, then travel blogging, and eventually helping others create online income in various capacities.
At the end of the day, I want you to have options.
Trends we’re seeing
Before getting into specific business ideas, it helps to look at the bigger patterns behind what’s working online right now.
- Human ideas and voice matter more than ever.
The online businesses that are growing right now are built around real experiences and human voices.
If you haven’t noticed, people are deliberately seeking out human-generated content as AI becomes more repetitive and flavorless.
People connect with your personality and perspective. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Your lived experience and how you see the world are still what make you unique in a world full of generic AI answers.
- AI as a tool, not as a creator
The most effective ways people are using AI right now is to organize thoughts, speed up workflows, repurpose content, and systemize.
It’s not replacing you. That’s the pivotal difference here. It’s just helping you do more in less time.
- Repurposing is key
For many of the businesses I’ll cover below, you’ll need to create some form of content, whether that’s written, visual, video, or spoken.
When most people learn about these online opportunities, they think they need to spend 80 hours per week creating content just to keep up.
Luckily, that’s not the case. Repurposing is one of the easiest ways to make your time go further.
- Diversification is key
Rather than relying on a single platform or income source, I recommend building a few smaller streams that work together.
Diversification gives you more flexibility and takes pressure off any one channel to do all the work.
- Outsource or automate with systems when possible
One of the most important parts of creating microbusinesses is to track what you’re making and spending in each one.
If a business is profitable enough to outsource certain tasks and still make sense financially, outsourcing can free up a lot of time for you.
If not, look for ways to automate as much as possible so you can focus your energy on other ideas.
Top Online Microbusiness Ideas for 2026
1) Blog
Come on, we both know why you’re here 😉 it’s the blogging tips!
So yes.. I’m going to say blog here as #1, but for good reason.. –>
..a blog is still one of the best long-term online assets you can build.
It’s content you own and it can earn passively or near passively after it’s generating income.
And my favorite part about blogs = you can use a huge variety of platforms to gain traffic,
Google, Bing, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, Flipboard, Reddit, etc, etc.
If one platform slows down, you already have content that could perform elsewhere.
Monetization Method: You’ll make money through display ads (Mediavine or Raptive are top choices), affiliates (for most niches, this should be your #1 income source), sponsorships, your own products/services, and more.
How to grow: If you’re new to this newsletter, I’m the creator of the #1 travel blogging course and community, Scale Your Travel Blog.
It has been closed to new students since July, but I’ll be opening the doors again on Monday, January 26th!
If you want to be notified when enrollment opens, you can join the waitlist here:
>> ..click here to get on the Scale Your Travel Blog waitlist!
2) Newsletter
Unlike social platforms and search engines, your email list is something you own, and it gives you a direct line to your audience without relying on algorithms.
It’s the most reliable connection you can have with your audience (other than SMS/text).
Newsletters work especially well when they’re niche-focused.
You don’t need a massive list to make money either. You just need the right readers who trust you and actually want to hear from you.
Monetization Method: Newsletters can be monetized through affiliate links, sponsorships, your own products or services, paid subscriptions, or by sending traffic to a blog or other income-generating platforms.
How to grow: You can grow a newsletter through almost any platform. Many creators also run small-budget ads to grow their list once they know their list is profitable.
3) Facebook pages
Monetizing Facebook pages is a lesser-known online venture, but they’re growing quickly in popularity.
A lot of people are curious about them right now, and I know many are in the “this sounds too good to be true” camp.
I’ve been in that camp before, too.
But I’m really glad I decided to try some of those “too good to be true” opportunities, because my Facebook page now makes me money every month (at least $900 per month, and I started it in 2025).
Facebook pages don’t require a massive following. But you do need to understand what Facebook rewards.
Monetization Method: Facebook pages can earn money directly through Facebook’s monetization programs, where Facebook pays creators for engagement and ad placements.
Pages can also make money through affiliate links, sponsorships, and by sending traffic to blogs, newsletters, or other offers.
Important: One thing I want to be clear about.. Facebook controls this monetization.
While it can bring in consistent and high income (I have friends making $30,000 per month from Facebook pages), it shouldn’t be your only income stream.
When you pair a Facebook page or two with a blog, newsletter, or other platforms, they can be incredibly powerful.
Learn More:
If Facebook pages are something you want to explore further, my friend Kristin Hanes of The Wayward Home taught me everything I know,
and she’s hosting a free training on Monday, January 19th at 10am Central – you can sign up below!
Kristin runs multiple monetized Facebook pages and breaks down what’s working right now, how her pages make money, the types of content Facebook rewards, and how to get started without overcomplicating things:
👉 Click Here To Register For Free –
3 Secrets to Making Money From Facebook Pages
4) Content channel (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, Facebook, etc)
If you spend any time on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts, you’ve probably noticed how often the same core idea shows up with different spins.
Here are a few examples I’ve seen recently:
- Someone walks into restaurants, asks how much it would cost to make 120 pizzas, then pays for it so they can be donated.
- A creator asks strangers to cook them a meal for $100.
- Creators ask for some “small” help (bus money, help paying for food, etc) and then reward that kindness with a big surprise (typically money).
- Creators travel to places like Nigeria and document what happens when they give money directly to locals as gifts.
These channels are all built on a similar format. What sets them apart is the angle.
And that’s the entire takeaway.
I’m not telling you to copy anybody.
But find something you actually enjoy that clearly gets views and engagement, then create something similar with your own spin.
That might mean a different niche, a different audience, a different country, or a different perspective.
Monetization Method: Content channels can make money through platform monetization programs, ads, affiliate links, sponsorships, and your own products or services.
How to grow: Pay attention to what’s already working. Look for creators in your space and study their formats, structures, ideas, etc.
Important: For this one, repurposing is key. Create one video at a time and post it on all applicable platforms.
5) Online course
Some people are skeptical of online courses because they perhaps purchased one that didn’t live up to expectations.
I get it. I’ve purchased those, too.
But I have also purchased online courses that changed my entire life.
Online courses are one of the most scalable microbusiness ideas when you already have expertise in something.
Courses work best when they solve a very specific problem for a very specific audience.
They don’t need to be 40 hours long. And they don’t need to be professionally recorded.
Monetization: Courses generate income through direct sales, payment plans, or subscriptions. You can also make money through affiliate marketing and sponsorships as well.
How to grow: Step number one is to create content for any platform (but especially platforms where you know your audience hangs out)
Some course creators jump right into Meta ads, but I recommend validating your idea first and understanding exactly what your audience wants. You might be surprised!
Right now, the world seems like a pretty crazy place.
And while we might not have control over everything that’s going on, we do have control over what we can do for ourselves.
Mike always tells me: change your world, change the world.
I truly believe that if more people felt good about their own situation, financially, where they live, in their relationships, and beyond, the world would be a happier place overall.
So commit to taking that first step this year. It’s worth it.
Have a great week,
Laura
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