The top 5 home-business occupations in 2009

Whether it is a second income to make ends meet, a result of reduncancy or a decision to make a fresh start as a freelancer, the home business and startup sector looks like it will continue to grow in 2009. Freelance Advisor and home business startup supremo Emma Jones makes her predictions for the growth areas in 2009

You can guarantee that the number of businesses started at home will increase in 2009. That’s for sure. And it’s on account of lower start-up costs, lack of commute and the fact that many more people will launch a part-time business; holding down a day job and returning home to build a business at nights and weekends. But what will these businesses be doing? Here’s a list of what we think will be the top 5 home business occupations of 2009.

Read on for the top five freelance and home-business opportunities of 2009

Arts and crafts

Driving this growth is the increasing number of platform sites offering a window to the world for products. In a recent feature, I reviewed five such sites, from the globe-sprawling etsy.com to UK upstarts such as myehive.com and folksy.com. They all offer a powerful sales channel for artisans and are a key factor in the continued rise in arts and craft home based business.

Business services

Expect to see thousands of new businesses started by professional experts including web site designers, accountants, copywriters, lawyers and recruiters. Skilled and talented individuals are leaving employers (or, in the unfortunate case of redundancy, being asked to leave) and choosing to go off and do a better job on their own. We hear from many who are enjoying the new-found freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss.

Making Money Online

You can’t ignore the web. And why would we, when it’s delivering so many new opportunities for people to make money. Start a part time business on eBay and build up sales. Launch an online store with venda.com and watch the orders come in. Build traffic to your blog or website and generate advertising and sponsorship. By the time the year is out there’ll be dozens more new ways of making money online and home business owners will be making the most of them.

Domestic services

If people aren’t moving homes in 2009, they will be improving them. This throws up a raft of opportunities for new home business owners. We predict a rise in the number of businesses offering services from cleaning to interior design and garden landscaping,

Franchise

This final one isn’t an occupation as such but we are confident of seeing a rise in the number of people opting to buy into a franchise. In doing so, business owners benefit from being their own boss but also being part of a team. Outfits to benefit from this will include Travel Counsellors, Virgin Vie, My Secret Kitchen and Girlie Gardening.

We’re expecting an exciting year for home business in 2009. Let’s wait until the end of it to see if we got these judgement calls right!

What do you think? Are you excited or worried by what’s ahead in 2009… Leave a comment below…

Emma Jones is Founder of Enterprise Nation and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up – How to start a business from home ’

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