If you're thinking about starting a mobile business of your very own, or just want to learn more about the industry, we've got loads of information here that will help you find out what it takes to get started in this exciting field.
You could be running your own company from home with an app-based delivery service, or you might have a different vision altogether, like creating an event planning platform where customers can book services online. It's possible to make money as soon as you have a working prototype, but if you'd rather wait until you've developed something more substantial before taking the plunge, there are plenty of other ways to build up experience without leaving your house.
Whatever kind of mobile business you decide to go after, there are many advantages to going into business on your smartphone or tablet over other options. For starters, you won't need any physical space at all - not even a storefront. That means no rent costs, no utilities bills, and no employees to pay (unless you hire freelancers). The only thing you'll need is some way to display whatever product or service you offer, so don't worry too much about finding a place to work yet; most people who begin their careers by launching a mobile business eventually move into brick & mortar locations later down the line anyway.
There are also several benefits to operating a mobile business instead of an office job. If you're looking for flexible hours, mobility is great because you can take your career wherever you want to go. And since you don't necessarily need a desk to operate, you can use your time wisely while traveling between clients or meeting new ones. Plus, you can save tons of money when you cut out those expensive office expenses. Just think how much less you would spend each month if you were able to reduce your rent payments by half!
But maybe the biggest advantage of owning your own business on the road is the flexibility it offers compared to traditional employment. There are lots of different things you can do outside the workplace that you simply couldn't do inside one, such as setting your own schedule, making extra income through side hustles, and building relationships with potential future employers or partners. Plus, if your work involves delivering goods or providing services directly to consumers, being mobile gives you access to them 24/7. No matter what time they happen to wake up, you can always reach your client base via email or text message.
All these reasons alone should convince you that becoming a mobile entrepreneur isn't a bad option at all. But there's still more to consider than just financial considerations. Are you sure that having your own business is right for you? Is this really the path you want to pursue? Before you dive headfirst into a mobile venture, read on below for more info on the pros and cons of doing it yourself.
It doesn't matter whether you're already familiar with developing apps or not - if you know anyone who does, ask them if they know of any mobile companies that are hiring developers. Or perhaps someone has recently left a full-time position at a tech firm and wants to strike out on his or her own.
The truth is, there aren't any limits to which type of mobile business you can launch, provided you have enough expertise to create something worthwhile. Some popular types of mobile startups include:
- Delivery services -- Whether you're offering food deliveries, groceries, pet supplies, clothing, electronics, or anything else, you can easily set up shop by downloading an UberEats clone app onto your phone. This allows you to order items straight from restaurants and stores, then have them delivered to customers' doors within minutes.
- Event planners -- While the logistics of hosting events may seem daunting, you can usually find a few platforms that let you manage everything from ticket sales to catering arrangements.
- Transportation providers -- With Lyft, Sidecar, Uber, and others now available around the world, getting around town has never been easier.
- Services -- As mentioned above, if you sell products or provide professional services, you can easily develop an app to give customers easy access to your offerings.
Of course, you can choose any number of niche markets that interest you, depending on your skillset and personal interests. Once you've decided on a particular area, look up local opportunities to see what kinds of companies are currently active in the market. Then compare the prices of similar ventures to determine if yours stands apart from the crowd. Also keep in mind that certain industries tend to attract specific skill sets, meaning that if you lack the necessary qualifications, you may end up competing against better-suited peers in your chosen field.
So far, we've discussed why you might want to open a mobile business specifically, but did you ever wonder if you actually can run one off your phone? Yes, you definitely can! In fact, mobile entrepreneurship is a booming sector thanks to the growing popularity of smartphones across every demographic in America. According to the Pew Research Center, 74% of Americans own a smartphone today, including 62% of adults under 30 years old. So if you believe that your target audience uses phones regularly, chances are high that you can tap into this huge market.
In addition, according to Forbes, "Mobile commerce" is expected to grow at a rate of 52 percent per year over the next five years, reaching $1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020. Now imagine how lucrative that statistic could become once you factor in the rapidly increasing trend of buying stuff on your phone.
As long as you have basic coding knowledge, it shouldn't be difficult to find a developer willing to put together an MVP (minimum viable product) for free or cheap. Afterward, you'll probably want to invest in premium software tools to improve upon your design and functionality before you try selling anything.
Keep in mind that you'll likely need to acquire a proper license before you can legally operate as a business owner, though. If you plan on giving away paid versions of your application for free, you'll need to register as a reseller with Apple, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, or Microsoft Store. Otherwise, you'll need to apply for permission to distribute third party applications. To avoid legal complications, make sure you check with your state's licensing board first.
Once you've identified a business opportunity worth pursuing, you'll need to figure out how to implement it. First, you'll need to come up with a name, logo, and tagline. Make sure that your brand identity matches your overall tone and personality, and that it incorporates keywords that will help drive traffic back to your website or app. Next, you'll need to write a brief description of your product or service along with its features and pricing structure. Finally, you'll need to draft a marketing strategy that includes both social media posts and offline ads to establish you as an authority in your desired marketplace.
Now that you understand the basics, you can start brainstorming additional ideas. Take note of what works well and what needs improvement, and focus on areas that align with your strengths and preferences. From there, you can explore various methods of monetizing your mobile business, ranging from advertising revenue streams to affiliate programs. This step is crucial because it lays the groundwork for earning profits from day 1, allowing you to scale your operations quickly.
After you master the art of generating revenue, it's time to test your creation. Build a small version of your product or service, then release it onto the web to gauge customer response and gain valuable feedback. Be ready to accept criticism and adjust accordingly, but remember that no amount of perfectionism will guarantee success. Ultimately, it comes down to figuring out what makes your product stand out among competitors and focusing on improving that aspect as much as possible.
Before deciding to embark on your entrepreneurial journey, it's important to weigh the risks associated with owning your own business versus staying employed. Of course, you'll lose some freedom when you leave behind an established routine, but the upside can outweigh the negatives in many cases. On top of saving money by cutting out unnecessary expenses, you'll also enjoy greater control over your schedule and lifestyle.
Plus, you'll have the ability to earn cash flow immediately, unlike a typical 9-to-5 gig. Depending on your preferred method of operation, you can either charge fees upfront or collect payment for completed tasks. Either way, you'll receive compensation for your efforts whenever you hit milestones or achieve goals. You may even be able to turn your freelance gigs into part-time jobs someday, assuming your current employer continues to tolerate your extracurricular activities.
On the flipside, there are many downsides to choosing to be independent. Aside from the obvious risk of losing your entire investment if something goes wrong, you'll also face higher taxes due to self-employment status, plus you'll need to deal with regular record keeping requirements.
Still unsure whether a mobile business is right for you? Check out the links below for more advice on how to succeed as a mobile entrepreneur.
In this article we're going to explore what makes a great mobile business idea, as well as discussing the top three types of mobile businesses that you can start today. Whether it's starting a new business or revamping an existing one, there are always ways to take advantage of trends in modern society. If you want to get started with a small online business right away, then these tips will help you decide which type of mobile business to go after first.
If you've ever thought about getting into the world of entrepreneurship, but aren't sure where to begin, you might find inspiration from what other people have done. It turns out that many successful entrepreneurs started their careers by taking a job at another company before eventually leaving to pursue their own ventures. And while that may not work for everyone who wants to become an entrepreneur, it does provide insight into how others got started.
So if you want to learn more about finding a mobile business idea, read on below to discover what kinds of companies exist and how they operate. We also discuss whether you should build a website to promote your business or just focus on marketing offline. In addition, we explain why having a physical location matters when trying to expand. Finally, we talk about the different types of technology-related mobile business opportunities available today.
Before diving into specific mobile business ideas, let’s look at the general categories of mobile businesses that already exist. The internet has created countless possibilities for entrepreneurs looking to do things differently than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. There are several industries that have been disrupted over the past few years due to technological advancements such as virtual reality headsets, self-driving cars, 3D printers, drones, cryptocurrency mining rigs, augmented reality, and much more.
As a result, hundreds of thousands of people around the globe now spend time working remotely in jobs like video game development, software engineering, web design, graphic arts, fashion modeling, and data entry. This means that there are plenty of businesses you could launch without needing to open up shop near customers. Instead, all you need to do is create an online presence using platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, etc., and reach potential clients via social media posts, email campaigns, ads, and so forth.
While these remote workers often prefer to stay home during the day because it allows them to avoid traffic, working from home doesn't necessarily mean you don't have to worry about being physically present either. Many people still enjoy spending part of their days commuting to a nearby office, even though they no longer need to leave the house every morning. So if you'd rather maintain flexibility while keeping costs low, consider becoming a driver for Uber, Lyft, Postmates, DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex, Handy, TaskRabbit, or any similar service.
Another popular option involves creating a subscription box product and delivering items directly to consumers' doors. For example, you can sell makeup products, food, clothing, pet supplies, household goods, health supplements, candles, jewelry, art prints, toys, electronics, books, games, furniture, decor, tools, gifts, gift cards, or anything else. As long as you can deliver packages efficiently you can scale quickly. Plus, since delivery services usually offer a flat rate per order, the profits from each sale won't vary based on how busy you are.
Of course, there are lots of other options besides those listed above. Some people choose to use apps to earn passive income by renting out rooms for short periods of time (e.g., AirBnB), selling digital content (e.g., eBooks, courses, podcasts, videos, music downloads) through websites like eBay, Etsy, Udemy, Skillshare, Patreon, and Gumroad among others, or offering consulting services.
There are also numerous ways to capitalize on the growing trend toward buying used merchandise instead of brand new stuff. One way to approach this involves purchasing secondhand clothes, shoes, accessories, furnishings, and other consumer goods from thrift shops, flea markets, yard sales, auctions, consignment stores, and garage/workshop sales. Another option is to buy discounted designer handbags, purses, wallets, sunglasses, watches, belts, earrings, necklaces, cufflinks, rings, ties, scarves, luggage, sports equipment, sporting goods, baby strollers, camping gear, kayaks, bicycles, golf clubs, snowboards, skis, scooters, motorcycles, trucks, trailers, ATVs, boats, jet skis, surf boards, standup paddleboards, wetsuits, windsurfing boards, fishing rods, fly tiers, and paintball guns.
You can also purchase refurbished computers, tablets, cell phones, laptops, cameras, camcorders, gaming consoles, smartwatches, headphones, speakers, televisions, projectors, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, air conditioners, heat pumps, washers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, water boilers, coffee makers, blenders, juicers, rice cookers, slow cookers, grills, toasters, hair straighteners, blow dryers, curling irons, ironing machines, sewing machines, vacuums, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, power drills, saws, nail files, polishers, sanders, grinders, shredders, ladders, hammers, screwdrivers, flashlights, lanterns, LED lights, solar panels, battery chargers, generators, portable DVD players, GPS units, outdoor patio umbrellas, outdoor patio tables & chairs, outdoor patio lounge sets, outdoor patio swings, outdoor patio benches, outdoor patio loungers, outdoor patio barbeques, outdoor patio fire pits, outdoor patio fire screens, outdoor patio fireplaces, indoor kitchen appliances, outdoor kitchens, outdoor shower systems, and garden sheds.
It goes without saying that there are tons of other mobile businesses people can start. But for simplicity's sake, we focused on only a handful of different options here. Now that you know what kind of mobile businesses already exist, you can narrow down the field using the information provided above. Once you identify a niche market you think you would benefit from serving, you'll probably want to conduct further research to determine whether it's something people actually need.
The last thing to keep in mind is how profitable certain types of mobile businesses tend to be compared to others. After all, you wouldn't want to invest time and resources building a business that doesn't bring enough profit to cover its expenses. So you definitely want to figure out which ones generate the highest revenue before deciding to dive into any particular venture.
To help guide you along the way, here are some statistics showing what typical businesses gross $1 million or more annually:
Food Delivery Services ($3 billion): Deliveroo, Grubhub, UberEats, Just Eat
Home Health Care Service Providers ($2.7 billion): Homecare Alliance, Home Healthcare Direct, HomeCareXpress
Health Insurance Companies ($2 billion): UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint, Aetna, Anthem Inc.
Retail Stores ($1.5 billion): Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy, Macy's
Travel Agents ($1 billion): Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity
Online Grocery Store ($800 million): FreshDirect
Automotive Repair Shops ($500 million): Pep Boys, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts
Apparel Retailer ($400 million): Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, American Eagle Outfitters
Personal Finance Management Software Provider ($300 million): Mint, Quicken Loans
Catering Business ($250 million): Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Panera Bread
Auto Dealership ($200 million): CarMax, Kia Motors America, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Nissan North America
Mobile Phone Carrier ($100 million): T Mobile USA, Sprint Corporation (NYSE: S), Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility LLC (NYSE: T), MetroPCS Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: PCS)
Pet Supplies Company ($50 million): PetSmart
Software Development Firm ($25 million): Glu Mobile, Square Enix, Electronic Arts
Other Mobile Business Ideas
As mentioned earlier, there are dozens of different mobile business ideas you can try out, including everything from health care providers to travel agents. However, the list above offers some broad guidelines for identifying potentially lucrative areas within the industry. From there you can check out the latest news articles covering the hottest topics, browse relevant blogs written by experts, and watch videos featuring interviews with leaders in this space. With that said, feel free to continue exploring until you find the perfect opportunity.
For those looking into starting their very own mobile business, you've probably heard of the phrase "a rising tide lifts all boats". This idea means that if everyone else in an area begins to make more money or get better deals from suppliers, then it will benefit you too. If people are using Google Maps instead of Bing maps, then you should consider doing the same thing with your own mapping app. If they're using Uber instead of Lyft, then you could do the same thing with your own taxi service. And so on and so forth.
This article aims to give some insight as to what business opportunities there currently are for someone who wants to set up their own mobile phone-related business. It's not going to tell you which business might be profitable over another, but rather gives information about where you might want to look when considering how to go about setting up your own mobile business.
We have already looked at some ways you can earn extra income online without having to invest any cash yourself - see How to Make Money Online Without Investing Cash First. However, this time we're talking specifically about making money through mobile phones. That doesn't mean you need a smartphone though, because many companies also operate via the internet. In fact, here are three ways to make money online by selling things other than smartphones.
You may think that running a mobile network would require a lot of investment. But actually, it’s much easier than you'd expect. All you need to do is register your interest with Ofcom (the UK communications regulator) and apply for permission to use certain frequencies. Once that happens, you can buy spectrum licenses to cover specific areas – and sell them to customers. The only catch is that you must provide services such as landline telephony, broadband Internet access, digital TV broadcasts, fixed line telephone services and/or satellite broadcasting.
In addition to being able to offer these services, you don't even need to build any physical infrastructure. Instead, you just lease space on existing networks owned by others. As long as you pay off the leasing costs each month, you won't incur any additional expenses.
To find out whether Ofcom has licensed a particular frequency band for mobile usage, visit its website. To discover whether you can purchase a license, check out Mobile Spectrum Licensing FAQ by National Instruments.
There are two main types of mobile phone business models available today: reseller and MVNO. A reseller sells you minutes, texts and data plans from various carriers. An MVNO buys capacity from major carriers' backbones and offers voice, text and data services directly to subscribers. While both options allow you to choose among multiple carrier partners, resellers usually charge higher fees than MVNOs.
A third model exists, however, called hybrid. With a hybrid arrangement, you act like an MVNO while buying wholesale minutes, texts and data from a carrier partner. Then you resell these products to end users. Hybrid arrangements are often used by smaller players since they typically cost less per minute and thus generate greater profit margins. For example, Ting operates under this model.
As long as you keep track of your monthly sales revenue and operating expenses, you can easily calculate your profits. Once you know how much you spent to acquire new customers and how much you made selling minutes, texts and data to them, you can divide total revenues by total costs and arrive at a net profit figure.
If you were asked to name the top 10 trends shaping the global economy in 2017, chances are you wouldn't come up with anything particularly innovative. After all, technology continues to drive innovation across every sector of society. What was once considered cutting edge now seems commonplace. Yet this does not change the fact that technology will continue to impact almost every aspect of life for decades to come.
One trend that has been gaining significant traction lately is the rise of driverless cars. Self-driving trucks, buses and vans seem like something straight out of science fiction. They're still nowhere near commercialization, but the concept is clearly becoming increasingly popular. So why shouldn't you take part in this burgeoning market?
Think about it: autonomous driving systems are perfect for transporting goods between remote locations. It's far faster, safer and cheaper to move cargo around via self-driving vehicles than via human drivers. These vehicles have no passengers to worry about, nor any need for rest stops along the way. They can travel further distances without stopping for food or fuel breaks, and they never tire during shifts.
And there's a huge demand for such vehicles. According to McKinsey & Company, there are roughly 2 billion trips taken daily within urban areas worldwide. Of these trips, nearly half involve moving goods from point A to B. Automated transport solutions could increase freight volumes by 25 percent. Moreover, these vehicles would cut down on pollution and traffic congestion.
So, what sort of business opportunity is there when it comes to providing automated transportation services? Well, there isn't really any shortage of candidates. Companies like UPS, FedEx and DHL have already begun experimenting with semi-autonomous delivery drones. Some experts predict that fully autonomous deliveries will become commonplace within 15 years.
It stands to reason that anyone interested in automating shipping logistics will eventually turn his attention towards developing similar technologies for personal mobility. One day, perhaps soon, your car will be able to drive itself -- and you won't have to spend hours behind the wheel each week. Why wait until then? Start building your fleet of robotic taxis right away!
Mobile devices are everywhere nowadays. Smartphones, tablets, wearables, laptops... everything needs cellular connectivity. Even robots are getting smarter thanks to IoT tech. So, what exactly is happening in the world of telecommunications? We spoke to experts to learn more…
The biggest challenge facing wireless operators is managing bandwidth efficiently. There are four key factors involved here: 1.) increasing numbers of smart devices accessing the internet 2.) increased expectations regarding network reliability 3.) growing competition 4.) an ever-increasing number of apps needing constant updates.
These challenges aren't limited to telecom companies either. Everyone from grocery stores to coffee shops are faced with the same problems. Thankfully, cloud computing provides the answer. By storing large amounts of user data on servers located elsewhere, companies can reduce their IT overhead and focus on delivering superior customer experiences.
Cloud providers include Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Rackspace Hosting and IBM SoftLayer. Each of these platforms allows developers to create applications that support thousands of simultaneous connections. Users gain unprecedented scalability, reliability and flexibility, enabling them to launch new features quickly and scale accordingly.
Another issue facing manufacturers of portable electronic devices is battery life. Battery power is rapidly eroding as consumers adopt thinner designs that cram more functionality into smaller packages. Fortunately, researchers from MIT recently developed a nanowire coating that enhances lithium ion batteries. When applied to current silicon chips, the coating increases energy density by 100 times.
Finally, we reached out to several experts to discuss the future of mobile communication. Here's what they had to say…
"I believe the next wave of big innovations in mobile technology will be around augmented reality. The combination of AR headsets like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive with GPS tracking capabilities will enable us to see objects in real time overlaid onto the environment around us."
"Smart cities will feature massive amounts of sensors monitoring air quality, water levels, security cameras and environmental conditions. This will lead to more accurate weather forecasts, improved road surfaces and reduced accidents due to poor visibility."
"With the explosion of connected devices, the amount of data flowing through the internet is doubling every year. Data centers are therefore experiencing exponential growth as well. Cloud storage is projected to double again within five years."
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.