Some kinds of legitimate businesses are easy to start on a small budget. A consultant, for example, is anyone who knows how to do something better than others, and has the gumption to market himself – as well as $14 for a box of business cards. Similarly, a professional organizer needs a talent for decluttering, a couple of classified ads (or even better, free word-of-mouth), and not much else.

In general, service business ideas offer a nice mix of low buy-in and immediate returns. If you want to test the waters in an area you love, but aren’t sure you want to invest your retirement savings in your new business idea, consider the following:

• Consulting
• Professional organizer
• Petsitter
• Arts and crafts maker/seller
• Photographer
• Tutor
• Handyman

Successful small business startups often start with the existing skills of the founder, turned to a new business idea. If you already have a talent for design, finding bargains, doing research, or connecting people with each other, you may be able to take those skills online to create a new Internet business.

Remember, the key to success is not usually having a new idea, but implementing it well, getting customers, and wowing them so that they come back for more and recommend you to others. If you’re willing to learn the basics of html, Search Engine Optimization, website marketing, and online sales, the following Internet business ideas might be for you:

• Website designer
• eBay retailer
• Internet researcher
• Recruiting