Seven service businesses you can start with a laptop

Service businesses are the fastest route to your first revenue: no stock, no factory and the customer pays before you've built anything big. Here are seven that need little more than a laptop and a skill you can learn.

1. Bookkeeping for small shops. Monthly work, sticky customers, and software does the heavy lifting.
2. Website care plans. Updates, backups and small edits for local businesses that already have a site.
3. Short-form video editing. Businesses and creators need a steady stream of clips.
4. Email newsletter management. Writing and sending a monthly newsletter for local firms.
5. Online booking setup. Getting salons, tutors and clinics onto booking and payment tools.
6. Translation and localisation. Especially valuable if you speak two languages fluently.
7. Presentation and pitch design. Founders and sales teams always need better decks.

How to pick

Choose the one where you can name five potential customers today. Offer a small first project at a fair price, deliver it well, and ask for a referral.