30 Low Cost Business Ideas with High Profit

Starting a business in South Africa usually comes back to the same question: what’s it going to cost me before I make my first sale? That’s what this guide is for.

When we say “low cost”, we mean ideas where you can get going with basics like data, packaging, simple tools, transport, and a bit of stock or supplies if you need it. The main thing is to avoid heavy upfront costs, like rent, big equipment, or monthly payments before you’ve even made a few sales.

Below are 30 low cost business ideas with good profit potential that suit South African realities. They’re practical, they don’t need fancy setups, and they give you a fair shot at earning properly if you price your work well and stick to what people actually need.

Why choose a low cost business?

Because it’s easier to back yourself when the costs don’t get out of hand. A lot of people don’t have spare cash sitting around, and most of us can’t take a big knock upfront, especially if you’re still covering rent, school runs, transport, and the usual month-end pressure.

Low cost ideas work best when you can start earning without signing long contracts or buying expensive equipment. while still treating it as a proper business with clear pricing, delivery and repeat customers, or a simple product idea where you start with a focused range and restock based on what actually sells.

If you’re working with a strict R1000, our start a business with R1000 guide is a better fit for that budget.

30 low cost business ideas for South Africa

1. Niche Content Creation (TikTok & YouTube)

TikTok, YouTube and blogs can bring in money, but it usually takes time and consistency. If you enjoy sharing useful tips, reviews, or behind-the-scenes content, pick one topic you can talk about naturally and stick with it. Brands do pay for content once you’ve built trust with an audience, even a small one, but it helps to plan what you’re posting, keep it honest, and show up regularly.

2. Social Media Management

Many local businesses want to be active on social media, but they don’t have the time to post, reply, and stay consistent. If you can help with content, comments, and messages, you can charge per week or per month, depending on what you take on. Keep it simple in the beginning, agree on the number of posts, what you’ll do with inbox replies, and what results you’re aiming for, like more enquiries or more walk-ins.

3. Micro Digital Marketing Services

Digital marketing can get complicated fast, so it helps to sell one or two clear services instead of “everything online”. For example, you can set up a Google Business Profile properly, fix a business’s Facebook page basics, help with simple ad setups, or write a monthly email newsletter. Keep your tools light and your packages clear, then clients know what they’re paying for and you don’t end up doing extra work for free.

4. Graphic Design

A lot of small businesses just need clean, professional visuals, a menu, a price list, a flyer, a poster, or social media posts that don’t look rushed. If you can design neatly, you can charge per item or per bundle. Keep your pricing straightforward, and start with the basics businesses use every week, it’s easier to sell than fancy branding packages.

5. Photography & Editing

You don’t need a fancy camera to offer photography, especially for product photos, short shoots, and small events. A decent phone and good lighting can go a long way, then editing helps you make the final images look clean and consistent. Many businesses also need quick touch-ups for social media, so you can offer editing as a separate service if you prefer that.

6. Freelance Writing & Copywriting

Many micro businesses need help with newsletters, website content, product descriptions, or CVs. Offer clear, per-piece pricing so clients know what they’re paying for before you begin a job. This lets you keep your costs tied to work done rather than open-ended requirements.

7. Proofreading & Editing

If you have an eye for detail, this is your space. Many students and small business owners need their documents, proposals, or ebooks polished. Offer to review and correct spelling, grammar and formatting. It’s simple, flexible work that builds trust and repeat clients.

8. Data Entry

Companies moving from paper to digital often need help capturing and cleaning up information. If you can type quickly and accurately, you can offer data capturing, spreadsheet clean-ups, or basic admin support and charge per project. Keep it simple and neat, accuracy is what brings repeat work.

9. Language Translation

South Africa’s diversity is your advantage. If you speak more than one local language, you can help bridge communication gaps. Translate marketing materials, subtitles, or legal documents. You can even offer your services to NGOs and government departments that work across multiple languages.

10. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing lets you earn commission by promoting other people’s products. You still need an audience, whether that’s on social media, WhatsApp groups, or a simple blog, and you’ll need to track what’s working. It doesn’t require inventory, but it does take consistency, and sometimes a bit of spend to boost the right content.

Still deciding what kind of business fits you?

Sometimes the challenge isn’t finding an idea, it’s narrowing things down. This list focuses specifically on low cost options, ideas where the upfront spend stays manageable and you can test what works without taking on heavy expenses.

If you’re still exploring a wider range of options, including businesses that need more setup or different types of investment, our small business ideas guide covers a broader mix of paths and business models. It’s useful if you want to compare different directions before committing to one.

If you just want a simple way to top up your income without the admin of a company, browse our 50 side hustle ideas for South Africans that fit into a normal weekend.

11. Reviewer (Food, Books, Products)

If you enjoy trying new things, this can become a a content-led micro business with repeat brand work over time. Start reviewing local restaurants, products, or books on TikTok or YouTube. As your following grows, reach out to brands for collaborations or sponsored reviews. Authentic opinions attract loyal audiences.

12. Virtual Assistant

Many business owners are outsourcing admin like booking management, inbox replies, and customer follow-ups. As a virtual assistant, set clear task bundles, for example “quotes + follow-ups” for a salon and price them per task or bundle so clients know exactly what they’re getting.

13. Concierge Services

Some people need help with errands and admin they don’t have time for, collections, bookings, returns, or shopping runs. If you’re reliable and communicate well, you can charge per task or offer a simple monthly package. This kind of work grows on trust, so it’s better to keep it manageable and deliver properly.

14. Event Planning

Event planning can get expensive when you try to handle everything. A lower-cost way in is to focus on one part of the job, like supplier coordination, a simple run sheet, or on-the-day support. Start with smaller events and offer clear packages so clients know exactly what you’ll cover.

15. Home & Wardrobe Organising

Organising services work best when you sell a clear outcome. Offer specific jobs like a wardrobe reset, kitchen reset, garage clear-out, or moving-day unpacking. Price per area or per project, and use before-and-after photos with permission so people can see the difference.

16. Personal Chef and Order-Based Meal Prep

Meal prep is usually the most cost-controlled way to sell food. Keep it order-based, share a weekly menu, take orders by a cut-off time, then cook in batches. Stick to a small menu you can deliver well, and price properly once you include ingredients, packaging, and delivery if you offer it.

17. Online Wellness Coach

If you’re qualified in fitness or wellness, you can offer coaching with a clear plan and regular check-ins. Keep your service within your training and avoid medical or nutrition advice if you’re not licensed to give it. A simple structure that helps clients stay consistent is often what they’re paying for.

18. Online Tutoring

Tutoring is always needed, especially around exams. Offer lessons in subjects you know well and agree upfront on the format that suits your learners, in person or online. If you want to add extra value, offer simple revision packs or practice questions without adding a lot of extra time.

19. Small Business Bookkeeping

If you’re good with numbers, small businesses need you. Offer to manage invoices, expenses and reports using tools like Wave or Excel. It’s practical work that builds trust and often turns into ongoing contracts. Accuracy and professionalism go a long way here.

20. Professional Childcare & Pet Sitting Services

Offer babysitting or pet-sitting to trusted people you know first. Set service hours and service areas like a business, not ad hoc favours. Set clear rates, communicate expectations with clients up front, and plan your schedule to protect your own time.

21. Mobile Pet Grooming & Dog Walking

Pet parents are willing to pay for convenience. You can start a walking or grooming business if you like animals. All you need is basic equipment and time. Take photos of happy pets and share them online to attract new clients.

22. Garden & Yard Maintenance

A little hard work and a few tools can go a long way. Offer lawn mowing, weeding, or small landscaping jobs. Focus on reliability and neat results, that’s what keeps clients calling back. Offer add-ons like hedge trimming or green waste removal, and consider a monthly maintenance option, that’s where consistency comes from.

23. Residential and Airbnb Cleaning Services

Cleaning is always in demand. Start with homes locally and work your way up to offices or Airbnb rooms. Bring your own supplies or use what clients have. Offer clear packages like a two-hour weekly clean, a deep clean, or an end-of-lease clean, it makes pricing easier and helps clients know what to expect.

24. Car Wash (Mobile or Driveway Setup)

A car wash can work, but it’s only profitable when you manage time and travel properly. Keep your service menu simple, offer a basic wash and interior wipe-down, and take bookings so you’re not waiting around. If you’re going mobile, plan your day by area so petrol doesn’t eat your margin.

25. B2B & Local Retail Delivery Services

Delivery work can bring in steady money when the routes and fees make sense. Partner with local businesses that already have repeat customers, like takeaways, small retailers, pharmacies, or online sellers. Agree upfront on delivery areas, rates, and time windows, otherwise you end up doing long trips for short money.

26. Domain Flipping

Domain flipping is more of a calculated gamble than a guaranteed plan. You buy web addresses that are simple and brandable, then list them for resale. Good domains can cost money, so keep your spending controlled and don’t tie up cash you can’t afford to leave sitting.

27. Low-Inventory Dropshipping

Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding stock, but it still involves costs for marketing, customer support, returns, and reliable logistics. If you choose this route, pick a niche with steady demand, test a small range, and communicate delivery times clearly so customers know what to expect.

28. Rent Out Storage Space

If you have secure space, you can rent it out for storage, especially in areas where people are downsizing or moving. Keep it professional, set clear terms, agree on what can be stored, and make sure access and security are sorted. It’s not for everyone, but in the right neighbourhood it can bring in steady income.

29. Sell on local online marketplaces

If you want to sell products online without building a full website upfront, start on local marketplaces that South Africans already use. Test a small product range, keep your packaging neat, and track what sells before you buy more stock. The fees and returns matter, so work out your margin properly, then focus on the items that consistently move.

30. Write a Book or Ebook

If you can teach something clearly, an ebook can work, especially if it solves a specific problem. Short how-to guides, templates, recipe collections, and workbooks tend to sell better than general life stories, because people know what they’re buying. Keep it practical, price it fairly, and market it where your audience already spends time.

Turn your low cost business idea into something real

Choose one idea from the list and write down three things, what you’re selling, who it’s for, and what you’re charging. Then work out what you actually need to deliver it, so you don’t spend money on extras that won’t help you get paid.

If you want a clear checklist for the admin side, our How to Start a Business in South Africa guide walks through the practical steps, like choosing a structure, registering where needed, and getting the basics in place.

And when you’re ready to take payments in person or online, iKhokha tools can support both, without making your setup complicated.