7 Best Online + AI Businesses to Start in 2025
Starting an online business in 2025 offers incredible opportunities to achieve financial freedom and scalability, especially with advancements in AI tools. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to scale your existing business, here are the seven best online businesses to consider for high revenue potential and sustainability.
1. Selling Your Own Products: Courses and Communities
One of the most lucrative online business models is creating and selling informational products such as online courses or membership communities.
Why It Works:
- High Margins: You don’t need to manage inventory or shipping.
- Recurring Revenue Potential: Offering a subscription model can bring in consistent income.
- Educational Demand: People are increasingly turning to online platforms for affordable, niche education.
Example:
To make $1M annually, you need either:
- 2.7 daily sales of a $1,000 course.
- 830 subscribers paying $100/month.
Key Tools: Platforms like Thinkific and WordPress help you host content, manage payments, and collect emails.
Pro Tip:
Focus on creating high-quality instructional videos and valuable resources for your audience. Build an email list and use strategic marketing funnels to convert leads into paying customers.
2. Affiliate Marketing with AI
Affiliate marketing remains a popular choice for earning passive income. AI tools can enhance your strategy by automating content creation and audience targeting.
Why It Works:
- No need to create your own product.
- Higher revenue potential than ads.
How to Start:
- Use blogging, YouTube, PPC, or TikTok to promote affiliate products.
- Write Google-friendly content like “Best [Product Category]” to attract clicks.
- Utilize AI tools for keyword research and content generation.
Example:
A blog post ranking for “Best Webinar Software” generated over $300,000 in affiliate commissions over three years.
3. Faceless YouTube Channels
You don’t need to be on camera to succeed on YouTube. Faceless channels focused on niche topics or tutorials can grow rapidly.
Why It Works:
- Lower barrier for introverts.
- Leverages AI for scriptwriting, voiceovers, and video editing.
Types of Content:
- Motivational or educational videos.
- Tutorials using screen recordings.
- Compilations with b-roll and AI-generated images.
Tools Needed:
Descript for voiceovers, stock footage platforms like Motion Array, and video editors.
4. E-commerce and Dropshipping
E-commerce continues to thrive, with dropshipping being an accessible entry point. In this model, you sell products without holding inventory.
Why It Works:
- Low upfront costs.
- Scalable with effective branding and marketing.
Challenges:
- Competition from major retailers.
- Limited control over product quality and delivery.
Best Practices:
- Use tools like Shopify and Inventory Source.
- Focus on niche markets with unique branding to stand out.
- Run targeted ads and retargeting campaigns.
5. AI-Powered Software Development
Building AI tools or software products is a game-changer for those with technical expertise or a partnership with developers.
Why It Works:
- High valuations: Software companies can sell for 3–8x their annual revenue.
- Recurring income: Monthly subscriptions create stable revenue streams.
Getting Started:
- Identify a problem and create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Leverage AI to reduce development costs.
- Use beta testing and community feedback to improve your product.
Example:
Peter Levels’ PhotoAI generates $120K/month, showcasing the potential of small, focused AI tools.
6. Podcasting
Podcasting isn’t just for traditional platforms anymore. Repurposing podcast content for YouTube and social media can dramatically scale your audience.
Why It Works:
- Low cost to start.
- Great for building authority in a niche.
How to Scale:
- Break podcasts into multiple YouTube segments.
- Use AI tools to generate scripts and automate editing.
- Monetize through sponsorships and affiliate links.
7. Content Repurposing Businesses
With the growing demand for consistent content, businesses that repurpose long-form content into bite-sized social media posts or YouTube shorts are thriving.
Why It Works:
- High demand from creators and brands.
- AI makes the process faster and cheaper.
How to Start:
- Offer content transformation services for podcasts, webinars, and blogs.
- Use tools like ChatGPT for script generation and Canva for graphics.
Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for online businesses. Whether you’re leveraging AI for affiliate marketing or building your own product-based empire, the key is consistency and delivering value to your audience. With the right strategies and tools, you can scale your business to seven figures and beyond.
