The 27 Best Businesses To Start In Belgium [2024]
Interested in starting a business in Belgium in 2024?
We put together 27 of the best businesses you can start in Belgium today.
In this list of ideas, you can find:
- Home-based businesses to start in Belgium
- Profitable online business ideas
- Unique business opportunities for Belgium
- Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
- Easy businesses you can start in Belgium today
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Belgium.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a wordpress plugin business
If you have used WordPress, you must know you cannot run a successful website without using a few plugins. Ideally, WP plugins help run the website successfully.
Selling WordPress plugins is one of the basic ways you can make money online. Thus, if you have found a solution to an issue, you can develop a plugin for it and earn income from the plugin.
If you are considering starting a WordPress plugin development business, ensure you focus on offering a solution to a particular need.
You can sell WP plugins at online platforms such as CodeCanyon., sell them on your blog, or create a separate website for the plugin.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
This case study follows the journey of a web application developer to founding a profitable business selling WooCommerce plugins, with five different plugins selling at around $49 per year each, making well over $15,000/month.
2. Start a digital agency
A digital agency’s task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough knowledge and passion for digital marketing can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the proper skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset, you can start a successful digital agency.
The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.
How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
A creative director at a Brussels-based creative, technology, and e-commerce optimization agency outlines their process of building a digital agency that focuses on eCommerce and SEO-based projects while providing tips on the importance of looking up to others but never comparing yourself to them.
3. Start a SEO agency
An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in search engines through organic or paid means.
SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with an excellent chance for success.
It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency in Belgium. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
A creative director at a Brussels-based creative, technology, and e-commerce optimization agency outlines their process of building a digital agency that focuses on eCommerce and SEO-based projects while providing tips on the importance of looking up to others but never comparing yourself to them.
4. Start a tour company
Starting a tour company is a great way to bring your love of travel to life. You can share your passion with others and help make their dream vacations come true!
There are many types of tour businesses, so choosing something you are passionate about and knowledgeable about is best. Here are a few of the most popular tour companies to start in Belgium:
- Food & Drink Tours
- Adventure & Sporting Tours
- Sightseeing & Historical Tours
- Shopping Tours
- and many more!
It’s also essential to determine what mode of transportation you want for your tour company, as this will determine the initial startup costs needed for your company.
To get started, find out if you need a license to operate in your state. Some states require tour companies to be licensed, while others do not. If you are required to be licensed, talk with the licensing agency to find out what steps must be taken before you can apply for that license.
How much you can make: $3,750 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
How Jessica Baumgart founded a successful food tour business in Denver, which broke even and started making a profit after just three months, generating $20,000/month in revenue from offering different food tour experiences.
5. Start a construction company
Running a construction company can be very rewarding and require hard work, attention to detail, and a hustle mentality.
Construction companies are responsible for building/designing a variety of apartments, buildings, properties, housing, infrastructure, facilities & developments, motorways, roads, paths, pavement, and more.
How much you can make: $40,001 — $10,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Mountain Fire Woodworks founder Cameron Vilcsak shares how he used YouTube to promote his log cabins, chainsaw carvings, and passion for woodworking, culminating in one of his videos that has gone viral with over 25 million views and counting.
6. Start a cosmetic store
The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic shop can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.
If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics brick-and-mortar shop.
Cosmetic shops sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.
To start a cosmetic store, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.
How much you can make: $8,500/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
A former felon's passion for makeup and skincare led her to launch FBI Cosmetics, which has grossed over $62,000 in sales since July 2020, through social media marketing, brand partnerships, and online sales at Walmart.com.
7. Start a tech support business
In today’s world, technology plays a crucial role in our day-to-day lives. Therefore, the need for technical support has become increasingly critical. A tech support business can provide invaluable assistance and troubleshooting services to individuals and companies facing software, hardware, or any other technology problems.
If you’re considering starting a tech support business, you must have a solid understanding of technical skills and possess experience in IT support roles.
Providing exceptional customer service is critical to the success of your tech support business. Actively listening to your clients and thoroughly diagnosing their issues is crucial. Additionally, offering clear and patient support will help you to build a loyal client base.
Finally, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base to address a wide range of technical questions and problems effectively. This will help you to provide your clients with the best possible service and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
How much you can make: $150 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A passionate computer-coder entrepreneur shares the story behind his successful PDFShift business which after a year and a half generates $3.2k of monthly revenues with the focus now on growth.
8. Start a tea business
Tea is a hydrating beverage that comes in various flavors and types. History shows that people across the globe have been drinking tea for centuries.
According to experts, tea has a lower risk of different ailments, including cognitive issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and much more. Besides, some types of tea provide better sleep quality and help people relax, which lowers the risk of depression.
If you love drinking tea, starting your tea business could be profitable. First, decide the type of tea to start producing. The niche will depend on the audience you intend to reach.
Then, it would help if you determined the business type. Options include:
- Tea farming
- Processing and packaging plant
- Tea tasting
- Distributor or wholesaler
- Tea shop
- Tea blog
Register a legal entity and complete the tax registration for your tea business. Consider applying for insurance cover before launching your tea business.
How much you can make: $9,000 — $707,997/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
How Andy Hayes built a 7-figure online loose leaf tea business, with one of the largest tea subscription boxes and a curated selection of tea accessories, generating half of their revenue from a la carte tea sales and half from their popular tea of the month club community.
9. Start a Backyard Plant Nursery
Do you have a gardening hobby and want to turn your passion into a profitable business with a minimum entry barrier?
Starting a backyard plant nursery is relatively easy, and the financial benefits can be rewarding. The secret to maximizing your profitability is specializing in plants that are in high demand, like vegetables and flowers.
To start, you can visit the nearby retail nurseries for seedlings and see what they stock and retail. To keep the startup cost low, consider using locally available materials.
How much you can make: $5,000/month
Camelliashop.com, a small US-based plant business specializing in Camellias and Tea Plants, increased its business 200% within one month of launching its ecommerce website in 2007.
10. Start an event management company
Do you have a basic understanding of events, possess great communication skills, and aren’t afraid to talk to C-suite executives, event attendees, donors, brand sponsors, and vendors?
Event management is a profession that is growing rapidly. Experts estimate that the event management and planning industry will experience a growth rate of 10% in a few years.
You can use your skills and passion by starting an event management company. Event management is not only an exciting career, but it is also a profitable business opportunity, with endless opportunities, you can focus on social and entertainment events, and corporate events, or become a general event management company.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 160 days (?)
Spacehuntr achieved a +700% growth in 2019 with revenues, despite the global pandemic, on track to match that growth in 2020, by launching a 360° platform for businesses to book and manage unique Work, Play & Stay spaces, catering to international corporations such as Airbnb, Netflix, and Uber.
11. Start a mystery game store
Engaging their intellect and curiosity, who doesn't love a good mystery? By establishing a mystery game store, you'll cater to this innate fascination. The business proposition is simple: provide various tactile puzzle games, brain-churning intrigue games, and immersive mystery-based board games in one dedicated shop.
While online gaming has its allure, there's an undeniably compelling appeal associated with tangible games: the physicality of puzzle pieces, the anticipation when spinning a wheel, and the thrill of playing against others face-to-face.
Your store will bring individuals together, aspiring to create a buzzing community of mystery enthusiasts. It can serve as a hub for game nights, puzzle solving events, and intriguing product launches. As the proprietor of this venture, you'll possess the ability to stimulate minds, promote in-person connectivity and provoke thrilling wonder in each customer. Consider stepping into the enchanting world of mysteries and become a pioneer of this unique retail experience.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $5,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 63 days (?)
Belgian-based Crimibox has sold over 4,000 crime-solving games with monthly revenue of $8,000 and a retention rate above 38%, featuring real-life police files, an accompanying app, and a host of fictional suspects.
12. Start a CRM business
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software keeps track of prospects, clients and their contacts and also helps you monitor your sales pipeline as well as to create reports for business intelligence.
The CRM market is a $50B and growing industry.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $2,100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Efficy, a European CRM software publisher founded 15 years ago by Cédric Pierrard, has seen €24M in revenue in 2019 and seeks to be 5 times bigger within five years, representing 5% of the European CRM market, having experienced success through organic growth and external mergers while maintaining a strong focus on core business.
13. Start an online poster store
Are you a fan of vibrant wall art and creative expression? Starting an online poster store could be your next venture. This business idea revolves around curating and selling a variety of posters, from classic prints to original artwork by emerging artists.
Setting up shop involves creating an ecommerce website and sourcing high-quality posters. You'll need to manage inventory, and handle shipping and customer service. Digital marketing plays a significant role, so think about leveraging social media and SEO to reach potential customers.
An online poster store isn't just about selling prints; it’s about selling a lifestyle. By tapping into trends and offering unique designs, you can attract a dedicated customer base. If you’re passionate about art and ready to invest time in building a visually compelling brand, this could be a fulfilling and profitable venture for you.
How much you can make: $1,340/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
An e-commerce consultant started an online store selling space posters called Apes In Space, documenting and sharing everything to provide an honest account of what it takes to start and grow an online store, with the biggest month yet in February making over $1,300 in sales.
14. Start a marketing agency
Marketing agencies can be a great option for businesses looking to advertise in different ways. For businesses, hiring a marketing company can help them achieve success as they don't have to spend money on employees or needed equipment. Marketing agencies are not inexpensive and there are many different variables that come into play when deciding which one is the best fit for your business.
You want to start a marketing agency, but don't know where to begin. You're not alone, there are thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe that have the same ambition. Luckily for you, compiled a list of how other agencies were able to grow their agency and scale effectively.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $8,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
Two friends started a digital marketing agency, Kreatix, from their shared love of the internet, and built a thriving business with over 150 clients using inbound leads and storytelling on social media platforms despite having not studied in the field.
15. Start a women's underwear
Imagine a business where comfort meets style: welcome to the world of women's underwear. This venture involves designing, manufacturing, and selling a variety of women’s undergarments.
You'll need to explore fabrics, create designs, and coordinate with manufacturers to bring your ideas to life. With growing demand for inclusive and eco-friendly options, there's plenty of room for innovation and differentiation in this market.
Setting up your online store and leveraging platforms like Shopify can help you reach a broad audience. Social media marketing and influencer partnerships can drive traffic and build brand loyalty.
If you're passionate about fashion and committed to quality, this business can be both fulfilling and profitable. Starting a women’s underwear line is about more than just apparel; it’s about empowering women to feel good in their own skin.
How much you can make: $25,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
16. Start a biotechnology business
How long does it take to build: 1176 days (?)
17. Start a bed and breakfast business
Bed and breakfasts have been around for a long time. Owners interact with customers while they benefit from affordable lodging.
Travelers nowadays have a high interest in experiencing local culture, ready to take on the adventure of meeting and interacting with others from different backgrounds and perspectives in order to get a unique taste of how a small town or even neighborhood might live.
The great thing about starting at home B&B in Belgium is that you don’t need a degree in business. You only need enough capital to purchase essential items needed to open your very first one.
Listed are the steps to start a bed and breakfast business.
- Plan your business plan
- Secure needed permits, licenses, and certifications
- Hire Staff
- Open a bank account for business transactions
- Prepare your business for operation -Promote your business
18. Start a healthy snack food business
Businesses with healthy snacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is because people are becoming more conscious of what they eat and the ingredients used in their food products.
Compared to a few decades ago, more people value health over anything else. A tasty snack food business can be a great way to turn your passion for snacking into profit.
The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152B by 2030, and there’s no sign of this slowing down. Healthy snacks can include anything from protein bars to gluten/dairy-free alternatives to chips, cookies, crackers, and more.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.
19. Start an etsy shop
Etsy is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell all kinds of handmade goods, vintage items, and art supplies.
It's a great way to make some extra cash, and you can use it as an opportunity to build your brand and find new clients.
To get started on Etsy, you'll need these four things:
- An Etsy account
- A PayPal account
- A product idea (or at least a product category)
- A visually appealing storefront with photos of your products
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
20. Start a bitcoin paid to click site
Paid-to-Click websites (or PTC) are sites where you can earn money, rewards or digital currency by completing offers or viewing advertisements. PTC websites have been around for a while, and nowadays, consumers are looking for real PTC sites that they can trust.
Recently, Bitcoin Paid-To-Click Businesses have become very popular among Internet Marketers because Bitcoin is a great source of passive income. Since the introduction of Bitcoin, there have been numerous sites that allow people to earn Bitcoin as an affiliate for viewing ads and performing surveys.
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
21. Start a test prep business
Parents often make their kids take test prep classes. This is because they don't know how to best prepare their kids for tests. This means that you might find yourself needing a business to help teach your kids in the most optimal way.
Whether you're a current student or a recent graduate, test prep can be an excellent way to earn income. Forty percent of USA students are predicted to need some form of tutoring or test preparation this year. Test prep businesses are on a mission to help students and companies succeed in the standardized test prep industry.
How much you can make: $20,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
Achievable is a test prep company that provides rich textbook content, reviews backed by a memory science algorithm, and full practice exams to help students prepare for their exams, with a focus on career-advancing professional exams such as the FINRA SIE and FINRA Series 7.
22. Build an online research software
As the business world grows more complex, the need for reliable and effective online research software becomes more important. Online research software can help businesses save time and money by providing access to a wealth of information.
This type of software is used for a variety of purposes, such as academic research, market research, or competitive intelligence.
For example, Trello is powerful online research software that can help you organize and keep track of your research projects. With Trello, you can create custom boards to track your progress on specific projects, set deadlines, and collaborate with other researchers. Trello's estimated annual revenue is currently $15.8M per year.
Online research software is a great tool for businesses looking to better understand their customer base. The data collected by this process can be rich and informative, as it includes insights that help you grow your business in ways other methods may not address as accurately or completely.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 590 days (?)
TapResearch generates roughly $1.5M in revenue per month through their Sample and Insights platforms, which allow market researchers to access survey respondents they need and make fast and easy decisions through a highly scalable respondent network that delivers surveys to hundreds of millions of people.
23. Start a property flipping business
Are you thinking about getting into the property flipping business?
Flipping houses (or homes) involves buyers purchasing distressed properties, fixing them up, and then reselling them for a good profit. The trick is to find a house that you can buy below market value and then turn around, sell it, and make money on it.
24. Start an exercise app
A fitness app business focuses on selling fitness classes to application users. The ideal market includes fitness coaches, who opt to purchase a ready-made fitness app to engage their target audience and grow their business.
To start an exercise app, you need to learn to code and develop strong analytical skills. Besides, you need well-honed communication skills and learn to deliver projects on time.
With the uptake of online fitness classes increasing, it is such an excellent time for app developers to focus on this growing niche. Typically, online coaches are looking for well-developed applications to help them reach the target audience. Therefore, app developers looking for great business opportunities can choose to focus on the exercise app industry.
How much you can make: $250 — $1,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 142 days (?)
Joel Runyon built an iPhone fitness app called MoveWell that currently brings in about $1,200-$1,800 per month, and is looking to expand the business by adding coaches, more content, and branded partnerships.
25. Become an Uber driver
Becoming an uber driver can be a great way to earn additional income while still keeping a flexible schedule.
To become an uber drive, there are a few requirements:
- Meet the minimum age to drive in your city
- Have at least 1 year of driving experience in the U.S
- Have an eligible 4-door vehicle
- Have the proper documents and identification
- Complete a screening online (reviews driving history, record, and criminal history).
To learn more about the requirements in your city, check out this page.
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
26. Build an AI tool
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in the tech industry right now. An AI tool is a computer program that is designed to simulate human intelligence. AI tools are used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail.
There are many different types of AI tools, but some common examples include chatbots, virtual assistants, and machine learning platforms.
To build an AI tool you will need strong technical skills and experience in computer science. You should also have a good understanding of the different types of AI tools and how they are used.
AI is quickly becoming one of the most important and sought-after technologies in today's world. The revenues coming from software using artificial intelligence are going to increase from 9.5 billion U.S dollars in 2018 to 118.6 billion U.S dollars by 2025.
The demand for AI tools is growing as businesses are looking for ways to automate their processes and improve their customer service. AI tools can help businesses save time and money by automating tasks that would otherwise be done manually.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 57 days (?)
SkillSoniq, the world's first AI-powered recruiting app, connects companies with skilled freelancers on a trial basis, saving companies 60%+ in hiring costs and earning $350,000+ in gross revenues in its first year, with a current average of $40,000 a month, and plans to raise a second round of seed funding to achieve escape velocity and continue to form a world-class company.
27. Start an oil production business
The oil manufacturing business is highly profitable small scale business and can be started with little money. Oil is used for various purposes like cooking, manufacturing soaps, cosmetics & hair products.
Oil can either be produced at home or in manufacturing units depending on the scale you want. The most important aspect is maintaining consistency in quality & hygiene standards. If that is maintained then you can easily create your own brand of oils & even start exporting.
How much you can make: $29,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,970 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Thulisa Naturals founder, Anusha Moodley, shares the journey of building her natural bath and body product company, which boasts a 25% post-tax profit after generating $29k in monthly revenue and expanding into 123 retail stores across the US.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
