22 Business Ideas For Cloud Engineers [2024]

Updated: September 5th, 2024

Interested in starting a business as a doctor in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as a doctor could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Doctors?

We put together 22 of some of the best doctor business ideas you can start in today.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other doctor businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a business communications software ($1.48M/month)

Starting a business communications software would make sense as a cloud engineer because you could leverage your expertise in cloud-based infrastructures to create highly scalable and efficient communication tools. Your in-depth knowledge of system integrations, data security, and cloud services can be pivotal in developing a solution that streamlines business communication and enhances productivity, especially in a remote work environment.

As a cloud engineer, you could envision and bring to life tools that bridge communication gaps and foster better collaboration, ultimately feeding into the growing market for reliable and user-friendly software. This venture not only allows you to diversify your income but also positions you as an innovator, shaping the future of how businesses interact and collaborate in the cloud era.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $10,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

Raising $19,000 Building a Positive Card Game

PEAR Cards is a card-based tool/game that empowers players to open up and initiate positive conversations, and with the help of Ad Magic, their Kickstarter had an all-or-nothing fundraising goal, which they met with so much support the company is now growing through the power of Twitter and Instagram.

Read by 8,232 founders

2. Create a shopify app ($52.4K/month)

As a cloud engineer, developing a Shopify app could be a lucrative side business that leverages your technical skills. With the booming ecommerce market, Shopify apps that enhance functionality like customer engagement, inventory management, or sales optimization are in high demand. Given your background, you could build robust, scalable, and secure solutions that store owners truly need.

The process will involve coding and UX design, but your expertise in cloud solutions positions you well for this challenge. Although it requires ongoing development, customer support, and regular updates, the potential for recurring revenue through monthly subscriptions or one-time fees is significant. If you identify a common problem and create a compelling solution, your app could become an essential tool for thousands of ecommerce businesses.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $110,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How We Developed A $29K/Month WhatsApp Plugin For Shopify

SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.

Read by 23,585 founders

3. Start a data analysis service ($42.6K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise and analytical mindset to start a data analysis service. By helping businesses make sense of their data, you could offer valuable insights into customer behavior, optimize marketing campaigns, and support better decision-making processes.

This type of service is increasingly in demand and can be highly profitable, considering that data analysts often command high salaries. Your ability to effectively communicate complex data insights to clients would not only ensure they benefit fully from your service but also establish you as a trusted advisor.

With companies like iTechArt generating massive revenues and creating numerous jobs, the growth potential is significant. By starting a data analysis service, you could build a profitable side business or even transition to a full-time entrepreneurial venture.

How much you can make: $20 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

I Built $1.54M/Year Tool That Finds The Best Investment Properties [From UK]

Founder of PropertyData creates a subscription website for UK property investors and developers that is now making $128,000 per month in recurring revenue.

Read by 10,238 founders

4. Start a data mining and analytics tools business ($237K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to start a data mining and analytics tools business, turning raw data into actionable insights. By focusing on developing software that efficiently extracts, processes, and analyzes vast amounts of data, you could help industries like finance, healthcare, and retail uncover valuable patterns and trends. This opportunity combines your proficiency in programming, statistics, and machine learning with the increasing market demand for data-driven decision-making.

With data playing a pivotal role in strategic business decisions, your tools could provide essential intelligence, enabling businesses to navigate their competitive landscapes more effectively. The growing need for innovative analytics solutions presents a ripe market for your products, making this not only a profitable venture but also one that can drive industry-wide transformations. This business idea not only capitalizes on your technical skill set but also meets a critical market need, making it an exciting and rewarding entrepreneurial endeavor.

How much you can make: $450 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 107 days (?)

How We Developed A $40K/Month Email Parser Application

Parseur, the data extraction tool, helps businesses automate their data entry process, catering to multiple industries such as food delivery, real estate and marketing, and has grown to over $40k in revenue per month since its launch in 2017.

Read by 10,496 founders

5. Start a cloud management software ($129K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your expertise to develop cloud management software that helps businesses optimize their cloud resources. This venture would involve creating intuitive interfaces and robust backend systems to facilitate better monitoring, resource allocation, and security compliance for companies transitioning their operations into the cloud.

The demand for cloud management tools is enormous, spanning industries from healthcare to finance, which means you would be entering a highly lucrative and growth-oriented market. If you're driven by the challenge of solving complex technical problems and have a passion for software development, this could be the rewarding business opportunity you're seeking.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $330,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Partnered With Salesforce To Develop A $330K/Month Laboratory Information Management SaaS

Third Wave Analytics developed the world's first cloud-based and customizable LIMS platform on Salesforce, generating $330k monthly revenue from clients such as Ohio State University and Boston University School of Medicine while partnering with the University of California-Berkeley for a COVID-19 study; founder Savitra Sharma advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on clear objectives to meet their goals.

Read by 8,125 founders

6. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)

Starting a social media automation business would make perfect sense for a cloud engineer due to your technical expertise and experience with scalable infrastructure. You could develop or integrate existing software solutions to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across multiple social media platforms. This would not only leverage your skills in managing complex systems but also allow you to create efficient, cloud-based tools that appeal to businesses and influencers looking to enhance their social media presence.

Given the growing demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there's a significant market for such automated solutions. By offering these services, you could attract clients from diverse sectors who are eager to save time and optimize their social media efforts. This venture could serve as a side business to supplement your income or potentially evolve into a full-fledged enterprise, combining your technical prowess and a burgeoning market need.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A Social Media Automation Tool To $2MM/Year

MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.

Read by 15,249 founders

7. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to create an email marketing tool, tapping into a booming industry expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028. By building software that automates email campaigns, you could offer a powerful solution to entrepreneurs, startups, and real estate agents seeking to generate leads, increase sales, and reach a wider audience.

Your knowledge of cloud architecture could ensure that your tool is scalable and efficient, meeting the high demands of bulk emailing. This venture could start as a side business with minimal investment—simply a domain and hosting account—before evolving into a full-fledged enterprise. With email marketing being one of the most effective channels available, your tool could provide significant value and gain considerable traction in the market.

How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.

Read by 14,148 founders

8. Start a health and wellness consulting business ($148K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your analytical skills and passion for problem-solving to start a health and wellness consulting business. Imagine guiding others towards a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle by advising them on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management techniques. With a growing market of individuals eager to invest in their well-being, this venture offers significant potential for supplementary income and personal fulfillment.

Given your expertise in managing complex systems, you could easily transition to developing personalized wellness plans that align with each client's unique needs and goals. Certification and continuous learning would enhance your credibility, allowing you to build a rewarding side business or even a new career path. Are you ready to inspire and transform lives while capitalizing on the lucrative health and wellness industry?

How much you can make: $100 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

How This Couple Started A $100K/Month Sea Moss Infused Health Supplements Brand

Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.

Read by 30,061 founders

9. Start a marketing coaching business ($69.6K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise and industry insights to start a marketing coaching business tailored to tech companies. Your deep understanding of cloud solutions and their market applications could help businesses articulate their value propositions more effectively. Imagine guiding tech firms to refine their messaging, optimizing their digital campaigns, and enhancing their overall market presence.

No large upfront investment is needed—your knowledge and strategic acumen are your primary assets. You could start by offering personalized coaching sessions or online workshops that translate complex technological concepts into compelling marketing strategies. By transforming your technical know-how into actionable marketing insights, you could help businesses achieve significant growth, all while supplementing your income.

How much you can make: $350 — $4,166,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,350 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How I Started A $10K/Month Business Selling DIY Web Design And Marketing Courses

How Shannon Mattern built a DIY web design training business from scratch that now generates $10k/month in revenue through affiliate commissions and courses, without outside investment or debt.

Read by 21,223 founders

10. Start a B2B sales app ($144K/month)

As a cloud engineer, leveraging your technical expertise to create a B2B sales app could be a lucrative business venture. Many sales professionals value the convenience and efficiency that these apps provide, with 72% of B2B buyers appreciating self-service access to accounts and orders. By developing a robust app that includes features like automated lead generation, lead scoring, and product catalog access, you could significantly improve the sales process for businesses.

Your cloud engineering skills will be crucial in ensuring the app is scalable, secure, and integrates seamlessly with existing business systems. This market opportunity allows you to utilize your current expertise while tapping into the high demand for efficient sales tools. To start, consider reaching out to sales professionals for feedback and validation on your app concept to ensure it addresses their specific needs.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $666,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)

How We Created A $40K/Month 1-Click Integrations Platform

Integrately founder Abhishek A Agrawal built a 1-click integration platform which acquired around 1,500 paid customers within the first month of its launch, showing that people are looking for an easy way to automate their processes.

Read by 11,847 founders

11. Become a landlord

As a cloud engineer, you could consider supplementing your income by investing in rental properties and becoming a landlord. Purchasing properties and leasing them out to tenants could generate a steady revenue stream through monthly rent payments, leveraging your analytical and problem-solving skills to effectively manage and scale your real estate portfolio.

In recent years, the demand for rental properties has surged, making it an opportune time to enter the market. With your technical background, you could employ cloud-based property management tools to optimize operations and enhance tenant relationships. Additionally, becoming a landlord offers the potential for long-term investment gains and gives you the freedom to be your own boss.

12. Become a Facebook ads consultant ($801K/month)

As a cloud engineer, starting a business as a Facebook ads consultant could be a lucrative and practical venture to supplement your income. With your technical savvy and analytical skills, you could effectively manage and optimize Facebook ad campaigns, driving traffic to various websites and converting clicks into paying customers. Your understanding of data and metrics would be invaluable in crafting targeted advertising strategies that yield the best results.

Launching a Facebook ads consultancy is a popular and growing field, with many consultants finding success. This side business offers a predictable revenue stream, and the potential earnings can vary widely depending on your niche and ad budget. By leveraging your current expertise and expanding into the marketing realm, you could enjoy the benefits of passive income while utilizing your existing skill set in a new and exciting way.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $8,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,175 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How I Disrupted The Ad Industry And Grew My Business To $20M/Year

MonetizeMore founder and CEO shares his success story of growing his ad optimization business to over $20M in annual revenues by focusing on the offering that delivered the best results, using content marketing for lead generation, and establishing strategic partnerships with complimentary businesses.

Read by 21,886 founders

13. Start a business podcast ($111K/month)

As a cloud engineer, starting a business podcast could unlock numerous entrepreneurial opportunities. You could share in-depth discussions about cloud engineering trends, emerging technologies, and real-world applications, providing valuable insights to both budding and established professionals in the industry. By inviting esteemed industry leaders for interviews, you could not only build a network but also create compelling content that attracts a dedicated listener base.

This venture would offer low upfront costs, requiring only quality recording equipment and consistent effort to produce high-quality episodes. You could monetize your podcast through ad revenue, sponsorships, and even listener donations, supplementing your income while maintaining a flexible schedule. With a passion for technology and communication, a business podcast could become a rewarding platform for influence and market engagement.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $349,983/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

Empire Flippers: $20M/Year Helping People Buy And Sell Websites

Empire Flippers is a thought leader in brokering online business deals, having brokered over $50 million worth of deals and grown their pool of potential buyers by hundreds every month through a focus on content marketing and middle-of-funnel content.

Read by 10,508 founders

14. Start a video production company ($156K/month)

As a cloud engineer, starting a video production company could be a strategic way to supplement your income while leveraging your technical expertise. You could offer cloud-based video storage and streaming solutions as part of your services, ensuring that your clients’ videos are securely stored and easily accessible. This could differentiate you from other video production companies by providing a seamless integration of technology and creativity.

Additionally, your understanding of cloud infrastructure could help you streamline video editing processes through cloud-based tools, enhancing efficiency and scalability. You could target tech companies that need high-quality video content for product showcases, corporate training, and marketing campaigns. This dual advantage of production capability and technical know-how makes it a compelling side business or even a primary business venture.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 72 days (?)

How I Started A $500K/Month Video Production Company From My Bedroom in LA

Lemonlight CEO, Hope Horner, co-founded an on-demand video production company that has produced over 7,000 videos for more than 3,000 brands, generating over $6 million in sales and growing to a 45-person team, all without taking any outside capital and being recognized in Inc 5000 and Entrepreneur 360 for three years in a row.

Read by 18,329 founders

15. Start a micro saas ($83.3K/month)

As a cloud engineer, venturing into a micro-SaaS business presents an exciting opportunity to leverage your technical skills while addressing niche market needs. You could develop specialized software solutions tailored to specific customer problems, differentiating your offerings from broader SaaS products. By doing so, you allow yourself to gain in-depth knowledge of your customer's unique requirements and provide highly customized solutions.

Starting a micro-SaaS venture enables you to build a closer relationship with your customer base, fostering direct and meaningful feedback that can significantly refine your product. This precision and customer-centric approach is essential for establishing a strong presence in particular market segments. With your expertise in scalable, resilient cloud architectures, building a micro-SaaS on a platform that supports business growth and expansion becomes a seamless process.

Prioritizing continuous iteration based on customer feedback ensures that your product remains relevant and valuable. This can not only supplement your income but also has the potential to evolve into a full-fledged business. Moreover, your cloud engineering skills are perfectly suited for maintaining the high availability and performance expected of a micro-SaaS product, making it a strategic entrepreneurial move.

How much you can make: $117 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Developed A $29K/Month WhatsApp Plugin For Shopify

SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.

Read by 23,585 founders

16. Start an ecommerce platform ($202K/month)

As a cloud engineer, starting an eCommerce platform could be a strategic move to leverage your technical skills into a profitable side business. With over 2 billion people preferring online shopping, the eCommerce industry presents a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurial minds. By architecting scalable, secure, and efficient cloud infrastructure, you could create a robust online store capable of handling substantial traffic, offering a seamless user experience.

The growing trend towards online shopping, driven by its speed and convenience, indicates a promising future for eCommerce platforms. Your existing expertise in cloud services allows you to optimize back-end operations, from hosting to security, giving you a competitive edge in the market. This venture not only supplements your income but also provides a practical application for your cloud engineering skills, potentially transforming your side project into a main business.

How much you can make: $100 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

How I Left My Job To Start A $9K/Month CAD Design Business

A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.

Read by 20,205 founders

17. Start a mom blog ($5.33K/month)

As a cloud engineer, starting a mom blog could be a smart and rewarding side business. You could leverage your technical skills to create a polished, user-friendly site that attracts a steady stream of visitors, making it easy for mothers to connect and find valuable parenting content. Your expertise in cloud services ensures the blog is scalable and always available, enhancing the user experience.

Monetizing your blog could involve utilizing affiliate links or selling custom merchandise tailored to parents and families. Including resourceful and encouraging content will help increase traffic, fostering a supportive community for mothers worldwide. Plus, your ability to optimize for search engines could elevate the blog's visibility, further boosting its income potential.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $10,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

How I Started A $10K/Month Blog About Motherhood

Mom blogger creates two related businesses, one generating 8-10k Canadian dollars per month in traffic revenue, and another offering courses to new bloggers about how to monetize their sites, all at an initial investment of $2,000, and largely based on her Pinterest presence.

Read by 10,228 founders

18. Start a garage organizer business

As a cloud engineer, you could start a garage organizer business to supplement your income utilizing your problem-solving skills and knack for structured thinking. Just as you manage and optimize cloud resources, you could provide homeowners and businesses with tailored solutions to declutter and efficiently use their garage spaces. This new venture could tap into the growing demand for organized and functional home environments.

Your technical background could give you an edge in understanding spatial efficiency, allowing you to create customized plans involving shelving, cabinets, and other storage solutions. Additionally, your experience working with clients to understand and address their needs translates well to this service-based business. Effective communication and time management, skills honed in your engineering career, would be essential for handling multiple projects and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Marketing and networking within your community could bring in new clients and lead to steady growth. By leveraging your engineering expertise and customer service aptitude, a garage organizer business could become a lucrative side hustle or even a full-fledged business.

How much you can make: $10,500/month

How We Started A $10K/Month Design Studio

Curate Labs is a creative practice focused around ethical and sustainable design, with an annual publication that champions good business and a travel platform that advocates conscious travel, founded in 2016 by co-founders Abb-d Choudhury and Sara, bootstrapped, now turning into one business with 3 departments and aiming for 50-100% increase in revenue.

Read by 9,132 founders

19. Launch an online classes platform ($64.7K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your expertise to start an online classes platform that meets the growing demand for remote and flexible learning. You could develop and offer specialized courses in cloud computing, including certification programs and interactive workshops, that cater to both beginners and advanced users.

Building and managing the platform would allow you to apply your cloud engineering skills in designing a secure, scalable, and user-friendly educational environment. Additionally, you could utilize effective marketing strategies to attract a global audience and continuously engage learners with updated content and interactive experiences.

This entrepreneurial venture not only supplements your income but also positions you as a thought leader in the cloud computing community, making education accessible and rewarding.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $175,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How We Developed And Launched A Platform To Find Tutors And Online Classes

MillionCenters is a hyperlocal TUTOR/COACHING-CENTER connecting platform that aims to be the one-stop platform for all learning needs, with 50,000 plus downloads and growing in double digits growth rate month-over-month and a customer acquisition rate of USD 1.

Read by 8,735 founders

20. Become a content strategist ($64K/month)

As a cloud engineer, you could leverage your expertise in technology and infrastructure to start a content strategist business. Your deep understanding of technical subjects can help you create targeted and effective content strategies for technology companies, ensuring their messaging resonates with their audience. Through market research and data analysis, you could identify key trends and insights within the tech industry to craft compelling content that aligns with business goals and objectives.

Your strong communication and collaboration skills would enable you to work closely with marketing and sales teams, ensuring that the content strategy supports overall business objectives. Additionally, your project management skills, honed through managing complex cloud projects, would allow you to efficiently handle multiple content strategy projects and meet deadlines effectively. By combining your cloud engineering expertise and a strategic approach to content, you could build a successful side business as a content strategist, supplementing your income and potentially paving the way for a full-time entrepreneurial venture.

How much you can make: $500 — $550,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started An $8K/Month Technical Content Marketing Agency

Draft founder, Karl, built a productized service for technical content, generating $10k in (mostly) recurring revenue in just three months of running the business, showing the success of skill-stacking and the impact of word of mouth and maintaining a strong network in a service business.

Read by 10,115 founders

21. Start a health and wellness blog ($175K/month)

As a cloud engineer with a passion for health and wellness, starting a blog in this niche could be a highly rewarding side business. You could leverage your technical skills to create a robust, scalable, and visually appealing blog platform. Your understanding of cloud infrastructure could help you optimize your blog’s performance, ensuring that it runs smoothly even with increasing traffic.

By sharing what you know about nutrition, physical fitness, mental health, and holistic wellness, you could attract a dedicated following. Engaging with readers through comments and social media, you could build a community that values your insights. If you are dedicated and consistent, this side business could eventually open the door to collaborations with health brands and experts, offering further opportunities to supplement your income.

How much you can make: $100 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How I Developed A $300K/Month Wearable That Reduces Stress

This case study article follows Vicki Mayo, who developed a stress-reducing wearable product for her company TouchPoint, which achieved over $2 million in sales in the first couple of years and has been used for stress relief over 3 million times.

Read by 6,998 founders

22. Start a rabbit farming business

As a cloud engineer, you could explore the entrepreneurial avenues of starting a rabbit farming business to supplement your income or even grow it into a substantial side business. Rabbit farming, much like livestock farming, holds the potential for generating a good primary income if approached with dedication and hard work. Given your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, you could effectively manage the operational and technical aspects of rabbit farming, such as optimizing the use of space in your rabbitry and selecting the best breeds to maximize productivity.

To get started, you would need to secure sufficient space for housing your rabbits and gain a basic understanding of best practices in rabbit farming. Partnering with a mentor could provide you with invaluable guidance and education, streamlining your path to successful rabbit farming. Balancing your technical career with a hands-on agricultural venture could diversify your income streams and provide a satisfying blend of intellectual and practical work.

meet the author
Pat Walls