15 Productivity-Related Business Ideas You Can Start Today
Let's face it - one way or another, everyone wants to be more productive.
So, where do most people turn to? Tools and software to make them more productive (or at least feel more productive).
Businesses like Trello, Monday.com and Hubspot are all wildly successful - and more businesses like these are coming into the market every day.
If you have a passion for productivity and are looking to start a business, we put together 15 different productivity-related business ideas you can start today.
Here they are:
1. Start a podcast
The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.
It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.
To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.
First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.
Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.
Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.
Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
2. Start a team collaboration app
In a world where remote work is becoming the norm, a Team Collaboration App is essential for seamless communication and productivity. This idea revolves around building a platform that enables teams to share files, manage projects, and communicate effectively in real-time.
Think of it as a one-stop-shop for every need your team may have—whether that's video conferencing, task management, or document sharing. The beauty of this idea lies in its flexibility and scalability, accommodating small startups to large corporations.
Developing such an app involves planning user-friendly interfaces and integrating robust security features. You'll need to maintain a steady pace of updates and customer support to keep users satisfied and engaged.
If you possess a knack for solving workplace inefficiencies and a passion for coding or project management, this is a venture worth considering. Team Collaboration Apps are not just tools; they're the backbone of modern remote work culture.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $1,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Meister Labs, creators of MindMeister and MeisterTask, have close to $10 million ARR with their Freemium subscription business model, providing software tools for small to medium-sized businesses from all verticals and private users as well, which include 11 million MindMeister and 3 million MeisterTask users.
3. Start an email automation platform
Tired of juggling countless emails? Enter the world of email automation platforms. These tools streamline the process of sending personalized emails to your audience, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Building an email automation platform involves developing software that can segment your audience, personalize content, and schedule emails. The real work includes collaborating with developers, marketers, and customer service teams, understanding clients' needs, and continuously optimizing the software for better performance.
With businesses increasingly relying on digital marketing, the demand for efficient email solutions continues to rise. Starting this venture offers a chance to provide essential tools that enhance communication and boost engagement strategies. If you're tech-savvy and eager to develop impactful solutions, creating an email automation platform could be your next successful business endeavor.
How much you can make: $21 — $4,160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Two entrepreneurs developed Coldinbox, a bulk LinkedIn messaging tool that assists B2B business development managers in converting high-value prospects into leads and customers, resulting in $35,000 in monthly profits.
4. Start a time tracking app
A time tracking app is a tool used allows its user to clock in/out via an internet-connected device or to use a stopwatch to record the start and end of tasks. The time tracker apps also have analytics and reporting features that consolidate the data so that users can gain insights into time spent on different tasks, projects, and clients.
The growing need among managers and enterprises to improve employee productivity and adopt a remote work culture contribute to the high demand for time-tracking apps.
Therefore, if you are looking for the best App-based business, you may consider developing a time tracker application. Here is a high-level overview of some steps to get you started working on your business idea of the time tracker App
- Define the project scope
- Choose a software development methodology
- Formulate the approach for your development project
- Create a project team
- Develop the project plan with timelines
- Test the prototypes
- Find suitable API solutions
- Publish the Apps
How much you can make: $350 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Labor Sync is a mobile application that provides business owners with the ability to track the time and GPS location of their mobile workforce and after just one year of use, they saved $104,000 across 45 employees despite starting off with no funds for advertising or marketing.
5. Create an online course
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
6. Create a website builder
Jumpstart your tech venture with a website builder business. A website builder offers a platform to create websites without needing sophisticated coding skills.
This business revolves around developing a user-friendly tool that helps individuals and businesses design their own websites with ease—drag-and-drop features, customizable templates, and integrated functionalities like eCommerce and SEO tools.
The demand for websites is insatiable, fostered by the growing number of small businesses, freelancers, and personal brands needing an online presence. By providing an easy-to-use solution, you tap into a vast market eager for simplicity and efficiency.
Starting this business requires a solid understanding of web development, user experience, and continuous adaptation to new tech advancements. But the payoff is substantial: empowering users to establish their digital footprint efficiently.
How much you can make: $200 — $8,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Co-founder of Madwire JB Kellogg grew his business from just the two of them in a tiny office to over 500 employees and $100 million in annual revenue in under 10 years, by focusing on exceptional customer service and a multi-channel inbound strategy.
7. Create a calendar sync tool
Struggling to manage multiple calendars efficiently? A calendar sync tool can simplify your life. By integrating various calendars into one seamless platform, a calendar sync tool ensures you never miss a meeting or double-book an appointment.
This business idea involves developing a software solution that synchronizes users' work, personal, and shared calendars across different apps and devices. The goal is to provide an intuitive user experience that minimizes scheduling conflicts.
Interest in such a tool stems from the universal need for better organization. With the rise of remote work and diverse time zones, a reliable calendar sync tool is more relevant than ever. Creating this tool requires thorough market research, strong software development skills, and an understanding of various calendar APIs.
Starting a calendar sync tool business can be rewarding both personally and financially, as it addresses a common pain point with a scalable tech solution, opening avenues for growth and innovation.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $177,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Resource Guru is an online team calendar software, used by around 20,000 people in 88 countries around the world to help them manage their team's time, and has a current ARR of $2.1m.
8. Start a journal brand
A journal is a newspaper or a magazine that covers a particular subject or a professional activity based on the author's thoughts and feelings. The beauty of journaling is there is no right or wrong way to start.
The approach depends on your personal experience and can take many forms.
Find a journaling habit that works for you and create a writing routine. Get creative and journal about anything that comes to mind, so long as it interests your target audience.
How much you can make: $200 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 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.
9. Start a task management software
Struggling to keep track of your to-dos and deadlines? Explore task management software. This business idea involves developing a digital solution to organize tasks efficiently, set priorities, and streamline project workflows.
Task management software isn’t just a fancy to-do list. It’s a robust system designed to help individuals and teams collaborate seamlessly, ensuring that no deadlines are missed and productivity stays on track. With growing remote work trends, this tool becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.
Starting this venture requires a blend of software development skills and an understanding of productivity challenges faced by businesses today. Imagine providing companies with a platform that could revolutionize how they handle tasks and projects. The potential for growth and continuous improvement makes this a compelling business idea worth considering.
How much you can make: $700 — $4,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
SmartTask is a project management tool that has received $300K in seed funding this year and it currently has 40,000+ active users, serving prominent brands such as Amul, Adecco, Ecolab, and ABB, among others, aiming to make people 3x more productive.
10. Start a time management/productivity coaching business
Struggling with managing your time effectively? Consider a time management/productivity coaching business. This business helps individuals and organizations optimize their schedules and workflows to achieve maximum efficiency.
As a time management coach, you’ll assist clients by identifying time-wasting habits, setting achievable goals, and implementing effective strategies to enhance productivity. You’ll offer personalized coaching sessions, workshops, and possibly even online courses.
This business is particularly appealing because time management skills are universally in demand, transcending industries and professions. From stressed-out executives to overwhelmed students, there’s a wide potential clientele. Plus, it’s flexible—you can conduct sessions online or in person, fitting it around your own schedule.
If you have a knack for organization and a desire to help others succeed, starting a time management coaching business could be a fulfilling and profitable venture. The rising need for work-life balance makes this an opportune time to dive in.
How much you can make: $4,500/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 178 days (?)
A time management coach and project management consultant shares how she transitioned from a corporate career to self-employment, built a successful coaching business, and launched a transformative program that has received rave reviews and changed lives.
11. Become a youtube personality
YouTube personalities produce videos on YouTube and post them on their channels. YouTube personalities make money through the following:
- Advertising revenue - Ads revenue from the display, overlay, and video ads
- Channel Memberships – members earn recurring revenue in exchange for special perks they offer
- Merch Shelf – When channel fans browse and purchase official branded merchandise, you showcase it on watch pages.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers – Fans pay to get their messages highlighted in chat streams
- YouTube Premium Revenue – Get part of a premium subscriber’s subscription fee when fans watch your content.
You can start earning money through either or all of the above options, so long as you meet their YouTube-defined criteria and they are available in your location.
If you want to make money on YouTube, you must apply and be approved for the YouTube Partner Program, which gives creators greater access to YouTube resources and features.
How much you can make: $175,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5 (?)
How long does it take to build: 34 days (?)
This case study explores Thomas Frank's successful business teaching people how to use Notion and selling templates, with sales reaching $2.1 million in two years and template sales currently at $120k/mo, showcasing his journey from blogging and YouTube to e-commerce and SaaS.
12. Start a project management tool
A project management tool business involves developing software that helps managers and teams organize, plan, and track projects.
Features may include task lists, Gantt charts, time tracking, resource planning, collaboration tools, reports, and more.
You can offer the software as a web or mobile application through a software-as-a-service subscription model.
Building an innovative and user-friendly project management tool has excellent business potential as organizations constantly seek solutions to improve workflow, accountability, and efficiency.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $830,000/month
How long does it take to build: 178 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
13. Create a goal setting app
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)
14. Start an online calendar business
Think about simplifying everyone’s busy lives with an online calendar business. Essentially, you’ll develop a digital tool where users can manage their schedules seamlessly from any device.
The market is ripe for intuitive, clutter-free scheduling apps that integrate with various platforms like email and task managers. You’ll focus on offering a user-friendly interface that helps individuals, teams, and families stay organized without hassle.
The beauty of this business lies in its scalability. Start by targeting niches like freelancers, small businesses, or remote teams. With continuous improvement and the right marketing strategy, your platform can become indispensable.
By building a calendar tool that prioritizes simplicity and integration, you'll not only tap into a constantly growing demand but also offer a solution that people genuinely need. This business idea holds potential for steady growth with the right amount of effort and innovation.
How much you can make: $50,000/month
How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)
Spurwing, a scheduling API start-up, developed a cost-effective solution to help developers and managers avoid the complex process of building custom scheduling solutions from scratch, resulting in powering millions of appointment bookings for thousands of companies.
15. Start a to do list business
Struggling to stay organized in today’s digital age? Consider starting a to-do list business.
This venture focuses on creating customized to-do lists and task management solutions for busy individuals and businesses. Your service can range from personalized daily reminders to intricate project management plans, all designed to make people more productive.
Efficient task management is a skill everyone needs but few master. By offering tailored to-do lists, you solve a common problem, making your clients' lives easier and more structured.
To get started, you'll need keen organizational skills and knowledge of various task management tools. Marketing your services online and leveraging social media can help attract clients. It’s an idea that not only addresses a universal need but also allows you to make a significant impact in others’ lives.
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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.
