Any Possible Business Startups That Cost Nothing?

[DaleUK]

I have so many ideas for businesses but y current position, money/finance is a huge issue and I simply do not have the cash upfront to invest. I know this is probably one of the biggest issues for the young entrepreneur so I was wondering...

What sort of 'businesses' can be started up on nothing? Can anyone give any examples of startups which require no investment? Does anyone have any experience of starting up on nothing, successful or not?

Please share your thoughts here! I'm sure this will be a useful for everyone.

Thanks!

[flnazrael]

Buy some used books on Amazon.com about XHTML, Photoshop, and web design in general. Then learn about CMSes like Wordpress for blogs, Zen Cart or Magento for online stores, Joomla or Drupal for other dynamic sites...

When you learn these skills, you have dozens of options for online businesses that can be started for free. Directories, stores, AdSense sites, advertising sites, etc., etc.

[andrewrichardgale]

cleaning windows, cleaning houses, cleaning garages, collecting cans, computer help around your city( like best buys computer geek or whatever its called) except you would be cheaper, theres lots of things but why dont you just work for some money so you can eventually startup whatever business you want? and get a loan/whatever eventually

[HarveyJ]

Mugging people is pretty cheap, and all the tools you need can be found lying around construction sites.

On a serious note, why not try creating a localised directory service?
You go around to local businesses telling them you're going to make a little booklet/flyer that will be posted to every resident in the area (aka junkmailing) AND you'll set up a website to support it (shopsinlocalarea.com or something).
You present them with a range of options (basic listing, premium listing, mini-site off the main site (fishandchips.shopsinlocalarea.com), etc etc.
Make sure you've got a bit of lead time, so you can go around to all the businesses in the area before having to setup the WHOLE thing.

Now, they will be skeptical, so get the site and a basic version of the flyer up and running by getting half a dozen businesses on board for free at first. Give them a full year for free on the condition that they give you a recommendation, and they'll happily get on board.

Go cold calling about the place, and also go to your local Chamber of Commerce meetings to spread the idea a bit.

If you've played your cards right and kept your prices to reasonable rates, you should have gotten a decent number of people to sign up to it. Then you simply send them a bill every 6 months and collect the fees.
$100 per year x 100 businesses (which is a reasonable number to expect) = $10k.

Then, rinse and repeat for another area nearby, etc etc.