Business ideas
Business ideas by business model
Which business model should I choose?
The business model decides how you make money: who pays, how often, at what margin and how much of your time each sale needs.
Two businesses in the same industry can have completely different economics because of their model. Choose deliberately.
How to think about it
- Compare models on margin, repeatability, sales effort and founder time
- Your model should suit your objectives, not a trend
- Models can change as evidence arrives
Who you sell to
- B2B
- Selling to businesses: fewer, larger customers; longer decisions; relationship-led sales.
- D2C / B2C
- Selling to consumers: many smaller transactions; brand and acquisition cost matter.
- Local service
- Serving a defined area; reputation and referrals drive growth.
- Marketplace
- Connecting buyers and sellers; hard to start because both sides are needed.
What you sell
- Service
- Selling expertise or labour; quick to start, limited by delivery capacity.
- Product
- Selling physical goods; stock, margin and logistics matter.
- Ecommerce
- Selling products online; acquisition cost and fulfilment drive economics.
- Digital product
- Selling something made once and sold repeatedly; distribution is the challenge.
- Productised service
- A defined service at a fixed price and scope; easier to sell and deliver consistently.
How it is delivered
- Agency
- Delivering ongoing work for clients, typically with a team.
- Consultancy
- Selling advice and expertise; high value, tied to founder time.
- Managed service
- Taking ongoing responsibility for an outcome or function; usually recurring.
- Subscription
- Customers pay regularly for continued access or supply.
- Recurring revenue
- Any model where customers repeat by design — contracts, retainers, maintenance.
In-depth guides (21)
Agency business ideas
Business ideas for starting an agency that delivers specialist work through a team of experts or freelancers.
AI and automation service business ideas
Explore business ideas focused on implementing AI workflows and automating business processes for B2B clients.
B2B service business ideas
Practical B2B service business ideas focused on solving operational, compliance, and efficiency problems for other companies.
B2C service business ideas
Direct-to-consumer service business ideas based on convenience, expertise, and solving household or personal problems.
Commercial service business ideas
Explore business ideas for essential B2B services, from commercial cleaning and logistics to facility management and maintenance.
Consultancy business ideas
How to start a consultancy business by packaging your expertise into high-value advice and strategic implementation.
Distribution business ideas and models
Comprehensive guide to starting a distribution business, focusing on exclusive territory rights, technical components, and B2B supply chain efficiency.
What ecommerce business should I start?
Explore ecommerce business ideas based on niche product specialism, B2B supply, and technical component distribution in the UK market.
Inspection and contract-based service ideas
Explore business ideas focused on mandatory inspections and long-term contract services for commercial and industrial clients.
Local service business ideas for UK founders
Find local service business ideas from commercial maintenance to specialist cleaning and mobile repair services in your area.
Managed-service business ideas for recurring revenue
Explore managed service business ideas that take over ongoing operational functions for organisations, from IT to facilities management.
Manufacturing business ideas for new founders
Explore manufacturing business ideas including CNC machining, bespoke textiles, and specialist chemical blending for the UK market.
Marketplace business ideas for niche platforms
Explore marketplace business ideas from equipment rental to specialist freelancer directories and shared commercial spaces for the UK market.
Membership business ideas for community and access
Explore membership business ideas providing exclusive access, community, or benefits to specific groups in the UK market.
Outsourced function business ideas (BPO for SMEs)
Explore business ideas for outsourcing specific company departments, from payroll to customer support, tailored for the UK SME market.
Productised-service business ideas
How to turn custom services into repeatable products with fixed scopes, prices, and processes for better scalability.
Professional service business ideas
Explore business ideas based on high-level professional expertise, from specialised consultancy to regulated advisory services.
Recurring maintenance business ideas
Discover business ideas focused on recurring maintenance services that provide predictable income and long-term B2B client relationships.
Software-enabled service (SeS) business ideas
Explore business ideas that combine professional services with proprietary software to deliver faster, more efficient, and scalable B2B solutions.
Subscription business ideas
Explore subscription-based business models that offer ongoing value in exchange for regular, predictable payments.
Wholesale business ideas for new founders
Identify wholesale opportunities in B2B supply, specialist food, and industrial materials with this guide to trade business ideas.
Narrow it down
Not sure which of these fits you?
The free tool compares directions against your own skills, time, capital and objectives.
Other ways to explore