What are the profitable business ideas that have taken off in recent years? It’s always a good moment to pause and look at what’s been working. Last week we went through the best books for entrepreneurs, and now we’re diving headfirst into business.

Launching a start-up or a project from scratch is a high-risk profession. It’s never easy and it can play out either way — a huge success or a flat-out failure. As you move forward and tick off milestones, you can start to sense how it’ll end. But can you actually tell ahead of time?

To try to answer that question, we’ve put together 5 types of profitable businesses that have proved to be evergreen winners.

Profitable business ideas

One of the keys to knowing whether your project can work is figuring out where it fits in the market. Some start-ups only make sense when the goal is profit, and others come with the stamp of “disaster” from day one. Knowing what you’re doing and having a solid plan is essential to set yourself up for success — even though the road is long, of course.

Social media

These days, not having a social media presence is throwing away a huge advantage over your competitors. Whether you’re building a personal brand or running a business, being out there on social platforms is almost a make-or-break factor for success. Why? Just take a look at the sheer number of people on social media and the time they spend there — that alone should win you over.

How can this fit your project? One of the most profitable businesses year after year is social media consulting. Companies that want to move into the online world, shops that want to sell online, or even those already online but unable to make the most of it, hire freelancers to “run” their content and social media strategy.

E-commerce — Online stores

Is it possible to combine a brick-and-mortar business with an online business? Most companies have approached the online world cautiously, treating it more as a rival than as an ally. They eventually gave in, and in 90% of shops you can now buy the same thing online as in store. So what does that tell us?

Smaller shops have skipped the physical step altogether and gone straight to the online world. Cost is a major factor here — running an online shop is cheaper than having your own storefront. Add to that the rise of dropshipping with suppliers and the option of selling through social media, which lets you skip even the cost of a website.

The advantages tip the scales decisively in favour of these business models.

Design and branding

The day Microsoft announced the “death” of Paint, many of us hit the same wall: Paint is far too limited for the visuals we actually need. When an entrepreneur finally decides to launch a business, they often realise their logo and visuals are pretty underdeveloped.

That’s where you come in, with your great designs ready to offer and save the day. A brand’s image is the first impression a customer gets — and it’s what makes them decide whether to stay or go. That’s why the design professional has become one of the most sought-after roles for businesses and freelancers.

The entrepreneur and the designer are two players who help each other grow. Good design gives the business a face, and that same business can become a springboard for the designer.

Online breakfasts

As you can see, the most profitable businesses grabbing the spotlight are tightly connected. The common thread is that everything sits inside the big bubble of the online world. And in that world, creativity gets the biggest reward. You can order practically anything online — but what if there’s still a gap?

That’s exactly what many breakfast services, well beyond the usual toast and coffee, have spotted. Now, thanks to delivery services, you can order a full breakfast — with all the extras you want — and have it delivered to your door for the weekend.

It’s the kind of thing that’s perfect for a surprise, and it’s worked its way into the most in-demand offerings on the market. Betting on this is almost like backing a sure thing.

Training and education

Investing in training is something people have always done — there’s always something new to learn. And for someone to be trained, there has to be someone delivering that knowledge, right? In recent years schools, events and courses have multiplied, all aimed at helping people who want to build their own project.

Sharing your knowledge not only gives you “expert” status, it’s also a megaphone for your work. A good experience with students or fellow entrepreneurs sticks. Precisely because it reinforces your personal brand and your professionalism, this kind of work has become one of the most sought-after roles by training schools.

What do you think of these five profitable business ideas? Which one would you add?