Are you a computer engineer looking to earn extra income by starting your own business? If yes, we’ve got some of the best and most profitable small business ideas for computer engineers.
No other degree qualifications offer students the opportunity to work in as many fields as computer engineering. With just one degree, you could work in aerospace engineering, finance and banking, communications, IT, energy, biomedicine and many more. A computer engineer can easily have their career take them through many industries including medicine, teaching, law, research, and of course, entrepreneurship.
Any device with an IT or energy component is derived from a knowledge of computer engineering. From providing correct medical diagnoses to exploring outer space, the field of computer engineering plays a crucial role in today’s modern world. And, computer engineers are often the people who possess the knowledge and skills needed to make the world a better place.
If you have experience with computers and related technology, you’re well on your way to becoming the founder of a successful start-up. If you’ve got the qualifications, training, and relevant experience, here are some profitable small business ideas to consider.
Computer Cleaning Services
It’s not really a service that you think about very often – do people actually pay to have their computer cleaned? The answer is yes, and you can make a lot of money from it. It’s a job that people are often reluctant to do themselves as they’re worried about damaging the computer, and many commercial cleaners won’t even so much as dust a desk if a computer is sitting on it because they don’t want to risk having to accept the liability should anything happen to it.
3D Printing for Computer Engineer
3D printing is a rapidly growing sector within the computer industry that uses computer files to generate and manufacture products from scratch. If you’re experienced with 3D printing software and devices, you might want to consider launching a business selling 3D printing files or even the finished 3D printed products.
Battery Reconditioning
This business is all about restoring batteries to their full original power capacity; as an electrical engineer, you’ll probably know how this is done by adding chemicals. As more people are using cars and becoming more conscious of cost at the same time, there’s a growing need for this service. You could also provide the service for:
Mobile phone batteriesLaptop batteriesOther rechargeable devicesComputer Repair
Computer repair is the obvious choice when it comes to small business ideas for computer engineers. Offering computer repair services aimed at companies is a particularly lucrative move as a computer malfunction or complete network crash could cost some companies thousands of dollars. This fact alone means that as a self-employed computer repair technician, your services will definitely be in demand.
Clients will rely on you to get their computers and networks back up and running again as quickly as possibleYou can make money from offering an emergency service – for example, arriving on the same day to deal with an urgent situationIf you have computer repair skills and experience, reliable transportation and tools to operate your business, you can easily get startedComputer Training
Computers and computer programs are amongst some of the best tools available today, as long as you know what you’re doing with them. While most people today are familiar with the basic principles of using a computer, there are plenty of people who don’t know much more than that and would love to learn. Starting a business offering technical computer training is lucrative because:
The worldwide market for technical computer training is close to $28bnCompanies spend an average of just over $8k annually on staff computer and IT trainingThere are many options to make money including providing one-to-one training, classes or online courses
You could even go one step further and expand your own skills with a degree in electrical and computer engineering from Kettering University Online – allowing you to offer more highly specialized and more technical training options.
eCommerce Store
If you are looking to move away from the technical side of things but still want to do something related to your career as a computer engineer, opening an eCommerce store selling computers and computer parts is a good idea. You could focus on a niche, or refurbish second-hand tech to sell to your market at a reduced price compared to buying brand new.
Computer Upgrading Service
It’s no secret that computers aren’t cheap to come by, and that’s why more people are choosing to upgrade the machines that they already have, rather than going out and buying a new one. However, most people don’t know how to do things like upgrading their computer’s RAM or fitting a new screen. That’s where your expertise comes in. You could charge clients for tasks such as:
Installing more memory into their computer’s hard driveAdding a new disk drive to the systemReplacing a hard driveReplacing external components such as screens, laptop keyboards, and trackpads
This business can be an easy one to get started and you can offer a mobile service, which is the best way to reduce overheads and increase your service area.
Web Development
If you have a good grasp of coding and developing websites, you might want to think about starting a business offering this as a service. More and more people are deciding to start their own online businesses, and while there are several DIY website building tools available, not everybody wants to use them. They are often quite restrictive and can be time-consuming to learn to use, so people will always need good web developers to make them a unique and professional site that stands out.
Software Development
Another great option for those who are skilled in programming and coding is software development. Customized software or app development is a very lucrative business opportunity for a computer engineer. There’s always going to be a demand for new software programs and apps, and entrepreneurs who come up with the ideas for them are always going to need somebody skilled to bring those ideas to life.
If you’ve decided to be an entrepreneur, there are many options to choose from as a computer engineer. Of course, you can always decide to start a business in a completely unrelated field. The world is your oyster!
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