The top digital nomad business ideas in 2025 are:
- Local lead generation
- Freelance writing and content creation
- Digital marketing consulting
- Course creation and online education
- Influencer marketing
- Social media management
- Digital product sales
- Virtual assistance
A digital nomad is a person who works or runs a business while traveling. According to Pumble, 18% of digital nomads are freelancers, while 16% are startup founders. Many individuals venture into remote businesses because of their flexibility. It also allows them to earn money in a stronger currency. Statista reveals that digital nomads prefer countries like the US, Spain, and Thailand.
Benny Lewis is the founder of the "Fluent in 3 Months" method. He makes money as a digital nomad by offering language learning resources. His website provides language courses, books, articles, and more. Benny helps people learn new languages while sustaining his nomadic lifestyle.
According to Forbes, the digital nomad community experienced a 131% growth from 2019 to 2022. This business model gained more traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. It offered more benefits than working full-time. The advantages of a digital nomad business are:
You can make money as a digital nomad, given you have the knowledge, skills, and networks. Some people start their business while working at a regular job. Others rely on their savings to kick-start their online business. Citizen Remote states that digital nomads earn $50,000 to $123,000 yearly on average. Some popular digital nomad businesses include blogging, e-commerce, and YouTube channel monetization.
These Reddit users reveal making $4,000 to over $8,000 monthly as digital nomads. They also live in Asia to cut back on living costs.
Digital nomad businesses are profitable because of their scalability. You can grow your business by creating more products or services. Plus, some models generate recurring revenue like the one I'm doing now. I've been making a 5-figure passive income monthly for over 10 years.
This article explores the top digital nomad business ideas in 2025, like freelance writing and course creation. We dive into each side hustle's profit potential, such as digital product sales with up to $14K monthly. Finally, we feature success stories like Matthew Kepnes' Nomadic Matt blog.
1. Local Lead Generation ($500 to $2,000 per site)
Local lead gen is a business model that involves forwarding potential customers to local businesses. When you travel to other countries, you'll learn about the local services that are in demand. This helps you choose the right market with high income potential. Plus, you can run your local lead gen business from any country.
Most businesses rely on local lead gen websites and services to secure customers. It's because 97% of customers ignore cold marketing initiatives (Exploding Topics). This online business model generates $500 to $2,000 per site monthly. The more sites you create, the higher your potential income will be. Some individuals even earn over $50,000 per month. To start a local lead generation digital nomad business:
One of our students quit his job after a year of doing local lead generation. Zack grew his monthly recurring income from $0 to $6,125. Many digital nomads follow this trend. They establish a profitable side hustle first before quitting their full-time job.
2. Freelance Writing and Content Creation ($4,000 to $5,000 monthly)
Freelance writing and content creation entails making content for various projects. Some digital nomads prefer this online business because of its diverse income streams. Copywriting, technical writing, and ghostwriting are the most popular services in this market. Most freelance writers set their own schedules, but they're output-based. This keeps them working for more hours rather than bringing in passive income.
Content Marketing Institute states that around 84% of businesses outsource their content creation. Many digital nomads take advantage of this demand. This model offers $4,000 to $5,000 in monthly income on average. According to Jasper, most freelance writers earn $15 to $16 per hour. To start a freelance writing and content creation digital nomad business:
This Redditor mentions spending three months reading marketing and writing materials. By then, he made the same amount of income from his part-time job. After six months of grinding, he moved to Southeast Asia as a digital nomad. He recommends writing a good proposal and copy to land long-term clients.
3. Digital Marketing Consulting ($3,250 to $10,300 monthly)
Digital marketing consulting is a growing business niche for digital nomads. It offers competitive rates and high market demand. Plus, you get to choose the clients you work with. You can scale your potential earnings by taking on more business consultancy deals. However, startups find it difficult to acquire clients because they don't have a solid portfolio. Local lead generation is like a digital marketing agency. But it's more concrete, so there's a higher chance that businesses will want to buy leads from you.
According to Plerdy, businesses allot 72% of their marketing budget to digital marketing. Brands globally will need experts who are knowledgeable in formulating impactful strategies. Digital marketing consultancy businesses generate $7,560 in average revenue per month. Entry-level consultants make around $3,700 monthly. Tenured ones earn around $10,200 per month. To start a digital marketing consulting digital nomad business:
This Reddit user is a digital marketing consulting nomad from Australia. He's traveled to Spain, Thailand, the U.S., and France. He has specialized in SEO and search engine marketing services for over 15 years. This Redditor recommends taking on clients from companies you've worked with before. It also helps to create passive income from ads and affiliate websites.
4. Course Creation and Online Education ($1,000 to $10,000 monthly)
Course creation and online coaching are gaining popularity among many digital nomads. It's because it provides opportunities to resell courses repeatedly. This creates recurring passive income. Digital nomads can also create communities and promote their services wherever they visit. But if you're a hands-on coach that does hourly work, you'll still need to open your laptop to meet with students. Plus, you have to spend money on PPC ads.
Google Trends reports a 20% surge in searches for "online courses" from January 2022 to mid-2024. Many individuals, businesspersons, and companies are seeking digital courses. StreamingVideoProvider reveals that course creators make between $1,000 and $10,000 monthly. Beginners earn around $5,000 to $25,000 yearly. Established ones make $100,000 to over $1 million per year. To start a course creation and online education digital nomad business:
Louise Moyse, also known as Digital Nomad Girl, is a Udemy Instructor. She teaches revenue generation, course creation, and passive side hustles. Louise earned around $30,000 during her first two years in Udemy. Now, she has over 40 courses on different topics.
5. Influencer Marketing ($2,900 to $8,300 monthly)
Influencer marketing is a digital nomad business that involves creating social content. This model helps brands improve their online presence, engagement, and sales. Many digital nomads choose this because of its flexibility. They can do other online businesses while promoting brands. Moreover, they can use their daily travel experiences to create engaging content. Nomad influencers monetize their content through sponsorships, ads, or affiliate products.
A Linqia study found that 36% of brands rely more on influencer content than in-house content. That's why 22.4% of companies allocate 10%-20% of their marketing budget to influencer marketing (Statista). According to HypeAuditor, digital nomads in this market make $2,900 to $8,300 monthly on average. This also depends on the content type, platform, and number of followers. To start an influencer marketing digital nomad business:
Matthew Kepnes, known as Nomadic Matt, is one of the highest-paid travel bloggers in the world. He makes around $600,000 to $4.5 million yearly. His income streams include brand partnerships, travel media school, affiliate marketing, and more. Matthew is also the author of the best-selling books How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler's Journey Home.
However, it's difficult to measure your ROI because there are not set metrics to track customer journeys. Plus, creating viral videos is a hit-or-miss.
6. Social Media Management ($2,900 to $6,600 monthly)
Many digital nomads venture into social media management because of its surging demand. You only need basic digital skills to start this business model. This includes graphic design, content creation, and post management. Plus, you can schedule and batch posts to free up more work time. Use automation tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social.
DataReportal states that 94.5% of internet users globally use social media platforms. This is also the reason almost 94% of businesses maximize social media marketing (BusinessDasher). As per Brandwatch, social media management nomads earn around $2,900 to $6,600 monthly. This can go as high as $250,000 yearly for more experienced ones. To start a social media management digital nomad business:
This Redditor makes $65,000 to $82,000 per year by offering social media management services. He only works around 15 to 20 hours weekly. He does this while being a digital nomad and traveling the world.
Social media management requires constant monitoring, which takes away from your free time. You need to track client campaigns to ensure they drive engagement and clicks.
7. Digital Product Sales ($800 to $14,000 monthly)
Selling digital products is popular among digital nomads because of its scalability. You can start with a single product and expand to other digital goods like:
Digital nomads like this business model because it requires no inventory. Plus, they don't spend on overhead costs like rent, warehousing, and many more. They just need reliable technologies, processes, and networks. For example, many e-book creators use AI to generate outlines or even entire sections. Most of them use tools like ChatGPT, Lumen5, and Copy.ai.
According to Tidio, the digital shopper population increased by 40% in the last five years. This means that there is a market for digital products globally. The income from digital goods varies. It depends on factors like product type, quality, popularity, and more. Whop reveals that digital nomads earn $800 to $14,000 monthly on average selling digital goods. To start a digital product sales business:
This Reddit user mentions selling e-books as a digital nomad. It took him three months to build a 4-figure passive income. Even with slow e-book sales, he makes around $3,500 monthly. He also suggests starting with in-demand genres like erotica and romance.
This business model is hard to scale because of the availability of different digital products online. You need to build an audience base to establish stable income from product sales.
8. Virtual Assistance ($2,400 to $4,500 monthly)
Virtual assistance services are popular among digital nomads due to the increasing client base. Business owners are seeking skilled digital assistants. This business model offers remote work opportunities and flexible schedules. Plus, digital nomads have various service options they can provide. Some examples include email management, document creation, and calendar organization.
Statista reveals that around 70% of companies globally are maximizing virtual assistance services. They help businesses streamline daily operations while cutting overhead costs. According to Zippia, digital nomads who offer VA services make around $2,400 to $4,500 monthly. They earn $39,915 yearly on average. To start a virtual assistance digital nomad business:
Clare is a digital nomad who sells her virtual assistance services. She made $3,000 in her first month. Now, she caters to multiple clients while traveling with her fiancé and running her own travel blog.
However, providing VA services means constantly communicating with your clients. You need to meet their needs and demands. Some clients even have high expectations that don't match their budget.
9. Photo and Video Editing Services ($3,800 to $5,500 monthly)
Creative digital nomads venture into photo and video editing services. They are in demand because businesses need professionally edited content. This business model offers a diverse client base and a stable recurring income. Digital nomads get to set their rates based on their skills and expertise. Plus, they can work for clients in the city they're currently traveling in or remotely. Many companies actively look for photo and video editors to tell their brand story.
BusinessDasher reveals that 93.79% of brands use social media. These online media assets help them attract more customers and drive sales. This trend increases the demand for high-quality, engaging images and videos. According to Vidpros, beginner video editors make an average of $66,186 yearly. Alternatively, photo editors earn $45,978 per year. To start a digital nomad photo and video editing business:
One Redditor made $17,000 3 months after opening his online video editing business. He estimates his fourth month to generate $20,000. Another Reddit user revealed making around $200,000 yearly retouching photos. This translates to $16,600+ in monthly income.
This business model requires purchasing paid tools to deliver high-quality work. You need to spend more time to check every little detail and make sure your outputs don't have errors.
10. Affiliate Marketing ($800 to $8,000+ monthly)
Affiliate marketing is sought-after by digital nomads because it's a low-risk business model. You don't need any capital to be an affiliate marketer. Plus, you don't manage product inventory and shipping while traveling. This business idea is popular because digital nomads can try different affiliate niches. They can promote products or services anytime and in any location. Brett Gonzenbach is an example of a digital nomad who is also an affiliate marketer.
According to Rakuten Advertising, 81% of businesses run an affiliate program. Affiliates help them target specific customer segments. Plus, it's also a low-cost method of advertising. Affiliate marketers earn $800 to $8,000+ monthly (Outbrain and Authority Hacker). However, Glassdoor states that affiliates make a yearly average income of $64,000 or $5,300 monthly. To start an affiliate marketing business as a digital nomad:
Jitendra Vaswani is a successful affiliate marketer living the digital nomad lifestyle. According to news sources like Yahoo Finance, he makes 6 figures yearly. Jitendra started with a $100 investment in his website called BloggersIdeas.com. In 2023, he invested $100,000 in affiliate sites.
However, affiliates don't always get the full commission mentioned on some platforms. There are also affiliate fraud issues like typosquatting and fake traffic.
11. Data Analysis and Visualization ($2,833 to $11,333 monthly)
Setting up a data analytics and visualization business is profitable for digital nomads. This business idea offers automation opportunities that simplify analysis tasks. Use tools like Tableau, KNIME, and Power BI. Digital nomads slash processing time with these tools. This way, they can enjoy traveling without expending their technical skills. However, there is a steep learning curve for these tools. Plus, this business model is repetitive, which can lead to burnout.
Edge Delta reveals that 97.2% of businesses use big data solutions like data analysis. This strategy drives an 8% revenue increase. Companies hire data analysts to better understand various business and operations data. This identifies opportunities, highlights strengths, and addresses potential weaknesses. As per ZipRecruiter, data analysts earn $82,640 on average per year. They can make as low as $2,833 to as high as $11,333 monthly. To start a data analysis and visualization business:
This Reddit user has been living the nomad lifestyle for over 4 years. Most of his clients are from Upwork, networking opportunities, and referrals. He has more than 10 years of experience as an analyst expert in Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager. This individual says that being a data analyst is the perfect job for a digital nomad.
12. Virtual Fitness Coaching ($2,600 to $5,100 monthly)
Virtual fitness coaching is popular among digital nomads because it doesn't incur gym or equipment costs. You can provide personalized fitness programs wherever you are. Potential students can choose from live sessions or pre-recorded lessons. Digital nomads also get to feature different training locations for better aesthetic appeal. Some of them even collaborate with local fitness enthusiasts to create improved routines.
The ACSMs Health & Fitness Journal states that "online training was the #1 fitness trend in 2021." Plus, 72% of fitness consumers prefer the accessibility of virtual training sessions (RunRepeat). Many students choose this because of the personalized coaching and support they get. As per Salary.com, virtual fitness trainers make $2,600 to $ 5,100 monthly. It averages at $3,720 per month. To start a digital nomad virtual fitness coaching business:
Riley Schinella is the founder of Digital Nomad Fitness. It's a virtual fitness program for digital nomads and remote workers who want to be fit. She started her business in 2020 and her nomad lifestyle in 2021. Riley offers one-on-one fitness coaching, nutrition lessons, and more.
However, most students can't commit to virtual lessons. They sometimes lack the motivation that a physical coach can offer.
13. Podcast Production and Editing ($1,958 to $11,250 monthly)
Many digital nomads enter the podcast production and editing market. This business entails either creating original podcasts or editing the client's raw audio. Podcast production is popular because of its passive income potential. You can sell podcasts per episode or on a monthly basis. Most of these episodes are pre-recorded. So, digital nomads can easily make them between their travels. But, recording and editing podcasts is time-consuming. It requires consistency in publication and producing high-quality outputs.
According to Statista, over 40% of Americans "listened to a podcast in the past month." This market also experienced a 39% increase from 2010 to 2024. Many adults and teenagers listen to podcasts because of its educational value and convenience. Jobicy reports that podcast producers earn $3,750 to $11,250 monthly. Alternatively, podcast editors make $ 1,958 to $10,000 per month (ZipRecruiter). To start a podcast production and editing business as a digital nomad:
Chris Christensen is the creator of the Amateur Traveler podcast. His show hit 1.9 million downloads in 2017. This was when Chris placed in the top 5% of podcasters in different niches. He's been traveling and creating podcast episodes since 2005. Chris received multiple awards like the Best Travel Podcast in the North America Travel Journalism award in 2016.
14. Mobile App Development ($4,250 to $16,400 monthly)
Mobile app development is famous among digital nomads because of its continuous demand. Many businesses develop new apps as product/service offerings. There are also companies that hire mobile app developers to streamline specific processes. Digital nomads can create mobile applications anywhere in the world. They can also charge premium rates for their skills and experience. Some nomads build reusable code libraries or app templates for faster project completion.
Suleman Shah reveals that mobile app developers "account for 40% of the total software developers" worldwide. Plus, this market is estimated to hit a 24% job growth rate from 2021 to 2031. Companies seek new mobile apps for improving sales, customer service, and employee engagement. They can also earn from in-app subscriptions, ads, and purchases. Built In shares that mobile app developers earn $4,250 to $16,400 monthly. They average $8,500 per month. To start a digital nomad mobile app development business:
Dave Hancock and Hannah Curd founded VidApp in 2013 while traveling in Europe. They started their digital nomad journey while teaching themselves how to code. Dave and Hannah focused on native mobile apps, specifically on iOS. According to Growjo, the app generates around $2.2 million in revenue yearly.
Mobile app development requires ongoing system updates. If you have many mobile apps, you'll need to spend more time to create security patches and bug fixes.
15. Online Language Teaching ($2,400 to $4,600 monthly)
Online language teaching is a flexible digital nomad business gig. You can set your own schedule according to your travel plans. You don't need an initial investment if you already own a laptop and a good-quality headset. Online language tutors choose their students and set their teaching rates. Most digital nomads prefer this online business because of its global demand.
In fact, 48.8% of the online language learning market are individual learners (Meticulous Research). 55.6% are English language learners. This presents a broader student base for English-speaking digital nomads. According to Repetry, online language tutors make $2,400 to $3,200 monthly. They earn an average of $4,649 per month (ZipRecruiter). To start a digital nomad online language teaching business:
One Reddit user revealed making $9 to $10 per hour as an online English tutor. He works for 6 hours a day. This translates to around $1,080 to $1,200 monthly. Another Redditor says that online language teachers should have a base rate of $15. As you get more experience and reviews, you can raise your rate to up to $30 per hour.
However, teaching language online entails more time for one-on-one lessons. You can't automate any of its processes, making it impossible to generate passive income.
16. Web Development ($4,400 to $12,990 monthly)
Many digital nomads become web developers because of its popularity with businesses globally. This means that they can set higher rates compared to other online jobs. Some digital nomads even grow their web development services into full-scale agencies. Web developers build recurring income through regular maintenance tasks. Some even work in different roles, such as full-stack, frontend, and backend. However, more complex projects require long hours. Plus, you need to constantly check for security issues in development environments.
Statista reveals that web development was the "most in-demand tech skill in 2023." 58.53% of businesses scouted web developers with good knowledge and experience. Plus, 24% of brands globally have personnel with such skills. This shows the unending demand for web development and maintenance services. As per Indeed, this digital nomad business model generates $4,400 to $12,990 monthly. To start a web development remote business:
Jacob Paris is a self-taught Canadian developer and digital nomad. He is part of a team of developers that takes on full-stack and code development tasks. Because of the digital nomad lifestyle, he has traveled to places like The Canary Islands.
17. Print-on-Demand Services ($4,639 to $9,833 monthly)
Print-on-demand (POD) services are a common online business for digital nomads. They get to set up automated fulfillment systems while on the move. POD services have low financial risk and don't require physical stocks. You don't handle the production and shipping process. This business model offers greater creativity, scalability, and freedom. As a POD business owner, you have complete control over your branding and design.
According to Dropshipping.com, POD businesses have a 24% success rate. Many individuals buy POD products because of their customization, variety, and unique designs. Some popular ones are t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, hoodies, and water bottles. Gelato reveals that POD businesses make $4,639 to $9,833 monthly. To start a digital nomad print-on-demand business:
Brett and Daisy live a digital nomad lifestyle while running their POD business. In November 2023, they made around 120 sales daily. During the holidays, their daily sales revenue even hit $18,000. Now, Brett and Daisy earn $200,000 monthly.
However, when customers buy one item at a time, your per-unit cost increases. This leads to lower profit margins.You also need to continually check the quality assurance process of your suppliers to maintain product quality.
18. UX/UI Design ($6,800 to $10,000 monthly)
UX and UI design is a popular digital business idea because of its income opportunity. Digital nomads can choose between freelancing tasks, retainer contracts, or consulting sessions. They can work with any clients or brands, from startups to established businesses. Experienced and skilled nomads even set higher rates. This online business niche has a massive demand because of the rise of online marketing. Companies need UX/UI designers to enhance their web or mobile experience.
A LinkedIn article reveals that UX design was "one of the most in-demand skills in 2023." Businesses are constantly improving the user experience across different platforms. This is mainly because of cross-platform integrations and rising consumer expectations. As per i creatives, UI designers make $82,548 to $93,440 yearly. Alternatively, UX designers average around $120,000 per year (Glassdoor). This means that UI/UX designers average $6,800 to $10,000 monthly. To start a UX/UI design digital nomad business:
This Reddit user talked about how he lives a digital nomad lifestyle teaching online. But, he recommends doing UI or UX design like her girlfriend. Unlike teaching, doing UI/UX doesn't require a super fast internet connection. Plus, his girlfriend gets to work anywhere on a normal schedule.
However, it is difficult to monitor the ROI of UX/UI design services because of intangible factors like brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. There are also issues with fulfilling client expectations vs their project budget.
Why Choose Local Lead Generation as Your Digital Nomad Business in 2025
Local lead generation is the most profitable, scalable, and sustainable digital nomad business in 2025. You can grow your monthly income by creating more niche sites. Plus, businesses pay to acquire potential customers. Other digital nomad businesses are also lucrative. They only require a laptop and an internet connection. However, the high demand for these services leads to market saturation. Starting from scratch takes a lot of time and effort.
It is worth becoming a digital nomad if you choose the right business model. Local lead generation helps you create a passive income stream that is more stable. Since it's localized, you get less competition than in global markets. You can also target different niches and multiple locations at the same time. Each website takes only 4 to 10 hours to build.
I've tried different remote business ideas in the last 10 years. But, only local lead generation fulfilled my financial and personal goals. This business model entails choosing local services and creating microsites for each one. Then, rank these sites on search engines like Google through organic marketing. Once your websites top in the SERPs, you get unlimited free leads. Sell these to local businesses and earn 85% to 95% profit margins. Each local lead gen site drives $500 to $2,000 in passive income monthly.
