Ahmedabad, the largest cotton producer in the world, has emerged to be an industrial and economic hub of India. Forbes has ranked it as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Thus it holds huge potential for businesses to grow and prosper. 

If you are an entrepreneur who is looking for small business ideas in Ahmedabad, this article will give you 16 of them.

The following list of small-scale business ideas in Ahmedabad can give an entrepreneur the initial hints that can transform his/her start-up into a well-grown business later. Let’s take a look at the ideas one at a time.

1. Cotton Supply Business

Ahmedabad being the largest cotton producer holds a great potential for profit in this field. Being the only natural material in the production of textile materials its demand will be ever increasing. So, opening a cotton farm and starting a supply business can be a very remunerative small-scale business idea in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹1.5 lakhs (per acre)
• Set-Up requirement: 
  • To start a cotton supply business consider going through these steps: 
  • Step 1: Conduct a thorough market research.
  • Step 2: Create a business plan.
  • Step 3: Acquire an adequate amount of land.
  • Step 4: Get good quality cotton seeds from local farmers.
  • Step 5: Cultivate cotton while taking care of weeds and pests.
  • Step 6: Harvest the cotton.
  • Step 7: Transport to potential buyers.
• Benefits:
  • There are several advantages to the cotton supply business: 
  • Helps in societal development by employing farmers and increasing their income. 
  • Cotton can grow in extremely saline-alkali lands where no other crops can grow. 
• Market Potential: 
  • In 2021, the size of the global cotton market was ₹310631 crore (approx.). With a CAGR of 2.74%, it is expected to reach ₹376027 crore (approx.) by 2027. 
• Profit Margin: 40% - 60%

2. Window Cleaning Business

Whether it is a residential area or a commercial one, window cleaning services are a crucial part of maintenance. So, if you are an ambitious entrepreneur and are looking for small-scale business ideas in Ahmedabad, a window cleaning business can be a wonderful idea. Also, it is profitable in Ahmedabad because of the large industrial setups in the city.

• Investment Required: ₹1 lakh - ₹10 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement:
  • To start a window cleaning business one needs to look into these steps: 
  • Step 1: Conduct thorough research and write a window-cleaning business plan.
  • Step 2: Complete the registration process of your business.
  • Step 3: Select how to price your services.
  • Step 4: Get a business licence, permits, and insurance.
  • Step 5: Secure funding (if applicable).
  • Step 6: Market your business.
  • Step 7: Make preparations for daily operations. 
• Benefits:
  • The advantages of having a window cleaning business are:
  • Commercial window cleaning jobs fetch a high value.
  • Having a low volume of work, commercial window cleaning jobs are easy to manage.
• Market Potential: 
  • Currently, for window cleaning businesses CAGR is 6.5%. With this rate, the market is expected to reach ₹911485 crore (approx.) by 2030. 
• Profit Margin: 80% - 90%

3. Property Management Company

This service of daily oversight can be one of the most lucrative small business ideas in Ahmedabad. As Ahmedabad is primarily the resident place of industrialists there is a high demand for real estate investment which require property management services. So open a property management firm to facilitate the property owners with services like ongoing maintenance of the property, rent recovery, day-to-day repairs, upkeep and security of properties. 

• Investment Required: ₹25000 - ₹50000
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • Go through the following steps to set up your property management business: 
  • Step 1: Write a property management business plan.
  • Step 2: Gather necessary property management certifications and licences.
  • Step 3: Choose a legal entity and file your business for tax purposes.
  • Step 4: Organise your finances to support business.
  • Step 5: Build a property management team.
  • Step 6: Build relationships with property owners.
  • Step 7: Set a pricing structure and make thorough property management contracts. 
  • Step 8: Market your business online or offline.
• Benefits: 
  • The advantages of owning a property management business are:
  • One can get started with a little upfront capital. 
  • With an increase in investment in rental properties, the demand for property managers is continually increasing. 
  • The scope of earning is tremendous. 
  • It helps in building connections.
• Market Potential: 
  • In 2021, the global market size of property management services was ₹138973 crore (approx.). It is expected to reach ₹302471 crore (approx.) by 2029 with a CAGR of 9.8%. 
• Profit Margin: 15% - 25%

4. Airbnb Host

Are you an entrepreneur with the idea of providing an unforgettable experience or an extraordinary place to stay? You can try hosting and attracting guests from all over the world while making money along with having fun and unique experiences. Airbnb is an online marketplace that can make the connections possible. Also, it does not require much staff or capital thus making it a perfect idea for small investment businesses in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹50000 - ₹75000
• Set-Up Requirement:
  • To get started, follow the steps below: 
  • Step 1: Assess if your space is a good fit.
  • Step 2: Make the necessary preparations for guests.
  • Step 3: List your place at Airbnb.
  • Step 4: Decide on your hosting style. 
  • Step 5: Set your place’s price.
• Benefits:
  • The benefits of hosting on Airbnb are:
  • It is a great source of passive income with next-to-nothing hard work. 
  • Meet new people and get to know them.
  • You will get more time on your hands to do other things you enjoy. 
• Market Potential:
  • According to research, there is a continual increase in the number of nights stayed in the years (2021, 2022) post-COVID-19. For example, there was a 31% increase (with a total of approximately 39 crore nights stayed) in 2022 compared to 2021.  
• Profit Margin: 1.5% - 2.5% of property value per annum in metros, and 3.5% - 4% in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

5. Home Makeup Business

As new trends are hitting the market, the beauty industry is also growing quickly. With profit margins ranging from 40% to 80%, this is a super lucrative option for any entrepreneur interested in the beauty space. So, starting a home makeup business can be one of the best small business ideas in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹40000 - ₹50000
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • To start a home makeup business one can go through the following steps: 
  • Step 1: Create a unique product.
  • Step 2: Conduct thorough research and create a business plan. 
  • Step 3: Secure funding through institutions.
  • Step 4: Register your business. 
  • Step 5: Focus on building your brand.
  • Step 6: Conduct proper research and development for your products and/or services.
  • Step 7: Create a digital presence with an attractive marketing strategy. 
  • Step 8: Launch your products and/or services.
• Benefits: 
  • The benefits of having a home makeup business are: 
  • The demand for cosmetics is constantly increasing. 
  • You can pursue your passion for beauty and make a fortune. 
  • Enjoy remote income by selling products online. 
• Market Potential: 
  • In 2021, the global market size of the makeup market was valued at ₹326996 crore (approx.). It is expected to reach ₹498668 crore (approx.) by 2029 with a CAGR of 5.61%. 
• Profit Margin: 80% - 90%

6. Carpet Cleaning Business

Demand for carpet cleaning services is always high as both homeowners and commercial real estate owners rely on these services. In homes, offices or stores, it is crucial to have a spotless carpet and rug to create a welcoming environment. So, if you are hunting for ideas for a small-scale business in Ahmedabad, carpet cleaning can be an effective choice. 

• Investment Required: ₹3 lakhs - ₹10 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • To set up a carpet cleaning business go through the following steps: 
  • Step 1: Create a sound business plan.
  • Step 2: Obtain necessary training and certification.
  • Step 3: Get licences and permits for your business.
  • Step 4: Open a business bank account.
  • Step 5: Get insurance.
  • Step 6: Secure the right equipment.
  • Step 7: Secure funding.
  • Step 8: Market your carpet cleaning business.
• Benefits:
  • The advantages of owning a carpet cleaning business are: 
  • It can be extremely beneficial (with a 95% profit margin).  
  • One can enjoy recurring work from satisfied clients. 
• Market Potential:
  
  • In 2021, the global market size of the carpet cleaning business was ₹5313 crore (approx.). It is expected to reach ₹7659 crore (approx.) by 2027 with a CAGR of 6.28%.  
• Profit Margin: 10% - 20%

7. Real Estate Appraiser

A real estate appraisal company's job is to provide an independent assessment of the values of residential or commercial real estate properties for sale or purchase. Whenever people look for refinancing a mortgage, apply for a new one, settle an estate after death or divorce, or buy a home, they would need a home evaluator or real estate appraiser. 

• Investment Required: ₹1 lakh - ₹5 lakhs
• Set Up requirement:
  • One needs to go through the following steps to start a real estate appraiser business: 
  • Step 1: Plan your real estate appraisal business
  • Step 2: Legalise your business by completing the required registration
  • Step 3: Open a business bank account and set up accounts
  • Step 4: Obtain the required permits and licences along with insurance 
  • Step 5: Create a website for a wider reach 
• Benefits:
  • The advantages of having a real estate appraiser company are: 
  • It provides a steady income. 
  • It has a high demand due to increased interest in real estate investment.
• Market Potential:   
  • The market size of real estate appraiser companies is expected to witness impressive growth strides in the upcoming years. 
• Profit Margin: 6% - 10%

8. House Cleaning Service Centre

There are a massive number of people who are unwilling or unable to clean their households either due to work responsibilities or other reasons. So, they periodically hire professionals to do the necessary work. Considering the present trend, it can be one of the best small business ideas in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹10 lakhs - ₹20 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement:
  • To set up a house cleaning service centre consider following these steps:
  • Step 1: Start small with few cleaning staff
  • Step 2: Determine a reasonable budget for your business
  • Step 3: Map out what equipment to purchase
  • Step 4: Choose a brand name for your business and register it
  • Step 5: Obtain proper licences to provide service
  • Step 6: Start marketing the products online or offline
  • Step 7: Start building a team of professional cleaners
• Benefits:
  • The advantages of having a house cleaning service are:
  • Its start-up costs are low. 
  • It gives you total control over the business and its quality standards. 
  • There is increasing demand for these services. 
• Market Potential: 
  • The global house cleaning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% and reach ₹106273 crores (approx.) at the end of 2033.  
• Profit Margin: 30% - 45%

9. Graphic Designing Company

If you are an entrepreneur with a knack for design you may consider setting up a graphic designing company. Your company will create visual concepts with images, text and much more for advertisements, magazines, books etc. It is a lucrative option in this day and age where online marketing is necessary for all businesses. 

• Investment Required: ₹5 lakhs - ₹15 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement:
  • After you acquire the technical skill set to call yourself a graphic designer, you can follow these steps to start a graphic designing company: 
  • Step 1: Choose your niche whether your company will design logos, banners, or other things
  • Step 2: Choose a name of your business entity and register it
  • Step 3: Create a business plan
  • Step 4: Plan your marketing and organise marketing material 
  • Step 5: Build your client base 
• Benefits:
  • The benefits of owning a graphic designing company are:
  • It is connected with multiple industries. 
  • It provides huge scope for collaborations. 
  • This field provides multiple environments to work in. 
• Market Potential:   
  • The market for graphic designing is expected to show a CAGR of 5.2%. With that rate, it is expected to reach ₹678516 crore (approx.) at the end of 2032. 
• Profit Margin: 15% - 35%

10. Web Designing Company

If you possess the right resources and knowledge, starting a web designing company can be one of the best small business ideas in Ahmedabad. In this business, you have to plan, conceptualise, and implement it for designing a website that functions as per its owner's wishes and offers a good user experience. 

• Investment Required: ₹1 lakh - ₹5 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • Follow the steps below and start your web designing journey:
  • Step 1: Set up your ideal work environment
  • Step 2: Build your design and market team
  • Step 3: Decide on your services, products and pricing model
  • Step 4: Give your company a name
  • Step 5: Create a proper business plan
  • Step 6: Fulfil legal requirements
  • Step 7: Create contract templates for customer’s understanding
  • Step 8: Formalise communication and project management for easy operation
  • Step 9: Build an online presence on social media for marketing 
• Benefits: 
  • The benefits of having a web designing company are: 
  • The demand for web designing is constantly going up. 
  • The profit earned in the long run is satisfactory. 
• Market Potential:
  
  • There is considerable potential for growth in the market size of web designing as a business in the coming years all around the globe because of increased online services. 
• Profit Margin: 10% - 15%

11. Presentation Design Agency

Presentation design involves creating content that is more easily comprehensible and more memorable from the audience's point of view. Generally, you would work with business and education presentations. In this day and age providing presentation design service can be one of the best small business ideas in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹50000 - ₹2 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • To start this venture consider going through the following steps: 
  • Step 1: Assimilate the basics of graphic designing and how branding works
  • Step 2: Learn how to implement the best designs using PowerPoint
  • Step 3: Create a stellar portfolio of how your business operates
  • Step 4: Market your business
  • Step 5: Refine your products and rates
  • Step 6: Create a captivating client experience
• Benefits: 
  • The advantages of being a presentation designer are:
  • Demand for PowerPoint presentations does not seem to fade away any time soon. 
  • Being a niche service it is quite lucrative. 
• Market Potential: 
  • The market of presentation design is part of the graphic designing market. So, it is expected to show a CAGR of 5.2% which will help the market value to reach ₹678516 crore (approx.) by 2032. 
• Profit Margin: 10% - 25%

12. Interior Design Consultancy

Interior design consultancy helps their clients to design and decorate their offices, living spaces and more. They help to realise their client's vision and even make necessary adjustments to make the design durable and functional. The current trend has created a lot of demand for this service.

• Investment Required: ₹1 lakh - ₹3 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • To set up an interior design consultancy consider going through these steps: 
  • Step 1: Create a business plan for your interior design consulting business
  • Step 1: Choose your business structure and name
  • Step 1: Get your business registered and gather the necessary licences and permits
  • Step 1: Open a business bank account
  • Step 1: Secure funding for smooth cash flow
• Benefits:
  • The advantages of having an interior consultancy business are:
  • Very less marketing overhead due to the word-of-mouth or referral marketing nature of the business.
  • Entrepreneurs can start this business from home. 
• Market Potential:
  
  • The market is expected to reach a value of ₹1741253 crore (approx.) by 2032 with a CAGR of 6.4%. 
• Profit Margin: 20% - 30%

13. Flower Shop

Selling flower arrangements can be one of the most lucrative small business ideas in Ahmedabad. It involves purchasing floral arrangements at wholesale prices and earning profit from reselling them to customers. In India, there are numerous occasions that involve flowers and that ensures a steady profitability in this business. 

• Investment Required: ₹5 lakhs - ₹10 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • Before opening a flow shop consider going through the steps below: 
  • Step 1: Make a business plan for your flower shop
  • Step 2: Legalise your business by registering your trade process
  • Step 3: Register the name of your flower shop and open a business bank account
  • Step 4: Obtain necessary permits and licences 
  • Step 5: Get a shop insurance
  • Step 6: Plan on your branding and create your own website
  • Step 7: Market your business online or offline
• Benefits:
  • The benefits of having a flower shop are: 
  • The demand for flowers is constant throughout the year. 
  • It does not require multiple staff.  
• Market Potential: 
  • In 2022, the global flower market value was estimated at ₹294296 crore (approx.). With a CAGR of 4.6%, it is expected to reach ₹367870 crore (approx.) by 2027. 
• Profit Margin: 50% - 70%

14. APP Developing Company

Previously most businesses outsourced the app development part of their operations. However, with new developments in software programs and platforms, many small businesses are developing apps in-house. So, it can prove to be one of the best small business ideas in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹5 lakhs - ₹15 lakhs
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • To start developing an app one may consider the following steps: 
  • Step 1: Decide if you will develop apps for both operating systems
  • Step 2: Research your target audience
  • Step 3: Consider rethinking the problems your app is going to solve 
  • Step 4: Make sure that your idea is unique
  • Step 5: Build a development team
  • Step 6: Conduct a competitor’s research
  • Step 7: Establish core features of the app
  • Step 8: Develop mockups
  • Step 9: Arrange your app design and security
• Benefits: 
  • The advantages of having an app development business are:
  • One can operate from anywhere whether at home or your developed centre. 
  • There is high demand in the industry because of AI integration. 
• Market Potential:
  
  • In 2021, the global app development market size was ₹161045 crore (approx.). With a massive CAGR of 12.8%, it is expected to reach ₹4765966 crore (approx.) by 2030. 
• Profit Margin: 20% - 40%

15. Blogging Agency/ Blog Marketing Agency

Currently, a large portion of marketers rely on blogging for their top inbound marketing. These marketers also get more ROI compared to others who do not invest in blogging. So, when one provides valuable blog content he/she can ensure improved brand awareness and increased revenue. However, many are not aware of the field, thus outsourcing the work to a blogging agency. This makes it one of the most profitable small business ideas in Ahmedabad. 

• Investment Required: ₹50000 - ₹1 lakh
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • To start and maintain a successful blog follow these steps: 
  • Step 1: Lucidly define your work structure and ratings
  • Step 2: Register your company name for branding purposes
  • Step 3: Design your blogs in a captivating way that appeals to clients
  • Step 4: Recruit a well-trained team
  • Step 5: Maintain the quality of the content: it has to be compelling and valuable
• Benefits: 
  • The benefits of having a blogging agency are: 
  • The demand for quality blogs is high.
  • It is a highly profitable business, especially in the digitised world.
• Market Potential: 
  • According to research, currently, as part of marketing strategy, 92% of content marketers use blog posts. 
• Profit Margin: 25% - 30%

16. Online Course Provider

Online courses are digital products that allow you to learn skills and get jobs in the real world. Online course providers invest time and pour their expertise into making the product and marketing it for people to learn. After that, it will continue to bring profit as people all over the world continue to use that product to gain knowledge in that field. 

• Investment Required: ₹50000 - ₹1 lakh
• Set-Up Requirement: 
  • Before taking the first step into an online course selling business consider going through the steps below: 
  • Step 1: Decide on the topic you will provide courses on 
  • Step 2: Set up a well-thought-out goal 
  • Step 3: Conduct a competitor research 
  • Step 4: Identify your target audience 
  • Step 5: Build a brand identity
  • Step 6: Set your course’s price
  • Step 7: Continue venturing deeper and wider with your courses
• Benefits: 
  • The advantages of having an online course business are: 
  • The flexibility of working from anywhere is a great advantage.
  • One can start this business from home with very less investment. 
• Market Potential: 
  • In 2021, the e-learning market size exceeded ₹2574967 crore (approx.). It is expected to grow with a CAGR of 20% till 2028. 
• Profit Margin: 40% - 50%

These are 16 small business ideas in Ahmedabad which are all excellent performers if you invest in them. Apart from introducing these ideas this article also presents some basic guidelines that can prove to be beneficial if one delves deep into them. The benefits and market potential of these ideas can also propel a budding entrepreneur to make a decision.