Diversify your product catalog

Contact lenses, similar to other eyewear, come in many varieties to suit different vision requirements and personal preferences. Daily disposable lenses make up nearly 79% of all UK contact lens sales. The market includes different designs and materials created for specific prescriptions – single-vision lenses correct nearsightedness and farsightedness, toric lenses address astigmatism, while multifocal or progressive options help people with multiple vision issues.

Therefore, online retailers must offer a diverse product catalog to capture as many segments of the target market as possible. This is best exemplified by Vision Direct, which sorts its product selection by type, wear time, and top brands like Acuvue, Biofinity, and MyDay. Since contact lenses are typically used with other eye care products to maintain comfort, safety, and hygiene, its website has dedicated sections to eye drops and contact lens solutions. Overall, eCommerce businesses, even those outside of the eyewear industry, must have a deep understanding of consumer needs and segments to determine the range of products and services to offer online.

Streamline the ordering and shipping processes

Because in-person purchases still make up a significant portion of total contact lens sales, online retailers must step up their efforts to ensure their products are highly convenient and accessible through eCommerce channels. Lenstore helps consumers take advantage of its online contact lenses selection, including bestsellers like the 1Day Acuvue Moist and Dailies AquaComfort Plus, through its streamlined ordering and shipping processes.

The company offers an Auto Reorder subscription service, making sure regular contact lens users receive their supplies right when needed. Beyond saving time by matching deliveries to wearing schedules, customers also enjoy a 5% discount on each repeat order. Their flexible shipping includes same-day dispatch for in-stock products ordered before 11 pm, plus free delivery on orders over £49. This approach shows how creating a smooth, efficient shopping experience reduces returns while building stronger customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Explore the ‘phygital’ approach

According to the UK Optical Goods Retailing Market Report 2024, the increased demand for prescription eyewear like contact lenses drove significant growth for the broader optical goods market, especially among younger consumers who use eCommerce. However, the report also noted that across key demographics, in-store experience remains important.

In this regard, Vision Express takes on a hybrid approach that seamlessly integrates its online eyewear offerings with its in-store optical services. Since consumers need their prescription before ordering contact lenses online, they can schedule an appointment to get their vision screened at the nearest Vision Express branch. The retailer’s physical and digital, strategy thus involves investing not only in its eCommerce website but also in its retail stores, one of which costs £4 million to offer the latest technology for advanced eye tests. If you own both a brick-and-mortar store and an eCommerce platform for your business, blending the physical and digital offerings can create a more engaging customer experience.

Leverage emerging technologies like AI

Deploying an eCommerce channel is not the be-all and end-all of digital transformation for businesses. Thus, contact lens retailers in the UK, including the ones mentioned above, have been leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) through on-site chatbots that can answer customer queries and guide them through product selection, order placement, and other key points of the shopping journey.

AI-powered chatbots are crucial for customer support, especially considering the Contact Lens Institute found that half of the contact lens-related searches on Google were related to purchasing. Consumers also searched for contact lens insertion and removal instructions, which chatbots can also help with through automated responses to frequently asked questions.

As evidenced above, online contact lens retailers know how to implement website features and services that increase repeat purchases and customer retention rates for continued growth and success. However, incorporating these into your eCommerce strategy would not be possible without monitoring and evaluation, which entails gathering feedback from customers and identifying areas of improvement. 

Conclusion

Even if you sell products that aren’t regularly replaced like contact lenses, the fundamental lessons about creating convenience, building trust, and removing purchase barriers remain relevant. With the right systems in place, your online store can achieve the same kind of sustainable growth that has made contact lens retailers so successful in the digital marketplace.

How scalable business models work

These types of business models function by creating systems where growth can occur without proportional increases in costs or resources. The process typically begins with building standardized, repeatable processes that work efficiently at different volumes. These processes form the foundation that allows the business to expand without rebuilding its core operations while technology and automation handle increased workloads without needing equivalent staff. 

Digital offerings serve more customers at minimal extra cost. Profitability rises with scale as acquisition and service costs per customer decrease and last but not least successful models replicate easily in new markets, enabling efficient horizontal expansion.

Core principles of scalable business models

Several key principles enable businesses to grow revenue without proportional cost increases while automation replaces manual work with systems that handle increasing volumes efficiently, creating capacity for expansion without equivalent hiring needs. Low marginal costs form another essential element as serving additional customers requires minimal extra expense yet generates substantial revenue, though the best examples often have significant upfront development costs but can add users at nearly zero incremental cost afterward. Digital delivery removes physical limitations by allowing products and services to reach global markets without traditional distribution constraints, so geographic boundaries that typically restrict growth become irrelevant for companies embracing this approach. 

Network effects create powerful growth engines where products become more valuable as user numbers increase, generating momentum where growth accelerates naturally once certain thresholds are reached and customers begin attracting more customers. Recurring revenue streams contribute to predictable income that compounds over time while subscription models exemplify this approach by allowing companies to build stable foundations as they steadily expand their customer base. Operational leverage improves profitability as fixed costs spread across increasing revenue, meaning the most effective models maintain relatively stable infrastructure and overhead even as their customer bases multiply many times over.

Building the right scalable business

Creating a truly scalable business requires careful planning and strategic decisions from the very beginning. The foundation must support growth without requiring proportional resources, which means designing systems and processes with expansion in mind rather than just immediate needs. Building your brand early on also plays a crucial role, ensuring that your identity and value proposition resonate broadly as the business scales. Successful scalable businesses typically start with a clear understanding of their target market and a focused value proposition that can appeal to a large audience while being delivered efficiently.

The technical infrastructure forms a critical component of any scalable business, as it must handle increasing demands without frequent rebuilds or growing maintenance costs. Several key elements deserve particular attention when building for scalability:

• Automation-first mindset that seeks to minimize manual intervention in core processes
• Cloud-based infrastructure that can easily expand capacity as demand grows
• Standardized processes that work efficiently regardless of volume
• Data-driven decision-making to identify bottlenecks before they limit growth
• Strategic outsourcing of non-core functions that would otherwise require substantial resources

Funding approach impacts scalability potential, as an initial investment often exceeds non-scalable models yet pays off through improved economics at scale. Team composition should emphasize system builders rather than task executors, creating leverage through technology and processes instead of direct labor.

Scalable business models vs. Traditional business models

Scalable and traditional business models differ fundamentally in how they grow and create value. Resource requirements represent perhaps the most visible contrast, as traditional businesses typically need proportional increases in staff and facilities to serve more customers while scalable models can grow revenue significantly without equivalent resource expansion.

The relationship between fixed and variable costs also differs markedly between these approaches. Traditional businesses usually maintain a relatively stable ratio between fixed and variable expenses regardless of size, while scalable models often have high fixed costs but minimal variable costs per customer.

Several other key differences highlight the contrast between these business approaches:

• Geographic limitations restrict traditional businesses while scalable models can often reach global markets
• Growth rate potential tends to be significantly higher for scalable businesses
• Capital requirements follow different patterns, with scalable models requiring heavy upfront investment
• Valuation multiples typically favor scalable businesses due to growth potential
• Competitive advantages develop differently, from local relationships to network effects

Despite these differences, many successful businesses incorporate elements of both models, creating hybrid approaches that balance scalability with traditional strengths like personal service or local market knowledge.

Conclusion

Don’t be intimidated by the initial challenges of building systems designed for scale. Yes, it takes planning and often requires more upfront work, but the rewards are worth it. When your business can serve the hundredth or thousandth customer as efficiently as the first, you’ve unlocked a powerful advantage that compounds over time.

26 career development quotes to inspire you

Conclusion

So the next time you’re questioning your career choices at 2 AM or wondering if that skill development course was worth the investment, pull up a career quote that speaks to you. Because sometimes, between the corporate training sessions and the endless pursuit of that mythical work-life balance, we all need a reminder that others have walked this path before. Save them, share them, or scribble them on sticky notes, whatever works best for you. 

Top 14 scalable business ideas

Online courses

Online courses involves developing educational content on specific topics and delivering it through digital platforms where students can learn at their own pace. It helps address barriers to traditional education like high costs, geographic limitations, and rigid schedules. The courses provide value through specialized knowledge that might not be readily available elsewhere, practical skills training, or certification preparation. Revenue comes from course sales, subscription access to multiple courses, certification fees, or community membership options.

The business can scale effectively since digital courses can be sold repeatedly without recreating content for each new student. As lifelong learning becomes increasingly important in rapidly changing industries, quality online courses help bridge skill gaps and provide just-in-time learning opportunities.

How much you can make: $50K–$500K+/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$1K
How long does it take to build: 1–3 months

Event management

Event management handles the planning, coordination, and execution of various gatherings ranging from corporate conferences to weddings and social celebrations. It solves the overwhelming complexity and time constraints that individuals and organizations face when planning significant events. The service provides expertise in venue selection, vendor coordination, budget management, and timeline planning, ensuring smoothly executed events.

Revenue comes from planning fees, vendor commissions, package offerings for different event types, and add-on services like day-of coordination or virtual event support. It addresses growing demand as events become more elaborate and organizations recognize the value of professional assistance. The business can differentiate through industry specialization, technological solutions, or unique creative approaches that set client events apart.

How much you can make: $40K–$250K/year
How much does it cost to start: $1K–$5K
How long does it take to build: 2–4 months

Online мarketing

Online мarketing helps clients increase their visibility, attract new customers, and boost sales through various digital channels and strategies. It addresses the challenge many businesses face in navigating the complex, constantly changing digital landscape without specialized knowledge or dedicated staff.

The service provides expertise in areas like search engine optimization, social media management, content creation, email campaigns, and paid advertising to reach target audiences effectively. Revenue comes from monthly retainer fees, project-based pricing, performance bonuses tied to results, or specialized packages for specific marketing needs. It meets growing demand as more consumer activity shifts online and businesses recognize the necessity of digital presence.

How much you can make: $50K–$300K/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$500
How long does it take to build: 1–3 months

Direct-to-consumer eCommerce sales

Direct-to-consumer eCommerce sales sells products directly to end users through owned online channels, bypassing traditional retail middlemen and distributors. It helps solve margin compression issues while allowing brands to control the entire customer experience from discovery through purchase and support. The approach provides valuable direct access to customer data, enabling more personalized marketing and product development based on actual user preferences.

The business can scale through digital marketing channels that target specific customer segments with tailored messaging. As shopping habits continue shifting online, direct-to-consumer models give brands more flexibility in pricing, promotions, and inventory management.

How much you can make: $100K–$1M+/year
How much does it cost to start: $2K–$10K
How long does it take to build: 3–6 months

Online content creation

Online content creation develops various forms of digital content like articles, videos, graphics, or podcasts for brands, websites, and social media platforms. It helps solve the constant demand for fresh, engaging content that companies face when building their online presence and reaching audiences. The service provides expertise in creating material that resonates with specific target audiences, drives engagement, and supports marketing goals.

As algorithms and user preferences reward quality content, professional creation services help clients stand out in crowded digital spaces. With low startup costs and the ability to work remotely, a content creation business can build a diverse client portfolio while maintaining flexible operations.

How much you can make: $100K–$1M+/year
How much does it cost to start: $10K–$100K
How long does it take to build: 6–12 months

Renewable energy solutions

A company focused on renewable energy solutions connects clients with sustainable power options tailored to their unique needs and locations. From solar panel installation to wind energy consulting, geothermal systems to energy storage solutions, this business helps customers reduce their carbon footprint while often lowering long-term energy costs.

What makes this venture particularly timely is the energy independence since it has become a priority for many as grid reliability concerns grow and traditional energy prices fluctuate unpredictably. Renewable systems offer protection against these uncertainties.

How much you can make: $0–$250K+/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$500
How long does it take to build: 3–6 months

Personalized fashion and styling services

Personalized fashion and styling services transforms how people build their wardrobes by providing customized clothing recommendations matched to individual preferences, body types, and lifestyles. Unlike traditional retail where shoppers navigate overwhelming options alone, this service pairs clients with style experts who understand their unique needs.

The business operates through several possible formats: virtual consultations, in-home closet organization, personal shopping sessions, or subscription boxes with handpicked items. Each approach creates different touchpoints with clients and opportunities for relationship building. Client satisfaction comes from discovering pieces they might never have selected themselves but that perfectly complement their style and body. This “aha” moment builds loyalty that generic retail rarely achieves.

How much you can make: $30K–$150K/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$1K
How long does it take to build: 2–4 months

Podcasting

Creating a podcasting company today means establishing a versatile audio content platform where hosts can share expertise, tell stories, or discuss trending topics with global audiences.
Unlike traditional radio, podcasting offers on-demand convenience that fits perfectly into modern lifestyles. Listeners tune in during commutes, workouts, or household chores, transforming otherwise mundane moments into opportunities for learning or entertainment.

Revenue generation in this space comes through multiple channels. Advertising spots remain the foundation, but subscription models, premium content, live events, and merchandise sales increasingly supplement income streams. The relatively low production costs compared to video content creation allow for attractive profit margins once an audience is established.

How much you can make: $0–$200K+/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$300
How long does it take to build: 3–6 months

Subscriptions

What makes subscriptions particularly powerful is their ability to transform occasional buyers into long-term relationships. Whether providing physical products, digital content, software access, or curated experiences, the focus shifts from acquisition to retention, keeping customers engaged month after month.

The financial dynamics work differently than traditional retail. Initial customer acquisition costs might be higher, but lifetime value increases dramatically as subscribers stay enrolled. This predictable income allows for better planning, inventory management, and strategic investments.

How much you can make: $50K–$500K+/year
How much does it cost to start: $1K–$10K
How long does it take to build: 3–6 months

Customer service AI

Customer service AI uses artificial intelligence to handle customer inquiries, provide instant responses, and manage routine support tasks without human intervention. It helps solve common problems like long wait times, inconsistent service quality, and the high costs of staffing large support teams. The AI provides value through 24/7 availability, consistent responses, and the ability to handle multiple conversations simultaneously.

The technology continuously improves through machine learning, becoming more accurate and helpful with each interaction. As companies face increasing pressure to provide excellent customer experiences with limited resources, AI support solutions offer an effective way to scale service capabilities. The platform can integrate with existing business systems to provide personalized responses while maintaining a consistent brand voice across all customer touchpoints.

How much you can make: $100K–$1M+/year
How much does it cost to start: $5K–$50K
How long does it take to build: 6–12 months

App building

App building focuses on designing and building custom software for smartphones and tablets that meets specific user needs and solves particular problems. It addresses the massive demand for innovative, useful apps driven by the billions of mobile device users worldwide. The service provides technical expertise in creating intuitive, functional applications that would be beyond the capabilities of most businesses to develop internally.

Revenue comes from development fees, ongoing maintenance contracts, and possibly subscription models for apps requiring regular updates. It helps clients reach customers directly on their most-used devices, creating new sales channels, improving brand engagement, and streamlining processes.

How much you can make: $75K–$500K+/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$5K
How long does it take to build: 2–6 months

Dropshipping

Dropshipping involves selling products online without maintaining inventory, as orders are fulfilled directly by suppliers who ship items to customers. It eliminates major traditional retail barriers like warehouse costs, inventory management, and upfront product investments. The business provides value through product curation, marketing, and customer service while the logistics of storage and shipping are handled by third parties.

As e-commerce continues expanding globally, dropshipping offers a low-barrier way to participate in digital retail markets. The business can operate from anywhere with internet access, making it particularly appealing for location-independent entrepreneurs seeking to build an online retail presence without significant upfront investment.

How much you can make: $50K–$300K/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$500
How long does it take to build: 2–6 months

Cleaning company

Cleaning company provides professional cleaning for homes, offices, retail spaces, and other facilities that require regular maintenance. Since people and businesses often need help maintaining clean environments due to a lack of time or resources, there’s a consistent demand for reliable cleaning services.

The cleaning service can offer various options from regularly scheduled maintenance to specialized deep cleaning, post-construction cleanup, or move-in/move-out services. As more households have dual incomes with limited time for chores and businesses focus on core operations, professional cleaning services fill a persistent gap. With proper management, quality control, and customer service, a cleaning company can build a loyal client base through reliability and consistently high standards.

How much you can make: $40K–$150K/year
How much does it cost to start: $500–$5K
How long does it take to build: 1–2 months

Social media management

Social media management helps companies establish and maintain effective social media presence across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but most importantly solves common challenges businesses face with consistent posting, audience engagement, and strategic content creation when internal resources are limited.

The management service provides expertise in platform algorithms, content trends, and audience analytics that many businesses lack internally. With proper client management systems and content workflows, a social media management business can serve multiple clients simultaneously while scaling through team expansion or service specialization.

How much you can make: $40K–$150K/year
How much does it cost to start: $0–$300
How long does it take to build: 1–3 months

Conclusion

Every successful company started with someone brave enough to take that first step. Your ideas matter, and with the technology that we have today and the connected world, the potential reach of these scalable business ideas is much greater than before. Don’t let concerns about perfect timing or complete readiness hold you back, the best entrepreneurs learn and adjust as they build. Start small if needed, but think big about where your business could go. With focus, persistence, and willingness to adapt, your scalable business can grow into something meaningful that serves customers while creating the freedom and impact you desire.

What is print-on-demand and how does it work?

The print-on-demand fulfillment process creates products only after a customer’s order reaches a specific threshold. The POD system prevents the common retail problem of managing bulk inventory because it only manufactures items when customer orders are received. Print-on-demand functions best for products such as T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and home accessories like canvas prints and posters.

The beauty of POD is that you don’t need to worry about investment costs, such as manufacturing or storing stock. Once a customer orders a product, it is printed and sent to the customer from the POD provider and may be labeled with your brand logo or packaging. This way, your business looks very professional, and other companies handle all the inconveniences of printing, packaging, and shipping.

This model is most useful for organizations planning to expand their market share as quickly as possible. Since there is no need to store the product, you do not have to worry about space, which is a significant constraint affecting expansion in physical shops. You can sell thousands of different products, such as clothing in various colors and sizes, and always have enough stock and space to store them. For example, suppose you are in a design brand company and wish to experiment with or introduce new styles or seasonal collections. In that case, POD is a way you can go without investing your capital.

The benefits of print-on-demand for scaling

However, one of the most critical advantages of POD is the low minimum order quantity. For a small business owner or solopreneur, investing thousands in inventory before determining if a product will sell can be daunting. POD eliminates this problem. You can start your business with nearly zero capital investment. You can focus on the design and promotion aspects of your products, outsourcing the manufacturing and distribution.

For businesses with a pool of customers, POD can be used to expand your product portfolio while remaining focused. For an artist who sells prints online, adding additional products such as t-shirts, mugs, or notebooks featuring your artwork means more sales without requiring more work than you already do.

Pod also makes it easy to conduct tests in new markets. If you are doubtful about whether the intended public will receive a particular product, you can order a few of them for trial purposes rather than in bulk. This type of agility is crucial for organizations to remain relevant in today’s market environment, as events can take a sudden turn.

Print-on-demand tools enable users to connect their products to Shopify as well as Etsy and Amazon stores for managing their selling activities from a central location. The seamless integration allows you to focus on brand development and market expansion while achieving business growth, as it eliminates operational complexity.

How to use print-on-demand to tap into different markets

Flexibility stands as one of print-on-demand’s greatest strengths. Without inventory tying you down, you can quickly adapt to market trends. This model works well for niche businesses targeting specific customer groups or broader businesses serving general markets.

The personalized gift sector is growing rapidly. Customers love giving or receiving specially made products that feel meaningful. Using print-on-demand, you can create custom t-shirts, mugs, or home décor for particular buyers. These items work perfectly for birthdays, holidays, or weddings, as people always seek that personal touch. Since printing happens only after ordering, you’ll never have unsold inventory or extra storage costs.

The print-on-demand system also scales internationally when demand increases. By partnering with POD providers offering global shipping networks, you avoid managing overseas logistics and customs issues. This scalability helps break into new markets without the usual high costs of global expansion. Adding print-on-demand to your existing business can transform both startups and established companies. It provides a low-risk way to test new product ideas or target different customer segments while staying aligned with your core business. For example, you could launch a clothing line, release several designs, and quickly adjust based on feedback—all without significant production costs.

Conclusion

Print-on-demand offers a smart, efficient way to grow your product line without inventory headaches. This approach lets you sell many different items, regardless of your business type. Whether you’re just starting out, have years of experience, or create as an artist, the print-on-demand business model fits your situation well. You can test new markets, create personalized gifts, and explore many possibilities with this model. It stands out as one of the most flexible business solutions available today.