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Many people are interested in starting a home business — or at least working from home. However, there are concerns about cost. (You can learn about starting a business from the SBA.) The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do for a home business that are low-cost. You just need to have the right skills. Here are 5 low-cost home business ideas:

1. Tutoring: If you have a specialty, you can tutor others. Many people are willing to pay for a tutor, and many parents want tutors for their children. You can even do online tutoring, holding distance sessions with your clients. You can get started by going to the local school district and asking if they need tutors, or posting your services on a university community message board. There are also online sites that can help you find clients for your services (but you may have to pay a portion of earnings).

2. Online teaching: Technology makes distance learning possible. Not only can you tutor others remotely, but you can teach online. Many online universities are looking for instructors. However, many traditional universities also offer online courses, taught by teachers at a distance. You can be paid an adjunct salary and teach a course in your specialty — provided you are qualified.

3. Virtual assistant: This is another great job done at a distance. You can help set up appointments, do routine office work and other jobs for people who need a little more time. There are a number of sites that can connect you with clients (fees), or you can post your own credentials. Also, look online at reputable career sites. Many companies post openings for virtual assistants.

4. Web design: If you are a talented web designer, you could start your own business. If you know about SEO, and creating a good site, you can make come good money. This also works for graphic design and other related fields. My brother-in-law does freelance game design for companies that produce video games. He does this from the comfort of his home.

5. Freelance writing: No list of low-cost home business ideas is complete without freelance writing. It’s what I do. You can find sites that will take your stuff, even if it isn’t terribly polished. This is a good way to hone your skills. You can write any number of things from anywhere. I provide content for blogs, report on science breakthroughs for a news site and cover personal finance for another site. Plus, I have my own column in the local newspaper, and have written for national magazines. If you can write, the potential is boundless.

There are other low-cost home business ideas out there as well. Can you think of any? Share your home business story in the comments.