Looking for ways to make extra money while working from the comfort of your home? Online side hustles are a great option. It’s a win-win situation!
If you’re just starting and don’t have much experience in the workforce yet, or if you want a side hustle to supplement your current job, you can make extra money while working from home.
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Online Side Hustles to Make Extra Money
1. Rent Yourself Out as a Virtual Assistant
You might be wondering what exactly a virtual assistant is. A virtual assistant offers services over the Internet to help others with their business needs. They can perform tasks such as bookkeeping, social media management, research, and more.
- Flexibility – You will be able to work from home or anywhere else where there’s a wifi connection
- Time management – Since this job does not require you to go into an office daily, it gives you freedom over when and where work gets done!
You can find a virtual assistant job on freelancing sites like Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Guru.
2. Be a Social Media Manager
Social media managers are the people who create and maintain social media accounts for companies. Their job includes researching trends in their field and posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms to spread awareness of the company’s brand and products or services.
They must have excellent writing skills and good communication skills with clients. Social media managers must also know different platforms to understand how they work best when running campaigns or projects related to them.
3. Complete Micro Jobs Online
Micro jobs, also known as micro-tasks, require little time and effort. You can find them on Amazon Mechanical Turk and Appen Crowd Work sites. Some examples of micro jobs include:
- Surveys
- Data entry
- Writing or translating articles
- Reviewing products or services
4. Be an Online Tutor
This is a great way to earn money if you’re an expert on a particular subject. You’ll need to ensure that you are qualified and that your skills are up to snuff (not everyone can be a tutor).
You’ll also need the right equipment, like a camera and screen-sharing software, so students can see what you’re doing on your computer screen. Tutors.com and VIPKid are two places to begin your search.
You should be prepared for the time commitment involved in tutoring online—it cannot be done in five minutes or less! You’ll also want an excellent online presence so potential employers can trust that they’re hiring someone who knows what they’re doing.
5. Be a Virtual Travel Planner
If you love to travel and want to make money from home, being a virtual travel planner is your perfect side hustle. You’ll get to work with clients with unique itineraries and budgets, so there’s no limit on how much or how little you can earn.
You also get to be your boss, which means working with flexible hours if your schedule allows it. If you’ve always dreamed of traveling but don’t want to break the bank while doing so, this side hustle could be perfect for you!
As a virtual travel planner, many different projects are available locally and globally, depending on where people need help planning their trips. So this could be great if you’re looking for extra cash without leaving town!
6. Build Websites or Apps for Others or Yourself
How to get started:
Start with a domain name – you can use your name, business name, or whatever you like. It should be something that people will remember and come back to. It could be [yourname].com or [yourbusinessname].com (if you plan on selling products online).
Build a site using WordPress – this is the most popular blogging platform and is easy to use. You don’t need any coding knowledge at all.
Add content – write about what you know! If you’re passionate about something, then start writing about it! More traffic will come through once you have some posts up, which means more money for you.
As you get more experience building and designing websites, you can start a business by building them for clients.
7. Do Blogging Online
Have you ever thought of starting a blog? If you have, you will know it is not as easy as it sounds. You need to be passionate about the topic, consistent in posting and sharing content with your readers, creative in coming up with post ideas, and have excellent writing skills and a good design sense to make the complete experience appealing to your audience.
Here are some other ways blogging can earn money:
Advertisements – Most blogs make money by displaying ads on their website through Google Adsense or affiliate programs such as the Amazon Associates program.
Affiliate products – If you sign up with Amazon Affiliates or another affiliate marketing program, you can use links in your content with a disclaimer. But it’s how a lot of bloggers make extra money.
The amount earned depends on how many visitors visit the site and how long they stay on it. The more traffic your blog gets, the higher your earning potential will be per visitor, thus making it essential for all bloggers.
Whether you’re aiming to monetize your blog or want an extra income source, there’s no better way to create high-quality content that people would love reading!
8. Offer Freelance Writing Services Online
To get started, you can offer the following writing services:
- Blog posts – If you have experience writing blog posts for other websites or publications, try offering your services to bloggers looking for blog post writers.
- Copywriting – If you’re great at coming up with catchy headlines and brief descriptions of products, then this might be a good side hustle for you. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk is one place where people are looking for help with their copywriting needs. You could also try Upwork or Fiverr to find more opportunities in this area.
- Content creation – Maybe everyone wants content but doesn’t know how to create it themselves. That may be why there are so many opportunities on Upwork and Fiverr that ask writers to provide content in different formats (for example, articles).
9. Sell Handmade Arts and Crafts on Etsy
Etsy is a great place to sell homemade arts and crafts. Etsy sellers make money by setting up their shops, listing products for sale, and earning fees from each sale.
As an Etsy seller, you must create a shop and list your items there. You can also set up your profile so buyers can see important details like how long you’ve been selling on Etsy, where your store is located, and what payment methods are accepted (PayPal is popular).
Once you’re ready to sell some of your homemade goods online, one more step is getting people interested in buying them! To do this, it helps if you take some basic steps to promote yourself as an online seller before launching any ads or working with other companies who help get exposure for handmade goods on Etsy.
10. Participate in Focus Groups
You can make extra money by participating in focus groups. These are generally held online or in person and will pay you between $50 and $200 for each session, depending on the length of time it takes to complete.
Focus groups generally last about 1-2 hours, and you’ll be asked to give your opinions on products, services, or advertisements. You have to sit through a presentation that could include a video or presentation by someone from the company conducting the study.
Most companies will pay out via PayPal within a few days after completing their surveys! Try checking Focusgroups.org and Life Points Panel for paid opportunities.
11. Tech Setup Services
Tech Setup Services make starting an online job easier. You can use these services to set up your website, blog, or online store. They can help you put in place a system to get paid for your work too.
If tech stuff is not your thing, these services can be a big help! This way, you won’t have any headaches from trying to figure out tricky tech items on your own. Using Tech Setup Services means that you will have more time for the fun parts of your new job.
12. Selling Digital Products
You can make money by selling digital products. These are things like art, music, ebooks, or lesson plans that people download. Websites like Etsy and Shopify let you sell your work.
It is easy to start because it does not cost much money. Plus, you get to call the shots! You choose when you work and what to make. As more people buy your items, you can earn more money over time.
This way of making money keeps paying even when you’re not working on new products!
13. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is all about making money from sales. You team up with a company to sell their items. Then, you share links to these products on your blog or social media pages.
If people buy through your link, you get some money! It’s nice because there’s no risk for you.
Being good at digital marketing helps a lot in this job. Also, it’s key to have many followers online who trust what you say and like the same things you do. This way, when they see something cool on your page and buy it, you earn extra cash! Blogs, social media, emails, and YouTube videos can be used for affiliate marketing.
14. Self-publishing eBooks
Self-publishing eBooks is a great way to earn extra money. If you enjoy writing or have creative skills, this side hustle can be a perfect fit for you. You can publish your work on sites such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble Press.
Sell your eBooks online and make passive income over time. This means once the eBook is up for sale, it can keep earning money without more work from you! Selling eBooks helps you reach global customers easily.
15. Creating and Selling Online Courses
You can make good money by creating and selling online courses. Pick a subject you know well. This could be something you learned in school or a hobby you love. Sites like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare let people put their courses up for sale.
More people today want to learn new things from home. So, there is high demand for online courses now. One hot topic is digital marketing because many companies need it.
Some of the money you get from selling courses will come even while you sleep! It’s what we call “passive income”. Also, it’s great to help others learn what you already know!
16. Participating in Paid Online Surveys and App Testing
You can make extra money by taking part in paid online surveys and testing apps. There are lots of websites that pay you for this! It is a great side hustle as it does not need any specific skills or costs to start.
You just need your phone or laptop and some free time. Payouts range from $10 to even more than $150! Plus, this job is very flexible. You can do it whenever you have the time, even if that’s early morning or late night.
So, why wait? Start making money in your spare time with these online tasks today!
17. Offering Tech Setup Services
Are you good with tech? Do you fix Wi-Fi issues at home or help set up smart TVs? You can make money from these skills. Offering tech setup services is a great way to earn extra cash.
Many folks need help setting up computers, smartphones, and game consoles. They might also need help fixing internet problems.
This hustle costs little to start! All you need is your tech know-how and some spare time. Use social sites like Facebook to tell people about your service. Handy apps like TaskRabbit are another good place to post ads for your work.
Try it out! This could be the perfect side job for you.
18. Starting a Dropshipping Business
You can start a dropshipping business with little money. Here is how it works. You sell items on your website or online shop. But you don’t have the items with you. When someone buys, you then buy that item from a supplier.
The supplier sends the item to the buyer, not you! It’s good because you don’t need big storage for all your goods and there are no upfront costs for stock. That makes this a very low risk way to start an online business.
19. Providing Online Marketing Services
You can earn good money from home by selling online marketing services. This job is all about helping businesses sell their goods on the internet. You do not need much to start, just a computer and an internet connection.
Work may include posting on social media for clients or creating ads for products. You can use sites like Fiverr and Freelancer.com to offer your skills to people in need.
It’s a great way to use extra time at home and turn it into cash!
20. Selling Your Photography
You can make money by selling your photos. Do you like to take pictures? You can sell them. Some people will buy digital copies of your photos. Others might buy hard copies they can hold in their hands.
There are websites where you can do this. You can buy photos on websites such as Fine Art America, SmugMug, 500px, and PhotoShelter. How much money you get will depend on the site you use.
It is a great way to make extra cash from home.
21. Transcription and Translation Services
You can make money from home with transcription and translation services. Many companies look for people to turn spoken words into written ones. This is what we call transcription.
Some firms need help changing texts or speeches from one language to another. We refer to this as translation.
These jobs are highly sought after in fields such as business, law, medicine, and media. You might wonder how much you could earn. Your pay depends on how well you know a language, your area of focus, and how hard the job is.
If you’re good at multiple languages or have strong listening skills, give this job a thought! A lot of online places let you find these kinds of jobs easily too!
22. Become a Social Media Influencer
Being a social media influencer is now a big deal. You can earn money just by posting on sites like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok. It’s all about getting followers and fans who enjoy your posts.
They want to see what you wear, what products you use, and where you hang out. If brands like what they see, they might ask you to promote their stuff. This is one way influencers make extra money at home online.
You don’t need heavy costs upfront or lots of time to get started, making it an ideal side hustle for students!
23. Make a Blog and Monetize it
Starting a blog can be fun and make you money too. You might have lots of ideas to share or stories to tell. After picking what you want your blog to be about, use easy-to-use sites like WordPress or Wix to create it.
Make sure all your messages are engaging for the people who read them. This way, they will keep coming back for more posts. Now, how do you earn money from your blog? Place ads on your pages or promote products that match with your content.
Brands will pay you if their goods sell through links in your blog posts!
24. Start a YouTube Channel
You can earn money from home by starting a YouTube channel. Millions of people across the globe watch videos on this platform every day. It takes time to build a big enough group of followers, but you can make money from ads when you do.
You don’t just have to rely on ads though! Selling digital goods like download files is another way to make money with your channel.
25. Podcast Hosting
You can make money with podcast hosting. Sites like Buzzsprout, Libsyn and Anchor are good for this. They have tools to help you upload, spread and earn from podcasts.
Making a fun and top-notch podcast will draw in sponsors. This means more money for you! Hosting a podcast also lets you talk to people all over the world. You might get asked to do public speaking or write a book because of your podcast.
Selling items tied to your show is an extra way to bring in cash too.
More people are listening to podcasts now than ever before. This makes hosting one a great way to earn some side money on the internet.
Where to Find Online Side Hustles?
Most of these side hustles can be found on freelancing sites like:
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
- Guru
- FlexJobs
- Remote.co
- LiveOPS
- WorkingSolutions
- Amazon Mechanical Turk
- Appen Crowd Work
- Tutors.com
- VIPKid
- Focusgroups.org
- Life Points Panel
- Fiverr
Many online jobs or opportunities can be found on a majority of websites. It will take time to research them all, but it’s worth your time to find ways to make extra money without taking on another job.
How to Start Your Online Side Hustle
Start exploring online side hustles by recognizing your skills and interests. Then, conduct some market research and identify what avenues are open to you.
Develop your business plan next – consider this your road map to success. To ensure success, create a website or use social media to promote your business online.
Embrace these steps to kick-start your online side hustle journey!
Identify your skills and interests
To start your side hustle, know what you’re good at. Think about things that are fun for you. Maybe you like to draw or write stories. These could turn into digital art to sell or eBooks to share with the world! If puzzles and games are more your thing, maybe app testing is right for you.
Even if working out is what gets you up in the morning, it’s possible to become an online personal trainer! Make a list of all the things you can do well and love doing. This will help guide what sort of side hustle suits you best.
Research potential markets
You need to know where your skills and services are in demand. This is called market research. To do this, you can use sites like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer.com. These sites let you see what people want and how much they will pay.
For pet-sitting jobs, Rover and Care.com are good places to look. If you want to walk dogs, then try Wag!, TimetoPet, or Rover. Sites like HelloTech and TaskRabbit are good for tech work.
And if you’re thinking about starting a blog, check out Wix or Squarespace—they make it easy!
Create a business plan
Making a business plan is like making a map for your side hustle. It shows you where to go and how to get there. First, write down what you want to do. Next, think about who will buy your product or service.
This is your market. You also need to know how much money it will take to start and run your side hustle.
Now comes the fun part! Think about how you will tell people about your business. This could be through social media, flyers at school or word of mouth. Write all this down in a neat list or draw it out on paper if that’s easier for you!
Set up your online presence
First, pick a good name for your online side hustle. This name will be how people know you and your business. Next, create a website with this name. You can do this on Wix or Squarespace.
Ensure you fill the website with information about you and what you offer. Try to keep it simple but also interesting! Now it’s time to make social media pages for your business, too – think Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Post updates about your work on these pages and interact with people who like or comment on your posts.
Tips for Making Your Side Hustle Successful
Starting an online side hustle is just half the battle. Ensuring it thrives requires consistency, excellent customer service, and strategic marketing. Learn how to effectively manage your time to balance work, life, and your new venture.
Eager for more? Dive into our detailed guide on making your side hustle successful.
Consistency is key
Consistency is like the secret tool to making money online. It helps you stay on track and keep moving forward. If you are doing a job, do it every day. Don’t stop. This rule works in many ways! For a blog, new posts every week can bring more readers and make more money through ads or sales.
Regular work makes clients happy in freelancing and brings in steady cash flows. Using pet-sitting apps all the time will get you more pet care jobs, too! So remember, stick to your hustle, keep going strong, and success will come your way.
Excellent customer service
Great service to customers can make your side hustle bloom. Customers want to feel valued. They like clear and quick answers when they ask about your products or services. This means you must listen, treat them kindly, and sort out any problems they face.
To do this right, try to put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Think of what you would want if you were them. You could mess up once in a while; that’s okay! Fix things fast and say sorry when needed.
This shows respect for your customer and their needs.
Effective marketing
To make your side hustle shine, you need good marketing. It’s like telling people about your business in a cool way. Use social media to show off what you do. If you have a blog, use it to talk about your work.
You can even work with other brands! Good marketing helps get the word out and brings more money in.
Time management
Plan your day. Make a list of things to do. Do hard tasks when you feel fresh and alert. Break big jobs into small steps. Set goals for each step. This way, you control how you use time.
It helps in doing more in less time. So, take charge of your hours and minutes! Use them wisely for your side hustle work.
Avoiding Online Side Hustle Scams
Beware of online hustle scams. These are fake jobs that want to trick you and take your money. Be careful of online scams. They may try to trick you with work from home schemes like pyramid plans or envelope stuffing.
Watch out for these lies.
Never give personal details or bank info to anyone you don’t trust online. Even if they promise big cash, do not believe them straight away. Scams often lure people in with the promise of fast money.
Do your homework before saying yes to any online job offer. Know who is offering the side job and if they can be trusted. Researching helps spot scams early on. Being careful keeps both your wallet and future safe from scammers’ tricks.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! These are just a few ways to earn some extra cash. Think of your interests and skills, then find something that might be a good fit. The internet is full of opportunities—you must be willing to take action and make it happen for yourself!
