Nowadays, there are more opportunities for extra income online and offline than ever before. Although that’s awesome, deciding where to spend your time isn’t always easy.
Over the past few years, it has become increasingly popular to earn money online from the comfort of our homes.
Using the Internet to Make Money Fast
Undoubtedly, the Internet is one of the most powerful sales channels, marketing networks, and community hubs available today. Besides filling out surveys and selling used goods on marketplaces, there are many other creative ways to make money fast online.
However, some side hustles are better suited to the laptop lifestyle than others. In this guide, we will examine some of the top ideas on how to earn money online.
Here are the best ways to earn extra income right now.
Conduct market research
Although you won’t earn a lot of money from online surveys, you can make a few dollars here and there. The majority of survey sites pay in gift cards, but some, like Branded Surveys, allow you to withdraw your earnings via PayPal or direct deposit. Branded Elite members earn bonus points and rewards by taking surveys consistently and earning points.
Several of the paid survey sites we ranked are scams masquerading as legitimate organizations, so be careful handing out personal information to a brand you don’t know much about.
Internet connections that are unused can be sold
This may sound weird to you, but hear us out. Using unused internet resources and data, companies like Honeygain sell their Content Delivery services to Fortune 500 companies through their partner network. You become part of a larger “hive” of computers and internet connections that power the network.
In Honeygain’s estimation, the average user will earn $45 per month in passive income by installing the app on two devices and sharing about 5 GB per day.
There is a good chance that you have some extra bandwidth to donate if you have an unlimited data mobile plan, cable, fiber, or DSL. Additionally, new users receive a $5 gift when they register online. For more information, visit their website.
You can earn rewards and cashback online
With cashback apps and browser extensions, you can save money on everything from groceries to books. Although you won’t earn a fortune, you will save on things you already purchase. Overstock, Vitacost, and eBay are among my favorite stores that Capital One Shopping works with.
If you already have an account with Capital One, you can create a Capital One Shopping account using your regular login. Signing up is still quick even if you do not use Capital One. Capital One will let you know while you’re shopping if there’s a deal available for that retailer once you create an account and install the browser extension. Gift cards are available from Walmart, Redbox, Sephora, and other retailers if you redeem your rewards.
Create a blog
The idea of making money from a blog is more realistic than you might think. A blogger makes money by promoting the products and services of companies with which he or she is affiliated. A commission is earned by the website owner when users click an affiliate link and make a purchase. Besides displaying advertising, selling your own products, or writing sponsored content, there are other ways to make money blogging.
It is easy to start a digital business from home for less than the cost of a cup of coffee each month with blogging platforms like HostGator.
You can monetize your location data
You know those push notifications Starbucks sends when you are within a rock’s throw of a physical location asking if you want a drink? Can you recall when apps on your phone asked for permission to use your location information?
There is a good chance that you have over a dozen apps tracking every step you take on your phone right now. The time has come for it to be monetized.
Tapestri allows users to earn $25 per month by sharing their location with the company.
After that, Tapestri partners with massive brands to help them gain insight into consumer behavior and shopping patterns. With Tapestri, you’ll get paid for the location data, and as we mentioned earlier, you’re already sharing it with other apps.
The Tapestri referral program pays monthly passive cash for each person you refer to the app (who also consents to the app sharing their location). Referrals who keep the app installed on their phones will receive $1 per month.
Start a proofreading business
A proofreader ensures that a writer’s content is error-free and grammatically correct. Court reporters are also among those who use proofreading services. It is the proofreader’s job to provide an extra set of eyes after the author and editor have finished. Content is scanned for errors that may have gone unnoticed previously. As a freelance proofreader, you can earn several hundred to even several thousand dollars per month working in your spare time if you have a modest list of clients.
Managing Facebook Ads for businesses
Users’ news feeds are one way Facebook makes money by displaying advertisements for products and services. Small business owners don’t realize how valuable Facebook ads can be for their business. For each client you book, you can earn $1,000 to $2,000 per month by communicating the value of ads in attracting new clients and building brand awareness.
The first step would be to get in touch with small business owners in your area or to take an online course that will teach you how to manage Facebook ads and begin booking clients once you have done that.
Become a virtual assistant
An online virtual assistant offers services to companies and small businesses through the Internet. Among the services offered are graphic design, blog management, and email marketing.
After having her first child, one of our readers started working as a virtual assistant. She offers copywriting and email management services to local companies for $35 an hour. It is true that working as a freelancer will increase your hourly rate, but it does come with the downside of having to find your own work, which is a major drawback. It is also possible to work with well-known virtual assistant companies that have a steady stream of clients, but at a lower hourly rate, should you choose to work with them.
Transcribing audio files
A transcription job can be classified into three categories: legal, medical, or general. There are companies in the legal or medical fields that may require you to have some experience or knowledge in those fields. Transcriptionists listen to audio files and transcribe them into written content. There is a wide range of pay for different jobs depending on the industry and your level of experience. There’s a free 7-day course that you can take if you’re interested in working as a transcriptionist, which includes information about what it takes to work as a transcriptionist and how to get started in the field.
Bank hopping
Taking advantage of “bank hopping” is one of the savvier ways to make money online, but it often requires a little capital. Generally, banks offer substantial deposit bonuses if you open an account – often with a minimum deposit – and keep the money within the institution for a certain period, usually around 90 days.
For example, Discover Bank offers a bonus of $150 or $200 when you open a new online savings account with them and make a qualifying deposit within the first 30 days of opening the account. The only thing you have to do to get the free money is to use the code OB222 when opening the account, but that’s a pretty small ask for a large amount of free money.
You should invest in fine art
People often think of stocks, bonds, real estate, etc., when they think of investing. In addition to investing in financial products, you can also invest in physical items, such as fine art. It wasn’t possible for most ordinary people to purchase famous and original works of art from artists like Picasso, Monet, or Rembrandt until now.
With Masterworks, you can buy “shares” in a painting, just as you would buy stock. You can make money online by selling your artwork if you know what you’re doing and you don’t need the money right away.
Educate second-language learners in English
VIPKid hires native English speakers to teach English to children, most of whom are based in China. Your pay is based on your level of teaching experience and how well you do in the demo interview. In fact, many of the people who worked for the company had no experience and made $1,500 to $2,000 per month teaching part-time jobs.
Create a digital course
One of the most popular ways to make money online today is through digital courses. There is a platform called Outschool which focuses on the recruitment of teachers specifically for the purpose of helping online course creators monetize their knowledge. The classes offered at the school cover a wide range of topics, from architecture to yoga to learning about Pokémon characters. According to the site, the average teacher earns $40 per hour, and you do not have to be an experienced teacher in order to use Outschool.
You can sell your unused gift cards
If you have unwanted gift cards, you can sell them on one of several popular gift card exchanges. Raise, for example, gives you a suggested selling point when you enter your gift card. It is up to you to set the price at whatever you think is fair. Once your gift card sells, Raise will keep 15% of the selling price and you will receive the remaining 85%. As an example, if you sell a gift card with a $50 balance for $45 and Raise keeps $6.75, you’ll get $38.50.
Sell and buy domain names
Domain flipping can potentially be a lucrative way of making money online if you like coming up with cool names for new websites or businesses that you would like to start up. This is a great how-to guide by GoDaddy that shares tips on how to flip an inexpensive domain for thousands of dollars.
Start your own tutoring business
There are a variety of online tutoring sites where you can earn money by teaching anything you know. You can set your own rate on some sites, while others dictate what you can charge. When you create a profile on a website like Wyzant or Tutor.com, you can start booking clients right away. You can also advertise on Craigslist or at local schools, depending on your subject area and whether you prefer to teach in person or online.
Test websites for money
Testing a website’s design and user experience is done by website testers. In this way, businesses can improve their websites to provide a better user experience (and possibly increase sales). You can earn $10 for every 15- to 20-minute test, you complete with sites like UserTesting. Tests involve recording your screen, receiving feedback, and answering follow-up questions. You can also earn money by testing websites at other places.
Write for websites and businesses
One of the fastest and most accessible ways to earn money online is by writing. There is no need to have perfect grammar skills or a padded portfolio to become a freelance writer. If you’ve written a personal blog, newsletter, or story in the past, you can use those samples of your work as examples of your work in the future. Start pitching your services to clients on the ProBlogger and Freelance Writing job boards to get the ball rolling.
Become a freelancer
There is no better way to sell your services online than to offer what you are already familiar with. Your day job probably involves managing social media, or if you have mastered the art of editing podcasts through working on your own personal podcast, then those are legitimate services you can offer to clients. There are several sites where you can find a network of professionals looking to hire freelancers with your skill sets, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com.
Flipping Facebook Marketplace finds
There is a chance that you can purchase a piece at a good price, then turn around and sell it for a profit within a week if you find good deals. Keep an eye out for other flippable items you can sell in addition to furniture, such as clothing with tags, antiques, and vintage collectible items like baseball cards and gaming systems. Rob and Melissa of Flea Market Flipper, who make over $100,000 per year flipping yard sale hauls, have a flipping course that teaches people how to make the most money from their finds.
Take care of microtasks
There are many ways to make money online, but one of the simplest ways is to do microtasks. The downside of micro jobs is that they come with micro pay. It’s possible to earn a few dollars a month with Swagbucks by watching videos, playing games, and using the Swagbucks search engine. Users can also earn money by reviewing content, verifying data, or testing apps and websites on other micro job websites.
Make money on Etsy by selling your creations
It is widely known that Etsy is known for its variety of handmade and vintage items, but users have also seen success selling everything from handmade knitwear and upcycled jewelry to budget printables and home organization binders on the site. If you have a talent, you may be able to sell your crafts digitally and earn some extra income from your crafts, no matter what they may be.
Produce YouTube videos
Ads are YouTubers’ primary source of income, which range from $0.01 to $0.03 per view, or $3 to $5 per 1000 views. With Google AdSense, you can make money on YouTube by creating consistent, engaging content. You can start a creator account for free, but you must meet YouTube’s minimum requirements to monetize it.
You can sell gently used clothing
Making money online can also be done by selling things you no longer need. It may be more profitable for you to list your designer clothes individually on Poshmark or eBay if they are in high demand. The Clean Out Kit from ThredUP is also an option if your items aren’t in high demand or you don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling them yourself. As soon as they sell, pack up the bag and collect your earnings. Try Plato’s Closet or Buffalo if you want a local alternative.
Become a matchmaker
Love-seekers on Tawkify are matched based on shared values, interests, and other dating preferences. Matchmakers work one-on-one with clients to match them with handpicked matches based on these criteria. It is not necessary to have experience in the field to apply. On its website, Tawkify says it looks for matchmakers who are empathic, intuitive, and have high emotional intelligence (EQ).
Provide Asana training to business owners
Asana is a project management software that can help small and large businesses organize and manage projects and teams. Business owners hire Asana consultants to help them set up their teams, streamline and optimize their projects, and learn Asana’s best practices. Once you have worked with businesses for a year, you can apply to become an Asana Certified Pro. Asana’s Certified Pros page makes it easier for clients to find and hire you in your area if you have been certified. You’ll also receive in-depth training.
Become a drop shipper
Over the last decade, dropshipping businesses have become extremely popular ways to earn money online. The drop shipper sources products from manufacturers and sells them through its online store. An item is shipped directly to the customer’s home from the manufacturer when a customer places an order. Inventory will never need to be stored or orders will never need to be managed. One of the most popular eCommerce platforms, Shopify, offers a free 45-minute workshop on starting and launching a dropshipping business.
Develop an app
Creating an app doesn’t require you to be a software engineer or developer. Freelancer, Upwork, or Fiverr are excellent places to find someone with technical skills who can help you bring your idea to life. Alternatively, you can use a platform such as Build Fire or Appy Pie and create your app without knowing any coding. By displaying in-app advertisements, offering a premium version, or selling your app to a larger company, you can make money with your app.
Sell your old phones or unused technology
It’s quite possible that you hold on to all your old laptops and cell phones, even after you’ve upgraded to a newer model, even though you want to get rid of them. It is possible to change that by using Buyback Boss and sites like it, where you can sell your old electronics so that they can be reclaimed.
With Buyback Boss, you will receive an instant quote and you will be guaranteed to get the best price. In the event that you find a better deal on another website, send it your quote and it will match it, no questions asked.
Create a paid membership community
There are a number of reasons why membership sites are a great way to share your knowledge, build a community, and generate recurring revenue. It is common for a membership to include some form of core content, such as a course, as part of its package. Some of the ones that many people are members of also offer weekly or monthly content, as well as live coaching calls where members can volunteer to be coached in front of their peers.
You can sell your personal photos
You can make money selling images you don’t use on your camera roll if you enjoy taking pictures. Getting started is as simple as using your smartphone camera. You can get paid for selfies on some apps, while businesses can get paid for stock images on sites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.
Provide virtual interior design consultations
Among the most popular virtual interior design, Instagram accounts to follow is Galey Alix. Galey documents her interior design projects – a business she runs on the side of her full-time finance job. She proves that you don’t need a degree or experience to start a business or provide services in a new field.
Get started by working with family and friends for free. Make sure to document your work online and on social media, and gather testimonials. Creating service packages for new clients can be done once you’ve acquired some experience and a sense of your process.
Create your own eBook and self-publish it
New authors are increasingly turning to self-publishing. It is possible to sell your book through a blog or personal website if you already have one. Self-publishing through Amazon with Kindle Direct Publishing seems to be the most common method. Your book can be uploaded directly to your Amazon KDP account once you have written and formatted it.
Make a living as a voice-over artist
A voice-over artist is a person who provides their voice for professional audio work such as games, commercials, and cartoons. It may be an easy way for you to make money online if you have a voice that’s suitable for radio. A freelancing site like Fiverr or a niche website such as Voices.com is a good place to find voice-over work.
Creating and selling digital products
Selling digital products is another way to make money online with your know-how if you don’t have the time or don’t prefer to work with clients. Planners, templates, and workbooks are among the types of digital products you can create and sell. Through Pinterest, social media, or SEO-friendly blog posts, you can drive people to your digital products.
You can sell the produce you grow at home
There are several sites such as Facebook Marketplace that will allow you to sell your excess produce to friends and family if you grow your own vegetables or herbs.
Work in a call center
One of the best online jobs for people who work in customer service is to become a call center agent. Some of the companies that offer remote work in this field include U-Haul, Apple, and American Express. According to the company, this position can either be full-time or part-time, and training is typically provided, which means that no previous experience is needed in order to fill the position.
Work as a data entry specialist
Data entry includes entering hard-copy information into a spreadsheet or scanning documents into an online program. Data entry is an easy way to earn money online or from home in your spare time as it doesn’t require a specialized degree and pays upwards of $13 per hour. It is possible to find data entry jobs for all levels of experience on websites such as FlexJobs and Microworkers.
Selling T-shirts and designing them
You can make money online designing and selling your own T-shirts if you are creative or can come up with catchy sayings. You can design and sell custom shirts on sites like Teespring, Bonfire, and Printify without paying anything upfront. In a similar manner to dropshipping, you create your own storefront that features your own designs. Customers order products through the site, and the site creates and ships them for you. In order to make money online with this idea, you’ll need to promote your storefront, so having an online following, whether it’s on Instagram, YouTube, or any other social media platform, is helpful.
Provide consulting services
There is an inherent corporate connotation to consulting. As a virtual consultant, anyone with deep knowledge in a particular subject area could earn money. The work of a consultant is less hands-on than that of a freelancer. Instead of doing the work yourself, you offer your clients the expertise they need to make informed decisions. Experts in search engine optimization, for example, may consult with clients and teach their employees how to implement SEO strategies.
Become a coach in your field
Coaches help clients create their own plans of action, whereas consultants provide plans of action for clients. From Instagram marketing to personal finance and business, you can become a coach in any area that interests you. Booking and meeting with clients virtually can be made easier with the help of tools like Acuity and Zoom.
Become an online entrepreneur
Consider the problems you face or the complaints you hear from others. Do you think the solution could be turned into an online business? Is there a way to take your in-person business online if you already offer an in-person service? Couples can learn how to massage each other online through classes taught by a massage therapist, for example. The baker could host an online workshop about how to make their most popular recipes.
Offline Ways to Make Money from Home
There are some work-from-home jobs that do not require an internet connection. You can learn more about these free ways to make money from home by reading the following guides and resources.
Become a member of a food delivery service
Despite the fact that this isn’t technically a way to make money from home, delivering food or packages is a great way to earn extra cash outside of a full-time job. The average hourly wage for an Instacart shopper is between $10 and $20 per hour. Once you have been approved for this position, you will be able to start making deliveries on your own schedule as long as you have reliable access to a vehicle. In addition to free fuel points, shoppers also receive free memberships to Costco, BJ’s, and several other wholesale retailers.
Petsitting at your house
The Rover app has recently been used by a reader to make money from home by pet sitting. You can choose the services you offer and set your own rates with the company. Due to their remote work, they chose in-house doggy daycare and set their rate at $33 per day per dog. Their first client was John. They earned $56.40 for having him over for two days. They were satisfied because their dog did most of the work entertaining John and they got rewarded for it. (Rover takes a 20% cut.) Among the other services you can offer on Rover, you can walk dogs, board pets, and do house sitting.
You can rent out your space
Using space in your home that you’re not using as a rental is a great way to earn money from home. Renting out your space can be done in a variety of ways. In addition to Neighbor.com and StoreAtMyHouse, ShareMySpace and PeerSpace cater to events like parties, photoshoots, and meetings.
Provide daycare at home
You can make money at home by offering at-home daycare if you enjoy working with children and have time to care for several at once. Private daycares are preferred by many parents over public ones. For moms and dads who work remotely or stay home with their kids during the day, this is a great side hustle if you have experience working with kids.
Become a mystery shopper
Companies like Secret Shopper, BestMark, and IntelliShop pay workers to provide feedback on the products and services of a company. As an example, you might be asked to visit a local electronics store and ask a member of the phone department-specific questions about your experience, as well as complete a survey about your experience with the store. If you are interested in booking gigs online or in your local area, you are able to fill out an application with mystery shopping companies.
You can sell your favorite recipes
When your friends and family rave over your cooking, even if it is only one dish, you have the possibility of making money from home by capitalizing on your talent. Nikki Girard is an example of someone who did exactly that. As a result of trying to perfect her Haitian patty recipe, she turned it into a part-time side business that brings in $2,000 per month as a side income. In order to sell your creations, you will need to use social media and your personal network to do so. Depending on your state, you may be able to sell a certain amount of Cottage Food without requiring a license. Check your local laws for more information on the amount you can sell.
Repair neighbors’ broken gadgets
It may be possible for you to make money from home if you have a skill set or have general handyman knowledge. Talk to your neighbors to see if they would be interested in your services, and mention your availability in conversations with your friends and family. There’s no doubt that word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools, but apps like TaskRabbit and Amazon Home Services are also great ways to spread the word.
Your phone can be used by companies to advertise
There is no doubt that advertisements are an effective way for companies to reach out to new clients. The more brands you are exposed to, the more revenue you will be able to generate, which means you can make money from home by allowing companies to use your belongings as a billboard for their product. There are a lot of sites on the internet that pay you to display ads on your car, while Slidejoy and similar apps charge you to display ads on the lock screen of your phone.
Provide bookkeeping services to local businesses
Your job as a bookkeeper will include things like inputting company transactions, reconciling bank records, invoicing customers, and running financial reports on a regular basis. In order to earn money from home as a bookkeeper, you do not need a degree in finance or accounting. The only thing you would need to know is how to use Quickbooks or another popular accounting software, and you would also need to have a basic understanding of accounting principles. A bump in your rates may be justified if you have completed any bookkeeping classes or certifications.
Organize and teach fitness classes
Your garage gym, spare bedroom, or even the living room can serve as a great space in which to hold yoga and fitness classes. In the event that you have a teaching certification, this is an easy way to make money from home. If you don’t have any previous experience in group fitness, ACE Fitness offers group fitness certification training starting at $350. Certification isn’t a requirement to become a yoga instructor, but it can give you a competitive edge in marketing your classes, as well as help your clients feel more confident in your abilities.
Your current employer may be willing to allow you to work remotely
You should consider bringing it up with your employer if you love your job but want the flexibility of working from home. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate a part-time remote arrangement that gives you some days in the office and some at home, depending on your role. Prepare your reasoning and any questions or problems your boss may have before the conversation begins. A mutually beneficial agreement is more likely to be reached if you have solutions prepared.
Be Prepared for Extra Money by Making a Plan Ahead
Earning extra income online is a great way to supplement your income. Unless you create a plan for your money before it comes in, if you want to escape a difficult financial predicament, you’ll end up in the same place. A monthly budget or spending plan can be helpful.
List your regular income streams: full-time salary, child support, etc. – any income that stays the same month after month. Add your side hustle income as a separate line item. Make a lower estimate than you think you can make so that you won’t end up going over budget. Taking your income into account, decide how much you should save, invest, pay off debt, and then spend the rest.
It is said that you manage what you measure. If you plan on making extra money online in your spare time, tracking where your money goes will be a good way to ensure the work is worth your while.