35 Best Online Money Making Methods
35 Best Online Money Making Methods
35 Best Online Money Making Methods
Not only that, but various new job opportunities have also taken the
spotlight thanks to the rapid growth of technological advances and
remote work trends. As a result, practically anyone can get a
supplementing income by offering services or selling their creations
through various online platforms.
The opportunities to make extra cash today are more generous than
ever. In this article, we’ll show our picks of 35 short and long-term
ways you can make money online.
By the end of it, you’ll learn how to make money on the side via your
online business, whether it’s a side hustle or a long-term venture.
Top 10 Ways to Make Money
Online Quick
The internet makes nearly everything accessible, regardless of location or
device. So, if you’re looking for ways to make easy money online in a
relatively short period of time, consider our top picks:
Let’s look at how these methods to earn money from home work and
discuss some tips to make your online business successful.
As a website tester, it’s necessary to have critical and logical thinking skills,
excellent communication skills, and knowledge of website functionality and
design. These factors can help improve your job prospects and test-
reporting quality.
Payments are project-based, and rates differ based on testing methods and
the marketplace’s policy. For example, UserTesting offers between $4-
$120/test, where the higher earnings threshold is for people who do live
conversation tests with clients.
GET PAID TO DO SIMPLE WRITING JOBS ONLINE. HOW?
2. Do Voice-Over Work
Doing voice-over work is an excellent way to quickly make money online.
Most voice-over jobs are project-based, so long-term commitment isn’t
required.
Best of all, companies are always looking for new voice-over talent. Here are
just a few examples of how to use your voice to make cash:
The amount you earn from doing voice-overs depends on your experience,
the type of project, and the length of the script. For example, the average
salary for a voice-over artist doing small to medium projects is around
$30/recording hour.
One of the easiest ways to get started is by creating a profile on Upwork and
responding directly to job ads looking for voice-over talent. Signing up for
freelance websites is an excellent way to test the waters and compare voice-
over jobs currently available.
Alternatively, sign up for sites like Voices or ACX, which connect voice-over
talent with clients, and audiobook narrators with authors.
Despite sounding like an easy job, good voice-over talents are flexible,
dynamic, and can bring a script to life no matter the topic. With audiobooks,
for example, a consistent narrative voice, excellent articulation skills, the
ability to voice different characters, and good pacing abilities are crucial to
master.
To prepare for voice-over work, try out some sample scripts and see which
niche fits your voice and style the best. Knowing your strengths helps
market your services to the right clients.
We also recommend investing in a good microphone and recording software
since clarity and good quality audio are crucial factors when recording
samples. Also, try to control your surroundings when creating audio
samples, such as minimizing background noise.
Today, many companies pay people to participate in their surveys, which are
typically used for general market research and analyzing consumer behavior.
They might also help take business decisions, like what types of products to
launch or where to publish advertisements.
However, note that not everyone can do online surveys. Take a look at
some of the reasons we list below:
If the above drawbacks don’t phase you, here are some popular websites
that pay you to complete online surveys:
Although this option isn’t fully online, there is also remote mystery shopper
work. These jobs, for example, require testing service quality at call centers
or evaluating an online shopping experience.
Here are a few of the most popular companies where you can sign up online
to become a mystery shopper and make money from home:
Payments for mystery shoppers vary depending on the company. For each
job completed, you either get reimbursed for the items purchased, receive
vouchers and gift cards, or earn between $10-$25 on average.
To avoid scams, keep in mind that you should never pay to become a
mystery shopper. Note that you’re also an independent contractor, so
companies can’t force you to take on a certain number of jobs even after
signing up.
It also holds the largest share in the global digital media market. As a result,
many opportunities have appeared for users to make money online in their
spare time, testing games and gaming apps in exchange for rewards.
Some games or apps, like Mistplay, require you to perform specific tasks
and collect rewards in gaming currencies to be redeemed as dollars later on.
Other platforms such as Givling and Gamesville offer sweepstakes and
giveaways.
While these games and apps provide an easy way to make money online,
make sure to check reviews before installing or signing up for them. Some
use these platforms as a front for scams, stealing personal information and
bank details.
The rule of thumb is to avoid pay-to-play games. You want to make money,
not spend it.
Many companies and business owners use stock content in their marketing
campaigns, ads, and websites. In addition to the standard stock photo
format, buyers also look for fresh ideas and unique perspectives to make
their company stand out.
You can make a photography website and sell photos there. At the same
time, it’s a good idea to sign up for a few online marketplaces and list your
digital downloads. That way, you’ll get a head start at cultivating your
personal brand while promoting it to potential buyers.
Some of the biggest stock websites that pay you for photography and
videography include:
Once you inventory the items to sell, make sure to take high-quality images
before listing them on online marketplaces. If you plan to do this in the
longer term, also consider building a website to host your own online store.
One of the most popular categories to sell online is clothing. The market
value of the second-hand clothing industry is predicted to reach $77 billion
by 2026.
There are plenty of online marketplaces that specifically cater to the second-
hand clothing and accessories market. Here are just a few examples:
Other than clothes and accessories, make money online by selling used
items such as furniture, gadgets, sports equipment, and art tools. The used
car market also saw a rise in demand in 2020.
Some of the best online marketplaces to sell used items of all categories
include:
A safe bet is to sell the notes that contain general but insightful information
about a subject, such as modules, flashcards, and study guides. Also, be
careful not to present your notes as facts but simply as supplementary study
documents.
Aside from student or alumni message boards and community forums, here
are some of the best places to sell school notes:
• Nexus Notes. They offer a 50% commission per set of notes sold.
• NoteXchange. Sell your notes for $5-$40 and earn a 100% commission
if you join their affiliate program.
• Notesgen. With over 5.5 million users, this platform based in India
accepts handwritten notes and presentation slides.
• OneClass. Earn up to 20% of revenue when someone subscribes to
your content.
Here are some great micro-job websites that pay you through gigs:
• Fiverr. One of the most popular platforms for a variety of small jobs,
from logo designing to translations.
• Amazon Mechanical Turk. An excellent platform for users with video,
image, and data processing skills.
• Appen. A great option for doing small jobs like transcribing or
categorizing data.
List your creations on art marketplaces like DeviantArt and ArtStation, and
they’ll help manage the transactions. This is a great way to gain exposure in
the online creative community and reach potential clients.
Alternatively, sell your artwork and designs independently via social media.
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have over 2 billion monthly active
users on average, so there’s an excellent chance for exposure.
If you opt for a marketplace like ArtStation, it’s possible to earn up to 95%
from sales. On the other hand, if you’re selling on your own social media
profiles, you can keep up to 100% of the profit.
Unlike the previous section, the entries in the following list require some
initial investment in terms of time, and in some cases, money. Even so, they
are worth considering if you’re looking to expand your skills and work
portfolio.
Some of the most common ways to make money blogging are through
advertising and affiliate marketing. Selling products and doing brand
sponsorships are other popular monetization methods.
To have a profitable blog, it’s essential to find a niche and be consistent with
posting content. These factors are also crucial when building an audience
and having successful marketing and search engine optimization (SEO)
strategies.
Many affiliates have found success in this industry, with 35% revealing that
they earn at least $20,000/year. Signing up to more than one affiliate
network is one way to gain more opportunities and make additional money.
With so many affiliate programs and networks to choose from, make sure to
join the ones that fit your niche. For instance, if you have a blog dedicated to
computers and technology, you can become a Hostinger affiliate.
Here are some of the most profitable affiliate programs and networks to
make money from:
• Amazon Associates. One of the biggest affiliate networks, it offers
rates between 1% and 10%.
• SEMrush. A great option for content marketers, this program provides
a 40% monthly commission rate for all subscription plans.
• CJ Affiliate. A popular choice for affiliates with established platforms
wanting to work with large and reputable brands.
• eBay Partner Network. A good starting point for all affiliate niches and
levels.
• Tripadvisor. Perfect for affiliates within the travel industry.
• GetResponse. A platform offering one-time referrals and recurring
commissions for affiliates in the marketing niche.
Like any other business model, affiliate marketing takes trial and error.
Some of the biggest mistakes to avoid in affiliate marketing include choosing
the wrong niche, not producing quality content, and ignoring website
performance.
More and more brick-and-mortar stores are also turning to eCommerce due
to its advantages. Apart from having a broader market reach, eCommerce
stores require lower startup costs. For example, you don’t need to rent
different retail locations to scale operations.
Before launching an eCommerce business, it’s essential to decide the store’s
niche. If you’re unsure, researching trending products helps to narrow down
which types of products to sell online.
Creating an online store today also couldn’t be easier, even for beginners,
thanks to the growth of eCommerce platforms. However, picking the right
one is an important decision since the platform will contribute to your and
your customers’ overall experience.
Note that you may also need to obtain a business license depending on the
type of business model you opt for. These may include registration
certificates, local and federal permits, and a sales tax permit.
4. Start Dropshipping
Dropshipping is one of the most profitable business ideas you can start out.
It’s a B2C business model where you sell products via an online store but a
third-party supplier processes and fulfills the order.
To help get you started, here are some websites where you can connect to
reliable suppliers to start a dropshipping business:
There are two primary ways to sell digital courses – by joining an eLearning
platform or creating an eLearning website. The former is easier to do, but
the latter provides more opportunities to experiment with different course
formats and monetization methods.
When you’re ready, join an online tutoring platform to start promoting your
services. Here are five popular online tutoring platforms to make money
from home:
There are plenty of niche membership websites to take inspiration from. For
example, Mark Manson and Magnetic Memory Method focus on self-
improvement. Meanwhile, Smart Blogger offers tips on blogging and
content writing.
After finding a niche that suits your interest, start developing the
membership website. The easiest way to do this is with WordPress. Many
excellent membership plugins offer all the tools necessary to create plans
and accept transactions online.
Other important factors that advertisers look for include a website’s content
category, audience demographics, and user devices. So, it’s vital to dedicate
time to creating quality content and improving your site’s SEO strategies to
attract advertisers.
Here are some other advertising network options that you can sign up for:
There are two main ways you can make money online when creating a job
board website. The first is to rent out space for employers to advertise their
job listings. The second is to sell access to exclusive job listings to job
seekers via a paid membership system.
For example, popular job board websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and
ZipRecruiter charge employers fees for premium job post placements. Most
of these sites base their pricing plans on factors such as posting period, in-
depth company information, or reviews.
The easiest way to create this type of website is with a WordPress job board
plugin. For example, WP Job Manager offers tools to submit and manage
job listings code-free. If you want to restrict access to job postings, consider
installing a membership plugin.
After purchasing a site, optimize its content for search engines, generate
revenue, then sell it for a profit. It’s an ideal money-making project for
anyone who enjoys doing website design, improving SEO, and curating a
great user experience.
Knowing which websites to buy and grow is essential since not all of them
have future value. A good rule of thumb is to opt for ones that already
generate revenue and traffic. Similarly, websites with a popular niche and a
premium domain name are easier to sell at higher prices.
Here are a few marketplaces where you can find and purchase websites:
The first is to ask for proof of concept and revenue and enquire about its
current monetization methods. Then, check the site’s source of traffic and
traffic volume – this is a good indicator of a website’s potential.
It’s also a good idea to ask about existing site issues and verify why the
original website owner sold it in the first place. Also, ensure that you
double-check the seller’s background and avoid buying sites from
anonymous brokers.
There are multiple ways to earn from your YouTube channel, but the first
step is to sign up for the YouTube Partner Program and ensure you’re
eligible for monetization.
YouTube allows almost all types of content in various niches, from gaming
reactions to daily vlogs. If you want to make money, however, you’ll have to
invest some time and effort.
You can offer all kinds of freelance services. Some of the most sought-after
freelance skills include web design and development, translating,
accounting, and video production.
To help get you started, sign up for some of these best freelance websites
and start scouting for gigs:
Additionally, make sure the pricing structure aligns with the time and effort
required to finish each project.
13. Become a Website Developer
The average salary for a freelance web developer is $75,430/year. As
employment is projected to grow by 13% between 2020-2030, now is a
great time to jump into the information technology industry.
Once you know which specialization to pursue, it’s time to learn how to
code. Plenty of websites and courses can help you get started, such as:
For example, a web designer will need to study user experience, user
interface, and the basics of HTML and CSS. Meanwhile, a logo designer
should master color theory, typography, and design tools like Adobe
Illustrator and CorelDRAW.
There are many online graphic design gigs circulating job boards. Here are
some of the best places to look:
Additionally, try your luck on job boards like Fiverr and Freelancer, where
tons of freelance content writing gigs are available. Alternatively, join a
content writing agency to get a steady flow of work.
• Verblio. Offers all kinds of content types, from blog posts to press
releases.
• SEOButler. This company seeks US and UK-based freelance writers.
• Express Writers. Has a massive network of clients worldwide.
• WebFX. Provides SEO, digital advertising, and social media advertising
services.
Outside of streaming, video game streamers can also earn money from
brand deals, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
While many influencers originate from Instagram, you can take advantage
of other platforms like YouTube and Twitter to build a following and create
different types of content.
It’s a great way to make money from home if you’re already familiar with
these concepts or want to develop your skills further.
SEO services, for example, can help site owners rank higher in search engine
results pages (SERP), receive more traffic, and possibly generate leads. Some
skills you should have to offer these services include copywriting, link
building, and keyword research.
These days, however, you don’t need specific technical skills to create an
app. Here are a few picks of beginner-friendly app builders:
• Appy Pie. With over 3 million customers worldwide, this app builder
has a simple three-step process to help you create an app with a great
user experience. Pricing ranges from $16-$60/app/month.
• AppInstitute. Dubbing itself as an app builder for busy small business
owners, this platform makes it easy to get started without coding
knowledge. Pricing ranges from $59-$400/month.
• Mobincube. An intuitive app builder that enables you to launch an app
in a few easy steps. They’re also one of the few that offer a free plan,
but premium ones are also available.
To make a great app that people will want to use, follow the steps below:
All you need now is a topic to talk about and engaging communication skills
– you can make a podcast about anything, from financial tips to true crime.
After recording and editing the first few podcast episodes, find a podcast
hosting platform to make them available online. Some of the best ones
include Buzzsprout, Resonate, Anchor, and Spotify.
One thing that most podcasts have in common is that they primarily make
money from sponsorships. Once your podcast has generated a following,
consider signing up to production agencies like Podfly and Pacific Content to
monetize it with ads.
Make sure to also promote the podcast on social media and other platforms,
like your website. Using a podcast theme and an audio player on your site
can further boost the podcast’s brand identity and discoverability.
The average base salary for a travel consultant is $75,992/year in the US,
excluding tips. The benefits of this job include a flexible working schedule
and opportunities to travel and network.
Start your career by getting familiar with popular travel platforms and travel
management software. If you have the time and budget to spare, consider
taking courses in tourism, hospitality, or even foreign languages to improve
your opportunities.
Promote your services with a website and take inspiration from consultants
like Wanderlust Travel Consultants and TravelBoecker Adventures.
Alternatively, sign up to be a travel consultant or trip designer on platforms
such as Reco.
Here are other eBook publication alternatives along with their royalty rates:
• Barnes and Noble Press (retailer). Offers 70% royalties for eBook
sales.
• KOBO (retailer). Pays 70% royalties for eBooks priced $2.99 or more.
• Apple Books for Authors (aggregator). Offers 70% royalties for your
eBook sales.
• Smashwords (aggregator). Takes a 10% commission when selling to
other retailers and 15%-18.5% when selling on their website.
• Draft2Digital (aggregator). Earn 60% royalties from your eBook sales.
Knowing how to operate tools and software for bookkeeping and project
management are also important points. Some popular platforms that virtual
assistants often use include Google Drive, Quickbooks, and Asana.
The easiest way to market your services is through online platforms like
Fiverr and Freelancer. Alternatively, sign up with a virtual assistant
company and work with verified clients.
It can be tricky to start, but there are plenty of blogs, podcasts, and YouTube
channels to help. They often provide insights, tips, and tricks into the best
stock trading strategies.
You can also watch videos of stockbrokers reviewing trades and market
news on YouTube. Rayner Teo and WhiteBoard Finance are among the
many stock trading channels to follow.
Realistically, most people won’t opt for more than three choices. To help
you make a decision, evaluate the following factors:
• Effort. Consider how much time it’s necessary to invest into this new
venture and whether you have the required skills or experience.
• Cost. If you’re thinking about choosing one of the long-term options,
consider whether you have the budget to launch an online business.
• Interest. Don’t choose what to sell online just because it seems like
easy money ‒ it’s important to opt for a venture you have a genuine
interest in.
• Potential. Consider the monetary potential of your chosen idea and
whether it can be truly profitable in the long run.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered several options on how to make money online. As
there are plenty of business ideas to choose from, be sure to pick the one
best suited for your financial situation, skills, and passion.
If you want to sell products online, consider starting an online store. Auction
second-hand clothes, self-made designs, and stock photos if you only have
limited capital. Alternatively, adopt the dropshipping business model and
source products from a third-party supplier.
Since not everyone can commit to a full-time job, freelance gigs may suit
your preferences better. Start a podcast or become a streamer if you love
engaging with the audience, or try doing voice-over work.
Alternatively, experiment with blogging and monetize the website with ads
to generate passive revenue.