18 Legitimate Ideas for Making Money Online
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Making money online may seem like such a far-fetched idea, but in 2024, it’s become a reality for many. Whether you’re looking for a part-time side hustle or ready to create a full-time career online, there are numerous avenues to work from home and make extra cash.
While there are work-from-home scams you should watch out for, there are also legitimate methods to make money online. Be wary of any site asking you to pay money for access or requiring your credit card information to get started. Unless you are investing in the startup of your business, such as a laptop or course for certification, there’s no reason to crack open your wallet right away.
To get started, there are two major requirements. The first is you can’t be afraid of hard work. Just because your work is conducted online doesn’t mean it requires any less attention than other small business ideas. Sometimes, you wear multiple hats while you launch your online business. Don’t fear the work it takes to complete your tasks and build a reputable business.
Secondly, you have to have an internet connection.
With these two qualifications checked off your list, you can accomplish almost anything with your online business. Let’s look closely at these ideas so you can get started earning good money while wearing your favorite yoga pants.
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1. Play games online
Gaming continues to grow and instead of just a means of passing the time has become a way to earn extra money. Games like Bingo Cash, Solitaire Cash, and Cash Giraffe can be downloaded for free and while you don't have to enter the cash competitions, they can be rewarding. Skillz is a leading developer of gaming apps and hosts tournaments with a host of games. It held a New Year's Blackout Bingo tournament with a prize pool of $750,000, and some dedicated players earned $1,000 in just two minutes. It is a form of gambling, though, so be careful. You don't want to lose money!
2. Complete surveys
Sites such as Survey Junkie, Freecash, Kashkick, and InboxDollars are some examples of companies that pay you money to take surveys. You earn points for each survey you take. Then you cash in your points for gift cards or other prizes.
Although surveys are a quick, fun way to earn points and money, you should note that it’s hard to earn money quickly or consistently with these surveys. If you’re looking for something fun to do while you’re waiting to pass the time, then this is an option to earn a little extra.
The Amazon Mechanical Turk program is similar to this concept, except it is more broad-reaching. It’s a crowd-sourcing concept where businesses seek people to perform odd, menial tasks online. You earn per minute, and tasks range from data mining to surveys to data entry.
3. Freelancing
I started with freelancing first because it’s near and dear to my heart. I’m a freelance writer, and it’s my full-time job — and a career I’m passionate about. But the beauty of being a freelancer is you start from zero and then decide how much you want to grow. There is no end to the potential and possibilities.
A freelancer provides services to individuals or businesses on a contractual basis. Your rates run from hourly to project-based. If you’re interested in marketing yourself for freelance services, create a profile on websites such as Upwork or Fiverr to land entry-level jobs. As you build your portfolio, you start networking and applying for bigger, more lucrative freelance jobs.
Another option is to create your own website where you detail your services and portfolio.
Not sure if you have a skill worth marketing? Here are several examples of skills freelancers charge for as clients need them:
- Copywriting
- Photography
- Graphic design
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Calligraphy/hand-lettering
- Website design
- Update social profiles
- Teaching
- Transcribing
- Consulting
- Video Making
With freelancing, you start earning money as soon as you complete an assignment and your client pays you.
4. Blogger
Blogging is another creative endeavor that can help you earn part-time or full-time income. If you love writing and engaging with people, this is a fun way to connect with an audience. It’s another option to work in your spare time and eventually as more passive income.
You do need to invest in your own website, which costs money with hosting fees and the purchase of a domain. The most popular choice among beginner bloggers is to set up a WordPress blog. However, the fees are typically very affordable and are the only costs associated with running a blog.
The key to making money as a blogger is to be patient. Success does not come overnight; developing an audience takes time. However, there are several activities you can do to earn income from your blog, including:
- Affiliate marketing, where you earn a commission off promoting a product with your specific link
- Allow display ads on your site with a service such as Google’s Adsense
- Brand sponsorship opportunities
- Sell digital products, such as printables, ebooks, photographs, or other items
- Sell your own products, such as jewelry or handmade items
5. Influencer
Like blogging, an influencer makes money through several outlets, except social media, which is the prominent vessel for communication. You can be an influencer if you love sharing the latest fashion trends, makeup, parenting lessons, cooking, or other lifestyle and business topics.
The best practice is to pick a niche, become social, and engage with an audience as much as possible. Like blogging, affiliate marketing, brand sponsorship opportunities, and selling additional items are supplemental ways for an influencer to make money.
6. Virtual Assistant
Perhaps you’re more of a “behind-the-scenes" person who enjoys project management and has a keen eye for detail. Acting as a virtual assistant could be right for you.
A virtual assistant performs tasks related to data entry, customer service, marketing, social media, and basically whatever a business or individual might need. Like other online professions, it pays to have a niche in the virtual assistant world. If you have specific skills, use them to your advantage and market yourself as specializing in them.
LinkedIn is a fantastic platform to network with business professionals who need an extra set of hands. Most virtual assistants get paid by the hour.
Related: How to Become a Virtual Assistant
7. Social media manager
Do you know how to write Insta-worthy captions? Is TikTok your preferred method of communication now? If so, why not share your social media skills with other businesses and get paid simultaneously?
Small businesses need help with social media. Every business knows it has to be on all social media, from Facebook and Instagram to Pinterest and Snapchat. And then, of course, there’s LinkedIn. But social media is overwhelming and often puts a business on the back burner.
Offer your services as a social media manager and take this to-do off a business owner’s list. To get started, add it to your social profiles and start networking. Comment as often as possible and make your social media presence known. You can charge by the hour or as a package deal. According to Salary.com, the average hourly wage is $50.
8. Podcaster
If you enjoy talking about a particular subject or interviewing fascinating people, consider starting your own podcast.
Most podcasters need their own equipment to get started. You can record right in the comfort of your own home, or your local library may have studios you can use. The ones with the most success usually have a unique point of view or niche. The other key is to market yourself and let as many people know as possible that you have a podcast.
To make money as a podcaster, look for ways to sell sponsorships for your shows, offer coaching or consulting services with podcasts, or dabble in affiliate marketing. Like blogging and being an influencer, making money as a podcaster comes later, so make sure you’re in it for the long haul.
9. Online store
If the world of e-commerce intrigues you, consider setting up an online store. Platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce make it incredibly easy to get started, and you don’t even need a website.
Your online store is capable of selling anything to anyone. If you do not have experience with an e-commerce site, don’t worry. Shopify or other platforms walk you through the process, including how to get paid, track shipments, and gain valuable customer insights.
Be prepared to deal with customer service inquiries and shipping logistics. But with a little know-how and hard work, you can quickly get your online store up and running.
There are various business models, but you can either keep your inventory and sell products or try dropshipping. Dropshipping is where the product is shipped directly to the customer from the manufacturer or wholesaler. This means you never have to touch the product, but you have less control over customer service issues.
10. Sell digital products
Perhaps you’re not interested in handling too much inventory or working with a product that demands a lot of customer interaction. You might prefer the world of digital products instead. If you’re a blogger or influencer, you already have a platform to sell digital products, but if you aren’t, creating one is easy.
Selling digital products simply means your customers download the product instead of you selling them a physical item. These products range from $1 to $1,000 and everywhere in between. All you need is a website or platform to sell on and off you go.
If someone can download it, then you can make money. Items such as:
- Ebooks
- Stationary
- Calendars
- How-to guides
- Checklists
- Templates
- Menus
- Organization tools
- Photographs
Not only can you sell digital products on your website, but places such as Etsy are also amazing platforms. Or, look for niche platforms, such as selling photographs to a site like Shutterstock. The benefit here is that you earn money quickly and get paid immediately if you use a service like PayPal, which produces passive income. Talk about a work-from-home win!
11. Create an online course
Perhaps you know a particular subject and you’re trying to figure out a way to make money from this wisdom. If you create an online course, people will pay good money to learn new and valuable information.
The best part is you don’t have to be a teacher or have a fancy degree. As long as you provide knowledge and value for a course, people will want to learn from it. Unsure of what to teach? Think of a skill or subject you are good with and are willing to research even more. Are you good at brewing craft beer at home? Styling hair? Do you know how to teach beginners programs like Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint?
Creating tutorials for an audience takes work upfront, but then your earnings come in, creating a passive income situation. Platforms such as Udemy make it super easy to upload your course or create one from scratch. Or, if you have a website, you can add it there. The bottom line is that an online course is a marvelous way to make money online.
12. Teach people online
If you’d rather work one-on-one with someone, either adults or children, consider teaching online. Online tutoring is not only a great way to make money online from home, but it’s also convenient for the student.
You don’t have to be an educator for this teaching method, either. But perhaps you are particularly strong in a subject. Or, maybe you’ve been through an intense degree or certification process and can tutor others.
There are also sites such as VIPKids where you can teach English to kids worldwide. Tutoring and teaching are typically paid hourly, and it has flexible hours for your schedule.
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13. Sell or resell items
From eBay to Craigslist, there are several platforms where you “flip” items for sale. Let’s say you find a fabulous piece of silver at a local estate sale. You can turn around and sell it for more money online.
Or you can set up a shop on Etsy and sell brand-new items you create or have access to. You’re only limited by your imagination on what you sell on Etsy.
But eBay and Craigslist aren’t the only avenues to sell. Several online businesses use social media channels such as Instagram to post daily or weekly sales. Shipping anywhere in the world and easily creating packages and labels from home make selling items easier than ever.
More ways to work from home and earn money
While these options technically aren’t online businesses, here are other ideas to earn extra money with built-in schedule flexibility.
14. Shopping apps
Shopping apps like the Capital One Shopping App help users save money in various ways, which can be seen as making money by reducing expenses. Firstly, the app automatically searches for and applies the best coupon codes at checkout when shopping online, ensuring users get the lowest possible price. Additionally, it compares prices across different retailers, helping users find the best deals available for the items they want to purchase. Users can also set price alerts for specific products, allowing them to buy at the optimal time when the price drops.
Moreover, Capital One Shopping offers loyalty credits for shopping through the app's referral links. These credits can be redeemed for gift cards at popular retailers, effectively putting money back into the user's pocket. For certain purchases, the app may assist users in getting a refund for the price difference if the price drops after buying, depending on the store's policies and the user's credit card benefits. Some online stores partnered with Capital One Shopping offer cashback on purchases made through the app, which can accumulate over time and be withdrawn or used for future purchases.
15. Free signup bonuses
Utilizing sign-up bonuses from platforms like HelloFresh and Stash Invest can be an effective way to make money or save on expenses. HelloFresh offers a generous sign-up bonus for new users, providing a significant discount on your first few orders. This can substantially reduce your grocery bills and provide high-quality meals at a lower cost. Similarly, Stash Invest offers an enticing sign-up bonus for new investors, giving you a bonus when you sign up and make your first deposit. This bonus can boost your investment portfolio right from the start, allowing you to grow your wealth more effectively.
16. Drive for Uber
Rideshare driving has become a popular way to earn extra income or even pursue a full-time job. Platforms like Uber and Lyft offer flexible work hours, allowing drivers to set their schedules and work as much or as little as they want. This flexibility makes it an attractive option for students, retirees, or anyone looking to supplement their income. Rideshare drivers can also benefit from surge pricing during peak hours, increasing their earnings.
17. Rent space through Airbnb
Renting out space can be a lucrative way to generate passive income, whether it's an extra room in your home, a basement apartment, or even a storage area. Platforms like Airbnb make renting out living spaces to travelers easy, offering a flexible and often highly profitable income stream. For those with unused storage space, services like Neighbor or SpareFoot allow you to rent out your attic, garage, or shed to people needing storage. Renting out space requires initial preparation, such as cleaning, organizing, and possibly furnishing the area to make it attractive to potential renters.
18. Open high-yield savings accounts
High-yield savings and checking accounts are excellent tools for boosting your financial growth through higher interest earnings on your deposits. SoFi Checking, for example, offers high-yield savings that can help maximize your returns. By opening a SoFi Checking account, you benefit from interest rates significantly higher than those of traditional savings accounts, enabling your money to grow more quickly. Moreover, SoFi Checking includes features like no account fees, easy access to your funds, and financial management tools that make handling your finances more convenient.
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The bottom line
These work-from-home options are only the tip of the iceberg of what you can achieve. Whether you dream of an online store or teaching someone, there’s bound to be a way for you to earn extra money. And you never know, one of these ideas may be the spark it takes to light a whole new fire to your career.
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Writer
Sara Coleman is a former corporate gal turned creative entrepreneur. She began writing professionally several years ago and now contributes to multiple websites, blogs, and magazines. She’s also an avid reader and can’t resist a great historical fiction novel. Sara holds a BA in journalism from the University of Georgia and can be found supporting her Bulldogs every chance she has. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her wonderfully supportive husband and three children. When she’s not ushering her kids to sports and dance lessons, she can be found creating content for her own website, TheProperPen.com.
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