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when you learn how to make money online, your bank account can grow while you’re still in pajama pants.
To start, first you do some research, and then . . . you get to work! To help you get started, here’s a list of 13 ways to make money online.
- Start an online business and Sell stuff online.
Selling your stuff online could be a win-win for you: less clutter and more cash. You don’t need to spend too much money on operational costs such as rent, cars or salaries.
All you need is your mobile device, internet and the product or service you’re looking to offer.
Helpful Websites to sell online: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Poshmark, Decluttr
Keep in Mind: Think about what’s involved on the front end of this one. Taking quality pictures (the object is well framed, in focus, with no distracting backgrounds), writing good, detailed descriptions of the items, and dropping off or shipping stuff all take time. And you should also keep in mind gas or shipping costs when you’re pricing your items.
2. Sign up for user testing.
Most companies have this thing where they want their websites and products to be the best they can be and, well, help them make money. Sometimes those companies pay others to give feedback on everything from homepage headlines to pilot episodes to beta products.
You could get in on that by signing up for user testing. You’ll get paid to give your opinions! And help businesses create better experiences for their customers. All from the comfort of your couch.
Helpful Websites: UserTesting, TryMyUI
Keep in Mind: Check with the company’s payment policy to know how often you’ll get paid. Is it after you hit a minimum amount of tests, or every couple weeks? This helps when you’re planning how to budget your extra income!
3. Take online surveys.
Here’s another place you can make extra money online giving your opinion: online surveys. That’s right – answer some questions honestly and get paid doing it. How awesome is that?
You might have to finish a set number of surveys before you cash out, so don’t expect to be rolling in the dough after your first round. But it’s still a great option you should know about.
Helpful Websites: MyPoints, Survey Junkie
Keep in Mind: You probably won’t qualify to take every single survey you see on these sites. You would need to apply to as many surveys as you can to get chosen. Sometimes survey requirements are super specific to make sure the person answering can answer. So, if you’ve never played a video game in your life, you’re probably not getting chosen to fill out a survey about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II on Xbox.
4. Teach English.
You could be thinking one of two things here. Either 1) Hey, I speak that language. How hard can it be? or 2) Oh man, I’m super underqualified to teach anyone anything!
Don’t worry. There are plenty of online programs for teaching English where they do the planning and get you prepped and ready to go. It can be a rewarding way to make money online.
Helpful Websites: VIPKid, Cambly
Keep in Mind: You don’t have to have a degree in ESL (English as a Second Language), but some of these online teaching companies will require a certification. Even if you aren’t required to get certified, it can boost your profile and get you more gigs.
5. Tutor online.
Good news. You didn’t have to graduate at the top of your class to be a good tutor. Grabbing yourself an online tutoring gig is about helping others with things you are good at.
So yeah, you don’t want to sign up to tutor in Concepts in Quantum Mathematical Theory if you struggled through basic algebra. But if grammar’s your jam, plenty of people need help in their writing 101 courses.
Helpful Websites: Tutor.com, TutorMe and Studypool
6. Become a financial coach.
Guess what. You too can help others with their finances. Yep. We don’t have the market share on that. But really, have you ever thought about becoming a financial coach? Nope? Well, maybe you should! Yes? Then you’re reading the right bullet point.
You’ll need the right training so people know you’re legit.
Keep in Mind: This is one of those where you’ve got to pay something up front to get the training and the cred you need to do the job. But it’s also a way to make money online that can become a full-time gig if you want.
7. Become a freelancer
One of the best side hustles you can jump on is grabbing some freelance gigs online. I mean, you can go full time with it too – whatever is best for your money goals and personal schedule.
Anything from writing words to editing them, making videos to editing them, taking photos to editing them. These jobs can come from networking in person or setting up profiles on a great freelance app or website.
Helpful Websites: FlexJobs, LinkedIn, Fiver
Keep in Mind: If you end up having to set your rates, remember this: Your time and talents are valuable! Don’t sell yourself short. Check on other creatives in a similar field with similar experience to figure out exactly what you should charge.
8. Sell your photos online.
Did you know companies will pay for your photographs? From landscapes to portraits, those snapshots on your phone could be worth something, and not just sentimentally or for your future wedding slideshow.
Helpful Websites: Alamy, Getty Images, Dreamstime
9. Offer print on demand.
If you’re an artist or designer and always dreamed of seeing your work on T-shirts, tapestries and tote bags, this could be a great way for you to make money online. Set up an online store, pick the items you want to offer, and let people know where they can buy your merch!
You’ll have to put time in marketing and self-promoting so people want to buy your stuff – but the very best part of this option is the “on demand” part. The company will print and ship the product for you when the order comes in, so you aren’t sitting on a huge inventory.
Helpful Websites: Spring (formerly Teespring), Threadless, Society6
10. Try drop-shipping.
Drop-shipping is the perfect online money-making job for anyone who ever wanted to open their own store but didn’t want to pay rent.
It basically works like this: You set up an online shop through a wholesaler (or supplier). A customer buys something from your shop. The wholesaler (or supplier) sends the item to that customer. You get a cut.
This is different from print on demand because you aren’t selling your designs. In this case, you’re like a middleman. But so are most physical shop owners! And with drop-shipping, you get to be that middleman while sitting in your favorite chair and not on a mountain of inventory. The best parts: You aren’t preordering items and hoping they’ll sell. And you aren’t dealing with the shipping!
Helpful Websites: Sunrise Wholesale, Shopify.com
Keep in Mind: Don’t join up with a wholesaler or supplier who charges you a monthly fee. That’s one mark of a scam. Plus, you’re doing these companies a favor by helping sell their products. They make money when things sell – they don’t need a monthly fee.
11. Be an affiliate marketer.
If you’re the type of person who loves talking up products, you might be able to make money doing just that. Check out the world of affiliate marketing. You’ll connect with companies who pay you to generate sales. Every time your hype on that product gets a sale from your unique, affiliate link, you get a commission.
Helpful Websites: Amazon Associates, Shopify Affiliates
If you don’t use the product, and you’d never use the product, don’t try to sell the product. You’ll get way more sales if you can honestly tell people how much you love the stuff you’re marketing. Plus, you won’t feel weird by pushing something you don’t care about. Be authentic. That’s good advice for your side hustles and for your life.
12. Flip product finds.
If you love looking over rack after rack and shelf after shelf for deals – plus you know when you see a piece with major resale potential – you could make some serious cash online by flipping those thrift finds.
Here’s what I mean: You buy an end table for $5 on Facebook Marketplace, you give it love with some wood stain or chalk paint, and then you sell it online for $50. Or you find a snakeskin Versace handbag that’s somehow in the $5 bin at Goodwill, and you turn a hundred-dollar profit online. All because you know the going rate and value of things.
Helpful Websites: eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, thredUP
And before you buy something to flip, always do your research to make sure you can actually make a profit. (Pro tip: eBay is a good place to start if you filter by Completed and Sold listings!)