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How To Make Money Online for Beginners: 20 Easy Ideas (2024)
Want to make money online but have no experience? From gig work to online surveys, these ideas are perfect for beginners who want to earn extra cash online.
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Looking to make money online but not ready to start a full-fledged business? There are many ways to make extra money on the Internet—even if you have no skills or experience.
From side gigs to selling used items to offering tutoring services, there are tons of ideas perfect for newbies like you. Forward referrals require less effort and less technical skills than conventional ways of making money online
This article covers what is needed to get started, the skills or tools needed and how quickly you can start making extra cash online. Ready? Check out how to make money online for beginners with 21 ideas you can put to work today.
20 Ways for Beginners to Make Money Online
- Sell your stuff secondhand
- Look for side gigs
- Participate in market research
- Become a virtual assistant
- Rent your belongings
- Become a content consumer
- Start freelancing
- License your photography to stock photo websites
- Resell or consign your clothes
- Take the online survey
- Become a pet sitter
- Buy and sell domain names
- Sell products through online marketplaces
- Start a dropshipping business
- Become an online teacher
- Try affiliate marketing
- Offer landscaping services
- Make a copy
- Offer child care services
- Rent a room in your house
Note: Once you start making money as a beginner, you can consider leveling up an online business like your own eCommerce store. Look for the "Level Up" tag in the ideas below to help you make more money online
1. Sell your stuff secondhand
One way to make quick cash by moving furniture inside an apartment is to sell things online. Clean out your storage and sell anything you no longer use, including furniture, toys, tools, gaming equipment and home decor. Local and online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and VarageSale are great places to sell your stuff.
Best for: People who want to make quick money online.
Start Time: Less than an hour.
Level of effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Varies depending on the online selling sites you are using to sell your items.
What to know
Each marketplace has its own rules and fees. Make sure you understand them before you sign up.
If you're interested in Facebook Marketplace, read our guide on how to sell on Facebook.
The Shopify Starter Plan is ideal for beginners who want to sell online
Level up: If you enjoy this process, you can start a legitimate reseller business and sell anything from vintage clothing to refurbished electronics and open your own store on a platform like Shopify.
2. Look for side gigs
A bike delivery side gig is a classic way to make money while keeping a full-time job. Side gigs that help you make money online include data entry, transcribing, manual labor, virtual assistant work, or administrative work. Use platforms like Fiverr or TaskRabbit to create side gigs. You can consider driving as a food delivery or side gig, making money with apps like Uber.
Level Up: Once you gain experience and clients through the marketplace, set up a simple eCommerce site and sell specific work or accept custom work — earning directly from your clients.
Best for: People who want to make quick money online.
Start Time: Less than an hour.
Starting Effort: Medium.
First Payment Time: Varies depending on the freelance marketplace or app you use.
What to know
Some side gig marketplaces require an upfront fee to sign up, so read the fine print carefully.
Review Side Gig Marketplace's payment schedule to make sure it works for you.
In most cases, all you need is a solid internet connection and a device.
3. Participate in market research
As people play video games with their feet, market research firms often look for consumers to test websites, try out products or software such as video games or apps, and provide feedback or reviews. Find opportunities like this on sites like UserTesting.
Best for: Those interested in the latest trends and products.
Start Time: A few minutes to create an account on each site.
Level of effort: Low to moderate depending on format.
First Payment Time: Varies by service and platform.
What to know
Some sites require a minimum balance before paying out your earnings.
Most market research sites require participants to be 18 years of age or older.
You'll get an email when a project goes live, but you need to act fast or someone else will take it over.
4. Become a virtual assistant
A person uses a headset to talk on the phone You can earn money online from the comfort of your own home by becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA). This means you can serve clients anywhere in the world. Tasks may include data entry, content creation, monitoring social media accounts or managing calendars.
Best for: People looking to make money online from home.
Start Time: A few hours.
Starting Effort: Low.
Timing of first payment: Depends on the terms and conditions set by your employer or the online platform where you secured the gig.
What to know
Some clients are looking for specific skills in a VA. Be sure to list all your skills and highlight your strengths to stand out.
Standard career listing sites will have VA job listings, as will freelance sites like Upwork and Fiver.
Tip: Once you gain more experience, create your own website to advertise your services and get direct clients.
5. Rent your belongings
A man cutting a log with a chainsaw The sharing economy is upon us! There is no need to buy things like lawnmowers, small power tools, cars and household appliances if you only need them for a short time. Your home may be full of unused items that others want to rent. Sites like FriendWithA make it possible to rent out such products and earn extra cash
Level Up: Finding success with renting out your belongings? Why not create your own clothing brand and rent certain types of products like wedding dresses or start a tool rental business?
Best for: Making money online quickly and consistently, owning items that are in high demand on the rental market.
Startup Time: An hour or two to upload your product to the relevant site and browse listings.
Level of effort: Low.
First payment: usually immediate, but check the terms of each rental platform.
What to know
Get insurance or choose a site that offers insurance if your product is damaged or lost.
Rental platforms generally require renters and renters to be 18 years of age or older.
6. Become a content consumer
Two men typing on mobile phones In a 2023 episode of the Search Engines podcast, guest and journalist Taylor Lorenz predicts content consumers as the work of the future.
A growing phenomenon among Gen Z freelancers and Internet-savvy job seekers, content consumers are hiring assistants that can help Internet personalities and businesses find social media trends, aggregate news, and stay current in the online landscape.
Level up: Content consumption and content creation can go hand in hand. If you become well-versed in internet and social media trends, you can be an asset to companies looking for content creators—and potentially earn more money online.
Best for: Social media savvy internet users.
Start Time: A few hours.
Starting Effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Depends on your arrangement with your clients.
What to know
Content subscriber is a relatively new job title. Advertise your services on online platforms for freelance work and don't forget to detail your offer and the benefits of hiring you
7. Start freelancing
A woman sitting on the floor typing a design book on a laptop Use a freelance marketplace like Upwork, 99Designs, or PeoplePerHour and set up a simple website to showcase your portfolio of work.
Level Up: Template your skills and sell them as digital products like PDF guides. That's how Jack Butcher scaled his brand, Visualize Value. With this idea, you can sell the same content over and over to earn consistent money online.
Best for: Beginner skills in a specific subject such as data entry, web development or freelance writing.
Startup Time: Less (You can start freelancing through a marketplace and even without a website).
Level of effort: Medium.
First Payment Time: Depends on the payment terms you have with your clients.
What to know
Collect examples of your work in a portfolio, references and customer testimonials. Feature it on your website to showcase your talent.
Know your value and set your price accordingly.
Freelance marketplaces will require a portfolio of your work and accounts.
8. License your photography to stock photo websites
Does a person browsing photos on a desktop computer have a great eye for photography? A quick way to make cash for your work is to license your photos to stock sites like iStock You can upload photos to free stock sites like Burst to build your name as a photographer.
Level up: After you've made a name for yourself in the stock business, start selling your photos as prints by opening your own store on an online platform like Shopify.
Best for: New creatives looking to get started as professional photographers.
Startup time: less than an hour (if you already have photos).
Level of effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Varies depending on the site you use to license your photos.
What to know
Before you apply, understand what each stock photo site is looking for in terms of content and image quality.
9. Resell or consign your clothes
Two women sort through boxes of vintage clothes Selling your unwanted clothes and accessories is a popular way to make quick and clean money at the same time. Mobile apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Craigslist offer easy ways to upload photos and clothing details without needing to create a brand or website. Offer to sell or ship your products to local buyers only.
Level Up: Upgrade to selling through marketplaces or start your own online thrift or vintage clothing store.
Best for: Fashion trendsetters with large closets.
Startup time: minimal—just shoot, post, and describe each item.
Effort Level: Low to get started (requires minimal ongoing effort to communicate with potential buyers and ship items if needed).
First Payment Time: Depends on the platform you use
What to know
Upload your products to multiple sites to increase their chances of selling.
Most selling apps take a cut of your profits or a fee for each listing.
10. Take online surveys
A person sitting at a desk typing on a laptop One of the fastest ways for beginners to make money online is to complete online surveys. There are many survey sites and mobile apps that pay users to provide feedback on everything from their shopping behavior to how they feel about certain product categories. These surveys help brands make business decisions or develop new products.
Best for: People with spare time (and lots of opinions) who want to make quick money online.
Start Time: A few minutes.
Starting Effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Depends on the payment structure of the survey platform.
What to know
Many survey sites pay in points and you have to earn a certain amount before they can be redeemed.
Completing online surveys is not a get-rich-quick scheme, as the hourly rate goes below minimum wage. Don't expect this idea to be a reliable or sustainable source of income. Rather, it may provide a few additional payments to supplement other sources of income.
11. Become a pet sitter
A man in a raincoat stands next to a dog
Level up: Start your own pet business by setting up a website and selling your services and pet-related products to earn more money online.
Best for: Pet lovers who don't want the commitment of ownership.
Startup Time: One hour to set up your account.
Level of effort: Moderate to difficult, depending on the number of clients you take on.
First Payment Time: Varies depending on the app or service you use.
What to know
Some pet sites like Rover include insurance. Be sure to look for any business insurance you may need if you're building your own pet sitting empire.
This is a great business idea for teenagers and child entrepreneurs to start with the help of their parents
12. Buy and sell domain names
A laptop sitting open on the kitchen table Choosing a memorable domain name for a business website is an important part of the branding exercise. Many new brands are looking for the perfect domain name to represent their business and improve discoverability.
You can see trends and buy related domain names on sites like Shopify, Namecheap, GoDaddy and Hover. To make the most of this idea, buy several domains and sell each for a small profit.
Best for: Those who need to invest some money up front.
Start Time: Less than an hour.
Level of Effort: Minimal.
First Payment Time: Varies depending on the form of payment accepted.
What to know
Buying and selling domain names is not a quick way to make money. You can sit on a domain for months or even years before seeing a return.
Understand the law of trademarked names.
13. Sell print-on-demand products
A man walks with a printed tote bag Print on Demand (POD) allows artists and manufacturers to customize white label products with their own designs without the need to keep inventory. When a customer places an order, a print-on-demand company will print your design on a product, fill the order, and ship it to the customer.
POD options include t-shirts, mugs, tote bags or fan products. This model allows you to quickly create customized products, making it a low-risk, low-investment way to earn extra income.
Best for: Beginner creatives looking to make money online from their craft, budding influencers looking to build a fan following.
Getting started: When setting up an ecommerce platform and print-on-demand integration.
Level of Effort: Easy to start if you already have designs to upload (medium to easy to maintain).
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a waiting period of about five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know
After you set up shop, browse the many print-on-demand providers to compare prices, quality and product lineups.
Most ecommerce platforms require you to be at least 18 years old.
Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require your license, permit or certification.
14. Sell products through online marketplaces
A person browses an online marketplace on a laptop Online marketplaces are often the launch point for many now-successful brands, as they come with built-in audiences for specific products. For example, Etsy is a go-to source for shoppers looking for handmade and vintage items, while Amazon is a global destination for product discovery and research.
You can get up and running faster because there is less pressure on the seller to drive their own traffic or build a brand.
Level Up: Take your online business to the next level by creating your own store. You can even sell products on both Etsy and Shopify, syncing inventory with an app like Etsy Marketplace Integration.
Best for: Those who need to sell used or handmade items.
Startup Time: An hour or two to set up your account and add products.
Level of Effort: Depends on your product and business model.
First Payment Time: Anywhere from the day after you make a sale to 14 days depending on the marketplace.
What to know
Follow Etsy's guidelines on what you can sell and acceptable use of the platform.
You must comply with Amazon's seller policies to remain in good standing
Most marketplaces require you to be at least 18 years old.
Sellers between the ages of 13 and 18 can use Etsy under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
15. Start a dropshipping business
A person packs a box with packing material Dropshipping is a low-cost business model where products are shipped directly from the seller or manufacturer to customers. It's a popular way for beginners to make money online because, as a seller, there's no need to manage inventory or shipping — you're just responsible for driving traffic and customer service.
Best for: Newbies looking to test the waters with their own ecommerce store
Start Time: A few hours to set up a store and source vendors.
Level of Effort: Ways to start and grow a business, less effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a waiting period of about five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know
You can create a Shopify store and test it with a free trial.
AliExpress and other dropshipping suppliers are great places to start sourcing products.
Most ecommerce platforms require you to be at least 18 years old.
Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require your license, permit or certification.
Tip: Due to their ability to be flashy, dropshippers can follow trends and sell trending products. Keep tabs on trending topics on social media platforms like TikTok
16. Become an online tutor
A kid sitting on a laptop making a video call with a woman If you are good at subjects like biology, maths or languages, you can earn by tutoring online. With sites like TutorMe and Fiverr, you can easily find students who need your help. Or set up a simple website and use social media and peer recommendations to drive traffic and sign-ups
Level up: If you find success in tutoring, try selling your own online courses through a dedicated ecommerce store.
Best for: Aspiring educators, who are looking for experience before creating an online course.
Start Time: A few hours to set up a website or an account on a tutoring platform.
Level of effort: Moderate for beginners. The level of ongoing effort depends on how many students you take.
First Payment Time: Depends on how you bill your students.
What to know
Most freelance sites require proof that you are proficient in the content.
Expect transaction fees on tutoring platforms.
You must have the required subject knowledge and required licenses or diplomas for each platform and subject.
17. Try affiliate marketing
A person browses social media on a mobile phone Affiliate marketing involves sharing affiliate links you receive from brands to promote their products on your site or social accounts. When someone buys the product after clicking your affiliate link, you get credit for the referral along with the commission. A solid content marketing strategy around your affiliate links will help you drive visits, clicks, and purchases—and earn passive income.
Best for: Anyone with an online audience.
Start Time: A few hours.
Level of effort: Moderate to start, very low effort to maintain.
First Payment Time: Varies depending on the success of the affiliate links and the payment terms you set with the brands.
What to know
Sign up for Shopify Collabs to get access to brands that offer affiliate programs to creators and influencers.
Disclaimer is required by the Federal Trade Commission and most reputable affiliate programs. You need to let your audience know if you are being paid to promote a product.
You will need your own website, blog or social media account where you can promote the product.
Get paid for the brands you love with Shopify Collabs
Shopify Collabs makes it easy to find brands that match your vibe, build affiliate relationships, get paid for what you sell, and track everything in one place.
Learn about Shopify Collabs
18. Offer Landscaping Services
People cut overgrown bushes with a pair of snipers Although this is not strictly an online job, you can make money online by creating an online store or advertising and selling your services using online platforms. Target your local community by advertising on social media platforms or by listing on local buy-and-sell websites that offer jobs like gardening, mowing, and other general outdoor jobs.
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy working with their hands.
Start Time: A few hours.
Starting Effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Depends on your arrangement with your clients.
What to know
This is a great business idea for teenagers to save money for college. Run a small landscaping service during the summer months when school is on vacation.
You will probably need tools like gardening tools or lawn mowers.
19. Copying
There are many sites that offer part-time jobs for transcribers where people sit on the floor and work on computers with headphones on. Transcription services like Rev or freelance sites like Upwork are great places to start. Some jobs may require a certain level of typing speed or language skills. While payouts vary based on work and typing speed, you can earn an average of $20 an hour transcribing audio and video.
Best for: Those with fast typing speed, attention to detail and a good understanding of the source material language.
Start Time: An hour or more.
Starting Effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Depends on site or client's payment terms.
What to know
Most transcriber roles are gig work, meaning you get paid per piece of content.
20. Provision of child care services
Babysitting a child sitting on the floor between toys and a book is another money making idea that isn't strictly online. However, you can use online tools to advertise your services, book clients and share testimonials. Although a license and/or certification is required to run a formal childcare business, in most cases you can be hired as an occasional babysitter to earn extra money.
Best for: Aspiring academics, students and youth.
Start Time: An hour or more.
Starting Effort: Low.
First Payment Time: Usually immediately after each childcare session.
What to know
Training like a formal babysitter course and first aid certification will help you market yourself as a trusted childcare provider.
21. Rent a room in your house
A clean modern bedroom in a basement apartment Using online listing services and apartment rental sites, you can advertise a space for rent in your home. Whether subletting an extra room in your rental apartment or renting out a garage or basement apartment in your home, you can make money online without special skills or experience.
Best for: Property owners or renters looking to save money on living expenses
Start Time: Depends on whether your space needs an upgrade or not.
Startup Effort: Moderate effort to maintain space and manage tenant relationships depending on space conditions.
Time of first payment: Usually at the beginning of the rental contract period.
What to know
When you're just starting out you'll need to act as a landlord and superintendent to rent a place in your home. This means you will be responsible for the security and repair of the premises or unit.
Check your home insurance and any tax implications before you start. You must meet local requirements for rental units.
Consider a more innovative approach by listing your room on a short-term accommodation site like Airbnb.
Tip: Many of the ideas above will help you make extra money with just a few hours of startup time. Some may require basic skills or access to specific online platforms. If you are looking for more advanced money making ideas, such as selling online courses or becoming a digital marketing consultant, check out our guide on how to make money online.
Make money online today—no experience needed
Ready to make money online as a beginner? You are now armed with plenty of ideas to get started. Whether you're looking for a data entry role or exploring the world of entrepreneurship by opening an online store, there's an opportunity for every motivation.
How to make money online FAQ for beginners
How can a complete beginner make money online?
To understand how to make money online for beginners, consider your skill set, your availability and how quickly you want to start making cash. There are many ways you can make money online even if you are a complete beginner. These include:
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