Now that we’ve covered the top 10 real ways to make money online, it’s time to explore 25 more strategies you can use.
Create a membership site
Membership sites have exploded in popularity recently. The idea is quite easy to implement. But, it requires having an existing audience of some kind.
For example, Mark Manson runs a popular personal development blog. There is a membership portion of his site that gives users access to online courses, videos, and additional article commentary. For fans of his work, that’s a great deal.
People are already visiting your website because they like what you write and how you write it. So, create a membership portion of your site that has premium content that sits behind a paywall.
Now, everyone who visits your site won’t take up the offer, but your most enthusiastic followers will find it irresistible.
The type of membership site you create will depend on the type of site you have and the level of depth you want to go into your premium content.
Create a subscription job posting
Job boards can be quite a lucrative way to make a living from your website.
The process is simple. People looking to hire someone in a specific niche will post a job listing on your site and your visitors will apply for the job.
You can charge people to post job openings. Or, you can charge your visitors a monthly membership fee to access the job board.
Keep in mind that you need to have decent traffic for this to work. A company won’t pay to post a job on your site if you don’t send them any qualified candidates.
For example, let’s take a look at ProBlogger’s job postings page . Here companies and individuals will pay a fee to post a job on the site. So, it is completely free for anyone to access and apply for the job. Since ProBlogger is an authority site with a large audience, companies posting a job will receive hundreds of requests for each listing.
When creating a job board, make sure you have a strong audience that has synergy with the companies in your space.
Create an online directory
Online directories are not as popular as they used to be, but they can still be profitable.
They work in a similar way to the previous job board. But instead of people paying to post jobs, or having access to the job board, they will pay you a monthly fee to be listed in the directory.
If you have a reputable site or get a lot of traffic, these lists are quite valuable.
Let’s say you have a site dedicated to web design and development. You produce high quality content and have very good recognition. You could create a directory section on your site where developers and web agencies can buy space.
This will not only provide them with a strong backlink, but could be a good source of traffic for their business.
Directories usually work by charging a monthly subscription fee to be listed. You could even charge a premium fee for businesses to be listed at the top of the directory, getting even more views on your listing.
Test games and applications
In 2021, the video game industry was worth $178.73 billion , an increase of 14.4% compared to 2020.
Video games also have the largest share in the global digital media market. As a result, many opportunities have appeared for users to earn money online by trying out games and other apps.
Some games or apps, such as Mistplay , require players to perform specific tasks and earn in-game currency rewards. These rewards can be redeemed for gift cards or real money.
Keywords Studios GBTN (Global Beta Test Network) pays people to play the games before they are released . Other platforms, such as Givling and Golden Hearts Games , offer online games with cash prizes.
Beware of platforms that use these games and apps as fronts to steal personal information and bank details. Even though they offer an easy way to earn money online, make sure to check the reviews and ensure their legitimacy in advance.
Work as a freelancer
There are plenty of freelance sites full of hungry clients looking for someone with your skills. The demand for freelancers is currently unprecedented in history.
Some of the most popular freelancing sites include:
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- fiverr
- Guru
To be successful on these platforms, it is important to define a niche. The worst thing you can do as a freelancer is advertise as a generalist. Since the competition is so high, you’ll want to advertise as the only solution for a specific type of customer.
No matter what your niche is, it’s time to create your profile, create a portfolio with relevant work that showcases your skills, and start offering your services.
If you really want to make money from home with platforms like Upwork , take some time to explore Freelance to Win . This site is dedicated to helping you become a highly paid freelancer.
Sell second-hand items
Selling thrift is another great way to earn money and a great motivation to start decluttering your space.
Once you make an inventory of the items you want to sell, take high-quality photos of the product before putting it on the online marketplace. If you plan to do this long term, consider creating a website to host your own online store.
One of the most popular thrift categories is clothing. The market value of the second-hand clothing industry is expected to reach $77 billion by 2026. Now is a great time to start your own clothing line.
An example of an online marketplace targeting second-hand clothing and accessories in Europe is Etsy , excellent for selling unique, handmade, and vintage items.
Some of the best online used items sales sites in Latin America are Mercado Libre and OLX .
You can also look for specific article sites like Reverb , which specializes in musical instruments and equipment.
Sell your products on Amazon (FBA)
Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces for retail, with over a billion products currently listed on the site.
We already mentioned creating a niche eCommerce store before, and this approach is similar, but the main idea is to use the Amazon platform.
With this method you should find products that sell well on Amazon and get cheaper versions of those products from your suppliers. Then add your own brand and resell the products.
You have the option of selling these products yourself or working with a manufacturer who will customize these products and ship them to your buyers, a tactic known as dropshipping.
- Buy and sell websites
The process of buying and selling websites is relatively simple. After buying a site, you have to optimize its content for search engines, generate revenue, and sell it for profit.
It’s an ideal money making project for anyone who enjoys designing websites, improving SEO and creating a great user experience.
Not all websites have future value, so knowing which ones to buy and spending time on them is essential. A good rule of thumb is to choose the ones that are already generating revenue and traffic. Also, websites with a popular niche and a premium domain name are easier to sell at higher prices.
Here are some marketplaces to find websites to buy from:
- Flippa . It offers a wide range of niche websites with a global network of buyers and sellers.
- Latona’s . Promote websites and online stores no younger than one year old and with a minimum annual income of $20,000 .
- Empire Flippers . Sell profitable websites with a wide range of monthly income, from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Side Projectors . A platform for buying and selling digital projects such as websites, eCommerce stores, apps, and domain names.
There are a few factors to keep in mind to avoid making a bad investment in a website.
The first is to ask for a proof of concept, a revenue report, and the site’s current monetization methods. Then, you need to check the volume and origin of your traffic. These are good indicators of a website’s potential.
It’s also a good idea to ask about existing problems with the site and check why the original owner of the website is selling it in the first place. Finally, check the seller’s background and avoid buying sites from anonymous intermediaries.
Buy and sell domain names
We mentioned buying and selling websites in the previous section. But did you know that you can also do the same with domain names?
Use tools like Just Dropped to search for dropped domains. You can then put them up for sale again and make a profit.
If you want to start buying and selling domain names, you can start here at Hostinger with our domain checker. You just have to enter your ideal name and the verifier will give you all the available web domain options .
Manage social media accounts
All of us are active on social media these days. But did you know that you could make a living managing social media accounts?
If you’re already a power user of social media, then you’re one step ahead. It will be much easier for you to pass on your experience and convince others to manage their accounts for a fee.
If you’re not, don’t worry.
There are plenty of educational resources like the Hootsuite Academy , which will educate you on everything you need to know about social media.
Once your knowledge is up to date, it’s time to head back to freelancing sites like Upwork and Freelancer to start applying for jobs.
If you want to increase your chances of attracting customers, you can use what you’ve learned to promote your brand and grow your social media management company.
Create a podcast
If you like to talk and share opinions, or love to conduct interviews, podcasting can be a great medium for you to explore. The podcast market is exploding right now, which is a good thing.
Listeners love the portability of podcasts, and since most of us are always on the go, it’s becoming one of the preferred ways to consume content.
To be successful with a podcast today, you need to create something of high quality. This not only includes the quality of the audio, but also the quality of your content. To get started, you need to invest in some really good microphone equipment.
If you plan to do interview-style podcasts, then you should start to establish communication with your guests. You may want to do some practice interviews with friends or family first, so you can refine your style before your first actual interview.
To get a better idea of the quality standards and topics in your space, spend some time on the top podcasts on iTunes. Listen to a handful of their episodes and see what quality indicators they have in common.
- Do they tell amazing stories?
- Do they use humour?
- Do they have an interesting perspective?
- Do you create unique interviews?
By learning from the best, you’ll know what to include and what to avoid when producing your own episodes.
With podcasting, the amount of money you can make depends on the size and level of engagement of your audience. The bigger your audience and the more podcast downloads you have, the better your chances of earning a decent income.
Here are some options for you to explore:
- Sell your own products and services related to the topics you talk about;
- Create a membership site based on your podcast;
- Sell endorsements, which you’ll read aloud during the episodes;
- Open your podcast to receive donations.
- Be a freelance writer
If you enjoy writing a few words, then earning money as a writer can be a great way to start making money online.
Even if you have no experience you can start earning money as a writer quickly.
The first step is to define your market niche and decide on the type of writing you are going to focus on, for example:
- Are you going to create extensive blog posts for SaaS sites?
- And how about copy for real estate agent websites?
- Or sales emails for health and fitness websites?
There is an endless amount of content that needs to be written. The important decision is what kind of writer will you be?
When you’ve figured out your niche, it’s time to create some samples and start looking for clients.
The fastest method is to use freelancing platforms to find relevant clients.
Sell your art and designs
If you have design skills, you can earn money by selling your designs. Sites like Society6 make it easy to upload your unique designs and sell them across a variety of items including phone cases, t-shirts, wall hangings, and much more.
Society6 gives you the opportunity to earn money from your designs, without any money upfront.
You can create your own store, upload your designs and choose which elements you want them to be displayed on. Also, when someone orders an item from your store, it is shipped to them on demand.
If you have designs that people like, then this can be a pretty passive way to make money online.
Do micro jobs
Micro tasks are tasks that require human intelligence to complete. Even in the age of automation, there are certain tasks that still need a human touch.
These tasks are usually very simple and do not require any technical skills. For example, it might be reviewing the search results for a certain keyword, translating a paragraph into another language, or ranking the tone and feel of an article.
Micro jobs can be fun and all you need is a computer and internet connection.
Just sign up, create an account and get paid by completing micro jobs.
Publish e-books
We are in the best moment in history to become a writer. If you’ve been dreaming of writing books for a living, then your dream might be closer than you think. The self-publishing revolution has made it possible for anyone to make a living publishing books.
Since there is a lower barrier to entry, this also means more competition. But by writing the best book possible and meeting the reader’s expectations, you can increase your chances of success.
When publishing your own books for Kindle, all aspects of the publishing process are under your control. This means that you are responsible for writing, editing, formatting, getting a cover, uploading to Amazon, writing your book description, and marketing your book.
Here are some tips to improve your success as a freelance writer:
- Do market research. Make sure there is a viable book market that is not too competitive but still has readers.
- Write the best book possible and invest in a professional editor.
- Invest in a high-quality book cover and description. These two elements work to sell your books.
- Publish your books in a series and aim to dominate a certain market.
Your success as a writer is completely in your control. Write the best book possible and build an email list of your ideal readers. The more you post, the more you will learn and the more money you can earn.
Email Marketing
Think about how many emails you get in your inbox every day. Many of these are probably from mailing lists you’ve signed up for. Some are so good that you can’t wait to open them every day, while others make you wonder how you ever signed up for their list.
Building a niche email list can be a great way to reach a specific group of people and build a strong and sustainable business. Million dollar companies like theSkimm have been built on a daily email list.
Best of all, starting an email distribution list doesn’t have to be difficult. With tools like ConvertKit , Drip , MailChimp , and Aweber , it’s never been easier.
This is the process you must follow:
- Decide a niche you would like to serve, and the style of your emails;
- Choose an email marketing provider ;
- Create a simple landing page and drive traffic to that page;
- Send regular emails to that list.
The goal of your email list is to build trust, so people open your emails every day.
When you get a sizable list of people opening your emails, you have several ways to monetize that list, such as:
- Sell your own digital products.
- Offer a membership course.
- Send your subscribers to affiliate offers.
- Sell sponsorships.
- Sell Stock Photos and Videos
If you like to take photos or make videos, you can get money with what you are passionate about.
There are many sites that allow you to upload your photos and recordings. These sites have huge user bases, and when someone pays for the rights to your photo, you take your money.
Some of the largest stock photography websites include:
If you are a videographer, some of the top sites are:
When creating your portfolio, spend some time searching the aforementioned portals to find the most popular styles.
Then, create your own niche and upload your material as often as possible. The bigger your portfolio, the better your chances of success.
In addition to making money from your photos and videos, using these sites can also help you build a fan base for your work.
Offer Digital Marketing services
It helps business owners to attract their target audience and improve sales performance by offering them marketing services. These services may include SEO strategies and social media management.
It is a good way to earn money if you already know these concepts or want to develop your skills further.
SEO services can help sites rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), receive more traffic, and generate leads. To offer these services you must have knowledge of SEO, such as link building and keyword research.
On the other hand, offering social media management services means planning and executing marketing plans on various social platforms. These activities foster better interaction with the public and greater brand recognition.
A great social media manager must keep up with trends, identify a brand’s target audience, and track social media data for best results.
There are many resources available to help you learn SEO . Consider getting an SEO certificate from reputable platforms like the Semrush Academy , or take a Google Analytics course to deepen your knowledge.
Similarly, take social media marketing courses and learn about the relevant tools, concepts, and strategies.
When you’re ready to monetize your skills, offer your services on job marketplaces like Fiverr and Freelancer . Consider applying to a marketing agency as a digital marketer for a long-term career in this field.
Create an app
Building an app is one of the best ways to take advantage of rapid mobile digitization. You can make money online by creating paid apps or selling them to other businesses. You can also launch a free app and earn money through the ads in the app.
Building an app as a sideline is also a great way to brush up on your coding and web development skills.
For those with little to no programming experience, there are plenty of mobile app builders for beginners:
- Appy Pie . This builder uses a simple three-step process to help you create an app with a great user experience. Pricing ranges from $16 to $60 per app per month .
- Mobincube . An intuitive app builder to launch an app in four easy steps. It offers a free plan in addition to the paid ones. The premium price ranges between 35.88 and 1,199.88 euros per year .
These are the steps to create an app:
- Get inspired . Create surveys, conduct interviews, or hold a focus group to find out what’s missing from the market.
- Research the competition . Search for competing apps and read their reviews. Take note of what users like and dislike.
- Start building . Start programming or use an app builder.
- throw it . Submit your app to the App Store or Google Play Store and wait for approval.
- Market and monetize . Make marketing strategies and start earning money online.
- Tutor online
Giving Spanish classes and being a tutor to students from all over the world is an excellent way among the options of how to get fast money online. If your native language is Spanish, then you already have the skills to succeed.
You can also get certified to increase your chances of success and getting hired for the job.
Typically, you can earn up to $25 per hour tutoring students via Skype .
If this type of work sounds interesting to you, visit sites like:
- Evaluate websites and give feedback
Do you have an eye for design or do you know what a good website or app should have? If so, you can earn money online by offering your feedback and usability bug testing.
If you’ve spent a lot of time online, you probably have a keen eye for what works and what doesn’t. For example, is the content unclear? Does the design confuse you? Is the navigation menu too complex?
There are a number of sites that will pay you to give these types of reviews. Typically, your feedback will be verbal, written, or you will use screen recording software. Some of the most common review sites are:
Being a website developer
If you don’t have developer skills, then your first step is to learn programming. When you have the skills, you can start looking for a job.
Create a profile on sites like Upwork and Freelancer , and start applying for jobs.
To increase your chances of success, it may help to define a niche for yourself and build your profile and portfolio accordingly.
For example, maybe you want to build websites for real estate agents and property management companies. Or, you’d like to specialize in building eCommerce websites using WooCommerce and WordPress .
First, make sure there is a verifiable need. Which means there are many jobs posted for your specific profile. Then, craft your niche web development business and start applying for relevant jobs.
Narrate Audiobooks
The audiobook industry continues to grow. It seems that more and more people prefer to listen to the content, instead of reading it. Still, most books never make it to an audiobook version.
Which is funny because audiobooks can be very beneficial for authors. Not only will they earn more money from their books, but their presence will also increase.
If you have a great powerhouse and love to read, then becoming an audiobook narrator might be your path.
One of the easiest ways to get started is to subscribe to ACX . This service connects audiobook narrators with authors.
In addition to signing up for the above service, you’ll also need to invest in a high-quality microphone and recording software, and create some samples that show off your vocal skills.
If you want to expand your reach, you can also create a profile on Upwork and apply for audiobook narration jobs.
Being a graphic designer
If you have an eye for design, or have always loved playing around with Photoshop and Illustrator , you can use these skills to legally earn extra money online.
You can use the aforementioned freelancing platforms, create a profile and start applying, or you can test your skills on a platform like 99Designs . On this site, you will compete with other designers for certain projects. If the client likes your design, you will get the project and start working.
Another way to attract clients as a graphic designer is offline. Go to your local chamber of commerce or spend some time walking in your town. Chances are, you will see many companies that need your graphic design skills. Whether it’s for a new logo, a brochure or even company uniforms.
Another great method locally is to go to a co-working space in your city. They are usually full of startups and other companies that need the design skills you have.
Be an Influencer on Instagram
Instagram is one of the fastest growing social media platforms on the market. But did you know that you can earn money directly from Instagram , just by having enough followers?
It’s getting harder and harder to build a large following on Instagram, but it can be a pretty easy way to make a living online. Big brands and other companies will pay you just to post about their company, or showcase one of their products.
In general, the price paid for each post will depend on the number of followers you have and how involved they are with your account. However, you can expect to earn anywhere from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars per post.
Building a sizable Instagram audience will take time, but if you like taking photos, don’t mind spending a lot of time on your phone, and post them regularly, then it’s worth a try.
methods not recommended
While the internet is full of opportunities to get a job, learn new skills and grow in your career, there are also scams and malicious promises to make quick and easy money.
If you plan to find a way to earn money online, you should be aware of these negative methods, as well as others that are not highly recommended. Next, we review some of them so that you are alert:
- Magic solutions . Browsing the Internet, you may come across those who claim to know a method to earn a lot of money in a short time and most likely want to charge you to teach it to you. Please note that none of these methods are guaranteed and will not always apply to all types of businesses.
- Online bets . Although some lucky few may win money by betting online, it is a very high-risk method and, most of the time, it tends to favor bookmakers.
- foreign exchange market In addition to being a highly volatile mechanism with a lot of risk, buying and selling currencies involves investing a lot of time and effort with no guaranteed results.
Of course it will be up to you to analyze each method and choose. For our part, we recommend you point to the recommended ways to earn money online and be wary of those who promise quick and easy money.
final words
By now you should know how you can get money online. Whether you just want to earn a few hundred extra dollars a month or start a new career or business , the power is in your hands.
Don’t let the above list overwhelm you, but instead ask yourself what you would like to do. Take inventory of your existing skills and see how you can apply them to one of the opportunities on the list above.
Remember, just like any way to make money, it may not be immediately successful. But with persistence and dedication you will make it. You can start with a small online business and aim to grow later.
Is there any additional way to earn money online that we have not mentioned? Please share the methods you have applied in the comments.