Interested in making money online but not ready to start a full-fledged business? There are several inroads to making extra money on the internet—even if you have no skills or experience. From side gigs to selling used stuff to offering tutoring services, there are many ideas you can consider. Compared to some of the conventional ways of making money online, the recommendations ahead are lower effort, and you won’t need as much technical experience to accomplish them. This article covers how fast you can begin to earn extra cash online and the skills or tools required to get started.
Ready? It’s time to explore how to make money online for beginners, with 28 ideas you can act on today.
28 ways to make money online for beginners
1. Sell your stuff secondhand
One of the quickest ways to earn cash fast is selling stuff online. Clean out your storage and sell anything you don’t use, including furniture, toys, tools, gaming equipment, and home décor. Local and online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and VarageSale are great places to sell your stuff.
Best for: Those looking to make money online quickly.
Startup time: Less than an hour.
Effort level: Low.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on the online selling sites you’re 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 selling on Facebook Marketplace, read our guide on how to sell on Facebook.
The Shopify Starter Plan is ideal for beginners looking to dip their toes into selling 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. Become a virtual assistant
You can make money online from the comfort of your own home by becoming a virtual assistant (VA). This means you can provide services to clients in any part of the world. Tasks may include data entry, content creation, monitoring social media accounts, or managing calendars.
Best for: Those looking to make money online from home.
Startup time: A few hours.
Effort to start: Low.
Time to first payment: Depends on the terms negotiated with your client 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 relevant skills and highlight your strengths to stand out.
Standard career listing sites will have VA job listings, as will freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
Tip: Once you get more experience, create your own website to advertise your services and gain clients directly.
3. Test websites and apps
Market research companies often are looking for consumers to test websites, try products or software like 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.
Startup time: A few minutes to create an account on each site.
Effort level: Low to medium, depending on the format.
Time to first payment: Varies by service and platform.
What to know:
Some sites require a minimum balance before they pay out your earnings.
Most market research sites require participants to be 18 years of age or older.
You’ll receive an email when a project goes live, but you have to act fast or someone else will take it.
4. Rent your belongings
The sharing economy is upon us. There’s no need to buy things like lawnmowers, small power tools, cars, and household appliances if you only need them for a short while. Your house could be filled with underused things that others would like to rent. Sites like FriendWithA make it possible to rent products like this and earn extra cash.
Level up: Finding success with renting your belongings? Why not build your own clothing brand, rent a specific type of product like wedding dresses, or start a tool rental business?
Best for: Making money online quickly and consistently, owners of items in high demand in the rental market.
Startup time: An hour or two to upload your products to relevant sites and to browse listings.
Effort level: Low.
First payout: Usually immediately, but check the terms of each rental platform.
What to know:
Get insurance or choose a site that offers insurance on your products in case they become damaged or lost.
Rental platforms usually require both renters and rentees to be 18 years of age or over.
5. Look for side gigs
The classic way to earn money while keeping a full-time job, side gigs can help you earn money online through a variety of tasks, such as data entry, transcription, or manual labor. Use platforms like Fiverr or TaskRabbit to create profiles promoting yourself for side gigs like these. You can also consider food delivery or driving as a side gig, making money through apps like Uber or GrubHub.
Level up: Once you gain experience and clients through a marketplace, set up a simple ecommerce site to sell specific tasks or take on custom jobs—earning directly from your clients.
Best for: Those looking to make money online quickly.
Startup time: Less than an hour.
Effort to start: Medium.
Time to first payment: 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 the side gig marketplace’s payment schedule to make sure it works for you.
For administrative side gigs, in most cases, you will only require a solid internet connection and a device. Delivery side gigs require a motor vehicle of some sort and a valid driver’s license, while manual labor side gigs may have physical strength requirements.
6. Become a content consumer
In a 2023 episode of the Search Engine podcast, guest and journalist Taylor Lorenz predicted content consumer as a job of the future. A growing phenomenon among Gen Z freelancers and internet savvy job seekers, content consumers are for-hire assistants that can help internet personalities and businesses consume content on social media to spot 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 versed in Internet and social media trends, you could be an asset for companies looking for content creators—and potentially make more money online.
Best for: Social media savvy internet users.
Startup time: A few hours.
Effort to start: Low.
Time to first payment: Depends on your arrangement with your clients.
What to know:
Content consumer is a relatively new job title. Advertise your services on online platforms for freelance work and be sure to detail your offerings, niche (if applicable), and the benefits of hiring you.
7. License your photography to stock photo websites
Have a great eye for photography? A quick way to earn cash for your work is to license your photos to stock photography sites like iStock. You can also upload images to free stock sites like Burst to help build up your name as a photographer.
Level up: After you make a name for yourself in the stock photography business, start selling your photos as prints by opening your own store on an online platform like Shopify.
Best for: Beginner creatives looking to get a start as a professional photographer.
Startup time: Less than an hour (if you already have photos).
Effort level: Low.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on the site you’re using to license your photos.
What to know:
Before you apply, understand what each stock photo site is looking for in terms of subject matter and photo quality.
8. Start freelancing
An increasingly popular home business idea is offering freelance services to clients online. Copywriting, graphic design, translation, and digital marketing are common freelance opportunities offered by businesses today. Use freelance marketplaces like Upwork, 99Designs, or PeoplePerHour, and set up a simple website to showcase your portfolio of work.
Level up: Templatize your expertise and sell it 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 make consistent money online.
Best for: Those with beginner skills in a particular subject like data entry, web development, or freelance writing.
Startup time: Low (you can start freelancing through a marketplace even without a website).
Effort level: Medium.
Time to first payment: Depends on your payment terms with your clients.
What to know:
Collect examples of your work in a portfolio, references, and customer testimonials. Feature these on your website to showcase your talent.
Know your worth and set your pricing accordingly.
You will require a portfolio of your work and accounts for freelance marketplaces.
9. Resell or consign your clothing
Selling your unwanted clothes and accessories is a popular way to earn cash fast and clear clutter at the same time. Mobile apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Craigslist offer easy ways to upload clothing photos and descriptions without needing to build a brand or website. Sell your goods to local buyers only or offer to ship.
Level up: Upgrade to selling via a marketplace or start your own online thrift or vintage clothing store.
Best for: Fashion trendsetters with big closets.
Startup time: Minimal—simply shoot, post, and describe each item.
Effort level: Low to start (minimal ongoing effort is required to communicate with potential buyers and ship items, if necessary).
Time to first payout: 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 profit or charge a fee for each listing.
10. Start a blog
Blogging is a longtime favorite for digital entrepreneurs like Ryan Robinson and Mattie James. Running a blog lets you share your thoughts, expertise, and experiences on topics you’re passionate about. With platforms like WordPress, you can start a blog with zero technical skills. Then monetize it with ads, sponsored content, or selling your own products and services.
Best for: Writers and enthusiasts with a passion for a particular subject.
Startup time: A few hours to set up, ongoing effort required to maintain and grow.
Effort level: Medium to high.
Time to first payment: Several months, as building traffic and readership takes time.
What to know:
Regularly publishing high-quality content is critical for growing a blog. Make a publishing schedule and stick to it.
Focus on a specific niche rather than a broad topic to attract a dedicated audience.
11. Become a pet sitter
After the pandemic pet boom and the subsequent return to the office, plenty of lonely dogs and cats are looking for companionship. Sites like Rover help connect pet lovers (that’s you!) with pet owners for pet sitting, dog walking, and cat visits.
Level up: Start your own pet business by setting up a website and selling your services and pet-related goods to make even more money online.
Best for: Pet lovers who don’t want the commitment of ownership.
Startup time: An hour to set up your account.
Effort level: Medium to hard, depending on the number of clients you take on.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on the app or service you use.
What to know:
12. Take online surveys
One of the fastest ways to make money online for beginners is completing online surveys. There are many survey sites and mobile apps that pay users to give their opinion on anything from their shopping behaviors to how they feel about specific product categories. These surveys help brands make business decisions or create new products.
Best for: Those with extra time (and lots of opinions) looking to make money online quickly.
Startup time: A few minutes.
Effort to start: Low.
Time to first payment: Depends on the survey platform’s payment structure.
What to know:
Many survey sites pay in points and you need to earn a certain amount before you redeem them.
Completing online surveys is not a get rich quick scheme, as hourly rates tend to net out to well below minimum wage. Don’t expect this idea to be a reliable or sustainable source of income. Rather, it can provide a few extra bucks to supplement other income sources.
13. Sell print-on-demand products
Thanks to a production method called print on demand (POD), artists and creators can customize white label products with their own designs, without the need to hold or ship inventory. When a customer places an order through your shop, the print-on-demand company of your choice will print your design on a product, fulfill the order, and ship it to the customer.
Best for: Beginner creatives looking to make money online from their craft, emerging influencers looking to create fan merch.
Startup time: A few hours to set up an ecommerce platform and print-on-demand integration.
Effort level: Easy to start if you already have designs to upload (easy to medium to maintain).
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
After you set up a store, browse the many print-on-demand suppliers to compare pricing, quality, and product lineup.
Most ecommerce platforms require that you are at least 18 years of age.
Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require you to have licenses, permits, or certifications.
14. Buy and sell domain names
Choosing a memorable domain name for a business website is a crucial part of the branding exercise. Many new brands seek the perfect domain name to represent their business and improve discoverability.
You can watch trends and buy related domain names on sites like Shopify, Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Hover. To make the most of this idea, buy up a number of domains and sell each for a small profit.
Best for: Those with some money to invest upfront.
Startup time: Less than an hour.
Effort level: Minimal.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on form of payment accepted.
What to know:
Buying and selling domain names is not always a way to make fast money. You may sit on a domain for months or even years before seeing a return.
Understand laws on trademarked names.
15. Start a dropshipping business
Another low-cost ecommerce business model is dropshipping, in which products are shipped to customers directly from the vendor or manufacturer. This is a popular way to make money online for beginners, since the seller does not handle inventory or shipping—you’re simply responsible for driving traffic and customer service.
Best for: Beginners looking to test the waters with their own ecommerce store.
Startup time: A few hours to set up a store and source vendors.
Effort level: Medium to start and grow the business, low effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
You can create a Shopify store and test it out with a free trial.
AliExpress and other dropshipping suppliers are great places to start for sourcing products.
Most ecommerce platforms require that you are at least 18 years of age.
Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require you to have licenses, permits, or certifications.
Tip: Due to the ability to be nimble, dropshippers can follow trends and sell trending products as they emerge. Keep tabs on trending topics on social media platforms like TikTok.
16. Sell products through online marketplaces
Due to their built-in audiences seeking specific products, online marketplaces are often launch points for many now-successful brands. For example, Etsy is a go-to source for buyers looking for handmade and vintage items, while Amazon is a global destination for product discovery and research.
You can get up and running quickly because there is less pressure on the seller to drive their own website traffic or build a more robust brand.
Level up: Take your online business to the next level by building 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 with vintage or handmade products to sell.
Startup time: An hour or two to set up your account and add products.
Effort level: Depends on your product and business model.
Time to first payment: Anywhere from the day after to 14 days after you make a sale, depending on the marketplace.
What to know:
Follow Etsy’s guidelines around what you can sell and acceptable use of the platform.
You must comply with Amazon’s seller policies to be in good standing.
Most marketplaces require that you are at least 18 years of age.
Sellers between 13 and 18 years of age may use Etsy with the supervision of a parent or guardian.
17. Become an online tutor
If you are knowledgeable in subjects like biology, math, or languages, you could earn income on the side with online tutoring. 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 with tutoring, try selling your own online courses through a dedicated ecommerce store.
Best for: Aspiring educators, those looking for experience before creating an online course.
Startup time: A few hours to set up a website or an account on a tutoring platform.
Effort level: Medium to start. Ongoing effort level depends on how many students you take on.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on how you bill your students.
What to know:
Most freelance sites require proof that you are skilled in the subject matter.
Expect transaction fees on tutoring platforms.
You will require knowledge of subject matter and any necessary licenses or diplomas required by each platform and subject.
18. Create an online course or workshop
Do you have a special set of skills to share with the world? Share them online with a course or workshop. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare make it easy to create and market educational content to a global audience. Whether it’s a photography or coding course, people are hungry for knowledge in various fields.
Best for: People with specialized knowledge or skills in a particular area.
Startup time: Several hours to weeks, depending on course length and content.
Effort level: High to create the course, low to medium to maintain.
Time to first payment: Varies by platform, usually within a month after course sales begin.
What to know:
Creating a great course is only half the battle—you also need to market it properly. Use social media, email marketing, and partnerships with other educators to spread the word.
19. Try affiliate marketing
Here’s the rundown on affiliate marketing: You can sign up for a brand’s affiliate marketing program, which lets you share their unique affiliate links to promote their products on your site or social media account. When someone buys a product after clicking your affiliate link
