Making money online has never been easier thanks to the internet and technology advancements. With just an internet connection and some free time, you can start earning an income from home through various money-making methods.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 8 legitimate and easy ways to make money online for total beginners, with no experience needed. Whether you want to earn some side income or replace your 9-to-5 job, there are options for everyone.
How to Make Money Online: 8 Methods for Beginners
1. Make Money Blogging
Some tips for beginners:
- Choose a niche/topic you’re passionate about - this makes creating content much easier
- Get your own domain name and quality hosting - this looks more professional
- Monetize through affiliate marketing, display ads, sponsored posts etc. The most lucrative blogs make money through multiple income streams
Some popular blogging platforms to check out:
- WordPress.org (self-hosted)
- Blogger
- Medium
2. Get Paid for Online Surveys
Taking online surveys in your spare time can be an easy way to earn some extra cash. There are many research companies and market research firms that use online surveys to collect data and are willing to pay for your opinions.
Some popular survey sites to check out include:
- Swagbucks
- Survey Junkie
- Vindale Research
- Pinecone Research
- Prolific
You likely won’t get rich taking surveys, but it can easily net you some extra spending money in your free time. Most surveys pay $1-$5 and some can pay up to $50+.
3. Freelance Your Skills Online
In the digital age, you can freelance your skills online to earn an income without relying on a 9-to-5 job. Websites like Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer allow you to offer your services to clients across the globe.
Some examples of freelance services you can offer:
- Writing: Copywriting, blogging, proofreading
- Design: Graphic design, web design, logo design
- Video: Animation, editing, voice overs
- Programming & Tech: Web development, app development, data entry
- Business: Virtual assistant, bookkeeping, consulting
No matter your skillset, there is likely a way to freelance online. Building up a portfolio of your work and getting good client reviews helps attract more high-quality and high-paying clients over time.
4. Resell Items You Don’t Need for Cash
Selling your unused stuff laying around your home is an easy way to clear up space and earn money at the same time. Popular online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, Depop and more make reselling items you no longer need/want extremely simple.
You can sell things like:
- Gently used clothing, shoes and accessories
- Electronics - phones, laptops, cameras etc.
- Home goods - furniture, kitchenware, decor
- Toys and games
- Books/DVDs/CDs
- Sports equipment
- Collectibles
Almost anything resaleable has the potential for profit if the demand is there. Limited edition, rare and trending items typically earn the highest resale values.
5. Invest in Dividend Stocks
While investing always comes with a level of risk, dividend stocks can provide an ongoing passive income stream. Dividend stocks pay out a portion of the company’s earnings each quarter to shareholders.
Some benefits of dividend stocks:
- Quarterly passive income - Dividend payments are made every 3 months
- Reinvestment - Reinvest your dividends to compound earnings
- Hedge against volatility - If stock price declines, dividends can cushion your losses
- Tax benefits (for qualified dividends)
Top dividend stocks like Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) can offer safe yet profitable long-term plays. Just a few thousand dollars invested in a basket of dividend payers can earn $100s per year.
6. Rent Out Your Extra Space
If you have an extra room, parking space or other unused real estate, you can easily turn it into income through rental services. Websites like Airbnb, Vrbo and Parklee allow you to safely rent out your extra space to earn an income from home.
Some examples include:
- Rent out extra rooms through Airbnb
- Rent out parking spaces you don’t use near offices/transport hubs
- Rent out storage space in your attic, garage or spare rooms
- Rent out your driveway through apps like YourParkingSpace
You set your own availability, pricing and house rules. With some great photos, descriptions and reviews, your extra space can be rented outfrequently.
7. Drive for Rideshare Apps
Driving for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft can be an easy way to earn money with a car in your spare time. You get to be your own boss, choose your own hours and get paid weekly. It’s an extremely flexible money making option, although the pay per hour will vary.
Some benefits:
- No boss, set your own schedule
- Get paid quickly via direct deposit
- Ongoing demand for rides
- Decent side income, depending on your market
- Write off work-related miles on your taxes
You’ll want to check that your vehicle qualifies and thoroughly research driver pay and expenses in your city. Driving during peak times like rush hour or weekends tends to be most profitable.
8. Start Dropshipping Products
If you don’t want to deal with physically making or holding inventory, dropshipping allows you to open an online store and sell products shipped directly from the supplier to customers. Popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce make setting up a dropshipping store fairly simple these days.
Benefits of dropshipping include:
- Very low startup costs
- No need to purchase and hold inventory
- Wide selection of products to sell
- Easy scalability - add/remove products at any time
Choosing in-demand and high profit margin products is key. Effective marketing of your store is also hugely important as you’ll be competing with lots of other similar stores. Patience and persistence is needed to succeed.
Comparison of Online Income Methods
| Method | Difficulty | Cost to Start | Income Potential | Time to Profit | Scaleability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blogging | Medium | Low | High | Months-Years | High |
| Paid Online Surveys | Easy | Free | Low | Immediately | Hard to scale |
| Freelancing Skills | Medium | Low | High | Weeks-Months | Medium |
| Reselling Items | Easy | Low | Medium | Immediately | Hard to scale |
| Dividend Stocks | Easy | Low | Medium | Months | High |
| Renting Out Space | Easy | None | Medium | Immediately | Hard to scale |
| Rideshare Driving | Easy | Low | Medium | Immediately | Hard to scale |
| Dropshipping | Hard | Low-Medium | High | Weeks-Years | High |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest ways to make money from home?
Some of the easiest ways to make money from home include paid online surveys, reselling used items, renting out extra space and driving for rideshare apps. These require very little setup, technical skills or financial investment to get started.
What are the most profitable ways to make money online?
The most profitable ways to earn online tend to be blogging, freelancing your skills, investing in stocks/real estate and starting an ecommerce dropshipping business. However, these also require significant time, effort and persistence to start seeing high earnings.
How much money can I realistically make online?
Your earning potential depends greatly on the method, your level of skill/experience, hours put in and ability to scale. While some methods can theoretically produce 6-figure+ incomes, more realistically you can target $500-$2000+ in monthly side income as a beginner.
Is it actually possible to replace your day job income online?
Absolutely - while it isn’t always easy, there are many people now making 5-6 figure monthly incomes from online businesses and assets they have built up. By combining multiple online income streams and putting in consistent effort, you can eventually match (or even exceed) your current salary.
What skills do I need to make money online?
Useful skills include writing, graphic design, web development, video editing, programming, photography, sales, marketing, teaching and more - there are opportunities suited for all skill levels online. Even with no specialized skills, options like paid surveys, rideshare driving and reselling require no prior experience.