A computer and an internet connection are pretty much everything you need if you want to make money online.
There are a plethora of different methods, and the odds of your success and the amount made will depend on how much effort you put into it.
Of course, some people who are eager to make money online might not be looking to develop a full-time gig.
Instead, they are more interested in a side hustle (like flipping furniture) since they already have a full-time job.
Having said that, it is great to have different options and explore what is available.
This article will give you a rundown of some of the most popular methods to make money on the internet.
And before you commit to a specific method, remember a failure should not be something to prevent you from gaining money.
If the first idea fails, you can move to the next one.
Custom Merchandise
Let’s start with custom merchandise.
From custom t shirts and hoodies to face masks and stickers, there are different products that you build your business around.
Since print on demand follows the dropshipping business model, interested people do not have to worry about warehousing and product fulfillment.
No, the supplier takes care of the logistics and manufacturing.
You have to focus on customer service and creating new designs. Ideally, you should know graphic design yourself, but even if you are no expert, there are simplified tools to make it work, such as mockup generators.
And if nothing else, you can find a professional graphic designer and create a joint partnership.
From there, it is about finding a niche, adding designs to the merchandise, uploading products, and promoting the website to attract traffic.
Blogging
Blogging works even though the market is a bit saturated.
You may find it difficult to come up with a blog idea, but forcing yourself to write about things that do not interest you will lead to failure.
Even if a niche seems profitable, you will lose interest by forcing yourself to blog about it if you do not like it.
First and foremost, you should treat blogging as a hobby, and a means to express yourself.
If you do that and work on consistency when publishing new content, the traffic will come, and you can monetize the blog by:
- Running ads
- Offering guest post opportunities
- Promoting digital products
- Including affiliate links
- Asking readers to become patreons
Online Surveys
Online surveys are arguably the simplest method to make money on the internet.
They do not require specific knowledge or a set of skills. You find a service, such as Survey Compare or Survey Junkie, and fill out online surveys.
On average, a survey pays a few dollars, and it usually takes somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes to complete a single survey. On a good day, you can expect to make about 20 dollars per hour.
Of course, the number of available surveys is limited, and some services do not pay in cash but rather gift cards and coupons.
Keep that in mind and treat surveys as a simple side gig that still improves your financial situation.
Video Games
Making money playing video games might seem like a far-fetched idea, right?
Well, it is actually possible.
The most money can be made by becoming a professional gamer, but it is unlikely that you have the time to dedicate yourself to regular practicing and other things needed to go pro.
And even if you do, the odds are relatively small.
Instead, you should look for more unorthodox methods to monetize this hobby.
You can start playing some Paypal games that pay real money.
Another idea could be playing your games on Steam and trading in-game items, such as cards or cosmetics, for money. Check our guide on making money on Steam, if you are interested in that.
Some video game developers also hire beta testers to try the game before the release, and they pay for it.
Then you have video games that straight-up pay you by playing the game for a specific amount of time.
It is true that the ratio of hours spent playing a video game and the money made is not that great when you compare it to other opportunities and regular jobs.
However, if you are playing video games as a hobby anyway and want to increase your income, remember that such an option is possible.
Streaming
Streaming, particularly on Twitch TV, has become a new form of entertainment among younger demographics.
Top streamers are making as much as six figures and more by entertaining their audiences.
Even if you do not make it to the very top, you can still make a decent income.
It is about finding an audience and keeping them engaged.
The majority of Twitch TV channels are about video games, but a variety content works as well.
Music, cooking, talk shows, various live events, traveling, sports—you name it.
So long as the content is presented in a fun way and attracts an audience, you can monetize the viewers.
Money on Twitch TV comes from donations, subscriptions, bits used for cheering, sponsorship deals, and affiliate links.
Video Editing
Video content is the go-to choice for many marketers.
It is no secret that an average consumer finds it easier to digest the information presented in a visual format. GIFs, images, and videos are more effective.
Brands are constantly looking for professional video editors.
As such, if you want to learn a new craft and commit to it long-term, then video editing should be one of the first on the list.
Besides, it is not just the marketing niche that needs video editors.
TV series and movie productions, various vloggers, YouTubers, Twitch TV streamers who upload highlights on other platforms, and different content creators often have dedicated professional video editors.
Shopping For Other People
There are people who would be happy to pay you to shop for them. This is not your regular shopping experience – it’s more about researching and finding specific products.
It also includes trying to find these products at the lowest possible price by researching all retailers.
There’s a neat trick to using platforms like ShopSmarter, where you can research a variety of products, compare prices, and get a cashback for each purchase.
This is a neat way of making additional money since you’ll be making 10% on each purchase.
Customer Support
Working in customer support does not sound that exciting, but it is relatively simple once you get some experience.
Early on, you will receive questions that you might not know the answers to because you are still new to the products and services that a business sells.
However, as soon as you learn the ins and outs, solving customer queries becomes much easier.
Most online shops hire customer support reps to make sure that at least one person is available regardless of what time it is.
This need to have 24/7 customer support creates flexible opportunities for those who wish to work in it.
If you wish to work late into the night or super early in the morning, discuss it with your supervisor and arrange a schedule that suits both parties.