How To Make Money Online For Beginners: 27 Ways To Start Earning Money From Home

Whether you’re looking to make a full-time career out of it or pick up some extra money on the side, the internet can provide you with plenty of opportunities to start making money online.

No matter your skill level or background, there are multiple ways to make money online as a beginner.

From selling products on eBay and Etsy to taking surveys and freelancing for companies worldwide, anyone can increase their income by working from home.

This post will look at the best ways how to make money online for beginners so that you can earn extra cash in no time.

Quick Picks

People who are new to side hustles ask us what we think are the best options to make money, and we always say that working from home is our top pick.

Here are a few of the best ways to make money online:

Best Online Job – Proofreading
Best Full-Time Career – Blogging
Best For Passive Income – Real Estate Investing

How To Make Money Online For Beginners

1. Proofreader

Proofreading is the process of reading a text thoroughly to catch any errors. This could include typos, grammar mistakes, missing words, formatting issues, etc.

As a proofreader, your job is to use your keen eye for detail and knowledge of grammar and language to ensure accurate and error-free content before publication.

Becoming a proofreader is an excellent way to make money online without formal experience or qualifications.

Not sure you know how to be a proofreader? Take the free workshop from Proofread Anywhere and get a feel for being a proofreader.

2. Blogger

Creating content for our blog has been such a rewarding experience. We get to use our creativity and connect with readers like you, plus make a steady income in the process!

We’ve learned how to create compelling posts that drive traffic and keep people coming back for more with search engine optimization.

And through our own products and working with brands, we’ve generated good income every month.

It’s relatively simple to set up a blog, doesn’t require a significant financial investment, and is an online business that can be highly profitable if done correctly.

As a beginner, the best way to earn money online by blogging is to create your own site. This will give you an online presence that allows people to find and read your content.

If you’re looking to start your own blog but need help figuring out where to begin, our Free Start Your Blog Bootcamp is the perfect workbook to get you started.

3. Investing In Stocks

Investing in stocks is one-way beginners can make money online. Stocks are pieces of a company that you can buy, which give you part ownership of the company.

You make a passive income when the stock price increases, but beware that you can also lose money if the stock falls in value.

As a beginner investing to earn extra money, the key is to start small and learn as you go. Take the time to understand the basic concepts of stock trading, such as supply and demand, volatility, liquidity, and market trends.

Then, create an account with a reputable broker like Robinhood that offers plenty of educational resources and provides guidance for new investors.

Plus, Robinhood is commission-free and offers free stock for signing up!

You can also consider investing in mutual funds or index funds already assembled, so you don’t have to pick individual stocks.

4. Investing In Real Estate

Did you know you can invest in real estate online? You can start investing in real estate without leaving your home with the right tools and guidance.

Online real estate investing is becoming increasingly popular due to its flexibility and ease of use to diversify your portfolio with various investments.

You can purchase properties online with just a few clicks, and most platforms you use will manage the property.

You can find properties with high potential returns with the right research and guidance. You can also invest in REITs (real estate investment trusts), bundles of different investments such as mortgages, apartment buildings, and office buildings.

The best part about online real estate investing is that it doesn’t require much cash to start.

You can buy a fractional share of the property with Fundrise for just $10. This makes it easy for anyone to get their feet wet in the real estate game without spending a fortune upfront.

5. Online Surveys

Taking online surveys with popular survey sites is easy and can be a fun way to make some extra free money.

For starters, companies use surveys for market research and need feedback from real people like you. They’ll pay you for your opinion – it’s as easy as logging into the survey sites and giving your opinion!

The surveys usually take just a few minutes to complete. Most of them will ask about your demographic information, such as age, income level, marital status, etc., which are important factors for market research. 

Although you won’t get rich taking surveys, they can be a great way to make extra cash and gift cards to your favorite retail locations. 

On average, most survey sites will pay anywhere from $0.50 to a few dollars per survey, and if you continue filling out online surveys regularly, you should expect to make around $30 per month or more!

The best service sites we use are:

Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
InboxDollars

6. Facebook Ads Manager

For someone who is just starting in the world of making money online, becoming a Facebook Ads Manager can be an excellent way to get started.

As a Facebook Ads Manager, you will create, monitor, and optimize advertising campaigns on the popular social media platform.

Before getting started, it is essential to understand how the system works and what strategies can help you make the most of your ad campaigns.

The good news is that there are many resources, like the FREE Facebook Side Hustle workshop, available to help beginners learn the ins and outs of Facebook Ads management so they can make money.

7. Transcriptionist

Transcription work involves listening to audio or video recordings and then typing out what you hear verbatim.

It can be anything from interviews to podcasts to lectures or even medical dictations. Think of it as captions on the TV but with more accuracy and variety!

Transcriptionists can make money per minute of audio. You could make $15 – $25 an hour, depending on experience level, and legal transcriptionists earn even more.

No special equipment or software is needed- you only need a computer with a reliable microphone, headphones, and a word-processing program to make an income online.

A good place to start is the free 7- lesson mini-course by Transcribe Anywhere, which can show you the ropes and teach you the basics of becoming a transcriptionist.

8. Bookkeeper

As a bookkeeper, you can make money online by providing your services to individuals or businesses that need assistance with their accounting and financial transactions.

Bookkeepers aren’t the same as accountants- they’re typically the first step for paperwork before it gets sent to accountants.

If you become a bookkeeper, you’ll review financial data on a daily basis, like creating and sending payroll, accounts payable, invoices, and spreadsheets for income.

It’s an in-demand field with plenty of opportunities to make a full-time income, and you don’t have to spend much time or money getting started.

With the right skills and knowledge from courses like Bookkeeper Launch, you can set up your own business and earn an online income from the comfort of your home.

9. Freelance Writer

As someone who has made money online as a freelance writer, I know firsthand how daunting it can be to start.

You may wonder where to begin or if you have the skills and time to make this career work.

The good news is that becoming a successful freelance writer is achievable with just a little knowledge and effort.

One of the best ways to ensure success as a freelance writer is by taking free workshops and then courses like the one by Earn More Writing.

They teach you the fundamentals of becoming a freelance writer and provide tips for content writing, landing more work, increasing your rates, navigating demanding clients, and more.

Then you can find projects on job search platforms like Flexjobs and Upwork or join writing groups on social media to network with other writers.

10. Publish eBooks

You can make more money on your writing than just writing blog content and other articles. You can write eBooks and publish them on your own to millions of online buyers.

eBooks are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easier than ever to self-publish them if you have expertise in any particular area or if you know someone who does.

You can write an eBook on virtually anything and then market it through platforms such as Amazon Self Publishing or Apple iBooks.

There are many advantages to publishing eBooks; they can be read anywhere at any time, require no additional materials or resources (other than a computer and internet connection), and can be quickly edited and updated.

Additionally, once your book is published, you can make passive income from royalties from sales.

11. Sell Printables

We started selling budgeting worksheets, organizing paperwork, and more for families that need help controlling the chaos at home and getting money under wraps.

These are our favorite printables to sell, and listing them on Shopify and Etsy has brought us hundreds of dollars in extra money each month!

If you have an eye for design and creativity, selling printables could be a great way to make money online.

You’ll need to create designs that attract customers and help them in some way, like our budgeting sheets do, and then upload them onto your website or an online store like Etsy.

Examples of printables could include planners, calendars, coloring worksheets, art prints, greeting cards, or even coloring pages.

You set the price for each item, then market your products effectively so that customers can find your work easily. You also keep all profits from any sales made.

12. Virtual Assistant

Another great option for making money online is becoming a virtual assistant (VA).

A virtual assistant provides services such as social media management, data entry, customer support, email management, and more – all from the comfort of their own home.

Some assistants answer phone calls and emails, whereas others handle websites and scheduling appointments- the same stuff you would do in an office, but you can do it remotely in your jammies instead!

If you have experience in these areas and are looking for an opportunity to work remotely, then becoming a VA could be a great fit for you to make money online.

Plus, many companies out there need virtual assistants, so you’ll never be short on work!

13. Online Tutor

Have you ever thought about tutoring students? You can create a flexible schedule around your other commitments and work from home as an online tutor.

You can tutor in a particular subject, like English or math, but there’s no limit to what you teach or how many subjects you tutor.

Online tutoring allows students worldwide to connect with expert tutors on online platforms like BookNook, which specialize in tutoring with virtual video chat rooms.

Tutors can set their rates and times depending on their availability and expertise. Plus, it’s flexible work – you can work anytime and anywhere with an internet connection!

14. YouTuber

If you’re not afraid of being on camera and interacting online, becoming a YouTuber may be right up your alley!

You can create YouTube videos about anything that interests you—from fashion tips to cooking tutorials and even just a vlog about your life or work.

You can post videos every day, build up your YouTube channel, and grow your audience by producing quality content regularly.

Once your channel has grown sufficiently large enough, then you can start looking into monetizing it.

You can post ads or sponsorships from brands and companies who are interested in what your YouTube channel offers. Or you can post affiliate links for products you like that your followers can use too.

Mastering YouTube is a course that can help you get started! It covers everything from creating your channel to optimizing it for extra income.

You’ll learn about the most important aspects of running a successful YouTube channel: video production techniques, SEO strategies, and marketing tactics.

15. Play Video Games

Streaming playing video games has become one of the hottest money-making trends in recent years – with an average of 2.5 million daily viewers on Twitch alone.

Streaming is a fantastic way to earn money online for beginners if you’re a gaming enthusiast and have no qualms about being in front of a camera.

You can stream a few hours a week, interact with your audience, and get paid for each monthly subscription on your channel- plus ad revenue or merchandise sales!

Not only that, video game streamers can earn money from brand deals and sponsorships.

Another way to make money playing games is with Swagbucks and InboxDollars. You won’t earn as much money as you would streaming, but it’s an excellent way to make a little bit of money online for beginners.

Gaming apps are more passive and can be done in your free time, in just a few minutes a day, which is better if you don’t have time to sit down and game for a few hours per week.

16. Online Courses

As someone who’s used the internet to make money, I suggest taking a look at creating and selling courses online.

We’ve had success with online courses, from developing a curriculum for our blog-building course to our upcoming freelance writing course coming out in a few weeks. It’s been an invaluable way to earn passive income.

Building your own online course takes some thought but is relatively straightforward—all you need to do is organize the content, then link it up with a platform like ThriveCart.

Once you start selling courses online, there are many different ways to market them, giving yourself a potentially infinite source of income–without having to leave your home!

You don’t need fancy marketing skills or tech know-how to start selling courses. Six Figure Course Creator can help you earn how to create courses and earn thousands each month.

17. Social Media Manager

Social media is one of the best tools for businesses of all sizes in the digital age- so much so that having a solid online presence isn’t just a good idea. It’s an absolute must.

Unfortunately, many business owners don’t have the time to manage their social media profiles and posts, meaning outsourcing social media management is becoming increasingly popular.

As a social media manager, you’ll curate and post content to your client’s social media account, ensure messages get swift responses on each platform, engage with your audience, and boost your brand’s followers.

If you excel at communication and have a knack for creating content that resonates with modern audiences, this job could be an ideal opportunity to make money online.

You can also use an AI writer like Jasper to help you write social media posts, content descriptions, and unique writing that will attract people online.

18. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a big part of doing business and increasing ad revenue; more and more businesses are using digital channels to reach potential customers.

A digital marketer is responsible for using different ways to show people the brand and create an engaged audience interested in the company. They use digital channels like the internet, mobile apps, social media, and email.

Brands need people who know how to create content that will interest people in different markets.

Savvy marketers know a lot about digital channels and how to use them to get people interested in the digital products they are selling.

Strong digital marketers go even further by using analytics to figure out what isn’t working well and develop new strategies to do even better.

It could be the right career if you like learning about online trends, analyzing data, creating brands, and ensuring people have a good experience.

19. Shopify Seller

For those just starting an eCommerce business, Shopify offers a great way to start making money online. Thanks to its comprehensive suite of tools, even a beginner can make the most of their store and optimize it for success.

We started our Shopify store years ago and know that the most significant benefit is how easy it is! You don’t need technical expertise or coding knowledge, just an idea and some products to sell.

With Shopify, you’ll have access to a drag-and-drop website builder that will help you create an attractive store without hassle.

Shopify also has dozens of apps that allow you to customize your store further and add features like email marketing and payment processing.

Another great thing about Shopify is that they provide comprehensive customer support, tutorials, and forums where entrepreneurs can get advice from more experienced business owners. 

With Shopify’s built-in analytics dashboard, you’ll be able to track performance data such as website traffic and conversion rates in real time- allowing you to fine-tune your strategy quickly so that you’re always making the most out of every sale.

20. Etsy Shop Owner

Etsy is an eCommerce site designed to make it simple for sellers to list their products in an online store without worrying about hosting or managing their own website.

It makes it an excellent choice for beginners who don’t have any web development experience or are just starting with eCommerce platforms.

It’s easy to start on Etsy, and with the vast selection of goods available on the site—from handmade jewelry to vintage art prints—there are plenty of opportunities for creative entrepreneurs.

Sellers can take advantage of various tools offered by Etsy, such as detailed analytics that allow them to monitor the performance of their online stores and track their sales progress over time.

They can also customize the look and feel of their shop, use clever marketing strategies such as offering discounts or free shipping options, set up automated email campaigns, and easily accept payments with integrated payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe.

We’ve also made a guide for how to start an Etsy shop, plus we have a list of over 40 Etsy shop ideas that you can start this month!

21. Sell Stock Photos

Selling stock photos is an excellent way for beginners to make money online. All you need is a good digital camera and some creative skills.

It’s a great way to make some extra cash and doesn’t require special knowledge or experience.

You can upload your photos onto sites such as Shutterstock, iStockPhoto, or Fun With Feet and sell them for royalties.

And yes, we added selling feet pics because it is surprisingly profitable, even if it’s a weird way to earn money.

Your landscape photos could earn a few cents to a few dollars, and feet pics can be $10 – $100 a pop!

One thing, though- it may take some time to see consistent income from stock photos. You need to have a lot of images and variety so that you can attract as many customers and niches as possible.

Still, once your portfolio starts building up, you could potentially make hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month with minimal effort.

22. Rent House Space

If you have a spare room in your house (or even an entire house) that you aren’t using, renting it out on Airbnb or other vacation rental websites can be a fantastic way to earn extra income.

By listing your property on these sites, travelers worldwide can rent it while they visit your city or town.

Listing on Airbnb is perfect if you live in a tourist destination or area with vibrant nightlife – people are always looking for vacation rentals that are convenient and affordable to stay during their vacations.

All you need to do is create your listing on Airbnb (or whichever online platform) and wait for people to request bookings – then voila, extra income!

Just don’t forget, you’ll need to spend time and money cleaning up between guests and keeping things in tip-top shape.

23. Rent Closet Space

Do you have an unused closet sitting in your home collecting dust? If so, why not turn it into another source of income by renting it out?

Believe it or not, you can rent out closet space in your home and make money!

Neighbor Storage lets you list available spaces in your home, such as closets, parking spaces, garages, and attics so that others can store their belongings in them for a fee.

With services like Neighbor Storage, it’s easier for people looking for extra storage space without having to deal with traditional self-storage units (which often come with expensive fees).

Renting with Neighbor Storage is an easy way to make more money without having to do anything other than provide empty storage space.

You’ll have peace of mind knowing that these companies also provide insurance coverage for your renters and you as the property owner.

24. Retail Arbitrage

Retail arbitrage involves buying products from retail stores at discounted prices and then reselling them online for a profit – usually via websites like Amazon or eBay.

For example, you could get popular sunglasses in bulk, 500 for $7 a piece, then list them on Amazon for $25 to earn $18 in profit!

With retail arbitrage, you could quickly turn a few hundred dollars into thousands over time.

Retail arbitrage doesn’t require special skills; you need a keen eye for deals and the willingness to take advantage of them.

The strategy requires researching what items are selling best in different markets. Still, it can be incredibly profitable if done correctly – especially if there is a sale at certain retailers near where you live.

25. Website Tester

Testing websites is one way that beginners can quickly generate some quick cash. You can get paid to provide feedback on the functionality and appearance of a website.

Plus, if you have the technical skills needed, you are probably eligible for higher-paying gigs.

However, be sure to do your research beforehand. Some companies may require you to install specific software or possess certain technical skills before granting you access to these gigs.

So if this sounds like something you’re interested in, read all the details you can find so that everything runs smoothly when you test websites!

26. Join Research Studies

Another way beginners can make extra cash is by joining market research companies like American Consumer Opinion.

Most companies do not require technical skills or experience to participate in market research. They want honest feedback from real people about various products and services.

You will typically earn points or rewards for completing surveys, which can then be redeemed for cash or gifts.

27. Sell Your Data

Many companies, like MobileXpression, are willing to pay people who are willing to share their data with them, such as browsing data.

These companies use the data for marketing purposes, like targeting ads or sending promotional emails and text messages. The payment for selling your data varies depending on the company but is usually a few extra bucks each time you let them track your browsing data.

While this may sound a bit risky, it’s pretty safe if done correctly. All your personal information is kept secure and anonymous when you sell your data through these companies.

Final Thoughts

Making money online doesn’t have to be complicated. You can answer questions on Survey Junkie for a few bucks a day or play video games on Swagbucks for extra money.

Then there are other side hustle options for you to make more money online and potentially have a better-paying career than you already have!

Whether you want to start a blog, create an online course, open an online store, become a freelance writer, or do data entry from home.

Many options are available for those who want to make money fast from home without any prior experience or skillset.

So go ahead – give one (or more!) of these ideas a try today & start taking control over your financial future!