Our huge compilation of online business ideas that you can try with or without a website provides invaluable steps to new internet entrepreneurs. In this digitalized and technologically advanced world, we currently live in, working online has become increasingly popular. Ways to make a living online has been a recurring question across the web. There being so many ways to achieve this goal online, it is no surprise that people these days are choosing to work from home rather than at an office. However, knowing how to get started is tricky.
Many are looking for how to make money online for free. From teens to adults, everybody likes a piece of the cyber pie. The only issue is that the majority of people are having a difficult time because they want the easiest way out and fall into the traps, which are being set by the people searching to make fast money from them.
However, for those people who do not mind going the extra mile and becoming real online business entrepreneurs, workable and proven options can result in earnings. These earnings in fact may surpass what a young adult might gain working at a conventional fast food.
To help you get started on building a career online, I have compiled a list of 50+ different ways beginners can make some money online. Since there are so many online money-making opportunities these days, deciding what to do can feel overwhelming. The good news is that it’s likely there’s a skill you already have that can be monetized. Make sure to go through the entire list to find the right internet job opportunity that will suit you the most.
Why Should You Consider an Online Business?
Working in an office can be extremely draining. You have to wake up early, get ready and commute to work every day. If your workplace is located far away from your home, you probably spend hours of your day just travelling alone. This can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being, and make working feel unbearable.
All such problems can be resolved by getting a job online. Working online allows you to work from home. Furthermore, it also lets you work at your own pace, with much more freedom with your schedule. If you have been feeling burnt out, or want to spend more time with your family or on hobbies, having an online job is something you should consider. Working online is also a good option for introverts who are so shy to work face-to-face with others.
Things To Consider Before Starting an Online Business as a Beginner
Despite its many benefits, working online also has its disadvantages. Firstly, you will be working mostly on your own. Compared to the lively bustle of the office, working from home can feel lonely and quiet. If you are the type of person who doesn’t enjoy working in solitude, you may find many online jobs to be quite difficult.
Working online means you need to have the proper gadgets to always stay on the grid. Among various other things, a laptop, smartphone, and good internet connection are absolute essentials. If you do not have any of these things, getting a job online will be impossible. Thus consider whether or not you can maintain the cost for at least one smart device, and a stable internet connection before getting an online job.
50+ Online Business Ideas to Explore
Do you want a piece of the online pie as a beginner but are not sure where to begin on your journey? Here are a number of the most popular ways people are making money online. So, take a look to find out what is best for you.
Blogging
Blogging initially started as something people did as a hobby. However, nowadays it is something people can make decent money from. Inasmuch as some people think blogging is dead, it has remained one of the common ways to earn money directly to your bank account. As long as you write about things you are well informed about, blogging is a great way of making money from things you are interested in. Google Adsense and affiliate marketing are some of the ways to monetize your blog.
Before making a blog make sure you choose a niche that you are passionate about and have ways to provide honest and truthful opinions on. Some SEO knowledge is also essential to come up at the top of search results and beat your competition.
Further Reading
A step-by-step guide to starting and running a successful blog
Social Media Marketing
People these days spend most of their time on social media platforms. Thus the need for social media marketers is at an all-time high. Various companies hire social media marketers to help build a brand image online.
Further Reading
Social Media Marketing: How to do it, Types, Tools & Tips
SEO Specialist
These days, Google is the first thing anyone turns to when in trouble. Because of this, companies find it necessary to hire SEO specialists so that they can keep their brand on the digital grid. If you have good Off-Page SEO and On-Page SEO knowledge, finding a job as an SEO strategist or specialist should be very easy for you.
You can provide SEO services on various freelance platforms. You can also join communities on Facebook or Reddit and look for customers there. Try to focus on creating a good portfolio rather than making money first. A good portfolio will get you more results in the long run.
Further Reading
Free SEO course for beginners
Beginner’s Guide to SEO from Moz
YouTube Marketing
Social Media Marketing is more of a general online digital marketing. A YouTube marketer focuses more on YouTube specifically. The job of a YouTube marketer includes studying the YouTube algorithm to predict the best ways of getting engagement on YouTube.
You can use YouTube marketing to set up your channel and earn the same way you’d be earning by creating a following and promoting products. Or you can use your YouTube marketing knowledge to provide services to YouTubers who are looking for greater reach.
Further Reading
Free YouTube Training Course
Quick YouTube Affiliate Marketing Guide for Beginners
Cryptocurrency Trading
With the recent surge in the popularity of cryptocurrency, it would be criminal not to keep this on this list. You do need some good market analysis skills to survive in the crypto market. But, if you have a business background or a background in stock trading, it should come naturally to you.
My advice would be to take a free course on cryptocurrency and do your research before you invest in crypto as they can be very volatile. I’d say invest in established coins like Bitcoin or Ethereum, which have the lowest chance of ever dropping too much in value. You can move into investing in others that are less established when you fully understand the market.
Further Reading
Free Course on Cryptocurrency for Beginners
Ad Networks
You can make a website that has a large following and then use ad networks to generate a good income. Ad networks like Google Adsense use ad spaces on your website to show ads. Every time someone clicks on those ads, you get paid. It is that simple.
But do remember that you need a website with decent traffic before making a livable wage using ad networks. So, post good content regularly to create a good following.
Google Adsense earnings can be sent directly into your local bank account or domiciliary account or as cheques. So, it is important to open a domiciliary bank account if your current bank account can’t receive payment from Google. Alternatively, you can create a virtual USA bank account with Payoneer and use it to receive Adsense payments.
Web Hosting
Among many other things, to keep up with the digital age, companies need to have their websites. To make sure a website is accessible to an audience, having a web host is essential. Companies will need people with good knowledge of website infrastructure and working with web hosts, to ensure their website is running smoothly. You can become a hosting reseller and make some income from hosting websites for individuals and businesses.
Further Reading
7 Tips + 5 Hosts to Start a Reseller Hosting Business Startup
Copywriting
Copywriters are not too different from content writers. Both jobs involve a lot of writing about specific topics. However, where content writers focus on only one area, copywriters write about topics from a vast range of topics. Copywriters aren’t considered experts on any particular topic but can write on a range of different topics. You will handle more such jobs if you know the techniques for writing fast.
Further Reading
Free Online Copywriting Course
How To Become a Copywriter Step-by-Step
Copywriting Jobs: How to Get Started as a Beginner
Twitch Streaming
Streaming live videos online has become a popular way of making money. The biggest website for live streaming is Twitch. Most people who live stream on Twitch play video games with an audience. However, Twitch live streams can have various other purposes such as reacting to videos or simply talking to a live audience.
Data Entry
Data entry jobs are also popular at the moment. The job of a data entry specialist is to manage data by storing them in Excel files. If you are looking for an online business opportunity as a student, data entry is a good place to start. This job is quite simple to do and is a good option and does not require prior work experience.
Further Reading
Best Online Data Entry Jobs Sites
Virtual Assistant
Since many companies have shifted online during the pandemic, the need for virtual assistants has increased. Virtual assistants are kind of like freelance workers who help businesses run smoothly. There aren’t any fixed requirements for being a VA. As long as you have the skills to help a company run smoothly, you can become a VA.
Further Reading
How to Become a Virtual Assistant (And Find Remote Work From Home!)
Free Virtual Assistant Training Course
Graphic Design
Due to the prevalence of social media, it has become important for companies to hire graphic designers as part of their teams. If you are good with Photoshop, Canva, and other graphic designing sites, you should consider applying to different companies as a graphic designer.
Further Reading
Sites To Find Online Graphic Design Jobs
Voice-Over Artist
If you have a unique and marketable voice, then you must try providing voice-over services. You can easily make a ton of cash, by just speaking to the microphone with your unique voice. Various businesses look for voice artists for their ad campaigns.
Many indie animation companies and video game developers are constantly searching for voice artists too. Just open a gig on any freelance website and you are sure to be making money anytime soon. You can also use these freelance services to beef up your portfolio which can help out a lot when you apply for an interview at larger companies.
Product Flipping
Well, flipping stuff has always been a quick and easy way to make instant cash. And with the rise of online trading, this has become so much easier. You can buy products for a cheaper price and then flip them on eBay or Craigslist for an extra bit of profit. This won’t get you rich overnight. But it’s a great way to earn some pocket money and get some instant cash.
The best part is, you don’t even have to buy the products. You can just help people sell their stuff and make some cash while doing it.
Video Editor
Since YouTube has become such a relevant platform for marketing, the need for video editors has also increased. As a video editor, you may get hired by a company’s marketing team. Since YouTube by itself is also a common career choice, Youtubers may also hire you directly, to help edit videos.
Animator
Animation is a great way of making content stand out. Though this job isn’t as common as graphic designing or video editing, animators can also join companies as part of the marketing or content creation team. Animation is also a popular genre of YouTube videos. Thus you can also consider becoming an animation content creator on YouTube.
Comic Artist
Comic artists are very popular on Instagram. Some such artists have created a content calendar that allows them to schedule what to upload and when to upload their works. If you are good at drawing and making concise but memorable storylines, you may consider becoming a comic artist. You can also send your comics to newspapers or magazines. If they are interested they may hire you to send in weekly or monthly comics as a contributor.
Novelist
You may have thought that a list of online jobs would only consist of unconventional careers. However, novelists are a conventional career path that mostly requires people to work from home. If you are a good writer and have a vision for what you want to write, you may consider becoming a novelist.
E-Book Maker
There are two ways for you to generate an income online through E-books. You can either write a book yourself or make an e-book from someone else’s book. Websites such as Amazon Kindle, have clear guides on how you can create and upload e-books to earn money.
Online Course Instructor
Websites such as Coursera and Skillshare became popular during the pandemic. Rather than sit at home doing nothing, people decided they’d rather learn something new. If you are vast in a certain topic, you may consider setting up your online class. Yes, you are a beginner when it comes to doing online business, but you may have a huge experience in teaching something others are willing to pay to learn.
Make sure you have proof of your knowledge. People will only consider learning from instructors who have certified proof of their skills.
Cover Artist
If you are a good singer, you can consider becoming a cover artist on YouTube. People these days love hearing different variations of the same song. If you are musically skilled, you can earn a loyal fan base by posting covers on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok App, or other social media sites. You can also share your music as an independent artist on SoundCloud for some extra income.
Journalism
Oftentimes, newspapers scout out people with good writing skills to be contributors to their newspapers. If you are a good writer, you may consider sending a few samples to local newspapers. If they like your writing, they might make you an offer to become a contributor and write monthly articles for their paper.
Podcasting
Over the past decade, podcasts have become a popular way of consuming content. Many people find it soothing to listen to a podcast while going to work or before going to bed. Podcasts are also very easy to start. All you need is a good microphone, and a topic you are passionate about.
Page Moderator
Facebook has become a place where many businesses set up shop. For these businesses, all orders and exchanges with customers happen through Facebook. To make sure customers are dealt with smoothly, businesses hire page moderators to make sure everything on the brand’s Facebook page is going well.
Customer Service Agent
In recent times, many call centers have opted for running an online office rather than an offline one. Instead of sitting in individual cubicles at an office, call agents sit at desks in their homes. Companies provide them with proper headphones and gear so that they can accept calls while sitting at home.
Further Reading
Free Customer Service Course
Photography
Selling photographs is another way of earning money online. This process is tricky as photographs can get stolen if you are not careful. However, if you take proper precautions, you can make a decent amount of money by selling photographs online.
Research Assistant
An online research assistant job is not easy to get. However, it is possible. Some authors or educational books or research papers will hire research assistants to do background research. If you have research experience as part of your college or university degree, a research assistant may be a good career choice for you.
Taking Surveys
Surveys were a popular way for students to earn a little money even before the pandemic started. Online surveys do not pay a lot. This is not a good option if you want a career out of working online. However, if you are just looking to get a little pocket money, taking surveys is a great way to do so.
Social Media Influencer
Social media influencers are people who have a large following on social media. These people usually have a big influence on how their followers think. Because of this, brands sponsor or collaborate with influencers as a way of reaching a large audience.
For example, Instagram models. They mainly make money through sponsorships. If you have a large social media following, you may consider becoming an IG model. You can also make money on Snapchat with your short videos if you have a huge fan base there.
Script Writer
YouTube marketing has become a common way for brands to reach an audience online. Since videos are such an important part of marketing, having a good scriptwriter is also important. Companies often hire people to write scripts for videos they can post on their YouTube channels.
Making Audiobooks
This job is quite unheard of even in the online job community. However, it is a viable work option to consider if you have a clean and clear voice. By recording and uploading audiobooks online, you can make money each time someone downloads your audiobook.
Skin Trading
You can make a good amount of money by trading video game skins. The most common game for this is CS:GO. It might sound silly, but many people are making a fortune using these. You can earn common skins by simply playing the game and combining them to earn rare skins which you can sell.
You can even treat skin trading like the stock market. Purchase rare skins and then resell them when they increase in price.
Online Assignment Writer
There are thousands of students around the world who struggle with writing their assignments. You can begin your own writing business that helps students with their assignments. The best thing about this business is that it does not cost much to start. As long as you have a laptop and some good writing skills, you can open an assignment-writing business.
Vlogger
Vlogging is another great way to create a following and earn through affiliations and promotions. If you have a charismatic personality and a fun lifestyle, you can simply vlog about that to create an audience.
For example, if you enjoy traveling, then you can become a travel vlogger. Some people even create a following by simply vlogging about their lives. Famous YouTuber Casey Neistat is a prime example of this.
Online Tutor
Many students struggle to understand things they were taught in school. Private tutoring is a great way for such students to get the help they need through one on one tutoring. If you have good teaching skills, you may consider going into online tutoring to help students stay on track with their schoolwork.
Proofreader
Many online jobs consist of writing. Where there is writing, there is a need for a proofreader to ensure that written content is of a certain standard. If you have good grammar skills and a keen eye for catching mistakes, you may consider becoming a proofreader.
Digital Illustration
Like photography, it is also possible to make a living online by selling art. If you have a talent for art, you may look into selling your art online. You may also consider working as a freelance illustrator to generate an online income. Your digital illustrations and several other arts can be sold at Redbubble and some other marketplaces.
Online Therapist
Due to the pandemic, many people see their therapists online. If you have a proper license or are a freshly graduated psychology student, you may consider becoming an online therapist. These rarely require in-person sessions. And that is why online psychotherapy is really ramping up in popularity these days.
Become a Scribe
Scribes are people who document things. Many online medical platforms hire scribes to type out interactions between the patient and the doctor. If you have good typing speed, you may consider becoming a scribe.
Resume Writers
Due to the importance of first impressions, many people hire resume writers to help impress employers. Some of these writers earn a living online by helping people with their LinkedIn accounts, resumes, and cover letters. If you have a good understanding of the current job market, you can become a resume writer.
SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is marketing through SMS texts. Even if not everyone has the internet, almost everyone in the world right now has a phone. Sending texts to phones directly is a great way of assuring a message reaches the widest audience possible. Thus SMS marketers are also a current popular online job option.
Start a Shopify Store
Starting a Shopify store is another online business idea for beginners. Shopify allows you to easily create an online shop and integrate a payment gateway.
Further Reading
Free Shopify Training Course
Guest Blogging
If you have a passion for something, you can turn them into guest blogging. You post videos, photos, and your experience to someone’s blog and they pay you. There are places you can get paid to write guest posts, however, you need a good knowledge of whatever topic you are expected to write.
Ghost blogging
You might be wondering about the difference between guest blogging and ghost blogging. It is basically the same as guest blogging, except that you won’t get your acknowledgment on the post. Still, you’ll get paid.
Ghost blogging should not be confused with the blogging platform named Ghost. The Ghost platform is an open-source and paid platform that allows you to easily launch your blog. Pricing starts at $9 per month. It is a great alternative to WordPress.
Transcription
Transcription jobs require you to copy and write from one medium to another. They usually don’t require advanced skills or knowledge to perform, making it an easy way for beginners to earn online. Having a great typing speed is an advantage. Materials to transcribe could be general, legal, or medical in nature.
Website Development
You may already know how to design and develop websites but you are yet to turn into a money-making venture online. Website developers are sought-after freelancers online. And web development jobs are all over the internet. You can also take some free website development courses online and become one if you don’t already have the skill.
Online Consulting
Whether you’re a trainer, doctor, or teacher, you can promote your services via Facebook, Google+, or blog and offer consultancy through Skype, phone, or other platforms.
Paid Reviewer
Some clients can pay you to write honest reviews for the places you eat, restaurants, movies, and products you purchase. Beginners can easily employ this method to make some money while enjoying what they love. It’s important to maintain a high level of integrity and be honest with the reviews even when you are getting paid to write them. Many people online will make some decisions based on the review you write.
Mystery Shopping
Become a mystery shopper, shop on behalf of someone, and give them feedback. This may be a way of monitoring sales reps in the field or doing other investigations. Some people may find that they derive pleasure and fun doing this kind of task, and there’s nothing better than getting paid for doing what you love.
Forum Moderator
Some forums will pay you to be their moderator. You need to be knowledgeable in the forum niche to do this work. The forums requiring these services could be general sites or sites dealing in a very specific niche. You may already belong to some forums, reach out to the forum admins and ask if they will want to hire a moderator. You can also start by volunteering for a while.
Online Customer Support Agent
Big companies outsource their customer support to other people. They can pay you to receive complaints from their clients online and fix the problems. There are many companies hiring remote customer support agents and you can make use of them if you like this kind of job.
Amazon FBA Business
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) businesses utilize the Amazon supply chain, invoicing, customer support, and delivery. This allows you to climb on the shoulders of Amazon and sell your goods.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped introduce you to several online business opportunities. Now that you are aware of your options, I hope you will have no trouble taking the first steps to a flourishing online career.
Thanks for stopping by and best of luck to you on creating a successful business online. Feel free to send us a message using the comment box if you have more information on how beginners can create wealth online that is not already covered.
