There’s a certain appeal to making money online. Typically, it doesn’t require you to dress business casual. And there’s no chaotic commute to the office… where you’re forced to sit in frigid temps under fluorescent lights. *Shudders*
Instead, making money online provides a level of flexibility, which is perfect for college students, parents, working professionals, retirees and, really, anyone.
So if you’re wondering how to make money online, you’re in the right spot. This guide will walk you through different online money-making strategies—from microtasks to full-blown side hustles—and how to avoid scams.
Key Takeaways:
- No matter your skills or experience, there are countless ways to make money online—from playing games to starting a full-fledged business.
- How much money you make largely depends on how much time you dedicate. With some gigs, your earnings will depend on having an online following.
- Scams are common, so stay cautious. Always research platforms and read reviews. Avoid anything that seems too good to be true.
- Start small, stay consistent and use trusted platforms like KashKick to explore new ways to make money online.
How to Make Money Online Right From Home
When it comes to making money online—right from the comfort of your home—start with these legitimate ideas.
1. Earn Money by Playing Games
Did you know you can earn money by playing games on your phone? (Yup—your parents were wrong. It’s not always a waste of time!)
KashKick is a free get-paid-to (GPT) platform that pays members when they complete tasks, like leveling up in a game or completing a milestone. KashKick is totally free to use, and millions of members have received payouts!
Once you sign up, find a game you want to play. Choose from what’s popular right now (think: Gardenscapes, Township and Monopoly GO), or opt for a classic (think: Solitaire, dominoes and bingo). Not sure where to start? Pick based on your mood!
KashKick is all about transparency, so once you choose the game you want to play, you can see exactly which steps you need to complete to earn rewards.
The best part is that games are constantly getting added, so you’ll never get bored. Once you earn $10, you can cash out via PayPal or for a gift card.
Requirements to get started: It takes around 1 minute to create a free account and start playing. No particular skills or experience are needed!
Earning potential: It won’t happen overnight, but if you complete all the steps, some games pay as much as $700!
👉 Sign up for KashKick for free today.
2. Participate in Paid Surveys
Penny for your thoughts? With online surveys, you can get paid to answer questions about your lifestyle and opinions.
Not sure where to start? The good news is, you already signed up for KashKick to play games. You can earn money by taking surveys there, too.
To get started, fill out your profile survey. This takes around 2 minutes, and you’ll earn $1. This initial survey helps match you to the most relevant surveys. Sometimes brands target respondents who live in certain locations or use specific services, for example.
Once complete, see which surveys are available. KashKick tells you exactly how much you could earn and approximately how long it takes to complete each survey.
Like any paid survey platform, it’s important to be patient—and realistic. You won’t be able to complete every survey you start, and paid surveys won’t make you rich. They are, however, a simple way to earn some extra money anytime online!
Requirements to get started: Simply complete your profile survey to get matched with more! No skills or prior experience are required.
Earning potential: Surveys can pay anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars. KashKick lets you know how much each survey pays before you start.
👉 See which surveys you qualify for on KashKick.
3. Download and Try Out Apps
Did you know you can get paid to try out new-to-you apps, products and services? Head to KashKick’s Deals to find dozens of brands offering sign-up bonuses. New deals are always getting added, but here are a few examples at the time of writing:
- Get $300 when you open a Chime Checking Account and receive your first direct deposit of $200+ within 30 days. This free, highly rated account comes with no overdraft fees or account minimums.
- Looking for a side gig? This one isn’t exactly online, but you can get a $75 bonus when you sign up as a DoorDash delivery driver through KashKick and complete your first delivery.
- Check your credit score for free with Credit Sesame and earn $1.50.
Although there are some that require you to sign up for a subscription or place an order (e.g., subscribe to an online therapy program or order a meal kit), there are plenty that don’t require you to spend a dime!
Requirements to get started: Sign up for KashKick, and you can immediately access these deals.
Earning potential: Bonuses range from 25 cents to $300 and are subject to change.
👉 Explore the latest KashKick deals.
4. Launch an Affiliate Marketing Business
Chances are, you’ve spotted an online article that reads something like, “This post contains affiliate links.” That means the creator or publisher behind the article makes a commission when you click through and make a purchase.
This is called affiliate marketing, and, for anyone with an audience (think: Instagram followers or newsletter subscribers), it’s a popular way to make money online. One of the most well-known affiliate programs is through Amazon.
Requirements to get started: Each affiliate program will have different requirements.
Earning potential: Your earnings are completely dependent on your niche, experience and following. Earnings could range from $0 to $1,000 or more per month, but it’s important to be realistic if you’re just getting started.
5. Become an Instagram Influencer
It seems like everyone wants to become an Instagram influencer these days. That’s because it can be a lucrative way to make money online, especially if you’ve carved out a niche and have a decent following.
Although influencing might seem like a cushy gig, it does require a good bit of hustle. Successful influencers build their own unique brands, consistently create and post content across multiple channels, and manage brand partnerships.
Requirements to get started: No specific credentials or degrees are required, but it does help to be an online person who’s tapped into the latest trends as well as a decent writer, photographer and/or videographer.
Earning potential: With influencing, there are a number of variables that impact your earnings.
6. Start a YouTube Channel
Spend a few minutes on YouTube, and you’ll see it houses a wide variety of content. Got an idea for your own channel? You can create a channel for free and start uploading videos. To monetize, look into the YouTube Partner Program, where you can earn money through ad revenue, YouTube Shopping, channel memberships and more.
Requirements to get started: To access the basic benefits of YouTube’s Partner Program, you’ll need at least 500 subscribers, three public uploads in the past 90 days, and either 3,000 valid public watch hours or 3 million public shorts views in the past 90 days.
Earning potential: Earnings—which depend on ad revenue, audience engagement, content and more—can vary from a few dollars to millions.
7. Become a Virtual Assistant
If you have strong organization and communication skills, you could make money online as a virtual assistant (VA). Virtual assistants handle different administrative tasks, like managing inboxes, bookkeeping, scheduling, booking travel, transcribing documents and more. Often, VAs can work part-time, flexible hours.
Start looking for open positions on Indeed, ZipRecruiter or LinkedIn. You can also explore opportunities on freelance marketplaces like Upwork, or there are virtual assistant companies and agencies that will match you with clients.
Requirements to get started: Although prior admin experience is ideal, it’s not required. Many virtual assistants have transferable skills, like communication, organization, tech proficiency and problem-solving. As for equipment, you’ll need a computer and steady internet connection—maybe a headset and camera for video calls, too.
Earning potential: Virtual assistants based in the U.S. make an average of $27.16 per hour. Expect this to vary by location, client, experience, responsibilities and more.
8. Take on Data Entry Tasks
Data entry can be a great work-from-home opportunity for those who enjoy repetitive, low-stress tasks without a whole lot of human interaction. Responsibilities include inputting, organizing, updating and verifying data.
To find available roles, search popular online job boards like Indeed, or head to a freelance platform like Upwork or Fiverr.
Requirements to get started: Requirements will vary by role, but typically, you’ll need a high school diploma, typing skills and be comfortable on the computer. Attention to detail, organization and time management are also important.
Earning potential: The average base salary for data entry clerks in the U.S. is $24.41 per hour, though this will vary by location, client, experience, responsibilities and more.
9. Manage Social Media for Other Businesses
If you already spend hours scrolling social media, consider managing it for a client! There are a ton of companies that hire full-time, part-time or freelance social media managers to help them create, schedule and oversee their social media accounts. You can look for opportunities on sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Upwork and Fiverr.
Requirements to get started: Show off your experience with samples of your previous work. You’ll also need to demonstrate proficiency with content creation tools, analytics platforms and social media management tools. Some roles may require a bachelor’s degree.
Earning potential: The average base salary for social media managers in the U.S. is $62,535 a year—or $23.49 an hour.
10. Offer Translation Services
If you’re fluent in at least two languages, consider a translator gig. When you’re getting started, translate sample texts, volunteer, or find entry-level jobs on Upwork or Fiverr to gain experience and build your portfolio. Like other services, it can be helpful to focus on a niche like medical, legal or marketing translation.
Requirements to get started: You must be fluent in at least two languages. Degrees aren’t always required, but certifications can help you stand out as a candidate.
Earning potential: In the U.S., the average hourly pay for translators is $26.41 an hour. Gengo is a platform for freelance translators and notes income varies by customer demand and job availability but that the average translator on their site earns $417 a month when translating to English.
11. Provide Online Consulting
If you have expertise in, well, almost anything, look into becoming an online consultant. This could include marketing, design, finance, customer care or even career.
Requirements to get started: You’ll need to demonstrate your expertise with a bachelor’s degree, certifications, real-world experience and/or testimonials.
Earning potential: The average base salary for online consultants in the U.S. is $63,216 a year. Hourly is $31.61.
12. Become a UGC Creator
User-generated content (UGC) creators create content for brands—but, unlike influencers, UGC creators typically don’t share sponsored content with their audience. Instead, they create content, like testimonials, that brands then share across their marketing channels.
Requirements to get started: You’ll want to have a portfolio that shows off your personality and ability to create videos. If you don’t have experience in the space, you can create mock content. You’ll also need a smartphone and basic video editing tools.
Earning potential: Members of Billo, which connects creators with brands, shared that creators can earn $35 for testimonials, $70 for a social media ad and $90 for an unboxing video.
13. Sell Digital Products
When it comes to making money online, there’s a lot of talk about selling physical products—but what about selling digital products? Examples include online courses, ebooks, presentation or resume templates, digital art, coloring pages and calendars. The best part about selling digital products is that after you finish creating your product, the income becomes passive!
Etsy is a popular place to sell digital products, but when pricing your items, keep in mind the listing and transaction fees.
Requirements to get started: No requirements, but it does help to have some design skills and experience with programs like Adobe Illustrator!
Earning potential: Varies by product and demand. You’ll want to price your digital products competitively, so explore similar listings.
14. Sell Handmade Crafts
Calling all crafters: Instead of stashing your creations once they’re complete, consider selling them! You don’t have to set up a booth at a local market either. You can list your items on Etsy, Shopify or even Amazon Handmade.
Requirements to get started: Check with specific platforms before listing. For example, Amazon Handmade requires submitting an application and having a professional selling plan, which typically costs $39.99 a month.
Earning potential: Varies by product and demand. Browse similar crafts to see how much they go for.
15. Sell Stock Photos and Videos
Got a good eye? You can get paid to sell your photos and videos. Stock photo sites, like Shutterstock, Getty Images and Adobe Stock, license photos to publications, brands and more. In turn, if your photo gets downloaded, you receive a cut.
Requirements to get started: Requirements vary by platform. With Shutterstock, for example, you’ll submit high-quality images and videos for expert review.
Earning potential: This varies by platform, but Shutterstock pays a commission of up to 40% each time someone downloads your image or video.
16. Start a Blog
If you love writing and blogging, you could monetize your passion through affiliate marketing and selling sponsored content. There are also opportunities to sell digital products (think: travel guides or money worksheets), physical products or services.
Requirements to get started: Identify your niche, and set up a blog through a platform like Squarespace, Wix or WordPress.
Earning potential: Your earnings will vary by niche, audience and content. Some bloggers make nothing while others might make over $100,000 a month. It’s important to be realistic with your expectations.
17. Launch a Paid Newsletter
Similar to blogging, a newsletter can be a great way to share your opinions or expertise in a specific niche. Substack has made it easy to build a newsletter, and once you gain some traction, you can turn on paid to earn money. With newsletters, you can also make money from affiliate marketing and sponsored content.
Requirements to get started: Getting started is simple and doesn’t require any special design skills. To be successful, you’ll need to be a solid writer.
Earning potential: Your earnings depend on how much you want to charge for subscriptions. Note that Substack takes 10% of each transaction, and you’ll cover credit card fees and billing fees for recurring transactions.
With dropshipping, you can sell products online—without having to worry about maintaining inventory, packing or shipping orders. The idea is that you can then focus your efforts on marketing and advertising.
18. Try Dropshipping
Requirements to get started: You’ll want to make sure you thoroughly research dropshipping before you get started. Find your niche, order product samples and iron out all the logistics.
Earning potential: Your earnings depend on your product and marketing efforts. Zendrop estimated a beginner dropshipper can make $1,000 to $2,000 monthly.
- Teach Your Native Language Online
Whatever language you speak, chances are someone in the world wants to learn it—and you can make money online by teaching them. Preply and italki are two language-learning platforms that connect tutors to learners.
Requirements to get started: You’ll need a computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection. You should also have a strong level of proficiency in the language you’re teaching, and it’s a bonus (or sometimes required) to have a teaching certification.
Earning potential: You’ll determine your hourly rate and how much you want to work. Preply noted their English tutors charge an average of $15 to $25 an hour.
Other Ways to Make Money Online
There are dozens more creative ways to earn money online, including:
- Earn cash back on your purchases: You should never order anything online before checking rewards platforms, like KashKick, for cash back offers! For example, you could get up to 2.8% back when you shop online at Walmart. Offers are always changing, so check in for the latest.
- Participate in academic research studies: Join university research participation programs, or sign up with online platforms like Respondent.
- Sell print-on-demand merchandise: Upload designs for T-shirts, mugs, totes, invites and other products to a site like Zazzle, then sit back and earn passive income.
- Offer voice-over services: Connect to a voice-over network like Voice123 and Voices to find voice-over opportunities.
- Sell stock music or sound effects: Like stock images and videos, you can also sell stock music or sound effects.
- Flip domain names or websites: Search a marketplace like Empire Flippers or Flippa to buy a website, grow its revenue, then sell it (ideally for more).
- Create and sell ebooks: One of the biggest platforms to self-publish and sell ebooks is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
- Share unused internet data: You can earn a few dollars to $20-$50 a month by sharing your unused internet data through sites like JumpTask.
- Help train AI models: Did you know you can get paid to train AI? No programming experience required. Look into platforms like Appen or Remotasks.
- Provide feedback for ads: Sometimes companies want to test-drive their ads. That’s where you can help. Give your feedback through market research platforms like UserTesting.
- Invest in mutual funds: There’s always risk when it comes to investing, but if you invest over the long term, it can pay off. Start with this beginner’s guide.
- Rent out unused computer power or storage: It might sound strange, but you can rent out your graphics processing unit (GPU) to AI and machine learning specialists, creative pros, gaming companies, and more.
- Participate in bug bounty programs: No, not insects. Bug bounty programs pay ethical hackers to find risks and vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.
- Offer gift packing services: Love wrapping gifts? Market your services online to set up a side gig!
- Plan vacations: If you are obsessed with travel, you could make money as an online travel planner. Market your services through social media or look into platforms that hire freelance advisors, like Fora.
- Sell items you no longer need: List items, like clothing, for sale online to make extra money. Sites like Poshmark, ThredUp and Depop are popular.
- Start a podcast. Got things to say? If you grow your listenership, you can monetize your podcast with ads.
- Help people get stronger. You don’t have to hit the gym to make money as a personal trainer. Offer your services online. Plenty of people love working out in their own spaces!
- Become a bookkeeper. Good with numbers? There are tons of certification programs to help you learn the bookkeeping ropes.
- Host online workshops. From arranging flowers to mastering spreadsheets, you can teach just about anything online!
- Become a medical coder. Medical coders translate medical diagnoses, procedures and more into codes for recordkeeping purposes. These online roles can require a certification.
- Sell unused gift cards. Did Aunt Jane give you a gift card you’re never going to use? You can sell it online for some extra cash.
- Design websites. If you know your way around website builders like Squarespace, people will pay you to set up their site and make it look nice!
- Go mystery shopping. Traditionally, mystery shopping occurred in stores, but did you know you can do it online, too? Start with this guide.
- Start streaming. Streamers with followings on platforms like Twitch can make money as affiliates.
- Transcribe. Like listening in on conversations? You could become an online transcriptionist. Rev says its transcriptionists earn an average of $245 a month.
- Sell vintage items. If you’ve got a good eye for fashion and/or decor, see if you can make a profit by selling your thrifting finds online.
Tips to Avoid Scams When Dealing with Money Online
When it comes to making money online, it’s important to know how to spot and avoid scams—especially in the age of AI. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you look for your next opportunity:
- Start small: When starting a new venture, start small and test your ideas.
- Research before you commit: If you’re using a new website or app, check out the latest ratings and reviews to ensure it’s legitimate.
- Avoid “too good to be true” offers: If a website or app claims you can make thousands of dollars a month with little work, chances are, it’s too good to be true.
- Use secure payment methods: Stick to PayPal or direct deposit. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards or any other forms of payment that aren’t traceable.
- Protect your personal information: Never share your Social Security number, passwords or full ID unless you’re on a verified, secure platform.
- Beware of fake job offers. If an online job asks for upfront fees, equipment purchases or training payments, that’s a big red flag!
- Trust your gut. If something feels fishy—bad grammar, vague details or aggressive sales tactics—it’s better to walk away.
Earn and Grow Your Money Online with Kashkick
Whether you want to save for the holidays, cushion your monthly budget, supplement your full-time income or simply start a side hustle for fun, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to make money online.
For something fun, make sure you give KashKick a try. The platform offers endless ways to make money—from games and surveys to cash back and deals.
