23 Effective Ways To Make Money Online (2024)

Are you dreaming of building your own business, or simply looking for ideas to make extra money on the side? 

With ecommerce advancing before our eyes, there are more ways than ever to make money on the web. Whether you’re selling your used clothes on a marketplace, creating merch for your TikTok shop, or turning your hobby into an online business, there are tools to help.

And if you don’t yet have an idea in mind, this list will spark ideas for making money online—no matter your skill level. Ahead, explore 23 creative money-making ideas, including everything from side hustles and passive income websites to advanced business models.

How to make money online

1. Sell print-on-demand products
2. Monetize a blog
3. Sell digital products
4. Become a reseller
5. Try affiliate marketing
6. Become an influencer
7. Offer transcription services
8. Sell photos online
9. Create and sell handmade or custom products
10. Write and sell books or ebooks
11. Start a dropshipping business
12. Sell services or consultancy
13. Create online courses and workshops
14. Monetize a YouTube channel
15. Livestream on Twitch (or other platforms)
16. Become a social media consultant
17. Start a podcast
18. Sell products through online marketplaces
19. Develop and sell a unique product
20. Become an online tutor
21. Become an Airbnb host
22. Narrate audiobooks
23. Make a subscription box

1. Sell print-on-demand products

Print on demand is a popular online business model that’s used by both individual sellers and large online brands. It lets you customize white-label products with original designs and sell them to customers, without needing to buy or hold inventory yourself. 

When a customer purchases one of your items, a print-on-demand company will print your design onto the product, package the order, and ship it to the customer. Common print-on-demand products include t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and fan merch—but it’s also possible to add designs to unique items if you can find the right supplier. 

Best for

If you want to test your ability to make money online, printing products on demand is a low-risk, low-investment way to get started. Print on demand is also a go-to model for influencers, artists, and brands selling merch.

Effort level

If you’re able to produce designs, it’s easy to start a print-on-demand store.

How to start

2. Monetize a blog

Running a blog isn’t just about sharing your knowledge or experiences; it’s also a proven way to earn online. Whether it’s through ad revenue, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or direct product sales, a monetized blog can become a significant income source.

Best for

Great for writers, cultural commentators, or anyone with expertise to share with a niche audience.

Effort level

A regular publishing schedule is key to growing a successful blog and requires a sustained, ongoing effort.

How to start

• Choose a blogging platform that supports monetization.
• Select a niche you are passionate about and can consistently write on, offering unique insights and value.
• Regularly create and post engaging content to build a loyal audience.
• Implement SEO strategies to increase organic traffic to your blog.

3. Sell digital products

Selling digital products is a great way to earn cash online with minimal ongoing effort. These products range from ebooks and templates to music samples and online courses, all deliverable via download or secure portal access.

Like print-on-demand products and blogging, digital products can become part of a multi-revenue stream business. For example, you might start a food blog before collecting the recipes you’ve shared into an ebook, and selling branded merch to support its launch.

Best for

From musicians to educators, digital products are ideal for creators and experts who want to monetize their skills and knowledge.

Effort level

Digital products are highly scalable. Once created, there’s no limit to how many times you can sell a digital item.

How to start

• Create a store where customers can buy and access your digital content.
• Create your art, music, courses, templates, or other digital items. If your products include licensed material, ensure you comply with any laws.
• Use social media and content marketing to drive traffic to your store.

4. Become a reseller 

Reselling products online is a straightforward way to earn money. This can involve anything from flipping vintage items to becoming a distributor for a well-known brand. You can also curate a selection of products from various brands to sell through your ecommerce store.

Best for

Ideal for entrepreneurs who want to start an ecommerce business quickly without developing products.

Effort level

While you won’t need to create products, running a reselling business does mean handling inventory, which can be time-consuming.

How to start

• Decide on the type of products you want to resell. Consider markets you are familiar with or have a passion for.
• Source products from wholesalers or private sellers.
• Connect with interested shoppers on marketplaces or by creating a store.

5. Try affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a tried-and-tested way to earn online income by promoting other brands’ products. As an affiliate, you earn a commission each time someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase. Effective content marketing can significantly boost the performance of your affiliate links.

Best for

Affiliate marketing is a convenient business model for content creators, bloggers, and social media influencers with an established audience looking to monetize their reach.

Effort level

Building a loyal online audience is a challenge for any creator. But once your content is receiving traffic, maintenance is very low with affiliate marketing.

How to start

• Apply for affiliate programs that are relevant to your niche.
• Integrate your affiliate links with your content.
• Ensure transparency with your audience by disclosing affiliate relationships.

6. Become an influencer

Influencer marketing is a dynamic field where you don’t necessarily need a huge following to secure lucrative brand deals. From an earning perspective, being a successful influencer is all about knowing how to engage with a valuable group of potential customers. For example, brands value influencers like Amanda Rach Lee, not just for their large followings, but for their ability to engage and influence future buyers.

Best for

Ideal for aspiring creators who can consistently produce engaging content and want to leverage their influence over a dedicated audience.

Effort level

Being an influencer is a full-time job. You’ll need to maintain and grow an engaged audience by continuously creating content and exploring new channels like Patreon and Twitch.

How to start

7. Offer transcription services

Transcribers convert live or recorded speech into a written document. Transcription services are in high demand among professionals like journalists, doctors, and lawyers who need accurate records of their audio communications. If you’re a fast typer or a person with multilingual skills, this can be a natural way to convert your abilities into online cash.

Best for

If you have fast typing skills and excellent listening abilities, transcription is a flexible, work-from-home opportunity.

Effort level

While transcription is a straightforward task, it requires skill and experience to become an expert transcriber. You may also need to invest in a specialist keyboard and tools.

How to start

• Develop your typing and listening skills to ensure high-quality transcription.
• Register on platforms that connect transcribers with clients, such as Rev or TranscribeMe.

8. Sell photos online

Whether you’re shooting on the newest iPhone or the latest Canon DSLR, you can sell photos online as a photographer. One of the best money-making ideas for creatives, selling photos in your spare time is easy to start if you already have a body of work.

Partner with a local printer to print your photos on specialty paper or other materials, or invest in a high-quality home printer. You can ship and sell numbered and signed versions of your photos directly to customers through your website.

Best for

Photographers and photography enthusiasts eager to transform their hobby into a profitable online business.

Effort level

Anyone can build a portfolio and set up an online presence. But making it as a popular photographer is a long and difficult journey.

How to start

• Curate a strong portfolio that showcases your best work.
• Build awareness for your brand by growing your following on social media.
• Consider offering physical prints and licensing photos to stock sites.

9. Create and sell handmade or custom products

You’re already an expert at your craft, so why not sell your work? Making products by hand is a great way to turn a passion into a business. Hand-making goods gives you full control over product development and quality, but can be time-consuming. To attract interest, consider allowing customers to customize orders to their specifications.

Best for

Ideal for makers, crafters, and hobbyists—as well as entrepreneurs who partner with craftspeople to build a business.

Effort level

Running a successful online craft business requires significant effort, but can be simplified with the right selling tools.

How to start

• Research your target market to develop products that meet a market need.
• Hone your brand story to differentiate your products from competitors.
• Create an online store that promotes a strong brand identity.

10. Write and sell books or ebooks

In the same way that you can monetize your expertise with an online course or your influence as a YouTuber, you can also earn cash selling books or ebooks online. This approach suits a variety of formats and genres, from fiction and memoirs to self-help and instructional guides.

Best for

Best for writers, journalists, and experts in any field looking to share their knowledge or stories.

Effort level

Writing and editing a book is a high-effort activity. Once your book is published, the effort shifts to marketing your new title.

How to start

• Ensure your book idea is framed in an original way or offers a new perspective on a topic.
• Build a relationship with a publishing house or use a print-on-demand publishing service to create your book.

11. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a low-cost business model where products are shipped to customers directly from the vendor or manufacturer. This is a popular way to make money online for beginners, as there is no need to handle inventory or shipping—you’re simply responsible for making sales and supporting customers.

Best for

Dropshipping is a convenient model for anyone looking to start an online business with minimal upfront investment.

Effort level

To become a dropshipper, you need to source suppliers, build an online store, and generate customer orders.

How to start

12. Sell services or consultancy

While it may be most common to think of selling physical products online, you can also sell services and expertise. Consider selling a virtual service like online personal shopping, home décor consulting, or one-to-one personal training.

Best for

This is perfect for experts in any field who want to monetize their skills, from surf instructors to cat psychologists.

Effort level

With selling services best suited to existing practitioners, the effort required to monetize your service online is very low.

How to start

• Make it easy for customers to book appointments and schedule services by adding a booking app to your store.
• Social proof is a powerful marketing tool for service providers. Ask happy clients to write or record reviews and post them on your site.

13. Create online courses and workshops

Online courses and workshops are another form of digital product that you can create to earn income from your expertise. Selling courses online is made easier using a course platform, or via your own website. Add a digital course delivery app to your store to help you sell courses.

Best for

Online course and workshops are great for educators, experts, and those who can share their approach to a notable win (perhaps you’re an ultra runner who just completed a long race, or an illustrator whose work has appeared in major advertising campaigns, for example).

Effort level

Content creation for an online course can be an intensive, months-long process. Depending on whether a course contains live elements, running your program may be low-effort.

How to start

• Perform a competitive analysis to ensure your courses offer unique value.
• Build your customer list with free samples and public content.
• Consider offering live elements like instructor office hours or exclusive Q&A sessions.

14. Monetize a YouTube channel

Top YouTube influencers like Cassey Ho, Wil Yeung, and Katie Carson all started where you are: With an idea. Each of these YouTubers built audiences through authentic content before monetizing their channels. If you want to make money online by sharing your personality and unique outlook with the world, consider starting a YouTube channel.

Best for

This is a good way for individuals passionate about creating video content and building a community around their interests.

Effort level

It takes an hour or two to start a YouTube channel. From there, growing and maintaining your audience is a continuous process.

How to start

• When you reach 1,000 subscribers, monetize your channel through YouTube’s Partner Program.
• Consider offering paid product placement in your videos or becoming a brand affiliate.

15. Livestream on Twitch (or other platforms)

While the first platform that comes to mind for livestreaming may be Twitch, a popular site for gamers and other content creators, platforms like YouTube and Instagram now offer native livestreaming. You can livestream everything from game play to recipe demos to bike tours. Hone in on a niche to build an audience around a particular interest or skill.

Best for

Livestreaming is ideal for gamers, creative content creators, and those who enjoy interacting live with an audience.

Effort level

Building and maintaining an audience requires consistent interaction. Many popular Twitch streamers are online for several hours every day.

How to start

• Choose your platform, such as Twitch for gaming or YouTube for a variety of content.
• Set up your streaming environment. Invest in a good camera, microphone, and background.
• Develop a regular streaming schedule to build a loyal audience.
• Monetize your Twitch channel by selling products using the Shopify Starter Plan.

16. Become a social media consultant

Do you jump on every new social media platform? Have a knack for spotting trends, writing great copy, or attracting audiences? As a social media consultant, you could work with brands to brainstorm creative ideas, develop a content strategy, and produce posts.

Best for

This is a good avenue for social media savvy users who have successfully built a following.

Effort level

On top of your work for clients, you’ll need to invest in networking, client management, and staying on top of the latest social media trends.

How to start

• Build a social following to demonstrate your ability.
• Set up social media accounts and a portfolio website to showcase your work.
• Become a Shopify partner to offer your skills to clients.

17. Start a podcast

By the end of 2024, the number of podcast listeners worldwide is predicted to grow to more than 500 million. This popular audio format for consuming stories, comedy, news, and opinions continues to grow. If you have a great voice, love to talk, and have a particular interest or talent to share, podcasting could be a great way to make more money.

Best for

Those who can tell a story, provoke discussion, or get a scoop from an interview participant.

Effort level

Once you have an audience, they will expect regular episodes to keep them engaged.

How to start

• Set up an account with a podcast service like Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Music.
• Once you’ve posted a few episodes, pay attention to feedback and make adjustments to your production quality.
• Monetize your podcast through sponsorship deals and in-podcast ads.

18. Sell products through online marketplaces

Online marketplaces are launch points for many now-successful brands, because they provide access to motivated consumers. For example, Etsy is a go-to source for buyers looking for handmade and vintage items, while Amazon is a global destination for product discovery and research.

Best for

Entrepreneurs looking to enter ecommerce with minimal investment in marketing should consider using marketplaces.

Effort level

With marketplaces, you can get up and running quickly because there’s less pressure to drive traffic or build a brand. 

How to start

• Check marketplace guidelines around what you can sell and acceptable use of the platform.
• Consider selling products on marketplaces as well as through your own store. Syncing inventory is easy using a Marketplace Connector.

19. Develop and sell a unique product

When you think of most direct-to-consumer brands, this is what comes to mind: original products that make meaningful improvements to well-known items. You too can develop and manufacture a unique product to sell—and make money online in the process. Consider designing a prototype for a product that solves a common problem, then finding a manufacturer to create it.

Best for

Aspiring product developers and designers might try making and selling unique products.

Effort level

It’s likely to take several months to move from design to prototype to manufacturing.

How to start

• Research manufacturers to find the right fit for your product and brand.
• Consider private label manufacturers that can customize existing base products, allowing you to go to market quickly.
• Be sure to check labeling laws in every region where you plan to sell.

20. Become an online tutor

If you are knowledgeable in subjects like biology, math, or languages, you could earn income on the side with online tutoring. With sites like TutorMe and Fiverr, you can easily make money online by finding students who need your help. Or set up a simple website and use social media and peer recommendations to drive traffic and sign-ups.

Best for

Educators and experts in specific subject areas who enjoy teaching and want to use their knowledge to earn online income.

Effort level

Developing an engaging teaching style is not easy, and often requires honing your skills and content over time. However, providing a good learning experience will help attract future students through word-of-mouth marketing.

How to start

• Register on online tutoring platforms like TutorMe or create a profile on Fiverr to offer your services.
• Alternatively, set up a website to promote your tutoring services.
• Use word-of-mouth marketing to increase your visibility and attract more students.
• Licenses or diplomas may be required by each platform and subject.

21. Become an Airbnb host

Have an unused spare bedroom, in-law suite, or carriage house? Create a cozy guest experience and invite travelers into your home. You can make good money from your investment to help you pay your mortgage, cover expenses, or even save money for the future. Make even more money by selling products to your guests. Try using QR codes throughout your rental space to sell products seen in your home (throw pillows or scented hand soap) via affiliate links. 

Best for

Airbnb and other rental solutions are best for property owners looking to earn money from their investment.

Effort level

To run a successful rental, you’ll need to invest in descriptive copy and high-quality images for your listing. A well-maintained property and attentive communication with guests will help attract positive reviews.

How to start

• Sign up for a free Airbnb account.
• Head to the Airbnb host page and follow the prompts to publish a new listing.
• Learn local laws, restrictions, and regulations for your area related to short-term rentals.
• Account for any occupancy taxes relevant to your region.
• Find out if permits are required by your area to rent out your space on a short-term basis.

22. Narrate audiobooks

Love reading and have a great speaking voice? Make money online by putting your talents and interests to use by becoming an audiobook narrator. Organization, professionalism, and meeting deadlines are important to help you build a good reputation. Try finding narration work through audiobook marketplaces like ACX, Bunny Studio, or Voices.

Best for

Narration work is great for those with strong vocal skills and a love for reading.

Effort level

Preparing, recording, and editing high-quality audio content requires the correct equipment or access to studio time.

How to start

• Develop your skills with voice training and practice reading aloud to enhance your narration technique.
• Create a professional recording setup at home with quality microphones and soundproofing.
• Register on audiobook narration platforms like ACX, Bunny Studio, or Voices to find work.
• Build a portfolio by recording samples of your narration and create a website to showcase your work.

23. Make a subscription box

A subscription business provides customers with products on a recurring basis, and can be a winning strategy for making money from home. There are two types of subscription businesses: replenishment model, where goods are delivered at intervals, and membership model, where members get access to perks or exclusive products. Subscription boxes fit into the former category.

Best for

If you’re engaged with trends and new product releases within a particular niche, subscription boxes are one way to monetize your knowledge.

Effort level

To sell subscription boxes, you’ll need to research products, curate each box, manage subscriptions, and handle logistics.

How to start

• Curate products within a category that appeal to a niche audience.
• Consider partnering with local small businesses to offer unique or luxury items.
• List your boxes on a platform that supports subscription management.

How to avoid online money-making scams

When exploring online money-making opportunities, it’s important to distinguish between legitimate ventures and potential scams. 

Legitimate ways of making money online, like selling print-on-demand products or starting a subscription box brand, involve clear business models where you provide a service or product in exchange for payment.

These business ideas require genuine effort, creativity, and persistence—but in return, offer real potential for income.

Be cautious of money-making schemes that promise large profits for minimal effort. Unlike legitimate opportunities that provide clear steps and expected outcomes, the get-rich-quick schemes often touted by influencers and online celebrities rely on overhyped promises.

A common trap is “courses” that claim to teach online income generation methods. While some educational resources are invaluable, others are designed to profit from your enthusiasm rather than provide real skills. Before investing in any online business course, scrutinize the creator’s background, seek out genuine reviews, and ensure there is transparent communication about what the course entails.

Also, be wary of ecommerce platforms that lack customer support or user feedback systems. Legitimate platforms like Shopify or Etsy offer extensive support and have large communities that allow you to get real feedback from other users.

By researching thoroughly and approaching every opportunity with a critical eye, you can safely navigate the world of online money-making. Remember, if a business model sounds too good to be true, it likely is!

How to make money online in 2024

By choosing a method that fits your skills and experience, you can start your online business today. Earn passive income by dropshipping trending products or offer your expertise as a social media consultant. Whatever idea you choose from this list, you’re on your way to putting extra cash in your pocket.