The advent of the internet has made it possible for global interactions. There are lots of money-making opportunities online that you can harness – some of which require only a computer and an internet connection.
In a world where surfing the internet is as essential as breathing fresh air, it is now easier to trade skills and commodities for money from the comfort of your home.
The pandemic may have had its toll on businesses, but it has served as a key catalyst in growing the eCommerce industry. Due to physical restrictions, most people resorted to buying and selling online; a pattern that is now here to stay.
Earning money online isn't as complicated as it seems. In fact, you can earn good cash without investing so much of your time, money, and energy. You also get to have the luxury of a flexible work schedule and can reach a global audience with a low startup cost.
If you're interested in learning how to earn money online with little investments, this article was written just for you. Here, we will discuss some of the easiest ways to make money online without putting too much effort. Without further ado, let's dive in:
1. Website Testing and Reviewing
If you have a flair for website development, user interface, and overall usability, you can earn money by simply testing and reviewing websites.
Some of the skills required of web testers are effective communication, a strong eye for details, critical thinking, and practical knowledge of how a website should look and function.
Web testers usually get paid based on a contractual agreement. Payment rates differ, depending on the project, client budget, et cetera. There are one-time minute jobs that can earn you $10 per project and long-term jobs that can earn you thousands of dollars every month.
UserTesting, UberTesters, Testbrains, and TryMyUI are a few popular marketplaces where you can find jobs.
2. Voice Over Jobs
Most voice-over jobs are project-based, so if you're working on other projects, this can serve as an added stream of income. You don't have to worry about long-term commitments and can lend your services per time.
Many reputable companies are always in search of new voice-over artists to advertise their products and services. You can, with your talent, help these companies to create audiobooks, online TV and radio ads, tutorials, and movie trailers.
On average, voice-over talents make as much as $30 per hour in the United States. Of course, payment rates depend on the type of project you're working on.
Experienced artists get paid at a higher rate and get jobs more frequently. Some of the skills required include flexibility and dynamism, phonetic skills, a well-articulated voice,
Most voice-over artists work as freelancers and pitch their services on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
3. Complete Online Surveys
This is perhaps the easiest way to earn extra cash online. There are many companies that pay people to complete surveys online for research purposes. Surveys help these companies make plans and better-informed work decisions, like the types of products to render, the demographic to focus on, and so on.
There are a few drawbacks to online surveys, however. Surveys are often limited in scope, so not many people may be able to participate. Some online surveys only target specific demographics, like distinct age groups, gender, and occupation.
In addition, the pay is generally low, and you only get to earn money from participating in surveys over time. Some companies have a point reward policy that only rewards participants after they've reached a particular point threshold. For instance, a company could pay you $0.1 per survey, but will only allow you to cash out after earning $10.
As a result, surveys can be time-consuming as you'll have to dedicate lots of time to earn good profits. Also, some surveys take very long to complete.
However, if you're down to try this, there are many platforms like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie that rewards customers for completing surveys.
4. Play Games Online
Much like website testing, you could earn money by playing games online. The gaming industry has grown significantly over the years and is now reportedly worth over $178 billion, as of 2021. As a result, opportunities abound for users to earn money online while playing games on the internet or testing new games before they are officially released.
There are varieties of games available on the internet. For example, slot lovers can make money when they play slots online on a reputable platform, like FanDuel. Other platforms that offer real money games include Givling and Golden Hearts. You can also play Beta games before they are launched for public consumption and get paid by the gaming company.
While there are many legit sites that offer real money games, you should beware of scam sites that use these games for cybercrimes. Ensure to check for reviews and licensing before signing up to any gaming platform.
5. Mystery Shopping
This is another legit way to make money without investing too much. If you have a thing for shopping online, you can become a mystery shopper.
What do mystery shoppers do? They are employed by online retail outlets to shop at target locations and provide feedback on customer reception. Mystery shoppers keep an eye on the quality of the products they sell, customer behaviours, and other services rendered without the knowledge of the employees who work for these companies.
The beauty of this job is that it can be done remotely, depending on the nature of the job. Some mystery shoppers are simply tasked with making complaints online and monitoring the quality of the company's customer support service.
Marketplaces like BestMark, MarketForce, and Secret Shopper have many mystery shopping clients looking to hire your services.
6. Become a Content Creator/Social Media Influencer
Content creators are people who create written, audio, video or visual content for social media consumption. Influencers, on the other hand, are popular individuals on social media who post sponsored content on their platforms and get rewarded for it. TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram are some of the most popular platforms where you can earn money by creating content or becoming an influencer.
There are different types of content to create on social media; educational videos, comedy skits, Vlogs, newsletters, and so on. If your content resonates with people, you'll be able to build a large fanbase that could attract reputable brands.
Companies usually look to popular social media personalities to promote their brand and advertise their products. As a result, content creators with a large following end up becoming brand ambassadors and advertisers.
On average, content creators in the US make $87,951 annually.
7. Sell Used Items
You can make money online by selling or renting used items to buyers. Selling online can be as simple as taking a good quality picture of the item, crafting out a good product description, and listing the item on popular marketplaces.
Clothing is one commodity that sells well online. Experts predict that the used-clothing sales industry could cross $75 billion by the end of 2026. You can also sell or rent other second-hand items like cars, gadgets, and furniture that are in good shape.
EBay, Tradesy, Depop, and Rebelle are some of the most popular online platforms where you can sell your used items.
8. Sell Your School Notes
Students are not left out when making money online, and selling notes is one of the most seamless options. You can sell flashcards, modules, study guides, and well-written jottings that contain general information. Ensure that the content in your notes does not contain outdated data and is free of plagiarism.
You can sell school notes on platforms like OneClass and Nexus or list them on school forums and alumni websites.
9. Sell Digital Arts
If you're an artist, you can list your creations on different popular websites like ArtStation and DeviantArt where you can earn a chunk of your gross sales. These platforms have a community of artists you can connect with and clients looking to buy your digital art pieces.
You can also make use of juggernaut marketplaces like Facebook and Instagram to promote your art, sell them, and keep 100% of your sales. Facebook and Instagram are reported to have 2 billion and 1 billion active users as of early 2022. Lots of potential buyers right there!
You'll have to learn the art of selling on these platforms to be seen. Post your creations regularly, use target hashtags, connect with more established artists, and promote your artwork using ads.
10. Do Micro Jobs
If you're looking to make money on the side, consider applying for micro-jobs. These are short-term jobs that pay you for every task you complete. They include blog writing, data analysis, and administrative jobs.
Lots of micro jobs take less than an hour to complete which means you can make money fast and spend some time doing other productive activities. Also, you can also take on micro-jobs if you're looking to build a portfolio for bigger jobs in the future.
Upwork and Fiverr are two of the most popular marketplaces for micro-jobs.
