If you’re wondering how to earn some extra money, there are plenty of ways to do it online and from home. You might even be able to leverage the skills and interests you already have to build a side business.
For each potential side hustle, we list details like startup costs, age requirements, and how quickly you’ll get paid. While most people want to make money quickly, don’t underestimate “slow-paying” side hustles, as they could pay more in the long run.
Table of contents:
- 10 ways to make money online
- Watch out for scams when making money
- Frequently Asked Questions
10 Smartest Ways to Make Money Online…
1. Sell products via dropshipping
Why not jump into dropshipping and rake in some money online? Shopping systems like Shopify, Woo Commerce, and platforms like Amazon and eBay allow you to sell products without maintaining inventory. You can offer a wide range of products, from fashion to electronics to household goods and more, without investing money in purchasing and storage. When starting your drop shipping business, it’s crucial to choose products that have high demand and offer good margins.
Although competition in the online retail sector is increasing, there are still many opportunities to be successful. Using tools like our Drop shipping Bestseller Tool and our Drop shipping Supplier Lists , you can identify trends and find lucrative products from reliable suppliers.
Some dropshippers earn thousands or even hundreds of thousands of euros per month with their online stores.
Total effort: Starting your own dropshipping store takes time. The biggest initial effort is setting up an online store.
Setup: Getting a dropshipping store up and running? Yeah, that could chew up a weekend or drag on for weeks—depends if you’re a tech whiz or if you’re still figuring out what half the buttons do. Shopify? Might be a breeze. WooCommerce? Ugh, maybe grab some coffee. Basically, timelines are all over the place, so don’t trust anyone promising “done in an hour.” Unless they’re lying. Which, honestly, most of them are.
Difficulty level: With the right tools and resources, getting started can be relatively easy. Honestly? If you’re not open to picking up new stuff, good luck getting anywhere.
How quickly you get paid: Payouts depend on your sales results. If you run your own store, you can pay yourself at any time.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of a dropshipper
I started dropshipping about two years ago. It took a while to get the hang of it and get my business really off the ground. In the beginning, I had to invest a lot of time setting up my online store and finding trustworthy suppliers. Then came the challenge of finding the right products that would sell well.
It definitely wasn’t an immediate source of income, but with patience and perseverance, things started to take off. After about six months, I was generating regular income, and my business has grown steadily ever since.
I’ve learned the importance of listening to customer feedback and constantly looking for ways to improve my product range. Dropshipping offers a great way to make money, but it also requires commitment and continuous adaptation to be successful.
– Andreas Weber
2. Work as a freelancer
Earn money online on websites like Upwork , Fiverr , and Freelancer.com . You’ll find all sorts of gigs on these sites—writing, coding, designing stuff, marketing, crunching data, even handling virtual assistant tasks. Basically, a buffet of freelance options.
Are you fluent in a second language? Check out sites like Gengo or ProZ , or acquire clients through your own website.
No matter what freelance work you’re interested in, keep an eye on the current price for your services so you know what to charge.
A recent report by Freelancer.com found that creative writing job listings saw the fastest growth on its website in the second quarter of 2023, increasing by 58%. And while generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used for content creation, it can’t completely replace the work of human writers. Companies are looking for writers who know how to edit AI content and who have at least a basic understanding of search engine optimization—so learning or brushing up on SEO skills could be a lucrative side hustle. Some freelancers charge €100 per hour or more for their professional writing services.
Total Effort: It can take a while to get your first job. Clients usually want to see your previous work. The more examples you can showcase on your profile at the beginning, the faster you’ll land your first job.
Setup Time: 24-48 hours.
Difficulty Level: Easy if you have the expertise.
How quickly you get paid: Varies by site.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of a freelancer on Fiverr
On Fiverr, I earn money by offering my skills and services. I primarily offer copywriting and proofreading. This means I create or revise blog articles, product descriptions, or social media posts for clients. I also have experience creating presentations and translating texts.
The variety of services offered on Fiverr is huge, and there’s a market for almost every skill. What I particularly like about Fiverr is its flexibility. I can offer my services whenever it’s convenient for me and can also set my own rates and hours. It’s a great way to utilize my skills while working from home.
– Jessica Stroh
3. Test websites and apps
Another way to earn money from home is on sites like UserTesting.com . You get paid for your opinion on how well—or not so well—certain websites and apps perform. You have to complete a short test to be accepted, and then you get paid based on the type of test.
Total effort: The entrance test takes 15-20 minutes, and approval takes a few days.
Setup time: Less than an hour.
Difficulty level: Easy, if you have the technical equipment and complete the mock test.
So, yeah, you’ll actually have to wait about two weeks before the cash lands in your account. Not instant, sadly.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of a tester
Honestly, being a stay-at-home mom can get a little boring (and hey, bills don’t pay themselves), so I jumped into this whole tester thing—figured I might as well snag some cash without ever leaving my couch.
My job as a tester involves trying out new products or services and then sharing my honest opinion and experiences. For example, I sometimes test new household appliances, cosmetic products, or apps.
After extensively testing the product, I provide detailed feedback on its quality, usability, and other relevant aspects. This feedback is valuable to companies, helping them improve or adapt their products before they launch. The advantage of this side hustle is that I can manage my own time and don’t require any special training.
– Sophie
4. Learn how to use AI tools
The use of generative artificial intelligence is increasing. A report by Statista estimates that the global AI market will be worth approximately $1.8 billion by 2030.
So there’s no better time to learn how to make money with AI tools. Some AI-related side hustles include:
- So, here’s the deal—using AI as a freelancer is kinda like having an over-caffeinated intern who never sleeps. Whether you’re whipping up digital stuff to sell, or fixing up a client’s half-baked AI output, these tools can save your butt (or at least your time).
- Sometimes it feels like cheating, but honestly?
- It’s just smart business. Just don’t let the bots do all the work—your personal touch is what keeps things from turning into a soulless content soup.
- Improve your advertising, marketing efforts and management of your existing small business.
- To teach others how to use AI tools.
Total effort: Depends on demand. You should allow yourself a few weeks to learn how to use AI before offering your services.
Getting set up? Eh, give it a solid day or two, maybe 24 to 48 hours tops—assuming you’re rolling with something like Upwork or Freelancer.com. Those sites are pretty idiot-proof, so unless you’re cursed with dial-up internet (does that even exist anymore?), you’ll be up and running before you start questioning your life choices.
Difficulty level: Medium. Look, if you’ve messed around with AI tools before, you’ll pick this up way faster. No rocket science here. Honestly, just jump in headfirst and see what happens.
Honestly, it’s all over the place—some clients pay fast, some drag their feet, and it kinda depends on which platform you’re using and how much stuff you manage to sell.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of an AI freelancer
I earn my living with artificial intelligence. I’m a student and don’t have much programming or computer knowledge. I work primarily as a freelancer and use AI platforms to perform various tasks. For example, I offer services such as copywriting, photo editing, or developing marketing strategies.
These AI platforms have intelligent tools that help me complete these tasks efficiently and professionally, without requiring in-depth skills. I can simply contribute my ideas and creativity, and the AI tools support me in delivering professional results. The best part is that I can set my own hours and work from anywhere, as long as I have an internet connection. It’s a way for me to supplement my pocket money while gaining valuable experience in the field.
– Luca Dürr
5. Take part in paid surveys
Honestly, making cash from home by filling out online surveys?
Yeah, it’s a thing. Is it the next big side hustle?
Eh, don’t hold your breath, but hey, if you’re bored and want to make a couple of bucks while binge-watching Netflix, why not?
You won’t get rich, but maybe you’ll snag enough for your next iced coffee run. Just don’t expect to pay rent with survey money unless you live in a cardboard box.
Yeah, don’t expect to be rolling in cash or anything. Survey websites generally don’t offer high pay, and many sites pay you with gift cards instead of cash. Some of the more popular survey websites are Swag bucks and 5surveys.
Total Effort: It will take some time before you generate significant revenue from surveys.
Setup: Setup only takes a few minutes.
Difficulty Level: Very easy. Just sign up and get started.
How quickly you get paid: Varies by site. Honestly, you might get your cash anywhere from tomorrow to, like, a week and a half later—so, yeah, it’s a bit of a waiting game.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of a survey participant
Essentially, I sign up for various survey websites and platforms where companies pay people like me to share our opinions on various products, services, or even social issues. It’s pretty simple—I receive survey invitations via email or the website, and then I simply answer the questions honestly based on my own experiences and preferences. Sometimes these surveys are about new products on the market, and other times they’re about my shopping habits or even my thoughts on current events.
The amount I earn per survey can vary depending on the length and complexity, but it’s usually a few euros per survey. It may not sound like much, but it adds up over time, especially if you’re consistent and sign up for multiple survey sites. Plus, it’s something I can do in my free time, whether that’s while watching TV in the evening or during my lunch break at work. It’s certainly not a full-time job, but it’s a nice little side hustle that allows me to earn some extra cash without having to put in too much effort.
– Sara Schulze
6. Earn money through affiliate links
If you’re a blogger or have a social media channel, you could earn money by recommending other companies’ products as an affiliate. Affiliates (that is, you) get paid
So, here’s the deal: if you use my special affiliate link to check out those products or services and end up buying something, I get a little cut. It’s like a digital high-five for sending you their way.
Some bloggers earn a lot of money this way, especially those who do affiliate marketing full-time. Depending on the products you recommend, you’ll receive more or less money.
For digital products, the commission is often between 20% and 50%, while for physical products, you’ll receive between 3% and 10% of the product price.
Total effort: If you already have a high-traffic website or a social media profile with a lot of followers, it will take a few minutes. Honestly, you might be waiting ages before anyone actually starts paying attention.
Honestly, signing up for an affiliate program? Takes, like, five minutes—maybe less if you’re not distracted by cat videos or snacks. It’s really just click-click, fill out a couple forms, maybe toss in your email, and boom—you’re in. Not exactly rocket science.
Difficulty level: Easy. Making stuff all the time? Yeah, that’s a whole different beast.
How quickly you get paid: Affiliate websites typically pay you one or two months after someone purchases something through your link.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of an affiliate marketer
As an affiliate marketer, I recommend other companies’ products or services on my website or social media channels.
So, here’s the deal—if you click on my funky little affiliate link and actually buy something, I get a cut. Like, I snag a commission. That’s how it works.
It’s essentially a win-win situation—the companies get customers through my recommendations, and I earn money in the process.
To be successful, I select products or services that resonate with my audience and that I consider high-quality. Then, I organically integrate my affiliate links into my content, whether in blog posts, product reviews, or social media posts. I provide my followers with value by providing helpful information and recommendations, while also earning money through my affiliate programs.
Of course, it takes time to build a loyal following and deliver high-quality content on a regular basis, but it’s worth it for me because it allows me to passively supplement my income.
– Markus Reinhard
7. Sell products on Etsy
Are you passionate about woodworking, jewelry making, embroidery, or pottery? Sell your handmade products on Etsy , the most popular destination for artisans selling home décor, art, and knick-knacks. According to Statista, the company has 95 million active buyers and generated over $13 billion in merchandise sales in 2022.
Total effort: It can take a while for customers to find you. Setup: Can be quite time-consuming.
Difficulty level: Tends toward “hard” on the difficulty scale. Competition is fierce, and you’ll need to be handy.
How quickly you get paid: Anywhere from the next day to seven days after a sale.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of an Etsy seller
I sell handmade or custom-designed products on Etsy. These can be anything from handmade jewelry and hand-painted artwork to personalized gifts like mugs or cards. There are no limits to your creativity!
To be successful, it’s important to offer products that stand out from the crowd and have a certain charm or personal touch. I spend a lot of time developing new ideas, selecting materials, and designing or manufacturing my products. Then, I create compelling photos and descriptions for my Etsy listings to appeal to potential customers.
The key to success is also building a strong presence on Etsy and actively promoting my products, whether through social media, blogs, or even local markets and events. While it takes a lot of work, it’s incredibly satisfying to turn my passion into a profitable business while also being able to express my creativity.
– Leonie
8. Publish your own e-book
Writing a good book is difficult, but the internet makes it easy to get it to market. If you’re a writer who can produce engaging fiction or nonfiction, you can use Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing to sell your books on the Kindle Store.
Look, you can literally toss your book out into the world without dropping a single cent. Yep, totally free. No hidden fees, no sneaky charges—just hit publish and boom, it’s out there. Wild, right?
And hey, you can pocket up to 70% of whatever it sells for. Just whip up your manuscript, slap on a killer description, fill in your details, and hit upload. That’s pretty much it.
Set the price and see if it sells.
Total Effort: How fast can you type?
Setup: Quick and easy via Amazon Kindle once the book is finished.
Difficulty Level: It’s easy to get started. We don’t need to tell you that writing a book can also be challenging.
How quickly you get paid: Monthly, after you reach the €100 threshold.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of an e-book author
I publish my own e-books on various platforms, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Man, my books are all over the place—seriously, I’ve got everything from wild fiction stories to those “let’s get your life together” self-help guides, and even a bunch of nonfiction If you’re the kinda person who just lives for the raw, unfiltered truth—like, gimme the receipts, show me the data—then yeah, this is your jam.
The good thing about being part of the older generation is that I’ve read a lot of books and have already gained a lot of knowledge, which helps me a lot with my writing.
The process begins with me developing an idea for a book and then starting to write it. This can take some time, depending on the scope of the topic and how quickly I’m writing. Once the book is finished, I edit it thoroughly and always have a trusted person proofread it.
Once the book is ready, I upload it to the various platforms and take care of the cover design and descriptions. Then it’s time to promote the book and make potential readers aware of me. This can be done through social media, book blogs, newsletters, or even paid advertising.
When someone buys my book, I receive a commission from the sales. The more copies sold, the more money I earn.
– Gabriel Melo Dias
9. Earn money with advertising
Turn your cat videos into money-making videos. If your YouTube videos or blog posts attract a large audience, you may be able to monetize through advertising. YouTube requires 1,000 subscribers to apply for the YouTube Partner Program if you want to place ads on your channel. You can apply for other monetization features, like channel memberships, at 500 subscribers.
You can also use Google AdSense (the same ad platform as YouTube) to place relevant ads on your blog or website and earn money.
Total effort: It may take several weeks to get started.
Setup: Setup takes a few minutes. Simply sign up and get started.
Difficulty level: Depends on your ability to produce engaging videos.
How quickly you get paid: It may take a while to get your first payout, but after that, you’ll receive your money monthly.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of a YouTuber
On YouTube, I earn a little money through advertising in my videos. I have my own channel where I post a variety of things, from funny clips to gaming videos and product reviews.
The money comes in when people watch my videos and don’t skip the ads. Basically, the more eyeballs I get and the longer folks stick around, the fatter my wallet gets. Simple math, right? Just gotta keep ‘em watching.
To be successful, it’s important to create cool content that interests people and gets them watching. I also try to optimize my videos so they’re easy to find and reach more people.
Besides advertising, I also earn money through affiliate marketing and selling merchandise.
It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun to turn my hobby into a job and earn a little pocket money at the same time.
– Zarko
10. Offer your guest room on Airbnb
Renting out your home or spare room on vacation rental sites is another way to earn extra money. Be prepared to spend money on cleaning and maintaining the property, replacing household items, and paying fees. Before you begin, carefully review your lease and check the homeowners’ association rules and any zoning restrictions in your city.
Total effort: Success depends on demand, which in turn depends on your location.
Setup: A listing can be created and published in a few hours.
Difficulty level: If you have a space to rent, it’s a simple process.
How quickly you get paid: About one day after check-in.
Important to know
Requirements
Experiences of a landlord on Airbnb
I rent out my home through Airbnb to earn some extra income. I’ve been doing this for a while now, and it’s going quite well. Guests rent my apartment in Berlin for a few days or weeks, and in return, they get a cozy place to stay.
I moved back to my hometown in the countryside some time ago, so I occasionally drive back to the city to check that everything is clean and tidy and that guests are feeling comfortable. I make sure everything runs smoothly and that people feel at home.
Of course, there are a few rules to follow when renting here in Germany. There are certain regulations and requirements that must be adhered to, for example, regarding fire safety regulations and registration with the authorities. But if you follow them, you can earn good money while also giving others a good time.
– Monika
Watch out for scams when making money
Honestly, the internet’s crawling with ways to make a buck from your couch, but let’s be real—half of ‘em are sketchy as hell. Some are just straight-up scams in disguise. So yeah, tread carefully unless you wanna end up on some “I got ripped off online” subreddit.
Be wary of any “opportunity” that asks for an upfront payment, asks you to pay for certifications, or requests your Social Security number or financial information like your credit card number.
Still unsure whether an opportunity is legitimate? Search community forums like those on Reddit for uncensored reviews and complaints. Also, check to see if you can find reported complaints and reviews on Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I easily make money online?
Side jobs like testing websites, completing surveys, and selling your used items online require little time to set up and have few requirements.
You could totally make some extra cash on the side with affiliate marketing, or, if you’re chill with strangers in your car, just rent out your ride. Easy money, honestly.
How can I make money quickly from home?
Okay, let’s be real—you’re itching to rake in some dough from your couch, like, yesterday, huh? Sell your old clothes—yeah, the ones collecting dust in your closet—or unload that ancient iPhone nobody uses anymore.
Babysitting? Classic move, and honestly, parents are always on the hunt for someone reliable.
Got an extra room just gathering dust? Seriously, slap that thing on Airbnb. People will pay wild amounts to sleep in a stranger’s house—trust me, it’s a thing now. Before you know it, you’re raking in cash without even breaking a sweat. Seriously, it’s like money just falls into your lap while you’re chilling, scrolling through memes or whatever. Wild, right?
Easy peasy.
How can I make money right now?
It’s difficult to find jobs that pay you immediately. You can check local or online job postings for tasks like carrying sofas or painting a fence for someone in your area. If you need money immediately, consider other ways to get cash quickly. For example, you can get a pawn loan from a pawn shop if you have jewelry, instruments, or new electronics.
If If you can’t pay back your loan on time, the pawn shop just shrugs and sells your stuff—no big hit to your credit score, at least. So, yeah, your grandma’s necklace might end up in someone else’s jewelry box, but hey, your credit stays squeaky clean. Silver linings, I guess?
Ready to start working online?
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