Over the past 16 years, our team has explored a wide range of online side hustles, such as blogging, creating websites, selling products online, affiliate marketing, and more. Some of these efforts even turned into full-time businesses and became primary sources of income.
With advancements in technology and new platforms, there are now endless opportunities to make money online. This has made it easier than ever to start earning extra income through side hustles.
Whether you want to save more, pay off debts, or work toward financial independence, exploring online side hustle options can help you achieve your goals. That’s why we’ve researched various online business ideas that you can try right now.
In this article, we’ll share a list of simple side hustle ideas to help you make money online.
Why Consider Online Side Hustles?
A side hustle is a part-time job or business that you do alongside your regular work. It’s a flexible way to earn extra income without needing to invest too much time.
These side jobs give you the freedom to set your own schedule, making it easier to balance them with your main responsibilities. Plus, they require minimal upfront costs and can provide a helpful boost to your finances.
Side hustles can include things like selling t-shirts, starting a blog, or even launching a podcast.
It’s a good idea to pick a side hustle that genuinely interests you. This will keep you motivated and focused, even when it’s challenging to manage after a long day.
When done right, a side hustle can become a great source of passive income and help you reach your financial goals.
With that said, let’s dive into some online side hustle ideas you can try:
1. Start a WordPress Blog
Starting a WordPress blog is one of the easiest ways to earn money as a side hustle. It requires a small upfront investment and offers flexibility, letting you work on it whenever you have free time.
Many bloggers today earn six-figure incomes with their blogs. In fact, our founder, Syed Balkhi, turned his blog into an eight-figure online business.
Once you start your blog, you can earn money in various ways, such as displaying Google AdSense ads, promoting affiliate products, or writing sponsored reviews.
Before you begin, it’s helpful to choose a specific niche. This will make it easier to target the right audience, plan your content, and build a loyal community.
2. Create a YouTube Channel
If you enjoy making videos, starting a YouTube channel could be the perfect side hustle. You can create videos on topics like cooking, tutorials, or daily vlogs.
With over 2.7 billion users, YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform in the world. It gives you the chance to reach a global audience and earn money through ads, sponsorships, and brand deals.
Keep in mind that you’ll need at least 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months and 1,000 subscribers to start earning through YouTube ads. While it may take time to grow your channel, the effort can pay off in the long run.
3. Start a Podcast
Podcasts are another great way to make money. A podcast is a series of audio or video episodes that people can stream or download online.
You can create podcasts on a wide range of topics, like news, entertainment, or hobbies. All you need is a microphone and basic recording software.
This side hustle allows flexibility since you can record and edit episodes whenever it suits you. You can earn money through sponsorships, ads, or selling related merchandise.
Focus on topics you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in. This will help you create engaging content, connect with a target audience, and eventually attract sponsors.
4. Sell Digital Products
Selling digital products like ebooks, music, or printable PDFs is a profitable side hustle because you don’t need a physical store or inventory.
Once you create a digital product, you can sell unlimited copies, which makes it a great way to earn passive income.
To start, set up a website and use tools like Easy Digital Downloads to sell your products. This platform is great for selling digital goods like WordPress software, which we’ve successfully done on our partner sites.
5. Design and Sell T-Shirts
If you’re creative, you can design and sell custom t-shirts online using platforms like Spreadshirt.
Spreadshirt lets you upload your designs, and they handle the printing, shipping, and customer service. You earn a commission for every product sold, making it a simple and hands-off way to earn money.
This is an excellent side hustle because you only need to design your products once. You don’t have to worry about managing inventory or handling customer inquiries.
6. Promote Affiliate Products
Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn extra income by promoting products or services for other companies and earning a commission.
You can join affiliate programs and promote products on your website or social media channels. This works particularly well if you already have an audience.
Make sure to promote products that are relevant to your niche and that you trust. For instance, if you run a parenting blog, it makes sense to recommend products like toys or baby gear.
7. Sell Photos Online
If you enjoy photography, selling stock photos can be a great way to make money. Businesses and individuals often need high-quality images for their projects, and you can provide them.
Upload your images to your website and allow customers to purchase them. Once uploaded, these photos can generate passive income with minimal effort.
8. Teach Online Fitness Classes
Fitness enthusiasts and instructors can earn money by offering online classes in yoga, strength training, or other workouts.
You can set your own schedule and teach students from around the world. Platforms like MemberPress make it easy to set up subscription-based classes, providing you with steady income.
9. Try Dropshipping
Dropshipping allows you to sell products without maintaining inventory. When someone places an order, you buy the product from a supplier and have it shipped directly to the customer.
This is a simple way to start an online store without a large upfront investment. However, success depends on choosing reliable suppliers and promoting high-quality products.
10. Rent Out Equipment
If you have equipment like tools, gardening gear, or appliances, you can rent them out to people in your area.
This provides a steady income stream with little effort, as you can rent out items you already own. Focus on providing good customer service to encourage repeat customers.
11. Teach Online Classes
If you have a skill or expertise, consider teaching it online. You could teach anything from cooking to social media marketing.
Online classes give you the flexibility to set your own schedule and reach students around the world. Pre-recorded lessons can also help you save time while earning money.
By creating high-quality content and using platforms like MemberPress, you can build a successful teaching side hustle.
With these ideas, you’re sure to find a side hustle that suits your interests and goals. Take the first step today and start building your online income!