People are looking for the best ways to make money from home. And why not? There are real opportunities out there.
Yet, many think that they don’t have the technical skills to work from home. But in reality, some opportunities don’t even require any experience on your part.
We’re not sugarcoating anything. As proof, we wrote this guide to show you the rising demand for earn-from-home gigs, along with the practical ways of starting one.
No more long introductions. Let’s get right to it.
4 online ways to make money from home
A stable internet connection and a working laptop are all you need to earn a living online, right from the comforts of your home.
1. Freelance work
Freelance work is one of the best ways to earn money using your laptop. You provide services to clients as an independent contractor. You can work on deadline-based, short-term projects or be on a retainer that pays by the hour.
The unique advantages of freelancing are that you can set your own schedule and competitive prices.
Some of the trending freelance roles today include the following:
Content writing or copywriting
Graphic design
Social media management
Customer service
Virtual assistant services
Translation services
Most importantly, there’s a market demand for freelancers. For instance, the virtual assistant industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 34.9% from 2023 to 2030. You can do this as a side gig or even as a steady stream of full-time income.
Focus on the skills you have right now. Do you have a personal social media account that has grown thousands of followers? Do you have the writing skills to create content for potential clients? Or can you perform data entry through advanced visualizations and charts?
Build a portfolio. Collect your previous works or create samples for clients to see. You can use Canva’s portfolio builder or upload your samples to Behance for free. Some freelancers also go the extra mile of developing a personal website on WordPress or Squarespace.
Create a profile on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Look for entry-level projects first. Initially, focus on building a reputation and getting good reviews.
Earning potential: Monthly earnings depend on the niche you’re working in, along with your experience. For instance, writers can earn up to $20 per hour, while graphic designers can get clients for up to $30 per hour.
2. Online tutoring and teaching
Tutoring is one of the most traditional ways to make money online. Yet, it’s still relevant because students need tutors and teachers to help in their studies.
For instance, the online education market is expected to reach $203.81 billion in 2025. You can still generate income or extra cash through online teaching.
Pick a subject or course that you have expertise in. If your profile (educational background and credentials) matches the subject, the tutoring platform might give you more clients or students.
Create online courses and distribute them on different platforms. Developing asynchronous courses and workshops can be a profitable business if you’re good at what you do. It doesn’t have to be very scientific or technical. For example, course creation programs like Skillshare accept niche courses like “iPhone photography”.
Promote your courses on social media platforms. Get more traffic to your courses through social media posts. If you want to experiment outside of course creation platforms, you can try creating a blog or YouTube channel. Content creation can be a lucrative side hustle, especially if you get into the YouTube partner program.
Earning potential: Online tutors can earn between $15 and $50 per hour, depending on their niche and experience.
3. Sell unused items on marketplaces
Are you looking for ways to earn money with your phone? Selling unused items on online marketplaces is the way to go. You can upload photos of your unused items on Facebook Marketplace, then wait for people to inquire about them.
Declutter and categorize your items. If you have bulky items to sell online, you can pick local marketplaces for easy pickup. For small, individual items, it’s recommended to list them on shipping-friendly platforms like eBay or Poshmark.
Sometimes, it’s about the quality of the photo. Attract attention to your listing by using a clear photo, with enough lighting, and taken from multiple angles.
Avoid hassles by being honest with your descriptions. Include all details like brand, size, manufacturing date, and condition. Interested buyers appreciate it if you also list the flaws or defects in the products. This way, they know that you’re honest, and they might be more likely to trust you.
Earning potential: You can earn around $5 to $30 for used clothes and shoes. For electronic devices, you have to check their market value to know which price to set.
Make money lying in bed
Join Honeygain and collect $2 starter gift for free
Passive income apps present ways on how to make money without a degree. Even with just a few hours every week, you can earn money online easily. The key is to find legitimate websites that offer real online income and cash rewards.
Bandwidth-sharing: Apps like Honeygain allow you to earn extra money by sharing unused internet bandwidth. These online sites won’t affect your device and internet performance since you’re just sharing unused bandwidth.
Online surveys: Businesses that sell digital products (or even physical ones) rely on survey sites to gather consumer feedback. You can help provide feedback and reviews while also earning extra money on the side. Swagbucks and InboxDollars are examples of these survey platforms.
App testing: An online store can hire users to test the technical health of its own website or app. You’ll be asked to test websites, screen record your experience, and provide voice feedback. You can apply to testing platforms like UserTesting, Respondent, or PlaytestCloud.
How to get started:
Verify a site’s legitimacy before signing up. Make sure that you read their privacy policies, especially if you’re sharing data. You can also check app reviews on Google or social platforms like Reddit. Be careful of “making money scams” that will just waste your efforts and resources.
Be honest when you’re creating a profile. Detail your demographics and interests. This way, you can easily match with relevant tests or surveys.
Track your earnings. These apps require minimum cashout thresholds before you can withdraw your earnings.
Earning potential: You can earn around $20 per month when using bandwidth-sharing apps. Answering surveys might give you around $10 to $15 per task, while testing apps usually pay by the hour.
3 offline ways to make money from home
Along with having an online business, you can also make money outside of the digital fine print.
1. Baby sitting or pet sitting
Some look at it as just a hobby, but baby or pet sitting can actually generate earnings for you. For example, the pet sitting industry could reach $550 billion by 2032. Build a reputation, gain the trust of parents and pet owners, and make a profitable venture.
Platforms to use:
Specialized apps: Create a profile on Rover or Wag to apply for pet-sitting or dog-walking opportunities around your area.
General care websites: You can apply as a local caregiver for pet care, child care, and even adult care on Care.com.
Local community groups: Facebook groups in your area could be a gold mine for these localized opportunities.
Word-of-mouth referrals: Offer pet sitting or babysitting to your friends, family, or close neighbors. Request them to spread the word and refer you when the opportunity comes up.
How to get started:
Try to create accounts on different platforms. This increases the chances of getting clients. Remember to include related certifications (like CPR or first aid), along with previous experience in taking care of pets and children.
Do competitive research. How much do babysitters or pet-sitters charge? Since you’re new to the market, consider setting a lower price.
Earning potential: On average, babysitters earn $20-$30 per hour for one child. Meanwhile, taking care of pets could range from $15-$25 per hour.
2. Renting out spare bedroom or belongings
They say that it’s impossible to make money from what you have right now. Well, how about renting a spare bedroom or parking space? Or maybe you could rent out your personal vehicle.
This doesn’t cost you anything, but you can still earn on the side.
Review local regulations before you start the sales process. House space rentals could fall under local zoning laws or policies in your village’s Homeowners Association (HOA).
Be clear about your rules. Detail the dimensions of your space and include any access restrictions. For car-sharing, always ask for a valid driver’s license before renting out your vehicle.
Invest in insurance coverage. We can’t avoid unfortunate incidents or road mishaps. Make sure that you have insurance policies or that your rental or storage platform offers host guarantees.
Earning potential: Parking spaces could cost around $150-$250, while spare rooms could go for $1,200-$1,500 per month.
3. Food-related opportunities
Some people view cooking as a therapy or recreation. Combine that with digital marketing strategies, and cooking becomes one of the best ways to make extra money from home.
Of course, food delivery services are still one of the market trends. But there are also food-related opportunities you can do from home.
Platforms to use:
Local markets and fairs: Farmers’ markets, festival booths, and pop-ups could help spread the word about your product.
Community groups: Don’t underestimate the value of Facebook groups. Your neighbors might be looking for cooked meals or desserts throughout the day.
How to get started:
Review your state’s Cottage Food laws and obtain permits. It’s just that every state might have different food-selling regulations. Moreover, you should obtain the required business permits before selling.
Focus on one product at the start. Try to build a name for a single product first. This way, you can focus on improving its taste and appearance, instead of having too much stuff to work on.
Track your costs and revenue. List down your expenses, including the costs of ingredients, packaging, and delivery.
Earning potential: Baked goods could go for $15-$25 per cake or pie. Cooked meals for lunch or dinner could earn you around $5-$8 per single meal.
How to start making extra income from home?
You don’t have to get too calculated or technical. When looking for ways on how to make money from home, a simple plan like this could do:
Pick an opportunity that fits your lifestyle. As much as we want to, it’s difficult to replace your full-time job with a new side gig. That’s why you want a flexible opportunity to make money online.
Start small and grow along the way. Set realistic goals that you can achieve with your current resources and time commitment.
Create sales funnels to target specific audiences. Take advantage of social channels to create content for different pain points. This will help you promote your product or service to a wider audience.
In addition, be careful in engaging with fraudulent income websites. Protect your financial details and don’t easily give out bank account information. Consider reading scam and budgeting tips from reputable websites like Investopedia.
Key takeaways
If you know where to look, there’s no shortage of earning avenues you can pursue from home. Everything we said in this article is clear about that.
However, there are important factors you must consider to create a consistent income generator.
Pursue a hustle that matches your time, budget, and skills.
Set realistic goals that you can achieve in a given period of time.
Use what you have: spare resources and current expertise.
Protect yourself by verifying websites and safeguarding your financial details.
If you don’t know where to start, you can always earn money online through passive income apps like Honeygain. You can run these apps in the background, while you study, work, or watch. It may not translate to a full-time income, but at least you’re starting on the right foot.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if an online money making opportunity is a scam?
Do I need special equipment to work from home?
Can I make money from home while keeping my full-time job?
What are the safest apps to earn passive income from home?
