The best online side hustles in 2024 to earn extra income from home
MailerLite team member, Marta.
We’d all like some extra income, and one of the easiest ways to earn more is to start an online side hustle. The right one will bring in more cash while helping you learn skills and have fun.
Online tools and platforms mean it’s easier than ever to work, start businesses, market products, and find clients remotely. All you have to do is use these tools to power a side gig that suits your goals and personality.
This article contains a list of 23 online side hustles you can do from home, plus resources to help you start. We’ve also finished the article with tips about choosing the best side hustle for you. Read on to learn more!
What is an online side hustle?
An online side hustle is work you do outside of your regular job. Since you use digital tools to earn, you can do your side hustle from home, a coffee shop, the beach, or anywhere with an internet connection.
Some online side hustles are jobs where you get paid per hour or task. But many people use their side hustle to scratch an entrepreneurial itch and start a small business.
The benefit of this is that you can earn more than an equivalent job, but there’s also a higher chance of failure.
Deciding whether to get a job or start a business is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your side hustle.
The best side hustle ideas to do from home in 2024
Here is a list of the best online side hustles you can begin in 2024. We’ve included the pros and cons of each one, as well as actionable steps you can take to get started.
The side hustles are in no particular order, so scroll through to find one that suits your needs. If you need help deciding, head to the end of this article where we’ve got plenty of tips you can use to choose the best side hustle for you.
1. Sell digital products
Selling digital products involves creating, marketing and selling digital goods such as ebooks, courses, templates, graphics, or software online. It's ideal for creative individuals or experts in a particular field who can leverage their expertise to create valuable digital content.
Pros
It’s cheap to start selling digital products, you just need an idea and a way to process payments
High scalability, create your product once and sell it as many times as you want
Potential for passive income as you don’t need to create new products or fulfill services
Cons
Many niches are already very competitive
Requires marketing skills
Can be tough to build a product people will pay for
First, you need to choose a product, we’ve got a list of 77 digital product ideas that will help.
Then decide a marketing channel you will use to spread the word about your product. Common ideas include growing a social media audience, SEO, or setting up paid ads.
You can then use email marketing to nurture people who discover your product into paid customers.
Learn more about creating a successful digital products business in our case study with Notion template seller Notionway.
2. Start a newsletter
Starting a newsletter involves curating and sending regular written updates or insights via email to a subscribed audience. It’s the ideal online side gig for individuals who are passionate about a specific topic, industry, or hobby and have good writing skills.
Pros
Start for free with an email marketing platform like MailerLite
Possible to build authority in your chosen area
Many newsletter monetization options including ads, digital products, and selling services
Cons
Requires consistent content creation to retain subscribers
Building and maintaining a subscriber list can be challenging
High competition in popular topics requires a distinct voice or unique content
Start by deciding on a topic you want to write about and then ask people you know if they would like to receive your newsletter. You can then sign up for an email marketing platform like MailerLite and start writing and sending your newsletter.
The next step is building your subscriber list, which you can do by creating signup landing pages and promoting them on your social media channels or your website.
3. Start a paid newsletter
Paid newsletters are like regular newsletters but you charge people to access your content. It's a great model for writers, industry experts, or influencers with a loyal following. Paid newsletters can be lucrative side hustles to do from home if you find an audience willing to buy your content.
Pros
The recurring revenue model brings earning consistency and has the potential for high income
Creates a direct connection with your audience
Requires fewer subscribers to monetize than ad-based monetization models
Cons
Need to deliver high-quality content consistently
Building a subscriber base takes time
Subscription fatigue means it can be hard to convince people to pay for your newsletter
First, think of an idea for your paid newsletter. Consider the expertise you have that people will pay for. Then sign up for an email marketing platform to send your newsletter and collect payments.
You’ll also need a plan for generating subscribers. Typically side hustlers find success with growing an audience on social media, using paid ads, or by getting people to sign up for a free newsletter. You can then convert these people into paid subscribers.
Find out more about creating a paid newsletter subscription and getting set up with MailerLite here.
4. Become a social media influencer
Content creators use social media platforms to create and share engaging content and build an audience. Once they’ve built the audience, they can monetize it through sponsorships, ads, or affiliate marketing.
Growing a social media audience will also help with many of the side hustles on this list. For example, it’s far easier to sell digital products, freelance services, or paid newsletter subscriptions if you have an existing audience to promote your idea to.
Pros
Easy and free to start, just create an account on your chosen social platform
Diverse monetization options
Creative freedom and potential to post about topics you enjoy
Cons
Algorithm changes affect visibility
Platform dependency. Social sites like Facebook and Instagram can delete your page at any moment. Building an email list can reduce this by giving you a direct connection with your audience
Lots of competition in some niches from other content creators
First, think about what you want to talk about and then choose a platform that suits your skills and content type.
The great thing about social media is that there are sites for every type of content. There’s TikTok and YouTube for videos, Instagram for images, Threads or Twitter for text, or LinkedIn if you have a professional audience.
Next, look at the type of content and growth strategies that work on your chosen platform and start to follow these best practices.
5. Become an online tutor
Online tutoring involves providing educational support or instruction to students remotely via video calls or online platforms. It's a suitable side hustle for English teachers, educators or anyone with expertise in a particular field that people are willing to pay to learn.
Pros
Flexible schedule and the ability to work from anywhere
Wide audience reach can help with generating clients
Existing platforms can help you find students
Cons
Need for subject matter expertise
Competition from established tutoring services
Difficulty of standing out in competitive niches
There are 2 main paths when getting started as an online tutor. First is going it alone and building up a list of students independently. If you choose this option, you’ll take care of marketing, collecting payments, and running the classes.
The second path is to use a service like Preply or iTalki to advertise your services and get access to the platform’s audience. The downside is that these platforms take a percentage of your earnings as a commission.
6. Sell homemade goods on Etsy
Etsy is an e-commerce platform specializing in handmade, vintage, and unique goods. It's an ideal online side job for artisans, crafters, or vintage collectors looking to sell their creations to a niche audience.
Pros
Targeted audience of buyers looking for products like yours
Built-in marketplace and selling tools
Crafting and creating products to sell can be enjoyable
Cons
Listing and transaction fees
Competition within niche markets
Hard to scale sales if you make products yourself
First, you need to decide what to sell. Look at your existing skills or scope out the market for products that are already performing well and use these as inspiration. Next, follow the simple steps to set up your Etsy store and add your products.
When you start you likely won’t get much traffic, but sharing your store with your network can help you get your initial sales and reviews. This could provide the boost you need to start gaining visibility on the platform.
7. Create videos for the Amazon Influencer Program
There are many ways to earn on Amazon, the first we’ll look at is the brand’s influencer program. Participants of this program create video reviews for Amazon products and then earn a commission when someone buys the product after watching the review.
Pros
Easy online side hustle to start, just review products you’ve already bought from Amazon
Automatic distribution from the Amazon algorithm
Potential for videos you create to earn for a long time
Cons
Need to buy products to review
The Amazon algorithm controls whether people see your content
Need to be comfortable in front of the camera
The first step is signing up for the Amazon Influencer Program. During this process, you create a storefront to display your reviews.
Then you can start creating the content. The great thing about the Amazon Influencer Program is that the videos don’t need to be that well produced and you can start with items you’ve already bought from Amazon.
If your content is chosen, it will also be displayed across the Amazon site, increasing your earnings potential.
8. Self-publish books with Amazon KDP
Self-publishing through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows authors to publish and sell their books online. It's the perfect online hustle for aspiring authors seeking full creative control and higher royalties.
Pros
Control over the publishing process and no need to get a book contract
Higher royalties compared to traditional publishing
Sell globally as soon as you publish your book
Cons
You need to do your own marketing and promotion
It’s hard to create a quality product if you lack editing and publishing experience
Lack of traditional publishing support and resources
The first step is the hardest: Writing a good book! Once you’ve done this it’s easy to upload and publish your book on Kindle and print formats.
The next step is getting sales. Consider promoting the book to your audience and optimizing the product description to include keywords people are searching for.
If you don’t have an audience, start building one while you’re writing the book. Many authors find success by sending an email newsletter with MailerLite. Here are some of their best tips for selling books via email.
Once you have your first sales, ask people you know who bought the book to leave a review to push your listing up the Amazon algorithm.
9. Sell on Amazon
Becoming a seller on Amazon involves listing and selling products on the Amazon marketplace. It’s an easy way to start an e-commerce store as you can access Amazon’s existing audience and the e-commerce giant has plenty of tools to help you sell.
You can even use Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) to send out orders with almost zero effort on your behalf. Just ship your products to the Amazon warehouse and the company will fulfill orders as they come in.
Pros
Access to a massive customer base
Fulfilled by Amazon simplifies order fulfillment
Tools for payments, product discovery and more
Cons
Competition from other sellers
Fees and commissions
Potential for account suspensions or policy changes
Starting this side job from home is as simple as choosing a product or product type to sell, setting up your store, and creating product listings.
Amazon has tons of tools to help you start, including Product Opportunity Explorer, a free tool for sellers that uses customer data to help you find profitable products and optimize your listings.
10. Sell on eBay
eBay is an online marketplace where individuals and businesses can buy and sell almost anything. It's the ideal online side hustle for sellers looking to reach a large audience and sell both new and used items.
One of the biggest differences between selling on eBay and Amazon is that on eBay each listing can appear in the search results, whereas secondary listings for a product on Amazon are hidden in the “New & Used” section. This can make it easier to get visibility on eBay if you’re a new seller.
Pros
Wide audience of potential buyers
Easy listing process
Sell via auction or fixed price
Cons
Listing fees
Competition from other sellers
Need for effective product descriptions and photos
One of the best things about eBay for new sellers is its strong used market. It’s possible to look around your home for products you no longer use and then sell them on eBay. You can also use the brand’s research tool Terapeak to discover opportunities.
Once you’ve found products, sign up for an account and create your listings. You won’t have any reviews when you start but you can still compete by offering lower prices or promoting your listings to people in your network who already trust you.
11. Become a virtual assistant (VA)
A virtual assistant provides administrative, technical, or creative support to clients remotely. Tasks can include email management, scheduling, social media management, and more. It's suitable for individuals with strong organizational and communication skills who enjoy working independently.
Pros
Potential for flexible work hours
Wide range of tasks and industries
Long-term client relationships
Cons
Dependence on client workload
Initial challenges in building a client base
Can be hard to increase your earnings
There are 2 main ways to become a VA. First is by advertising your services as a freelancer and getting your own clients. Freelance marketplaces like Upwork are a good place to start and promote your services.
If you choose this route, you’ll also need to decide what type of services you’ll offer. You may be able to charge a higher rate if you can offer a more specialized service that you have experience in.
The second route is to apply for VA jobs like you would any other job. Search on job sites like Indeed to find companies who are hiring.
12. Offer freelance services
Freelancing is when you offer services to clients. Common services to offer as a freelancer include writing, graphic design, website design, digital marketing, proofreading, bookkeeping, or programming.
You’ll typically work on a per-project brief with the contract ending once the work is done. It's a great side online hustle for people with marketable skills who want to use them to earn more outside of their regular work.
Pros
Flexibility in how much work you do
Diverse range of earning opportunities
Potential for high earnings if you have experience
Cons
Inconsistent income
Need for continual self-promotion and pitching
Hard to scale as you’re selling time for money
Consider whether you have any skills that it would make sense to offer as a service. Often these will be the same things you do in your day job, although it doesn’t have to be.
You then need to find clients. The easiest way is to sign up for a freelance marketplace like Upwork. Asking in your network for referrals is another common way to get clients, especially if you have a good reputation for the service you are planning to offer.
13. Start an agency
If you like the idea of freelancing but have skills in areas such as management or sales rather than service fulfillment, you could create an agency side hustle.
Like freelancing you’ll still have to decide on a service to offer, the difference being that you’ll pay others to fulfill the work for you while you focus on getting customers.
Pros
Good option if you don’t have skills that suit freelancing
Possible to scale into a full time time business if you are good at time and people management
Potential for high earnings
Cons
Can be time-consuming which can be problematic if balancing around another job
Inconsistent earnings as you’re reliant on attracting clients
You need to keep a team of freelancers or employees happy
The biggest challenges are finding both clients and people to fulfill the work. Freelancing sites like Upwork can help with finding both. Growing your presence on LinkedIn is another good way to find potential clients.
14. Start a dropshipping e-commerce store
Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it automatically purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer.
It's suitable for entrepreneurs looking to start an e-commerce business with minimal upfront investment, especially those with marketing skills, as your ability to generate customers is the main factor that will define your success.
Pros
Low startup costs, just create a website and start promoting products
No need for inventory management
Wide range of products to sell
Cons
Thin profit margins make staying profitable tough
Reliance on suppliers and shipping times
Customer service challenges for returns and refunds
When starting you need to decide which products to sell and the marketing channel you will use to generate sales. This could be social ads, SEO, or advertising to your audience.
You can then create a website to sell your product. Platforms like Shopify make this easy. One of the biggest challenges for e-commerce stores is generating repeat customers. E-commerce email marketing can help by allowing you to promote your store to people who have bought from you.
15. Create no-code apps
Creating no-code apps involves using platforms that allow users to build software applications without the need for traditional coding skills. This is ideal for entrepreneurs, business owners, or individuals who have an idea for an app but lack the programming skills to create it.
Pros
Enables non-technical people to create custom apps
App subscription revenue can be extremely profitable
Learn new tech skills that can help with your day job
Cons
Dependence on the capabilities and limitations of no-code platforms
Cost uncertainty if the platform pricing changes or business scales
While typically easier than coding, there’s still a learning curve to no-code platforms
16. Become a pet sitter or dog walker
Pet sitting and dog walking involve caring for pets while their owners are unable to do so. It's perfect for animal lovers with a flexible schedule and the ability to handle pets responsibly. While the actual walking or sitting doesn’t take place online, it’s possible to grow your business with online tools.
Pros
You get to spend time with animals!
Flexibility in scheduling and the potential for repeat business
Existing platforms make it easy to start
Cons
Physical demands of dog walking
Inconsistent income
Responsibility for the well-being of other people's pets
The main part of this side hustle, other than actually looking after pets, is finding clients. Consider asking people in your network or posting on social media to spread the word about your new business. Starting with people you know can be the easiest way to get work as these people are likely to trust you.
Another option to create a profile on a service like Rover. People in your area looking for a pet sitter may then search for your services and hire you. The benefit of this is that you won’t have to do any active promotion.
17. Create a YouTube channel
Starting a YouTube channel involves creating video content and publishing it on YouTube. It's ideal for charismatic individuals who enjoy being on camera or have a specific expertise or passion they want to share.
Once you start getting views and subscribers, you can monetize the channel through YouTube’s native ads service, creating sponsored content, selling products, offering freelance services, or creating and selling digital or physical products.
Pros
Opportunity to reach a global audience
Various revenue options like ad earnings, sponsorships, and merchandise sales
Creative freedom in content production
Cons
Requires consistent content creation
High competition among content creators
Time-consuming video production and editing process
Starting a YouTube is simple: Create videos, upload them to the platform, and share them to your network.
Being successful is a little harder. You’ll need to:
Know how to create engaging content
Consistently publish videos over weeks, months or longer
Know the type of content that works on the platform
If you find success, you need to work out how to monetize your content. Use YouTube’s native ad platform or look at the other options on this list for ideas.
18. Become an affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where individuals earn a commission by promoting the products or services of other companies. It's suitable for those with strong marketing skills who can effectively promote products to their audience.
Pros
Potential for high earnings if you choose the right products
No need to create or manage stock
Flexibility in promotion strategies
Cons
Need for audience building and trust
Dependence on affiliate program policies which can change at any moment
Fluctuating income based on sales performance
First, choose a product. There are affiliate programs for pretty much every product—Amazon is one of the most popular—but remember that some product types offer far higher commissions than others. VPNs, website hosting, and supplements typically offer high, recurring commissions.
The hardest part is getting your affiliate links in front of others. Creating a blog and generating traffic with SEO is a popular way to start, although this can be time-consuming and competitive.
Other options include promoting products on social media, using paid ads, or writing posts on websites with an existing audience and including your affiliate links. To learn more, read our article on affiliate marketing tips.
19. Create an online course
Creating and selling online courses involves turning your knowledge or skills into structured learning materials delivered through an online platform. It's ideal for subject matter experts or educators looking to monetize their expertise and reach a wide audience.
Pros
Scalable income potential as you can create once and sell repeatedly
Flexibility in course creation and delivery
Ability to help others learn and grow
Cons
Need for course planning and content creation
Competition from other online courses
Requirement for marketing and promotion efforts
First, think of a subject you will teach. You can stand out by teaching a specific topic that you have expertise in.
For example, an email marketing expert could teach email marketing for a specific business type rather than general email marketing. Alternatively, look for new products or skills that people haven’t already built online courses around.
Then it’s a case of deciding how you will host, promote, and sell your course. Our article on how to create an online course has all you need to start. You can also learn from successful online course creators in our case studies with Buildcamp and 100DaysofNoCode.
20. Start a podcast
Podcasting involves creating and publishing audio content on a regular basis. It's perfect for individuals who are passionate about a particular subject and skilled in communication and storytelling. While it can be hard to grow an audience, the audience you do grow will often keep listening to you for the long term.
Pros
Creativity freedom in content creation
Ability to build a loyal audience and generate authority in your industry
Potential for monetization through sponsorships and ads
Cons
Time-consuming production and editing process
Need for consistent content delivery
No built-in growth mechanism
Starting a podcast can be as simple or professional as you’d like. You could grab a friend and start talking impromptu into your phone’s recording app, or you could set up expensive microphones and plan and edit each episode to perfection.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to upload the episodes to a podcast hosting platform and then list the podcast in the main podcast directories so people can find them.
Getting listeners can be exceptionally hard, as podcasting doesn’t have a built-in growth mechanism. Get around this by posting your podcast to platforms that do have an existing audience, such as YouTube or social media.
You can also create an email newsletter to promote your podcast each week.
21. Start a blog
Blogging involves creating and publishing written content on a blog platform on topics of interest to a target audience. It's perfect for individuals passionate about a particular subject who enjoy writing and sharing their thoughts and expertise.
Pros
Can be a fun creative outlet that grows your authority
Potential to earn money through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing
Ability for bloggers to build a loyal readership
Cons
Need for consistent content creation
Time investment in building audience and traffic
Competition in the blogging space
The key thing to decide is what platform you will write your blog on, as each one has different distribution and monetization options.
You could create your own website and try to get traffic from Google or social media. Or you could publish articles on Medium or LinkedIn to access their built-in audience. Whichever option you choose, consider growing your email list so you can promote each new article to an existing audience.
Common ways to monetize a blog audience include charging a subscription, showing ads, promoting affiliate links, offering freelance services to readers, promoting a course, or selling digital products.
22. Test products online
Testing apps and websites involves reviewing and providing feedback on their functionality, usability, and overall user experience. This side gig is suitable for those who have a keen eye for detail and want a part-time side hustle with little commitment.
Pros
Flexible work hours and the ability to work from home
No special qualifications required beyond basic tech proficiency
Opportunity to see and use new products before they are widely available
Cons
Pay per test can be low
Work availability can be inconsistent and unpredictable
Certain demographics may get more test requests than others
Starting is as simple as signing up for testing platforms and applying to become a tester. UserTesting, Swagbucks or Survey Junkie are popular platforms that let you take online surveys, record screen tests and have market research conversations.
23. Create an online community
Creating an online community involves building a group of individuals who share common interests, goals, or values. This can be done through social media or dedicated online platforms. It’s ideal for individuals passionate about a particular topic who want to facilitate connections and share knowledge among like-minded people.
Pros
Opportunity to establish leadership and authority in a niche
Builds meaningful relationships and networks
Potential monetization through memberships, sponsorships, or exclusive content
Cons
Hard to get traction in the early stages of community growth
Communities can lose value if they grow too large
Moderating a community can be time-consuming
Once you have an idea for a community, you need to start recruiting members. Do this by reaching out to people you’d like to have in your community or by promoting the community to your audience.
You’ll also need to choose a community platform. Free options include Slack, Discord or Facebook Groups, while paid options like Circle or Mighty Networks have features not offered by free tools.
How to pick the right online side hustle (step-by-step guide)
Finding side hustle success means picking one that suits your lifestyle and pushes you towards your goals. That’s how you can ensure you’ll be happy to spend your spare time on a side gig once your regular work is done.
Here are some of the key points to consider when choosing a side hustle.
1. Think of your goals
People start side hustles for many reasons, but here are 4 of the most common. Choose the one that resonates the most and then look for a side hustle that meets this target.
Earn extra money
If you want to earn extra cash, the best side hustle will typically be a paid job. This could be using your existing skills to freelance, or taking an online job that is paid per hour.
The benefit of a side job is that you’ll get guaranteed income, although like a regular job, you’ll be limited in the amount you earn by the amount of time you put in.
Start a business
Many people start businesses as their hustle. The benefit of this is that you can scale the business and may be able to go full-time.
Grow your expertise
Some side hustles like blogging or starting a podcast complement your day job by helping you grow expertise in your industry. They may not be the most lucrative way to earn extra money, but the extra authority you build can benefit your career.
Have fun
Sometimes you just want to do something because it’s fun. This could be posting on social media about a topic you enjoy or learning new skills by creating apps and products.
Having fun is especially important when you consider that you’ll be spending time outside your working hours on the side hustle. If you don’t find the activity enjoyable, the temptation of switching to Netflix or scrolling TikTok will become far more attractive.
2. Consider your skill set
Your skill set also plays a big part in how you make money online. Think about the things you’re good at and choose a complementary side hustle.
You could also choose a side hustle based on the skills you want to learn. For example, if you want to learn web design, take some courses on the topic and offer your services once you’ve gained the required level of expertise.
3. Think how much time you can offer
Different side hustles require vastly different time investments. Testing products or pet sitting can be done in just an hour or two a week, while starting a YouTube channel or a community could end up like a full-time job depending on how committed you are.
Be aware that the time commitment of some side hustles can quickly spiral. For example, when running an agency or freelancing, you may start working just a couple of hours a week, but client demands could see this increase quickly.
4. Research competition
One of the best ways to start a side hustle is to look at what is already in high demand and base your efforts around this. For example, a writer could look at the fact that there are many successful freelance writers and see that it’s likely to be an area where they could find work.
If you can’t see anyone doing what you want to do, it could be a sign that it isn’t a skill or service that people are after. On the other hand, it could also be a big opportunity to stand out!
5. Choose the best advertising channel
Getting people to discover your side project is one of the hardest parts of being successful. This makes marketing and sales skills especially important.
Here are some channels to explore.
Your existing network
If you just need a small number of clients to have a successful side hustle, you can promote your gig to your existing network.
For example, a successful professional may be able to offer freelancing services to people they know. Or a dog owner may be able to reach out to pet-owning friends to offer pet-sitting services.
Once you have happy clients, you can ask people to refer you to others they know.
Social media
We’ve included growing an audience on social media, as an example of a side hustle, but it’s also an effective way to make other side hustles work.
The simple reason is that once you have an audience, you can promote your business to these people without paying for the reach. The key is to choose an audience and a side hustle that match.
For example, if you have a large professional network on LinkedIn, offering freelance services or creating a course could be a good option. Or if you have an Instagram account dedicated to running, you could promote a community or sell running merchandise.
Search engines
Creating a website and optimizing it for search engines can be a powerful distribution channel. The downside is that it can take a long time to pay off and competition in many niches is extremely tough. But if you can make it work, you’ll get targeted traffic visiting your website every day without paying a cent in advertising fees.
Newsletters
Email is a marketing channel that is complementary to the other channels we’ve mentioned.
While they don’t help with awareness, email marketing lets you communicate with potential customers which is an effective way to generate sales further down the line.
And once you’ve generated sales, you can also use email marketing to target customers and bring in repeat sales.
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Use built-in distribution
Many side hustles have platforms that will help you get clients. This can help if you are a beginner in your field without an audience or network.
Examples of platforms that will help you find an audience include Upwork and Fiverr for freelancing, Rover for dog sitting, Amazon for product selling, or UserTesting for testing products.
Which side hustle will you choose?
Now you know both the best side hustles to choose and tips for being successful. The next step is jumping in to start.
Use the steps mentioned above to choose a side hustle that meets your goals and then start working towards them!
