8 Legitimate Ways to Make Money Online
Do you want to make money online? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to supplement your existing income with an online project. Here are eight proven ways to make money online that you may or may not have considered before.
1) Create an App
There’s a lot of money in it, and mobile apps are easier to make than ever before. But many would-be app entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. For those who do have an idea but are unsure how to go about getting it off their computer and into people’s hands, there are companies willing and able to help you create your dream app—for a price.
2) Create Web content
If you’re able to write in a way that engages people, there are lots of ways you can earn money by creating content for websites. For example, if you love Disney movies and enjoy sharing your passion with other fans, there’s an online community called MoviesMadeMe that rewards its members for writing movie reviews or articles about their favorite actors and actresses. In exchange for their work, writers can receive cash prizes or have their work read by thousands of readers.
3) Become a Freelancer
If you’re experienced in a niche skill and are able to market your own talents, becoming an online freelancer is an easy way to make extra money. Websites like oDesk offer freelancers a wide array of technical and creative jobs that can help you build up experience (and pick up some side income along the way).
4) Sell on eBay
Use your free time and sell items on eBay. Simply sign up for an account and post pictures of your stuff. Using eBay as a side business can be lucrative, but don’t expect to get rich overnight. The money you earn will vary depending on what you’re selling, where you live and how much competition there is on eBay. For a quick primer on how eBay works, check out our guide How To Use eBay To Sell Your Stuff.
5) Sell on Amazon
Selling items on Amazon can be a great way for new sellers to get started. If you have inventory, Amazon FBA is easy and cheap. But if you’re starting out with no inventory, selling as a third-party seller is a great option because you can get your foot in the door by purchasing items at wholesale prices from retailers and then reselling them on Amazon. There are also opportunities to sell advertising space on your site or in your newsletter as an affiliate marketer.
6) Search for Best Deals Online
The Internet is great for hunting down deals. That’s especially true if you know what you’re looking for. Check out sites such as FatWallet and Craigslist, which aggregate discounts from across the web. If you don’t have something specific in mind, searching a general term like discounts or coupons could bring up some money-saving results—just be sure that you read any fine print and remember that many offers expire quickly.
7) Sell items online
Why not earn some extra cash by selling items around your home you no longer need? You’ll pay a little in fees, but when someone buys something from you and takes it away, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from taking control of your consumption and turning your clutter into someone else’s treasure.
8) Promote Other People’s Projects
If you want to start making a living online, there’s one thing you have to do above everything else: make money. You might think that is as simple as building a website and slapping Google ads all over it, but it’s not that easy. Nobody pays money for vanity traffic, or visits by people who are just looking around and don’t actually buy anything on your site. You need targeted traffic—visitors with intent—if you want big ad dollars.