How to Make Money Online in 2025: 25 Proven Ways

If you're looking for a side hustle or a new business idea for 2025, you may have thought about ways to make money online.

When you know what you're doing, making money online is pretty straightforward. You can do it full-time or part-time right from the comfort of your home.

Can I make money online?

Yes, you can make money with an online side hustle.

According to a 2024 Side Hustle Nation survey, having an online business, such as blogging, podcasting, online courses, social media, YouTube, newsletters, and affiliate marketing, or running an e-commerce business, including selling on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, as well as setting up your online store, are the most popular side hustles.

Bankrate.com wrote in 2023 that 39% of working Americans report having a side hustle. The average person makes $810 a month from that extra work. But before you get too optimistic: Only 15 percent of side hustlers make more than $1,000 a month.

Monetize Now

Is making money online fast?

You need to stay away from get-rich-quick schemes. For example, some people may recommend online business ideas that claim you can make money from home overnight.

Even though there are lots of ways to earn money online, you need to keep your wits about you, as people who promise that you can make millions of dollars in just a few days are probably trying to take advantage of you. Instead, it is important to focus on legitimate ways to make money.

Focus on what you are already good at. You have talents that a lot of other people would love to have, and you need to lean on them.

How to make money online

As we mentioned above, there are a variety of ways that you can make money online. Read on to discover 25 side hustle ideas.

Find freelance work

Freelance work is when you work for yourself and complete projects on a contract basis. Even if you take on a contract to work for a company, you are still self-employed when you are a freelancer. And there are plenty of freelance jobs online. There are plenty of freelance websites that list jobs.

Be sure to check out Upwork. They are the world's largest freelance marketplace with freelancers and clients in 180 countries. In 2023, Upwork freelancers completed jobs for more than 850,000 clients. These businesses spent $4.1 billion on Upwork.

Upwork offers a large volume of remote freelance jobs in more than 125 categories. You'll see listings for freelancers as web designers, project managers, writers, translators, digital marketers, graphic designers, and many other specialties.

FlexJobs and SolidGigs are also excellent sites for freelancers who are looking for work. In general, you will not have to worry about any scam jobs at FlexJobs. They research the jobs very thoroughly and monitor everything very closely. You can find many niche jobs on FlexJobs.

Start a YouTube channel

There are many ways to make money online with a YouTube channel. The most popular way is to add AdSense ads to your videos. Every time someone clicks on your ad, you make money.

You can also promote products in your videos on YouTube by wearing or using certain products in your videos. Add a link to your online store to get people to visit your online store and buy your items or contract with third-party companies to promote their products. Just make sure you have a compelling offer for your viewers.

Another way to make money on your YouTube channel is to create sponsored content. This way, you can make a profit by endorsing branded products or creating content marketing videos.

Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping can be a simple (and profitable) business model. You don't have to pay for storing your inventory; instead, you act as the go-between. Find suppliers online who will sell you products wholesale, then mark it up and earn a profit for yourself.

From computers and clothing to jewelry and health food, thousands of suppliers can provide you with your inventory. When you do this, you will need to have your website and/or online store of your own to market and sell the products.

Take online surveys

Believe it or not, you can make money online by taking surveys. There are online survey websites where you can take a survey in your spare time and earn gift cards or cash. Just keep in mind that some paid survey sites are better than others.

Branded surveys are one way to earn money online. They're also a favorite of many. They offer a signup bonus, competitions, a loyalty program, and competitive payouts. You can earn up to $5 of extra cash for each survey you complete.

Keep in mind that different surveys have different methods of compensation as well. Some survey programs will offer you a bonus just for signing up. Other survey programs will deposit cash into an online account for you. Some surveys will provide you with loyalty points that you can cash out for a gift card to a favorite store or restaurant.

Create a blog

Blogs are a popular money-making tool because they're easy to create and offer many routes to make money online. If you have some knowledge on a subject, you could create an online course and sell your expertise to people who come to your blog.

Or, maybe you've got a blog that specializes in a particular topic. You could sell digital products related to that topic—like guides, templates, ebooks, and more—to folks who visit your blog.

If you don't have your goods to sell, you could become an affiliate marketer. Affiliate marketing is a way to earn money online by promoting other people's goods on your site.

Write and publish an ebook

If you have some measure of knowledge on any specific topic, you can always write and publish an ebook to make money online. Just be sure to write about a topic that is relevant to your blog. This will increase your chances of making a sale since your audience comes to your blog because of your topic or niche. You can also develop a newsletter list and email potential buyers about your ebook.

Develop an app

By developing an app, you can help put a brand right on the home screen of its audience's mobile devices. This way, they can enjoy gamification, dedicated communities, and interactive content. App developers are in demand, so developing your app or working for a company in need can be a great way to earn extra income.

Become a virtual tutor

Tutors are always in demand. Whether you are a teacher or someone with specific knowledge, you can help learners improve their grades and prepare for exams. Just keep in mind that you should have teaching experience and a subject-specific certification. This will help create credibility for both parents and students.

Do some research, so you will understand your audience. From your skills, pick topics that you will feel confident teaching. Having specialization certification or an advanced degree will give you an additional advantage.

Become an influencer

Influences are people who help persuade potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on social media or YouTube.

If that appeals to you, start thinking about what your niche could be. Maybe you're interested in fashion or travel. Maybe you've got a lot of say about tech or fitness gear. Consider your strengths, and pick a niche that allows you to showcase those strengths.

Build websites

Today, every business needs its website. There is a huge market for web designers, and these days, you don't even need to know how to code to build a site.

Using a service like Mailchimp, you can easily build a website that looks sleek and professional. If you're building a website from scratch, you can even buy a domain through Mailchimp that aligns with a particular topic or business. You can create your very own web development business with few startup costs to help you earn a little extra money on the side or as a full-time gig.

Start investing

Even though you can certainly take a look at alternative investment strategies, such as real estate and cryptocurrency, don't forget about the traditional stock market. There are a lot of people who feel like they cannot invest in the stock market because they don't have enough money to do so.

The good news is that there typically is no minimum balance to get started in the stock market. There are plenty of brokerage platforms out there, so you may want to take a look at a successful YouTube channel that will explain the differences between them. That way, you can select the best option to meet your needs.

Remember that you do need to be careful when you invest in the stock market. It is difficult to predict whether the market will go up or down, and anyone who promises that they know what the market is going to do does not have your best interests at heart.

Sell your art and photography

Another option is to sell your art and photography. If you are a creative person, you may want to consider selling your creative products to start making money online.

For example, if you love taking pictures of animals, you might be able to sell them online. Or, if you have a knack for taking pictures of people, you may want to get hired as a photographer.

You should try to take advantage of different social media marketing strategies that can help you get your name out there. That way, more people will learn about your art and photography, and they will be interested in the services you provide.

Become an online translator or interpreter

Another way to make money online is through translating. Do you speak a second language? If so, you might be surprised at just how much money someone might pay you for your services.

Today, we live in a world that is more global than ever before. If you can speak a second language, you will immediately become more marketable just about everywhere. There are different types of translation projects you can work on.

For example, you may want to serve as a remote interpreter in a conversation. If a doctor is having a difficult time communicating information to a patient, they might decide to hire an interpreter to help facilitate the conversation.

You will listen to what one person says, translate it for the other person, and make sure they understand what you have said. Then, you can translate the information back for the doctor. This is one option available, and you might be able to create your schedule.

Sell your old clothes

You might be interested in starting an online e-commerce business or your online store. There are plenty of options available, so consider selling your old clothes to make money online.

There are plenty of stores that would happily list your clothes for a small fee. Generally, these online programs take a percentage of every sale. Keep this in mind when you are figuring out how to price your clothes.

If you take a look at your closet, there is a good chance that there are clothes in there that you have not worn for more than a year. You may want to pull out all of the clothes in your closet and divide them into different piles.

Create a podcast

Finally, you may want to think about creating a podcast to make money online. Podcasts have become more popular today than they ever were in the past. Lots of people enjoy listening to podcasts because they can listen to them from just about anywhere.

Some people like listening to them in the car because they can listen to a podcasts instead of commercials on the radio. Other people like to listen to a podcast as they cook dinner or do laundry.

You need to think about what you know best. Then, try to start a podcast about it. For example, if you understand how to start a business, you may want to create a podcast about it. Or, if you love cooking, you may want to create a podcast that discusses different recipes.

Become an online coach or consultant

Becoming an online coach or consultant opens up a world of opportunities to leverage your expertise and provide guidance to others while earning a sustainable income.

Whether it's offering insights into fitness regimens, business strategies, personal development techniques, or any other specialized field, the online coaching and consulting industry caters to a wide range of niches. 

Sell digital products

Selling digital products is a great money-making idea because it can help you generate passive income by packaging your knowledge, skills, or creativity into downloadable products. The key to success in selling digital products is understanding your target audience's needs and preferences within a specific niche. 

Become a remote customer service representative

As a remote customer service representative, you'll provide support and assistance to customers from anywhere with an internet connection. Businesses continue to embrace remote work, and the demand for remote customer service roles continues to grow. 

Key skills for success in this role include excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a customer-centric mindset. Remote customer service representatives typically interact with customers via phone, email, chat, or social media platforms to address inquiries, resolve issues, and provide general support. 

Offer transcription services

Who would have thought you could make money by watching videos? Offering transcription services entails converting audio or video files into written text, catering to a wide range of industries like academia, business, healthcare, and media. As a transcriptionist, you must possess strong listening skills, attention to detail, and typing proficiency. 

To start, you can set up a freelance transcription business by creating a professional website or profile on freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Marketing efforts can include networking with potential clients, joining transcription groups or forums, and showcasing accuracy and reliability through sample transcriptions. 

Sell print-on-demand products

Selling print-on-demand products offers a lucrative business model that can even help you save money by monetizing your creativity and designing and selling custom merchandise without the need for inventory or any upfront costs.

Print-on-demand platforms handle product manufacturing, printing, and shipping, allowing sellers to focus solely on designing and marketing their products. You can create designs for everything from apparel and accessories to home decor. 

Offer virtual assistant services

Virtual assistant services like administrative, technical, or creative support include tasks like email management, scheduling, research, data entry, or social media management.

Virtual assistants must possess strong organizational and communication skills and proficiency in software tools like project management platforms. 

To start, you can create a professional website or profile on a freelancing platform to begin networking with potential clients. 

Sell stock photos and videos

Selling stock photos or videos is an opportunity for photographers and videographers to monetize their work by licensing images and footage to businesses, media outlets, and individuals for various purposes. 

You can sign up as a contributor on stock photography platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images and submit high-quality images or videos for review. Successful contributions often focus on niche topics or subjects with high demand, such as lifestyle, business, technology, or nature. 

Try drop servicing

Drop servicing is similar to drop shipping. However, instead of selling products, you'll act as a middleman or intermediary between clients and freelancers by outsourcing service-based tasks like graphic design, digital marketing, writing, or programming and earning a profit margin on each project. 

To start to drop servicing, you can identify in-demand services or skills and create a service offering tailored to target markets or industries. Building a network of reliable freelancers or service providers through freelancing platforms, social media, or professional networks helps in sourcing talent for client projects. 

Sell online courses

Selling online courses lets you share your knowledge, expertise, or skills with a global audience and monetize your expertise. To create and sell courses, you can choose a topic or subject area in which you have expertise or experience and develop a comprehensive course curriculum. 

Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare provide tools and resources for creating courses online, making it easy for you to reach potential students worldwide.

Participate in online market research

Participating in online market research offers you the chance to share your opinions, feedback, or insights on products, services, or brands and earn rewards in return.

To participate in online market research studies, you can sign up for survey panels, focus groups, or online communities hosted by market research companies or survey platforms. 

Completing surveys, participating in focus groups, or testing products or prototypes are common types of market research activities that you may be invited to participate in. Engaging in online market research allows you to influence product development, marketing strategies, or business decisions while earning rewards like cash, gift cards, or sweepstakes entries.

Maximize your online earnings

SEO strategies

Search engine optimization (SEO) drives organic traffic to your website or online platform. By optimizing your web content for relevant keywords, improving website structure and navigation, and building quality backlinks, you can improve your search rankings and attract more visitors. 

It's essential to stay updated on SEO best practices and regularly audit and optimize your website for better visibility and performance. 

When optimizing content for search engines, focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that addresses your audience's unique needs and interests. 

Social media marketing

Social media platforms offer powerful tools for promoting your online ventures, building brand awareness, and connecting with your audience. 

Create engaging content, such as images and video posts, that encourage interaction and sharing. Utilize social media advertising, influencer partnerships, and community engagement to expand your reach and drive traffic to your website or online store. 

Email marketing

With an email list, you can build relationships with subscribers, promote your products and services, and drive sales and conversions. Offer incentives such as lead magnets, discounts, or exclusive content to encourage signups and grow your email list. 

Segment your list based on subscriber preferences, interests, and behaviors to deliver personalized email campaigns. Use email automation to streamline workflows and nurture leads through the sales funnel. 

Email Marketing Made Easy with Mailchimp

Tips for earning money online

Before you set out to earn money online, keep these basic tips in mind:

Watch out for scams

Whichever method you choose for earning money online, it's always important to do your due diligence first. Research to make sure that the opportunity is legitimate and not a scam. If possible, read reviews and do some research before pursuing an online money-making opportunity.