15 Proven Ways to Make Money From Home

Whether you’re looking for extra cash or a new job, there are many ways to make money from home. Thanks to the Internet, this is more popular than ever.

You have many options, from freelance work to online business. In this article, we’ll explore simple ways to make money from home so you can control your finances without ever leaving home.

6 Easy Ways to Make Money From Home

1. Social media management

If social media interests you, you could turn this interest into a steady paycheck as a social media manager. And if you want, you can graduate from making some extra cash on the side to replacing your full-time job.

Individuals with websites, small businesses, and even larger corporations rely on social media to promote their brands to current and potential customers.

Companies will pay big bucks if you can craft interesting posts for various social media accounts that deliver results.

Important Insights:

• Finding small businesses in your area is a great way to start since you can more easily target an audience.
• It’s important to understand what success looks like on each platform, as they are very different.
• Depending on how big you want this venture to be, you could hire a virtual assistant team that does all the work while you enjoy passive income.

Pros

• Strong demand, making it a great option to consider
• Ability to earn a significant income

Cons

• You may need to do a lot of testing before finding a strategy that works
• Constantly need to post, usually multiple times per day

2. Complete microtasks

Are you skilled at completing basic data entry tasks? Would you like to sell photos online or rate internet searches? If so, completing microtasks could be one way to earn extra cash.

Sites like Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and Clickworker will pay you small amounts of cash to complete basic tasks like copying information, taking photos, recording your voice, and more.

Important Insights:

• Microtasks are generally small tasks that require human eyes to verify information.
• Getting set up with microtask platforms can take a little more time, especially as you provide them with identifying information and tax paperwork.
• Like other suggestions in this list, microtasks can be a great way to earn extra money, but they’re less lucrative than other opportunities.

Pros

• Get paid to do simple tasks
• There is a good variety of tasks to complete

Cons

• Some microtasks are not worth the time and effort
• Need to convert the time worked to understand your hourly rate

3. Taking online surveys

Survey sites are abundant online, making it easy to earn extra cash here and there if you sign up for multiple platforms. To succeed, you want to ensure they have all the information to properly match you with survey opportunities. Some of the popular survey sites to get started with include Survey Junkie, American Consumer Opinion Panel, and Swagbucks, to name a few.

Important Insights:

• Getting started with online surveys is relatively easy, as anyone can sign up, but you may need to wait a bit for survey opportunities as some sites need to match your profile with survey requirements.
• Some sites focus only on surveys, while others may pay you to watch videos or participate in online studies for more comprehensive market research.
• Not all surveys are created equal, with some paying more and taking less time to complete and others paying very little despite taking substantially longer.

Pros

• Easy to get started with every survey site
• Plenty of platforms to sign up for
• No skills or experience necessary

Cons

• Compensation is not guaranteed
• You may get disqualified in the middle of surveys
• You won’t see substantial income taking surveys

4. Play games online

Are you a fan of making money and playing mobile games? If so, you can combine those two passions to earn money online without putting too much effort into it. Platforms like Swagbucks incentivize you to download games and reach certain levels. Other games that pay money will pay out if you buy in and win while playing against others. The difficulty and experience will differ, but the outcome will remain the same.

Important Insights:

• All you have to do to make money playing games online is to find the right platforms and download the games.
• Some games are easy, while others will naturally be harder to make you pay to play to reach specific levels.
• Another way to make money playing games is to find games on the blockchain or those that offer in-game currency that can be converted to real-world currency, although this could be riskier.

Pros

• You get paid to do something you already do
• Some games can pay out high amounts of cash
• There are many different ways to get paid to play

Cons

• Some games can end up costing you rather than paying you
• Some games aren’t worth the effort for what you get paid

5. Use money-making apps on your phone

Many apps don’t fall into just one category of money-making activity. Take, for example, Evidation, a fitness app that allows you to earn points by tracking your fitness and answering questions about your health and wellness. If you’re adventurous and like trying new things, it’ll be easy to find apps that occasionally help you earn extra money.

Important Insights:

• A host of apps on the Apple iOS Store and the Google Play Store will pay you to complete a wide range of activities.
• Most are easy to sign up for and will allow you to make money immediately.
• Remember that some apps are scams that show up in user reviews.

Pros

• Phone apps can be a great way to earn money
• Plenty of variety to choose from

Cons

• Potential for scams
• It could be more effort than it is worth

6. Provide your feedback on websites

Did you know that website testing is a thing? Some of the most popular platforms include UserTesting and Userlytics. Still, there are many platforms where companies will pay you to navigate their websites and provide feedback, either using your voice or by sharing your camera. You may even participate in studies or surveys that could pay you more!

Important Insights:

• Website testing is often more lucrative than regular surveys, but due to the nature of the work, payment could take a week or longer.
• As with surveys, you generally have to qualify for various website testing opportunities before accessing them.
• If test websites offer phone apps, make sure to download them. Using the app will allow you to explore different opportunities they may offer on your PC.

Pros

• Higher-paying opportunities
• Typically fair with how much time you spend
• Plenty of platforms to choose from

Cons

• It is easy to get disqualified from opportunities
• Changes to the internet or other issues can prevent you from getting paid

7. Sell things you no longer need or resell items

Do you have good quality items like clothing, electronics, or media you no longer need? If so, you have something you can sell to make money without leaving home. Of course, this is only a temporary fix. If you’re more savvy and can recognize a good deal when you see one, you could buy items for cheap and flip them to make a bit more cash.

Important Insights:

• You can sell things you no longer need or wish to flip on local platforms like Facebook Marketplace or sell them to others around the country on an online marketplace like eBay.
• Need help finding the right buyer? Platforms like Gazelle or Decluttr will buy certain goods from you if you can’t find other buyers.
• Markets are always subject to change, so what you purchase now could be worth more or less than what you pay today.

Pros

• Clean out your home and make money
• Plenty of platforms to sell stuff online

Cons

• There is no guarantee you will sell everything
• You could lose money if you pay too much for items you plan to flip

8. Become a dog sitter

Dog sitting is a bit more competitive, but it’s still a viable way to make money without leaving your home (if you watch them in your space). If you love dogs, have a safe space to watch them in, and have a history of doing so, you can find work on platforms like Rover, Wag!, or others.

Important Insights:

• Staying competitive is crucial, so you might need additional certifications to stay ahead in a competitive market.
• Demand for your services will vary greatly depending on where you live.
• Remember that you will have to pay your own taxes, which can get complicated if you make a substantial amount of money.

Pros

• A good way to make more money at home
• Can supplement pet sitting with additional tasks like dog walking

Cons

• Demand may not be available where you live
• Markets can be competitive

9. Rent out unused space on your property (Or your things)

If you’re fortunate enough to own your home and don’t wish to look for a remote job or try to make money on any of the online platforms listed above, you could always rent out a spare bedroom or other space. You’d be surprised what you can rent, from space to vehicles to unused parking spots. If you have things people only want for a brief period, you can make money.

Important Insights:

• Read the fine print of rental services and be prepared to potentially lose anything you decide to rent.
• The popularity of your rental will depend on quality or demand, so find ways to make your listings enticing.
• Renting space in your home will likely be more lucrative than renting out clothing, but it does carry some risks.

Pros

• Can continue making money with the same assets
• You can rent out nearly anything on online marketplaces or dedicated platforms

Cons

• Potential risk that your property could get ruined
• Not all things will have a market to rent to

10. Tap into your creative side and sell items on Etsy

Are you looking for a craft-related side hustle? One of the top side hustles that moms (though dads can do this, too) enjoy is selling things on Etsy. Some stay-at-home moms make money with digital products like printables, which thrive on the platform. Others like to pad their bank account by flexing their creativity and designing homemade products like candles, soaps, or jewelry. While you must pay fees for listing and selling, you can make a good amount if your shop becomes popular.

Important Insights:

• Etsy is a great place to start selling homemade or vintage items.
• It’s important to understand how the platform works and how to stand out, especially if you’re selling items others are already selling.
• You can move your business off-platform as you grow and scale.

Pros

• It is a great way to sell homemade and creative products
• The platform has a solid community and support

Cons

• Oversaturation in many markets
• It can be challenging to make sales at first with no reviews

11. Ask around the neighborhood or in cyberspace for random gigs

This idea isn’t technically working strictly from home, as you may need to do some gigs that require you to leave the house, but it’s worth mentioning. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors and are willing to take on random tasks like repair work occasionally, you could reach out to these individuals and find some occasional work to bring in additional income. It might be sporadic, but you’ll know the people you’re working with, which may be better for your wallet.

Important Insights:

• Your community has plenty of work if you know where to find it.
• You can find work beyond just your neighbors by using platforms like TaskRabbit.
• If you have handy skills, people will always need them and want to hire someone they can trust!

Pros

• It is a great way to leverage your connections to make money from home
• You can use skills you already have

Cons

• Work may not be consistent and reliable
• Some platforms make you jump through a lot of hoops to get started

12. Seek out freelance work online

If you have marketable skills and professional experience, you can make a lot of money from home if you’re willing to put in the work. One way you can leverage your skills to generate income is by freelancing. Whether you’re a copywriter looking to flex your freelance writing skills or someone proficient at graphic design, you can find clients and work on your own schedule.

Important Insights:

• Freelancing is an excellent option, so you’ll want to create a plan of action to get started.
• Figure out how to position yourself before seeking out clients, as this will determine whether or not you get picked over your competition.
• You can start by contacting companies or using job boards and freelancing platforms like Upwork to connect with clients who need support.

Pros

• You work on projects you want when it’s most convenient for you
• You can make decent money if you’re good at what you do

Cons

• It may take time to find work and establish an online presence
• You could run into payment problems
• You’re managing a growing business by yourself

13. Become an online tutor

Online tutoring is a great way to give back if you have a college education and enjoy helping children, teens, or even young adults. You could tutor people online by connecting with them via advertising on your website (or even selling your online courses and working with them on the side). Alternatively, you could use existing platforms like Chegg to market your services to those who flock to the platform specifically for tutoring support.

Important Insights:

• Tutoring can be a great way to make money from home, but you’ll often need credentials and higher education to stand out on platforms.
• Different types of tutoring exist, such as basic English tutoring for students abroad and opportunities to tutor students here in the U.S.
• Pay attention to how you’re getting paid, as some platforms will use different currencies, which may translate to little on your end.

Pros

• A solid way to make money with previous education
• Constant supply of individuals who need help tutoring

Cons

• It can be difficult to pursue without stellar credentials

14. Start your own dropshipping business

Dropshipping allows you to establish your own online store and sell goods to buyers without managing inventory. You send the orders to the manufacturer, who fulfills them. This can be a great way to start your own online business and make a relatively passive income without handling everything alone.

Important Insights:

• Dropshipping eliminates the need to manage inventory, making it a more viable business opportunity for those who want to make money from home.
• Even though you won’t physically store and ship items, you’ll still manage every other area of your business.
• Understanding who to work with and how to run your website is crucial to success.

Pros

• It is a great way to sell items without needing extra space
• There are plenty of businesses to learn from that already use this model

Cons

• Requires strong business savvy and digital marketing skills
• Choosing the wrong products can quickly lead to a very poor online reputation

15. Start an online publication or blog

Do you have a lot to say and want a platform to say it? If so, you can follow others and start a blog or online publication. If you have an internet connection, a laptop, and the ability to see things through, you can start a blog. A blog is more flexible regarding how you can earn income. You can make money through ad revenue with Google Adsense, selling an online course or e-book, or even tapping into affiliate marketing.

Important Insights:

• Blogging can be a great way to bring in extra income, but it takes time to establish an audience and to appear on search engine result pages.
• You can get started on a host of platforms, all of which offer unique advantages and disadvantages.
• Blogging is still a business, and success requires careful planning.

Pros

• It can be a fun way to run a strictly online business
• Offers multiple ways to monetize your website

Cons

• It takes time to experience organic growth
• You will likely run into technical issues you may not be able to handle yourself

16. Leverage your experience to become a coach or consultant

Finally, you don’t necessarily have to use your skills to do or make anything. You could always coach and support others. Whether you enjoy broad life coaching or you want to use past business experience to support startups as they grow, you can monetize your knowledge.

Important Insights:

• The coaching and consulting industries are highly saturated, so it can take a lot of work to stand out.
• Finding a mentor or learning from others’ success can help you improve your chances as a coach or consultant.
• Personal branding and establishing an online presence with ample positive testimonials will give you the support you need to get ahead.

Pros

• Allows you to monetize your knowledge
• You set your rates

Cons

• It can be hard to stand out due to fierce competition
• You may need to invest in certifications