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20 Best Online Side Hustles For Students and Busy Professionals

The best online side hustles featuring working as a VA and online selling.

Are you a student or a busy professional that is looking for a way to make some extra money on the side? Is your income not enough to pay your bills and support the lifestyle you want? Are you paying some student loans or want to save funds for the future? If one of these situations sounds familiar, you should consider looking into the best online side hustles to start making extra money.

Having a single source of income can be a great way of providing for yourself, but it can also limit your financial growth. Taking the time to find and start an online side hustle can give you access to more opportunities and make it possible for you to increase your income in no time.

Time and again, online side hustles prove to be the best way of getting extra money on a budget and without any knowledge, skills, or special equipment. There are many side hustles that you can start today, ranging from freelancing gigs to blogging and even selling products online.

Benefits of having a side hustle

In the kind of economy we live in, having multiple sources of income is a must if you want to make ends meet and be able to save some money for the future. Here are some of the best benefits of having an online side hustle:

  1. Financial freedom – With an online side hustle you can make a steady stream of income that is completely separate from your full-time job, giving you more control over your financial destiny.
  2. Flexibility – Having the ability to work whenever and wherever you want, without having to worry about being at the same place every day or commuting for hours.
  1. Unlimited potential – With an online side hustle you can make more money than with just a regular job and the best part is that the potential income is unlimited.

These are just some of the benefits of having an online side hustle. Now let’s look at the best side hustles that you can start today.

The 20 best online side hustles you can start today

We listed those side hustles that are easy to set up, require minimal time and effort, and can give you a good return in terms of money. 

1. Become a virtual assistant

If you have good organizational and communication skills, you can become a virtual assistant to help other businesses.  Your job will involve managing emails and social media accounts, scheduling appointments, and other tasks that the business needs help with.

This is a good side hustle for those who want to make extra money from the comfort of their own home. You’ll just need an internet connection and a computer to be able to do the job.

To find virtual assistant jobs, you can search for them on job sites like Upwork or look for postings on social media.

2. Freelance writing or editing

If you have a knack for writing or editing, you can make extra money by freelancing. There are a lot of companies and businesses that are looking for content writers and editors to help them with their projects.

You don’t need to have a degree or specific qualifications as long as you have good writing skills. You’ll also need to have access to a computer, an internet connection, and some knowledge of grammar and punctuation.

You can check out these tools to help you out in writing error-free and compelling content.

3. Online tutoring

If you have subject matter expertise, you can make money by tutoring students online. You can find many websites that offer online tutoring services, such as Tutor.com and Wyzant.

You will need to create an account on these sites and list your qualifications so that potential students can find you. Once a student is interested in your services, you will be able to charge them an hourly rate.

Online tutoring is now in demand, so it can be a great side hustle for those who are knowledgeable about certain subjects.

4. Selling digital products

Do you have any digital products such as e-books, courses, or artworks that you can sell? If yes, then this is the best online side hustle for you. You can easily create digital products and upload them to sites like Etsy, Gumroad, or Shopify.

You can also create your own website where you can showcase your products and start selling them online. This is a great way to make passive income as customers can purchase your product at any time.

5. Selling items on Etsy or eBay

Etsy and eBay's logo

If you like making crafts or have items that you don’t use anymore, you can make money by selling them on Etsy or eBay. You will need to create an account on these sites and upload photos of the items that you are selling.

You will also need to set up a payment method so that customers will be able to make payments and you will be able to receive the money. This is a great side hustle for those who want to make extra money by selling items that they don’t need anymore.

6. Become an influencer

Do you have a lot of followers on social media? Then you can use your following to become an influencer and promote products or services for brands. Companies will pay you for each post that you make promoting their product or service. 

You will need to have an active account on the different social media platforms and make sure that you post regularly. You can also work with other brands to create sponsored content in exchange for payment.

7. Create a YouTube channel

Do you like making videos? Then you can create your own YouTube channel and start making money. You will need to post videos regularly and make sure that the content is engaging and entertaining.

Once you have a lot of followers, you can start making money by joining YouTube’s Partner Program or through sponsorships with brands. This is a great side hustle for those who love creating content and want to make money from it.

8. Invest in cryptocurrency

Investing in cryptocurrency is one of the best online side hustles for those who have some knowledge about the different cryptocurrencies. There are a lot of websites and platforms that you can use to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.

You will need to do your research before investing as there is always a risk involved in this type of investment. But if you are able to make the right decisions, you can easily make a lot of money through cryptocurrency.

9. Become an online consultant

A woman communicating with an online consultant

If you have expertise in certain areas such as web design or marketing, then becoming an online consultant is one of the best side hustles for you. You can create your own website and offer your services to clients.

Also, you can join job portals such as Upwork or Fiverr to find clients who are looking for online consultants. You will need to set your rates and make sure that you provide quality services to your clients.

10. Start blogging

Blogging is one of the best online side hustles for those who have a passion for writing. You will need to create your own blog and write content regularly. Once you build an audience, you can start monetizing your blog through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or even selling digital products.

This is a great way to make money while doing something that you love. You will need to be patient and consistent in order to build a successful blog.

11. Taking online surveys

If you have some extra time and want to make some easy money, taking surveys is one of the best online side hustles for you. There are a lot of websites that offer paid surveys and all you need to do is answer questions about different products or services.

You won’t get rich from doing this but it’s a great way to make some extra money on the side. You can either cash out the money or use it to purchase products or services from these websites.

Websites such as Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars are great options for taking online surveys.

12. Sell gigs on Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the best online side hustles for those who want to make money by selling services or products. You can create your own profile on Fiverr and offer different services such as web design, logo creation, writing, etc.

You’ll need to set your rates and make sure that you provide quality services to your clients. This is a great way to make money on the side and build up a portfolio in the process.

13. Proofread and edit text

Proofreading and editing text is one of the best online side hustles for those who have a knack for finding mistakes in content. You can offer your services to bloggers, authors, and other people who need someone to check their content for errors.

You will need to be able to spot typos, grammar mistakes, and other errors in the text.  Then you can go through and make the necessary corrections.

You can charge per hour, per word, or offer a fixed rate for projects depending on your experience in this field. You may also want to take into account how long the project will take you when setting your prices.

14. Selling T-shirt designs

Selling T-shirt designs is a great online side hustle for those who are creative and enjoy designing. You can create unique designs that reflect your style and personality, or you can take existing images and customize them to make them more unique.

You can then upload your designs to various sites such as Teespring, Printify, and Redbubble. These sites will print your designs onto T-shirts or other items when someone purchases them. You can also create a shop on Etsy or eBay to showcase your products and reach a larger audience.

15. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is another great online side hustle for those looking to start their own business. With dropshipping, you can list products on your website or store without having to purchase and store the inventory yourself.

When someone places an order, you will then order it from the supplier who will ship it directly to the customer. This way, you don’t have to worry about stocking or shipping products yourself. You can also set your own prices and keep the difference as profit.

16. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the best online side hustles for those who have an existing website, blog, or social media presence. With affiliate marketing, you can promote a product or service on your website or other platforms and earn a commission for every sale you make.

You can sign up to become an affiliate with various companies, which will provide you with special links or banners that customers can click on to be taken to the company’s website. When someone makes a purchase using your link, you will receive a percentage of the sales amount as a commission.

17. Testing websites

Testing websites is a great online side hustle for those with an eye for detail. Companies are looking for people to test their websites and give feedback on the user experience. You will need to look out for any errors or bugs, as well as provide constructive criticism to help improve the website.

You can offer your services through websites such as UserTesting, Usertribe, and UTest.  You’ll be paid for each website you test, so the more websites you test, the more money you can make. 

18. Airbnb hosting

Airbnb hosting is another great online side hustle for those who have extra space in their home. You can list your place on the Airbnb platform, and visitors will be able to book it for their stay.

Set your own prices and rules, such as a minimum stay length or cleaning fees. Also, provide additional services such as meals or transportation for an extra fee. You’ll be paid when the guest stays in your place, so the more guests you have, the more money you can make.

19. Stock and Shares trading

A guy trading shares and stocks as one of his side hustle.

Stock and Share trading is a great online side hustle for those who are interested in the stock market and have some knowledge of how it works. Through various platforms such as eToro, Robinhood, and Fidelity, you can buy and sell stocks to make money from price fluctuations.

It takes research and patience to be successful in this field, but if you are willing to invest the time and money, it can be a lucrative side hustle.

20. Transcribe audio

Transcribing audio is a great online side hustle for those who are detail-oriented and have good listening skills. Companies are looking for people to transcribe audio recordings of meetings, lectures, interviews, and more.

You can offer your services through websites such as Rev or TranscribeMe. The amount you make will depend on the type and length of audio recordings.

Managing your time while working on a side hustle

Working on a side hustle can be a great way to make extra money, but it is important to manage your time wisely. Here are some tips to help you stay organized and avoid burnout:

  • Set realistic goals
  • Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
  • Prioritize the most important tasks first
  • Reward yourself for completing tasks
  • Make time to relax and recharge
  • Outsource or delegate work when possible

By following these tips, you can make sure that your side hustle doesn’t take over your life and become a source of stress. With some careful planning, you can reap the rewards of a successful side hustle.

Conclusion

These are just some of the best online side hustles that you can consider to make money on the side. Working on a side hustle can be a great way to supplement your income and give you some financial freedom.

Just remember to do your research, set realistic goals, and invest both time and money into your side hustle before you can start to reap the rewards. With dedication and hard work, you can make a success of any of these online side hustles. 

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