If you’re looking to make some extra cash, you’ve probably considered looking for a job or starting a blog. While these are indeed viable options, there are also many ways to make money online that don’t require you to get a new job. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most lucrative and exciting ways to make money online. Keep reading for more information.
1. Start an Affiliate Marketing Program
One of the most reputable ways to make money online is to start an affiliate marketing program. What exactly is affiliate marketing, you ask? It’s when you earn a commission (often referred to as a ‘kickback’) whenever someone clicks a monetized link or buys a product that’s promoted on your blog. For example, you write an article about fashion and include an affiliate link to a product that generates sales. If someone clicks your link and buys the product, you’ll earn a small commission. Many affiliate marketers make a living from this method alone by simply maintaining and growing a blog with affiliate marketing. There are numerous successful platforms like affiliate marketer ProBlogger which can help you get started with affiliate marketing (and a lot more besides).
2. Start an Online Store
Another way to earn money online is to start an eCommerce store. An eCommerce store sells a range of goods from clothes to accessories to electronics and more directly through an online store. You can use a range of existing platforms to set up an online store including Shopify, Bigcommerce, and WooCommerce to name a few. Many smaller businesses, bloggers, and even individuals use Ecommerce stores to earn a modest living.
3. Start an Online Bookstore
An online bookstore is simply an eCommerce store that primarily sells books. Because books can be both physical and digital, setting up an online bookstore is very simple. You can use platforms like Shopify, Bigcommerce, and Woocommerce to build an online bookstore. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can also check out Amazon’s whole bookstore platform. Just remember that it can be quite the competition in this segment as there are numerous other platforms and tools that can help you build an online store.
4. Start a Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping is when a business sells products that they don’t physically have in stock. Instead of having to store and carry the products yourself, all you have to do is promote and sell them. Once you have lots of products listed on your site, you can use platforms like Shopify and Bigcommerce to set up a dropshipper account. When a customer makes an order, you’ll order that product from a third party (most commonly a dropshipper) and ship it directly to the customer. Shopify even has a whole dropshipping template which you can use to get started with this business model. For those looking for inspiration, you can also check out how other dropshippers like Cafe Press and Beachbody work. Dropshipping can be a viable option for those interested in gaining passive income as you don’t need to do much to make it work. Just remember that it can be a time-consuming process to grow and maintain a successful dropshipping business. If you’re looking for a way to make extra cash, dropshipping isn’t for you but if you’re looking to create a business that you can run in the future, then this is a viable option.
5. Start an Affiliate Marketing Platform
An affiliate marketing platform is a tool that can help you build an affiliate marketing program. Instead of having to build and maintain a presence on your own blog, you can use a tool like Everbrite to set up multiple affiliate programs across a variety of social media platforms. What does this mean in practice? When someone visits a website that’s part of your affiliate marketing program, they’ll be presented with offers from brands and products that you’re partnered with. For example, if someone clicks a Nike link and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a small commission. Some affiliate marketers make a living solely from affiliate marketing, which makes it a viable option for those looking for ways to earn cash quickly.
6. Start an Online Takeaway Service
An online takeaway service allows customers to order food or drinks via online. The easiest and cheapest way to start an online takeaway service is to use a food delivery platform like Hungry, DoorDash, and GrubHub to name a few. All you need to do is sign up for a free account and find a location. You can then order food and drinks to be delivered to your customers. DoorDash even has a whole Food Delivery Entrepreneurship specialization which can help you get started with this business idea (or provide you with insights into how to make it work).
7. Start a Coffee Bar
A coffee bar is very similar to an online takeaway service in that it allows customers to order food and drinks via online. However, a coffee bar typically serves prepared coffee rather than simply cooking and delivering food. You can use a platform like Square Coffee to start a coffee bar. Simply set up a coffee machine and purchase decent equipment to make the most of it. Once you have a coffee bar, you can start selling coffee maker sets and mugs which will provide you with a steady revenue stream.
8. Start an Airline Catering Company
Airline catering is when an airline or an air carrier provides a range of food and drink to customers in the air. Customers can either eat in the air or bring the food on board the aircraft. The range of food and drink can vary from traditional favorites such as chicken and steak to unique items like lobster and caviar. Many airlines and air carriers offer catering services via their websites as it is a fast and easy way to generate revenue while flying. You can use a tool like AirlineCatering.com to set up your catering company.
9. Start an Event Planning Company
An event planning company is basically someone who organizes and plans events such as weddings, birthdays, and corporate functions. You can use a tool like Eventbrite to set up your event planning company. Just make sure that you register your company with the appropriate state and federal licensing and file all appropriate taxes. You can then start booking events and offering your services to local businesses.
There are many ways to make money online. Whether you want to create a blog to share your expertise or you want to use a few of the more established platforms, there’s something here for everyone. Keep reading for more information about each option.