There are dozens of ways to make money online. Some are much easier and less time-consuming than others. If you’re looking for a way to make cash fast, you can start by taking advantage of the gig economy. However, saving money isn’t the only benefit to shopping online. There are many ways to earn money online without having to spend a penny.
The Growth of Online Shopping
E-commerce and online shopping have been around for decades, but the convenience of shopping online has made a significant impact on the way we buy products. Although many traditional retailers have seen a decline in revenue due to online shopping, it hasn’t been a total loss. There have been countless examples of how online shopping has helped small businesses flourish.
Why Amazon, Especially
It’s fairly safe to assume that if you’re reading this, you’re already familiar with Amazon. It’s the best-known online retailer, and it’s been around for long enough to know how to keep customer data safe and how to leverage the web to its advantage. As someone who’s been using Amazon for years, I can attest that they’ve always had the trust of my business and have continued to develop innovative ways to make my life easier while shopping for products.
How to Start An Online Store On Amazon
In the grand scheme of things, starting an online store on Amazon is actually quite easy. You’ll need to visit their website, click the “Start an account” button, and then enter the required information. From there, you can begin by setting up a simple e-commerce store with just a few products. You don’t need to invest in expensive retail equipment or hire employees with expensive retail degrees. With a little bit of effort, you can launch a successful Amazon store in your spare time and make money online without any previous experience in retail or e-commerce.
Cash Back Apps That Pay You To Use Them
The two largest online retailers, Amazon and Ebay, are really set up to make money the old-fashioned way: by selling products. However, with a little bit of online maneuvering, you can make a few bucks from the comfort of your home. You can use cash back apps to earn money online by shopping at Amazon. These apps track your everyday purchases and then offer you money back on items. Some of the better-known cash back apps are:
- Shopbop – Earn between $5 and $30 per day
- Merrynovember – Earn $1 to $5 per day
- Fivestar – Earn up to $10 per day
- Checkout 51 – Earn up to $5 per day
- Earnest – Earn up to $5 per day
- Mystery Shopping Mall – Earn up to $5 per day
The Growth of Online Estimating And Order Taking
Taking orders by phone or in person used to be the norm in retail. However, online marketplaces and the gig economy have changed all that. Today, you can often find online merchants that will take orders via phone, email, or even text. Additionally, some online retailers offer an online ordering service where customers can purchase the products they want and have them shipped to their homes without ever having to leave the comfort of their couches. The trend towards online ordering is evident; in 2022 alone, online ordering is expected to grow 21% year from 2021 to 2025.
Making Money With Affiliate Marketing
This form of online marketing involves partnering with a business that offers relevant products to your target audience. You then promote those products on your website or social media accounts in exchange for a commission when someone purchases a product through your affiliate link. Some of the better-known affiliate marketing networks are:
- LinkShare – Over $2 billion in revenue
- Commission Junction – Over $1.7 billion in revenue
- ClickBank – Over $1 billion in revenue
- CNET – Over $1 billion in revenue
Sell Your Photos For Money
If you’re skilled with a camera, you can make money online by taking and selling photos. You can do this with stock photography websites that pay you per image you upload or sell your own photos for money. In fact, in 2022, there will be a whole subsection of the stock photography market devoted to paying memberships and online selling of photographs.
The Growth Of Online Markets
E-marketplaces and online marketplaces have become commonplace as more and more people look to buy products online. In 2020 alone, online marketplaces will account for US$25 billion in sales. Not only that, but by 2025 online marketplaces will account for 50% of all online purchases. In addition to allowing customers to discover products, online marketplaces host a variety of daily deals (also known as “flash sales”) that can be lucrative.
The Growth Of Online Reselling
It’s become commonplace for businesses to sell products online. However, many customers still prefer to buy in person or via catalogs. That’s starting to change with online marketplaces and platforms like Shopbop, Wayfair, and others where customers can have products delivered right to their homes. Additionally, some businesses opt to go the extra mile and offer a money-back guarantee if products are not as described. In the future, customers will have even more reasons to buy online or from a small business: The pandemic has made a significant impact on in-person shopping, as many businesses are now operating on a “pick-up only” basis.
The Impact Of The Pandemic
It’s been almost two years since the start of the pandemic, and although the economy has slowly begun to improve, a lot of damage has been done. In 2022 alone, retail sales are expected to decline by 4% to 6% as more and more people opt to avoid crowds and stay at home.
Despite the economic damage, many companies and businesses have prospered during the pandemic. There have been countless examples of small businesses that provide vital services becoming hugely profitable due to increased demand during the pandemic. For instance, Dogfish Brewing Company, a craft beer company based out of Delaware, United States, saw its revenue increase by 41% between 2020 and 2021 due in large part to increased consumer demand for its products.
Many retailers, restaurants, and other companies are also realizing the economic benefits of online marketplaces during the pandemic. Many retailers saw an increase in demand for online marketplaces and community features due to the increased ease of use and access during the pandemic. For instance, during the pandemic, online marketplaces such as Shopbop experienced a 400% increase in traffic, while Etsy saw a 123% increase in 2020.
Although the economy has improved since the pandemic, it’s still not what it was prior to the pandemic. Many small businesses that were already operating at a loss will now have to figure out a way to break even or make a profit. However, it doesn’t have to be expensive entrepreneurial spirit that makes a business successful. There are many ways for individuals to make a quick buck or two without needing a huge investment or team.