SOUTH AFRICA is considered to be the “Basket Case” of Africa as far as economic development is concerned. Since the majority of the country is made up of rural areas, economic opportunities for rural residents are severely limited. Those who do manage to make it into the formal sector are mostly office based employees, who rely heavily on imported hardware and software to get the job done. As a result, the majority of the population feels excluded from the “digital revolution” that is transforming the rest of the world.
This is why income via the internet in South Africa is currently unregulated, and the country is missing out on the potential benefits that this new technology can provide. In 2021, all of that is about to change.
Thanks to a new government policy that facilitates foreign investement and encourages internet access, South Africans are now able to take advantage of the many opportunities available to make money online.
Not familiar with internet marketing or how to make money online? Don’t worry, we’re breaking down the basics of how you can start making extra cash from the comfort of your home in South Africa.
E-commerce And Online Marketing
E-commerce and online marketing are extremely useful tools for any business that wants to make money online. While physical retail stores are slowly phasing out the use of plastic, shopping for products and services online is becoming an increasingly popular pastime. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are now working from home and have more time to research and purchase products they might need.
It’s a great opportunity to get ahead online and makes it possible for even small businesses to get their products or services into the hands of millions of potential customers.
E-commerce helps to boost a business’ online presence by enabling them to sell their products and services to anyone, anywhere in the world. This way, potential customers can find and purchase the products or services they need, regardless of whether the retailer is located in their local area or thousands of miles away. In addition, online marketing allows businesses to engage with potential customers via email, social media, and other digital platforms, further boosting their exposure and sales.
Affiliate Marketing
If you’re new to the world of online marketing, affiliate marketing is a great place to start. As the name would suggest, affiliate marketing is all about creating affiliate marketing websites that earn revenue by promoting a product or service. When a potential customer clicks on a sponsored link or buys a product that’s promoted on an affiliate marketing website, that business gets paid a commission.
There are many different types of affiliate marketing, including performance based commission, contextual advertising, and affiliate sales. Each method has its perks and quirks, but in general, affiliate marketing is a great way to make money online.
Online Surveys
Thanks to the pandemic, many people are now finding an opportunity to earn some extra cash online by taking online surveys. In-fact, the ability to login to some of the top survey sites and qualify for some great rewards and prizes, is actually encouraging more and more South Africans to try their hand at online surveying.
Online surveys are a fantastic opportunity to make some extra cash and don’t require any special training to get started. Simply log on to a survey site and answer some questions. You’ll then be presented with some small tasks, such as taking a photo of yourself and posting it on social media, or watching a video and completing certain actions. Sometimes you’ll be asked to complete a brief survey that usually pays out relatively large sums of money. The key is to maintain an active online presence and take advantage of the many opportunities that are now available.
Advertising
Traditional advertising, such as billboards, radio ads, and TV commercials, typically work by enticing potential customers with an image or concept and then persuading them to purchase a product through emotional appeals or misleading information. Although the pandemic has stopped many people from going out and about, which has resulted in fewer TV advertisements being aired, online advertisers are now able to target their audiences more effectively.
Thanks to ad blockers and privacy concerns regarding online advertising, there is now a greater tendency for people to seek out ways to avoid getting hit by ads. As a result, many businesses are now turning to online advertising to generate revenue. However, since online advertising is largely unregulated, advertisers can set whatever budget they want for individual ads and don’t have to disclose the number of people who actually click on their ads.
Traditional advertising still has its perks, as TV commercials and traditional magazine features may still be found in physical retail stores or available for purchase online, depending on the type of product being advertised. This provides a much better experience for consumers, who can find out more about a product, compare prices, and engage with the business via social media, all from the comfort of their home. Regardless, advertising is a useful tool that can help business to find new customers and gain more awareness, so long as businesses operate within the rules and guidelines set by government and advertisers avoid over-promoting.
Blogging And Online Commenting
Blogging is simply publishing a piece of content (mostly written) online for others to read and interact with. Due to the increased levels of surveillance in place as a result of the pandemic, bloggers have turned to online commenting as a means of earning a little extra cash. In return for their effort, commenters are typically granted free access to products and sometimes even granted a small monetary bonus.
The best thing about online commenting is that you can do it from the comfort of your home. Few things are more relaxing, especially during the lockdown phase of the pandemic, than to sit back and respond to comments on your blog. Not only is it free, but you can do it whenever you have a free hour or two. It’s a perfect opportunity to bring in extra income and gain some credibility, all while helping to improve your own personal brand.
The Many Ways To Make Money Online In South Africa
As we’ve established, the internet and the many online opportunities that exist there, have opened up a whole new world of earning potential for anyone who takes the time to explore them. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are now able to work remotely and explore the many ways they can make money online in South Africa.
This trend is certain to continue and small businesses and individuals, who already have an online presence, will be able to take advantage of these new opportunities and make a quick profit.
What’s more is that many of the opportunities listed above are entirely legal and require no special training to get started. All you need is a laptop or desktop computer, a reliable internet connection, and the will to make money online. With so much opportunity and so little time, who says you have to wait for retirement to enjoy life as a digital nomad?