how to earn money online for free

33 Real Ways to Make Money from Home

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Remote work has become more popular and more accessible than ever in the last few years. If you've never worked from home before, you may wonder if it's possible to achieve financial freedom in your pajamas. While most remote work veterans will tell you that you start wearing the real pants after a while, there are dozens of practical ways to make money from home and earn a living without a home.

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The best way to make money from home depends on what you want to achieve. Are you looking to start a new business that will give you the flexibility you need to raise your children? Are you looking for a little extra cash to pad your savings account? Or are you looking for a career that will allow you to live that digital nomad life?

We have divided this list into 3 categories:

index

The best business to start from home

Best way to earn extra money from home

Best Careers That Let You Work From Home

Work from Home Business Ideas—How to Start a Home Business

Every small business included in this list can be started individually from your home. Although you may want to consider a fairly large office space, each of these businesses can be operated remotely.

1. Online Course(s)

An online course, which allows students to enroll online and take the course at their own pace, is one of the best home businesses you can start. It has everything you are looking for in an online business: the potential to generate passive income and scalability. Creating an online course requires an upfront investment, but once it's done—it's done—and you can focus all your efforts on marketing to make your course as successful as possible.

Want to start an online course empire? You need to start by identifying your niche, conducting market research, finding the best platform and creating a course curriculum. If you decide to launch a video-based course, or include video as a supplement, you'll need to film and edit those resources. Ready to get started? We'll help you learn everything you need to know.

How to Create a Great Online Course

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2. Ecommerce

Ecommerce businesses combine the income-generating power of a retail business with the flexibility of working from home. Ecommerce, which has been one of the best ways to make money online for years, has benefited from a pivot in online business due to the pandemic. More customers than ever are looking to buy products online, which provides ample opportunities for a growing business owner.

There are several ways to go about ecommerce. You can sell products on Amazon, using Fulfillment by Amazon (Amazon FBA) so you don't have to manage delivery logistics. You can host your eCommerce business on your own website. Or you can start a dropshipping business, so you don't have to manage your own inventory (more on dropshipping below).

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Thinking of starting your own ecommerce business? These resources will help you learn the ropes.

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3. Advice

A consulting business is one of the most profitable businesses you can start, and it's a business that can be run from home—although you may have to leave home occasionally for client meetings. A consultant provides expert services to a business without employing staff. This allows you to work on a project-based basis, maximizing interest and profitability.

Consulting businesses have low startup costs and can be launched relatively quickly. Want to learn more about starting a successful consulting business? We've got you covered.

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4. Graphic design

If you are a graphic designer, you may want to consider starting your own graphic design business. Graphic design services are constantly in high demand and require very little effort to start a business If you don't want to bother creating or creating a "company" website, you can start working as an independent contractor. With the necessary skills and a winning consulting proposal, you'll start generating income in no time.

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5. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a subset of ecommerce where a business outsources order fulfillment to a third party. Dropshipping is an especially attractive home business because you don't have to keep any inventory—which saves money and space in your home. Instead of buying inventory up front, you pay your fulfillment partner a percentage of the order value. Dropshipping can be especially attractive in retail niches where consumers want to see a variety of products that may be impossible for a small business. Books and board gaming are popular dropshipping business niches, for example.

6. Dog grooming

Dog grooming is a reliable business that usually attracts repeat customers and is home-friendly if you have the right equipment. If you want to start a dog grooming business, you need to create a business plan, do a competitive analysis, and determine how much space you have in your home for the business. You need to set aside some money for dog grooming table, hair dryer, scissors etc.

7. Day care at home

The average weekly cost of child care in America ranges from $300 - $600 per week. While we won't get into the complexities of modern childcare issues, where there are problems there are solutions and where there are solutions there are businesses. You can open up your home to friends and family looking for childcare solutions and earn some extra cash. If you are starting a business, check the legal obligations in your area and at home. Forming an LLC will protect you from threatening lawsuits from helicopter parents.

8. Start an Etsy shop

Afraid to start an ecommerce store or brand from scratch? Turn your hobby into a business with Etsy and tap into a 90 million active customer base With Etsy you can start small and build a following that you connect with and appreciate your personal touch.

How to Start an Etsy Shop

Create your business button

Side Hustle From Home—Make Extra Money Without Home

Looking for ways to make extra money from your couch or home office? We've got you covered. Read on for the most tried and true ways to make money online.

9. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a way to earn income based on referrals of company products or products. Affiliate marketing has become a common income model for bloggers and influencers, who earn regular commissions based on their recommendations for various products and services.

Even if you don't have a large enough following to make affiliate marketing your full-time gig, it can be a great way to make extra cash. Not sure where to start? We'll walk you through everything you need to know to start making money with affiliate marketing.

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10. Virtual assistants

A virtual assistant provides administrative tasks remotely such as scheduling, receipt tracking and recording. While some virtual assistant jobs will depend on your ability to work overtime, most are task/responsibility-based, meaning you can complete the work on your own time as long as you are able to deliver within the required time frame. . You will need a reliable internet connection to start earning extra money as a virtual assistant

In the long run, you'll make more money as a virtual assistant if you run your own small business, but agencies can be a great way to gain experience and start making money. VaVa Virtual Assistant, Brave, Kelly and Bellay are some of the staffing agencies that can help you get your foot in the door and make some extra money.

11. Create an online course

An online course, where you outline a curriculum for distance learners who can take the course at their own pace, can make a great small business or side hustle, depending on how much time you want to devote to it. The great thing about an online course is that once you do the initial work, the course can generate income. In short, it's a side hustle that can also serve as a source of passive income.

How to create an online course that sells (at least 100K/month!)

12. Social Media

Social media can be a flexible source of extra income and you can do it without leaving your home. There are many ways to make money from social media, especially if you're just looking for a little extra cash. You can grow your audience until it's big enough that you can monetize it with sponsored content (see the Affiliate Marketing section above) or sell your services to brands as a consultant. If you work for another brand, you can flex your creative muscles, or you can offer administrative services like responding to customers and scheduling posts.

13. Resale Market Ecommerce

The resale market is growing due to increasing demand to shop in an eco-friendly and conscious way. If you're looking for an additional source of income, you might consider selling—or buying and reselling—products on ecommerce resellers like Facebook Marketplace.

These marketplaces have made it easier than ever to sell unwanted goods, and many people have priced their items at "better than nothing" sale prices. If you have something special—like used Royal Dalton china or Lisa Frank memorabilia from the mid-1990s—you can resell it for a profit on resale markets like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, eBay, and Craigslist for low-priced items. This revenue stream requires patience (collectors search on their own time, choosing to "buy it now" in 7-day auctions), but it can be a great way to turn your special passion into an online business.

14. Amazon Mechanical Turk

Amazon Mechanical Turk is a platform that hires companies to perform administrative and data entry tasks that cannot be done by computer. Reality: The jobs available at Amazon Mechanical Turk are often menial, but it can be a great way to earn extra cash.

15. Online tutoring

Online tutoring can be a great way to earn real money from home. You can work with agencies or tutoring platforms or work as an independent tutor to help students. Thanks to Zoom and other video platforms, you can offer tutoring services without leaving your home.

16. Create and sell stock images

Are you a whiz with a camera? You can make money online by taking photos, uploading them to stock photography sites and selling them. The platform will take a cut of your profits, but if you can optimize your photos for search on the platforms, your photos can generate passive income. Stock photo search terms with high volume are more popular and give you the opportunity to generate more sales. They are more competitive

17. Rent your tech gadgets and tools

Platforms like Rent-A-Center, FlexShopper and Aaron connect you with people who want to rent various items. It allows you to leverage your gadgets and tools for extra income, all you have to do is fill out your profile on the platform, take photos of your products (good lighting goes a long way and is always worth the effort) and rent listings.

18. Sell your clothes online

As consumers have become more environmentally conscious, resale clothing markets have become more popular and continue to grow. In 2026, the fashion retail market is predicted to total $77 billion. All this means you can now take your unused and unwanted clothing and turn it into extra cash.

19. Transcription Services

Journalists, podcasters, YouTubers and branded content all need transcription services on a regular basis. The bad news is that the transcript can be pretty boring. The good news is that this means that most people will contract out the work rather than work for themselves, leaving plenty of opportunity for savvy side hustlers to find new ways to earn extra cash.

20. Invest

Investing is one of the best personal financial decisions you'll ever make, and it's a surefire way to make extra money in the long run. Buying assets like stocks, ETFs and index funds can help you grow your portfolio and make your money work for you. Although it is possible to make money with short-term investments, most novice investors have the most success with long-term income goals. Find something that will give you steady growth. You won't make money overnight, but it will grow over time, and there's nothing like the power of compound interest.

21. Refurbish the furniture

Refurbishing furniture is another source of side cash that has grown due to the popularity of the resale market. If you can refinish wood, fix scratches, and reupholster cushioning, you're already one step ahead of the game. If not, there are a host of YouTube videos on the subject that can help you learn the ropes. You can search for well-worn furniture at garage sales through Facebook Marketplace, Facebook "Buy Nothing" groups, and other resale markets. Fix it and you can resell it at a higher price to make some extra cash.

22. Refurbishment of Electronics

Refurbishing electronics can be a reliable way to earn extra money without leaving your home. There is a niche market for reversible appliances, such as the Sunbeam Radiant Control Toaster, that produce perfect toast. But mid-century toasters aren't up to snuff from a wiring standpoint, so savvy electricians are refurbishing them and turning them around for a profit. More comfortable with modern electronics? You can earn cash by refurbishing smartphones, laptops and more.

23. Freelance writing

Freelance writing can be a source of good money if you have the right balance of skills and tenacity. Start by studying best practices for the writing discipline you plan to specialize in (will you write a lifestyle blog? taglines? captions for a branded social media account?). What makes for good writing in one context may not translate directly to another, so you want to start by doing your homework and focusing on your niche. Doing this extra work will help you become an expert quickly, maximizing your earning potential

Platforms like Upwork can connect you with potential clients if you don't have an existing network. Clients on those platforms can also be hit or miss and on the lower end of the pay scale, but they can help you get your foot in the door. LinkedIn can be a really useful place to find freelance writing clients, especially with the “open for work” feature.

24. Take surveys online

Making money online is as easy as taking surveys. To earn money from surveys, you must first register with a survey site or two… or more (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, MyPoints, Life Points, Branded Surveys, etc.). Once you do, you can pay companies—via gift cards or PayPal—for feedback on their products/services or your interests, helping to fine-tune their offerings. Every online survey will be low paying, but it's easy work and can add up if you're looking for an easy way to make extra money.

Try the business you've always dreamed of starting

Have you always wanted to start your own business? Are you reading this article hoping to find a specific type of business that will allow you to follow your dreams? Then you already know the best way for you, personally, to earn extra money. Passion turns your side hustle into success and more

If you've got an idea that's not on this list, and you're looking for ways to make it happen, the Start Your Side Hustle free training can help. In this free course, you'll learn how to launch your side hustle in 30 days.

Button to watch free training to start Side Hustle

Work from Home Ideas—Finding a Job That Works for You

Want a career that gives you the flexibility to work from home? We'll show you some practical ways to build a career while working remotely.

25. Social Media Manager

Social Media Manager Responsible for representing a brand's voice across all social media channels A social media manager's job often includes creating content for various social media channels, leading social media strategy, scheduling posts, and engaging with customers on social media.

Social media has always been a flexible career, and in the wake of the pandemic, more companies than ever are allowing their social media managers to work remotely.

26. Email Marketing

Email marketing refers to the process of sending emails to a customer or customer base. Professionals working in email marketing typically handle brand audience messaging, email cadence, email list management, and email campaign performance tracking.

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27. Content Marketing

Content marketing refers to creating and promoting blogs, guides, videos, white papers and other digital content for marketing purposes. Content marketing should create real value for a user while building brand awareness. For this reason, content marketing is often a great remote career for former journalists.

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28. Online tutoring

Online tutors provide learning support for various subjects through online platforms. If you're interested in working as an online tutor, you'll need to brush up on the latest teaching practices (the way math is taught, for example, has changed from the way you learned addition or multiplication 20 years ago). Once you do, you can specialize in specific topics or offer broad learning support. There are several ways to create work as an online tutor. You can freelance, build a business using your network and marketing skills, or you can work for a large organization or company. With the latter, you'll make less money on a per-student basis, as the company will take a cut, but you'll benefit from the stability of growth.

29. Developer

A developer—also known as a dev, programmer, coder, or software engineer—uses IT languages to create software, including websites, online platforms, and apps. Software development is technical work that will require considerable training, but once you master the skills, your skills will be in high demand. Developers can usually command higher salaries and control their hours/where they work.

30. Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives are responsible for customer communications including questions, issues and complaints. As a Customer Service Representative, you will be responsible for answering questions about products and brands, processing orders and returns, and facilitating the resolution of more complex customer issues. A customer service representative usually works during scheduled hours, and since we've come to expect 24/7 customer support, many brands offer multiple shifts for customer support work. So, if you are looking for a remote job that allows you to work nights or weekends, this is a great option.

31. Employer

Recruiters work to find valuable candidates for open positions. They either work in an HR department, for an organization or as self-employed consultants. Recruiting has long been a remote work option, and it's only become more remote-friendly with the rise of LinkedIn. If you are someone who really likes meeting new people, this could be the career for you. Employers often need to screen potential candidates to find the right person for the role. You then need to pre-screen the professionals and present them to the hiring manager. If you're a social butterfly and consider yourself a student of human behavior, recruiting might be your dream homework.

32. Social Media Advertising

Social media advertising differs from the typical "social media management" role in that it focuses specifically on paid advertising on social media platforms. While organic social posts and social ads will have some similarities from platform to platform, they differ in what makes them most successful.

What is interesting about social media advertising? Because of the ability to segment audiences, you can target customers better on social media than any other advertising outlet. Get it right, and paid social media advertising can become a brand's highest revenue source. Get it wrong, and social media advertising can get really expensive real fast (with no real return). Because of the high-risk, high-reward nature of social media advertising, companies look for professionals with expertise in Facebook ads, YouTube ads, and Instagram ads. As Tiktok's social currency continues to grow, the demand for marketers who know the platform will continue to grow.

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33. Copywriting

You can maintain a copywriting career with a laptop and reliable internet connection, making it a profession you can do from anywhere. A writing career in copywriting, marketing and advertising offers stability and flexibility as long as you have the skills and expertise needed to produce winning copy from anywhere. You can work as a copywriter by providing landing pages, web pages, SEO copy, blog posts, tag lines, branding copy, ad copy and more.

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Level up to take your next step

Looking for more ways to develop your skills so you can become a money making machine? We're here to help every step of the way. Check out our courses for a variety of ways you can improve your skills so you can take your career or your small business to the next level.

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