Do you want to start your own business or earn additional money online? There are more opportunities than ever to make money online because of the rapid growth of technology. There are tools out there to help you succeed, whether you’re starting a business out of your passion, designing stuff for your TikTok fans, or selling used clothing on a local market. Do not yet have an idea? No problem! Here are 9 creative methods to make money that are suited to all skill levels.
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1. Create and sell a unique item.
When you think about selling directly to consumer companies, you likely imagine unique products that improve on existing things. You, too, can create and sell an exclusive item online. Consider creating a prototype for a product that solves a widespread need and then finding a manufacturer to build it.
Start-up time: It may take many months from the design phase to the making of a prototype and the production of the product.
Effort level: Starting a business might require a significant amount of work, with the constant medium effort required to keep it running.
Time to the first payment: After selling a product, most platforms would need you to wait five days before receiving payments in your bank account.
What to know:
- Manufacturing domestically gives you greater control over quality and sustainability, but it may also result in higher costs.
- Thoroughly research manufacturers to find the right fit for your product and brand.
- Be aware of labeling laws in every region where you plan to sell your product.
Requirements:
- E-commerce platforms (Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce…)
- Requirements vary by country and region, and some products may require licenses, permits, or certifications.
2. Create and Sell Handmade or Custom Products
By developing and selling handmade or personalized things online, you may turn your hobby or passion into a successful company. Why not monetize your skills by selling your work if you are already great at it? Alternatively, you may take up a new interest and learn practical skills that can be turned into a source of money. Although time-consuming, handcrafting items gives you complete control over product development and quality. Consider providing customization choices for each order, sometimes known as bespoke or one-of-a-kind items.
Start-up time: Setting up your e-commerce store can be done in just an hour or two.
Effort level: The level of effort required depends on whether you already produce goods, but maintaining the business may require a high level of effort.
Time to the first payment: After selling a product, expect a waiting period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
- While creating and selling handmade or custom products can be a rewarding small business idea, scaling this model can be challenging. To grow, you may consider bringing in other artists that you can train.
Requirements:
- E-commerce platforms (Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce…)
- Requirements may vary by country and region, and certain products may require licenses, permits, or certifications.
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3. Sell Digital Products
Selling digital products is a lucrative way to earn money with low ongoing effort and cost. Digital products include guides, ebooks, templates, music samples, plans, printables, and tutorials that can be delivered digitally in formats like PDF or through login access to a portal. This is an excellent option for creatives looking to sell their music or art online. For instance, food bloggers can also sell digital content such as recipes and meal plans to their audience through platforms like Instagram.
Start-up time: Once the digital asset is created, it only takes a few hours to set up and start selling online.
Effort level: Medium to high, depending on the product and your ability to grow a customer base. Low effort to maintain.
Time to the first payment: After selling a product, expect a waiting period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
- Digital goods are highly scalable, with no limit to the number of times you can sell the same asset.
- If you plan to license your product or use licensed materials, it’s crucial to consult with a lawyer or thoroughly research licensing laws.
Requirements:
- E-commerce platforms (Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce…)
- A digital delivery app from the Shopify App Store to streamline the delivery process.
4. Become a Reseller or Dropshipping
Reselling existing products can take various forms, from buying and reselling vintage or collectible items to becoming a certified distributor of a brand in a specific region. Another option is to dropship curate products from other brands and sell them through your own eCommerce store, such as featuring your favorite skincare products for problem skin.
Start-up time: Varies depending on what you plan to resell.
Effort level: Low to medium, as you don’t need to create your own products.
Time to the first payment: After selling a product, expect a waiting period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
- You can find brands to resell by consulting wholesale directories or reaching out to brands directly.
- AliExpress is another option for finding generic trending products to sell under your own brand. These products can sometimes be customized and considered white-label products.
Requirements:
- An online platform to sell your products, such as an e-commerce store.
- In some cases, you may need to sign contracts with brands in order to become an authorized reseller.
5. Monetizing a Blog
Blogs can be an excellent way to earn money online by selling advertisements, utilizing affiliate links, creating sponsored articles in collaboration with businesses, or selling items or bespoke products to your audience.
Start-up time: A few hours.
Effort level: Medium to start, but requires ongoing effort to maintain.
Time to the first payment: Varies depending on how you monetize your blog.
What to know:
- Monetizing a blog may take time to generate income, so patience is key.
- Using SEO (Search Engine Optimization) practices can help drive organic traffic to your blog, increasing your chances of making money.
Requirements:
- A blogging platform to host your blogs, such as WordPress or Blogger.
- An interest or skill that you want to write about, and a unique perspective or value to offer to your readers.
- Depending on how you plan to monetize, you may also need to sign up for affiliate programs, collaborate with brands, or set up an online store to sell merchandise or custom products.
6. Creating Online Courses and Workshops
Creating online courses and workshops is a lucrative method to earn money if you are an expert in a certain field and have great knowledge to offer. To sell your courses online, you can utilize a course platform or your own website, and a digital delivery or course app can be integrated into your Shopify store to simplify the process.
Start-up time: It can take weeks or even months to write, shoot, and edit an online course.
Effort level: Very high to start, as it requires significant time and effort to create high-quality course content. A medium effort to maintain.
Time to the first payment: Varies depending on your course and platform’s payment structure.
What to know:
- Research your competition and find ways to differentiate your course by offering unique value beyond what’s already available online.
- Using free gated content, such as sample lessons or modules, can help build your customer list and give potential customers a taste of your offering.
- Including live elements in your course, such as instructor office hours or exclusive Q&A sessions, can help enhance the learning experience and make your course more appealing to potential customers.
Requirements:
- Audio and video equipment for recording course content, as well as editing software for post-production.
- A platform to sell and deliver course content, such as a course platform or your own website with e-commerce capabilities. This may also include setting up payment processing and customer management systems.
7. Selling Services or Consulting Online
You can sell virtual services or advice online in addition to real things. Services such as online personal shopping, home decor advising, and one-on-one personal training fall under this category. Here are some things to think about:
Start-up time: It may take several hours to set up your website and online store.
Effort level: Hard. Selling services online requires ongoing effort to build a client list, perform services, and maintain your website.
Time to the first payment: After selling a service, you can expect a waiting period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
- Reviews and testimonials are important. Ask happy clients to write or record reviews and post them on your website to build trust with potential clients.
Requirements:
- A website or e-commerce store to showcase your services and accept payments.
- Expertise in a particular field to provide high-quality services.
- Consider using apps or integrations from the Shopify App Store to help with appointment booking, live chat, and other features to streamline your service offering.
8. Writing and Selling Books or eBooks Online
If you have a talent for writing, you may also make money by selling books or ebooks online. Here are some things to think about:
Start-up time: Writing, editing, and publishing a book can take varying amounts of time, potentially years, depending on the length and complexity of the book.
Effort level: Hard to start. Writing and publishing a book requires significant effort upfront, but ongoing effort is needed for marketing and selling the book.
Time to the first payment: The timeline for receiving payments will depend on how and where you sell your books.
What to know:
- Build a following for your personal brand as an author. Utilize social media, blogging, and other marketing strategies to grow your audience.
- If selling ebooks directly on your own website, consider using digital delivery apps to streamline the process.
Requirements:
- A publisher or print-on-demand service if you plan to sell physical books. Research and choose a reliable service that meets your needs.
- A platform for selling your book or ebook, such as Amazon Direct Publishing or your own eCommerce store.
- Invest in professional editing, formatting, and cover design to ensure a high-quality product.
- Consider utilizing keywords and SEO strategies to optimize your book’s visibility and discoverability online.
9. Selling Photos Online as a Photographer
If you have a talent for photography, you may make money by selling your images online. Here are some things to think about:
Start-up time: Building your portfolio may take a few weeks or months to capture and curate a collection of high-quality photos.
Effort level: Hard to start, as you need to build your portfolio and website. A medium ongoing effort is needed to maintain the business and develop new products.
Time to the first payment: After selling a photo, expect a waiting period of around 5 days to receive funds on most platforms.
What to know:
- Build awareness for your brand by growing your following on social media, showcasing your work, and engaging with potential customers.
- Diversify your income by exploring other methods of selling photos, such as licensing to stock sites, to generate more interest in your work.
Requirements:
- A camera and photo-editing software to capture and edit high-quality photos.
- An e-commerce platform or website to showcase and sell your photos. Research and choose a platform that meets your needs, and invest in a professional-looking website to create a positive impression.
- Consider partnering with a local printer to print your photos on specialty paper or other materials, or invest in a high-quality home printer to offer numbered and signed versions of your photos for sale.
- Invest in marketing and promotion to reach a wider audience and drive sales. Utilize social media, SEO strategies, and other marketing techniques to build your brand and attract customers.
- Ensure that you have the necessary permissions and releases for any photos that feature recognizable people or private property, and familiarize yourself with copyright laws and intellectual property rights to protect your work.
Start To Make Money In 2023
To resume ways to make money online in 2023, these are options available to you:
- Dropshipping Trending Products: You can set up an online store using a platform like Shopify and start dropshipping popular products. With dropshipping, you don’t need to hold inventory yourself; instead, you work with suppliers who ship products directly to your customers. This can be a way to earn passive income by leveraging popular trends and consumer demand. Want to know more about dropshipping business? Read our articles: “What Is Dropshipping?” and follow “Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide” to start your own dropshipping business
- Social Media Consulting: If you have expertise in social media marketing, you can offer your services as a social media consultant. Many businesses and individuals are willing to pay for assistance with managing their social media accounts, creating content, and implementing effective strategies to grow their online presence.
- Side Gig for Extra Income: You can choose from a wide range of side gigs, depending on your skills, interests, and availability. This can include freelance work, such as writing, graphic design, or virtual assistance, or offering services such as tutoring, pet sitting, or online surveys. You can start small and gradually grow your side gig into a full-time business if it becomes successful. Read our “7 Online Side Hustle Ideas in 2023” to get more business ideas
- Passionate Pursuits: Consider turning your hobbies or interests into a source of income online. For example, if you love baking, you can sell baked goods online. If you enjoy crafting, you can create handmade products and sell them on platforms like Etsy. By doing something you’re passionate about, you can not only make money but also enjoy the process and potentially turn it into a full-time business.
Remember to research and plan your online business carefully, including setting up a proper business structure, managing finances, and complying with legal and tax requirements. Building a successful online business may take time and effort, but with determination and dedication, you can start making money online and achieve your financial goals.
