On average, people spend about six and a half hours browsing the web every day. What if you could use a few of those hours to make money online? (Statista, 2023)
The truth is, the internet is growing, with over 5 billion people using it daily to shop, network, search for information, or look for entertainment. (Statista, 2024)
This growth presents unlimited opportunities that you can tap into to generate extra income. Even better? Anyone can earn money online—all it takes is finding the right job or activity. You can even engage in as many (or as few) activities as you’d like, creating various streams of revenue to boost your bottom line while working around your existing schedule.
Sounds pretty appealing, right? But you have to know where to start. Fortunately, that’s why we’re here. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to make money online, whether full-time or on the side.
Getting started with making money online
Regardless of your background or technical skills, you can easily tap into online revenue streams—all you need is an internet connection and your smartphone or computer.
Why make money online
Making money online offers numerous benefits, making it an attractive option for many.
Some of these benefits include:
- Flexibility – You can work anytime and from anywhere with an internet connection. This means you’re not restricted to normal working hours; the choice of when, where, and how often to work is yours.
- Endless opportunities – There are countless ways to make money online, from freelance writing and graphic design to developing the next big app. You can also monetize your hobby or passion.
- Low entry barriers – Most opportunities don’t need technical skills or certifications. A computer and internet connection are usually all you need to get started.
Note that some opportunities also allow you to earn money passively, meaning you can earn money with minimal ongoing effort after the initial setup. Passive income opportunities include selling stock photos, affiliate marketing, and creating courses (we’ll explore some of these later in detail).
Essential tools for online success
Apart from your computer and internet connection, you can invest in different tools and assets to enhance your online earning potential.
For instance, you can create a website or blog, especially if you want to monetize a skill or build a passive income stream through advertising networks like Google AdSense. A website can also double as a portfolio to showcase your work to potential clients, boosting your credibility and professionalism. Wix is an optimal choice for website building, offering hundreds of pre-made templates and a user-friendly interface to get your site up and running quickly.
Another way to enhance your digital identity and online earning potential is by setting up a professional email account customized with your domain. Not only does this add credibility, but it also ensures you don’t miss out on gigs, projects, or orders because of a cluttered personal inbox. Fortunately, with Name.com, you can easily access professional email services like Google Workspace to stay organized.
Proven strategies to make money online
Let’s explore some effective ways to grow your income online:
Making money with freelancing
Becoming a virtual assistant or taking on freelance jobs such as social media management can help you earn money from the comfort of your home. In fact, freelancing is one of the most popular ways to earn money online, as it allows people to monetize skills such as:
- Graphic design
- Photography
- Content writing
- Virtual assistance
- Video production
- Coaching
- Illustration
- SEO consulting
- Programming
- Web design and development
On average, the hourly rate for US freelancers is $48, with rates varying significantly depending on skills and market demand. (ZipRecruiter, 2024) For example, programming gigs can pay as much as $132 per hour.
To get started, set up a profile on an online freelancing platform like Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, Freelancer.com, or FreeUp. Be sure to include your website to help you stand out from the crowd.
Making money through e-commerce
You can also set up an online store to sell products. Create your own products or try retail arbitrage, where you buy popular items in bulk and sell them at a mark-up. Some ideas include:
- Candles
- Jewelry
- Artwork
- Phone accessories
- Clothing
Make sure to conduct proper market research and use the right online platform to reach your audience. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or any other online marketplace provide a great way to reach a potential buyer quickly. Digital products, like e-books, are also excellent options since they eliminate the need for managing inventory or shipping.
To set up an online store, purchase a compelling domain name from Name.com and connect it to your website. Then, promote your store through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Generating income through content creation
There are over 200 million content creators worldwide, and you can become one, too. (Linktree, 2022) Valued at over $250 billion and projected to hit $480 billion by 2027, the creator economy offers tons of opportunities for influencers, bloggers, podcasters, and more. (Goldman Sachs, 2023)
As a content creator, you can earn money through ads on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, X, and Snapchat. Bloggers can join Google AdSense to earn passive income, while influencers can partner with brands to make money through sponsored posts and paid partnerships.
Making money with affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is similar to sponsored posts and paid partnerships in that it involves promoting products or services and earning commissions for each sale. On average, affiliate marketers earn $8,038 monthly—an income that may make it possible for some people to leave their full-time jobs. (AuthorityHacker, 2024)
To get started, create a website where you can promote affiliate links through videos or blogs. Then, aim to promote products or services related to your content—a.k.a., products and services your audience is most likely to be interested in.
You can join affiliate programs like CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, Amazon Associates, ClickFunnels, and ClickBank.
Dropshipping to generate revenue
For a low-risk way to join e-commerce, start a dropshipping business to sell products through your website without stocking inventory. Dropshipping involves selling a product but passing the order to a third-party supplier for fulfillment and shipment.
To increase your earning potential, consider selling trending products like wine, skincare, art, makeup, or vitamins and supplements. Once you have your website set up, integrate it with your desired marketplace like Modalyst, AliExpress, Zendrop, DSers, or Worldwide Brands.
Then, set your shipping rules and start selling.
Optimizing your online presence for success
Creating a stellar online presence is essential for making money online. It helps build trust in your brand and sets you apart from the competition.
Here’s what you can do to get started:
Build a website for your online business
As mentioned, having a dedicated website is crucial to building online credibility and expanding your income potential. Your website can serve as your professional portfolio to showcase your content writing, video production, or photography skills. Or, you can use it as an ecommerce store to sell products or a hub for your affiliate marketing.
Regardless of what you choose, start by registering a unique and memorable domain name on Name.com. With a wide range of top-level domains (TLDs) to choose from—like .store, .pro, and .bio—you’re sure to find one that suits your business. You can then use one of our website solutions to set up your website and add it to your online profiles.
Use social media to drive traffic and sales
Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with a wide audience. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have over 2 billion registered users, creating a pool you can tap into to drive traffic to your site and boost sales.
Of course, success on these platforms demands a stand-out profile that reflects your unique identity. To that end, choose clear, memorable usernames that mirror your domain name, and make sure to add your website link to your bio.
Then, focus on creating quality, relatable, and engaging content.
Case studies: Successful online entrepreneurs
Their insights and experiences can guide you as you navigate different money-making opportunities. As you explore ways to make money online and increase your earnings, learning from successful brands and entrepreneurs who’ve already achieved success can be incredibly valuable. Their insights and experiences can guide you as you navigate different money-making opportunities.
Take Julian O’Hayon, the co-founder of Blvck Paris, who loved sharing black-theme images on Instagram. (Forbes, 2019) These images became viral on the platform, inspiring him to build an all-black lifestyle brand that now generates over $1M yearly.
Another success story? Taylor Offer and Parker Burr, co-founders of FEAT Socks, began selling custom socks during their senior year of college. (Sweater Ventures, 2022) They bought plain white socks in bulk and added custom designs, selling over 20,000 pairs on campus. Their success attracted investors, propelling FEAT Socks into an online business with over $1M in yearly revenue.
These examples prove that with the help of the internet, you can turn your passion into an income-generating activity.
Pave your path to online income with Name.com
As the internet continues to grow, it offers immense potential to turn your hobby, passion, or skill into a viable income-generating opportunity. You can explore a variety of paths, from content writing and blogging to photography, video production, affiliate marketing, e-commerce, and more, all aimed at increasing your income.
However, success in these endeavors heavily relies on establishing a strong digital identity that builds trust with your audience. A professional online presence gives you a significant advantage—starting with a well-designed website and a memorable domain name. That’s where Name.com comes in.
Name.com provides industry-leading products to help you create a winning online presence. Start by using our domain name search tool to find a personalized web address, then build your website using easy-to-use tools. Plus, enhance your brand’s professionalism with our email solutions.
When you’re ready to unlock a world of online income opportunities, reach out to Name.com.
Sources:
Statista. Average daily time spent using the internet by online users worldwide from 3rd quarter 2015 to 4th quarter 2023.
Statista. Internet usage worldwide – Statistics & Facts. www.statista.com/topics/1145/internet-usage-worldwide/
ZipRecruiter. Freelance Salary. www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Freelance-Salary
Linktree. The 2022 Creator Report. linktr.ee/creator-report/static/Linktree-CreatorReport-2022-02f3aa05a27be6fecb3537b13d5ec9de.pdf
Goldman Sachs. The creator economy could approach half-a-trillion dollars by 2027. www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/the-creator-economy-could-approach-half-a-trillion-dollars-by-2027.html
AuthorityHacker. Affiliate Marketing in 2024: Survey of 2,270 Affiliate Marketers Reveals What’s Working. www.authorityhacker.com/affiliate-marketing-survey/
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