How To Make Money Online: 23 Proven Ideas for 2024 - Shopify (2024)

Are you dreaming of building your own business or simply looking for ideas to make extra money on the side?

With modern technology advancing before our eyes, there are more ways than ever to make money on the web. Whether you’re selling your used clothes on a local marketplace site, creating merch for your TikTok fans, or starting a business from a passion or hobby, there are tools to help.

And if you don’t yet have an idea in mind, this list will spark ideas for making money online—no matter your skill level. Ahead, explore 23 creative money-making ideas, including everything from beginner side hustles and passive income ideas to advanced business models.

How to make money online

1. Sell print-on-demand products
2. Monetize a blog
3. Sell digital products
4. Become a reseller
5. Try affiliate marketing
6. Become an influencer
7. Look for side gigs
8. Sell photos online
9. Create and sell handmade or custom products
10. Write and sell books or ebooks
11. Start a dropshipping business
12. Sell services or consultancy
13. Create online courses and workshops
14. Monetize a YouTube channel
15. Livestream on Twitch (or other platforms)
16. Become a social media consultant
17. Start a podcast
18. Sell products through online marketplaces
19. Develop and sell a unique product
20. Become an online tutor
21. Become an Airbnb host
22. Narrate audiobooks
23. Make a subscription box

Many of these ideas for making money online can be executed from home, allowing you to get up and running quickly. From generating advertising revenue from your YouTube videos to setting up your own online store, you can make money online leveraging your unique skills and experience.

💡Tip: Looking for low-effort ideas that require no skills or experience? Becoming a virtual assistant or taking online surveys are two of many such ideas. Browse even more ways to make money online for beginners and earn extra cash in your spare time.

1. Sell print-on-demand products

Print on demand (POD) allows artists and creators to customize white label products with their own designs without the need to hold inventory. When a customer places an order, a print-on-demand company will print your design on a product, fulfill the order, and ship it to the customer.

POD options include t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or fan merch. This model lets you create customized products quickly, making it a low-risk, low-investment way to earn extra income.

Best for: Creatives looking to make money online by monetizing their designs, influencers selling merch, those seeking passive income.
Startup time: A few hours to set up an ecommerce platform and print-on-demand integration.
Effort level: Easy to start if you already have designs to upload. Easy to medium to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.

What to know

• After you set up a Shopify store, browse the many print-on-demand suppliers to compare pricing, quality, and product lineup.
• Most ecommerce platforms require that you are at least 18 years of age.
• Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require you to have licenses, permits, or certifications.
• This is an easy online business to scale once you’re set up.

2. Monetize a blog

While many businesses use blogs to help drive traffic to their products, did you know that you can make money online with a blog alone? You can monetize a blog in a number of ways, including generating advertising revenue, using affiliate links, writing sponsored posts in partnership with a brand, or selling merch or custom products to an audience.

Best for: Existing bloggers and writers, those looking to make money online from home.
Startup time: A few hours.
Effort to start: Medium to start, but it will take a lot of effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: Varies depending on how you are monetizing your blog.

What to know

• While blogging can be a low-investment, small business idea, it can take time to pay off.
• Use SEO practices to drive organic traffic and read about more ways to monetize a blog.
• You will require a blogging platform.
• Choose an interest or skill you want to write about—consider a topic where you can bring a unique perspective and offer value to readers.

3. Sell digital products

Selling digital products is a great way to earn cash with low ongoing effort and cost. These products include guides, ebooks, templates, music samples, plans, printables, and tutorials that can be delivered digitally, in formats like PDF or via log-in access to a portal. This is a great option for creatives looking to make money online by selling music or selling art.

Another example of digital content is recipes and meal plans. Food blogger Lauren Fit Foodie sells this content to her audience through Instagram.

Best for: Creatives or those looking to make money fast.
Startup time: Once the asset is created, it takes a couple hours to get up and running online.
Effort level: Medium to high, depending on product and ability to grow a customer base. Low effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.

What to know

• Digital goods are scalable, with no limit to the number of times you can sell the same asset to earn money online.
• If you want to license your product or use licensed materials, be sure to consult with a lawyer or research licensing laws.
• You will require an ecommerce online platform and a digital delivery app from the Shopify App Store.

4. Become a reseller

Reselling existing products is one of the easiest online money making ideas, and it can take many forms. Whether you buy and resell vintage or collectible items or become a certified distributor of a brand in a specific region, you can start selling products without making any of your own.

Another option is to curate products from other brands through your own ecommerce store—say your favorite skin care products for problem skin.

💡 Tip: This model assumes you will be carrying and managing inventory. For a lower-investment option, jump ahead to dropshipping.

Best for: Those looking to make money fast.
Startup time: Varies depending on what you plan to resell.
Effort to start: Low to medium, as you don’t need to create your own products.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait 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 simply reaching out.
• AliExpress is another option for finding generic trending products to sell under your own brand. These can even sometimes be customized and considered white label products.
• You will require an online platform to sell your products.
• In some cases, you may sign contracts with brands in order to resell.

5. Try affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves sharing affiliate links that you receive from brands to promote their products on your site or social accounts to earn money online. When someone buys the product after clicking your affiliate link, you’ll receive credit for the referral, along with a commission. A solid content marketing strategy around your affiliate links will help you drive visits, clicks, and buys.

Best for: Marketers, bloggers, and creators with an existing audience; those looking for passive income.
Startup time: A couple hours.
Effort level: Medium to start. Very low effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on the success of the affiliate links and the payment terms you set with the brand.s

What to know

• Sign up for Shopify Collabs to get access to brands offering affiliate programs to creators and influencers.
• Disclaimers are required by the Federal Trade Commission and most reputable affiliate programs. You are required to let your audience know if you are being paid to promote a product.
• You will require a website, blog, or social media presence where you can promote products.

6. Become an influencer

Influencer marketing is popular with brands looking for clout with audiences that resemble their target customer. Brands are clamoring to sponsor content by productivity and stationery creator Amanda Rach Lee. But you don’t need to have Amanda’s two million followers to make money online as an influencer.

You will need an engaged following, but influencer marketing statistics show that influencers with as few as 1,000 followers—considered nano influencers—can get brand deals on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram. Anyone can create viral videos if you understand what your audience wants.

How to get paid as an influencer:

• Open a store online and sell merch to your fans.
• Sell sponsored posts to brands or become a brand ambassador or affiliate.
• Make ad revenue.
• Offer exclusive content through platforms like Patreon.

Best for: Aspiring creators with expertise or a unique POV on a specific topic.
Startup time: Varies, but generally, about three to four months.
Effort level: High. Popular accounts need fresh content to keep audiences constantly engaged.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on the type of monetization you pursue.

What to know

• The Shopify Starter Plan is perfect for creators who want to get selling fast without building a website. Or, you can also use a link-in-bio toolto superpower your social bio and push fans to your store.
• You will need to meet minimum age requirements for each platform account to earn money online.
• Choose this money making idea if you have a flair for content creation and being an on-camera personality (video and photo editing skills are a bonus).
• An ecommerce platform for selling fan merch may be required.

7. Look for side gigs

Side gigs are the classic way to earn money while keeping a full-time job. Side gigs that help you earn money online include data entry, transcribing, manual labor, virtual assistant work, or administrative tasks. Use platforms like Fiverr or TaskRabbit to create side gigs. You can also consider food delivery or driving as a side gig, making money through apps like Uber.

🚀 Level up: Once you gain experience and clients through a marketplace, set up a simple ecommerce site and sell specific tasks or take on custom jobs.

Best for: Those looking to make money fast.
Startup time: Less than an hour.
Effort to start: Medium.
Time to first payment: Varies depending on the freelance marketplace or app you use.

What to know

• Some side gig marketplaces require an upfront fee to sign up, so read the fine print carefully.
• Review the side gig marketplace’s payment schedule to make sure it works for you.
• In most cases, you will only require a solid internet connection and a device.

💡Tip: Looking for how to make money fast? Choose ideas like this one that have a low barrier to entry and a short startup time.

8. Sell photos online

Whether you’re shooting on the newest iPhone or the latest Canon DSLR, you can sell photos online as a photographer. One of the best money making ideas for creatives, selling photos in your spare time is also easy to start if you already have a body of work.

Partner with a local printer to print your photos on specialty paper or other materials, or invest in a high-quality home printer. You can ship and sell numbered and signed versions of your photos directly to customers through your website.

💡Looking for a more hands-off or beginner-friendly way to sell your photos?Jump to print on demand.

Best for: Photographers and photography enthusiasts looking to make money online from their craft.
Startup time: A few weeks or months to build your portfolio.
Effort level: High to start as you build your portfolio and website. Medium ongoing effort to maintain the business and develop new products.
Time to first payment: After you sell a photo, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.

What to know

• Build awareness for your brand by growing your following on social media.
• Use other methods of selling photos (like licensing to stock sites) to generate interest in your work.
• You will require a camera, photo-editing software, and an ecommerce platform plan.

9. Create and sell handmade or custom products

Making products by hand is a great way to turn a hobby or passion into a business. You are already an expert at your craft—why not sell your work? Or, explore a new hobby and learn a hands-on skill that you can monetize.

Hand-making goods gives you full control over product development and quality, but can be time consuming. Also consider allowing customers to customize each order to their specifications. This is called bespoke, or one of a kind (OOAK).

Best for: Creatives looking to monetize their hobby, those looking to make money from home.
Startup time: It will take just an hour or two to set up your ecommerce store.
Effort level: Depends on whether you already produce goods. High effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.

What to know

• While this is one of the most rewarding money making ideas, scaling this model is challenging. To grow, consider bringing on other artists you can train.
• Most ecommerce platforms require that you are at least 18 years of age.
• Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require you to have licenses, permits, or certifications.

10. Write and sell books or ebooks

In the same way that you can monetize your expertise with an online course or your influence as a YouTuber, you can also earn cash selling books or ebooks online. There are a number of formats and genres, from novels to memoirs to self-help books.

Try using a print-on-demand book service to print and sell books online on your own ecommerce store, or use a service like Amazon Direct Publishing to sell ebooks.

Best for: Writers, journalists, and subject matter experts.
Startup time: Varies by book, but could take years to write, edit, and publish.
Effort level: Hard to start. Medium ongoing effort to market and sell the book.
Time to first payment: Depends on how and where you sell your books.

What to know

• Grow a following for your personal brand as an author.
• Digital delivery apps can be useful if you plan to sell ebooks directly to customers on your own website.
• You will need to find a publisher or print-on-demand service to print physical books.
• Choose a platform for selling your book or ebook directly to customers to cut out the middleman and make more money online.

11. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a low-cost business model where products are shipped to customers directly from the vendor or manufacturer. This is a popular way to make money online for beginners as, as the seller, there is no need to handle inventory or shipping—you’re simply responsible for driving traffic and customer service.

Due to the ability to be nimble, dropshippers can follow trends and sell trending products as they emerge.

Best for: Those looking for passive income and making money from home.
Startup time: A few hours to set up a store and source vendors.
Effort level: Medium to start and grow the business. Low effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.

What to know

• You can create a Shopify store and test it out with a free trial.
• AliExpress and other dropshipping suppliers are great places to start sourcing products.
• Most ecommerce platforms require that you are at least 18 years of age.
• Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require you to have licenses, permits, or certifications.
• This is not a passive income idea, as widely believed. While you don’t need to handle inventory, there is work required to drive traffic and manage customer service.

12. Sell services or consultancy

While it may be most common to think of selling physical products online, you can also sell non-tangible things. Consider selling a virtual service like online personal shopping, home décor consulting, or one-to-one personal training. Set up your own ecommerce store and visit the Shopify App Store to find an app that integrates to help with appointment booking and live chat.

Best for: Subject matter experts.
Startup time: Several hours to set up your website.
Effort level: Hard. This will require ongoing effort to build your client list, perform services, and maintain your website.
Time to first payment: After you sell a service, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds on most platforms.

What to know

• Reviews and testimonials are your friend. Ask happy clients to write or record reviews and post them on your site.
• You will require a website or ecommerce store as well as expertise in a particular field.

13. Create online courses and workshops

Online workshops and courses are another form of digital product that you can create to earn income from your expertise. This is a great idea if you are a subject matter expert on a topic people are willing to learn. Selling courses online is made easier using a course platform or your own website. A digital delivery or course app can be installed in your Shopify store to help sell courses online.

Best for: Creatives and subject matter experts.
Startup time: It can take weeks or even months to write, shoot, and edit an online course.
Effort level: Very high to start. Medium effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on your course and platform’s payment structure.

What to know

• Research your competition: What value can you create beyond what’s already available online?
• Use free gated content to build your customer list and give potential customers a sample of your offering.
• Live elements like instructor office hours or exclusive Q&A sessions help sell your course.
• You will require audio and video equipment and editing software as well as a platform to sell and deliver course content.

14. Monetize a YouTube channel

Top YouTube influencers like Cassey Ho, Wil Yeung, and Katie Carson all started where you are: with an idea. Each of these YouTubers built audiences through authentic content before monetizing their channels.

Once you’ve reached 1,000 subscribers, you can try YouTube ads. You can also offer a paid product placement or become a brand affiliate. Selling products like your own branded merch is a great way to build your personal brand. Create your own website and link it to your channel to sell t-shirts, hats, and other swag to your fans.

Best for: Creators, YouTubers with an existing audience.
Startup time: It will take an hour or two to start a YouTube channel.
Effort level: High. YouTube requires an ongoing effort to create and publish video content.
Time to first payment: Once you’ve reached 1,000 subscribers, you can start earning revenue from ads to make money on YouTube. Time to first payout via other methods varies.

What to know

• Finding a niche with an underserved audience is a great option for your channel’s angle. Understand this audience and create content that adds value.
• YouTube Shorts offer a way to keep your page fresh with shorter and more casual content.
• You will require audio and video equipment and editing software.
• Parental permission to start a YouTube channel will be required if you are between 13 and 17 years old.
• Choose a sales channel or online store platform to sell merch (must be 18 to open a store).

15. Livestream on Twitch (or other platforms)

While the first platform that comes to mind for livestreaming may be Twitch, a popular site for gamers and other content creators, many other platforms now offer native livestreaming, including YouTube and Instagram. You can livestream everything from game play to recipe demos to bike tours. Hone in on a niche to build an audience around a particular interest or skill.

You can monetize your livestream on Twitch a handful of ways:

• Selling products like merch directly to fans
• Brand sponsorships
• Fan donations
• Exclusive content subscriptions
• Twitch ads

Best for: Those looking to make money from home, gamers, creators, on-camera personalities.
Startup time: An hour or so to create an account.
Effort level: High to start as you build an audience. High ongoing effort to create consistent content.
Time to first payment: Varies depending on streaming service. Twitch pays out 15 days after the end of each month.

What to know

• Stay consistent by regularly broadcasting at the same time of day or the same day every week.
• Monetize your Twitch channel by selling products using the Shopify Starter Plan—this is an affordable alternative to a full ecommerce website plan.
• You will require a camera, microphone, and livestreaming software or platform.
• Twitch is recommended for ages 15+, but many monetization options may require you to be over 18. Consult each platform’s terms of service for details.

16. Become a social media consultant

Are you Extremely Online? Do you jump on every new social media platform? Have a knack for spotting trends, writing great copy, or attracting audiences?

As a social media consultant, you can work with brands to brainstorm creative ideas, develop a content strategy, produce videos or graphics, and produce copy. Once you gather clients and experience, you can become an official Shopify Expert, marketing your skills to brands looking for your unique expertise.

Best for: Social media experts, creators with popular channels.
Startup time: Several hours to reach out to prospective clients.
Effort level: High. You’ll need to be consistently maintaining client relationships and working on projects in order to be profitable.
Time to first payment: After you invoice a client, in most cases they will have 15 to 30 days to pay you, depending on the terms you set.

What to know

• Build your own social following first and use it as a portfolio to demonstrate your ability.
• Networking will help you land new clients. Be proactive with your outreach.
• You will require experience creating a successful social media presence that makes money.
• Set up social media accounts and a website to showcase your work and start gaining clients.

17. Start a podcast

By the end of 2024, the number of podcast listeners worldwide is predicted to grow to more than 500 million. This popular audio format for consuming stories, comedy, news, and opinions continues to grow. If you have a great voice, love to talk, and have a particular interest or talent to share, podcasting could be a great way to make more money.

As you build your following, there are many ways to monetize your podcast:

• Sponsorship deals
• Premium (paid) content offerings
• Donations and tips
• In-podcast ads
• Selling merchandise to fans through an online store

Best for: Those looking to make money from home, creators, subject matter experts.
Startup time: Average nine to 14 hours per episode, including editing.
Effort level: High.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on how you are monetizing your podcast.

What to know

• Once you have an audience, they will expect regular episodes to keep them engaged.
• Building a following will require work and time. Pay attention to feedback and make adjustments to your production quality and content accordingly.
• You will require studio recording equipment, including a professional microphone and editing software.
• Set up an account with a podcast service like Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Music.

18. Sell products through online marketplaces

Online marketplaces are often launch points for many now-successful brands, because they come with built-in audiences seeking specific products. For example, Etsy is a go-to source for buyers looking for handmade and vintage items, while Amazon is a global destination for product discovery and research.

You can get up and running quickly because there is less pressure on the seller to drive their own traffic or build a brand.

🚀 Level up: Take your online business to the next level by building your own store. You can even sell products on both Etsy and Shopify, syncing inventory with an app like Etsy Marketplace Integration.

Best for: Creatives, those looking to make money from home.
Startup time: An hour or two to set up your account and add products.
Effort level: Depends on your product and business model.
Time to first payment: Anywhere from the day after to 14 days after you make a sale, depending on the marketplace.

What to know

• Follow Etsy’s guidelines around what you can sell and acceptable use of the platform.
• You must comply with Amazon’s seller policies to be in good standing.
• Most marketplaces require that you are at least 18 years of age.
• Sellers between 13 and 18 years of age may use Etsy with the supervision of a parent or guardian.

19. Develop and sell a unique product

When you think of most direct-to-consumer brands, this is what comes to mind: original products that make meaningful improvements to well-known items. You too can develop and manufacture a unique product to sell—and make money online in the process. Consider designing a prototype for a product that solves a common problem, then finding a manufacturer to create it.

Best for: Aspiring entrepreneurs and product developers.
Startup time: Several months from design to prototype to manufacturing.
Effort level: High to start. Medium ongoing effort to maintain.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds in your bank account on most platforms.

What to know

• Manufacturing domestically means you have more control over quality and sustainability, but your costs may be higher.
• Research manufacturers carefully to find the right fit for your product and brand.
• Be sure to consider labeling laws in every region where you plan to sell.
• Most ecommerce platforms require that you are at least 18 years of age.
• Requirements vary by country and region, but some products may require you to have licenses, permits, or certifications.

20. Become an online tutor

If you are knowledgeable in subjects like biology, math, or languages, you could earn income on the side with online tutoring. With sites like TutorMe and Fiverr, you can easily make money online by finding students who need your help. Or set up a simple website and use social media and peer recommendations to drive traffic and sign-ups.

🚀 Level up: If you find success with tutoring, try selling online courses and promoting them through a dedicated ecommerce store.

Best for: Subject matter experts, those looking to make money from home.
Startup time: A few hours to set up a website or an account on a tutoring platform.
Effort level: Medium to start. Ongoing effort level depends on how many students you take on.
Time to first payment: Varies, depending on how you bill your students.

What to know

• Most freelance sites require proof that you are skilled in the subject matter.
• Expect transaction fees on tutoring platforms.
• You will require knowledge of the subject matter you wish to teach.
• Licenses or diplomas may be required by each platform and subject.

21. Become an Airbnb host

Have an unused spare bedroom, in-law suite, or carriage house? Create a cozy guest experience and invite travelers into your home. You can make good money from your investment to help you pay your mortgage, cover expenses, or even save money for the future. Make even more money by selling products to your guests.

🚀 Level up: Try using QR codes in your house manual to sell products seen in your home (throw pillows or scented hand soap) via affiliate links. Shopify Collabs can help you find brands to work with.

Best for: Property owners looking to earn money from their investment.
Startup time: Your listing will appear in the search results 72 hours after you publish your listing.
Effort level: Medium at startup. High effort to maintain the property/space and manage guest communication.
Time to first payment: Airbnb sends host payouts 24 hours after each guest checks in.

What to know

• Sign up for a free Airbnb account and go to the Airbnb host page and follow the prompts to publish a new listing.
• You will require a room, home, cottage, or other dwelling that you can legally rent.
• Learn local laws, restrictions, and regulations for your area related to short-term rentals.
• Account for any occupancy taxes relevant to your region.
• Permits may be required by your area to rent out your space on a short-term basis.
• When you create your listing, add descriptive copy and high-quality images to attract guests.

22. Narrate audiobooks

Love reading and have a great speaking voice? Make money online by putting your talents and interests to use by becoming an audiobook narrator. Organization, professionalism, and meeting deadlines are important to help you build a good reputation. Try finding narration work through audiobook marketplaces like ACX, Bunny Studio, or Voices.

🚀 Level up: Create a website and post samples of your narration. This will be attractive to recruiters who can get a feel for your style.

Best for: Those looking to make money from home.
Startup time: Many hours.
Effort level: Medium to hard.
Time to first payment: Varies by marketplace.

What to know

• Networking is essential in order to secure work. Join meetups, attend audiobook networking events, and engage on social media.

23. Make a subscription box

A subscription business provides customers with products on a recurring basis, and can be a winning strategy for making money from home. There are two types of subscription businesses: replenishment model, where goods are delivered at intervals, and membership model, where members get access to perks or exclusive products. Subscription boxes fit into the former category.

Start a subscription box business and make money online by curating products within a category and marketing your business to a niche audience. Choose a product category in which you have interest or experience and look for gaps in the market to find an underserved group of customers.

Best for: Aspiring entrepreneurs, those looking to make money from home.
Startup time: Many hours.
Effort level: Hard.
Time to first payment: After you sell a product, expect a wait period of around five days to receive funds in your bank account on most platforms.

What to know

• Because you are curating a box, you will handle fulfillment yourself until you grow large enough to hire a third-party logistics company (3PL).
• Consider helping local small businesses thrive by curating products made in your home town.
• Do market research to find which categories are underserved in the subscription box market.

How to make money online in 2024

You can start making money online as early as today. Earn passive income by dropshipping trending products or get a part time job as a social media consultant. Whatever idea you choose from this list, you’re on your way to putting extra cash in your pocket.

A side gig is a great way to save money for school, retirement, or a big splurge. And there are several online platforms available to help you start making passive income or monetize your hobby. And if you choose one that you’re passionate about, you may even level it up to a full-time business.