Local business, method of quick online income

“Whether you want to launch a side project or expand a full-time enterprise, now is an ideal moment to begin. In today’s post-pandemic era, online businesses are thriving, and opportunities to make money on the internet have never been more plentiful.”

There are genuine ways to earn income from home without relying on watching ads. All that’s required to start making money online is a stable internet connection and a device like a computer or smartphone. Beyond that, it depends on your abilities, passions, and the amount of time you’re willing to invest.

Once you understand the different ways to earn online, you can choose the option that suits you best.

1. Complete surveys
Many websites will reward you with cash or gift cards for completing surveys or even playing games. While this won’t replace a full-time income, it’s a simple way to earn some extra money.

Survey platforms vary slightly in the types of surveys they offer and additional perks. They also differ in how and when you receive rewards. Typically, you’ll need to reach a minimum balance before you can withdraw your earnings. Some platforms only allow cash-outs monthly or quarterly.

You can start by exploring popular sites like Swagbucks, Toluna, InboxPounds, Branded Surveys, and YouGov.

2. Enter competitions
Being a “comper” means taking part in numerous contests, giveaways, and prize draws.

If you keep an eye out, you’ll spot chances everywhere: follow local businesses and brands you like, read community newspapers, and listen to the radio.

Many competitions now run exclusively on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, so consider setting up accounts if you don’t have them.

Pro tip: local competitions often have fewer participants, which can increase your chances of winning.

3. Get paid to test websites and apps
If you have opinions about how websites or apps look and function, companies need your feedback.

Several platforms hire testers to provide input on websites and apps. All you need is a computer, smartphone, or tablet. You’ll follow instructions to give feedback about design and usability, noting what works and what doesn’t.

Payments are usually made via PayPal or gift cards. Sites you can join include UserTesting, Loop11, Userlytics, Beta Family, and Ferpection.

4. Buy and resell items
You can make money by buying items at a low price and reselling them for a profit. This can include furniture, electronics, gaming consoles, collectibles, appliances, designer clothing, and more.

You can find items to resell in various places:

Charity shops
Flea markets and thrift stores
Wholesale suppliers
Discount retailers like TK Maxx and Top Brand Outlet
Police auctions
Liquidation stock
Online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace

A recent trend is purchasing liquidation pallets. These boxes contain a mix of items that stores couldn’t sell, sometimes due to minor damage.

Note: While you might get a pallet filled with valuable items, there’s no guarantee of profit, as you won’t know the contents beforehand.

5. Sell handmade goods
Handcrafted products have a unique appeal that mass-produced items can’t match. Many platforms allow you to sell items like soaps, toys, or home decorations.

If you’re unsure what to make, check what’s popular among other sellers. Choosing products that sell well increases your chances of success. Popular UK platforms for selling handmade goods include Etsy, Folksy, and eBay.

6. Launch a dropshipping business
If running an online store appeals to you, dropshipping could be a perfect fit. This well-known e-commerce model lets you operate without buying stock upfront or dealing with shipping logistics.

When a customer purchases an item from your store, the order is sent directly to the product’s manufacturer or supplier, who then handles packaging and delivery. This eliminates the need for significant initial investment.

Dropshippers sell products via their own websites or through popular platforms like Etsy and Amazon.

Pro tip: If you’re paying suppliers based overseas, you could lower currency conversion and transfer fees – and keep more profit – by using an international payment service like Wise and its Wise account. It’s not a traditional bank account but offers similar features.

7. Set up a print-on-demand store
Ideal for creative individuals or anyone with an eye for design (or those willing to outsource the design work via Fiverr), print-on-demand allows you to put your custom designs on products like mugs, T-shirts, hoodies, and stickers.

Providers such as Printify offer more than 850 different items you can customize. UK-based options include Printful, Inkthreadable, and Gelato – and there are many others you can find with a quick online search.

Helpful hint: Platforms like Shopify and Etsy integrate directly with print-on-demand services for easier selling.

8. Publish an ebook
Although writing a book might sound challenging, ebooks are often much shorter than traditional printed works.

You can create an ebook on virtually any subject, provided there’s reader interest. Topics could range from children’s stories and comics to romance novels or practical guides.

Once written, you’ll need to market it – social media is a free and effective option. You might also create a personal website to promote your work.

Publishing platforms include Draft2Digital, Lulu, Kobo Writing Life, Amazon KDP, and Barnes & Noble Press.

Money-saving tip: To avoid PayPal fees on Draft2Digital¹ and Lulu², consider using a Wise account, which lets you receive funds in 8+ currencies (including USD) and convert them at the mid-market rate.

9. Sell downloadable products and templates
Whether you’ve developed unique Photoshop brushes, Lightroom presets, or advanced spreadsheet tools, digital products are in high demand.

Examples of products you could sell include:

Media editor plugins, presets, and filters
Notion templates
Canva or Vistacreate layouts
Digital planners and sticker packs
Journaling and productivity guides
Email marketing templates
Prompt collections for ChatGPT or Midjourney
Budget spreadsheets

These products can be sold on marketplaces, via your own website, or directly through social media channels.

10. Create a blog
Blogging is an excellent outlet for strong writing skills and can generate income in several ways. You might display ads through Google Ads or Media.net, use affiliate links to promote products, partner with brands, or sell your own goods and services.

11. Sell your photography
If you love taking photos, you can turn your hobby into a source of income. Plenty of online stock photography sites—such as Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Alamy, Getty Images, Dreamstime, and 500px—allow you to upload and sell your images.

Alternatively, you could sell directly to customers by building your own website or using marketplaces like Etsy.

12. Start freelance writing
If you’ve ever imagined yourself as Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, freelance writing could be a perfect fit. There are many writing paths you can take:

Technical writing – simplifying complex concepts in fields like engineering, healthcare, or IT for a general audience.
Copywriting – crafting persuasive text to help businesses market their products or services.
Content writing – similar to copywriting, but focused more on providing valuable information through blogs, newsletters, and other content.
Ghostwriting – creating material that’s published under another person’s name, such as books, articles, or posts.

Build your skills and portfolio by publishing on platforms like Medium, or start by offering to create content for friends and family.

Freelance writing opportunities can be found on websites like Best Writing, LinkedIn, Peak Freelance Jobs, Upwork, and ProBlogger.

13. Create an online course
If you have valuable knowledge or a skill to share, why not package it into a course? The online learning market has exploded—growing more than ninefold since 2000.

With the abundance of tools available today, producing and selling your first course has never been easier. Consider platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Kajabi, or Domestika to reach learners worldwide.

14. Offer online tutoring
Many students benefit from extra guidance to improve their performance. If you excel in subjects like languages, maths, or science—or know effective exam-prep strategies—you can provide tutoring services.

In the UK, there’s no formal qualification required to become a tutor, though some companies may expect a degree or relevant teaching experience.

15. Take on translation work
If you’re fluent in more than one language, translation could be a profitable side gig. You can find projects on sites like Gengo, TextMaster, and Upwork.

16. Work as a Virtual Assistant (VA)
A virtual assistant helps clients with a range of administrative tasks from anywhere in the world—such as scheduling meetings, arranging travel, responding to emails, or even making calls.

Some VAs also manage bookkeeping, handle data entry, oversee social media, or provide personal assistance, depending on the client’s needs.

Look for VA roles on platforms like Upwork, Reed, Virtalent, or LinkedIn.

If you work for clients abroad, you can optimise your payments using a Wise account. Open a balance in the currency you’ll be paid in, get your local bank details, and share them with your clients so they can pay you directly. For instance, if you’re working with an Australian client, you can get AUD account details to receive local transfers—just be aware that fees still apply for SWIFT payments.