
Earning money online has never been more accessible – from creating digital products to providing freelance work, the opportunities are endless.
With countless possibilities, it’s easy to feel unsure where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 25 realistic and time-tested ways to earn income online, complete with potential earnings and practical advice. Whether your passion is photography, crafting, or coding, you’ll find an option that suits you.
Check out the short video below for a quick snapshot of the most popular ways to generate income on the internet.
Launching an online shop lets you offer products straight to customers via your own website or platforms such as Etsy or eBay. To maximize this opportunity, consider using an eCommerce site builder for fast setup and a polished brand presence.
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Dropshipping lets you run an online store without keeping stock. Your supplier sends the items straight to the buyer, making it a low-risk method to launch an eCommerce business.
Monetizing a blog through advertisements is one of the most direct ways to generate income. You can display automated ads via platforms like Google AdSense or sell ad placements directly to companies. Automated ads are simple to set up, while selling space yourself offers more control and potentially higher earnings.
Earning potential
Your income largely depends on your monthly traffic. For example, around 500,000 monthly visits can bring in $1,000–$5,000, and 1 million visits could yield anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 per month.
How to begin
- Select a niche with broad appeal and determine your preferred monetization approach.
- Build your site using tools such as WordPress.
- Publish well-researched, SEO-friendly content regularly to grow readership.
- Apply to ad networks like Google AdSense to start making money.
- Collaborate with relevant brands for sponsored posts in your niche.
Entry requirements
Plan to spend about $50–$100 for hosting and a domain name. Strong writing skills and SEO expertise are crucial. Most bloggers begin earning from ads after six to twelve months of steady traffic growth.
Affiliate marketing is the practice of promoting products or services and earning a commission for every sale made through your unique referral link. It’s a flexible income stream since you can promote multiple product types within the same niche.
Earning potential
On average, affiliate marketers make around $8,038 per month. The same research shows that networking with other marketers and maintaining consistency can greatly increase your income — professionals with more than three years of experience earn up to nine times more than beginners.
Getting started
- Pick a niche and focus on subjects with strong profit potential.
- Create an affiliate website using WordPress and SEO-friendly plugins.
- Partner with trusted affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates or the eBay Partner Network. Alternatively, join affiliate networks like Rakuten Advertising to connect with multiple brands.
- Produce valuable content like product reviews and tutorials to draw in visitors.
- Monitor your campaigns and refine the strategies that deliver the best results to grow your earnings.
For a detailed guide on launching a profitable affiliate marketing business, see our step-by-step tutorial on starting affiliate marketing. It also includes our Amazon Affiliate Connector plugin to help you quickly set up your affiliate site.
Requirements to begin
You’ll need either a website or a social media presence, basic knowledge of SEO, and tools for creating content. Partnering with reputable affiliate programs is essential, and it usually takes 6–12 months of consistent work to start seeing income.
The print-on-demand (POD) industry continues to be lucrative. From 2023 to 2024, it saw a growth rate of 22.7%, reaching a total market value of $48.4 billion. This business model enables you to produce unique designs and deliver them to customers without holding any physical stock.
Earning Potential
Income from print-on-demand varies based on the platform and how many active listings you maintain. On sites like RedBubble, creators generally earn about $1 per active listing each month. For instance, managing 100 designs across different platforms can bring in roughly $300 monthly.
Getting Started
- Select a niche and decide on the type of products you want to offer.
- Develop your own designs.
- Pick a selling platform—either your own website or marketplaces such as RedBubble.
- Set prices and promote your products.
- Deliver top-notch customer service.
For detailed instructions, refer to our complete guide on launching a print-on-demand business.
Requirements to Begin
Follow all legal guidelines to steer clear of copyright or trademark violations. Startup expenses usually range from $400 to $500, which covers costs like website hosting and design software. Basic design knowledge and marketing know-how are important, and you can start earning as soon as your first items sell.
The live-streaming industry is projected to expand rapidly, with an impressive estimated annual growth rate of 23% from 2024 to 2030. Leading platforms in this space include Twitch and YouTube. Revenue opportunities come from subscriptions, advertisements, premium memberships, and viewer contributions.
Potential earnings
Income can vary widely, from around $50 per month up to $1,500 monthly. In wealthier countries, Twitch creators often make between $3,000 and $5,000 each week, while top names like Ninja and xQc can bring in monthly incomes in the six-figure range.
Getting started
- Select your preferred streaming service, such as Twitch or YouTube.
- Prepare your streaming setup, including a PC or laptop, a quality microphone, and a webcam.
- Download and configure broadcasting software such as OBS Studio to manage your live sessions.
- Produce engaging content—this could be gaming, chatting, or a specialized topic.
- Grow your audience by sharing your streams on social media and maintaining a consistent schedule.
- For more detailed advice, check out our full guide on earning money through streaming.
Basic requirements
To begin streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, you’ll need a stable internet connection, a capable computer, a microphone, and a webcam. The overall investment for these basics generally falls between $500 and $1,500.
Earn Income on Amazon
Two of the most profitable ways to generate income on Amazon are selling private label products and offering handmade goods. Private labeling means putting your own brand on items sourced from manufacturers, while Amazon Handmade allows creators to sell their crafts straight to buyers.
Potential Earnings
The majority of Amazon sellers bring in at least $1,000 in monthly revenue, with top sellers surpassing $100,000 per month. Around 40% of sellers earn between $1,000 and $25,000 each month — translating to annual sales of roughly $12,000 to $300,000.
Getting Started
- Select your selling approach: private label for branded merchandise or handmade for custom creations.
- Set up an Amazon Seller account to begin listing items.
- For private label, source products from sites like Alibaba; for handmade, produce your own goods.
- Enhance listings with detailed descriptions, high-quality photos, and competitive pricing.
- Choose between Amazon FBA for order fulfillment or managing shipping on your own.
Requirements to Begin
Sign up for an Amazon selling plan. The Individual plan charges $0.99 per item sold with no monthly subscription, while the Professional plan costs $39.99 per month without per-item fees. You’ll need to account for Amazon’s referral fee in your pricing. Fundamental skills in product research, marketing, and listing optimization are also important.
Monetize a Podcast
Transform your podcast into a revenue stream through brand sponsorships, audience contributions, or premium subscription plans. The key is to deliver captivating content and cultivate a dedicated listener base, paving the way for sustainable income.
Potential Earnings
Podcast creators typically earn between $25 and $50 for every 1,000 episode downloads, while top-tier hosts—such as Joe Rogan—can command up to $100,000 per episode.
Getting Started
- Select a specific niche and produce compelling episodes that connect with your intended audience.
- Invest in essential podcast gear, such as a quality microphone and audio editing software.
- Pick a hosting platform like Podbean or Buzzsprout to publish your episodes—or consider launching your own website.
- Expand your reach via social media marketing, guest collaborations, and consistent episode releases.
- Generate income through brand deals, listener support, or podcast ad networks such as Podcorn.
For more guidance, explore our detailed article on launching a podcast. It also covers how to build a podcast website—a smart move for strengthening your long-term brand. For ideas, check out the SGGS Podcast.
Social media influencers can generate income by collaborating with brands through paid posts, sponsorship deals, or promoting products they endorse. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube provide multiple avenues for influencers to earn from their content.
Potential earnings
On average, influencers can make anywhere from about $195 to over $5,000 per post, depending on whether they fall into the nano, micro, macro, or mega influencer category.
Getting Started
Identify a niche—this could come from your interests, market needs, or a mix of both. For instance, if you love fitness, you could establish yourself as a health and wellness influencer.
Learn who your audience is and what they want.
Select the right platform. Many influencers actively use both Instagram and TikTok.
Discover effective strategies to collaborate with brands.
Focus on creating authentic content, especially product or brand reviews, since roughly one-third of Gen Z and Millennials prefer this type of content.
Requirements to Enter
To succeed as an influencer, having an engaged audience is essential. Strong skills in content creation will help attract brand partnerships. As your follower count increases, opportunities for sponsorships and collaborations will grow. Defining a clear niche can also help build stronger relationships with brands.