Whether you want to become online home-based business owners, or simply want to make extra cash on the side, there are many ways that you can start an online side hustle that will definitely make you rich!
Have you ever stopped to wonder how the rich get so rich?
How they can live such lavish lifestyles while you struggle to make ends meet?
Well, the answer is simple: side hustles.
The term “side hustle” usually refers to a working business that one takes up outside their main duties.
However, it can also be used figuratively to describe a small side income or hobby.
But regardless of what it means, starting an online side hustle is something any reasonable person can do.
After all, it is something that will actually put money into your own pocket!
So let’s explore how to get started with your own side business idea – whether it is at home or somewhere else entirely.
What is an online side hustle?
An online side hustle is any business that is not your main job.
For example, you may be a full-time stay-at-home mom and want to start an online side hustle in order to make some extra money.
Or, you may be an artist and want to start a web marketing business in order to sell art prints and other products.
The point is, there are many ways that you can start an online side hustle that will definitely make you rich!
Why start an online side hustle?
There are many reasons that you may want to start an online side hustle.
Perhaps you want to help your family make more money, or maybe you want to earn extra income for yourself.
Starting an online side hustle is a great way to do this because it will allow you to generate a steady stream of income without having to work for someone else.
How much does it cost?
Starting an online business can be very expensive, but there are ways that you can cut down on the costs and still make a profit.
On the flip side, depending on the online side hustle idea, you can get started with zero capital.
And as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort, the results will be well worth it!
What tools do I need?
The tools that you need for your online part-time business will vary depending on what type of business you are starting and how much time and money you have available.
But one important tool that should be included in your arsenal is a platform to promote your venture. This can be a website you own, or a free one the likes of Medium and WordPress.com.
What are the perks?
Online side hustles can be very rewarding and exciting, but it can also be challenging.
There’s a lot of competition out there and you will have to work hard to earn your customers’ trust.
But if you’re willing to put in the effort, then you will be able to reap the rewards!
How do I start?
There are many ways that you can start an online side hustle, but here are the most common steps:
Step 1: Make a List of Your Skills, Background, and Expertise
Before you even start thinking about starting an online side hustle, it’s important to have a good understanding of your skills, background, and expertise.
This will help you to better target your ads and create a more believable online presence.
What are my skills?
Think about what you know and what you like to do. For example, if you’re a writer, then it’s easy to start an online business that sells writing services. On the other hand, if you’re a graphic designer, then it might be more challenging to get started.
What are my background and expertise?
When you create your list of skills and expertise, think about how your knowledge can translate into an online business opportunity.
Maybe you have experience in social media marketing or digital marketing.
Or maybe your expertise lies in video editing or web development. It’s important to analyze what kind of skills can help you build your online business and make it successful!
Step 2: Do your research on viability of the idea
The next step in your side hustle research process is to do some preliminary research on the viability of the idea.
You want to make sure that you know exactly how much money you will be making and how much time it will take for you to actually make that money.
When creating your list of skills and expertise, try to find out how many people have that expertise.
You can do this by searching online or by browsing through LinkedIn (if you’re a member). If you don’t already have a LinkedIn account, then go ahead and create one now!
How much money can I make?
Once again, think about what kind of business you want to start. Are there enough people who have similar skills?
You can use Google AdWords Keyword Planner tool to get an idea of how many people are searching for certain keywords in your niche. If there are too few people with those skills, then it may not be a good idea to start a side hustle.
Do I have enough time to start and grow the business?
Depending on the kind of business you are starting, you may need to put in a lot of time.
If the business is something that can be done online, then you could potentially work from home.
But if it requires travel or if you think it will take a lot of time to build your list, then maybe it’s not worth doing.
Step 3: Have a Schedule To Fit The Hustle
It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s actually not that hard to set up a schedule that will allow you to balance your side hustle with your main job.
First, make sure that you have a regular routine in which you can test the waters of entrepreneurship.
This way, you’ll be able to see if this is something that works for you and how much time it takes to get started.
If it feels like too much work, don’t start the business until you feel confident that you can handle it.
Do you have the time and resources necessary to start a successful side hustle?
Are you willing to put in the hard work?
If not, then forget about it!
You’ll need to be prepared to put in the extra effort and set aside at least 12-14 hours a week for your online business.
If you’re ready to take on this challenge, then by all means, jump right into it!
Step 4: Explore Potential Freelance Projects and Work
Once you’ve determined that your idea is something you’re interested in, it’s time to start exploring potential freelance projects and work on one for a month.
This will give you an idea of what the market is like and help you to understand your own strengths and weaknesses.
By working on a freelance project for a month, you’ll be able to better assess your skills and know what works and doesn’t work with this type of business.
After you’ve discovered your freelance project, start pitching your ideas to potential clients.
This doesn’t have to be an email pitch – you can put your project into writing and send it to potential clients as an email.
It’s also a good idea to ask your friends, family, and colleagues for help with this process.
You can also join a community or Slack group that focuses on this type of work.
These platforms are great for learning and sharing methods for getting the job done – you can also ask for help if you need it.
Step 5: Maintain a Balanced Workload
One of the most important things you can do when starting your own online side hustle is to maintain a balanced workload.
This means that you should have a healthy balance in your life, both during the daytime and at night. This will ensure that you’re able to focus on your online side hustle and not get bogged down by other responsibilities.
It is also very important that you don’t overwork yourself and that you schedule time for rest and relaxation as well.
Even if you don’t have the time or ability to work from home, it is still important to find ways to balance your work life and home life.
If you are actively working from home, you need to find ways to balance your work and home life such as setting goals for your home life, relaxing with friends and family, and finding ways to connect with your family and friends from your home office.
Step 6: Network everywhere
One of the most important things you can do to start an online side hustle is to network.
This means reaching out to people who share your same interests, or who might be able to help you with a problem that you’re facing.
It’s also important to find people who are in the same business as you, so that you can learn from them and benefit from their advice.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have a good website and that your content is high-quality.
8 Best and Underrated Online Side Hustle Ideas
There are tons of online side hustle ideas out there, but it can be hard to know which ones are the best.
That’s why I’ve decided to put together a list of some of my favorite online side hustle ideas!
1. Starting Your Own Online Course
This is a great way to make some extra money on the side while also learning something new.
There are tons of different ways to do this: You can create your own course and sell it, you can write articles for other courses, or you could even create a blog that teaches how to do specific tasks.
2. Freelance Writing
Freelancing is a great way to make some extra money on the side while also learning new skills.
You can find freelance writing jobs through websites like Craigslist or Upwork.
3. Online Surveys
Surveys are a great way to make extra money on the side while also learning new information.
You can sign up for surveys online, or you can do it in-person at a survey company.
4. Web Development
Web development can be a great way to make extra money on the side while also learning new skills.
You can find many web development opportunities through website ads or search engine results pages (SERPs).
5. Blogging
There are many different ways that you can start an online business through blogging, including:
- Blogging as a hobby and making extra money from ads on your blog (like with affiliate marketing)
- Blogging as your main source of income (e.g., by starting an e-commerce store or membership site)
- Blogging as part of a team (e.g., working with other bloggers who also blog about topics that you’re interested in)
6. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you make money by selling someone else’s product or service, rather than making it yourself.
There are many different kinds of affiliate programs, but the most popular are usually referred to as “niche affiliate programs.”
7. Etsy
Etsy is a popular place to sell handmade items, including:
- Clothing
- Jewelry
- Gifts
- Crafts
- Home decor items (like ceramics and so forth)
- Food (including baked goods and more)
8. eBay/Amazon/eBay Fulfillment Services (FBA)
If you think you have what it takes to be an online entrepreneur, then the best thing you can do is to start an online business that sells something on eBay, Amazon or another online marketplace.
Final Thoughts on How to Start an Online Side Hustle
There are many ways to start an online side hustle. It really depends on what you’re interested in and how much time you can put into it.
However, the following tips will help you get started:
- Start with a limited budget – if you can find a way to make your side hustles work without spending a fortune, that’s great!
- Be patient – side hustles take time and effort, but they can be very profitable.
- Be organized – making sure your side hustles are well organized will help make them easier to manage and track.
If you are a student, find here online part-time business ideas for you.
