Top 10 Quick Ways to Earn Money Online

Top 10 Quick Ways to Earn Money Online

An internet connection makes nearly everything accessible, regardless of location or device. If you’re looking for ways to make money immediately, consider our top picks:

1. Review websites. Give feedback on people’s websites to improve their usability.
2. Do voice-over work. Lend your talents to commercials, trailers, and audiobooks.
3. Complete online surveys. Make extra cash by sharing your opinions.
4. Try mystery shopping. Get paid to review businesses and share your experience as a customer.
5. Test games and software. Provide developers with insights into their software’s user experience.
6. Sell stock photos and footage. Ideal for photographers and videographers looking for a way to make passive income.
7. Sell second-hand items. Declutter your home and sell used items like clothes, appliances, and vehicles.
8. Sell school notes. Popular among students who want to maintain good grades while making money on the side.
9. Carry out small jobs. Excellent for people with limited technical skills and free time.
10. Monetize art and designs. Sell products bearing your designs or do art commissions.

Let’s take a closer look at these online money-making ideas and discuss tips to make your business successful.

1. Test Websites and Give Feedback

If you have a keen eye for website design and development, consider becoming a website tester. It’s a great way to make money quickly and immerse yourself in the web development industry.

A website tester must have critical and logical thinking skills, excellent communication abilities, and knowledge of website functionality and design. These qualities can improve your job prospects and test-reporting quality.

Payments are usually project-based, and the rates differ based on the testing methods and the platform’s policy.

For example, UserTesting offers $4–$120/test. Website testers who perform live conversation sessions with clients make more money.

Here are a few other marketplaces where people can make money online via website testing projects:

• Ubertesters. A crowdsourced testing service focusing on websites, mobile apps, and games.
• Userbrain. An online tool offering user experience testing for websites and digital product prototypes.
• Testbirds. User experience testing for digital products, including eCommerce stores, mobile apps, and fitness trackers.
• Userlytics. In addition to testing websites and apps, it offers projects focusing on reviewing video commercials.
• TryMyUI. Provides impression testing for websites and mobile apps via recorded videos and survey-based feedback.

2. Do Voice-Over Work

Voice-over work is an excellent way to make money fast. Since most voice-over jobs are project-based, a long-term commitment isn’t required.

Companies are always looking for new voice-over talents. Here are a few examples of how to use your voice to make good money:

• Audiobooks. Help bring a story to life by narrating various types of books, including novels, biographies, and essay collections.
• Advertisements and commercials. Ads with voice-overs are still a popular way for companies to market their products and services.
• Trailers. Movies, shows, and even events create trailers to build anticipation.
• Demonstration videos. Some companies create how-to videos and hire voice-over talents to help demo their products.
• Guides. Audio guides are used by museums, galleries, travel agencies, and tourist destinations to enhance the visitor experience.

How much you earn from voice-over projects depends on your experience, the project’s type, and the script’s length. In the United States, the average salary of voice-over artists is around $30/hour.

On the other hand, audiobook voice talents can earn up to $125/recording hour and $500/finished hour – the latter referring to a book’s reading time.

One of the easiest ways to get started is by creating a profile on Upwork and responding directly to voice-over job ads. Joining freelance websites is an excellent way to test the waters and compare available jobs.

Alternatively, sign up for Voices or ACX, which connects voice-over talents with clients and audiobook narrators with authors.

A good voice-over talent is flexible, dynamic, and can bring a script to life no matter the topic. With audiobooks, for instance, a consistent narrative voice, excellent articulation skills, and the ability to voice different characters are crucial to master.

To prepare for voice-over work, try sample scripts and see which niche fits your voice and style the best. Knowing your strengths will help market your services to the right clients.

Since producing high-quality audio is crucial for this job, investing in a good microphone and recording software are a must. Also, try to minimize background noise when recording audio samples.

3. Complete Online Surveys

It might sound too good to be true, but you can earn extra cash by completing surveys online.

Many companies pay people to participate in surveys for general market research and consumer behavior analysis. These surveys help companies make business decisions, like what types of products to launch or where to publish advertisements.

However, not everyone can do online surveys. Take a look at some of the reasons why:

• Limited demographic. Some surveys only target specific groups of people, such as their gender, age, or occupation.
• Low pay. Many online survey sites use a point system. You’ll accumulate points after completing surveys and can only cash out after reaching a certain earnings threshold. For example, you can make money for $0.50-$3/survey. However, unless you reach the earnings threshold of $10-25, you won’t be able to cash out.
• Time-consuming. Due to the payout systems of most survey sites, you’ll have to dedicate a lot of time to see real returns. Some surveys can take up to one hour to complete.
• Not for the long-term. Unlike other online moneymaking methods in this article, you won’t be able to transition this into a full-time job for the above reasons.

If the drawbacks don’t phase you, here are some popular survey sites:

• Swagbucks. Watch videos, play games, and complete online surveys to earn points. Then, redeem them for cash or gift cards.
• Survey Junkie. Help brands deliver better products and services by participating in their market surveys.
• Harris Poll Online. Enter a rewards program by answering polls run by this survey platform.

4. Try Mystery Shopping

If you love shopping, becoming a mystery shopper is an excellent way to make extra money.

Retailers and market research companies hire mystery shoppers to shop at specific locations and report on the overall consumer experience. They monitor customer service, store conditions, and product quality without the company’s employees knowing they’re being examined.

You can do some mystery shopping work remotely. For example, some jobs involve testing the service quality at call centers or evaluating the shopping experience at an online retailer.

Here are some of the most popular companies where people can sign up to be mystery shoppers:

• Market Force. Get hired by grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and even gas station convenience shops to try out their products and services.
• BestMark. Become a field representative or evaluator to help companies improve their business operations.
• Secret Shopper. Perform on-site or phone service evaluations for companies all over the world.

Payments for mystery shoppers vary depending on the company. For each job completed, you can get reimbursed for the items you purchased, receive vouchers and gift cards, or earn between $10–$25 on average.

To avoid scams, remember that you should never pay to become a mystery shopper. Since you would be an independent contractor, companies can’t force you to take on a certain number of mystery shopper jobs.

5. Test Games and Apps

In 2021, the video game industry was worth $178.73 billion – an increase of 14.4% from 2020.

Video games also hold the largest share in the global digital media market. As a result, many opportunities have appeared for users to make money online by testing games and other apps.

Some games or apps, like Mistplay, require players to perform specific tasks and collect in-game currency rewards. These rewards can be redeemed as gift cards or real-world money.

The Global Beta Test Network by Keywords Studios pays people to play games before release. Other platforms like Givling and Golden Hearts Games offer online games with real cash prizes.

Beware of platforms that use these games and apps as a front for scams to steal personal information and bank account details. While they provide an easy way to make money online, be sure to check reviews and ensure their legitimacy beforehand.

6. Sell Stock Photos and Footage

If you’re an avid photographer or videographer, consider selling stock photos and footage to generate a passive income. You’ll be able to practice your passion and make money simultaneously.

Many companies and business owners use stock content in their marketing campaigns, ads, and websites. In addition to the standard stock photo format, companies constantly look for fresh ideas and unique perspectives to make their brand stand out.

You can make a photography website and sell photos there. It’s also a good idea to sign up for online marketplaces and list your digital downloads. That way, you’ll get a head start at cultivating your personal brand while promoting it to potential buyers.

Some of the biggest stock photography and videography websites include:

• Shutterstock. Offers multiple earning levels based on the number of image and video licenses per year.
• Getty Images. Pays at a royalty rate of 15-45% depending on the license exclusivity agreement.
• VideoHive. Deals in stock videos and photos as part of the larger Envato ecosystem. The earnings depend on the number of items sold and whether you sell exclusively on the platform.
• Dissolve. Specializes in selling high-quality stock videos and photos, with a standard royalty rate of 30% of the net selling price for non-exclusive contributors. Exclusive contributors can make more money with rates that are available upon request.

7. Sell Second-Hand Items

Selling or renting out second-hand items is another excellent way to make money and a great motivation to start decluttering your space.

Once you inventory the items you want to sell, take high-quality product photos before listing them on online marketplaces. If you plan to do this long-term, consider making a website to host your own online store.

One of the most popular second-hand items categories is clothing. The market value of the second-hand clothing industry is projected to reach $77 billion by 2026. It’s a good time to start your own clothing line.

Many online marketplaces are catering to the second-hand clothing and accessories market. Here are a few examples:

• Tradesy. Specializes in women’s clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories.
• Etsy. An excellent marketplace to sell unique, handmade, and vintage items.
• Rebelle. Sell clothes and accessories at this second-hand luxury online retailer.
• Depop. A popular platform for selling vintage and designer goods, like pre-loved t-shirts, sneakers, and jewelry.

Other than clothes and accessories, make money online by selling other used items such as furniture, gadgets, sports equipment, and cars. In the United States, the used car market grew significantly in 2021 and is predicted to remain strong in 2022.

Some of the best online selling sites for used items include:

• eBay. A popular choice for various types of products, including collectibles and vehicles.
• Gadget Salvation. Focuses on used gadgets like laptops, phones, and tablets.
• Facebook Marketplace. Ideal for targeting local buyers.
• Reverb. An excellent site to sell musical instruments and gear.
• Fat Llama. A marketplace for leasing items instead of selling them.

8. Sell School Notes

Selling copies of school notes is one of the easiest ways for students to make money fast.

However, make sure you aren’t committing plagiarism or academic misconduct by selling school notes. For example, do not disclose assignments or tests and avoid distributing copyrighted material.

The safest bet is to sell notes containing general but insightful information about a subject, such as modules, flashcards, and study guides. Be careful not to present your notes as facts since they are supplementary study documents.

Aside from student or alumni message boards and community forums, here are some of the best places to make money online by selling school notes:

• Nexus Notes. They offer a 50% commission per notes sale.
• NoteXchange. Sell notes for $5-$40 and earn a 100% commission if you become an affiliate.
• Notesgen. With over 5.5 million users, this India-based platform accepts handwritten notes and presentation slides. Study notes go for ₹100-₹1000.
• OneClass. Earn up to 20% of recurring revenue when someone subscribes to your content, with each subscription costing around $1.8-$24.

9. Carry Out Micro Jobs

To make extra money, try micro jobs. A micro job is a short-term, temporary job that pays per task completed. Earnings vary from a few cents to $50/task on average.

Micro jobs are a good way to make money fast. Some micro jobs only take less than an hour to complete, giving people the freedom to do multiple tasks in their spare time.

They’re great for freelancers, new graduates, and college students because they can help you gain experience and build a portfolio. The most common online micro jobs include blogging, short translations, data entry, and administrative tasks.

In addition to checking out local classifieds, try finding micro jobs on these websites:

• Fiverr. One of the most popular platforms for various small jobs, from logo designing to translations.
• Amazon Mechanical Turk. An excellent platform for people with video, image, and data entry and processing skills.
• Appen. Make money online by doing small tasks like transcribing or categorizing data.

10. Sell Art and Designs

Selling digital products is one of the best ways for artists to make money.

List your creations on art marketplaces like DeviantArt and ArtStation. This is a great way to gain exposure in the creative online community and reach potential clients.

Alternatively, sell artwork and designs independently via another sales channel like social media. Facebook had over 2 billion monthly active users, while Instagram had over 1 billion as of January 2022. Such numbers make these platforms great for increasing exposure.

Selling on social media is a good way to make money fast, especially if you promote your art on specific networks.

For example, start selling on the Facebook Marketplace and promote products by joining groups and interacting with potential buyers. Alternatively, sell via Instagram by activating the Instagram Shopping feature on a profile specifically dedicated to your artwork.