6 Best Online Side Hustles for 2024

One unforeseen benefit of our increasingly digital and online world is the ability you now have to add to your income beyond traditional jobs. Online side hustles have become ubiquitous, affording many with the opportunity to earn enough to supplement–or replace–traditional jobs.

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There are a lot of choices for online side gigs and it can be hard to differentiate between the ones that are legitimate and the ones that aren’t worth your time. While “real world” options like Uber and DoorDash might be good opportunities for many people, they don’t have the flexibility that online side hustles bring–and you probably don’t want to be working a ride-sharing gig in your pajamas.

So, which are the best online side hustles in 2024? Keep reading to learn your best bets for making money in your free time from the comfort of your laptop.

1. Content Creation

In the ever-evolving, always-online entertainment market, the appetite for fresh and engaging content is unending. If your skills lie in articulating thoughts and ideas compellingly, whether through the written word, eye-catching videos, informative infographics, or captivating podcasts, content creation holds promising potential as your chosen side hustle in 2024.

Though it takes persistence and practice, you can wield your creativity to write inspiring or informative blog posts, produce immersive YouTube or TikTok content, or lend your voice to thought-provoking podcasts and effectively transform your passions into profits.

There’s an incredible opportunity to tap into a whole new revenue stream coming from ad earnings and sponsorships if you can consistently produce high-quality content that pulls in a dedicated audience. Regular output and steadfast followership could give your income a considerable glow-up. Though it’s brass ring territory, there are a large number of content creators who have made the jump from part-time. 

2. Online Tutoring

Though online instruction is not a new concept, distance and e-learning became phenomena out of necessity during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Acceptance of online tutoring is now at an all-time high, and the prospect of channeling your expertise into a profitable side hustle in 2024 has never been brighter.

If you’re adept at a particular subject or gifted with teaching skills, offering online tutoring can be one path to meaningfully enhancing your income. Even if you weren’t the best student, you may still be able to make decent money just by speaking your native tongue.

English language proficiency remains a popular and valuable skill worldwide, and many non-native speakers are eager to learn English. Numerous platforms have cropped up to facilitate such learning, providing teaching opportunities you could leverage for a decent second income. Keep in mind that you might have to meet with classes during their waking hours, which might be in the middle of your night. 

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the art of earning a commission by promoting other company’s products. If you have a blog, website or a strong social media presence, you can turn it into a revenue-generating platform.

You can partner with online businesses or merchants like Amazon, Wish or Temu and create relevant content showcasing products or sales platforms. Though the details vary from partner to partner, you’ll typically earn a cut of the profits for each sale made through a referral link pointing to products or app downloads. Bear in mind that successful affiliate marketing requires a significant following and trust from your audience, which can take considerable time to build.

4. Virtual Assistants

As we fast forward into 2024, digital space continues to host an expanding array of businesses, amplifying the need for virtual assistants. If you shine when it comes to attention to detail, organization, multitasking and effective communication, then this could be the side hustle calling your name.

Virtual assistants, or VAs, prove invaluable to bustling entrepreneurs, small enterprises and high-level executives alike, helping them manage their demanding schedules and various tasks. Your responsibilities can range from managing emails, coordinating appointments, handling social media interactions and much more.

This role typically offers remote working options and the freedom to set your own hours, adding a layer of convenience. Consequently, becoming a virtual assistant isn’t just an opportunity to earn additional income; it’s a chance to weave your professionalism into a flexible work setting, playing an essential behind-the-scenes role in keeping businesses running smoothly.

5. Selling Digital Products

E-books, online courses, melodic compositions, stunning photography, or innovative graphic design all present the opportunity for potentially lucrative side hustles. The selling point of digital products is the elimination of traditional commerce hassles: no worries about keeping inventory stocked, shipping costs, delivery logistics, or even “costs of goods sold,” which is usually a significant consideration in selling “analog” products.

A digital product, once created and uploaded, turns into a source of passive income. It sits on the virtual shelf, available for immediate sale to any interested customer from any corner of the globe, and it can continue to generate income for years.

Online platforms like Etsy for crafts, Amazon KDP for books, or Udemy for user-created online courses present ready-made venues for you to showcase your talents or knowledge to a global audience.

6. App Development

For most people, smartphones have become an extension of their arms, and the apps we keep on them can significantly streamline daily routines–or offer a much-needed break from them. If you’re someone with a talent for coding, crafting useful or entertaining applications can be a goldmine of a side hustle for 2024.

Whether your interests lie in creating an entertaining game, a tool to ramp up productivity, or even something like a fresh social media platform, the possibilities are virtually limitless. With a little luck, so are the potential earnings.

Not a coder? This might still be worth looking into. There are multiple platforms out there providing user-friendly “Low/No-Code” interfaces that allow users to create basic apps without any programming knowledge. Alternatively, you could recruit a freelance app developer to midwife your brainchild into a functioning app.

Make 2024 Your Year

Expanding your horizons beyond a 9-to-5 job can be rewarding, both financially and personally. Beyond the extra income, side hustles allow you to explore interests, hone skills and even test a new career path that might become your “main hustle.” As you journey into 2024, it’s a perfect time to look into some of the best online side hustles for the chance to discover a passion that can pad your pockets. After all, the best side hustle is the one that feels less like work and more like an intriguing adventure.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Best Online Side Hustles for 2024