25 Most profitable online side hustles that only require a Laptop
Introduction
In today's world, having a stable full-time job may not be enough to cover all your financial needs and goals. The cost of living keeps rising while salaries fail to keep up. As such, more and more people are turning to side hustles to supplement their income.
The best thing about side hustles in the digital age is that you can do many of them entirely online and on your own schedule. As long as you have a laptop and internet connection, you can make extra money in your spare time without having to invest in special equipment or inventory.
This article will provide an extensive list of 25 extremely profitable online side hustles you can start with just a laptop. These gigs require minimal specialized skills and allow you to be location-independent. Many can even be scaled into full-time businesses down the road.
1. Selling Digital Products
One of the most lucrative side hustles that only requires a laptop is creating and selling digital products online. These include things like ebooks, online courses, templates, photography, music, graphic design resources, and more.
With just some basic software, you can create valuable products people are willing to pay for. Building and marketing a digital product takes time upfront, but allows you to earn passive income for months or years to come. Top performing digital products can bring in thousands per month.
You don't have to be an expert or skilled writer to profit from this. Focus on solving a specific problem for people or teaching a useful skill. Some of the most profitable digital products cater to niches like cooking, personal finance, health, business, and more.
Once your product is complete, you can self-publish through your own website or marketplaces like Etsy, Creative Market, and Gumroad. Pricing is up to you, with many digital creators charging $20 to $100+ per product.
2. Dropshipping
Dropshipping has become hugely popular in recent years thanks to low startup costs and the ability to run it on the side. With dropshipping, you set up an online store but don't actually keep any inventory on hand.
When customers place an order, you forward their purchase to a supplier or manufacturer, who then ships the product directly to the customer. This allows you to run an ecommerce store without any upfront investment in physical products.
Most dropshipping is done through platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Ebay. Excellent writing and marketing skills are vital, as you won't succeed without the ability to persuade potential customers your store and products are worth buying. Patience is also key, as it can take several months to gain traction.
While profits vary, it's possible to make $1,000 or more per month from a dropshipping store with consistent effort. The most successful online retailers use dropshipping while also branching into other revenue streams like Amazon and social media.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is similar to dropshipping in that you earn commissions promoting other companies' products, without having to deal with purchasing inventory or shipping physical items.
As an affiliate marketer, you'll select products or services, promote them on your website or social platforms, and receive a cut of any sales you drive. Affiliate commissions typically range from 5% to 30%.
This side hustle has very low startup costs, and your payout potential is almost unlimited. Top affiliate marketers earn six or seven figures annually. However, it does require strong writing skills, self-motivation, and persistence.
Many companies run their own affiliate programs, including Amazon, ShareASale, ClickBank, eBay Partner Network, and Rakuten. You can apply to partner with brands individually, or use a network like FlexOffers which provides access to multiple programs at once.
4. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is an easy online side hustle to start with nothing but a laptop and expertise in a given niche. There is high demand for quality writers across industries, with both one-time projects and ongoing work available.
Common freelance writing gigs include:
– Blog posts – $25 to $200+ each
– eBooks/long-form content – $500 to $5,000+ per project
– Copywriting (ads, newsletters, websites) – $40 to $150 per hour
– Resumes and cover letters – $100 to $250 each
– Editing and proofreading – $25 to $50 per hour
Top earning freelance writers make over $100,000 per year. It does require exceptional writing skills and the ability to research topics quickly. Expect to put in some unpaid time at first as you build your portfolio and client base.
There are many ways to find freelance writing jobs, including job boards, social media, business directories, cold pitching, and content agencies. Some of the most popular websites to find clients include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, SolidGigs, Contena, and Flexjobs.
5. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assisting is a broad field that includes providing general administrative or specialized support services to clients remotely. This online side hustle has minimal start up costs and plenty of opportunities for part-time work.
Typical virtual assistant duties include data entry, email management, social media management, appointment scheduling, graphic design, customer service, and more. Rates range from around $15 to $50 per hour based on your skill set and experience.
Many new virtual assistants find clients through websites like Upwork, Fiverr, VirtualStaffFinder, and OnlineJobs.ph. As you build up your profile, aim to transition to direct client relationships for better income.
This side hustle does require you to be highly organized, dependable, and comfortable with technology. Top virtual assistants can earn $60,000 to $100,000 annually working full time. It's also reasonably easy to scale as your client base expands.
6. Selling on Amazon
Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program makes it possible to run a lucrative side hustle selling products online with minimal upfront investment. Through FBA, you send your inventory to Amazon, and they handle storage, packing, shipping, returns, and customer service.
The key to success on Amazon is finding a profitable niche and products that will sell. Use sites like Jungle Scout to assess demand, competition, pricing, and sales opportunities in different categories. Some popular options include books, toys, kitchenware, electronics, and home goods.
You can source inventory to sell on Amazon from wholesalers, thrift stores and garage sales, retail arbitrage, online liquidations, and overseas manufacturers. The initial product and shipping costs will range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Many side hustlers earn $1,000 to $5,000 per month on Amazon after their store is established. This does take significant upfront time and effort, but becomes more passive later on. Expanding your product catalog is key to boosting earnings over time.
7. Consulting
Consulting provides a great opportunity to profit from your expertise with minimal overhead costs. All you need is a laptop and specialized skills or knowledge related to business, technology, marketing, finance, HR, or other fields.
As a consultant, companies will pay you lucrative hourly or project fees for your insights, advice, and services. Common consulting side gigs include:
– Business strategy and planning
– Financial advising and bookkeeping
– Marketing audits and campaign management
– Corporate training and coaching
– Writing training programs, employee handbooks, or guides
– Tech support and web development
Senior consultants can charge $100 to $500+ per hour, while independent beginners typically start around $50 to $75 per hour. This side hustle does tend to take time to establish yourself and find quality clients.
You can market your consulting services through your website, LinkedIn, cold outreach to companies, networking events, referrals, and business directories. As you build experience, aim for more retention-based consulting relationships.
8. Online Tutoring
One of the most accessible online side hustles is working as an online tutor. You don't need teaching credentials, just knowledge in academic subjects, special skills, or foreign languages. This is an ideal gig for college students, recent grads, or anyone with expertise to share.
Most online tutors utilize platforms like Wyzant, Chegg Tutors, Varsity Tutors, and Cambly to connect with students and handle scheduling and payment. These sites let you set your own hourly rates, with tutors charging $15 to $100+ per hour depending on their background and student demand.
The process to start tutoring online is fairly quick. You'll need to fill out an application, get a background check, set up your profile/availability, and often complete a mock session. Once approved, you can start searching for student matches.
This is an extremely flexible side hustle allowing you to control how much you work each week. And it can become quite lucrative as you build up your reputation and content expertise over time.
9. Resume Writing
With the job market more competitive than ever, skilled resume writers are highly in demand. This specialized writing side hustle allows you to work from anywhere with just a laptop.
Most resume writers charge $100 to $400+ per resume based on the level of job the applicant is seeking. Turnaround is often 24 to 48 hours. Along with resumes, many writers also craft cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, interview coaching packages, and more. This provides multiple revenue streams.
To get started, you'll need to develop different resume templates and samples to showcase your work. Many new writers offer discounted services at first to build their portfolio and clientele. Once established, experienced freelance resume writers can make $60,000 to $100,000 annually working full-time.
The process involves consulting with clients to understand their career history, skills, and target job. Then you'll draft and refine a compelling resume highlighting their most relevant qualifications. Proofreading carefully for errors is a must as well.
There are many ways to find clients in need of resume help. Jobseeker forums, LinkedIn, and career coaching sites offer opportunities to connect with people looking to optimize their resumes. You can also pitch your services to resume distribution sites and local colleges and universities.
10. Blogging
Starting a blog is one of the most common online side hustles, and for good reason. Blogging allows you to build a brand and earn income in several different ways with just a laptop and internet connection.
While it does take time upfront to establish your site and gain an audience, a blog's earning potential over the long-term is immense. Profitable income streams for blogs include:
– Affiliate marketing – Earn commissions promoting other companies' products to your audience.
– Display advertising – Get paid to place ads like Google Adsense on your site. Earnings increase with more traffic.
– Sponsored posts – Get paid by brands to create branded content and tutorials.
– Digital products – Sell your own ebooks, courses, templates, etc. to loyal followers.
Top bloggers make well into the six figures each year. Getting there requires consistently creating engaging, high-quality content that builds a targeted audience. Then you can diversify your monetization strategies.
11. YouTube Channel
With over 2 billion monthly users, YouTube presents a huge opportunity to earn a lucrative side income from home. YouTube allows creators to make money from ads displayed on their videos. The more views your videos get, the more you earn.
Some popular types of profitable YouTube content include:
– Tutorials and how-tos
– Product reviews
– Gaming streams
– Comedy sketches
– Commentary and reactions
It does take time to build a following and become eligible for YouTube's partner program. This involves surpassing 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours over the past year. Once achieved though, your channel can start monetizing through ads, sponsorships, affiliate links, and more.
With consistency and quality content, it's possible to make $3,000 to $5,000+ per month from YouTube. Top creators easily earn six figures annually from their channels and brands.
12. Graphic Design
If you have design skills like using Photoshop, Canva, or Illustrator, selling custom graphic design work makes for a great online side hustle needing only a laptop.
As a freelance graphic designer, businesses will pay you to create designs for:
– Logos
– Advertisements
– Social media posts
– Flyers, brochures, and signage
– Product packaging
– Presentations
– Guides and infographics
– Website graphics
freelance graphic designers charge anywhere from $15 to $100+ per hour or per project, depending on the client and complexity of the work. You can find freelance graphic design jobs on sites like 99Designs, Fiverr, Upwork, and Dribbble.
Building up your portfolio and establishing yourself on freelance marketplaces takes some time initially. But once you have happy repeat customers, your earnings as a freelance designer have potential to scale quickly.
13. Voiceover Work
If you have a smooth, clear voice and quality microphone, voicing over commercials and videos can be a lucrative gig. This side hustle has flexible hours and a fairly low barrier to entry.
Some voiceover services in high demand include:
– Audiobook narration – $100 to $400 per finished hour
– Radio and TV commercials – $100 to $500 per spot
– Cartoon/animation characters – $100 to $750 per hour
– Corporate training videos – $50 to $150 per hour
– Documentaries – $150 to $300 per hour
– Video game characters – $200 to $500 per hour
The most popular freelance sites to find voiceover work include Voices, Voice123, Bodalgo, VoiceBunny, and Upwork. Expect a very competitive landscape at first. But with enough vocal talent and jobs completed, you can make $50,000+ as an independent voiceover artist.
14. Social Media Management
With so many businesses relying on social media for growth, skilled social media managers are highly sought after to handle strategizing, creating content, engaging followers, running ads, and tracking performance.
As a freelance social media manager, you can easily handle multiple clients' accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.
Monthly retainers typically range from $500 to $5,000+ depending on the scope of work and the size of the accounts. You may also charge hourly or per post as needed. This provides stable income you can earn anywhere with just your laptop and internet.
Building up a steady client base does require actively pursuing opportunities and referrals, as well as developing your expertise. But there's huge potential to scale your social media side hustle into a thriving full-time business managing both individuals' and brands' accounts.
15. Data Entry
While it won't make you rich, data entry represents an easy way to make extra money in your spare time from home. This routine administrative work involves inputting information from paper documents, PDFs, audio recordings, images, surveys, and more into online forms and databases.
Most companies pay per piece completed, such as:
– Inputting business cards – $0.50 to $1 each
– Cataloging receipts – $0.05 to $0.20 per receipt
– Transcribing audio or video files – $1 to $1.50 per minute
– Processing images – $0.02 to $0.15 per image
– Completing online surveys – $1 to $5 per survey
Reputable companies hiring for data entry work include Flexjobs, Upwork, Amazon Mturk, Lionbridge, and Appen. While this side hustle only pays modestly, it's extremely flexible, allowing you to plug away at your own pace.
16. Bookkeeping
With more small businesses operating than ever before, bookkeeping is always in high demand. This involves tasks like recording income and expenses, reconciling bank and credit card statements, invoicing clients, processing payroll, and preparing financial statements.
Most freelance bookkeepers charge between $30 and $100 per hour. Some work on an ongoing retainer basis for clients, while others take one-off jobs. Excellent organizational, math, accounting, and software skills are needed.
You can find freelance bookkeeping jobs through websites like Bookkeeper360, Bookkeepers.com, FlexJobs, QuickBooks, and remote job boards. This home-based side hustle can easily become a full-time endeavor as you build up your clientele. Top bookkeepers earn over $100,000 annually.
17. Transcribing
If you're a fast, accurate typist, transcribing audio files is a flexible side gig needing only a laptop and headphones. Companies, researchers, and individuals will pay you to convert audio content into written documents.
Transcribing pays around $15 to $30 per audio hour depending on turnaround time and the quality of the audio. Most files require 1-2x the length of the audio hour to fully transcribe.
To find transcribing side hustles, apply for transcriber jobs with companies like Rev, GoTranscript, Scribie, Tigerfish, and TranscribeMe. This part-time opportunity can bring in hundreds of dollars per month once you establish yourself as a top transcriber.
18. Proofreading
Leveraging strong spelling, grammar, and editing skills, proofreaders review written content for errors and inconsistencies. This freelance gig typically pays around $20 to $50 per hour.
You'll find proofreading opportunities on sites like Kibin, Scribendi, Proofed, Upwork, and Fiverr. Common projects include checking website copy, blog posts, academic papers, business documents, and book manuscripts.
This home-based side hustle does require patience, focus, and an excellent command of language rules and conventions. However, it provides flexible earning potential from anywhere with just your laptop. Top proofreaders can make over $50,000 per year.
19. Language Instruction
If you're fluent in a second language, teaching others online serves as a profitable laptop-based side hustle. You set your own schedule and hourly rates.
Platforms like Verbling, Italki, Preply, and Cambly connect language learners and teachers from around the world through video chat. Most instructors charge $15 to $60 per hour depending on experience and student demand.
You don't need formal teaching experience. However, you'll need to demonstrate your proficiency in the language you want to teach. Having past in-person or online teaching experience does help you earn more.
In addition to the major language learning platforms, you can also find students through community boards, Craigslist, Facebook Groups, and your own website. Expanding your online presence and satisfied student reviews will enable you to continually grow your side income teaching languages.
20. Coding
Having coding skills like web development, programming, and data science is hugely lucrative in the digital age. If you have expertise in languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, C++, or Ruby, you can easily monetize your knowledge through online side hustles needing only a laptop.
Freelance programmers and web developers typically charge $50 to $150+ per hour for work like building websites, developing apps and programs, integrating software, debugging sites, implementing security, and more. You can connect with clients through Toptal, Gun.io, PeoplePerHour, Fiverr, and Upwork among others.
You can also sell your coding skills through platforms like Udemy by creating online courses people will pay to access. Expanding your portfolio and earning positive client reviews will enable you to increase your rates over time as a coder.
21. Selling Stock Photography
If you have artistic talents and photography skills, selling stock photos online can earn you passive income with minimal time investment. Sites like Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock, and Alamy allow you to upload your photos to their marketplace, then collect royalties each time someone licenses your images.
Payouts range from $0.25 to $125+ per image depending on size, quality, format, exclusivity, and demand. Top stock photographers can earn over $1,000 per month consistently. You retain the copyrights to your images as well. This makes stock photography an ideal recurring revenue stream needing only a laptop, camera, and creative eye.
22. Online Surveys
Taking online surveys in your spare time provides an easy, low-effort way to earn extra cash from home. There are hundreds of research companies and market research firms that will pay you for your opinions on products, services, concepts, advertisements, and more through online questionnaires.
Each survey takes 5 to 20 minutes and pays anywhere from $1 to $50+ depending on the length and target demographic. Survey sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Vindale Research, Pinecone Research, and Opinion Outpost make it free to sign up and qualify for surveys matching your profile.
While you likely won't get rich taking surveys, it can easily bring in an extra $100 or more each month. It also requires nothing more than a laptop and time, making it one of the most accessible online side hustles.
23. Recycling for Cash
One creative way to earn extra money online using just your laptop is reselling or recycling items from around your household. Sites like Decluttr, Gazelle, and ItsWorthMore pay cash for electronics, books, textbooks, CDs, DVDs, video games, and more.
Simply enter the barcode or ISBN number and shipping information, mail the items to the company, and receive payment once received. Payouts vary based on the item, condition, and demand, but can be $5 to $200+ each. This nets you fast cash without having to deal with selling items yourself.
24. Hosting Online Paid Surveys
Similar to taking surveys yourself, you can also make money hosting paid surveys for companies on a platform like SurveyMonkey. Businesses use surveys for market research, feedback, product testing, and more.
By charging companies to post their surveys and paying people to take them, you can earn income on both ends. SurveyMonkey Contribute pays admins $0.50 to $5.00 per completed survey, with commissions rising based on volume. This provides an essentially passive income stream needing just your laptop.
25. Chat Customer Service
Providing customer service remotely is a flexible side hustle with no overhead costs. Companies like AnswerForce, Bold360, eTel, LivePerson, and Verizon Media hire at-home chat agents as contractors. You'll help customers via real-time web chat and email using just your laptop and internet.
Typical duties include answering product questions, handling billing issues, providing tech support, and troubleshooting problems. Pay averages around $15 to $30 per hour. While this side hustle requires strong communication skills and product knowledge, it allows you to gain professional experience from home.
conclusion on “25 Best Online Side Hustles That Only Require a Laptop”:
In conclusion, there are a plethora of highly profitable side hustles that can be done entirely online with just a laptop and internet connection. From blogging and freelance writing to social media management and virtual assisting, the opportunities to earn extra income on your own schedule are endless.
Nearly anyone can leverage skills like writing, design, programming, sales, and more to make money from home through these digital side hustles. Many allow you to set your own hours and rates as well. With options spanning different effort levels, skill sets, and time commitments, you can find an online side gig that fits your lifestyle.
While upfront effort is required to establish some of these side hustles, they often become passive over time, allowing you to continually monetize your work. Several can even be scaled into full-time businesses. With minimal startup costs and huge earning potential, initiating one of these laptop-based side hustles is an excellent way to meet your financial goals, add meaning to your life, and open doors to new opportunities.
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