The Top 5 Ways for Beginners to Make Money Online in 2025

If you’re like me, you’re probably trying to find ways to make money outside of your 9 to 5 job. Life is expensive and it never hurts to have some more cash in the bank. The problem for beginners is that it can be difficult to know where to even start, so congrats on taking the first step: doing your research. Most people are too scared to even take this first step, so just know that starting to educate yourself on ways to make money online is a great step in the right direction .

Below you will find the five best ways (in my opinion) to make money online in 2025. I kept it short and sweet because I truly believe these are the best ways to get started.

The Top 5 Ways for Beginners To Make Money Online

1. Freelance Writing

• Why It’s Great: Freelance writing is a flexible side hustle that can be started with little upfront cost. If you have good writing skills, you can write blog posts, articles, web content, or even copy for businesses.
• How to Get Started: You can join platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to find clients, or pitch directly to companies and blogs.
• Potential Earnings: Beginners can earn $0.05 to $0.15 per word, and experienced writers can charge significantly more, especially in specialized niches (like technology, finance, or health).

2. Virtual Assistant (VA)

• Why It’s Great: A virtual assistant helps business owners with tasks like email management, scheduling, social media, and data entry. It’s a side hustle that can be done remotely, and it has a growing demand as businesses move online.
• How to Get Started: Sites like Belay, Upwork, and Zirtual can connect you with clients. You can also offer services directly on LinkedIn or set up your own website.
• Potential Earnings: VAs typically make between $15 to $30 per hour, and highly skilled or specialized VAs can charge up to $50+ per hour.

3. Affiliate Marketing

• Why It’s Great: Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral link. It’s scalable, and once set up, it can be a source of passive income.
• How to Get Started: Choose a niche you’re passionate about, create a blog, YouTube channel, or social media profile, and sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, or ShareASale.
• Potential Earnings: It varies greatly depending on traffic and conversion rates, but many affiliates make $500 to $5,000 per month, with top affiliates earning six figures annually.

4. Online Courses or Coaching

• Why It’s Great: If you have expertise in a specific field (such as marketing, fitness, or programming), you can teach others through online courses or coaching. This side hustle can generate significant income if you position yourself as an authority.
• How to Get Started: Platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Skillshare allow you to create and sell courses easily. Alternatively, you can offer one-on-one coaching via Zoom or other virtual tools.
• Potential Earnings: Successful course creators and coaches can make $1,000 to $10,000 per month depending on the niche and demand for their skills.

5. E-commerce (Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand)

• Why It’s Great: You can sell products without holding any inventory by setting up a dropshipping store or offering print-on-demand products. Both models allow you to focus on marketing while suppliers handle the logistics.
• How to Get Started: Use platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy to create your store. For dropshipping, platforms like AliExpress or Oberlo connect you to suppliers. For print-on-demand, services like Printful or Teespring can be integrated into your store.
• Potential Earnings: Profit margins range from 10% to 30%, depending on product pricing and sales volume. It’s possible to earn $1,000 to $5,000 per month with a successful store, and some e-commerce entrepreneurs earn much more as their business scales.

Final Thoughts for Beginners To Make Money Online In 2025

Each of these side hustles has the potential for scalability and growth, depending on the time and effort you put in. Many people start small with just a few hours per week and then turn their side hustles into full-time income sources.

I want to note that above all else, PICK SOMETHING YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. This is speaking from experience. A few years ago I thought I would teach myself data science and get a high paying job. However, it turns out that coding is not how I want to spend my days, and I realized I should follow my passions instead. Trust me, if you find a niche you love, it will make the entire process of learning a new skill so much easier. Good luck, you can do this!