10 ways to make money online

With the rise of digital platforms and the gig economy, making money online has become easier and more accessible than ever. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time online job, there are plenty of opportunities to earn money remotely.

From freelancing and e-commerce to tutoring and affiliate marketing, this guide explores 10 effective ways to generate online income in the UK, detailing each method’s potential earnings, best platforms, and practical steps to get started.

Why making money online is a great option in the UK

Many people in the UK are turning to online income streams due to the flexibility and accessibility they offer. Unlike traditional jobs, online work allows you to:

• Work from anywhere – Whether you’re at home or traveling, all you need is an internet connection.
• Choose your schedule – Many online jobs let you work at your own pace.
• Start with minimal investment – Several online opportunities require little to no upfront cost.
• Scale your earnings – The more effort you put in, the higher your potential income.

With more businesses moving online and increasing demand for digital skills, the UK is an excellent place to start building sustainable online income sources.

To learn more about the UK’s digital economy, visit the UK Government Digital Economy Report.

1. Freelancing: Sell your skills online

Freelancing is one of the most popular ways to earn money online in the UK. If you have skills in writing, graphic design, web development, social media management, or virtual assistance, you can offer your services on various platforms.

Best freelancing platforms in the UK:

• Upwork – Great for a wide range of skills, from programming to writing.
• Fiverr – Ideal for beginners offering services like logo design or video editing.
• PeoplePerHour – UK-based platform connecting freelancers with local and international clients.

How much can you earn?

Freelancers in the UK earn between £15 to £50 per hour, depending on their expertise. Highly skilled freelancers in IT, copywriting, and design can charge even more.

Find more freelancing tips at Freelance UK.

2. Online surveys: Get paid for your opinion

Taking online surveys is one of the simplest ways to make money online, though it won’t make you rich. Companies pay for consumer feedback, and by participating in surveys, you can earn cash, vouchers, or gift cards.

Best survey sites in the UK:

• YouGov – Political and market research surveys.
• Prolific – Higher-quality academic surveys with better payouts.
• Swagbucks – Rewards you with points for surveys, watching videos, and playing games.
• LifePoints – A reputable global survey company.

How much can you earn?

On average, you can make £50–£150 per month by consistently completing surveys. Some high-paying surveys can offer £5–£10 per session.

Sign up for surveys at Prolific Academic.

3. Selling products on e-commerce platforms

E-commerce is booming in the UK, with platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy making it easy for individuals to sell products online. You can sell handmade crafts, second-hand items, or even start a dropshipping business.

Ways to sell online:

• eBay – Sell used or new products through auctions or fixed prices.
• Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) – Amazon stores, packs, and ships your products.
• Etsy – Ideal for handmade or vintage products.
• Dropshipping – Selling products without holding inventory; suppliers ship directly to customers.

How much can you earn?

Earnings vary widely. Small sellers on eBay might make £200–£1,000 per month, while successful Amazon FBA or Etsy shop owners can make £5,000+ monthly.

Learn more in the Etsy Seller Handbook.

4. Teaching and tutoring online

If you have teaching experience or expertise in a particular subject, online tutoring can be a highly profitable income stream. Many students in the UK and abroad are looking for English tutors, math tutors, and exam preparation assistance.

Best tutoring platforms:

• Preply – Ideal for teaching English and other subjects.
• MyTutor – Focused on GCSE and A-level tutoring in the UK.
• Superprof – Allows you to set your own rates and teach any subject.

How much can you earn?

Online tutors typically charge £15–£50 per hour, depending on the subject and experience. Specialized tutoring (like university-level courses) can go up to £80 per hour.

Access teaching resources from the British Council.

5. Affiliate marketing: Earn by promoting products

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting products and services through a blog, social media, or YouTube channel. Many companies offer affiliate programs where you get paid when someone purchases through your referral link.

Best affiliate programs in the UK:

• Amazon Associates – Earn commissions by promoting Amazon products.
• Awin – Connects bloggers and influencers with major brands.
• CJ Affiliate – Offers partnerships with global e-commerce businesses.

How much can you earn?

Affiliate marketers in the UK can earn £500 to £10,000+ per month, depending on their audience size and the products they promote.

6. Print-on-demand and digital product sales

Print-on-demand (POD) and digital product sales are excellent ways to generate passive income online. With POD, you design custom graphics for t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and tote bags, which are printed and shipped only when a customer places an order. No inventory is required, making it a low-risk option.

Best print-on-demand platforms:

• Redbubble – A marketplace for artists to sell custom designs.
• Teespring – Lets you design and sell custom apparel.
• Society6 – Focuses on art prints, home décor, and apparel.

Selling digital products is another lucrative option, allowing you to create once and sell indefinitely. Popular digital products include:

• Ebooks – Sell on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
• Templates and planners – Sell on Etsy or Gumroad.
• Online courses – Platforms like Udemy and Teachable allow you to monetize your expertise.

How much can you earn?

POD sellers typically earn £5–£10 per sale, while digital product sellers can generate £500–£5,000 per month, depending on demand and marketing efforts.

Start selling digital products on Gumroad.

7. Remote customer service jobs

Many companies in the UK are hiring remote customer service agents to handle customer inquiries, technical support, and administrative tasks. These roles are perfect for individuals looking for flexible online jobs with stable pay.

Best companies hiring remote customer service representatives:

• Amazon UK – Offers remote customer support positions.
• Apple At Home Advisors – Remote support roles for Apple users.
• Revolut – Hires customer support agents for their fintech platform.

How much can you earn?

Remote customer service roles in the UK typically pay £10–£15 per hour, with some companies offering performance-based bonuses.

8. Investing in stocks and cryptocurrency

Investing in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency is another way to generate online income. While this method requires some financial knowledge and risk tolerance, long-term investing can be highly profitable.

Best UK investment platforms:

• eToro – Ideal for beginners with copy-trading features.
• Trading 212 – Commission-free stock and ETF trading.
• Hargreaves Lansdown – A well-established UK investment platform.

How much can you earn?

Returns on investment depend on market performance. Long-term stock investments have historically yielded 7–10% annually, while cryptocurrency is highly volatile.

Learn more about investing at the London Stock Exchange.

9. Testing websites and apps for money

Companies pay users to test websites, apps, and software to improve usability. As a tester, you provide feedback on navigation, design, and functionality.

Best platforms for website testing:

• UserTesting – Pays for video-based feedback.
• TryMyUI – Offers user testing for app and website developers.
• TestingTime – Allows users to test digital products for various companies.

How much can you earn?

Website testers typically earn £5–£15 per test, with tests lasting around 10–30 minutes. Experienced testers can earn up to £500 per month.

Sign up for testing at UserTesting.

10. Renting out assets for passive income

If you have a spare room, a car, or equipment, you can generate passive income by renting them out. Platforms make it easy to connect with potential renters.

Ways to rent out assets online:

• Rent a spare room on Airbnb – Short-term rentals can generate significant income.
• Car-sharing platforms – Turo and Getaround let you rent out your vehicle.
• Rent out equipment – Websites like Fat Llama allow users to rent out tools, cameras, and gadgets.

How much can you earn?

• Airbnb hosts can earn £500–£2,000 per month.
• Car rentals through Turo can bring in £200–£600 per month.
• Renting out tech gadgets can generate £50–£300 per month.

List your space on Airbnb UK.

The UK offers numerous online earning opportunities, catering to different skills, interests, and levels of investment. Whether you prefer freelancing, selling products, investing, or passive income strategies, there’s a method that suits your needs.