Earning money used to mean commuting to a job. But thanks to the internet and the gig economy, there are more ways than ever to earn money from home—no briefcase required.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to earn cash during school hours, a full-time employee seeking a side hustle or a professional ready for full-time remote work, there are plenty of options available.
You could build a business website and put your products or services up for sale. Or, you could field assignments through gig platforms for dog walking, testing software or assembling furniture.
The possibilities are nearly endless. If you’re wondering how to come up with a business idea that will work with your skillset, schedule and resources, this list is a good place to start.
How to make money from home: 30 easy ideas to start today
01. Sell your old stuff online
Starting a business can be as easy as emptying your closet or attic. Online resale is booming, with revenues projected to top $80 billion this year. You can give new life to items you no longer use, from outgrown kids’ clothing and toys to books, kitchen gadgets and furniture by selling them online through eBay or Facebook Marketplace (which both integrate directly with Wix).
If you’re a fashion maven, your vintage or designer treasures can fetch premium prices; try purpose-built platforms like Poshmark or TheRealReal to find style-savvy audiences, or create your own online shop like Henny Penny Vintage. Not only will you earn some cash, but you’ll get the satisfaction of decluttering your space.
02. Refurbish and resell home goods and furnishings
If you don’t have items of your own to offer, but do have a knack for spotting castoff treasures at local estate sales, try scooping up bargains and reselling them online. “Shabby chic” and “coastal grandma” aesthetics favor funky and one-of-a-kind items, and with a fresh coat of paint or polish, you can command prices that more than cover your investment. To capitalize on the latest trends and trending products, research what’s selling on eBay, Craigslist, Kaiyo and Bookoo.
03. Make and sell crafts
If you enjoy pottery, leatherworking, knitting, jewelry making or other handicrafts, turn your artisanal output into income by selling your goods online. Internet marketplaces such as Etsy or eBay can connect you with individuals in search of unique handmade items, or you can create your own online storefront with a dedicated eCommerce website—much like Handlebend has done for their collection of handmade copper mugs.
If you’re ready to scale up and sell wholesale, websites like Faire or Abound can connect you with retail partners selling artisanal wares.
Learn more: How to sell crafts online, things to make and sell
04. Offer sewing and upholstery services
Another way to monetize your talent for handmade goods is with your sewing marching. You can help customers achieve the perfect fit, refurbish old clothes and mend zips, straps and hems. Alternatively, with an industrial-grade machine, you can undertake furniture and even automotive upholstery repairs.
05. Take stock photos
With an eye for photography and the camera on your cell phone, you have everything you need for a business you can start with little money. Upload your best shots at high resolution to stock photography websites, and you’ll earn money each time someone purchases and downloads your images for reuse.
Browse platforms such as Shutterstock, iStockPhoto or Unsplash to see what’s already out there and what types of images are downloaded most to guide your own offerings.
06. Start a dropshipping business
Another way to capitalize on eCommerce business ideas without the hassle of warehousing and fulfillment is through dropshipping. You can create an online store, curate a selection of wares and focus primarily on your marketing efforts rather than on logistics.
When orders come in, you’ll route them directly to suppliers for shipment and keep a portion of the proceeds. You’ll first need to invest time into researching potential dropshipping partners and vetting their offerings through sites like SaleHoo, Worldwide Brands and Modalyst.
Learn more: How to start a dropshipping business
07. Create designs for print on demand
Print-on-demand is an eCommerce business model where customized products such as hats, t-shirts, bags, décor and more are produced individually in response to customer orders. Much like dropshipping, instead of stocking large quantities upfront, items are printed and shipped as needed. Unlike dropshipping, however, print-on-demand is centered around custom artwork.
Simply draft an eye-catching graphic, pen a funny slogan or riff off a trending meme and upload the artwork to a platform like Printful, Printify or Modalyst. When buyers opt to put your design on a baby onesie, mug, phone case or any of dozens of other items, you earn a portion of every sale, without needing to stock inventory or process the orders for shipment.
Learn more: How to start a print on demand business
08. Do voiceover work
If you enjoy acting in community theater productions or singing in a local choir, you can use your good diction and vocal range to generate extra income with voiceover work. Podcast ads, radio spots and TV commercials need voiceovers to give life to their promotions. You could even narrate audiobooks.
To get started, research the equipment and setup you’ll need and start with the best microphone you can find. Voice123, Voices and Fiverr all list gigs for beginners, and volunteering to record public service announcements for the local radio station is another way to start building a portfolio. Low-cost online or community college classes can help build your network.
09. Start a blog, vlog or podcast
If you’re knowledgeable and passionate about a subject, sharing your expertise online can be profitable as well as enjoyable. Whether you prefer a written blog, an online video series (vlog) or podcast, once you build a following, you can sell advertisements alongside your content, appeal to your audience for sponsorship or earn money from sponsored product placements. (Just be sure to comply with truth-in-advertising regulations and disclose any paid endorsements clearly.)
The earnings can add up fast. For example, Business Insider surveyed a variety of YouTube creators and found that even those without hundreds of thousands of followers earned between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars per month.
Learn more: How to start a blog
Ready to create a blog? Get started with the Wix blog maker
10. Monetize your socials as an influencer
Social media influencers earn income by touting products or services relevant to their audiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. While some influencers have a celebrity-like following, you don’t need millions of likes to get started.
Micro- or nano-influencers with fewer than 100,000 followers can be attractive to companies seeking niche audiences. Still, you’ll need to consistently generate creative posts and engage frequently on your chosen platform to build a following, and then vet opportunities carefully to ensure they’re an authentic fit with your persona and follower base. You can apply for influencer opportunities on platforms such as Open Influence or Aspire, or partner with brands directly (like the Wix Affiliate Program, for example).
11. Manage someone else’s social media
Successful entrepreneurs and public figures aren’t on social media all day; they rely on administrators working behind the scenes to help generate posts and stay on top of incoming comments and requests.
Companies of all sizes likewise hire staff to manage their brands’ presences across social platforms, so if you have the knowhow but don’t want to be in the limelight as an influencer, seek out social media management opportunities on job boards or through your professional networks.
12. Buy and sell domain names
If you’ve got your finger on the pulse of internet and consumer trends, you may have luck acquiring website domain names and then reselling them at a profit. See what’s already taken using Wix’s free domain name checker, or use tools like Google Trends, Google Keyword Planner and Wix's domain name generator to help pinpoint popular names to select. Then, you can research pricing on Domain Price Checker and DomainIndex.com.
If a domain is already taken but you're still interested in purchasing it, use Whois Lookup to find the current domain owner. Reach out to the owner and negotiate a price in order to transfer ownership of the domain.
You can then use domain marketplaces, online auctions or brokers to connect with potential buyers. While extensions such as .com are always popular, don’t neglect newer options such as .eco, .live and .social.
13. Build a mobile app
If you have a concept in mind for a handy tool or fun activity for consumers to use on their phones, consider building a mobile app. Revenues from downloads and subscriptions on Google Play and the Apple App Store reached $129 billion in 2022, according to Business of Apps. If you don’t have a programming or engineering background, you’ll need to hire contractors to bring your vision to life, and you’ll definitely need marketing savvy to stand out among the millions of available apps.
14. Test apps, games and websites
Companies rolling out new digital experiences often seek consumer feedback to ensure their offerings are easy to use and accomplish their objectives. Testing subjects are paid to perform specific tasks and provide verbal and written feedback about their experiences, as well as file reports on any serious technical malfunctions. Some companies record your web or app browsing session so they can track where you clicked or tapped as you completed the required tasks.
Most opportunities pay in the neighborhood of $10 per test, although some live feedback panels can pay up to $25 per half-hour session. To find opportunities, check platforms like UserTesting, TryMyUI and Validately.
Learn more: How to start a gaming business
15. Take surveys
If you enjoy giving your opinion about a variety of topics, consider taking online surveys or participating in market research studies with live feedback. Survey sites like Ipsos i-Say, Survey Junkie, YouGov and iPoll provide qualifying questionnaires to gather the right audience for a company’s needs. You may not be a match for every opportunity, and you shouldn’t expect to earn significant income or replace a job, but you can still earn a little pocket money in your downtime.
Some sites compensate you directly, while others offer rewards such as gift cards once you’ve completed a certain number of surveys, so research your options carefully.
16. Work as a virtual assistant
If you have an organized mind and are willing to take on a more formal work assignment, consider looking for jobs as a virtual assistant. Whether as a remote contractor or staff members, virtual assistants support individual executives or teams with administrative and technical tasks that may include email management, scheduling and filing reports. Depending on the role, you may be able to work part-time on your own schedule, or need to clock in during specified business hours.
In addition to hunting for virtual assistant roles on traditional job websites, try specialized hubs for remote and flex-time workers, such as UpWork and FlexJobs, and sites focused on virtual assistants like BELAY and Virtual Assistant Talent.
Learn more: How to start a virtual assistant business
17. Provide customer support
Deloitte Digital found that 69% of contact centers offer work-from-home programs, so if you have a friendly, patient and empathetic personality and are willing to work a standard part- or full-time job, you have plenty of options in customer service.
Depending on the assignment, you may be asked to take phone calls wearing a headset and microphone, interact online via live chat, answer email queries or juggle a mix of different types of customer contact.
18. Offer freelance professional services
The gig economy is booming, and not just for food delivery and ridesharing. As companies outsource more and more white-collar jobs, professionals such as graphic designers, marketers and bookkeepers are learning how to make money online as remote contractors rather than staffers.
If you have these skills, you can leverage them into a freelance gig. By freelancing, you’ll get to work from home on a flexible schedule and pick an ideal mix of client projects to fill your plate. Start by creating a portfolio website to feature your best work (there are over 900 templates to choose from with Wix), and then look for gigs on sites that focus on short-term and contract assignments, such as FlexJobs. You may also want to register with an agency specializing in roles in your field, such as Creative Circle for marketing and advertising professionals.
19. Become a transcriptionist
If you’re a quick and accurate typist, you can get paid to transcribe video or audio recordings. Text transcripts are often provided for easy skimming of the content of podcasts and other media outlets, including online classes and conference sessions.
If you want to take it to the next level, you can invest in specialized certification to open the door to further opportunities, like transcribing official court proceedings and physicians’ voice notes. To get started, research listings on sites like Tigerfish, Scribie and Transcription Hub.
20. Localize or translate content
Strong second language skills are necessary to provide translations of text into or out of English for websites, books, instructional manuals and more. If you have deep knowledge of another country, consider establishing a business as a localization expert, going beyond translation to advise companies on how to adapt entire marketing strategies with language subtleties and cultural practices in mind.
As companies expand internationally, translation roles are set to grow 20% through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; degrees or certifications in your second language and specialized translation certificates can help you stand out in the marketplace.
21. Pick up one-time gigs online or IRL
If you have just a little time here and there to earn some extra cash, consider using a site like Mechanical Turk or Upwork to take on one-time assignments that can range from designing a logo to filling out someone’s expense report. Many of these online tasks can be completed on your own schedule from home using an internet connection, making them highly flexible.
If you want to take care of similar errands offline, try TaskRabbit, which lists assignments like assembling furniture and helping with a move. The downside of these sites is that potential customers are often seeking a bargain and may award the gig to the lowest bidder. Decide in advance how low you’ll go, and value your own time by sticking to that commitment.
22. Open an in-home daycare
For parents with young children at home, adding a few paying clients may seem like one of the most natural home business ideas to try; just be prepared for paperwork. Depending on where you live, you may need a license, and you’ll almost certainly need to complete a background check and certify that your home is safe for group child care.
In addition, plan on investing time and money to market your services, stock supplies and manage any additional staff you decide to hire.
23. Take care of pets
Whether you sign up through Rover or Wag to walk dogs, or take care of animals in your home or theirs while their humans are away, pet care is a flexible and fun way to earn extra money. You can even create your own dog-walking website, like Los Angeles-based Walk on the Wild Side.
If you plan to host pets in your home, whether for long-term boarding or daily doggy day care, be sure to check with your neighborhood association or landlord and consider buying extra insurance to cover any emergencies.
Learn more: How to start a dog walking business
24. Offer online tutoring and test prep
Put your academic strengths to work by offering tutoring services remotely in subjects such as math or language. Or, you can help high school and college-age students practice qualifying exams such as the ACT, SAT, GRE, Advanced Placement tests in specific subjects, the LSAT for entry to law school or the MCAT for medical school.
Relevant academic experience and plenty of practice scoring high on these tests will help establish your reputation; certification isn’t required, but can help you market your skills. You can answer individual questions through a site like Course Hero or work one on one with students online for several weeks or months. Check out the Association of Test Preparation, Admissions and Private Tutoring for more tips on getting started.
Learn more: How to start a tutoring business
25. Teach lessons online
If you have the qualifications and experience to teach music, offer personal fitness training or lead dance classes, you can reach new audiences by offering lessons live online. For anything physical, you’ll need enough space and a decent video recording setup in order to demonstrate movements or correct positioning during lessons.
To find students, network with local studios, gyms or community centers, or consider offering a continuing education class through your local community college.
26. Create and sell an online course
Online learning was already becoming popular before the pandemic, and since 2020, participation has zoomed (pun intended) on platforms like Coursera, Udemy and SkillShare. Interest in non-degree learning programs grew 38% from 2019 to 2022, outpacing traditional degree programs. If you have expertise in practically any subject—from accounting to zoology—you can create a class on it and generate passive income.
Do your research to determine which topics are crowded with competitors and which popular subjects are underserved, and try taking a course or two before making your own so you understand the time commitment involved. When you’re ready, you can create an online course directly through your Wix website. Consider selling subscriptions to your online course materials to develop your customer base and establish a steady cash flow.
27. Rent out your car
Car sharing offers an alternative to traditional rentals, enabling users to find a car nearby and use it for only as long as they need to, all without visiting a rental center. If you have a car available, consider renting it out through platforms such as Zipcar, Getaround or Turo.
You can specify when your car is available and set your own pricing, but read the fine print carefully; while most platforms offer extra liability insurance to cover any potential mishaps, you’ll still need a personal policy as well.
28. Rent out recreational gear
If you own specialty recreation or fitness equipment you don’t use regularly, you can put that gear to work rather than have it take up space in your garage or closet. Offer tents, kayaks, skis and more for rent via neighborhood apps like Nextdoor. Use a specialty site like Spinlister for bikes, or Outdoorsy or RVShare for trailers and RVs. If you’ve got a backyard pool and don’t mind others using it, Swimply lets you set rates and hours of availability.
29. Sell storage space
Monetize an empty closet, attic or shed by offering storage space for a fee. You can also offer extra parking space for rent on sites like SpotHero. Check your insurance coverage and local regulations first, then use specialty platforms like Neighbor or StoreAtMyHouse, or local social networks like Nextdoor, to promote availability.
30. Host a vacation rental
If you have a spare room or guest house and don’t mind hosting visitors, you can sign up on Airbnb, VRBO, Hipcamp or other vacation rental sites. Check local regulations and your insurance before you spruce up the space. Once you’re ready to open for business, calculate your costs carefully to cover maintenance, cleaning and replenishment of supplies.
Learn more: How to start a rental property business and how to create a rental property business plan
How to make money from home FAQs
How can I make $100 a day?
Any number of business ideas can earn $100 per day or more. Some options require active work, while others earn passive income. A few great ways to make $100 in a day include:
Renting out space, equipment or your car
Walking or pet sitting dogs in your neighborhood
Working as a delivery app or rideshare driver for four to eight hours
Doing data entry or transcription tasks on sites like Mechanical Turk and Upwork