There are tons of different ways for students to earn money online. But, especially in 2022, there are so many opportunities that it can be tough to know where to start.
We’ve put together this list of the 29 best ways for students to make money online. We’re confident this will help find the perfect opportunity for you!
Table of Contents
Start a Blog
One of the most popular ways for students to earn money online is by starting a personal blog. If you’re passionate about a particular topic, you can start writing about it and earn money through advertising and affiliate marketing.
Starting a blog is a terrific way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world. Not only can you write about anything you want, but you can also make money by selling advertising or products through your blog.
You’ll need first to buy a domain name and hosting account to start a blog. You can then use a platform like WordPress to build your blog.
Purchasing a Domain Name and Hosting Account
If you’re looking to start a blog of any kind, the first thing you’ll need to do is buy a domain name and create a hosting account. You can usually find both for less than $100 per year.
Some popular domain name registrars include GoDaddy and Namecheap. For hosting, we recommend Bluehost or WP Engine.
Installing WordPress
Once you have your domain name and hosting account set up, you can install WordPress. WordPress is a free content management system that makes it easy to create and manage a blog.
Many bloggers (including us) consider WordPress the best platform for blogging. It offers powerful plugins and themes that allow you to customize your blog however you want.
If you’re not familiar with installing WordPress, don’t worry! To install WordPress on your new blog, follow these easy instructions.
- Log in to your hosting account and go to the control panel.
- Under “Tools,” click on “WordPress.”
- Click on the “Install” button.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
- That’s it! WordPress is now installed.
Graphic Designer
If you’re a creative person with an affinity for design, you can start making money as a graphic designer. Many businesses and individuals are looking for talented designers to create logos, illustrations, and other graphics.
You can create a portfolio of your body of work and start pitching your services to potential clients to get started. You can also create a profile on a freelancing platform like Fiverr or Upwork and start bidding on design projects.
Setting up a Fiverr Account
If you’d like to become a top-notch freelance graphic designer, the first thing you’ll need to do is create a Fiverr account. Fiverr is an online portal where businesses and individuals can find freelancers to help with their projects.
To set up a Fiverr account, just go to their website and click on the “Sign Up” button.
Enter your email address, password, and full name.
Click on the “Create Account” button.
You should then receive an email from Fiverr with a link to activate your account.
Once your account is activated, you can start creating your profile. Again, include information about your skills and experience and examples of your work.
You can also start bidding on design projects that interest you. Once you complete a project, the client will leave a review of your work. The more positive reviews you have, the more likely you will get hired for future projects.
Setting up an Upwork Account
If you want to become an effective freelance graphic designer, another option is to set up an Upwork account. Upwork is another freelancing platform that connects businesses and individuals with freelancers for various projects.
To set up an Upwork account, you can follow the steps we listed above for Fiverr.
Once your account is activated, you can start creating your profile. Again, similar to Fiverr, include information about your skills and experience and examples of your work.
The best platform for you will depend on your skills and experience. Fiverr may be a good option if you’re just starting because many consider the platform less competitive. However, once you’ve built up a strong portfolio, you can start bidding on projects on Upwork.
Web Developer
As a web developer, you will be in charge of the coding, design, and layout of websites. Therefore, you will need to have a good knowledge of computer programming languages and a strong understanding of how websites work. If you are creative and have a good eye for detail, this could be the perfect job.
If you want to become a web developer, the first thing you’ll need is some coding knowledge. You can start by learning some basic code: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once you have a solid understanding of these programming languages, you can start looking for remote web development jobs.
HTML
HTML, (known as HyperText Markup Language back in the day), is the code used to create websites. HTML is a simple programming language that allows you to add text, images, and other elements to a web page.
CSS
CSS, AKA Cascading Style Sheets, is useful for styling the HTML code on a web page. For example, you can use CSS to change a web page’s color, font, and layout.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language that gives you the ability to add interactivity to a web page. For example, you can use JavaScript to create forms, games, and other web applications.
If you want to become a web developer, many resources are available to help you learn the necessary coding languages. We recommend Codecademy’s tutorials on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
There are then a few different ways to find remote web development jobs. You can search for them on job boards like Indeed or Remote.co. You can also reach out to businesses and individuals directly and inquire about any open positions.
When applying for remote web development jobs, include your coding skills and portfolio in your application. If you don’t have a portfolio, you can create a simple website to showcase your skills.
You can also start your own web development business by creating websites for small businesses and individuals.
Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant provides administrative and secretarial support to businesses and individuals. The job can include customer service, data entry, scheduling appointments, and much more.
As a student, you can start offering your services as a virtual assistant and earn money online. Many businesses and entrepreneurs look for part-time or full-time virtual assistants.
You can create a profile on a freelancing platform like Fiverr or Upwork and start bidding on projects. You can also contact businesses and individuals directly and offer your services.
Online Tutor
You’re likely pretty good at a particular subject if you’re a student. So why not start tutoring other students online and earn some extra money?
Many different platforms offer online tutoring services. For example, you can create a profile on a platform like Tutor.com or Chegg Tutors and start tutoring students in your area of expertise.
You can also start a YouTube channel and offer tutoring services through your videos. This option is a great way to reach a wider audience and earn more money.
Proofreader
If you have a keen eye for detail and a love of grammar, students could earn money online as proofreaders! Many websites and businesses require someone to proofread their content before it goes live.
This is an essential task as it ensures that the content is error-free and ready for publication. Many online proofreading jobs are available, and you can get started with minimal experience.
Freelance Editor
If you have experience as a proofreader or know your way around grammar and punctuation, you could consider becoming a freelance editor.
Editors play an integral role in the publishing process and ensure that content is error-free and ready for publication.
Freelance Writing
One of the most effective options for students to earn money online is freelance writing. So if you’re a talented writer and want to make some extra cash, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!
There are several different ways to get started with freelance writing. First, you can start by creating a profile on a freelancing platform like Fiverr or Upwork. Once you have a profile, you can pitch your services to businesses and individuals looking for writers.
You can also start a blog and offer paid writing services through your site. This method is a great way to get started if you don’t have previous writing experience.
Social Media Manager
If you’re a social media enthusiast, you could make money online by managing social media accounts for businesses and organizations.
As a student social media manager, you’ll be tasked with posting content, engaging with followers, and monitoring metrics. As a result, most businesses will look for people with experience in social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can search for social media management jobs on job boards like Indeed or Upwork. You can also reach out to businesses and individuals directly and inquire about any open positions.
Paid Online Surveys
One of the simplest options to earn money online is by taking paid surveys. Many companies offer paid surveys, and you can sign up for as many as you like.
Once you’re registered, you’ll start receiving survey invitations via email. Each survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete, and you’ll get $1-5 per survey. This method is a great way to make extra cash in your spare time!
Complete Offers and Tasks
Many websites offer paid offers and tasks, which you can complete in exchange for money.
These offers generally take just a few minutes to complete, and you can earn anywhere from $0.50-$5 per offer. Tasks may include taking surveys, watching videos, or signing up for free trials.
Sell Your Stuff Online
If you have unwanted clothes, electronics, or other items taking up space in your home or dorm room, you could make money by selling them online!
There are many different websites and platforms where you can sell your stuff, such as eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and more.
Selling Your Stuff on eBay
One of the most widespread ways for students to make money online is by selling their old and unwanted items on eBay.
Create a list of the items you want to sell, take some photos, and set up your listing to get started. Once your item sells, you’ll need to ship it to the buyer.
eBay does charge a fee for the listing and a final value fee, so you’ll need to factor those into your selling price.
Selling Your Stuff on Amazon
If you’re looking for a simple way to make extra cash, selling your stuff on Amazon is a great option.
With Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon program, you can sell items on Amazon, and they will take care of the shipping and customer service for you. You’ll need to find the products you want to sell, list them on Amazon, and ship them when someone buys them.
You can also use Amazon to sell digital products such as ebooks, courses, and other digital content. With Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing program, you can self-publish your book and have it appear on Amazon.
You’ll need to pay a $0.99 fee when someone buys your book, but the rest of the profits will be yours.
Selling Your Stuff on Facebook Marketplace
Another great way to sell your stuff online is on Facebook Marketplace.
With Facebook Marketplace, you can list items for sale in your local area. Buyers can then message you and arrange to pick up the item.
You can sell almost anything that comes to mind on Facebook Marketplace, from clothes and shoes to furniture and electronics.
One of the awesome aspects of selling on Facebook Marketplace is that it’s completely free to list items. You only pay when someone buys your item.
Start a YouTube Channel
If you’re creative and enjoy making videos, you could start a YouTube channel! First, you’ll need to create engaging and entertaining videos and then build up a following of subscribers. Once you have ideally 3,000+ subscribers, you can start earning money from advertisements, sponsorships, and product placements.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a well-known option to earn money online, and it involves promoting products or services on your website or blog.
When a buyer clicks through to one of your affiliate links and purchases something, you’ll earn a commission. There are many different affiliate programs you can use, and you can sign up for as many as you like.
Here are some of the most popular items people use when affiliate marketing:
- Books: Amazon has a vast range of books available, and you can promote anything from bestsellers to niche titles.
- Courses: If you have any online courses available, you can promote them as an affiliate.
- Software: There are many software programs available, and you can advertise them as an affiliate.
- Gadgets: You can do so as an affiliate if you have any gadgets that you’d like to promote.
- Clothing: You can promote clothing items from various brands and retailers.
- Home goods: If you have any home goods that you’d like to promote, you can do so as an affiliate.
- Travel: You can promote travel products and services as an affiliate.
- Food and drink: You can promote food and drink products as an affiliate.
- Beauty products: You can promote beauty products as an affiliate.
- Fitness equipment: You can promote fitness equipment as an affiliate.
Become a Mystery Shopper
If you enjoy shopping, you could make money as a mystery shopper! Mystery shoppers earn cash by visiting stores and assessing the customer service, and they then report back their findings.
This gig is a great way to earn some extra cash, and you can do it in your spare time.
Sell Your Handmade Items Online
If you’re creative and enjoy getting your hands dirty, you could sell your handmade items online! You can sell anything from clothing to jewelry to artwork.
There are many different platforms where you can sell your handmade items, such as Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and more.
Start a Podcast
If you enjoy talking and sharing your knowledge, you could start a podcast! Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular, and you can talk about anything that you’re passionate about.
You’ll need to create and start your podcast and then promote it to build up a following. Once you have a few thousand listeners, you can start monetizing your podcast through advertisements, sponsorships, or product placements.
Here are some popular podcast topics:
- Business
- Technology
- News current affairs
- Comedy
- Interview shows
- Self-improvement
- Health fitness wellness
- Parenting
- true crime stories
- Reviews (e.g., books, movies, TV shows, etc.)
Participate in Focus Groups
If you enjoy giving your opinion, you could participate in focus groups or online surveys. Companies are constantly seeking feedback from consumers, and they’re willing to pay for it.
You can sign up for as many focus groups or surveys as you like, typically being paid per session.
Review Products and Services for Companies
If you enjoy trying out new products and services, you could get paid to review them!
You can sign up for as many product reviews or surveys as you like, and you’ll typically earn per review.
Data Entry Work
If you have good typing skills, you could do data entry work. This gig is usually a simple task of entering data into a spreadsheet or database.
You can find data entry work on various platforms, such as Upwork, Fiverr, etc.
Consulting Services
If you’re proficient in a particular topic, you could offer your services as a consultant. This expertise could be anything from social media marketing to business advice.
Here are a few fields some students might be able to consult in:
- Social media marketing: Do you have a knack for social media? Offer your expertise to small businesses or people who need help with their social media accounts.
- Business advice: Use your business skills to advise others on starting their businesses or help them grow their existing businesses.
- Technology: Use your tech skills to help people with their computer issues or offer training on using specific programs.
- Career advice: Help others figure out their career path, or offer advice on resumes, cover letters, and interviewing.
- Educational consulting: Use your knowledge of the education system to help parents navigate it or advise students on what courses to take and how to get into their dream school.
- Tutoring: If you’re good at a particular subject, offer your services as a tutor. This could be anything from English to math to a foreign language.
Copywriting
Copywriting is an excellent way for students to make money online. It is a flexible job that students can do from anywhere, but it also allows them to learn new skills and gain experience in the marketing field.
Copywriters are responsible for creating compelling and persuasive copy for ads, brochures, websites, and other marketing materials. To be a world-class copywriter, you need to have strong writing and editing skills and the ability to understand the needs of your target audience.
If you’re interested in becoming a copywriter, many online resources can help you get started, including books, courses, and tutorials. Once you’ve honed your skills, you can start pitching your services to businesses and earning money online.
Create and Sell E-Courses
Creating and selling e-courses is another excellent way for students to earn money online. E-courses can be anything from simple tutorials on a particular task to more in-depth courses on specific topics.
If you have expertise in a particular area or are just passionate about a topic, creating and selling an e-course can be a great way to share your knowledge with others and earn money.
You’ll have to create an outline and determine what format you want your course to take. Then, once you’ve made your content, you can sell your course on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.
Design Website Templates
Designing website templates is a creative and fun job, and it also allows you to learn new skills and develop your portfolio.
People use website templates to create the layout and design of a website. They can be used for personal or commercial websites and created using various web design software.
If you’re interested in designing website templates, consider joining a marketplace like ThemeForest or Creative Market. Here, you can sell your templates to customers from all over the world.
Customer service
Students can also earn money online by providing customer service. It’s a flexible job that students can also do from anywhere, and it allows you to learn new skills and build your resume.
Customer service representatives are responsible for providing customer support and helping customers with their inquiries. Therefore, they must be able to solve problems quickly and effectively and have strong communication skills.
Many businesses outsource their customer service, so there are always opportunities for students to get started in this field. You can find customer service jobs on job boards or pitch your services to businesses directly.
Bookkeeping
A bookkeeper helps businesses keep track of their financial records. They maintain records of income, expenses, and other financial transactions and prepare reports for management.
To be a top-notch bookkeeper, you need to have strong accounting and math skills and the ability to stay organized and pay attention to detail.
Students can offer several different bookkeeping services, such as bookkeeping for businesses, bookkeeping for individuals, and bookkeeping for nonprofits.
To get started as a bookkeeper, you can sign up with a bookkeeping platform like Bench or Bookminders. Once you’ve completed your profile, you can begin applying for bookkeeping jobs.
Sell Used Books Online
Selling used books online is an excellent way for students to make money. It is easy to do, and you can also declutter your home and earn some extra cash.
There are several different platforms that you can use to sell your used books, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AbeBooks. You’re going to create an account and list your books for sale to get started.
Selling Used Books on Amazon
If you’re looking for a platform that is easy to use and has a large customer base, selling your used books on Amazon is a great option. Create an Amazon account and list your books for sale to get started.
Once your books are listed, customers will be able to purchase them and have them shipped directly to their homes.
Selling Used Books on Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble is ideal for students to sell their used books. They offer higher prices than most other online booksellers, and they also provide free shipping and Barnes & Noble gift cards for any books you sell.
To sell books on Barnes & Noble, start by creating an account on their website. Once you’ve logged, click on the “Sell Books” tab and enter the ISBNs of the books you would like to sell. Barnes & Noble will then provide you with a quote for each book. Then, if you accept their offer, simply print out a shipping label and send your books off!
Selling Used Books on AbeBooks
AbeBooks is another terrific option for selling used books if you’re looking for an alternative to Barnes & Noble. AbeBooks is an online marketplace for buying and selling new, used, and rare books.
To sell books on AbeBooks, create an account and list your books for sale. When someone purchases one of your books, you’ll receive a notification and will be able to print out a shipping label. AbeBooks will then send you payment once they’ve received the book.
Translator
If you’re bilingual or know another language, you can start earning money by working as a translator. Translators are responsible for translating documents or audio files from one language to another.
To be a successful translator, you must be able to read and write in both languages and have an excellent understanding of grammar and punctuation.
Students can use many different platforms to find translation jobs, such as Gengo, One Hour Translation, and Upwork.
Create a profile on one of the few platforms and start applying for translation jobs to get started. Once you get the job, you’ll be able to start working and will be paid typically per word, per project, or hour.
Invest in Penny Stocks
Penny stocks are shares of firms that trade for less than $5 per share. As a result, they are riskier than other types of stocks, but they also have the potential to generate higher returns.
If you want to in invest in penny stocks, consider using a broker like Robinhood. Platforms like this allow you to invest in stocks for as little as $5, and they don’t charge any commissions or fees.
Trading Penny Stocks on Robinhood
Robinhood is a commission-free stock trading platform that allows you to buy and sell penny stocks.
The first step is to create an account and deposit some funds to get started. Once you’ve funded your account, you can begin buying and selling penny stocks.
Before you start investing, it’s critical to do your research and understand the risks involved. Penny stocks are volatile and can lose value quickly, so it’s essential only to invest money that you can afford to lose.
Key Takeaway
There are plenty of opportunities for students to start earning money online. In this article, we’ve shared 30 of the best ways for students to earn money online.
Whether you want to sell used books, provide customer service, or invest in penny stocks, plenty of options are available to you. So what are you waiting for? Start earning some extra cash today!