8 Best Online Side Hustles for 2023

There is no going back for the workforce. The paramount shift in workplace design has forever changed from in-office to remote settings. Whether it’s working from home or some sort of hybrid version, even when you are working a full-time job, you seem to have more time in your day. To maximize what you make either in salary, passive income or both, consider thinking outside the day job box, and earning some extra money with a great side hustle. 

Best Online Side Hustles

Though a side job is still a job, when you find a lucrative side hustle you can do online, it is worth exploring. Here are eight great online side hustle ideas:

1. Complete online surveys
2. Dropshipping
3. Online focus groups
4. Open an e-commerce store
5. Social media manager
6. Start a blog or post reviews
7. Teach online courses
8. Be a virtual assistant

1. Complete Online Surveys 

One of the top ways to easily make some extra money is by filling out surveys online. Many companies offer a variety of online activities for you to complete such as surveys, watching videos or filling out questionnaires for the chance to earn cash, gift cards or other rewards. If this sounds like something you wish to explore, here are some highly recommended platforms: 

• Branded Surveys
• InboxDollars
• Survey Junkie
• Swagbucks

2. Dropshipping 

Starting a dropshipping business means handling online orders that don’t require the retailer or seller involved to maintain a physical product inventory. You essentially become a middleman for distribution purposes, which can all be done online. Customers place orders with a retailer or seller, the order is sent to a third party, and that party fulfills and ships the order.

Dropshipping has low overhead and you don’t have to store any of the inventory which means you have the potential to make a lot of money. 

3. Online Focus Groups 

Participating in a focus group can range in responsibility, which directly correlates to the range of pay. Tasks include filling out surveys, doing market research or answering questions about a product. Online focus groups can be a great side hustle as companies are always looking for feedback on new products or services. The average hourly wage can range from $20 to $200. 

4. Open an E-Commerce Store 

Being able to start your own e-commerce store as a side business is a great way not only to save money on startup costs but also allows you to sell your products, goods or services directly. You can sell anything just by building a website with the ability to send or receive payments. If you don’t have a website and want to start selling straight away you could also look into starting your e-commerce store through existing platforms such as Instagram or Etsy. 

5. Social Media Manager 

Social media platforms have become their own booming enterprise. With the growth of interactive technologies, social media managers are in high demand and it is a quickly growing field. Simply put, as a social media manager you would be in charge of expanding your client’s online presence and brand awareness. The intent of this is to increase sales or attract new customers. If you are someone comfortable with the nuances of social media as well as affiliate marketing you could pursue this as a side hustle or even full-time. 

6. Start a Blog or Post Reviews 

There is so much content out there that starting another blog or posting reviews may seem like you are entering an overly saturated market, but the opposite may be true. As people are less and less likely to find specific content from varying streaming services, having a blog dedicated to guiding them to the best shows or movies could become lucrative.

For example, starting a review blog about Netflix programming might not yield extra income straight away, but has potential in the long run. You can monetize your site by running ads or featuring sponsored content.

7. Teach Online Courses 

Various subject matters can be taught online. If you start a class based on your skillset you could grow a student base or online followers willing to pay for your guidance and lessons. Popular subjects include:

• English
• A second language
• Cooking
• Arts and crafts
• Learning a musical instrument

If you don’t want to start your own class as an online business you could also look into tutoring students online in areas such as SAT preparation or other school curricula. 

8. Virtual Assistant

If you have strong organizational skills or administrative experience, you could outsource your talents as a virtual assistant or virtual administrative assistant. You would operate as high-level support for businesses or business heads, but all from your own home. 

If you check any of the following boxes as part of your skillset, becoming a virtual assistant may be a good side gig for you. 

• Schedule organization
• Conference calls and interoffice communications
• Correspondence through phones and emails 
• Ability to set and plan meetings

Final Take

Rather than pet sit or walk dogs, some of the best extra cash can come from side gigs you do online. After doing just a bit of research you may discover how to put your specific skillset to use without ever having to step foot in an office.