There are plenty of legitimate ways to earn some extra income without needing to leave your home. All you’ll need to get started is an internet connection and a smartphone or laptop.
Just remember that you are responsible for paying any necessary tax on the money you earn. You can earn up to £1,000 tax-free each year from the types of self-employment activities mentioned below, thanks to the trading allowance. But if you earn anything over this, you may need to pay tax.
Sell your old clothes
If your wardrobe is full of clothes you never wear, start selling them on websites such as Vinted or Depop. You can sell pretty much anything, but items in excellent condition, as well as designer brands, are likely to sell for more. You could also bundle items together, so that buyers save on postage (shipping costs are usually covered by the buyer).
It’s important to take lots of good-quality photos of the items you’re selling and post an accurate description, including any flaws in the clothes, such as missing buttons.
Take surveys
There are lots of survey websites that pay you just for taking a survey and giving your opinion. You won’t earn a huge amount, but small sums can soon add up.
Avoid sites that charge a joining fee, but take a look at Swagbucks, YouGov, Ipsos i-Say and OnePoll to get started. It can be sensible to set up a separate email address so that you can keep your survey emails separate from your personal ones.
Depending on the survey site, you might get paid in cash or vouchers, and you’ll usually need to meet a certain threshold before you can receive a payout. This makes it crucial to compare websites carefully and check the small print, so that you know what you’re signing up to.
Trade in old electronics
If you’ve got an old phone, gaming system or even CDs and DVDs lying around collecting dust, sell them!
Take a look at websites such as Envirofone, MusicMagpie and CeX to see where you can get the best price. You can usually get a quick quote online and once you’re happy, you can package up your goods and send them in. After your items have been inspected, you should receive your cash.
Alternatively, you can try to sell them yourself on Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
Pick up freelance work
If you’ve got experience in writing, designing, video editing, programming or marketing, you could earn some extra cash by picking up freelance work through platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr.
You’ll typically need to create a free profile, and depending on the platform, you’ll either receive orders or get matched to suitable jobs, or you might need to bid on the work you wish to take on.
Test websites and apps
Websites such as UserTesting and Web Usability let you test a range of websites and apps and provide feedback on what worked well and what didn’t. You don’t need to be a web expert to sign up, but you might need to pass a short practice test first.
Once you’re signed up, you can start taking paid tests straight away. To do this, you’ll need to look at a website and answer questions about it. The amount you can earn depends on the test type, duration, and customer demand, although Web Usability says payments are usually £40 to £50.
Become a private tutor
These days it’s easy to tutor people online, whether you teach maths, foreign languages, science or a musical instrument. Use websites such as MyTutor or Tutorful to create your free profile and get access to students looking for tuition.
Depending on the site, you might need to have a short interview, but you don’t usually need to have a formal teaching qualification. The amount you earn will likely depend on your location and your experience, as well as what’s in demand. According to MyTutor, you can earn from £12 to £52 an hour.
Sell your photos
If you love taking photos, you could think about selling some of them on stock photography sites such as Alamy, Getty Images and Shutterstock. You can often earn between 15% and 50% of an image’s sale price, but competition is high, so make sure your photos stand out.
Become a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is someone who carries out administrative tasks for an organisation or clients, usually from their own home. You might have to schedule calls and meetings, monitor email accounts, and book travel arrangements, for instance. Some roles also involve bookkeeping and data entry.
Take a look at websites such as Upwork, LinkedIn and Reed to help you find a virtual assistant job.
Start a blog
If you’ve got an original idea you’re passionate about, you could start your own blog, using platforms such as WordPress, Tumblr and Typepad to get started.
You’ll need to update your content regularly and make sure it’s engaging enough for your audience. As your blog builds, you might be able to start selling ad space, host sponsored content and work with affiliate programs to bring in more income.
Use rental sites
These days you can rent out pretty much anything to earn some extra money through online platforms. For example, if you have space on your driveway you can rent this out through sites like JustPark or YourParkingSpace – you’re likely to earn more if you live near a busy station, city centre or big attraction.
Alternatively, you could rent out spare storage space, such as your garage or loft, though sites like Stashbee. Or you could rent out your car when it’s not in use, through sites like Hiyacar and Turo.
Be aware you might need to pay a joining fee for these platforms, and you should always check how insurance works and whether you need to inform your own insurance provider first.
There are plenty of different ways to earn some extra cash online – all you need to decide is where your skills and preferences lie, as well as how much time you’re happy to devote to your project.
If you’re signing up to any online platforms, remember to check the small print to find out whether you need to pay any fees. It’s also worth looking into how much you might earn before getting started.
