Earning money online is more accessible than ever, but so are scams.
If you’re trying to make extra cash to make ends meet, it’s important to focus on reliable, legitimate methods that don’t involve risk, hidden costs, or false promises.
This guide outlines practical, achievable ways to earn extra money online.
I’ll also show you how to spot, and avoid, common scams.
Every tip is actionable and tailored to anyone looking for trustworthy opportunities.
1. Complete online surveys and market research
Surveys are a quick and flexible way to earn a little extra. They are ideal if you’re just getting started online.
Trusted platforms:
- Prolific: Pays £6–£10 per hour for academic research studies.
- YouGov: Earn points for political and lifestyle surveys.
- Swagbucks: Surveys, cashback, and small tasks.
- InboxPounds: Earn for watching videos, taking surveys, and more.
Tip: Use a separate email address to avoid clutter and keep survey invitations organised.
2. Sell your unwanted items
Decluttering can also help you earn money online. Sell items you no longer use directly to others.
Popular platforms:
- Vinted: Ideal for clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- eBay: Great for electronics, books, and collectables.
- MusicMagpie: Sell CDs, DVDs, tech and more.
- Facebook Marketplace: Sell locally with no platform fees.
Tip: Use good lighting and write accurate descriptions to attract buyers. You can also try car boot sales for lower cost items.
3. Try freelancing based on your skills
If you have skills in writing, design, admin, or customer service, freelance marketplaces can help you find short-term work.
Where to start:
- PeoplePerHour: UK-based freelance work.
- Fiverr: List services starting from £5.
- Upwork: Competitive, but high-paying gigs.
- Reedsy: For writers, editors, and designers in the book publishing space.
Examples of freelance tasks:
- Social media management
- Resume formatting
- Logo design
- Proofreading blog posts
Tip: Even if you’re new, build a mini portfolio with example projects to show potential clients.
4. Teach or tutor online
If you’re confident in a subject or skill, tutoring online is a flexible and profitable way to earn money online.
Platforms to explore:
- Superprof: Teach anything from maths to guitar.
- MyTutor: GCSE and A-level tutoring.
- Preply: Language tutoring and general subjects.
- Outschool: Teach creative or academic classes to children.
Tip: Rates typically start around £10–£25/hour. You don’t always need formal qualifications, but DBS checks help.
5. Test websites and apps
You can get paid to give feedback on websites or app usability.
Legit testing sites:
- UserTesting: Record your screen and voice while testing websites. Pays around £8–£10 per 20 minute test.
- IntelliZoom: Short surveys and screen-recorded tests.
- Respondent: Higher paying market research interviews.
Tip: Be honest and speak clearly. These platforms value genuine user insights over professional polish.
6. Create and sell digital products
If you’re creative or organised, digital downloads can become a source of passive income.
Ideas you can sell:
- Budget planners or meal templates
- Ebooks and guides
- Social media templates
- Printable wall art
Where to sell:
Tip: Use Canva to create products easily. Even the free version is powerful.
7. Use cashback and receipt-scanning apps
You can earn small amounts for everyday shopping without changing your spending habits.
Apps worth trying:
- TopCashback
- Quidco
- Shoppix
- Storewards
Example: Buying a £100 item via TopCashback with 10% cashback puts £10 back in your pocket.
That’s free money if you were going to make the purchase anyway.
Scam warning signs to avoid
Unfortunately, online scams are designed to look legitimate.
Whether you’re applying for a job or trying a side hustle, always check for these warning signs:
- They ask for money upfront
No genuine platform will ask you to pay to apply, receive training, or access “exclusive opportunities”.
- They promise huge earnings for minimal effort
Statements like “Earn £500/day from home—no experience!” are classic signs of scams.
- They rush you to make a decision
Scammers want you to act fast before you can think or research. If there’s pressure to sign up “right now”, walk away.
- They won’t tell you what the job actually is
If the offer is vague, “digital assistant”, “affiliate agent”, “brand partner”, and doesn’t clearly explain the work involved, it’s probably not real.
- They have no digital footprint
If a company has no website, no customer reviews, and no registered business listing with Companies House, it’s a red flag.
- They ask for sensitive personal or financial information
Legitimate platforms don’t ask for your bank password, National Insurance number, or scans of your ID unless you’re applying for regulated financial work.
How to stay safe while earning online
Even on legitimate platforms, you need to protect yourself:
- Use a separate email for side hustles
- Never reuse your main passwords for work platforms
- Keep detailed records of all income for tax purposes
- Regularly cash out earnings from websites or apps to your bank
- Report suspicious ads or emails to Action Fraud
Tip: Stay up to date on the latest fraud tactics to avoid the worst of them.
Bonus idea: Become a virtual assistant
If you’re organised and enjoy admin, you can earn by supporting small business owners remotely.
Common VA tasks:
- Email management
- Scheduling appointments
- Creating social media content
- Data entry
Where to find work:
- Time Etc
- Belay
- Freelance sites like PeoplePerHour or Fiverr
Rates: Many UK-based VAs charge £10–£25/hour depending on experience.
What about taxes?
If you earn more than £1,000 from side income in a tax year, you’ll need to register with HMRC for Self Assessment.
Do this:
- Keep a record of your income and expenses
- Register at gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment
- Submit your tax return by 31 January for the previous tax year
Tip: Open a separate savings account and set aside 20–30% of side earnings for tax.
Final thoughts: Be cautious, but not afraid
The internet offers real opportunities to earn money online, but it’s also full of noise, misleading claims, and scams.
The key is to stay alert, verify everything, and start small.
Focus on genuine platforms, protect your information, and never feel pressured to rush into anything.
Once you find what works for you, whether it’s surveys, freelancing, or selling digital goods, you’ll build skills and confidence.
Over time, what starts as a side hustle can become a steady source of income!
