How to Make Money Fast Online: 20 Proven Ways

Making money fast online is no longer just a dream. Whether you’re looking to boost your bank balance or start a side hustle, the internet offers endless opportunities. In this detailed guide, we’ll dive into 20 proven ways to make money fast online, from simple tasks to building long-term income streams. Each method is accessible and can be adapted to fit your lifestyle, whether you’re in the UK or anywhere else.

1. Complete Online Surveys

Online surveys are one of the easiest ways to make money online. Companies value consumer feedback and are willing to pay for it. The surveys usually take between 5 and 30 minutes and ask questions about your shopping habits, opinions on products, or lifestyle choices.

Best Platforms:

• Swagbucks: This platform offers points for completing surveys, watching videos, and more. Points can be exchanged for gift cards or PayPal cash.
• Google Opinion Rewards: Allows you to complete short surveys in exchange for Google Play credits, or direct payments.
• Toluna: A UK-focused platform offering frequent surveys and opportunities to test products.

How it works: After signing up, you’ll be invited to complete surveys tailored to your demographics. The more you complete, the more you’ll be invited to higher-paying surveys.

Earnings: £0.50 to £5 per survey, depending on length and complexity.

Effectiveness: Good for making pocket money in your spare time. Surveys won’t make you rich, but they’re easy to do anywhere - on the bus, while watching TV, or even during lunch breaks.

2. Get Paid to Test Websites

Website testing involves assessing the functionality and usability of websites or apps. Businesses want to know how their users interact with their websites, and they pay for real users to provide feedback. Tests typically require you to complete tasks (such as navigating a website or trying out features) while recording your screen and explaining your experience.

Best Platforms:

• UserTesting: This is the go-to platform for website testing, offering £8-£10 for each 20-minute test. Payments are made via PayPal.
• Enroll: Offers shorter, mobile-friendly tests that can be done on the go.

How it works: After signing up, you’ll be matched with testing opportunities based on your profile. You’ll usually need a microphone (and sometimes a webcam) to provide spoken feedback during tests.

Earnings: £5-£20 per test, depending on complexity and length.

Effectiveness: Website testing is an easy, relatively quick way to earn extra money. It’s ideal for tech-savvy individuals who enjoy trying out new platforms. The work can be sporadic, but the pay-per-test makes it worth your time.

3. Cashback on Online Shopping

Cashback platforms allow you to earn money on purchases you were going to make anyway! By shopping through cashback websites, you receive a percentage of your total spend back in the form of cash or vouchers. This can be particularly useful for frequent online shoppers, especially when making larger purchases.

Best Platforms:

• TopCashback: A UK-focused platform offering cashback on purchases from major retailers, including Argos, Currys, and ASOS.
• Quidco: Another UK cashback site with similar retailers, offering cashback and bonuses for certain deals.

How it works: After creating an account, search for your retailer on the cashback website. When you click through to the retailer and make a purchase, a percentage of your spend is tracked and credited to your cashback account. Once your cashback is confirmed, you can withdraw it to your bank or PayPal.

Earnings: Cashback percentages range from 1% to 10%, with bonuses for certain offers.

Effectiveness: Great for frequent shoppers. Cashback savings can add up quickly, especially during sales or for big-ticket items like electronics or holidays.

4. Sell Your Photos Online

If you enjoy photography, you can sell your photos on stock photo websites. Businesses, marketers, bloggers, and designers need high quality, royalty-free images for their projects. By uploading your work to stock photography websites, you can earn money each time someone downloads your images.

Best Platforms:

• Shutterstock: A leading stock photo website where contributors earn a commission every time their photo is downloaded.
• Adobe Stock: Works similarly to Shutterstock but integrates directly with Adobe products, making it popular with designers.
• Foap: Allows you to upload images from your smartphone and earn money when brands or individuals purchase your photos.

How it works: Once your account is approved, upload your best images to the platform. You should tag them accurately to increase visibility. Then, you’ll earn a commission whenever someone purchases or downloads your photos.

Earnings: £0.20 to £50+ per download, depending on the site and the exclusivity of your photos.

Effectiveness: This method is most effective if you have a niche in photography that’s in demand (e.g. business environments, travel, or food photography). It’s a great way to make passive income once your images are uploaded.

5. Offer Virtual Assistant Services

A virtual assistant (VA) provides administrative support to businesses or individuals remotely. Tasks vary, but often include everything from managing emails, scheduling appointments, data entry, and social media management. With more businesses moving online, the demand for VAs has skyrocketed!

Best Platforms:

• Upwork: A global freelancing platform where VAs can find jobs related to admin work, scheduling, and social media management.
• PeoplePerHour: A UK-based freelance marketplace where you can offer virtual assistance services.
• Belay: Specialises in connecting businesses with experienced virtual assistants.

How it works: Create a profile on one of these platforms and highlight your skills, including any admin, customer service, or project management experience. Once hired, you’ll communicate with clients via email or virtual platforms like Slack, Zoom, or Trello.

Earnings: £10-£30 per hour, depending on your experience and the tasks you handle.

Effectiveness: Highly effective for those with strong organisational skills. This is a great way to make consistent income online, and you can set your own hours.

6. Sell Your Stuff Online

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make money online is by decluttering and selling things you no longer need. Whether it’s old books, clothes, furniture, CDs & DVDs, or even that LEGO set collecting dust in the attic, there are plenty of platforms ready to take them off your hands.

Where to Sell:

• WeBuyBooks: A fast and simple way to sell your old books, CDs, DVDs, and games. You can scan the barcode using their app and get an instant price.
• WeBuyGames: Perfect if you’ve got old video games you no longer play. They’ll buy your games and even offer free shipping.
• WeBuyBricks: Who knew your old LEGO could be worth so much? Sell it by weight or by full sets.
• Depop: Great for selling clothes, shoes, and accessories to fashion-forward buyers.
• eBay: The go-to platform for selling almost anything - whether it’s tech, furniture, or collectibles.

Why it’s effective: Selling your unwanted stuff not only declutters your home but puts cash directly in your pocket. Plus, most of these platforms make it super convenient - they handle the hard work like pricing and shipping!

7. Start a Blog

Starting a blog is one of the best long term ways to make money online, but it requires time and effort upfront. By focusing on a niche you’re passionate about (e.g. personal finance, food, travel), you can build an audience and eventually monetise your blog through ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing.

Best Platforms:

• WordPress: The most popular platform for creating blogs, offering both free and paid options for creating your site.
• Blogger: A free, user-friendly platform for starting a simple blog.

How it works: Choose a niche that you’re passionate about and that has enough potential traffic. Once you gain a following, monetise through ads with Google AdSense or by joining affiliate networks like Awin. Sponsored posts or collaborations with brands can provide additional income.

Earnings: Bloggers can make anywhere from £50 to thousands per month, depending on traffic and monetisation methods. The more you put in, the more you’ll make!

Effectiveness: Blogging can be highly effective if you’re committed and patient. While it may take time to grow your audience, the potential for earning passive income through ad revenue and affiliate marketing is high once you’re established.

8. Become a Social Media Manager

Social media management is still continuing to grow as a field, as businesses recognise the importance of maintaining a strong online presence. As a social media manager, you’ll create and schedule posts, engage with followers, run ad campaigns, and track performance metrics for businesses or influencers.

Best Platforms:

• Upwork and PeoplePerHour are excellent places to start offering social media management services.
• Hootsuite: A leading tool for scheduling and managing multiple social media accounts at once.

How it works: Offer your services to small businesses or individuals looking to grow their online presence. You’ll need to understand how different platforms work, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and how to craft engaging content.

Earnings: £10-£40 per hour, depending on experience and the size of the business.

Effectiveness: Very effective if you have experience with social media and know how to create engaging, brand-consistent content. There’s high demand for social media managers, making this a lucrative way to earn online.

9. Create and Sell Digital Products

Selling digital products like e-books, printables, and templates is another way to generate passive income. Once created, these products can be sold repeatedly with little maintenance. Common digital products include fitness planners, recipe books, and design templates for businesses.

Best Platforms:

• Etsy: Perfect for selling printables, digital planners, and art prints.
• Gumroad: Ideal for selling e-books, music, courses, or design assets.

How it works: Identify a digital product that solves a problem or serves a need (e.g., printable planners for busy professionals or stock templates for designers). After creating the product, list it on your chosen platform and market it through social media or your website.

Earnings: £5-£100+ per product, depending on the type of product and your audience.

Effectiveness: Extremely effective for creatives or entrepreneurs looking to build passive income streams. The initial creation takes effort, but after that, you can earn consistently without much ongoing work.

10. Start a YouTube Channel

Creating a YouTube channel can be a great way to make money online if you enjoy creating video content. You can monetise your channel through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing once you build an audience. Many people think that YouTube is over saturated, but the truth is, anyone can succeed with the right content and effort.

How to Start:

• Create a free YouTube channel and choose a niche such as gaming, tech reviews, beauty tutorials, or lifestyle vlogs.
• Apply for YouTube’s Partner Program once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.

How it works: You’ll need to regularly upload engaging, high-quality videos that provide value to your viewers. The more views and subscribers you gain, the more money you can make through ad revenue and sponsorships!

Earnings: £0.05-£0.12 per ad view, with additional income from sponsorships and affiliate marketing.

Effectiveness: This is very effective if you’re consistent and creative. Remember, building a successful YouTube channel takes time, but the potential for high earnings is substantial.

11. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the process of promoting products or services on your blog, social media, or YouTube channel and earning a commission on sales made through your referral links. It’s one of the best ways to make passive income once you’ve built an audience.

Best Platforms:

• Amazon Associates: Earn commissions by promoting products sold on Amazon.
• Awin: A UK-based affiliate network that partners with brands offering affiliate programs in many industries.

How it works: Sign up for an affiliate program, then promote products or services relevant to your audience. Whenever someone makes a purchase through your link, you earn a commission. You can include affiliate links in blog posts, videos, or social media posts.

Earnings: £10-£500+ per month, depending on traffic and sales of course.

Effectiveness: Highly effective for bloggers, YouTubers, or influencers with engaged audiences. Success depends on choosing the right products and building trust with your audience.

12. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is one of the fastest ways to make money online if you have strong writing skills. Businesses, websites, and blogs are constantly in need of content, from blog posts and articles to product descriptions and newsletters. Even with the introduction of AI, engaging and unique content is more valuable than ever.

Best Platforms:

• Upwork and Freelancer are ideal for finding freelance writing jobs in a variety of industries.
• ProBlogger Jobs: A popular job board specifically for writers.

How it works: Create a portfolio of your best writing samples and start applying for writing gigs. The more experience you gain, the higher rates you can charge.

Earnings: £10-£100+ per article, depending on your expertise and the client.

Effectiveness: This is very effective for those who enjoy writing and have the discipline to meet deadlines. There’s a constant demand for writers, making this a reliable way to make money online, but obviously, isn’t for everyone.

13. Matched Betting

Matched betting is a legal and risk-free way to make money online by taking advantage of free bet offers from betting sites. By placing bets both for and against a specific outcome, you can guarantee a profit regardless of the result.

Best Platforms:

• OddsMonkey: Offers matched betting tutorials, calculators, and betting strategies to maximise profits.
• Profit Accumulator: Provides step-by-step instructions on how to profit from bookmaker offers.

How it works: Sign up with a matched betting site, which will show you how to bet both for and against outcomes on betting exchanges. This ensures you profit from free bet offers.

Earnings: £50-£300+ per month, depending on the offers available and how much time you invest.

Effectiveness: Very effective, particularly in the UK, where free bet offers are common. With discipline and understanding of the system, you can consistently make money without any gambling risk.

14. Become a Clickworker

Clickworker offers microtasks that can be completed quickly, making it an easy way to earn extra cash online. Common tasks include data entry, web research, form filling, and content moderation. These tasks don’t require any special skills, so anyone can sign up and start earning.

Best Platforms:

• Clickworker: A reliable platform offering a variety of tasks that pay based on complexity and time spent.

How it works: After creating an account, you’ll be assigned simple tasks that match your skills and location. Payments are made once tasks are completed and approved.

Earnings: £5-£10 per hour, depending on task availability.

Effectiveness: Great for those looking to make quick money in their spare time. While the pay is typically low, it’s ideal for beginners who want flexible, low-commitment work.

15. Offer Online Tutoring

If you excel in a particular subject, online tutoring is a flexible way to earn money. Subjects like maths, English, and science are in high demand, as well as test preparation for GCSEs and A-levels. You can also tutor adults or international students in languages or specialised topics.

Best Platforms:

• Tutorful: A popular UK-based tutoring platform that connects tutors with students.
• MyTutor: Specialises in GCSE and A-level tutoring for students across the UK.

How it works: Create a tutor profile, showcasing your expertise and teaching experience. Once approved, students can book lessons with you, and sessions are conducted online through video calls.

Earnings: £10-£30 per hour, depending on the subject and your experience.

Effectiveness: Highly effective for teachers or experts in academic subjects. Online tutoring is in high demand and can provide a steady income stream.

16. Teach English Online

With the global demand for English language learning, teaching English online is a profitable way to make money. As a native or fluent speaker, you can teach students from all over the world, helping them improve their English skills for work, travel, or personal development.

Best Platforms:

• iTalki: A platform connecting English teachers with international students. You can set your own rates and schedule.
• Cambly: Offers flexible English tutoring opportunities without requiring a formal teaching background.

How it works: Sign up as a tutor, set your availability, and teach lessons via video chat. No formal teaching experience is required for some platforms, though having a TEFL qualification can help you earn more.

Earnings: £10-£20 per hour, depending on your experience and the platform.

Effectiveness: Very effective for native English speakers who want a flexible job they can do from home. The demand for English teachers is high, particularly in countries like China, Japan, and Korea.

17. Sell Handmade Products Online

If you're crafty or enjoy creating unique items, selling handmade products online can be both fun and profitable. Whether you’re into jewellery, home décor, clothing, or custom art, platforms like Etsy provide a marketplace where you can sell your creations to a global audience.

Best Platforms:

• Etsy: The leading platform for selling handmade or vintage items, with millions of active buyers worldwide.

How it works: Set up a shop on Etsy, list your products, and optimise your shop with clear descriptions and attractive photos. Market your products on social media to drive traffic to your shop.

Earnings: Varies widely based on product type, pricing, and sales volume.

Effectiveness: Very effective for those with creative skills and a passion for making handmade items. Etsy sellers who focus on branding and marketing can build a loyal customer base and generate consistent income.

18. Create an Online Course

If you have specialised knowledge or skills, creating an online course can be a highly profitable way to make money. Whether you’re an expert in digital marketing, photography, or coding, there are people willing to pay for structured learning experiences.

Best Platforms:

• Teachable: A user-friendly platform where you can create, promote, and sell courses on virtually any topic.
• Udemy: Offers a global marketplace for courses, helping you reach a large audience of students looking for affordable education.

How it works: Create a course around your area of expertise. The course can include video lessons, written materials, and quizzes. Once it’s published on a platform, you earn money every time someone enrols in your course.

Earnings: £100-£1,000+ per course, depending on the popularity and demand for the subject.

Effectiveness: Very effective for experts in specialised fields. Once your course is created, it can generate passive income over time as new students enrol.

19. Sell Custom Designs on Merch Sites

If you have graphic design skills, you can create designs to sell on merchandise websites. These platforms handle everything from printing your designs on products (like T-shirts, mugs, or phone cases) to shipping them to customers, allowing you to focus solely on creating.

Best Platforms:

• Redbubble: A global marketplace where designers can upload their artwork and sell it on various products.
• Teespring: A platform that helps you design and sell custom T-shirts, hoodies, and more without handling inventory or shipping.

How it works: Upload your designs to a platform, choose which products you want to sell (T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc.), and promote your store. Every time someone buys a product with your design, you earn a percentage of the sale.

Earnings: £1-£10 per sale, depending on the product.

Effectiveness: Highly effective for designers or illustrators who want to earn passive income. Once you create the designs, they can continue to generate sales without much ongoing effort.

20. Offer Translation Services

If you're bilingual or multilingual, offering translation services can be a quick and effective way to make money online. Companies, publishers, and individuals often need documents, websites, or marketing materials translated from one language to another.

Best Platforms:

• Gengo: A platform that offers freelance translation jobs to translators worldwide.
• ProZ: A community of freelance translators that provides job boards and resources for translation gigs.

How it works: Sign up for a translation platform, complete a language proficiency test, and start accepting translation jobs. You’ll translate written content from one language to another and get paid per word or project.

Earnings: £0.05-£0.20 per word, depending on the complexity of the translation and language pair.

Effectiveness: Very effective if you’re fluent in multiple languages. Translation services are always in demand, especially for less common language pairs like Mandarin, Russian, or Arabic.

21. Review Music for Cash

If you love discovering new music, you can get paid to review unsigned bands and artists online. Platforms that work with record labels and independent musicians pay users to review songs and provide feedback. This helps emerging artists improve and gain exposure while offering you a fun way to make extra money.

Best Platforms:

• Slicethepie: A popular site that pays users to review tracks, fashion items, and more. You can cash out via PayPal once you’ve earned the minimum threshold.

How it works: After signing up, listen to new tracks, write a detailed review, and submit it. The more accurate and helpful your reviews, the more you can earn over time.

Earnings: £0.05-£0.20 per review.

Effectiveness: Great for music lovers who want to make a small amount of extra money. It won’t make you rich, but it’s an enjoyable and easy way to earn in your free time.

There you have it - 20 proven ways to make money fast online! Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy or a longer-term project, there’s something on this list for everyone. The best part? You can do all of these from the comfort of your own home, making it easier than ever to earn extra cash in your spare time.

If you’re hungry for more ideas, check out our post on 80 Easy Ways to Make Money Fast for even more tips and tricks to boost your income.