How to Make Money Online: 15 Legit Ways to Build Income From Anywhere

 Key highlights  

• Understand practical, legitimate ways on how to make money online without scams or hype, suited for various skills and lifestyles. 
• Learn how to start and monetize blogs, online stores, freelancing and digital products with step-by-step guidance. 
• Explore methods like dropshipping, affiliate marketing, online courses and membership sites to build diverse income streams. 
• Discover Bluehost tools and hosting solutions to simplify website setup and grow your online business. 
• Uncover easy entry points like surveys, testing websites and social media monetization for quick side income opportunities. 

Have you ever wondered how to make money online but felt overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice out there? With so many options, from side gigs to full-time careers, it can be hard to know where to start or which methods actually work. 

Maybe you just want to earn a little extra money on the side. Or maybe you’re ready to explore working from your own home full-time. No matter your goal, this guide is here to empower you to take that exciting first step forward. 

In this guide, you’ll find 15 proven, legitimate ways to make money online in 2025- no hype, no crypto scams and definitely no endless survey traps. Just practical, achievable ideas that can help you build a side hustle or launch a full-time online business. 

Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent or someone looking to change paths, there’s something here for you. All you need is an internet connection and a bit of spare time to begin. 

Here’s a quick look at the 15 best ways to earn money online in 2025: 

• Start a blog and monetize it 
• Sell digital products (eBooks, templates, downloads) 
• Offer freelance services online 
• Launch an online store 
• Become an online course creator 
• Launch a dropshipping store 
• Build an affiliate marketing site 
• Start a niche membership community
• Launch a YouTube channel or video blog 
• Launch a podcast 
• Monetize your social media following 
• Edit and proofread AI content 
• Create a portfolio website and book clients directly 
• Test websites and apps 
• Take surveys 

Now that you’ve got an overview, let’s dive into each method in detail. Whether you’re after something creative, technical or easy to start, you’ll find ideas here to match your skills and lifestyle. 

Here are 15 legit ways on how to make money online and how to get started with each one. 

1. Start a blog and monetize it  

Blogging is one of the most rewarding online income ideas to make money from home. Whether you’re passionate about travel, fitness, finance or even pet care, you can start a blog, attract readers and turn your content into income. Moreover, it’s a low-cost way to launch your own business and build word of mouth referrals. 

Once you start getting traffic, here are a few proven ways to earn online using your blog: 

• Ads – Use platforms like Google AdSense to earn from views or clicks. 
• Affiliate marketing – Promote products you love and earn commissions. 
• Digital products – Sell eBooks, printables or create online courses. 

For example, Michelle Schroeder-Gardner started her personal finance blog Making Sense of Cents as a side hustle. Through helpful content and affiliate partnerships, she earns over six figures monthly, all while traveling full-time 

Get started with your blog:  

1. Choose Bluehost WordPress Hosting. 

2. Use the AI-powered setup to launch your blog. 

3. Get your free domain name. 

4. Activate enhanced security. 

5. Use built-in SEO tools to grow traffic. 

6. Link a bank account to receive payments. 

2. Sell digital products (eBooks, templates, downloads)  

Selling digital products is one of the best ways to earn money online with minimal effort. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly with no shipping or inventory. This makes them ideal for bloggers, creators, coaches and freelancers. 

Ideas include: 

• eBooks, practice tests, design templates 
• Digital art, music loops, market research reports
• Create online courses and printables 

For example, Michelle Schroeder-Gardner doesn’t rely solely on writing blogs to earn money. She also offers multiple online courses for her readers. 

Get started with your online store:  

1. Sign up for Bluehost eCommerce Essentials plan. 

2. Use WooCommerce (pre-installed) to set up your online store. 

3. Upload your digital products like eBooks, templates or downloads. 

4. Customize your store with built-in themes and tools. 

5. Start selling and managing payments easily. 

3. Offer freelance services online  

Freelancing is a great digital side hustle to turn your skills into steady income. Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, developer or digital marketer, there’s strong demand for your talent online. You can find clients through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr or by building your own website to showcase your work. You can tutor individuals online in your area of expertise. 

Also read: Top Freelancing Tips for Successful Career 

How to get started: 

Here’s a simple checklist to help you begin: 

• Define your freelance writing or service niche 
• Set up a portfolio site 
• Find freelance jobs on Fiverr or Upwork 
• Accept direct deposit payments from clients 
• Use your website and social media to sell services directly to potential customers 

Also read: How To Create the Ultimate Online Portfolio 

4. Launch an online store with print-on-demand 

Print-on-demand (POD) lets you sell custom-designed products like t-shirts, mugs and phone cases without managing inventory or shipping. You create the designs, list the products online and a third-party service handles printing and fulfillment when orders come in.  

It’s a popular business model for those exploring what print-on-demand means for online sellers. It’s a low-risk way to start an online store with minimal upfront costs. Just create designs and promote via social media platforms or a Facebook Marketplace shop. 

Here’s how to get started with print-on-demand: 

1. Choose your niche and brainstorm product ideas. 

2. Create unique designs using tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator. 

3. Set up your online store with Bluehost WooCommerce Hosting for fast, secure performance. 

4. Connect your store to a POD service like Printful or Printify. 

5. List your products with your custom designs and set prices. 

6. Promote your store through social media, email or ads. 

7. When customers order, the POD partner prints and ships directly to them, no inventory or packaging required on your end. 

Also read: How to Open an Online Store: A Beginner’s Guide 

5. Become an online course creator  

Becoming an online course creator is one of the best online income ideas to turn your expertise into profit. By sharing your knowledge, you can create valuable courses that help others while generating steady income.  

This is a powerful way to generate income while helping others learn new skills. You can either use third-party course platforms or self-host your courses on your own website with WordPress and an LMS (Learning Management System) plugin. 

Also read: How to Become an Online Course Creator 

Choosing the right platform for your course 

Before launching your course, it’s important to choose the right hosting approach. Should you use a third-party platform or host your course on your own site? The table below outlines the key differences between the two options: 

Feature	Third-party platforms (e.g., Teachable, Udemy)	Self-hosting with WordPress + LMS plugin
Control over branding	Limited to platform’s design	Full control over website look and feel
Pricing & fees	Platforms take a percentage of your sales	You keep 100% of your revenue (except payment fees)
Setup complexity	Easy to start; minimal technical skills needed	Requires setup of WordPress, hosting and LMS plugin
Customization options	Limited customization options	Highly customizable with plugins and themes
Student data ownership	Owned by the platform	You own all student data
Marketing tools	Built-in audience and some marketing features	Full control over marketing and SEO
Cost	Monthly fees + transaction fees	Hosting fees (Bluehost offers affordable WordPress hosting), plugin costs

If you’re looking for ease of use and instant access to an audience, third-party platforms are a great starting point. But if you want full ownership, control and scalability, self-hosting with WordPress is the better long-term solution. 

Pro tip: If you want full control and flexibility, Bluehost WordPress Hosting makes it easy to set up your course website. Combine it with popular LMS plugins like LearnDash or LifterLMS to create and sell courses directly on your site. It’s a great way to create an online business from your own home. 

Also read: How to Sell Online Courses: The Complete Setup and Marketing Guide 

6. Launch a dropshipping store  

Looking to run an eCommerce store without handling inventory? Dropshipping could be your answer. Dropshipping is a great digital side hustle that lets you sell products online without holding any inventory. When a customer buys from your store, the supplier ships the product directly to them. It’s a low-risk way to start an eCommerce business with minimal upfront costs. 

To get your dropshipping store up and running, follow these key steps: 

• Choose a niche with products you’re interested in and that have good demand. 
• Find reliable suppliers through platforms like AliExpress, Oberlo or Spocket. 
• Set up your online store on our WooCommerce Hosting for fast, secure performance. 
• Import products to your store with descriptions, images and prices.
• Promote your store via social media, SEO or paid ads to drive traffic. 
• When customers place orders, forward them to your suppliers for fulfillment, no need to handle shipping yourself. 
• Provide excellent customer service to build trust and repeat business. 

7. Build an affiliate marketing site  

Affiliate marketing lets you earn online by promoting products or services you believe in. When someone buys through your referral link, you get a commission, without handling inventory or customer service. 

For example: If you start a blog about hiking gear, you can write reviews and link to products on Amazon. When readers buy, you earn commissions, which can significantly boost your income over time. 

Here’s how to get started:  

1. Choose a niche that interests you and has good demand. 

2. Sign up for affiliate programs like Bluehost affiliate program, Amazon Associates or ShareASale. 

3. Set up your website with our easy WordPress hosting. 

4. Create helpful content like product reviews and guides. 

5. Promote your site using SEO and social media platforms. 

6. Add affiliate links naturally within your content. 

7. Join Bluehost affiliate program to sell services and earn rewards by recommending us. 

Pro tip: Bluehost helps you setup your affiliate marketing site easily. Plus, you can join our affiliate program to sell services by recommending Bluehost and earn rewards. 

8. Start a niche membership community  

Creating a membership community is a great way to build loyal followers and make money from home. Offer exclusive content, downloadable templates, coaching or access to a private group to give real value your members want. 

Think about your audience’s needs- whether it’s tutorials, resources or personal support. 

Membership site examples: 

• A fitness coach with weekly workouts and live Q&A 
• A graphic designer sharing exclusive templates and challenges 
• A marketing expert hosting members-only webinars and guides 

Pro tip: Use the YITH Membership plugin from Bluehost Marketplace to easily manage subscriptions, content access and payments all integrated with WordPress. 

Also read: How to Create a WordPress Membership Website (Step-by-Step)  

9. Launch a YouTube channel or video blog  

Video content is booming and starting a YouTube channel or a self-hosted video blog (vlog) can be a great way to engage your audience and make money. You can monetize through YouTube ads, sponsorships and affiliate marketing or host videos on your own site for full control. 

In addition, you can earn money online through ads, sponsorships and merchandise sales. To leverage your videos further, promote your content on social media platforms to attract potential customers. 

To help you decide which option fits your goals, here’s a side-by-side comparison of YouTube channels versus self-hosted video blogs: 

Feature	YouTube channel	Self-hosted video blog
Monetization	Ads, sponsorships, affiliate links	Affiliate links, sponsored content, direct sales
Audience reach	Massive built-in audience	You build your own traffic through SEO and marketing
Control over content	Subject to YouTube’s rules and algorithms	Full control over how and where videos appear
Customization	Limited branding and design	Complete customization with WordPress themes
Revenue share	YouTube takes a cut of ad revenue	You keep all earnings (minus hosting fees)
Setup and maintenance	Easy to start, minimal technical skills required	Requires hosting, site setup and video optimization

YouTube offers quick reach and ease, while a self-hosted blog gives you full control and higher earning potential. Choose what fits your goals or use both for the best of both worlds. 

Pro tip: Combine Bluehost hosting with Jetpack Video SEO to self host your videos online. This helps optimize your videos for search engines, improve load times and increase viewer engagement. 

Also read: How to Create a Video Streaming Website with WordPress 

10. Launch a podcast 

Podcasting is a growing way to share your voice, build an audience and monetize your expertise or interests. You can discuss topics you’re passionate about and connect with listeners worldwide. 

For example, Sarah Koenig launched the Serial podcast as a passion project. It quickly drew millions of listeners, becoming a cultural phenomenon and proving podcasts’ power to build loyal audiences and drive monetization. 

To get started and create a successful podcast, follow these key steps: 

• Choose a niche or theme that you’re knowledgeable and excited about. 
• Plan your episodes: decide on format, length and frequency. 
• Record your episodes using tools like Audacity or GarageBand. 
• Edit your audio for clarity and quality. 
• Publish your podcast on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts using a hosting service (Buzzsprout, Libsyn). 
• Promote episodes on social media and your website to grow your audience. 
• Monetize through sponsorships, listener donations or premium content. 

Pro tip: Consistency is key so release episodes regularly and engage with your listeners to build a loyal community. 

Also read: Hosting a Podcast on a WordPress Website 

11. Monetize your social media following  

Use your social media account to share affiliate links, promote products or offer services. Many creators turn content into full time jobs using Instagram, TikTok or YouTube. Also, many use their social presence to drive traffic to affiliate links, promote products or funnel followers to their own websites. 

Here are popular revenue models for social media creators: 

• User-generated content (UGC) – Brands pay you to create content featuring their products. 
• Brand deals and sponsorships – Partner with companies to promote their products in exchange for fees. 
• Affiliate marketing – Share affiliate links in your posts or bio to earn commissions on sales. 
• Traffic funnels – Use your social channels to guide followers to your blog, online store or course. 
• Selling your own products or services – Launch merchandise, digital products or coaching packages. 

Also read: Advantages of Social Media Marketing + How to Use It 

Pro tip: To take your social media game to the next level, consider a professional website. Bluehost Pro Services builds a custom site for your brand, integrates sales channels and grows your audience so you can focus on content. 

12. Edit and proofread AI content 

With more businesses using AI tools to generate content, there’s growing demand for skilled editors and proofreaders to review and polish this AI-written material. Your job is to ensure the content reads naturally, is error-free and fits the intended audience. This can be a consistent freelance job that fits easily into your spare time.  

Here’s how you can get started with AI freelance editing: 

• Find opportunities on freelance sites like Upwork, Fiverr or specialized content platforms. 
• Review AI-generated articles, blog posts, marketing copy or social media content for grammar, clarity and tone. 
• Fact-check information and improve flow or structure as needed. 
• Make sure the content aligns with brand voice and style guidelines. 
• Provide clear, constructive feedback or edits to help content creators improve. 

Pro tip: Familiarity with SEO basics and content marketing can make you more valuable to clients working with AI content. 

13. Create a portfolio website and book clients directly  

If you’re a designer, developer, coach or service professional, owning your client relationships starts with a personal portfolio website.  

Here’s what your site should include to attract and book clients directly: 

• Header with your logo or name and navigation 
• A strong headline and clear call-to-action 
• Portfolio gallery showcasing your best work 
• Services offered with pricing details 
• Testimonials from happy clients 
• Contact or booking form for easy appointments 
• Footer with social media and contact info 

Pro tip: Use Bluehost Website Builder to create your professional portfolio site without any coding. Furthermore, for a unique, branded design, our Tailored Design Services connect you with experts who build a site tailored to your business. 

14. Test websites and apps 

You can earn cash online by completing online tasks like data entry on platforms such as UserTesting. The UserTesting application process is simple: test products, give feedback and get paid. These tasks take just a few hours and are perfect for fitting into your spare time. 

Get started by following the steps below: 

• Sign up on testing platforms like UserTesting, TryMyUI or Userlytics. 
• Complete test assignments by navigating websites or apps while speaking your thoughts aloud or answering questions. 
• Tests usually take 10–20 minutes and pay between $10 and $60 each. 
• Provide honest, detailed feedback to help improve the product. 
• You can test on desktop or mobile devices, depending on the assignment. 

Pro tip: The more tests you complete and the better your feedback, the more opportunities you’ll get. 

15. Take surveys 

Taking online surveys is a quick and easy way to earn money online by sharing your opinions on products, services and brand experiences. Many companies pay for consumer feedback, making this a flexible side hustle you can do in your free time. 

Additionally, some platforms pay users to test mobile games and apps. You can get rewarded for trying out new games, identifying bugs and reviewing the user experience. It’s a fun and engaging way to contribute to product development while earning a bit on the side. 

Here’s how to get started: 

• Join reputable survey sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie or Vindale Research. 
• Fill out your profile so you receive surveys that match your interests and demographics. 
• Complete surveys ranging from quick polls to in-depth questionnaires. 
• Earn points or cash rewards for each survey completed. 
• Redeem rewards via PayPal, gift cards or other payment methods offered. 

Pro tip: Be consistent and honest in your responses to qualify for more surveys and higher-paying opportunities. 

Now that you know the ideas to make money online, let’s take a closer look at how these 15 popular online income ideas compare.  

Comparison table: 15 ideas to make money online 

The table below breaks down 15 popular online income ideas so you can quickly compare and find the best fit for your goals and lifestyle 

Income idea	Skill level	Time to earn	Passive vs active income	Tool needed
Start a blog and monetize it	Moderate	Medium to long term	Mostly passive	Blogging platform (WordPress, Bluehost), SEO tools, monetization plugins
Sell digital products (eBooks, templates, downloads)	Moderate to high	Medium	Mostly passive	E-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce), design tools (Canva, Adobe)
Offer freelance services online	High	Short to medium	Active	Freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr), communication tools
Launch an online store	Moderate to high	Medium to long term	Active	E-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce), payment gateway
Become an online course creator	High	Medium to long term	Mostly passive	Course platforms (Teachable, Thinkific), video recording tools
Launch a dropshipping store	Moderate	Medium	Mostly active	Dropshipping platform (Shopify + Oberlo), supplier tools
Build an affiliate marketing site	Moderate	Medium to long term	Mostly passive	Website builder, affiliate networks (Amazon, ShareASale)
Start a niche membership community	High	Medium to long term	Mostly passive	Membership platforms (Patreon, MemberPress)
Launch a YouTube channel or video blog	Moderate to high	Medium to long term	Mix of passive & active	Video recording/editing tools, YouTube channel
Launch a podcast	Moderate to high	Medium to long term	Mix of passive & active	Podcast hosting (Anchor, Libsyn), recording tools
Monetize your social media following	Moderate	Short to medium	Mostly active	Social platforms (Instagram, TikTok), content tools
Edit and proofread AI content	Moderate	Short to medium	Active	Editing software (Grammarly, Hemingway), communication tools
Create a portfolio website and book clients directly	Moderate to high	Short to medium	Active	Website builder, booking/calendar software
Test websites and apps	Moderate	Short	Active	Testing platforms (UserTesting, Testbirds)
Take surveys	Low	Very short	Active	Survey sites (Swagbucks, Survey Junkie)

Each income idea offers unique advantages depending on your skills, available time, and preferred level of involvement.

Final thoughts 

The path to making money online doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s all about choosing what resonates with you, taking consistent action and learning as you go. Every successful online entrepreneur starts exactly where you are right now; curious, motivated and ready to take that first step. 

Bluehost makes launching a website easy. Our reliable hosting, intuitive tools and expert support make it easier than ever to turn your ideas into income.  

Your journey to financial freedom starts now. Let’s build it together. So why wait? Get started with Bluehost today and watch your online dreams turn into reality. 

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