10 ways to make money online (+ the financial platform you need)
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When it comes to making money online, the biggest opportunities often come from thinking beyond your own borders. The internet is global, making it easier than ever to reach customers around the world. So why limit yourself to earning only within your home country?
The most successful online entrepreneurs think globally from day one. They sell to customers worldwide, tap into international marketplaces and build income streams that aren’t bound by borders.
In this guide, we’ll break down 10 smart ways to make money online. We’ll touch on common pitfalls to avoid and then introduce you to the platform that makes managing international income simple: WorldFirst.
WorldFirst is a global payments platform that helps businesses collect, hold and manage funds in 20+ currencies with one account. With local bank details in major markets and competitive exchange rates, WorldFirst makes it easy to receive payments from international customers and pay suppliers worldwide.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Quick-start methods: Five ways to make money online fast
- Five ways to make money online that are perfect for scaling your business
- Four common pitfalls to avoid when making money online
- Why you should use WorldFirst if you’re earning money in different currencies
Going global? Simplify cross-border payments by creating your World Account for free.
Quick-start methods: 5 ways to make money online fast
These five approaches can generate income within days or weeks, making them ideal for anyone who wants to make money quickly without significant upfront costs.
1. Complete online surveys and micro-tasks
Participate in paid surveys and micro-tasks through legitimate platforms like Swagbucks, Amazon Mechanical Turk or InboxDollars. These platforms connect you with companies that need consumer feedback or simple digital tasks completed.
Tasks range from providing opinions and giving feedback on products to watching videos and testing websites. The work is straightforward, with most tasks taking between 5–30 minutes to complete. While earnings are small – around £0.50 to £5 per task – they add up quickly if you’re consistent.
To maximise your earnings, use multiple platforms rather than relying on a single one. Different websites offer different types of tasks, so you’ll have more opportunities to earn throughout the day. Set up profiles on several reputable platforms and check them regularly for new opportunities.
The beauty of this method is its flexibility. You can complete tasks during your commute, while watching TV or during any spare time. It’s an easy way to turn dead time into productive earning time.
2. Sell your unused items
Use marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Depop to resell clothes, gadgets and collectables that are gathering dust in your home. This method is particularly effective because you’re converting items you already own into extra cash.
Start with items in good condition that you know have resale value, then expand to other categories as you get comfortable with the selling process. Take high-quality photos that show your items clearly from multiple angles, and write keyword-rich descriptions that help buyers find what they’re looking for.
Many sellers see their first sales within 24–48 hours of listing, especially if they price competitively and have good photos.
3. Become a virtual assistant
Offer administrative or creative help to small businesses or solopreneurs who need support but can’t afford full-time staff. The tasks are varied and often match skills you already have from previous jobs or personal experience.
As a virtual assistant (VA), you might help with email management, appointment scheduling, basic bookkeeping, data entry, content creation or customer service. It’s also common to start with simple administrative tasks, then gradually take on more specialised work as you build relationships with clients.
You could start earning within days or weeks once you secure your first client. The onboarding process is typically quick because most tasks can be done with standard software and don’t require extensive training.
Find clients through established platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, where you can create a profile and bid on projects immediately. Alternatively, pitch directly to small business owners on LinkedIn, focusing on how you can solve specific problems they’re facing. Many VAs get their first clients through personal networks or by reaching out to businesses in industries they understand well.
4. Offer freelance services
Turn your existing skills – writing, graphic design, translation, coding or any other marketable ability – into quick income by offering them as freelance services. This approach leverages what you already know, so there’s no learning curve before you can start earning.
Create professional profiles on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer or Toptal, where businesses actively search for skilled professionals. Your profile should clearly explain what you do, show examples of your work and highlight any relevant experience or qualifications you have.
Build a small portfolio or offer sample work to attract initial clients, even if you’re just starting. If you’re a writer, create sample articles. If you’re a designer, mock up logos or social media graphics. Having something to show potential clients increases your chances of landing your first project.
Freelancers often see their first earnings within 2–4 weeks of starting their search for clients. Start with competitive pricing to build reviews and testimonials, then gradually increase your rates as you establish credibility on the platform.
5. Teach your skills online
Online learning has become mainstream. Consider offering tutoring in subjects you know or teaching creative skills like music, design, photography or languages.
Platforms like Teachable, Skillshare or Preply let you start immediately without having to build your own website or handle payment processing. You can create structured courses or offer one-on-one tutoring sessions, depending on your preference and schedule.
Record short, high-value lessons that students can access anytime, or host live Zoom sessions for more interactive learning experiences. Successful online teachers often combine both approaches, offering recorded courses for passive income and live sessions for higher hourly rates.
This method is particularly great for teachers, professionals or hobbyists looking to earn fast with minimal setup. The earning potential varies widely depending on your subject and teaching style. Online tutors could charge £15–£50 per hour for one-on-one sessions, while course creators can generate ongoing passive income from their content.
5 ways to make money online that are perfect for scaling your business
There are also ways to earn money online that require more upfront investment and patience. Unlike quick-start methods, these approaches let you build something that compounds over time into long-term, sustainable income streams.
1. Launch an e-commerce store
Starting your own online store gives you complete control over your brand, pricing and customer relationships. Platforms like Shopify and Etsy make it straightforward to get started, even without technical skills.
The key to e-commerce success is finding niche physical products with strong demand and healthy profit margins. This might be anything from eco-friendly home goods to specialised fitness equipment. The important thing is solving a real problem for a specific audience.
What starts as a side hustle can grow into a full-time brand with consistent effort. Many successful e-commerce businesses begin with a few products, then expand their range as they learn what customers want most.
Read more: How to source products for e-commerce: A practical guide for scaling brands
2. Start a dropshipping business
Dropshipping lets you sell products online without the headache of holding inventory or managing shipping. When a customer places an order, your supplier ships the product directly to them. You don’t handle the physical goods yourself.
This model works particularly well when you source products through platforms like AliExpress. You get to focus on the high-value activities like product selection, branding and marketing, rather than logistics and warehousing.
The beauty of dropshipping is its scalability. You can test new products quickly, expand into different markets and grow your business without massive upfront investment in stock.
Read more: What is Dropshipping? A Guide to Building a Global Business
3. Become an affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products through unique tracking links. When someone buys through your link, you get a percentage of the sale.
The most successful affiliate marketers build audiences through blogs, YouTube channels or social media platforms. Your earning potential grows alongside your audience and content library. A blog post or video you create today can continue generating affiliate income months or years later.
Success in affiliate marketing comes from genuine recommendations and helpful content. Focus on products you’ve used or thoroughly researched, and be transparent about your affiliate relationships. Your audience’s trust is your most valuable asset.
4. Sell digital products
Digital products offer some of the best profit margins in online business. Once you’ve created an ebook, template, online course or design asset, you can sell unlimited copies without manufacturing or shipping costs.
This model works particularly well if you have expertise to share. Professionals, educators and creatives can turn their knowledge into scalable income streams. A graphic designer might sell logo templates, while a marketing consultant could create social media management worksheets.
Platforms like Gumroad and Etsy make it simple to start selling digital products without building your own website or payment system. You can launch quickly, test different products and scale what works.
The global reach is immediate. Customers from anywhere can purchase and download your products instantly. This makes digital products ideal for building a location-independent income stream.
5. Create and monetise content
Content creation offers multiple revenue streams once you build an audience. You might start with YouTube videos, TikToks, Substack or podcasts, then monetise through advertising revenue, brand sponsorships or selling your own products and services.
The compound effect is powerful here. Content you create builds an audience over time, and that audience becomes more valuable as it grows. A YouTuber with 10,000 engaged subscribers has far more earning potential than someone just starting out.
Successful content creators often diversify their income streams. They earn from platform ad revenue, sponsored content, affiliate marketing and selling their own courses or consulting services. Over time, popular content can be repurposed into books, online courses or speaking opportunities.
This model requires the most patience, but it can yield the highest long-term rewards. Building an audience takes time, but once established, it becomes a sustainable foundation for multiple income streams.
4 common pitfalls to avoid when making money online
Starting an online income stream is exciting, but there are several traps that can derail your progress before you even get started. Here are common pitfalls to avoid:
- Setting unrealistic income expectations: Many people expect to replace their salary within months, then abandon potentially profitable methods when they don’t see immediate returns. E-commerce businesses, affiliate marketing and content creation all require time to build momentum – often 6–12 months before seeing meaningful income.
- Spreading yourself too thin across multiple methods: You might start a blog, launch a dropshipping store and begin affiliate marketing simultaneously. This scattered approach means you never develop expertise in any single method. Pick one income stream and master it before expanding.
- Overlooking tax implications and business structure: As your income grows, you’ll face tax obligations, potential VAT requirements if selling internationally and the need for a proper business structure. What starts as a side hustle can quickly become complex without proper planning for taxes and other legal obligations.
- Having a poor global payment infrastructure: If you’re selling products or services internationally, traditional banking can cost you significantly in currency conversion fees and slow payment processing. Many online entrepreneurs lose 3–5% of their revenue to unnecessary banking fees because they didn’t set up proper multi-currency payment systems from the start.
If you’re looking to make money online, it’s important to start with realistic expectations and build proper business foundations – including efficient payment systems – from day one. This work might feel tedious initially, but it prevents costly problems as your income streams grow.
Why you should use WorldFirst if you’re earning money in different currencies
It’s easier than ever to make money online now, but getting paid globally can still be a major headache. Between currency conversions, international transfer fees and slow payouts, new entrepreneurs often lose their hard-earned income to hidden costs and inefficiencies.
WorldFirst addresses these problems head-on. With tools designed for cross-border business, we help you manage multiple currencies, send and receive payments faster and keep more of what you earn – no matter where your customers are.
Simplify how you get paid across borders with a multi-currency account
When you sell to international clients or customers, you often end up needing multiple local bank accounts – one for each region – just to receive payments without huge currency conversion fees.
Take Amazon US as an example. To sell on the platform and receive payouts in dollars, you typically need a USD bank account with local account details. The same goes for other major marketplaces and regions. They want to pay you in local currency using domestic payment rails.
Not only is managing multiple accounts a logistical nightmare, but some banks even require a physical presence or business registration in that country. That’s just not realistic for most online entrepreneurs.
With WorldFirst’s World Account, you can hold and manage funds in over 20 currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, CNH and more. You get local receiving account details for each currency, enabling you to accept payments like a domestic business without the hassle of opening foreign bank accounts. It’s a simpler way to get paid globally.
Read more: How to choose a multi-currency business account (+ 6 options)
Avoid intermediary fees and payout delays with WorldFirst’s direct marketplace integration
Traditional payment routes often involve multiple intermediaries, each taking a cut and adding delays. Marketplaces might force automatic currency conversions when sending payouts or route payments through correspondent banks that charge hidden fees along the way.
These intermediary costs and conversion delays eat into your profits and make cash flow unpredictable. You might expect £1,000 from a marketplace payout, but end up with £950 after various fees and poor exchange rates.
WorldFirst’s marketplace integration connects with 130+ global marketplaces and platforms, including Amazon, Etsy, TikTok Shop, Shopify, PayPal and Stripe. Your payouts go straight into your World Account in local currencies, with zero fees for receiving funds.
By cutting out intermediary banks and unnecessary conversions, you get your earnings faster and with fewer deductions. Most payments arrive the same day or the next day, compared to the 3–6 business days typical with traditional banking routes. That direct connection means more predictable revenue, better margins and smoother financial operations across all your online sales channels.
Protect your profits from bad exchange rates by controlling when you convert your funds
One of the biggest profit killers for global businesses is being at the mercy of changing exchange rates and hidden FX markups. Traditional banks often add a 2–4% markup on top of the mid-market rate, and they force conversions at whatever rate happens to be available when your payment arrives.
This makes it nearly impossible to plan ahead or know what you’ll receive after conversions. A £10,000 month in sales might net you different amounts depending on when those payments get converted.
With WorldFirst, you get competitive exchange rates based on the mid-market rate (MMR) with transparent fees capped at 0.50% for major currencies like GBP, USD, EUR and AUD. But more importantly, you control when conversions happen.
Our advanced FX tools give you options:
- Forward contracts let you lock in a specific exchange rate for up to 24 months, protecting against future volatility
- Firm orders automatically execute trades when your target rate is reached, so you don’t have to monitor the markets constantly
- Spot contracts use live market rates for immediate conversions when timing is right
The result is more predictable income and protection from market volatility. Instead of reacting to currency swings, you control them and ensure your global business maintains healthy profit margins regardless of what the market does.
Read more: How to manage foreign exchange risk
Speed up payments to global partners by using local payment networks
Running a global business often means paying suppliers, freelancers or partners around the world. But international transfers through traditional banks can take several days and rack up multiple hidden fees, creating cash flow problems and damaging business relationships.
Your payment might pass through several correspondent banks before reaching its destination, with each one potentially taking a fee and adding delays. A simple supplier payment can take up to six business days and cost significantly more than expected.
WorldFirst enables payments in 100+ currencies to over 200 countries and territories, with 80% of transfers arriving the same day. We use local payment networks instead of SWIFT whenever possible, cutting both time and costs significantly.
You can:
- Pay suppliers in their currency using local payment rails for same-day settlement
- Make bulk payments to multiple suppliers simultaneously through our mass payment functionality
- Track payment status in real-time with notifications that keep everyone informed
Faster transfers translate directly into stronger business relationships and smoother operations. Suppliers prioritise clients who pay quickly and reliably, while you get faster access to the funds you need for reinvestment.
Read more: Multi-currency payments: How to manage business transactions across borders?
Make money online and manage your income with WorldFirst
The real potential of making money online comes from reaching customers and clients worldwide instead of limiting yourself to local opportunities. Whether you’re selling on Amazon US, freelancing for European clients or running a dropshipping business with Chinese suppliers, international markets offer exponentially more earning potential than staying local.
But managing income across borders can get complicated fast. You’re dealing with multiple currencies, international transfer fees, poor exchange rates and the hassle of opening local bank accounts in different countries just to get paid.
WorldFirst makes it simple with one account to hold, receive and send payments in 20+ currencies. You can receive payments like a local business, convert currencies when rates are favourable and pay global partners – all from a single dashboard.
Thousands of digital entrepreneurs already use WorldFirst to simplify global earnings and keep their businesses running smoothly across borders. Create a World Account for free today and start earning globally without the banking headaches.
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