Making money online is no longer just about filling in surveys, selling unwanted belongings or creating a YouTube channel and hoping for the best.
As we head into 2027, there are more ways than ever to earn money online. Whether you’re looking to supplement your monthly salary, escape the traditional nine-to-five routine or build a business of your own, the internet offers plenty of opportunities.
And the best part? You don’t necessarily need a large investment, a university degree or years of business experience to get started.
You do, however, need a sensible plan, a willingness to learn and the patience to build something worthwhile.
From freelancing and affiliate marketing to selling digital products and using artificial intelligence to improve your productivity, this guide explores 12 realistic ways to make money online in 2027.
We’ll look at how each opportunity works, what you need to get started, the platforms worth exploring and the mistakes to avoid.
There are no promises of overnight riches here. Just practical ideas that could help you earn additional income and, potentially, develop a side hustle into a full-time business.
The table below provides a quick comparison of the opportunities covered in this guide. Startup costs are indicative planning estimates, not quoted platform prices or guaranteed earnings.
Online side hustle | Estimated starting budget | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
1. YouTube and video tutorials | £0–£150 | Educators and creators |
2. Online courses and coaching | £0–£200 | People with specialist knowledge |
3. Affiliate marketing | £30–£150 | Bloggers and content creators |
4. Freelancing | £0–£100 | Skilled individuals |
5. Dropshipping | £100–£500+ | Aspiring online retailers |
6. Print-on-demand merchandise | £0–£150 | Designers and creatives |
7. Self-publishing | £0–£300+ | Writers and researchers |
8. Monetising existing skills | £0–£100 | Professionals and hobbyists |
9. AI-assisted services | £0–£100+ | Digital freelancers |
10. Digital downloads | £0–£100 | Designers and organisers |
11. Blogging and newsletters | £30–£150 | Writers and niche experts |
12. Virtual assistance | £0–£100 | Organised remote workers |
These opportunities vary considerably in difficulty, financial risk and how quickly they might generate income. Choose according to your circumstances rather than which one appears to promise the largest return.
Video continues to be one of the most accessible ways to share knowledge, build an audience and develop an online income stream.
Think about the last time you needed to learn something. Perhaps you wanted to fix a computer problem, prepare a new recipe or understand how a particular piece of software works. There’s a good chance you searched for a video tutorial.
Platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo make it possible to publish educational content and reach viewers around the world. You don’t even have to appear on camera. Screen recordings, software demonstrations, animations and voice-over tutorials can all work well, provided they’re original and genuinely helpful.
There are several potential income streams, including advertising revenue, sponsorships, affiliate commissions, channel memberships and selling their own products. However, YouTube doesn’t automatically pay you for uploading videos. Advertising and certain other features require eligibility under the YouTube Partner Programme, and requirements can change.
For someone starting in 2027, the best approach is to create content that solves a specific problem. Rather than attempting to cover every subject imaginable, focus on a topic you understand. Examples include computer tutorials, small-business advice, home improvements, cooking, graphic design and product demonstrations.
Begin by identifying a subject people regularly search for. Review existing videos, read viewer comments and note any questions that haven’t been answered properly.
Next, create a shortlist of five to ten useful tutorial ideas. You can record your screen using software such as Snagit or create more detailed video lessons using Camtasia.
A modern smartphone, decent microphone and basic editing software may be enough for your first videos.
Pay particular attention to your titles, thumbnails and the opening moments of each video. Viewers need to know immediately what they’ll learn. Most importantly, measure your progress over time. A successful channel is usually built through consistent improvement rather than a handful of uploads.
Our tip for 2027: Create videos around evergreen topics — subjects that remain useful for months or years. These can continue attracting viewers long after publication, although there’s no guarantee of ongoing traffic.
Sharing free tutorials is an excellent way to build an audience, but what happens when someone wants more structured guidance? That’s where online courses can become a valuable business opportunity.
If you have knowledge or experience in a particular subject, you can package it into lessons that people pay to access. For example, someone experienced in website design could create a beginner’s course covering everything from registering a domain to launching a simple business website. A photographer might offer lessons on lighting and composition, while an experienced baker could produce a cake-decorating course.
Platforms such as Udemy allow educators to publish courses without developing an entire learning platform themselves. Other services worth exploring include Teachable and Thinkific.
A common mistake is assuming that a longer course is automatically better. In reality, most students are interested in solving a particular problem or developing a specific skill. A concise course that helps someone achieve a measurable outcome can be more useful than hours of unnecessary information.
Start by researching your chosen subject. Explore existing courses and, where possible, speak with prospective learners. Look for questions people repeatedly ask and obstacles they struggle to overcome. Then develop a course outline that guides students from their current position to their desired result. Your course could include recorded videos, downloadable worksheets, practical exercises and written guidance.
Once you’ve developed a course, you could offer personalised coaching or consultancy as an additional service. For example, students might pay for one-to-one sessions where you help them apply what they’ve learned. You could also introduce group workshops or a paid community.
Be realistic about your availability, though. Personal coaching involves a continuing commitment, even when your recorded course is available around the clock.
Our tip for 2027: Validate your idea before producing an entire course. A small paid workshop can help establish whether people genuinely value what you intend to teach.
Affiliate marketing remains an appealing option for bloggers, reviewers and digital content creators. The concept is relatively straightforward.
You recommend a product or service, provide a specially tracked link and may earn a commission when someone completes a qualifying purchase or action. For example, a blogger writing about home-office equipment might recommend a particular desk, computer accessory or productivity tool.
If a reader follows their affiliate link and makes an eligible purchase, the blogger may receive a commission. You don’t normally need to manufacture the product, manage stock or fulfil customer orders. However, building an audience that trusts your recommendations takes time.
Established networks include Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network, ClickBank and CJ Affiliate. Additional networks worth researching include Awin and impact.com. Each has different merchants, commission structures, eligibility conditions and payment arrangements. For UK publishers, remember that the availability of individual programmes may vary by country.
Start by identifying a specific audience and understanding what they want to buy. Someone interested in starting a small business might appreciate comparisons of accounting software, website builders or office equipment. For example, a photography audience might be interested in cameras, editing tools and accessories.
Create useful content that helps readers make informed purchasing decisions. This might include detailed product comparisons, genuine reviews, practical tutorials and buying guides. Avoid publishing rushed articles that offer little more than an affiliate link. Readers can usually recognise content written solely to generate commissions.
An email newsletter can also help you build a relationship with your audience. Services such as Constant Contact and MailerLite provide tools for collecting subscribers and sending updates. Any subscriber list should be built through appropriate consent and handled in line with applicable data protection and marketing rules.
If you earn commission from recommendations, you must ensure the advertising relationship is clear to readers.
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority guidance explains the importance of making affiliate advertising identifiable. Clearly label affiliate advertising rather than hiding disclosures where readers are unlikely to notice them.
Our tip for 2027: Focus on helping your audience make better decisions. Trust, useful content and genuine experience are more valuable than promoting every product offering a commission.
Freelancing is one of the more direct ways to start earning money online because you’re selling a service rather than waiting to build an audience.
If you can write, design, organise information, edit videos, develop websites or complete other useful tasks, somebody may be willing to pay for your work.
The internet makes it possible to connect with potential clients without renting an office or employing staff. You could begin by offering services during evenings or weekends, gradually increasing your workload as demand grows.
Popular categories include graphic design, copywriting, website development, proofreading, video editing, bookkeeping support, virtual assistance and presentation design.
You don’t necessarily need to offer an advanced service. Many small businesses simply need dependable help with tasks they don’t have the time or resources to complete themselves.
Start by identifying something you can already do reasonably well. Then consider what outcome your service will provide. Rather than advertising yourself as someone who can do ‘a bit of everything’, build an offer around a particular problem. For example, you might offer monthly social-media graphics for independent retailers or website maintenance for local tradespeople.
You can create profiles and explore opportunities on Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer and Guru. More specialised opportunities can be found through Toptal and Dribbble Jobs. The We Work Remotely website is also worth exploring, although it focuses largely on remote employment opportunities rather than individual freelance projects.
Your pricing should reflect the work involved, your level of experience, business costs and the value you provide. Avoid setting your fees so low that completing projects becomes financially unsustainable.
For example, if a project pays £100 but takes ten hours to complete, you’re generating £10 per hour before platform fees, expenses and tax. A seemingly attractive project might therefore be less profitable than expected. Build a small portfolio, communicate clearly with clients and establish realistic deadlines.
Our tip for 2027: Specialise in a service where your knowledge makes a difference. As basic digital tasks become easier to automate, reliable judgement, creativity and client communication can help distinguish you from competitors.
Dropshipping allows you to sell physical products online without maintaining your own warehouse inventory. When a customer places an order, a third-party supplier fulfils it and sends the product to the customer.
You manage the online shop, marketing, customer relationships and overall shopping experience. This can reduce the money tied up in unsold stock, making dropshipping attractive to people exploring e-commerce. However, it doesn’t remove the responsibilities involved in operating a retail business.
Imagine you create an online shop specialising in home-office accessories.
A supplier offers a product to you for £12, and you advertise it for £25. When a customer places an order, you arrange fulfilment through that supplier. The £13 difference is not automatically your profit. You must still account for delivery costs, transaction charges, advertising, refunds, returns and any other expenses.
Supplier reliability also matters. Delayed deliveries or poor-quality goods can damage your reputation, even when the fulfilment problem occurs outside your business.
Rather than creating a shop that sells hundreds of unrelated products, consider focusing on a defined category. Examples could include home organisation, pet accessories, gardening equipment or practical desk accessories.
Research demand, competitor prices, supplier reputation and expected delivery times. Resources such as Trend Hunter can help generate product ideas, but trends alone shouldn’t determine your business strategy. Established e-commerce platforms include Shopify and BigCommerce. You can also investigate supplier integration tools such as DSers.
Dropshipping should never be presented as a completely risk-free business.
If you’re selling to UK consumers, you must understand your legal responsibilities, including providing accurate product information, handling complaints and complying with applicable consumer protection rules.
The government provides guidance covering online selling requirements and distance-selling responsibilities.
Our tip for 2027: Order samples before advertising products. Being able to assess their quality and photograph them yourself can help you create more trustworthy product listings.
If you enjoy creating artwork, slogans or personalised designs, selling printed merchandise could be an excellent side hustle.
With print-on-demand services, you don’t necessarily have to buy large quantities of stock or invest in expensive printing equipment. Instead, your designs are printed onto selected products when customers place an order. Depending on your provider, production and delivery may also be handled on your behalf.
Products can include T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, posters, notebooks and other personalised merchandise.
Platforms such as Redbubble allow creators to upload artwork that can be offered on different products. Alternatively, Printify provides print-on-demand services that can connect with compatible online selling platforms. You could also investigate Printful.
Each provider has its own pricing, fulfilment arrangements, supported products and seller responsibilities.
Try focusing on a specific customer group rather than attempting to appeal to everybody. For example, you could design products for gardening enthusiasts, pet owners, hobby clubs or people celebrating particular occasions.
Personalised products can also offer opportunities, especially when customers are looking for meaningful gifts. However, avoid copying popular designs, protected logos, brand names, copyrighted characters or slogans without checking relevant rights. Originality is important both for building your own identity and reducing intellectual property risks.
You can use design software such as Canva to create artwork, although you must check the licence terms for any templates, fonts or illustrations you use. If design isn’t your strength, you could commission an original design from a freelancer on Fiverr. Always confirm commercial usage rights and ownership in writing.
Before uploading artwork, review your chosen printer’s product specifications. Different products and print methods may require different image dimensions, colour settings and file formats.
As your business develops, you might decide to produce certain items in bulk, build your own branded packaging or sell directly to customers through an independent website.
This is where professional printed materials can support your brand. At Cheap as Prints, we understand how presentation can influence the way customers perceive a business. Items such as business cards, stickers and branded printed materials can help create a more consistent identity as your business grows.
Our tip for 2027: Start with a small collection of original designs and test which products attract genuine customer interest before expanding your range.
Self-publishing gives independent writers the opportunity to bring their work directly to readers without relying entirely on traditional publishing arrangements.
You could publish fiction, practical guides, educational materials, journals or other original written content. One of the best-known services is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
The platform provides options for publishing eBooks and eligible printed books.
Consider a topic where you have genuine knowledge or a clear creative idea. For example, a business owner might write a practical guide about setting up a particular type of company. An enthusiastic gardener could develop a beginner’s handbook, while a fiction writer might produce a collection of short stories.
The important thing is creating something readers genuinely want.
Research similar publications and examine customer feedback to understand what’s missing.
It’s possible to work with editors, proofreaders, cover designers and professional writers.
Marketplaces such as Upwork and specialist publishing services like Reedsy can help you find freelancers. However, hiring someone to write a book doesn’t guarantee commercial success.
You’ll still need a worthwhile concept, quality control, appropriate rights agreements and a marketing strategy. Publishing platforms also have specific content rules, including requirements relating to AI-generated material.
Read the latest KDP publishing guidance before submitting a manuscript.
You may also consider publishing individual articles through Medium or building your own readership through a website. These approaches offer different routes to an audience and different potential income models.
Our tip for 2027: Create a genuinely useful, well-edited publication aimed at a defined audience. Avoid mass-producing low-quality content simply because publishing technology makes it easy.
One of the most overlooked ways to make money online is to start with something you already know. You may have a skill that others would happily pay to learn or use. Perhaps you’re particularly good at photography, repairing computers, editing documents, organising events or teaching a subject. Even hobbies can sometimes develop into commercial opportunities.
Start by writing down your strongest abilities and the activities you genuinely enjoy. Next, consider how those skills could solve somebody else’s problem. For example, a keen reader might offer proofreading services, while someone experienced in music production could provide beginner lessons.
Gaming enthusiasts may explore content creation or livestreaming through platforms such as Twitch.
A talented photographer could offer image editing, photography lessons or licensed digital photographs.
Having a skill doesn’t automatically mean there is a profitable market for it. You’ll need to understand who might buy your service, what alternatives are available and how much customers are prepared to spend.
Online communities can be useful for exploring questions and unmet needs. For example, specialist discussions on Reddit or relevant Facebook groups may reveal the frustrations people experience within a particular hobby or industry.
Use these communities to learn and contribute rather than posting unsolicited promotions. Once you’ve identified an opportunity, create a simple offer and test it with a small number of potential customers.
Our tip for 2027: Your first online business doesn’t need to be revolutionary. Solving an ordinary problem reliably can be a much stronger foundation than chasing an unfamiliar trend.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way many everyday business tasks are completed.
For anyone exploring how to make money online in 2027, learning how to use AI tools productively could open up new service opportunities. But there’s an important distinction between using AI to improve your work and simply generating material that offers little value.
Clients are unlikely to pay premium prices for something they can easily produce themselves. The real opportunity lies in combining modern technology with creativity, specialist knowledge and reliable service.
You could help businesses create and organise marketing material, prepare content calendars, edit product descriptions, produce presentations or simplify routine administrative processes. For example, a local retailer might need help turning product information into clearer online listings. A consultant might want professionally edited presentations, while a small company may need assistance organising customer enquiries.
AI tools can support the initial stages of some of these tasks, but human review remains essential. Tools such as ChatGPT and Canva may help with drafting, planning and design workflows, subject to their current features and usage terms.
Rather than advertising yourself as an ‘AI expert’, focus on a useful outcome. For example, you might offer a product-listing improvement service to small online retailers.
Your work could involve reviewing existing listings, identifying missing information, improving clarity and formatting the final content for upload. AI might help organise the process, but you’re still responsible for checking accuracy and delivering a professional result. You should also protect confidential information, use tools responsibly and understand any licence restrictions.
Some routine services are likely to face greater competition as automation becomes more accessible. However, businesses still need people who understand customers, check quality, solve problems and take responsibility for results. For that reason, the strongest opportunity may come from pairing an existing skill with AI-assisted working methods.
Our tip for 2027: Sell the result, not the technology. Clients care about the problem you solve, not how many applications you use to solve it.
Selling digital products is another online business model worth considering.
Unlike physical merchandise, digital products can often be delivered electronically, removing the need for packaging and postal fulfilment.
Once you’ve created a useful product, you may be able to sell multiple copies without reproducing the work from scratch each time. Examples include printable planners, business templates, budgeting spreadsheets, educational worksheets, website templates and digital artwork.
The strongest ideas typically solve a recognisable problem.
A self-employed tradesperson might appreciate an easy-to-use job quotation template. A small retailer might want a simple stock-tracking spreadsheet. Parents could find printable educational activities useful, while freelancers may benefit from client onboarding documents.
Rather than producing a large collection of unrelated downloads, begin with one useful product aimed at a clearly defined customer.
You could list suitable digital products on Etsy or explore services such as Gumroad and Payhip. Alternatively, you can sell directly from your own website.
Each option comes with different fees, customer responsibilities and marketing requirements.
Start with a problem you’ve experienced yourself or one you’ve observed in a particular industry. Develop a simple version of the product, test it thoroughly and ask a few prospective customers for feedback. Ensure any instructions are clear and that files work in the software you’ve advertised. You should also provide realistic product previews and explain exactly what customers receive.
Check commercial licences for all third-party assets, including fonts, illustrations and templates. Digital sales may also involve particular consumer rights and tax obligations.
Our tip for 2027: A practical £5 template that genuinely saves someone time could be a better starting product than a complicated £100 package with no established demand.
Blogging is still a possible route to online income, but success requires more than publishing articles and waiting for visitors to arrive.
With a growing amount of content being produced online, it’s increasingly important to offer useful information, firsthand experience and a clear reason for people to visit your website.
A blog can generate income through affiliate partnerships, advertising, sponsorships, digital products and services.
An email newsletter can provide another way to build a relationship with readers.
Start with a subject you understand and can continue writing about. For example, you could publish practical advice for first-time homeowners, small-business owners, hobby gardeners or people learning a specialist skill.
Avoid choosing a subject purely because it appears profitable. If you have no real interest or knowledge, it can be difficult to produce content that stands out.
Focus on questions people genuinely want answered.
Useful formats include beginner’s guides, comparison articles, troubleshooting tutorials, checklists and explanations of common mistakes. For example, a blog about starting a small printing business might feature articles covering artwork preparation, product packaging, choosing printing materials and attracting local customers. Each article should address a clear question and provide enough detail for the reader to take the next step.
Google’s people-first content guidance recommends prioritising original, reliable information that benefits readers rather than material created primarily to manipulate search rankings.
You could use a service such as MailerLite or Constant Contact to share new articles, practical advice and occasional offers with subscribers.
Some publishers also explore paid subscriptions through platforms such as Substack. However, readers generally need a strong reason to pay for information that may otherwise be freely available. A newsletter with specialist insights, original research or particularly useful resources may have a clearer value proposition.
Our tip for 2027: Treat your website as a long-term business asset. Useful content, a recognisable identity and a genuine relationship with readers are more sustainable than relying exclusively on search traffic.
If you’re organised, dependable and comfortable working with digital tools, virtual assistance could be an accessible way to start earning online.
Virtual assistants help individuals and businesses with administrative and operational tasks remotely.
Services might include diary management, arranging appointments, organising documents, responding to routine customer enquiries or maintaining spreadsheets.
Some virtual assistants specialise in particular industries, such as property management, e-commerce or professional services.
Begin by identifying a small number of tasks you’re confident you can complete accurately. Create a straightforward description of your services, availability and rates.
You can search for work through freelance marketplaces, professional networking communities and direct approaches to businesses that may need support.
If you’re approaching prospective clients, keep your message relevant and explain how you could help. For example, a small business handling increasing customer enquiries might benefit from a reliable person to organise incoming requests.
Over time, you may discover that clients particularly value your ability to manage a specific area of their business.
You could specialise in customer support, digital administration, e-commerce operations or appointment management. Specialisation can make your services easier to explain and may help you build longer-term client relationships.
Our tip for 2027: Reliability is a competitive advantage. Clear communication, confidentiality and meeting agreed deadlines can be just as important as technical ability.
After exploring all twelve ideas, you might be wondering where to start.
The answer depends on your goals.
If you want to earn money relatively quickly, providing a service such as freelancing or virtual assistance may be a practical starting point. You can approach prospective clients directly instead of relying on months of audience growth.
If you’re more interested in building a business that could generate repeat sales, digital products or print-on-demand merchandise may appeal to you. And if you enjoy writing, teaching or creating content, blogging, YouTube or online courses could provide opportunities to develop an audience over time.
Here are three useful questions to ask yourself.
Don’t feel that you need to pursue every opportunity at once. Building one dependable source of income is usually more manageable than spreading your efforts across several unfinished projects.
Potential earnings vary enormously between individuals and business models.
A freelancer may be able to earn from a completed project relatively early, whereas a new
YouTube channel might generate no revenue for a considerable period.
Selling digital products also comes with uncertainty. Creating a product doesn’t mean people will automatically find or purchase it.
Consider the following hypothetical examples:
Activity | Example monthly revenue | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|
Freelance projects | 4 projects × £150 = £600 | Before business expenses and tax |
Digital templates | 30 sales × £8 = £240 | Before platform and transaction fees |
Online coaching | 8 sessions × £40 = £320 | Before preparation time and costs |
Merchandise | 20 sales × £20 = £400 | Revenue, not profit; production and fulfilment costs apply |
These are illustrative calculations, not typical earnings, forecasts or guaranteed results.
For an accurate view of profitability, always deduct your expenses from your revenue and consider the time you’ve invested.
A business generating £1,000 in monthly sales could be less profitable than a service bringing in £500 if the business has substantial advertising, production and operating costs.
The goal should be to build a sustainable income, not simply to achieve an impressive sales figure.
The internet offers genuine opportunities, but it also attracts misleading claims and questionable business schemes.
Be particularly cautious of anyone promising guaranteed returns, instant passive income or substantial earnings without meaningful work. Legitimate businesses rarely operate that way.
Another common mistake is investing heavily before confirming customer demand. For instance, spending hundreds of pounds on advertising for an untested online shop can quickly exhaust your budget. Likewise, purchasing expensive software or training programmes won’t automatically produce sales.
Start small, track your expenses and invest further when you have evidence that your idea is working. You should also avoid relying entirely on one marketplace or social-media platform. Changes to fees, policies or visibility can affect your income.
Where practical, develop your own business website, customer relationships and brand identity alongside third-party sales channels.
Above all, be wary of unsolicited offers that require you to pay upfront to access supposedly guaranteed work or earnings.
Building a worthwhile online income should involve delivering genuine value, not participating in schemes you don’t understand.
Learning how to make money online in 2027 isn’t about discovering a secret formula or jumping on every new trend.
It’s about identifying an opportunity that suits your skills, finding people who need what you offer and delivering enough value that they’re happy to pay for it.
You don’t need to launch a dozen different ventures. Choose one idea, give yourself a realistic budget and start taking small, consistent steps towards your goal.
You might begin by completing a freelance project, publishing your first digital product or creating a useful tutorial.
As you gain experience, you’ll be in a better position to understand what works and where to invest more of your time. And who knows? The side hustle you start in 2027 could eventually become a much bigger business. Just remember that every established company began somewhere.
Your next step: Choose one of the twelve opportunities in this guide, research three potential competitors and write down the first practical action you can complete this week. The most rewarding hustle is often the one you actually start.
If you’d like to explore more ideas and develop your knowledge, the following resources may be helpful.
For inspiration and business ideas, visit Side Hustle School, Side Hustle Nation, Be The Budget and Entrepreneur.
For UK-specific information on starting and managing a business, consult GOV.UK business guidance and the UK business support website.
It’s also worth familiarising yourself with the Advertising Standards Authority if you plan to make money through affiliate marketing or promotional content.
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