Top up your bank balance with extra cash online. The internet isn’t just for funny videos of cats keyboards – it can also be used to generate a surprisingly decent income.
Every week there seems to be a new story about someone who’s made billions on the internet. People like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and G0ogle’s Larry Page have struck gold through internet innovations. While you may not be able to join this virtual jet set, it’s still possible to generate a little extra income online.
Selling old Goods
Selling your old and unwanted goods is an obvious place to start. Online auction site eBay (www.ebay.com) is great for emptying dusty cupboards, but if you’ve got more unwieldy items, working out delivery charges can be a bit of a nightmare. Gumtree (www.gumtree.com ) is better for big items – it’s essentially an online version of a local newspapers’s classified ads.
Online Surveys
Another quick way to make money is by taking part in online surveys. Sites such as Valued Opinions ask for your views on everything from washing up liquid to the government, and pay between 50p and £5 per survey. It’s a great way to voice your thoughts, and it can be quite insightful too.
Importing and selling
The more entrepreneurial among you can make money importing goods and then selling them on eBay. Reputable Chinese sites Alibaba and DealExtreme sell items in bulk – which can then be sold on for a profit. It’s worth doing some research first to see what sells on eBay (USB flash drives are a good place to start,) but you may have to wait a while for the products to arrive. Remember, if you’re buying goods to sel, you’ll need to pay income tax on the the money you make as well.
If you’ve got a decent digital camera and a good eye for composition you can contribute to iStockphoto, where companies will pay you to use your images. A site like PhotographersDirect can be a little complicated, but it does give you control over sho uses your images and lets you negotiate fees.
For Crafty People
If you’re more crafty, Etsy is a great place to sell handmade and vintage items. the site sells baby shoes, dog collars and biscuits among other things – with emphasis on customisation and uniqueness. If you’re good at making or baking, it’s a fantastic way to make a name for yourself – some users even generate their entire income through it. Again, be sure to check about taxes you may need to pay.
Make money from videos
Youtube has become an internet phenomenon, and it’s made a number of unloaders millionaires. If you’re canny enough you can make money too, by publishing your homemade movies on YouTube – which pays out based on advertisement and hits. To get started you’ll need a Google account, a camera capable of taking video and – most importantly – a great idea or funny subject to film. This can be anything, so get creative and make some extra cash.