How To Make Money Online For Beginners
Tired of the daily grind? Wish your bank account had a few extra zeros? Good news—you don’t need to be a tech genius or social media superstar to start making money online.
The internet is packed with opportunities, from freelancing and e-commerce to tutoring and content creation. And no, we’re not talking about dodgy “get rich quick” schemes—these are real ways to earn money from home.
If you looking to make money online as a beginner, Prograd's algorithm matches you with hundreds of opportunities near you. Whether you want to earn, save, borrow or get discounts. Simply fill in our 10-second form and get started today.
Can You Really Make Money Online?
In a world where everything's gone digital, making money online is the new wave, and it's not as complicated as it might sound.
The days of trekking around handing in your CV are (thankfully) over. These days, anyone can work online, whatever their experience, and it's super easy to find gigs.
Read our guide around writing CVs.
The most straightforward way is by signing up for online platforms like Prograd that can match you to an online job that suits your timetable and savings goals.
So, grab a cuppa, sit back, and let's dive into this guide to securing that dough, one click at a time.
How Much Money Can You Make Online As A Beginner?
The good news is that now more than ever, hundreds of opportunities exist to help you make money online. And the best part? Your earnings are totally untapped!
Whether you want to make an extra £200 a week or are saving up for something bigger, the more you work the more you earn - that's the beauty of online jobs!
How Can You Make Money Online As a Beginner?
Absolutely! The online economy is booming, and more people than ever are earning cash from their laptops.
The UK gig economy has tripled in size since 2016, with 4.4 million people working as freelancers (IPSE).
The best part? You don’t need experience to get started. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time online career, there’s something for everyone.
Freelance
Even as a beginner, if you’ve got some great skills stashed away, you can earn cash on them.
Whether you're a graphic designer, writer, coder, or video editor, there's someone out there willing to pay for your talent. Create a killer profile, showcase your work, and start pitching gigs to get the ball rolling.
🛠 Platforms to Get Started:
- Upwork – Best for writers, designers, and developers.
- Fiverr – Great for beginners offering services like voiceovers, logo design, or marketing.
- PeoplePerHour – UK-based platform connecting freelancers with businesses.
💡 Quick Tip: Create a strong profile with examples of your work, set competitive pricing, and pitch to potential clients daily.
E-Commerce
If you have a knack for whizzing-up items or picking vintage pieces to sell, why not jump into the world of e-commerce?
Platforms like eBay, Vinted, and Depop, all let you sell items and build up a great money-making machine. It’s simple, fun, and there’s no previous experience required!
🛠 Best Platforms for Selling Online in the UK:
- eBay – Sell everything from clothes to tech gadgets.
- Depop – Ideal for fashion and vintage items.
- Etsy – Perfect for handmade goods and crafts.
💡 Quick Tip: Find a niche! Items like vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, and personalised gifts sell particularly well.
Virtual Assistants
If you're super organised and good with tasks like scheduling, email management, or data entry, consider becoming a virtual assistant.
Plenty of businesses are looking for help, and they won’t mind if you’re a beginner. Plus, you can do it from the comfort of your own space.
🛠 Where to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs:
- Belay – UK-based VA job listings.
- Time Etc – Specialises in virtual assistant roles.
- Freelancer – Offers VA jobs for beginners.
💡 Quick Tip: Offer services starting at £15 per hour and increase your rates as you gain experience.
Online Surveys
Okay, so the earnings from online surveys can be pretty humble. But it’s a great place to earn money as a beginner!
So, if you've got free time on your hands, put it to good use by signing up for online survey websites. They’re normally super easy to do and can be done from the comfort of home.
💰 How much can you earn? Most sites pay £1-£5 per survey, but some offer up to £50 for specialised market research.
🛠 Best UK Survey Websites:
- YouGov – Earn by sharing your opinions on politics and brands.
- Swagbucks – Get paid in gift cards or cash for surveys and online tasks.
- Prolific – Higher-paying academic surveys (£6-£10 per hour).
💡 Quick Tip: Sign up for multiple survey sites to maximise earnings.
Content Creator
If you have a confident streak and are already strutting your stuff on social media, this is the obvious next step! You can monitise your influence on online platforms like YouTube and TikTok to rake in the cash.
And you don’t need a massive following. Even as a beginner, brands wanna work with micro-influencers that have an authentic connection with their audience.
Partner up, post some sponsored content, and watch your bank account grow while doing what you love.
📊 Earnings Potential:
✔ YouTube pays an average of £1,000 per 1 million views through ad revenue.
✔ TikTok creators can earn £100+ per sponsored post, even with a small following.
✔ Instagram influencers with 10,000+ followers can charge £250-£500 per post.
🛠 Platforms for Earning as a Creator:
- YouTube – Monetise videos with ads and sponsorships.
- TikTok – Earn through brand deals and the Creator Fund.
- Instagram – Partner with brands and promote products.
💡 Quick Tip: Even micro-influencers (under 10K followers) can land brand deals if they have an engaged audience.
Tutoring
Even if you’re a newbie to the tutoring game, everyone’s gotta start somewhere! As long as you have a degree, or good base knowledge, in a subject, you can sign up to be an online tutor.
Not only can this be great work experience and help you level up your knowledge, it can pay the big bucks too.
📊 Earnings Potential:
✔ Online tutors in the UK earn £15-£50 per hour, depending on the subject.
🛠 Best UK Tutoring Platforms:
- Tutorful – Connects UK students with tutors.
- Superprof – Great for beginner tutors.
- MyTutor – Focuses on GCSE and A-Level tutoring.
💡 Quick Tip: You don’t need a teaching degree! Many platforms allow you to teach with A-levels or a university degree.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting other people’s products.
📊 Earnings Potential:
✔ UK affiliate marketers make between £100-£5,000+ per month, depending on traffic.
🛠 Best UK Affiliate Programmes:
- Amazon Associates – Earn up to 10% commission on Amazon products.
- Awin – Partner with brands like ASOS and Currys.
- Shopify Affiliate Programme – Earn from e-commerce referrals.
💡 Quick Tip: Start a blog, YouTube channel, or TikTok page to share product recommendations and earn commissions.
Start Making Money Today!
Making money online as a beginner is totally doable—you just need to take the first step. Whether it’s freelancing, selling online, or creating content, there are tons of opportunities to earn from home.
Want an easier way to find online work? Prograd can match you with hundreds of earning opportunities in just 10 seconds—sign up today and start making money online!
