There may never have been a better time to start a side hustle than now. Thanks to the internet and social media, earning a side income is easier than ever. However, that’s not to say that creating a reliable side income stream will be easy!
It can take a lot of effort and perseverance to build a side hustle or home-based business. But don’t be discouraged because there is more opportunity than ever.
In this article, we’ll cover 6 of the best side hustles you can start, either to supplement or replace your regular income.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle can be defined as anything that you do in your free time that provides you with a supplementary income.
This covers just about anything from freelancing to selling products or offering your services to others. If you can do one of these from home or in your free time, it can be considered a side hustle. Let’s dive in and discover some of the top side hustle opportunities out there.
1. Freelancing as a side hustle
Freelancing is very first on our list, and that’s because it’s such a broad category! This path includes everything from being a virtual assistant or web designer to providing legal or accounting services for those who are qualified.
The great thing about freelancing websites is that you aren’t restricted to working for companies in your local area. Platforms like Upwork have helped connect the entire world as one global workforce. But before you launch your freelancing career, give some thought to your strategy. For instance, you’ll want to fill out your profile with a well-written bio. You’ll also want to include samples of your work along with a good headshot. To take your professionalism up a notch, consider investing in a professional looking website. You can easily create one that will wow any prospective clients with GoDaddy’s Website Builder.
Here are some popular freelancing niches:
- Content Writer/Copywriter
- Virtual Assistant
- Remote Customer Support Agent
- Social Media Manager
- Programmer/Coder
- Web Developer
- Transcriptionist
- Translator
Freelancing can definitely become a full-time career if you want it to. And since it’s probably one of the easiest ways to start earning a side income, you should definitely consider it.
Related: How to kickstart your online presence while freelancing
2. Rideshare or delivery driver
Becoming a rideshare or delivery driver can be one of the best ways to start earning a side income. You’ll just need a driver’s license, an appropriate vehicle with insurance, and then follow other local guidelines. For details on everything needed, refer to the rideshare or delivery platforms in your region such as Grab (PH).
Choosing to drive as a side hustle offers plenty of freedom and the potential to earn a regular source of income. Just keep in mind you’ll be sharing your earnings with the rideshare or delivery company. So, while this probably isn’t the best option if you want to get rich fast, it can still provide a respectable side income to help meet your needs.
3. Delivery kitchen or baked goods business
Have you been told that your cooking is out of this world? Or do you have a secret cookie or brownie recipe that would be a hit with customers? If so, you may be destined to launch your own food business. And with the rise of delivery services like Grab, FoodPanda, Deliveroo, and more, now may be the perfect time to start your own food delivery brand.
Running a food business won’t necessarily be easy, but you’ll get plenty of satisfaction knowing you are delighting your customers. Keep in mind, you’ll need to follow all laws and regulations for operating a food business in your area. To find out what’s required by different food delivery platforms, head to their onboarding pages, such as Grab (SG), Deliveroo (HK), Food Panda (MY), and Food Panda (PH).
4. Earn a side income with a website or blog
Perhaps you have a knack for writing and sharing helpful information. If so, starting a website or blog focused on a particular topic could be a great side hustle opportunity to explore. The goal here is to master both your topic and search engine optimization (SEO).
You’ll need to focus on creating content that people are searching for. Then do your best to show up as high as you can in search results.
Successful websites and blogs come in many forms. These can be anything from home & gardening and travel blogs, to websites that compare the best mattresses or appliances. If you can put together useful or interesting information that people are searching for, you may have a good chance of building traffic and success with this side hustle.
Aside from information-based websites and blogs, e-Commerce can be a great opportunity for anyone who has a product to sell. You can either sell your own creations or dropship products directly from a supplier to your customers. Either way, you’ll need to find a way to get enough traffic to your website. If you decide to launch your own online store, GoDaddy’s E-Store is the all-in-one service for you.
Editor's Note: Visit GoDaddy.com to learn about our essential business tools.
5. Become an influencer or start a YouTube channel
Do you have knowledge that may be helpful or interesting to others? Or, do you happen to be particularly stylish or have an eye for photography? If so, a blog, Instagram, or YouTube channel may be a good side hustle opportunity to consider. The key here will be to make your channel unique, helpful, or stylish enough to build a following.
Once you’ve built a stream of traffic, you can monetize your channel with advertisements, affiliate links, sponsorships, or your own branded products.
For an inspiring look at a popular channel, check out Dancing Bacons on YouTube. They’ve built a following of over two million subscribers by showing off delicious foods throughout Singapore, SE Asia, and beyond.
While there’s no guarantee of income when setting out as a social media channel, many hardworking people have turned their side hustles into very real income streams.
6. Online teaching or tutoring
If you’ve ever thought about teaching online, now may be the perfect time to start.
Whether it’s tutoring math, science, or English, many platforms will pay you to tutor or teach. Keep in mind, many companies require teaching experience or have particular degree requirements. But if you love the idea of teaching online from the comfort of your home, this could be a great option for you.
Get started on your desired side hustle!
As you can see, there are plenty of different side hustle opportunities. Which options you consider should largely come down to your area of interest, skills, and expertise. The key is to do your research first. If it’s a side hustle like rideshare driving, find out the requirements and average earnings to see if it may be a good fit for you.
If you’re starting down more of an entrepreneurial path, look for successful people to model. This doesn’t mean you have to copy them. But try and follow in the steps they took to achieve their success. If you need some help, here's a nifty guide to help you plan for your new business venture!
No matter what side hustle you choose, GoDaddy is here to provide everything from domains to hosting and our powerful Website Builder.
Here’s to your success with your new side hustle!
Editor’s note: Got questions about putting your idea online? Get instant answers on GoDaddy Asia Facebook Messenger now.
