How to Make Money Online in the UK (Without Working Yourself to the Bone)
So, you’re looking to make some extra cash online in your spare time, but you don’t fancy working another 9-to-5 hours after your actual 9-to-5? No problem!
There’s a sweet spot between easy-breezy money-making and full-blown hustle culture, and we’re diving into it. These ideas need a bit of effort, but the payoff is worth it—and you might even have some fun along the way.
After creating: Quick and Easy Ways to Earn Money Online in the UK. I wanted to create a guide for those of you out there looking for that next step up on your online earning journey.
This guide aims to look at more advanced ways of earning online which should start letting you earning £10, £20, £50 or even £100s per hour.
- Make Money From Freelancing
- Make Money Tutoring
- Make Money Doing Voice Work
- Make Money Doing Surveys or Market Research
- Make Money as a Virtual Assistant
- Make Money Copywriting
- Make Money Proofreading
- Make Money Playing Games!
1. Freelancing: Sell Yourself!
Got a knack for writing, graphic design, or social media? Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour are like online job boards for freelancers. Whether you’re writing blog posts or designing logos, you can make £15–£100 an hour, depending on your skills.
Pro Tip: Start with smaller gigs to build up reviews and gain a good a reputation. Soon enough, you’ll be charging better rates that will help pay the bills.
2. Teach What You Know
If you’re good at something—like GCSE maths, Spanish, or even the fine art of putting IKEA furniture together—there’s someone willing to pay you to teach it. Platforms like Tutorful and Superprof connect you with students, and you can earn £15–£50 an hour tutoring online.
Bonus Points: No teaching degree? No worries. You just need to know more than the person you’re teaching!
3. Voice Your Opinions
Got a decent mic and a smooth voice? Try your hand at voiceover work. Sites like Voices.com and Bunny Studio will connect you with clients who need narrators for ads, audiobooks, or animated characters. It’s quirky, fun, and pays well—£20 to £500 a project depending on the gig.
Note: Warm up those vocal cords. Your future as the next David Attenborough (or cartoon villain) starts here.
4. Take Surveys and Join Market Research
Surveys may not make you rich, but platforms like Prolific and YouGov pay more than your average cup of coffee per survey. If you’re up for something a little meatier, market research apps like UserTesting and Respondent pay £50–£200 for testing websites or joining focus groups.
Prolific pays a massive range from just a few pennies up to £10+ per survey. I have been on this platform for years and have made £600+ by just doing the odd few surveys when I’ve got some free time, well worth it.
The Catch: You might spend 20 minutes sharing your thoughts on cereal packaging, but hey, it’s easy cash!
5. Virtual Assistant
Fancy yourself a bit of a multitasking wizard? Being a virtual assistant (VA) could be your ticket to earning decent money online, all while working in your slippers.
Platforms like Fiverr, UpWork and PeoplePerHour always have great opportunities. As a VA, you’ll help businesses or busy individuals with tasks like managing emails, scheduling appointments, or even creating spreadsheets.
This could be a great wee side earner getting up to around £40 per hour for skilled and experienced VAs.
No Pain No Gain: There’s always money to be made from work people don’t want to do.
6. Copywriting or Content Writing
If you’ve got a way with words (and no, texting your mates doesn’t count), copywriting or content writing could be your golden ticket to earning online. Businesses always need writers for blog posts, social media captions, product descriptions, and eye catching email campaigns. Take a look at ProBlogger Jobs Board, Upwork and Fiverr to find your first client and get writing!
Beginners can expect £10–£20 per hour, while experienced writers charge £50–£100+ per article or project. If you’re crafting ad copy for big brands, the sky’s the limit!
Bonus: You can write from your sofa with your cat as your editor.
7. Proofreading and Editing
Do you love spotting typos and fixing grammar mistakes? Proofreading and editing could be your perfect side hustle (or full-time gig). From polishing essays to cleaning up messy blog posts, your eagle eye can make you cash online.
Start with platforms like ProofreadingServices.com, PeoplePerHour, or Upwork. Rates for beginners are around £10–£15 per hour, but experienced editors can earn £25–£40+ hourly.
It’s like being the superhero of words—minus the cape but with plenty of tea breaks!
8. Make Money Playing Games!
Earn Money Online in the UK by Playing Games on Your Phone
How To Make Money Playing Games on Your Phone!
Fancy turning your Candy Crush skills into actual cash? You can earn money playing games on your mobile—yes, it’s a thing!
Apps like Mistplay, Freecash, and Swagbucks reward you for gaming with points, gift cards, or even real money.
Earnings can really vary depending on the game, the platform and the offer. But I have seen offers start from a few pounds up to over a thousand pounds. These offers usually require the user to be a new player to the game and then you will be paid by completing certain tasks within the game.
For example completing a certain number of levels or completing other tasks within the game. These offers usually give you around 30 days to complete, so if you spend a lot of time playing games there is a lot of extra cash you can make. Why play a game for free when you get paid for it?
It won’t make you a millionaire, but hey, now you can say, “I’m working” while gaming in your PJs!
Pro Tips to Maximize Earnings:
- Upskill: Invest time in learning new skills through free resources like Coursera, Skillshare, or YouTube tutorials.
- Time Management: Dedicate regular hours to your chosen side hustle.
- Market Yourself: Build a strong profile on freelancing platforms to attract higher-paying clients.
With some time and effort, these online opportunities can turn into highly rewarding ventures—perfect for building a side income or even a full-time career!
A Few Final Words
Making money online takes effort, but these ideas prove it’s doable—and dare I say, enjoyable? Whether you’re crafting a niche eBook, teaching someone to bake scones, or recording voiceovers in your pyjamas, there’s something for everyone.
The best part? You can do it all from the comfort of your sofa, tea in hand. Just remember, the effort you put in will eventually pay off. So go ahead—start that blog, design that T-shirt, or sell your quirky photos. Your next side hustle is only a click away!
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