11 Home Businesses You Can Start With No Money

You can choose the services you want to offer, such as house cleaning, laundry, yard work, maintenance, repair, food preparation, or cooking. Then, let people know that you’re available for hire.

If you’re having trouble finding enough clients, you can use an on-demand app to connect with potential customers. These apps take a percentage of your earnings, but they’ll introduce you to a broader network of clients, and they’re free to get started.

• AllBetter
• Angi Services
• TaskRabbit
• Thumbtack

3. Become a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter

Pet sitting is another great service-based business idea. You can make money on your own terms by deciding which types of pets you want to watch and what services you want to offer. The average pet sitter in the US earns $15.82 per hour, according to Indeed. You can increase your earnings even further by:

• Walking multiple dogs at the same time
• Offering additional services like feeding, waste cleanup, or bathing the pets

The key is to choose the pet care services that you are comfortable providing and that your clients will find valuable. This flexibility and ability to set your own schedule makes pet sitting an appealing business opportunity.

If you’re having trouble securing enough clients, you can also use money-making apps to connect with pet owners.

• Rover
• Wag!

4. Provide Freelance Writing Services

Freelance writing can be a great way to earn a living if you enjoy writing, and you don’t need a degree in English to become a freelance writer. The more you write, the better you’ll become.

I don’t recommend undervaluing your skills or depriving yourself of fair compensation. However, freelance job sites can be a useful resource. These sites connect freelancers and businesses, allowing you to find work, explore opportunities, and start earning money. Some of these sites may offer lower-paying gigs, but they can be a valuable way to gain experience and build your portfolio.

Freelance Job Boards:

• BloggingPro
• Craigslist
• Legiit
• Medium
• nDash
• Problogger
• Upwork
• Workhoppers

Once you’ve been freelancing for a few months, you should have built up a good portfolio of samples, testimonials, and experience. This will give you more leverage to start seeking out higher-paying clients.

From the very beginning, make sure to establish your digital presence. Social media platforms are free to join and can be excellent tools for building your customer base.

5. Sell Stuff For Money

These days, you can sell all sorts of things online – from old clothes and books to CDs, DVDs, games, toys, printables, art, crafts, and even cars. Take a look around your home and see what you’re no longer using. Then, use the online platforms below to sell your unwanted items and turn them into cash!

Sell Stuff Online:

• Amazon – Anything
• eBay – Anything
• Poshmark – Clothing

Meet In-Person to Sell Stuff:

• Craigslist
• Facebook Marketplace
• OfferUp
• VarageSale

Design and Sell Things Online:

• Absolute Arts – Art
• Creative Market – Stock photos, printables, templates, and fonts
• Society 6 – Everything

Selling unwanted items may not seem like a business, but some people actually turn it into one. This is known as “retail arbitrage”. It involves buying products for a low price and then reselling them at a higher price to make a profit.

6. Be a Translator

If you’re fluent in more than one language and have excellent written and verbal communication skills, you can turn that into a profitable bilingual side hustle.

Many companies need documents translated from one language to another, and they’re willing to pay good money for professional translators. You can also work as a freelance interpreter over the phone. According to ZipRecruiter, freelance translators earn an average of $29.90 per hour.

So if you have multilingual abilities, you can leverage that skill set to earn some extra income on the side.

Here are some companies to go through:

• Rev
• Welocalize
• Ubiqus

7. Social Media Manager

If you’re an avid social media user, you can make good money by managing, creating, and moderating social media accounts for businesses. As a social media manager, you can create content for platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

Many business owners don’t have the time or expertise to handle their social media effectively. That’s where you come in. By leveraging your social media skills, you can provide a valuable service and get paid for it.

Want to manage social media accounts for extra money? Check out these hiring companies:

• $99 Social
• ModSquad
• SocialBee
• VaVa Virtual Assistants

8. Search Engine Evaluator

Search engines like Google are always trying to improve their search results, so they use search engine evaluators to assess the quality of the content that appears in search results.

These evaluator positions don’t require any formal experience, but you do need to be tech-savvy, knowledgeable about current events, and detail-oriented. The average pay for this work is $17 per hour, and the hours are usually flexible.

If you have the right skills and attention to detail, becoming a search engine evaluator can be a great side gig. It allows you to earn some extra income while helping to improve the search experience for people online.

To apply for these side jobs, check out:

• Appen
• Teemwork.ai
• TELUS International

9. Online Surveys

Surveys can sometimes get a bad reputation as a side gig, and that’s often because some surveys take too long compared to the amount they pay. However, if you use reputable survey sites and only complete surveys that are worth your time, it can be a nice way to earn some extra money.

The key is to be selective about which surveys you choose to take, focusing on the ones that provide a good return for the time investment. When done right, surveys can be a convenient way to supplement your income.

Want to make money with surveys? Check out these legitimate companies:

• Swagbucks
• InboxDollars
• Survey Junkie
• Branded Surveys

10. Teach English Online

If you’re a native English speaker with excellent communication skills, you can make money by tutoring others online, especially non-native English speakers.

Some companies that offer online English tutoring, like TEFL or TESOL, may require you to have a bachelor’s degree and a relevant certification. However, other platforms, such as Cambly, don’t require any prior experience.

The pay rates for online English tutoring can vary quite a bit, ranging anywhere from $10 to $26 per hour. So if you have strong English skills, this can be a great side job opportunity to earn some extra income.

The key is to find the right platform that fits your qualifications and availability. With the right approach, online English tutoring can be a flexible and lucrative side hustle.

To make money as an ESL tutor, check out these legit hiring companies:

• Open English
• Preply

11. Make Money Driving

Driving for a delivery or rideshare service can be a great way to make extra money on the side. These gigs allow you to deliver all kinds of items – from groceries and alcohol to takeout food and even people.

To get started, simply download the relevant app, fill out an application, and wait for approval. The requirements typically include passing a criminal background check, having a clean driving record, a valid driver’s license, and proof of car insurance.

The best part is that you can set your own schedule as a driver. Whether you want to earn a little extra cash or a significant income, the flexibility allows you to work as much or as little as you’d like. It’s a convenient side hustle that gets you out of the house and earning money.

Here are some companies to check out if you’re interested in this sort of online side job:

• DoorDash (food)
• Instacart (groceries)
• HopSkipDrive (kids)
• Shipt (groceries)
• Uber (people or food)