3 Ways to Make Money at Home

Author: Cameron Moses

With Christmas fast approaching we could all use a little more cash in the family budget, but you’re already so busy with your day job and commitments at home it’s impossible to earn any more money. Or is it?

There are a multitude of genuine, money-making opportunities out there on the Internet and the best part is that many of them require only a small investment in time each day. Maybe you’d like to enjoy a 4-hour Workweek, like blogging guru Tim Ferriss and author of The 4-hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich, or maybe you’d just like to have a little more coin in your wallet. Whatever your dream, if you have some spare time, a PC connected to the Internet and a little patience, there are opportunities to be had.

1. Get paid to fill in surveys online:

While you probably won’t be able to retire on the income, completing surveys online for cash is certainly a very easy way to get started making more money. Sites like Paid Survey pay you various amounts money to review products, movies and participate in focus groups. Small business owners may be especially interesting in completing the Great Australian Business Survey which claims to offer a $30,000 prize pool.

2. Start your own blog:

If you are a little more computer savvy and have an interest in a topic that you think others may enjoy then blogging is certainly a great way to start earning some extra cash. It’s not quick though, as you will need to generate significant hits before you can really start taking advantage of advertising. If you are just starting out and want to avoid the technical hassles of running your own blog, then you can sign up for a hosted solution from the likes of www.blogger.com If you are getting serious about your blog, then you will want your own domain name so that it’s easier to market and promote your blog using directories and search engines. You can get website hosting for a few dollars a month from companies like My Net Host and there are a number of free blogging tools, such as WordPress and BlogEngine.Net that are relatively easy to set up and run.

3. Start your own eCommerce Website.

With so many people using the Internet to research and buy everything from Kids Clothing, Baby Clothes, Toys, Gifts, Wedding Accessories, Outdoor Products, Computer and more, starting your own eCommerce website is a cost-effective way to start a new business. You have two basic options. Firstly you could source your own products online though a number of drop-shippers and dealers who provide ‘wholesale lots’. You are then responsible for marketing, warehousing, selling and shipping the products. Thankfully, there are a number of companies that provide the software required to run your eCommerce website, including eCorner Store .

A second alternative is to create a site, such as a product review site that links to products sold by others. You get a small commission for every sale and you don’t have the headache of sourcing stock and dealing with shipping and logistics. Depending on the products and services your are trying to sell you may be able to utilise one of the big name companies like Sold Smart who provide a huge range of products or you may need a speciality store, such as sporting goods outlets or women’s fashion. If you are looking toys, then Yogee is a great place to start for bargain priced toys.

If you are thinking of importing, www.globalSources.com provides links to manufactures and suppliers of everything from electronics to bath products.

Warning – while there are many legitimate money-making and work at home schemes, there are just as many scams. Don’t part with your hard-earned money before fully investigated the opportunities being presented. There seems to be no end of sites promising loads of cash, but providing so little information about what you are buying, that you’d have to be mad to sign up. If in doubt, Google some of the key words or phrases used on the site to see if there are any forums discussing the scheme.

About the Author:
Cameron Moses is an experienced website developer and business analyst who specialises in creating custom-built software for small to medium sized businesses. For more information on small business software checkout some of the products he recommends.