11 Side Hustles from Home and How to Get Started

A side hustle is a small business that a person pursues alongside another, usually more stable, job, often to earn additional income. Side hustles are also referred to as side jobs or side gigs. Forty-five percent of Americans—or roughly 40 million people—had a side hustle as of 2023, spending an average of 13 hours a week on that work.

At-home side hustle ideas

As you think about the business idea that feels right for you, here are some side hustles that you can start right from your own home.

1. Dropshipping business

A dropshipping business looks like a regular online shop to the average customer, but behind the scenes, the company is a bit less traditional. With dropshipping, a retailer sells products housed and fulfilled by a third party, so the retailer is responsible for customer-facing communications, product curation, and marketing, while another company handles the inventory.

Where to begin: Sites like Alibaba, Dropship Direct, or Oberlo


Click here to apply for a side hustle online job.

2. Digital creative

There are many ways to pursue creativity using only a computer, for example, video editing or graphic design. You may choose to seek clients who will hire you to create business assets. Or, if you want to monetize your digital designs independently, you may look into posting videos on YouTube or putting your designs on merchandise with a print-on-demand business.

Where to begin: Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, YouTube, or Printful

3. Writing

Many companies hire freelance or contract writers to draft marketing materials, social media copy, SEO articles, editorials, and more, without expecting their writers to be available full-time. As a writer, you can also start an affiliate marketing blog, though since that path requires building your readership, it can take a bit of time before you start making money from your blog.

Where to begin: Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, Indeed, or WordPress

4. Proofreading or copyediting

If you are more of an editor than a writer, you can get paid to proofread or copyedit marketing or editorial content. You can develop a steady flow of side income by finding one or two anchor clients, or clients you work with regularly.

Where to begin: Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, or Flexjobs

5. Crafting/artist

Many people sell handmade items or original artwork online, either through an independent online shop or through sites like Etsy or Saatchi Art. Both routes have pros and cons, so if you decide to turn your craft into a side hustle, do some research to see which path will work best for you.

6. Transcription service

Use your quick and accurate typing skills as a transcriptionist. Transcribing is the act of typing out audio. Some cases where a business might want their audio files transcribed might be to generate closed captions or to use quotes from a speech or interview in an editorial feature. 

Where to begin: Sites like Rev, SpeakWrite, or Fiverr

7. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants help businesses or individuals with administrative tasks such as managing inboxes or scheduling. You can search for companies seeking a virtual assistant on regular job sites, like Flexjobs or Indeed, or you can apply for a company that pairs virtual assistants with businesses, such as Time Etc or Boldly. If you decide to go through a third-party matching process, you may have less flexibility in the number of hours you work per week or the specific hours you work.

Where to begin: Sites like Flexjobs, Time Etc, or Boldly


Click here to apply for a side hustle online job.

8. Language teacher

Teaching English online to students worldwide can be a rewarding side hustle. And since you may be teaching across different time zones, you can schedule sessions outside of your local regular business hours. If you have non-English language skills, you can likely find virtual teaching opportunities in your language of choice.

Where to begin: Sites like VIPKid or Skooli

9. Hosting online workshops or classes

If you have a skill to share with others—for example, if you are a fitness instructor—you may be able to host a live online class or workshop and charge people for access. There are several ways to set up this type of business model. One option could be to create a Zoom link and invite guests once you receive payment.

Where to begin: Video platforms like Zoom or Google Meet

10. Audiobook narrator

This side hustle can require specific recording equipment and an echo-proof space free of background noise, but it can be fun if you like reading a range of materials and genres and are interested in voice acting. 

Where to begin: Sites like ACX, Voices.com, or BunnyStudio

11. Traveler host

If you have a private room, guest house, or entire property that you are not currently using, you may be able to rent your space out to travelers. You’ll need to be comfortable hosting guests in your home and able to provide clean-up services in between occupants, as well as be available should any urgent needs come up mid-stay, like a clogged sink.

Where to begin: Sites like Airbnb or Vrbo

Click here to apply for a side hustle online job.

I hope this helps you.