How to Make Extra Money In the UK: 25 Best Side Hustles

Owing to the current economic situation, making extra money in the UK has become a necessity.

Thanks to technological advancements, there are numerous side hustles to earn cash online and from home.

Whether you are a student, stay-at-home parent, or someone looking for second-income ideas, there are plenty of opportunities to earn extra income.

In this article, we will explore 25 legitimate side hustles to make extra money in the UK.

25 Side Hustles to Make Extra Money In the UK

1. Earn affiliate commissions

Affiliate marketing is one of the most profitable extra money ideas for Britons. By promoting other people's products and services, you can earn a commission on each sale you generate.

To get started, you'll need to sign up for an affiliate program and choose products or services to promote.

Here are some of the best affiliate programs for beginners that are high paying. These programs allow you to earn a commission on any purchases made through your affiliate links.

To succeed as an affiliate marketer, you need to work with a proven strategy. Posting content containing affiliate links on a blog or website is the most popular strategy.

But there are easy ways you can earn affiliate commissions without a blog or website.

2. Watch videos on YouTube

You can earn easy extra money in the UK by watching videos on YouTube.

Some companies, websites, and apps offer cash rewards to their viewers who watch YouTube videos and complete certain tasks. Some of them even offer video-watching jobs that offer better pay.

While you're unlikely to make a full-time income from watching videos on YouTube, it can be a fun way to earn a little extra cash in your spare time.

I have compiled a list of the best sites, apps, and jobs to earn extra income by watching YouTube.

3. Use side hustle apps

There are numerous side hustle apps that allow you to earn extra cash online for free.

These apps pay you to do simple and enjoyable tasks like listening to music, watching videos, and shopping online.

Some of them even pay you for simply sharing your unused internet data. All you need do is install them on your phone and let them run in the background.

Check out some of the best apps to earn extra income online.

4. Send automated emails

Email marketing is a strategy that can provide you with a second income source that pays you daily in an automated fashion. This is a side business that can earn you a consistent and sustainable daily income in the UK.

If you have a large email list, you can earn money by sending automated emails to your subscribers.

To succeed with automated email marketing, you'll need to create high-quality content that engages your subscribers and encourages them to take action.

You'll also need to choose products or services to promote that are relevant to your audience.

If you are new to this line of business, you can learn how to create an automated email-based business from scratch using the secret email system.

5. Use online earning platforms

There are many legit websites that you can use to make extra money online fast.

Earning from the majority of these websites requires you to do simple tasks that require no special skills.

Some of these platforms are with high competition while there are some secret websites to earn.

6. Start a Blog

Blogging is a popular way to earn passive income online, and it can be a great way to share your passion with others.

To start a blog, you need to choose a niche that you are passionate about and create content that will attract an audience.

Once you have built up an audience, you can monetize your blog through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.

Succeeding in blogging is relatively easy these days due to the rise of AI writing software like ChatGPT.

7. Answer questions online

You can make extra money in the UK by answering questions online through various question-and-answer websites.

These sites connect users with experts in various fields who can provide answers to their questions for a fee.

To get started, you'll need to sign up as an expert and provide your qualifications and areas of expertise.

Once approved, you can start answering questions and earning money for your time and knowledge.

8. Publish Books on Amazon

Self-publishing has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. It's an excellent way to earn extra income while working full-time in the UK.

With this platform, you can publish and sell your own books online, without the need for a traditional publishing deal.

To succeed in self-publishing, you need to have a strong idea for a book and be able to write well.

You can also consider hiring a freelance editor to help you polish your work before publishing.

9. Do Freelancing Jobs

Freelancing has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.

Freelancers offer their skills and services to businesses and individuals who need them.

If you have skills like writing, web development, graphic design, or social media management, you can offer them as a freelancer and earn money from clients all over the world.

10. Flip Services

Flipping services is a business model where you buy a service for a low price and sell it for a higher price, keeping the profit.

One example of this is buying a domain name, designing a basic website, and then selling it for a profit.

Other services that can be flipped include graphic design, writing, and editing.

To start flipping services, you can use platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to find affordable services and then sell them at a higher price on your own website or social media platforms.

11. Sell Photos

If you have a passion for photography, selling your photos online can be a great way to earn some extra money with your phone.

Many websites and apps, allow you to upload your photos and earn a commission every time someone downloads them.

To maximize your earnings, make sure your photos are high-quality and unique.

You can also specialize in certain types of photography, such as food, nature, or lifestyle, to attract a specific audience.

12. Search the web

Believe it or not, you can actually get paid to search the web. There are several websites that pay you to search the web and complete other small tasks, such as watching videos or taking surveys.

Some popular websites that offer these types of opportunities include Swagbucks and InboxDollars.

While you're unlikely to make a full-time income from these websites, they can be a fun side hustle to earn a little extra cash quickly in your spare time.

13. Test Websites

Testing websites is another way to make money from home. Website owners pay people to test their websites and provide feedback on their user experience.

Platforms like UserTesting and TryMyUI allow you to sign up as a tester and earn money by testing websites and providing your feedback.

The pay per test varies depending on the platform, but it can be a good way to earn some extra cash in your spare time.

14. Be a Virtual Friend

If you’re a good listener and enjoy chatting with people, you can become a virtual friend and get paid for it.

Websites like RentAFriend and FriendPC allow you to sign up as a virtual friend and earn money by chatting with people who need someone to talk to.

15. Earn by listening to music

If you love listening to music, you can actually earn money by doing so. Several websites and apps, such as MusicXray and Slicethepie, pay users for listening to and reviewing new music.

With MusicXray, you get paid for listening to songs that match your musical taste. All you need to do is sign up and fill out your profile, and MusicXray will send you songs to listen to.

You can earn up to ￡0.10 for each song you listen to, and you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal once you reach a minimum balance of ￡20.

Slicethepie is another platform that pays you for listening to and reviewing new music.

The website pays users based on the quality and depth of their reviews. You can earn anywhere from ￡0.02 to ￡0.20 per review, and you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal once you reach a minimum balance of ￡10.

While you won't earn a significant income from listening to music, it can be a fun and easy way to make some extra cash in your spare time.

16. Print on demand

Print on demand (POD) is a business model that allows you to sell custom-designed merchandise without the need for inventory.

You can design and upload your artwork to POD websites such as Redbubble, Teespring, and Zazzle, and they will handle the printing, shipping, and customer service for you.

When someone purchases a product with your design, you earn a percentage of the sale price.

The amount you earn depends on the POD website you're using and the product sold. Some websites allow you to set your own profit margin, while others pay a fixed percentage of the sale price.

POD is a great way to turn your creativity into cash, and it's ideal for artists, graphic designers, and anyone with an eye for design.

However, keep in mind that competition is high, so it's important to create unique and eye-catching designs that stand out from the crowd.

17. Sell your unwanted stuff

One of the easiest ways to make money online is by selling your unwanted items. This can include anything from clothes, books, and electronics to furniture and household items.

There are several ways to sell your unwanted stuff, including online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace, as well as local classifieds websites like Gumtree and Craigslist.

When selling online, it's important to take clear photos of your items and provide accurate descriptions. Pricing your items competitively can also help attract buyers.

If you don't want to sell your items online, you can also consider selling them at a garage sale or a local market.

While you may not make as much money as selling online, it's a quick and easy way to declutter your home and make some extra cash.

18. Do mystery shopping

Mystery shopping is a way to earn money by visiting and evaluating businesses anonymously.

Companies hire mystery shoppers to assess the quality of their customer service, product selection, and overall shopping experience.

As a mystery shopper, you'll typically receive a list of tasks to complete during your visit, such as making a purchase, asking questions, and evaluating the cleanliness of the store.

You'll then provide feedback on your experience, which the company will use to improve their business.

Mystery shopping can be a fun and interesting way to earn extra money, and you can do it on your own schedule.

There are several companies that hire mystery shoppers in the UK, including Market Force, Retail Maxim, and Grass Roots.

19. Become an online tutor

If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can become an online tutor and teach others from the comfort of your own home. Online tutoring is becoming increasingly popular, and there are many websites that connect tutors with students.

Some of the most popular online tutoring websites in the UK include Tutorful, MyTutor, and Tutorhunt.

These platforms allow you to create a profile and set your own rates. You can offer one-on-one sessions or group sessions, and you can even tutor students from around the world.

To become an online tutor, you will need to have a strong understanding of the subject you want to teach and be able to communicate it effectively to others.

You may also need to have a teaching qualification, depending on the platform you choose to work with.

Online tutoring can be a great way to make some extra money, and it can also be a rewarding experience to help others learn and grow.

If you're interested in becoming an online tutor, do some research on the different platforms available and start building your profile today.

20. Take surveys for cash

Taking surveys for cash is another popular way to make money online. Many companies and research firms are willing to pay people to take surveys and provide feedback on products or services.

There are many survey websites that you can sign up for, including Swagbucks, Toluna, and YouGov.

These platforms will send you surveys to complete, and you'll earn cash or gift cards for your participation.

While taking surveys may not make you rich, it can be a good way to earn some extra cash in your spare time. Just be sure to do your research on the different survey websites available, as some may be more reputable than others.

21. Become a product tester

Companies are always looking for feedback on their products, and they are willing to pay people to test them out. You can become a product tester and receive free products to test and review.

Some of the most popular product testing websites in the UK include Toluna, Product Testing UK, and Tryit Sampling.

These platforms will send you products to test, and in exchange, you'll need to provide feedback on the product.

Becoming a product tester can be a fun and easy way to earn some extra money and try out new products.

However, be sure to only sign up for reputable product testing websites to avoid scams.

22. Flip domains

Flipping domains is the process of buying and selling domain names for a profit. You can buy a domain name that you think will be in demand in the future and sell it at a higher price later on.

To start flipping domains, you'll need to do some research on which domain names are currently in demand and what they are selling for.

Some popular domain-flipping websites include Flippa, Sedo, and GoDaddy Auctions.

Flipping domains can be a lucrative business, but it does require some upfront investment and knowledge about the industry.

However, with some time and effort, you can turn flipping domains into a profitable side hustle.

23. Utilize cashback websites

Cashback websites allow you to earn money back on your online purchases. When you shop through a cashback website, you'll earn a percentage of your purchase back in cash.

Some popular cashback websites in the UK include Quidco, TopCashback, and OhMyDosh. These platforms offer cashback on a wide variety of retailers, from clothing stores to travel websites.

Using cashback websites is an easy and passive way to earn some extra money on your everyday purchases. Just be sure to do your research on the different cashback websites available to find the best deals and offers.

24. Become a social media manager

If you have a talent for social media, you can become a social media manager for businesses and individuals.

Social media managers are responsible for managing and creating content for social media platforms, as well as engaging with followers and growing the audience.

To become a social media manager, you'll need to have a strong understanding of social media platforms and be able to create engaging content.

You can offer your services to businesses and individuals in your local area or look for jobs on freelance websites like Upwork and Freelancer.

Being a social media manager can be a great way to turn your social media skills into a profitable business. Just be sure to stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices in social media marketing.

25. Be an online friend

Believe it or not, you can get paid to be someone's online friend. Some people are looking for companionship or conversation and are willing to pay for it.

Websites like RentAFriend and FriendPC connect people who are looking for friends with those who are willing to be their friend for a fee.

As an online friend, you'll be expected to chat with your "friend" online or through video chat.

While being an online friend may not be for everyone, it can be an easy and flexible way to make some extra money in your spare time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different side hustles to make extra money in the UK, both online and offline.

By exploring the different methods we have discussed in this article and finding what works best for you, you can start earning extra income and achieving your financial goals.