45 Online side hustles you can start in South Africa in 2024

Want to start an online side hustle? You’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we share 45 ways to make money online in South Africa. And tell you how to get started.

Let’s go.

 

Online side hustles in South Africa

Starting a side-hustle online is a great way to make extra cash in your spare time. From the comfort of your home. Plus, the internet has the ability to help your side-hustle scale. Who knows… it could even become your main hustle.

Btw, you may also like these related posts:

• How to make money online in South Africa
• How to make passive income in South Africa
• How to become rich in South Africa

 

Here are 45 ways to make money online in SA.

 

45 Online side hustle ideas for South Africans

1. Do social media management online

Businesses, from startups to established brands, need someone to manage their social media platforms. Since most small to medium businesses don’t want to hire someone full-time, you can do it for them and charge a fixed fee each month.

How to get started: Begin by proving that you can do the job well. Create a portfolio to showcase your social media management skills. If you don’t have clients, create one using fictitious brands. Include campaigns, engagement strategies, and content plans. Then, reach out to small businesses or start your journey on freelance platforms.

 

2. Work as a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants do a wide range of administrative tasks. Anything from managing emails and schedules to handling customer inquiries. As a side hustle, you could help employers in different time zones and work in the morning or at night.

How to get started: Put together your CV and create a profile on freelance or VA job sites. Then, apply for jobs and keep optimising your profile and CV. Networking on professional social media platforms can also open opportunities.

 

3. Freelance as a Content Writer or Copywriter

There’s a lot of demand for content writing and copywriting. Plus, this is something that anyone can get good at. And writing usually works with deadlines, which means you can do it in your own time.

How to get started: Draft written samples in various niches to showcase your skill and expertise. Then, set up a profile on freelance platforms, apply on job sites, or reach out directly. You could also apply on sites like Get A Copywriter, Textbroker, and Express Writers.

 

4. Rent out or lease items on online platforms

Using platforms like Gumtree, you can list anything that someone may want to rent and rent it out as a side hustle. Tools, decor, event equipment, cars, and generators are just a few popular items that you could rent out.

How to get started: Do you have anything to rent out? If not, then you may need to invest to get started. Take inventory of your assets. Take photos. Write an ad. And share your items-for-rent on platforms like Gumtree,  relevant Facebook groups, or your own website.

 

5. Curate and sell travel experience packages

Platforms like Viator, GetYourGuide, and ToursByLocals sell travel experiences online. As a side-hustle you partner with local businesses to set up a curated travel experience. The partners provide the experience and you get cut for selling or promoting it to travellers.

How to get started: Make a list of potential partners. Come up with a memorable experience that visitors would love to buy. Then, join Viator, GetYourGuide, and ToursByLocals to publish the experience and start selling. Try other promotional tactics like posting in Facebook groups, starting an Instagram page, or leaving flyers at local hotels or Airbnbs.

 

6. Do user testing tasks online

User testing is a form of research that gets real people to interact with websites and apps so designers and developers can improve how user-friendly everything is. Platforms like UserTesting pay ‘users’ (that’s you) to help do tests. All online from the comfort of your home.

How to get started: Apply to join a platform like UserTesting. Answer screening questions to get matched with opportunities. Browse jobs and complete tests to make money online. UserTesting is the most popular platform, but you can Google ‘UserTesting alternatives’ to find more.

 

7. Teach English to kids online

Online tutoring combines the joy of teaching with the convenience of working from anywhere, offering a rewarding experience as you help students achieve their academic goals.

How to get started: Get TEFL certified. Prepare your workspace. And apply to become a teacher on one of hundreds of popular platforms. TEFL has a great page that tells you everything. Plus, it lists dozens of popular online English teaching platforms where you can find work.

 

8. Do virtual fitness coaching

Even fitness coaching takes place online nowadays. If you’re fit. Understand how to lose weight and build muscle. And can do meal planning. Well… then you can offer virtual fitness coaching.

How to get started: Write down what you offer, what it costs, and how it helps your clients. Then, decide how you’re going to connect with clients, share meal plans, and track progress. Thereafter, it’s time to get clients. Network on social media, host free in-person classes on Meetup, and engage in fitness communities. There are lots of ways to get people to sign up.

 

9. Freelance as a Graphic Designer or Illustrator

Anyone with creative skills can make decent to good money as a graphic designer. And, as a freelancer, you get to work on your own schedule.

How to get started: Start with your design or illustration portfolio. Put together designs and share them on freelance platforms, Behance, or Dribbble. These platforms can help you find clients, plus you can apply for jobs on job sites. Sites like LinkedIn or Indeed, for example.

 

10. Freelance as a Web Designer or Web Developer

On average, web designers earn more than graphic designers. And developers, even more. So, if you’ve got the skills. Or the patience to learn. Then, freelance web jobs can help you make good money on the side. In fact, you could eventually do it full-time.

How to get started: Sharpen your skills in web design or development. Online courses or free resources by popular tools like Figma, Webflow, or Elementor can help you learn. Then, build a portfolio website to showcase your work. And finally, find clients. Use job sites, freelance platforms, portfolio platforms, and communities to connect with potential clients.

 

11. Sell crafts, art, furniture, and more on Etsy

Etsy is an ideal platform for creatives looking to turn their hobby into a profitable side hustle. The platform offers a global marketplace where you can sell handmade goods, vintage items, crafts, and more.

How to get started: Brainstorm what you can sell on the platform. Do some research to see what’s popular. Think about what you can make. And offer your own take on something that people already love buying. Sign up and start selling.

 

12. Create and sell digital products

There’s one really compelling reason to sell digital products—you only have to make it once. It’s possible to make good money, since digital products can be sold an infinite number of times. The hard part is getting people to buy. Common examples are products like templates, tools, ebooks, or games and virtual goods. 

How to get started: The best approach depends on what you’re selling. First, consider what kinds of digital products you can create—that people actually want. Then dig deeper and find out how others are selling the same type of product.

 

13. Sell products on Takealot

Apply to become a seller on Takealot. It’s South Africa’s leading online retailer and has over 3 million online shoppers. 

How to get started: First, you’ll need a product. Then you can apply to sell on Takealot. If your application gets approved then you’ll go through onboarding. After that… It’s time to sell. Keep in mind that Takealot charges monthly subscription fee of R400* per seller account/month.

 

14. Build a no-code app

With no-code platforms like Bubble and Webflow, you don’t need to be a developer to build an app.

How to get started: Learn more about building no-code apps. Conor Finlayson is a good teacher. Then, brainstorm your first app idea, choose your no-code tool suite, and start building.

 

15. Get a part-time Technical Support or Customer Service Representative Job

South African labour is more affordable overseas. This means there’s an opportunity for South Africans to get jobs as Technical Support or Customer Service Representative. Working with countries in different time zones makes it easier to work part-time outside of your normal working hours.

How to get started: Highlight your communication skills and any relevant experience in your resume. Apply for jobs that fit your needs on LinkedIn and Indeed, or try platforms like FlexJobs, Upwork, and Fiverr.

 

16. Take on translation or transcription projects

Fluent in more than one language? Then you can become a part-time translator. Fast typer and a good listener? Then, transcription services may be a great way for you to earn extra income with your linguistic skills.

How to get started: Sign up on platforms that specialise in translation or transcription service jobs. ProZ, TextMaster, and Unbabel are popular platforms. Plus the usual freelance platforms usually offer jobs, too.

 

17. Work as a Remote Data Entry Clerk

Data entry is a flexible online side hustle that requires attention to detail but minimal technical skills.

How to get started: Look for data entry jobs on online job boards and freelance platforms. Highlight any previous experience. And point out your proficiency with data management software in your applications.

 

18. Freelance as a Video Editor

Video is in-demand. And with it, so is the need for video editors. Plus it’s the perfect job for a freelancer working from home online.

How to get started: As always, showcase your work. Develop a portfolio that highlights the editing styles and techniques you’ve mastered. Reach out to content creators, digital marketing agencies, and businesses that rely on video content to secure a few clients. And of course, you can use freelance platforms to find gigs, too.

 

19. Freelance as a 3D Artist or Animator

3D art and animation are another great skill to offer as a side hustle on freelance platforms and job boards.

How to get started: Put together your portfolio and showcase it online. ArtStation, Behance, Dribbble and Instagram are popular platforms for sharing 3D art and animations. With your portfolio ready. Seek jobs or clients on freelance platforms and 3D artist job boards.

 

20. Develop software for clients

Sure, not everyone is a developer. But nowadays, anyone can learn. Plus, ChatGPT makes a great dev assistant. As a software developer you can do freelance work on platforms or work with clients directly.

How to get started: Get good at programming and coding. freeCodeCamp and Codecademy are great places to learn. Then, start with small projects. Respond to jobs on freelance platforms, LinkedIn, and other job sites. You could also join a talent marketplace like OfferZen for longer part-time contracts.

 

21. Deliver UI/UX design services

User-interface and user-experience design are high paying design design-thinking jobs. If you’ve got design skills, then UI/UX design could be a profitable side-hustle.

How to get started: Make sure you understand UX/UX design. Work on projects to build up a portfolio. Then, find clients on platforms, job sites and job boards, or social media.

 

22. Draft architectural designs for clients

That’s right, even architects can have a hustle on the side. You can offer architectural design services remotely and part time. Ideal for earning some extra cash.

How to get started: As always, show your work. Put together your portfolio and CV first. Then, reach out to firms and real estate developers, and offer your services freelance platforms.

 

23. Produce music for artists, ads, and videos

Talented producers can find lots of opportunities creating music for various projects.

How to get started: First, decide what kind of projects you want to work on. Pick a category with lots of demand. Next, make a few tracks or clips. Then use outreach to connect with potential clients, including filmmakers, game developers, and advertisers. Platforms like Soundbetter, Airgigs, and the usuals—Fiverr and Upwork are also great places to find work.

 

24. Do voice-overs for audio and video projects

Voice-over work includes commercials, video narrations, audiobooks, broadcasts and more. If your voice is soft on the ears or animated, then you may have an opportunity here.

How to get started: Record demo reels and clips showcasing different styles of your voice-over capabilities. Then, use online platforms [like Voices, Voicebooking, Upwork or Fiver] or local agencies to find gigs. Note that if you want to work remotely, you may need to invest in some gear.

 

25. Freelance as a Podcast Editor or Producer

The podcasts are really popular right now. As a result, the demand for people who can help make them has grown. Edit podcasts in your own time or join a project that allows you to work when you’re not at your day-job.

How to get started: Make sure you can work the software and do a great job. Put together some of your work or reach out to work for free to build momentum. Then, reach out to emerging podcasts or podcast talent agencies. And, of course, apply for jobs on freelance websites.

 

26. Do email marketing for businesses or personalities

Email marketing is a valuable service for businesses. And it’s something most small/medium businesses neglect. Do you know your way around email marketing tools and tactics? If so, then you could offer email marketing services as a side hustle.

How to get started: If you’re not familiar, learn more about email marketing tools and tactics. Campaign Monitor has a free Academy you could check out. Once you know what you’re doing, find some work. Use popular job sites, freelancing platforms or good old outreach to find clients.

 

27. Deliver SEO services for businesses

If you have Search Engine Optimization (SEO) experience, then you can set up your own SEO service side hustle.

How to get started: Define your offer—what companies get and how much it costs. Then, you can try and find clients on freelance platforms like Upwork, try emailing companies, or use your SEO skills to attract clients. 

 

28. Run ad campaigns as a Digital Ad or PPC Specialist

Advertising is a must for most businesses. It’s usually the first thing a business will spend money on. Become a reliable Digital Ad or PPC specialist and build and manage ad campaigns for businesses on the side.

How to get started: Facebook and Google are the most popular ad platforms, and both offer free certifications. Google has its Skillshop and Facebook has its Blueprint learning platform. Master either or both. Then find clients on job sites, freelance platforms, Facebook Groups, social media or by contacting businesses.

 

29. Proofread text for writers and businesses

That’s right, if you love reading and have the language credentials to back it up, then you can make extra money as a proofreader.The surge in content creation has fueled a growing need for skilled proofreaders. This role is critical in enhancing the readability and professionalism of written material.

How to get started: Use platforms like ProofreadingServices.com, Freelancer, Upwork, and Guru to find proofreading jobs or get hired.

 

30. Work as a part-time Virtual Therapist

We’re in the 2020s. Everyone is comfortable doing everything online nowadays. Including therapy. If you’re qualified, you could offer part-time virtual therapy as a side hustle. (Or full-time if you’d like.)

How to get started: Are you licensed? Then you can apply for Online Therapist jobs on South African platforms like Headroom, TherapyNOW, and others.

 

31. Work as a part-time Online Community Manager

Lots of organisations use online communities to engage their customers. Any place that has hundreds or thousands of people gathering needs someone to manage things. Online communities create the opportunity to work online.

How to get started: Put together your CV or develop a portfolio showcasing your experience with community management, engagement and growth. Then, use platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to find roles that match your skills and interests. Try and find something that suits your availability and schedule to earn some extra income.

 

32. Work part-time as a Content Moderator

Content Moderators keep an eye on user-generated content (like comments or posts) on platforms and in communities. They make sure everything adheres to the platform or community guidelines.

How to get started: Start by getting involved in an online community. If you’re an active part of the community then you could ask to become a moderator. Even if it’s for free at first. Later, you can use this experience to apply for paid work on job sites or by contacting platforms and communities directly.

 

33. Become an Online Research Assistant

Got a knack for doing research, digging things up online, or analysing data? Well, then you could find work as an online research assistant and get paid to do research in your spare time.

How to get started: Show off your research abilities on platforms, in a PDF ‘portfolio’, or by sharing interesting things online. Twitter is great for this. Then, find work on job sites, freelance platforms, social media, or an assistant marketplace like We are Working.

 

34. Manage e-commerce stores for owners

You have to know your way around ecommerce platforms for this one. But you can always learn. Online shops have a lot going on and most need an extra hand doing some of the admin, marketing, and management.

How to get started: Get familiar with popular e-commerce platforms. Shopify (get certified) and WooCommerce are the two biggest. Find a way to prove that you’re right for the job. Whether that’s with a CV, certifications, case studies, or whatever. Then, go find work or clients on platforms or by reaching out to shops.

 

35. Do online event planning

Virtual events need planning, too. For organised, creative, event-oriented individuals, coordinating online events part-time can be an excellent way to make more money on the side.

How to get started: Put together your CV and find remote event planning or coordination jobs on job sites like LinkedIn.

 

36. Start an online service business

Starting an online service business is a lot like freelancing. Except, this time, it’s more official, and you can use a team to do the work for you. If you’re able to get a steady stream of projects, then you could operate the business instead of just freelancing yourself. 

How to get started: It’s best to start with a particular niche or industry. Offering only one or two services also makes it easier to manage your team and show clients what kinds of results they can expect. Get clients by networking, using online platforms, contacting businesses, or advertising.

 

37. Capture and sell stock photos or videos

If you have a camera and photography or videography skills, then you can sell your photos or videos for commercial use. Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and iStock are three of the biggest platforms. But there are many more.

How to get started: Start with your strategy. How are you going to get your photos and videos noticed? One strategy is to target keywords without a lot of competition. That way, when someone searches, your assets come up. Another strategy is to make deep libraries in popular categories. Capture, upload to one of the platforms, and make sure your content gets discovered to start selling.

 

38. Start an online shop

Launching an online shop is an excellent side hustle. And it’s never been easier.

How to get started: First, do your research and decide what you’re going to sell. Then, give your brand a name and use Canva to design a logo or hire a designer on Upwork or LinkedIn. Next, create or order your first products and set up your online shop. Shopify is the easiest platform to start on. Finally, do regular marketing to get your product out there and sell it.

 

39. Create and sell courses online

If you’ve got valuable knowledge and either a good online reputation or outstanding marketing skills… then you can sell courses and make a lot of money. Take Justin Welsh for example, he’s one of the highest earning course-sellers in the world. Making over $5 million in the last five years.

How to get started: To sell online courses, you’ll need a way to get your course in front of potential students. Using social media to build a reputation is one way to get it out there. Another is to run ads. Either way, you’ll need to prove that you know what you’re talking about before people will buy. Establish a reputation and create your course content. Then, use platforms like Teachable, Maven, Gumroad [or their alternatives] to make it easy for anyone to buy.

 

40. Start a blog (and monetize it)

Blogging can be a great side-hustle. You’ll need to post regularly and can get your blog in front of readers. Then, you can monetise your blog to start making extra money.

How to get started: Choose your niche and launch your blog. Use WordPress to build a website or a platform like Medium if you’re less technical. With a WordPress blog, you can use SEO to rank in Google, get readers, and start earning ad revenue with Google Adsense. If you use Medium, then you can build a community to get more readers and monetise your popular posts with affiliate links.

 

41. Start a YouTube channel (and monetize it)

It’s not too late to start a YouTube channel. And YouTube can help unlock lots of different income opportunities. Ad revenue, affiliate commissions, sponsors, and even your own product sales.

How to get started: Get to know the YouTube economy. Learn more about how it all works and how to monetise your channel. Then, start creating content, be patient, and keep posting consistently. Most channels don’t make any money. And the ones that do, only start making money after several months or years. Google has a free course about earning ad revenue on the platform.

 

42. Start a podcast (and monetize it)

In February, Spotify and Joe Rogan renewed their partnership. The new deal is estimated to be worth $250 million. That proves podcasts are valuable. If you have a great personality, interesting perspective, or valuable knowledge, then you could start a podcast.

How to get started: Choose a style or a niche. Invest in decent recording equipment. You don’t have to go overboard when you start. You can always upgrade later. Then record, publish, and promote—consistently! After getting some traction, you may have sponsors reach out or you can reach out to them.

 

43. Start a newsletter (and monetize it)

Newsletters can make a lot of money. Especially when the audience starts to grow. You make money by writing a daily, weekly, or monthly email newsletter. Then as it becomes popular, you can start selling ads on your newsletter.

How to get started: Chenell Basilio writes Growth in Reverse. Check out her content. Matt McGarry is another useful resource. He’s worked with popular newsletters like The Milkroad and The Hustle. Check out their content and subscribe to newsletters you like so you can emulate what’s working. The Open Letter is a great South African startup newsletter.

 

44. Become an Instagram Influencer

A popular Instagram channel can turn into a brand and a source of extra income. Influencers make money through sponsored posts, brand partnerships, and affiliates. (Just to name a few.)

How to get started: Give it some thought. What kind of influencer are you best suited to become? Or what are you interested in? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to becoming an IG influencer. What matters is learning how to utilise the platform to engage and grow your following. You have to learn how to play the game.

 

45. Write and sell your own software

If you have software development skills [or are willing to learn] then creating and selling software products can be a really valuable side-hustle. Some of the biggest companies in the world are software companies.

How to get started: Identify a need in the market. What can you build that people desperately need? Or what exists, but could be ten times better? Build a software product that solves a real problem. Then, explore ways to get your first customers. ProductHunt is a great platform to launch on, and IndieHackers is a community of builders who you can learn from.

 

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot you can do online.

In fact, several of the ideas in this list can be combined. Making money online involves mastering the way the internet works. Half the battle is getting your product, service, or content out there. But if you can get seen online and people like what you have to offer…

You could make anything from a couple thousand Rand to millions online.

Want to learn more? Keep reading on Everycent.