By Tulesh Malekar
Making money online is no longer a dream—it’s a reality for millions worldwide. Whether you want extra cash or plan to build a full-time online business, earning your first $100 online is the first step. The good news? You don’t need fancy skills or big investments to get started.
This guide breaks down realistic, beginner-friendly ways to make your first $100 online, with practical steps and expert tips to help you succeed.
1. Freelancing – Get Paid for Your Skills
Freelancing is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to earn money online. If you have skills like writing, graphic design, video editing, data entry, or even voiceovers, you can start working today.
How to Start as a Freelancer:
✅ Create a profile on trusted platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour.
✅ Offer services in a niche you’re good at (e.g., writing blog posts, logo designing, or editing videos).
✅ Start with small projects at $10–$20 per gig and build a strong reputation.
💡 Pro Tip: Always optimize your profile with relevant keywords so clients can find you easily.
2. Sell Digital Products or Printables
Selling digital products is a passive income stream that lets you earn money while you sleep. You can sell eBooks, planners, resume templates, social media graphics, and more.
Where to Sell Digital Products:
🛍️ Etsy – Perfect for selling printables and digital planners.
📂 Gumroad – Great for eBooks and guides.
🖼️ Creative Market – Ideal for designers selling templates, fonts, and icons.
💰 How to Reach $100: Sell a $10 product to just 10 customers!
3. Make Money with Online Surveys
Surveys won’t make you rich, but they’re an easy way to earn your first $100 with minimal effort.
Best Survey Websites:
✔️ Swagbucks – Earn by taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping.
✔️ InboxDollars – Get paid for answering surveys and reading emails.
✔️ Survey Junkie – Trusted platform with frequent survey opportunities.
💡 Pro Tip: Use multiple survey sites to maximize your earnings.
4. Start a Blog and Monetize It
If you love writing, blogging can be a fantastic way to make money online. It takes time, but once you gain traffic, you can earn through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content.
How to Start a Blog:
1️⃣ Pick a niche (e.g., tech, health, personal finance).
2️⃣ Get a domain & hosting (Bluehost is affordable and beginner-friendly).
3️⃣ Write SEO-friendly content to attract readers.
4️⃣ Monetize with Google AdSense, affiliate links, or selling digital products.
💰 How to Earn $100: Get Google AdSense approval, and with 10,000 monthly visitors, you can easily make your first $100.
🔗 Read: How to Start a Blog That Makes Money
5. Affiliate Marketing – Earn by Promoting Products
Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commission-based income by promoting products.
How to Get Started:
✅ Sign up for Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate.
✅ Promote products through a blog, YouTube, or social media.
✅ Earn commissions each time someone buys through your link.
📈 Example: Promote a $50 product with a 10% commission rate – Sell 20 items to make your first $100!
6. Get Paid to Test Websites & Apps
Companies pay users to test websites and give feedback on user experience. This requires no special skills!
Best Platforms for Website Testing:
🖥️ UserTesting – Pays $10 per 20-minute test.
📱 TryMyUI – Earn $10 per test.
🖱️ UserFeel – Simple website testing tasks for beginners.
💡 How to Earn $100? Complete 10 website tests!
7. Offer Virtual Assistance Services
Virtual assistants (VAs) help businesses with tasks like email management, social media scheduling, and customer support.
How to Start:
✅ Create a profile on Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.
✅ Offer services such as email handling, calendar management, or research.
✅ Charge $10–$25 per hour – Work 5–10 hours to reach your $100 goal!
8. Sell Photos Online
If you enjoy photography, you can sell stock photos and earn money per download.
Best Websites to Sell Photos:
📷 Shutterstock
📸 Adobe Stock
🖼️ Alamy
💰 How to Earn $100? Upload high-quality images that people frequently search for (e.g., nature, business, food).
9. Dropshipping – Sell Products Without Inventory
Dropshipping lets you sell products online without keeping stock. When someone orders, your supplier ships directly to the customer.
How to Start:
🛒 Set up a store with Shopify.
📦 Find trending products on AliExpress.
🚀 Market your store through Facebook Ads or TikTok.
💰 How to Earn $100? Sell 10 products at $10 profit each!
Final Thoughts: Your First $100 Starts Now!
Making your first $100 online is completely doable if you stay consistent. Whether it’s freelancing, selling digital products, or affiliate marketing, there’s an option for everyone.
🔹 Which method will you try first? Let me know in the comments!