15 Best Side Hustle Ideas to Earn Extra Money from Home

Earning money has always been important, and in today’s era of huge competition, everybody is looking for a little extra income. Whether you are a student or a working professional, additional income can help you achieve and live the life of your dreams. This is where the idea of side hustle shines.

While you continue doing what you do, a side hustle allows you to take out some time from your daily routine to generate extra income. What has made side hustles popular in today’s world is the ease of doing them. A big thanks to the technological advancements!

It is indeed time to use technology beyond entertainment and create financial stability. Isn’t it? In this article, we will help you explore 15 exciting side income ideas that can help you earn side income while sitting in the comfort of your home and not disturbing what you are already pursuing.

List of the best side income ideas in India

Take a quick look at these second income ideas in India that create a reliable second source of income:

Advantages of Doing a Side Hustle:

Boosting financial stability is something we all are looking for, and side hustle is a reliable way forward. If you are dabbling with the idea of picking up side hustles to earn money, here are some advantages that will get you on board:

1. Increased Financial Stability
Regardless of how much you earn every month, side hustle brings financial security by adding a significant amount to your bank every month. This helps in better financial planning like paying off debts, savings and everyday expenses.

2. Allows Flexibility
The best part about a side hustle is that it can be done at a time and pace that is comfortable for you. There is no need to drop what you are already pursuing. All you need to do is improve your time management skills, and you will earn a good amount.

3. A Chance at Your Passion
Stuck with a job or study that wasn’t your dream? A side hustle is your chance to pursue the passion you thought you would never pick again. Whether it is the entertainment sector, creative field or teaching, now is your chance to get back at it.

15 Best Side Hustle Ideas to Earn Extra Money from Home:

There are multiple ways to earn extra money from the comfort of your home. Here are some of the simplest ways to do the same.

1. GroMo Partner Program:

GroMo has emerged as a leading platform for those looking to earn that extra income while sitting in the comforts of their home. The website allows you to earn impressive commissions by selling financial products like loans or investment plans.

Registering with the GroMo Partner Program is simple and does not require any physical visit. The platform is known for offering commission rates that let people earn up to ₹1 lakh/month1 with basic communication and convincing skills. To give you an idea, here’s the commission rate for various financial products offered by GroMo:

a. Credit Card: Up to ₹3500
b. Personal Loan: Up to 4% commission
c. Savings Account: Up to ₹1300
d. Demat Account: Up to ₹1750
e. Credit Line: Up to ₹1400
f. Investment Products: Up to ₹1200
g. UPI Transactions: ₹90 per new account.

2. Freelancing Services:

If you feel that you are good at something but limited time and financial restraints are stopping you from pursuing it, then freelancing is exactly what you need. You can offer freelancing services at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle to earn side income from home.

Additionally, here you are your boss, so you work when you want to earn a significant amount by offering services like content writing, tuition, sales, marketing, social media management and a lot more.

How much you can earn?: An average annual salary of ₹7.3 Lakhs

3. Online Tutoring and Teaching:

Post covid, online education has become popular, and now it is an opportunity for you to make it a second source of income. As an online tutor, your primary job is to provide guidance and mentorship in any subject you consider yourself good at. There is enhanced flexibility as you can either start your online tutoring class or join a well-established name to suit your comfort. In addition to being a promising way to generate extra income, teaching is and will always be a noble profession.

How much you can earn?: ₹5,000 – ₹51,046 per month

4. Affiliate Marketing:

The Indian market has a huge consumer base, which makes it a great place for affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is basically where companies or brands market their products and services through affiliates who have a good social media presence, impressive communication skills, and convincing skills. As an affiliate, your job is primarily to advertise and market different types of products and services to earn commissions.

Other than GroMo, there are other affiliate marketing websites for you to explore, such as Flipkart, eBay, Amazon, Myntra, etc. Read this blog to know about the "top 15 High paying affiliate programs in India"

How much you can earn?: ₹1 lakh/month with GroMo

5. Content Creation and Blogging:

Content creation and blogging have become one of the most popular ways to earn side income for students. If you have been active on social media, you probably have already witnessed its popularity. Now is your turn to earn money by creating content in a niche of your choice, like fashion, lifestyle, fitness, travel, education etc.

What makes content writing and blogging a great opportunity is its zero-investment nature. All you need is your phone's camera and basic recording and editing skills to kick-start your journey as a creator. You would be surprised how, after creating a solid base, platforms like Instagram or YouTube can boost your income.

6. Dropshipping and E-commerce:

Wondering how you can make money with your creative products without having to invest a lot? Drop Shipping and E-commerce is your answer. Dropshipping is where you sell products online without stocking or shipping them. This means that you are saving the cost of maintaining an inventory or taking shipping responsibilities. Your job begins once the shopper has made the purchase. Dropshipping is one of the fastest-growing side hustles to make money in India.

How much you can earn?: ₹20,000 to ₹5,00,000/month on average

7. Social Media Management:

Social media is a great space for those looking for second-income opportunities. You get to expand your income without being bound by strict time frames. Companies, brands and even individuals are always on the lookout for a smart and creative person to handle their social media, bring traffic and come up with unique ideas to place their products and services right. From posting stories to handling everyday posts, you get to earn side income online.

How much you can earn?: ₹30,000/month on average

8. Ride-sharing and Delivery Services:

If you have bandwidth from your existing lifestyle, ride-sharing and delivery services are a great way to expand your income. Today, the majority of the population wants everything delivered to their doorstep. Good for you as you get to earn by providing what they need.

Register yourself as a delivery agent with popular names like Zomato, Zepto, and Swiggy or e-commerce websites like Blue Dart. In addition to this, it is time to put your driving skills to use by working with Ola or Uber.

How much you can earn? ₹24,000 to ₹35,000/month on average

9. Virtual Assistance:

As a virtual assistant, your job would be to offer administrative services to various clients from a remote location. You can work with leading companies or individuals to help them plan their day, monthly meetings and overall calendar organisation.

The demand for virtual assistants has grown over the years as everyday life became busier, and the need for a person who can organize everyday schedules grew. You can continue doing what you are pursuing presently while also working as a virtual assistant to earn extra. Virtual assistance is one of the most reliable side gigs to earn money especially if you love management work.

How much you can earn?: ₹30,000 to ₹48,881/month on average

10. Stock Market Investments:

The stock market has become way more accessible than it was a couple of decades ago. Thanks to online trading portals, you can earn a significant amount by investing in the stock market. All you need is a trading account, an internet connection and a basic understanding of the stock market to start making investments.

There is a wide pool for you to decide where you wish to put your money in and that does not require constant gauging. With long-term investments, you can create a steady and reliable source of income for all your plans.

11. Real Estate Rentals:

If you have a property that is not in use, it is time you put it out for rentals. Real estate rentals are possibly the most relaxed way to generate income monthly. Whether it is a metropolitan city or rural area, finding tenants for your property is not a tough nut to crack. To take it a step further, you can put your property on online rental sites like Airbnb and expand your income considerably.

12. Online Surveys and Market Research:

Data and information are the foundation for companies to function, and if you have a basic understanding of what's relevant, you are in for good money. You can work as a freelancer who offers online surveys and market research to companies of different niches. Participate in online surveys or market research studies to earn money or rewards. Websites like Swagbucks and Toluna offer such opportunities.

13. Handmade Crafts and Products:

Trust the experts when they say that the market is moving towards sustainable, traditional and organic products. If you possess the skill to make crafts like decor pieces, jewellery, etc., then it is time for you to make money from it. Platforms like Etsy or even local markets are perfect to start putting your crafts and products out. The best part is that while you get to earn extra income, you are also promoting sustainability and an eco-friendly lifestyle.

14. App Development and Software Creation:

App development and software creation are possibly the most popular fields in today’s world. Whether you do it for yourself or help a company develop their software, the income is impressive.

Develop apps or software solutions and monetise them through sales or in-app purchases. Consider using platforms like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You can get in touch with leading companies to sell your software or application and earn money.

15. Online Courses and Webinars:

Remember how we talked about online education being the go-to method for students post-COVID? You don't have to limit yourself to offering tuition. Online courses and webinars are worth exploring. There is a growing demand for skill development and technical courses that you can offer and earn a significant amount. Webinars are worth exploring if you possess good communication skills and want to impart your wisdom on any topic. Creating and selling online courses or conducting webinars with platforms like Udemy or Teachable has become easier.

Choose Wisely and Do Your Research

Embarking on a journey to expand your income sounds like an appealing idea. Remember to be careful while choosing a niche or website to offer services. While there are many options available as side jobs to earn money, it is on you to act smartly and research well before investing money or time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the most practical side hustles?
There are multiple options to explore for side hustle. Given the market trend and demand, freelancing, web designing, affiliate marketing, online tuitions, courses and webinars, stock market investment and dropshipping are practical choices that can help expand income.

2. What is the best source of income in India?
India’s consumer market is huge and keeps getting bigger, making it a great place to sell all its products and services. Whether it is app development and web design or stock market investment and delivery services, there is a wide window to generate income.

3. How do I start a side hustle?
Starting a side hustle appears to be an exciting idea to generate additional income but multiple options often make it confusing. To make a smart choice, you should first understand your interests and evaluate the demand in the market to make the most of it. You can start by registering with platforms like GroMo to earn impressive income each month.

4. What are the most profitable side hustles to make money?
Earning money through side hustles has become easier with the coming of technology and an increase in market demand. Options like freelancing, stock market trading, app development, online tuitions, dropshipping or selling handmade products are considered highly profitable ideas.

5. What are the easiest side hustles to start?
Remember that every side hustle requires you to be smart and put in some work. However, as a beginner, you can start with side hustles that don't require investment money like creating content, offering freelance services, app development/web design or online tuition.

6. Where can I find customers for my side hustle?
Social media is a global village that hosts people from all generations and social statuses, making it the right place to find customers. Additionally, networking outside the cyber world can also help develop a solid customer base.

7. How much time should I dedicate to my side hustle to make it successful?
A side hustle is a subjective space, and therefore, there isn’t a strict time frame that you need to follow. On average, 3-4 hours/ day is considered a good time to dedicate to a side hustle. Remember that your side hustle should not hamper your studies or the job that you are already pursuing.