How to Make Money Online as a Teen

Navigating the Poor Moneymaking Ideas Online

Let’s face it, the internet is a wild and wonderful place, but it’s also filled with countless poor moneymaking ideas that promise overnight riches but leave you feeling disappointed and broke. 

Trust me. I’ve seen it all – from envelope-stuffing schemes to pyramid-shaped “opportunities” to doing SURVEYS (trust me, you don’t want to do surveys). It’s easy to get lost in the sea of empty promises, but fear not. That’s why we’ve settled on these four business models as the cream of the crop for teens looking to make money online.

These four business models – affiliate marketing, web design agency, print-on-demand, and dropshipping – stand out from the crowd because they offer genuine, long-term success potential. They’re not get-rich-quick schemes or shady “opportunities” that require you to recruit your friends and family. Instead, they’re tried-and-true business models that have helped countless people build sustainable, profitable online businesses.

Here’s why these four models rise above the poor:

Legitimacy: Each of these business models is based on providing real value to customers, whether it’s through promoting high-quality products (affiliate marketing), creating beautiful websites (web design agency), designing unique products (print-on-demand), or selling in-demand items without the hassle of inventory (dropshipping). There’s no trickery or deceit involved – just good, honest business practices.

Scalability: These business models are built for growth. As you gain experience and build your reputation, you can expand your offerings, reach new customers, and increase your profits. They’re not limited to small-scale operations or short-term gains – you can truly build a thriving online business with each of these models.

Adaptability: The world of online business is ever-changing, and these four business models are designed to adapt and evolve with the times. As new technologies, trends, and consumer preferences emerge, you can tweak and refine your business to stay ahead of the curve and continue to succeed.

Sustainability: Unlike many poor moneymaking ideas that fizzle out quickly, these four business models have demonstrated staying power. They’ve been around for years and continue to thrive, proving that they’re not just passing fads but rather solid foundations for long-term success.

Affiliate marketing 

I love affiliate marketing. It’s like being a salesperson without having to put on a suit or actually talk to people. As a teen, you’re constantly recommending products to your friends anyway, so why not make money from it? I’ll tell you how.

Step 1: Sign up for an affiliate marketing program. There are tons out there. Check our our guide for a step-by-step tutorial.

Step 2: Find products you genuinely believe in. Seriously, don’t try to sell snake oil. You won’t make any friends, and more importantly, you won’t make any money.

Step 3: Share your affiliate links on your social media, blog, or YouTube channel. Just remember not to be pushy, or you’ll come across as an annoying salesperson. And nobody wants that.

Web Design Agency

You know what they say, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” If you have a knack for web design, it’s time to cash in on your skills. Here’s how to start your own web design agency because who wouldn’t want to be their own boss?

Step 1: Learn the basics. Brush up on your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills. If you’re feeling fancy, dive into PHP and Python too.

Step 2: Build a portfolio. You’ll need to showcase your skills to potential clients, so whip up some impressive designs and then store them on your website for easy access. Speaking of websites, check out our guide for a step-by-step guide to setting up your own agency website.

Step 3: Market yourself. Use social media, word of mouth, and even old-school flyers to spread the word. Just remember, people are more likely to hire you if they see a funny meme, so don’t forget to add some humor to your marketing!

Print-on-Demand

If you’re a creative genius with a knack for designing witty t-shirts, then print-on-demand is the perfect way to make money online. And no, you don’t need a warehouse to store your products or a printing press in your basement. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create a design. Unleash your inner artist and come up with unique, eye-catching, and funny designs that people will love.

Step 2: Choose a platform. There are many print-on-demand platforms out there, but if you want the inside scoop, head over to our guide to find the best one for you.

Step 3: Promote your products. Share your designs on social media, and watch the money roll in. Just remember, if your designs aren’t selling, it’s not because people don’t like them – it’s because they have no taste.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping – the business model where you can sell products without actually touching them. It’s like having an invisible store. No need for inventory or shipping hassles. Just pure, sweet profit. Intrigued? Here’s how to become a teen dropshipping tycoon:

Step 1: Choose a niche. Find products that people want, but don’t go too mainstream, or you’ll be lost in a sea of competition. Think of something unique, like glow-in-the-dark cat collars, for example.

Step 2: Set up your online store. You can use platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify to make this process easier. For a detailed guide, visit our guide and learn how to set up your store like a pro.

Step 3: Find a supplier. This is crucial because a reliable supplier is the backbone of your dropshipping business. Do your research, and make sure they’re legit. Remember, a happy supplier means a happy you.

So there you have it, my young friends! Four fantastic ways to make money online as a teen. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility, so use your newfound financial freedom wisely. And if you ever feel like giving up, just remember that there’s a whole world of adults out there who still can’t figure out how to make money online. So, keep hustling, and show them who’s boss!

Why These 4 Business Models Are the Bee’s Knees

So, why did I choose these four business models? Simple! They’re perfect for teens like you who want to make money online. Here’s why:

Long-Term Success and Automation

These business models aren’t just quick cash grabs. They have the potential for long-term success if you’re willing to put in the effort. Once you’ve set up your affiliate marketing, web design agency, print-on-demand, or dropshipping business, you can automate many aspects of it. For example, you can use tools like email marketing, social media schedulers, and inventory management software to keep things running smoothly. Plus, automation means you’ll have more time to focus on your studies or other passions (or just binge-watch your favorite shows).

Low Investment

Let’s be real – as a teen, you probably don’t have a ton of money to invest in a business venture. That’s why these four models are perfect for you. They require very little upfront investment, which means you can start making money without breaking the bank (or asking your parents for a loan). You can begin your affiliate marketing journey for free, and for the other three models, you’ll only need to invest in website hosting, domain registration, and perhaps a few design tools.

Ideal for Students

One of the most challenging parts of being a student entrepreneur is balancing your business with schoolwork. The beauty of these four business models is that they’re incredibly flexible. You can work on them during your spare time or even scale them up during school breaks. You won’t have to worry about sacrificing your education for your business or vice versa.

Unlimited Potential

The sky’s the limit with these business models! Once you’ve built a solid foundation, you can continue to expand and grow your online empire. Whether it’s adding more products to your dropshipping store, taking on more clients as a web designer, creating new designs for your print-on-demand business, or promoting additional affiliate products, the potential for growth is virtually unlimited.

Life Skills

These four business models will not only help you make money but also teach you valuable life skills. You’ll learn how to market your products and services, manage your time effectively, build relationships with suppliers and clients, and adapt to changing market trends. These skills will serve you well whether you decide to continue your entrepreneurial journey or apply them to other areas of your life.

Affiliate Marketing

Low Barrier to Entry: One of the key reasons affiliate marketing is perfect for teens is the low barrier to entry. You don’t need to create your own products, deal with inventory, or handle customer service. All you need is a platform to share your opinions and recommendations – like a blog or social media account – and you can start earning commissions. Plus, it’s totally acceptable to start with a shoestring budget, so you won’t need to save up for months before diving in.

Passive Income Potential: Who doesn’t love the idea of making money while they sleep? With affiliate marketing, you can create content that generates income long after you’ve published it. By focusing on evergreen topics and optimizing your content for search engines, you can attract visitors (and potential customers) for months or even years to come. Just make sure you keep your content fresh and up-to-date to maintain your credibility with your audience.

Builds Valuable Skills: As you embark on your affiliate marketing journey, you’ll develop skills that will benefit you throughout your life. You’ll learn about content creation, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and even basic web design. These skills can help you land a job, start another online business, or just impress your friends with your digital know-how.