7 side hustles to help you make more money in 2026

The full‑time job is no longer the only path to financial stability. Many people now treat side hustles as smart experiments: ways to flex unused skills, discover new talents, or build a backup income stream.

Side hustles offer flexibility, allowing people to work around their schedules and earn meaningful income from just a few spare hours a week.

Successful side hustles match skills with real market demand. Shopify highlights that side hustles are increasingly viewed as opportunities to test entrepreneurial ideas without quitting a day job.

Here are seven realistic side hustles for 2026, ranging from quick weekly gigs to scalable ventures.

Freelance writing and editing

Upwork identifies freelance writing and editing as a top side hustle for people with strong communication skills. Businesses continuously need content such as blog posts, newsletters, and marketing copy. Even beginners can find entry points without a large portfolio, making this option widely accessible

Web development and design

Web development and design remain high-demand freelance skills, according to Upwork. Small businesses regularly seek website updates or custom solutions, and even basic coding or UX/UI knowledge can turn these projects into lucrative side income.

Virtual assistant or administrative support

Upwork explains that virtual assistants are in constant demand as small businesses outsource scheduling, bookkeeping, and data entry. These tasks provide flexible, steady work for people with organizational skills, without requiring upfront investment

Online tutoring or teaching

City University notes that tutoring in academic subjects or languages is growing in demand worldwide. Tutors can work from home, set their own rates, and manage hours according to personal schedules, making this a practical side hustle

Dropshipping or e‑commerce

Shopify highlights dropshipping and print-on-demand as low-risk ways to enter e-commerce. Entrepreneurs can run online stores without holding inventory, focusing on product selection and marketing to generate revenue

Selling digital products

Yahoo Finance reports that selling digital goods such as templates, courses, and eBooks provides high profit margins with minimal ongoing maintenance. Once created, these products can generate passive income

Social media management or content‑creation support

Yahoo Finance notes that small businesses and creators often outsource social media management. Freelancers with an understanding of trends and audience engagement can earn consistent monthly income by managing posts, campaigns, and interactions

Popular online hustle for digital creators

Monetize a YouTube channel

• Time to start: 1–2 weeks to create first videos
• Setup difficulty: Medium (requires basic video editing skills)
• Earning potential: $100–$10,000+/month (varies significantly by niche and audience size)
• Payout speed: Monthly (once you reach monetization thresholds)

With 2.53 billion monthly active users globally, there’s a good chance you already use YouTube. But did you know you can earn money by starting your own YouTube channel?

You don’t need expensive equipment or professional editing skills to start. Many successful YouTubers began with a smartphone and free video editing software. Focus on choosing a niche you’re genuinely passionate about—whether it’s gaming, cooking, personal finance, or DIY projects—and create content consistently.

Beginner advice
YouTube creators earn through the YouTube Partner Program, which allows them to monetize videos with ads. Once you meet the eligibility requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months), you can apply to join and start earning ad revenue. Beyond ads, successful creators also make money through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, channel memberships, and merchandise sales.

Lyn Allure built her YouTube channel to more than 400,000 subscribers by starting with simple lifestyle content, then evolving to share financial expertise as her interests matured. Her advice for beginners? 

“You absolutely have talent,” says Lyn in an interview with Shopify Masters. “You don’t have to be the best at something either, you just need to be helpful enough at it to help people.” 

Lyn was able to monetize her side hustle through AdSense, sponsorships, and merchandise.

How to get started
Start by making engaging videos and Shorts that appeal to your target audience. As you gain subscribers, explore monetization strategies such as joining the Partner Program and selling merch.