The internet has transformed the way people work. Among other changes, it has made it possible for Canadians to earn money online without leaving their homes. Online earnings can supplement your salary and help you achieve financial freedom. Most online jobs are easy to start as a side-hustle, with the potential to turn it into a full-time income.
With the right approach, anyone can start making money online, regardless of their experience and skills. In this article, we explore some popular ways to make money online in Canada to get you started on your online income journey.
Benefits of Making Money Online for Canadians
One of the biggest benefits of making money online is how flexible it is. Unlike traditional jobs where you are contracted to work certain hours, online jobs allow you to choose when and how much you work. This flexibility makes it easy to fit online work around your other commitments.
Another aspect of online work that appeals to many Canadians is how accessible it is. You don’t need years of experience or university degrees to get started. All you need for many online opportunities is a computer, a steady internet connection, and effort. There are various low-barrier entry points into online earnings, ranging from creating digital content to running an e-commerce store.
It is also possible to earn good money working online. While some online jobs are most suitable for earning a modest side income, others can lead to significant earnings with the right approach. For example, the most successful Canadian bloggers, YouTubers, and e-commerce entrepreneurs earn six-figure income through online business ventures.
What to Consider When Making Money Online
When you start making money online, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
- Taxes – The Canada Revenue Agency considers online income as taxable earnings, so keep track of all your earnings and expenses.
- Registration – You may need to register as a sole proprietor or business.
- Payment – To avoid delays in getting paid, set up your payment systems before you start. Popular options include PayPal, Stripe, and Square.
- Cryptocurrency payments are also increasingly popular among digital freelancers and entrepreneurs.
- Internet security – Research companies and platforms before giving them your personal or financial information.
- Get rich schemes – Avoid these because most, if not all, of them are likely a scam.
Ideas for Making Money Online for Canadians
Freelancing
Freelancing is one of the most versatile and popular ways to make money online in Canada. Rather than being tied to a single employer, freelancers can offer their services to clients worldwide. With a rising number of businesses outsourcing work to save money (often works out cheaper than hiring a full-time member of staff), it creates new, remote work opportunities for freelancers. If you are, for example, a writer, translator, programmer, or graphic designer, you can create a profile on a freelancing platform to advertise your services.
Popular Freelancer Platforms
- Upwork: One of the largest platforms for freelancers with jobs in a wide range of categories.
- Fiverr: Rates on Fiverr often start low, but you can scale up with experience.
- Freelancer: Offers both direct job postings and contests for freelancers – Offers contests and direct job postings for freelancers.
- In addition there are some industry specific platforms such as ProZ for translations, so it is worthwhile to research your options and choose the best platforms for your niche.
High-Demand Freelance Skills
- Writing and editing
- Graphic design
- Web development and programming
- Translation and transcription
- Digital marketing
- Video editing and animation
Tips for Getting Started as a Freelancer
- Create a strong profile on a freelance platform, including a detailed description of your skills and experience.
- Create a portfolio to attract clients, choosing work that best shows off your skills. If you are new, consider doing some free projects to build your portfolio.
- Decide your hourly rate. You may need to offer a lower rate at first and increase it gradually as you gain more experience and positive ratings.
- Tailor your proposals for each job posting to highlight your skills and how you can help the client. Never send out generic applications.
- Good communication is extremely important so always respond to clients promptly. You should also address any questions you have before delivering work to ensure your work meets the clients’ expectations.
- Adhere to the deadline if you are given one and ensure work is high-quality to secure positive reviews and repeat business.
Remote Work
An increasing number of companies are hiring full- and part-time remote workers to fill a range of roles from customer service to tech support. If you like the idea of working from home but don’t like the idea of variable monthly income, this could be a great option. Unlike freelancers who usually work on a project basis, virtual assistants engage in long-term employment or contractual work, usually with set weekly hours. This option offers balance between flexibility in work location and job stability and consistent income.
Companies Hiring Virtual Assistants in Canada
Many companies, both in Canada and internationally, hire remote workers across different industries. Some companies that offer remote positions include:
- Shopify: Canada-based e-commerce giant often has remote positions in customer support, software development, and marketing.
- TELUS International: Remote jobs include customer service, translation, and AI data annotation.
- Scotiabank & RBC: Remote roles in customer support, finance, and IT.
- Amazon Canada – Opportunities for remote work include customer service and tech roles.
Platforms to Find Remote Work
- LinkedIn: A popular networking platform with companies post remote job openings.
- FlexJobs: Remote, part-time, and flexible jobs, requires paid subscription to access job details.
- We Work Remotely: The largest remote work community in the world.
Tips for Getting Started as a Remote Worker
- Identify your marketable skills, for example, customer support, financial, or tech.
- Consider which industry/ies your skills would be most in-demand.
- Join platforms offering remote work opportunities.
- Set your desired rate but be prepared to negotiate, especially if you only have limited prior experience.
- Market yourself using platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook groups.
Online Surveys and Market Research
While the first two ideas can be used to make part- or full-time income, this option is best for earning some additional cash. Paid surveys and market research are accessible ways to make money online, with companies paying you to answer surveys to get feedback on products, services, or trends. These surveys are a flexible way to earn cash or gift cards in exchange for your opinions, with the choice of how many surveys to answer and when totally up to you.
Popular Survey Sites in Canada
- Swagbucks: Earn points for completing surveys; points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash through PayPal.
- Survey Junkie: Offers frequent surveys in various categories, with cash payouts available through PayPal.
- Pinecone Research: Pays $1 – $3 per survey, surveys are considered higher quality with more targeted questions.
- Toluna: Users earn points by completing surveys, polls, and product testing.
Additional Opportunities
Beyond completing surveys, Canadians can also earn money through mystery shopping and product testing.
- Mystery shoppers are paid to visit retail locations to evaluate, for example, customer service, product range, product quality, and store displays.
- Product testing involves companies sending you free products, generally before they hit the market, in exchange for you providing them with a detailed review.
Tips for Getting Started with Online Surveys
- Join several survey platforms to increase your chance of receiving survey invitations.
- Complete your profile in full; this will help you qualify to answer more surveys.
- Check if you are eligible for the survey before starting; some may be limited to, for example, certain age groups or locations.
- By being consistent and patient you can earn some extra money.
- Cash out wisely; you may get more for your points when choosing gift cards over cash.
E-Commerce
Selling products is one of the most profitable ways to make an online income in Canada. You can sell either physical or digital products to customers from across the world. There are different avenues you can explore if you are interested in e-commerce: your own online store, print-on-demand (PoD) store, and dropshipping. PoD and dropshipping are often the easiest options for beginners as you don’t need to hold inventory or handle shipping. However, your profit margin will be lower than with your own online store.
Popular Platforms for Selling Online
- Shopify: An e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage your own store; best option if you want full control over your brand.
- Etsy: An easy-to-use, popular marketplace, especially popular among artists, craft makers, and small business owners.
- Amazon FBA: With Amazon’s “Fulfillment by Amazon” service, you can store products in Amazon’s warehouses and let them handle customer service, shipping, and returns.
- eBay: Whilst often considered a marketplace for used goods, sellers can also use the platform for new products.
Ideas for Products to Sell Online
There really is no limit to what you can choose to sell online whether you decide to open your own online store, dropship, or sell your own designs through the PoD model. However, here are some suggestions for online products.
- Clothing: either your own or a third-party clothing through dropshipping.
- Personalised gift: a great choice for PoD stores.
- Journals and diaries: you can design these yourself and sell them through a PoD service.
- Jewellery: while there is high competition, you can stand out selling custom-made pieces.
- Eco-friendly goods: products made locally and using sustainable methods are increasingly popular in Canada.
- Organic and specialty foods: more people are being more careful with what they eat, leading to increasing demand for organic and specialty foods.
Tips for Getting Started in E-Commerce
- Choose the right e-commerce model for you based on what you want to sell.
- Find your niche by researching underserved markets and trending products.
- Set up your store or seller profile, depending on the approach you choose.
- Market, market, market; the more effort you put into marketing your store, the more sales you will make.
- Focus on providing excellent customer service, including fast response times and clear shipping and return policies.
Blogging
Canadian bloggers can earn money through affiliate marketing, advertising, and sponsorships. Success in this field requires strong writing skills and commitment to posting quality content regularly. It takes time and dedication to start earning from a blog, so if you are looking to make money online quickly, this is not the way. But if you are in it for the long-term, your blog can become a source of considerable income.
Popular Blogging Platforms
Bloggers can choose between free and paid blogging platforms. The main difference is that paid options generally offer more customisation and full-range of monetising options. Research options thoroughly to find one that best meets your requirements.
- com: Easy-to-use, but offers limited customisation options.
- Blogger by Google: Integrated with Google and simple to set up, very limited customisation.
- Medium: Built-in audience, but limited options for monetisation.
- Substack: Ideal choice for newsletter-style blogging, users earn through subscriptions.
- org: Flexible, offers multiple options for monetising, requires hosting.
- Squarespace: Monthly fee includes hosting fees, straightforward, all-in-one platform.
Monetisation Strategies for Blogs
- Affiliate marketing: Great for generating passive income, you earn money when readers purchase through an affiliate link on your blog.
- Display ads: Platforms like Google AdSense pay you for displaying ads on your blog, payments are based on clicks and impressions.
- Sponsorships: Brands in your niche may pay you to write blog posts and reviews on their products.
- Selling digital products: You can create e-books, printables, and online courses to sell your readers.
Tips for Getting Started in Blogging
- Choose a niche that you are interested in and know a lot about to write with authority.
- Write high-quality content that provides value, for example, product reviews, how-to-guides, and comparison articles. After publishing, update regularly to keep your articles up-to-date.
- Use keyword research tools for search engine optimisation. This will help you rank higher in search engines and attract more organic traffic.
- Promote your blog on social media to reach a wider audience.
- Be consistent and patient.
YouTuber
Creating content on YouTube has become one of the most popular ways to earn money online because it offers multiple opportunities for monetisation. Content creators can earn through ads, sponsorships, channel memberships, and merchandise sales. Similarly to blogging, it takes time to build your channel and follower numbers, so you need plenty of patience. However, with the right content and consistency, a YouTube channel can be a profitable source of long-term income.
Earning Money on YouTube
Once your YouTube channel meets the YouTube Partner Program requirements, you can start earning money on your channel. Ways you can earn money on YouTube include:
- YouTube ads: You earn money on ads shown before, during, and after your videos, depending on views, watch time, and engagement with the ad.
- Channel memberships: Your fans can pay a monthly fee to subscribe to your channel in exchange for badges, perks, and exclusive content.
- Super chats and stickers: If you do live streams on your channel, your fans can purchase Super Chats and stickers during the live.
- Sponsorships and brand deals: One of the most lucrative ways to earn money through YouTube with companies paying you to promote products or services in your videos.
- Merchandise sales: Once you are eligible, you can integrate your merch store directly on your channel.
Monetising Videos Through Brand Partnerships
- Grow your audience: Brands prefer YouTubers with a loyal fancase and active engagement.
- Post high-quality content: Well-edited, professional videos are more likely to attract sponsorships.
- Reach out to brands: You can connect with companies through influencer marketing platforms or email them directly.
- Disclose sponsorships: You must label sponsored videos to maintain transparency and to abide by advertising laws.
- Negotiate: Discuss your rates separately with each company and base your rates on factors such as engagement rate and audience size.
Tips for Getting Started as a YouTuber
- Pick a niche that interests you and you have enough knowledge of to create new content regularly.
- Invest in a good camera, microphone, and lighting to improve video quality.
- Be consistent and upload regularly. This will help you build an audience, plus it is better in terms of YouTube’s algorithm.
- Use keywords, engaging video titles, and compelling thumbnails to optimise SEO and improve rankings.
- Interact with your viewers to build a loyal fan base.
Digital Products Including Stock Photography
Selling digital products and stock photography is a great way to make passive income online. Whether you are a creator interested in selling digital goods or a photographer looking to diversify your income streams, your work can generate passive income once uploaded. In addition, your products can continue making you money for months or even years with very little ongoing effort.
Digital Products
The major benefit of selling digital rather than physical products is that there is no inventory or shipping to worry about. Some of the most popular digital products to sell include:
- Canva templates: You can create, for example, customisable resumes, social media posts, planners, and business templates.
- Online Courses: If you are an expert in a skill or topic, teach it to others by creating an online course.
- E-books: Write and sell fiction or non-fiction books, for example, on Amazon Kindle.
- Printable Downloads: These can range from meal and budget planners to digital stickers and journaling templates.
Stock Photos and Videos
Selling stock photos and videos involves licensing your content to marketers, businesses, and designers. Every time your image or video is downloaded, you earn money. To improve chances of success, focus on in-demand content.
- Lifestyle images: Everyday scenes with people working, shopping, spending time with family etc.
- Business and technology: Remote and office work settings, technology-related themes
- Seasonal and holiday themes: For example, Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, summer vacation photos
- Aerial drone footage: Uses include real estate and tourism
Tips for Getting Started with Digital Products
- Choosing a specific subject or style can help attract buyers.
- Use high-quality equipment for stock photos and videos.
- Use relevant keywords and tags to optimise for SEO.
- Try out different marketplaces to find which works best for you.
- Market your digital goods through your social media accounts, through a YouTube channel, or blog.
Online Tutoring and Teaching
Canadians with teaching experience or specific skills and expertise can make money online through teaching and tutoring. With an increasing demand for virtual, personalised learning, teachers and tutors can profit by offering lessons in academic subjects, languages, and specialised skills. Options include one-on-one lessons, groups lessons, and online courses, the latter being great for passive income.
Popular Online Teaching Platforms
There are many websites that help connect Canadian teachers and tutors with potential clients worldwide. Some of the most popular online teaching platforms are:
- VIPKid: Platform focused on teaching English as a second language.
- Preply: Covers a range of topics from academic subjects and languages to professional skills.
- iTalki: Designed to connect language students and teachers across the globe.
- Outschool: Offers a wide range of topics and classes for kids.
Selling Online Courses
If offering live lessons does not appeal, you can create and sell online courses instead. This is a particularly attractive option for its potential to generate passive income indefinitely. Popular platforms for selling online courses include:
- Udemy: A popular platform for structured, video-based courses.
- Teachable: Course creators have full control over pricing, branding, and course structure.
- Skillshare: Uses a membership-based structure where tutors earn based on watch time.
Tips for Getting Started with Online Teaching
- Pick a topic you have expertise in/are passionate about to make teaching more engaging and rewarding.
- Choose whether you want to teach live sessions or offer pre-recorded courses.
- Invest in a good webcam and microphone and ensure you have a stable internet connection to improve the learning experience.
- Engage your students, for example, using real-world examples, quizzes, and presentations.
- Promote your tutoring services or courses through all available channels, such as blog and social media accounts.
Usability Testing for Websites and Apps
If you enjoy exploring the latest apps and websites, you might enjoy making money by testing websites and apps. Companies often pay users to evaluate their apps, websites, and software to ensure they are bug-free and easy to use. You will need no technical expertise, which makes this an accessible way for all Canadians to earn an additional income. However, like surveys, it will only be good for extra cash, not something you can make a full-time living from.
What Testers Are Asked to Do
- Test an app or website for user-friendliness.
- Follow a set of instructions to complete actions such as filling out a form or making a purchase.
- Record yourself and your screen as you give feedback.
- Answer some follow-up questions about your user experience.
Skills That Will Help You Succeed
- You need strong communication skills to clearly express your thoughts about the app or website.
- Attention to detail to identify usability issues during testing.
- While you don’t need advanced tech skills, you need basic knowledge to allow you to navigate apps and websites efficiently.
- Ability to follow instructions; the more accurate you are, the better chances you have of getting more apps or websites to test and review.
Tips for Getting Started with Usability Testing
- Create a profile on multiple user testing websites to increase chances of getting frequent test invitations.
- Complete your profile as testing platforms often filter users based on their demographics.
- Use good equipment (webcam and microphone) to improve the quality of your feedback.
- Follow the instructions as incorrect completion of tasks may lead to fewer opportunities.
- Check regularly for new tests; being active helps to ensure you are not missing out on testing opportunities.
Final Words on Making Money Online in Canada
Many Canadians are already making money online thanks to its flexible, accessible, and diverse nature. With such a wide range of options available, anyone can start earning extra income online even without technical knowhow. While some options are best for earning a bit of “pocket money”, others can develop into long-term income streams, some with passive earning potential.
Whether you are looking for a side-hustle or something with full-time potential, choose an idea that aligns with your interests and ideal outcomes. Remember, especially if you want to create a long-term income stream, that this will take time and consistent effort. But if you dream of being fully flexible, working when and where you want, it will be worth the effort. The key is to get started and stay committed.
Sources
- MapleMoney: How to Make Money – https://maplemoney.com/make-money/
- Shopify: How to Start an Online Business – https://www.shopify.com/ca/blog/start-online-business
- TurboTax Canada – Guides for self-employed and freelance Canadians: https://turbotax.intuit.ca/tips/category/income-investments/self-employed-freelance
- Oberlo: Build Your Business – https://www.oberlo.com/build-your-business
- Side Hustle Nation: Get Ideas – https://www.sidehustlenation.com/get-ideas/
- Foundr: Helpful articles for online entrepreneurs – https://foundr.com/articles
- Nerdwallet: Beginners Guide: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/make-money-online-beginner
- Money Saving Expert: Make Money Online: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/make-money-online/
