5 Home-based jobs that pay really well

Whether you’re out on leave or just looking for a new gig, many people think they only have two options: work in an office or run their own business from home. With the right training and guidance, you can get a home-based job that pays really well. We've rounded up the best home-based jobs that pay really well — both in terms of salary and flexibility.

5 Home-based jobs 

Nowadays, the internet has made it possible to work from home and earn money by doing various jobs. If you have basic computer skills, you can work at home and earn extra cash. Here are some of the most popular ways to make money from home:

1. Data Entry Work

This is a simple and easy job that anyone can do. Most entry-level data entry jobs involve entering data and providing basic customer service, such as responding to customer service emails or fixing typos on forms.

For example, a receptionist at a bank might help customers load funds onto a checking account. You might help customers check out at a mall or buy an upgrade online at a store. These simple jobs can easily be done by anyone with basic computer skills.

Path 1 — Set Up a Website or Blog: Bloggers are making a lot more money these days, both from work-at-home jobs and from blogging. If you have basic computer skills, a blog is one of the easiest ways to make money from home. According to Forbes, the writing industry is expected to continue growing in America by 2023 — even as the number of digital-only professions keeps shrinking.

Just like the internet makes it easy for you to discuss and write about almost anything you want, writing a blog or online business provides opportunities for work-at-home opportunities.

Path 2 — Create a Website or App: If you have some programming skills and are comfortable with a website or app, you can create some great work-from-home opportunities. This includes creating software or a website for a client. You might be able to make money from it even on an hourly basis.

Path 3 — Find a Brand or Guest Writers: If you have some storytelling, design, or graphic design skills, you can start making money by finding and interviewing guest bloggers.

For many years, guest writing was an expensive hobby you only did if you had deep pockets. But with the rise of freelance writing, it’s becoming more accessible. You can try applying here.

2. Become a transcriptionist for medical professionals

If you’re not familiar with transcription, then you should know that it’s basically writing down and recording what someone is saying. You’ll be transcribing audio recordings of medical professionals. A lot of the time, these professionals will be speaking to their patients. If you’re looking to get paid to transcription, there are a few places you can find your work. You can look for work through your local library, as they’ll probably have transcription services they’ve digitized. They also usually have high-paying transcription jobs they’re happy to do. If you’re a web developer, LinkedIn is a great place to take samples of your work to look for opportunities. Some professional transcription companies also post on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for opportunities that are starting up!

When you first start a career as a transcriptionist, you may get a few clients. However, you still need to refer a large number of clients to keep your business going. The better you get at transcribing, the more clients you’ll get.

Typing is the next step in becoming a transcriptionist. Once you’ve developed your typing skills, you should be referring a lot of clients. There are a lot of transcription opportunities available on LinkedIn and professional networking sites.

Are you currently out of work and need a new gig? If so, Transcription Bucket is an online group that connects people looking for new jobs. They match people with work and pay well, so if you can turn a little traffic into income, you can really employ your skills.

Translation takes your skills beyond just writing. It doesn’t just translate your writing into another language; it also explains your writing in a new language and tries to apply the same ideas and ideals. This is what makes it interesting and what you can apply to more and more work.

If you are bilingual, you can learn various types of scripts related to Spanish, French, German, and so forth.

3. Sell your own products or services online

If you’re selling products online, there are many ways to reach your audience and sell your products. You can sell your products on your own website, or you can sell on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. You can also use social media to sell your products or services. But my favorite option is the remote-work option.

If you go the route of having your salespeople out in the real world selling your products, it can be really tough to get paid. With a home-based business, you can sell directly to your customers from their own homes. Now you can earn an honest, living wage while earning extra income and leveling up your skills. And you can spend a Saturday or Sunday or even a week on vacation instead of answering phones, driving inventory, or trying to convert prospects into buyers on the road. 

According to Indeed, the median salary for home-based entrepreneurs is $86,000.50 a year. That’s much higher than any office job, and a lot more money than an in-office job. And a lot of that money is based on how flexible the schedule is. Flexible hours, like putting in 10 hours a day or working from home, can lead to a lot more revenue and also allow you to outsource tasks that don’t bring in that much revenue as well.

Those who work remotely can do so in many different ways. Some do it by telecommuting. Some telecommute by putting a computer in the living room of the home they use for remote/virtual meetings and using video conferencing software to talk to salespeople or clients from their homes. For example, MindMeld, MindMeld’s CEO, runs the company remotely from California.

Remote workers can also use an assortment of remote applications to allow them to communicate directly with customers from their own computers, like HelloHello, Skype for Skype, and Google Hangouts. You can instantly start a telecall, video chat, or document a meeting from your phone’s webcam.

4. Start a web design company

Starting a web design company can be a great way to make money online. With a web design company, you can help other business owners create a website for their business. Web design companies don’t have to just work with small business owners; they can also work with non-profit organizations, schools, and even individuals.

The Freelancer’s heart is in Seattle; this city is home to some of the best design talent and gigantic companies. Being based here also means you get to meet awesome people from all over the world. Place your remote freelancer skills to good use by working for an online-only design company. Freelancer is a platform where you can sell your skills, so you can get paid inexpensively.

Many people feel they have no choice but to work in an office. Staffing a team of remote workers can help you avoid the similar lack of control that comes with being on-site full-time. Staffing an online business force you to step away from your desk every once in a while, but it gives you the chance to network with a whole new set of people. Outsourcing probably isn't for everyone, but it does make a lot of sense.

Clerical work can be taxing on your body, making you hit the snooze button countless times throughout the day. Working from home gives you control of your hours, so you can always be on a note and minimize the consequences of oversleeping. Working for yourself gives you the opportunity to create your own schedule and to work from home whenever you want.

If you want to work from home but are not keen on the idea of working from an office, a virtual computer-based working environment is ideal. Cloud Computing is almost ubiquitous nowadays, and it allows remote workers to work from anywhere they want, without the need of ever setting foot on a computer. With a turnkey virtual solution, you won’t have to worry about hardware or networking issues.

You can work pretty much from anywhere, but where you live can greatly affect what kind of lifestyle you’ll lead.

5. Become an online tutor

Another popular way to make money online is to become a tutor. There are lots of sites that will connect you with students who are looking for help. Your students will pay you to help them learn a specific subject. So, if you’re good at cooking, you can become a tutor and help someone learn to cook.

Two problem areas for many home-based tutors: your students and travel. Many sites offer group discounts for group lessons, but many students are unwilling to travel and pay for local classes. On the other hand, some tutors have huge followings and offer courses anywhere in the world. That’s why we picked the top home-based jobs that allow you to travel full-time to teach.

There are other online jobs out there. You just have to be driven, passionate, and hardworking.  Happy working!

If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to write them down.