The gig economy is booming, and so is the need for tech skills. This has opened up many side hustle opportunities. If you’re into web development, graphic design, SEO, or tech in general, you can make extra money. This can help you earn more and be financially free.
Today, employers and clients want people with tech skills. They need experts who can make their projects shine. Whether it’s building websites or writing engaging content, your IT skills can be very valuable.
This guide will show you how the gig economy works and the best tech side hustles. You’ll learn how to make more money and take charge of your finances.
Key Takeaways
- The gig economy has created many chances to make extra money with tech side hustles.
- Freelancing in web development, graphic design, and copywriting is a great way to earn more.
- You can make money by using your tech skills, like setting up networks and smart devices.
- Platforms like Upwork offer good rates for tech freelance jobs, making it easy to find work.
- Using in-demand skills and new trends can help you earn more and be financially free.
The Gig Economy and Tech Side Hustles
The gig economy is growing fast, with more people working as freelancers or on project-based jobs. By 2022, it’s expected to make up 43% of the U.S. workforce, up from 34% in 2017. This change means more people can use their tech skills to make extra money.
The Rise of the Gig Economy
Jobs in the gig economy, like driving for companies like Uber, can give you quick cash. You can get money in your account many times a week. But, you must follow the laws and get the right licenses for your side job, depending on where you live. Making a steady income from side hustles is hard.
Why Tech Skills are Ideal for Side Hustles
Tech skills are great for side hustles because they’re in demand and versatile. Skills like web development, web design, SEO, and digital marketing are valuable. Plus, many tech jobs can be done from anywhere, fitting easily into your schedule.
Some side hustles in wellness might need special training or a license, depending on where you are. Sites like Etsy and Shopify let you sell your crafts. Experts can make money by sharing their knowledge online or through books.
Side hustles are usually extra work, but some turn into full-time jobs. You can make money right away with gigs like driving for a ride-share service or shopping online. Building a side hustle can help you make money over time if you’re an entrepreneur at heart.
About one in three Americans has a side job to make extra cash. Many use their side hustle money for things like food and rent. Tech skills like app making, data analysis, and web development are great for those with the right skills.
Web Development Side Hustles
Aspiring web developers can turn their web development skills into profitable side hustles. By improving your skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you can become a freelance web developer. You can build basic websites for clients. As you learn more about WordPress and other systems, you can earn even more.
Building Websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is easy and lets you build custom websites. You can help individuals and small businesses get online. Web development freelance work can give you a steady income as you get better.
Leveraging WordPress for Web Development Projects
Knowing WordPress can really help your web development freelance career. Millions of websites use WordPress, and learning to build and maintain them can open up a big market for you. Adding your WordPress web development skills to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript makes you a top choice for WordPress freelance work.
| Skill Set | Earning Potential | Project Complexity |
|---|---|---|
| HTML, CSS, JavaScript | $50 – $100 per hour | Basic website building |
| WordPress Web Development | $75 – $150 per hour | Custom WordPress site design and maintenance |
| WordPress Skills for Side Hustles | $100 – $200 per hour | Advanced WordPress customization and integration |
Using your web development skills and WordPress can open up many web development freelance chances. This can help you start a successful side hustle that goes well with your main job.
Web Design Side Hustles
Tools and Skills for Web Design
Web design focuses on making websites look good and easy to use. Designers use tools like Photoshop and Webflow for this. They can make a good living by offering web design services on the side, using their web development skills.
One person went from earning nothing to $30,000 a month in eight years with web design side hustles. The goal is to make $5,000 a month in a year by following some tips.
Referrals are key in web design, even for SEO services. Getting new clients by giving free websites to businesses takes about two weeks.
To start a web design side hustle, you can begin with no costs upfront. You’ll need a website builder and a way to send invoices. Creating a simple website and having a proposal and contract ready are important steps.
For small projects, charge 50% upfront and 50% when you finish. When onboarding clients, ask for logos, color codes, and font families to make sure the website turns out right.
The Duda platform is great for both beginners and pros in the web design industry. It’s easy to use and has good prices.
“The average web designer in the US makes around $50,000 to $55,000 per year, translating to an hourly rate of about $25.”
9-to-5 workers can earn extra with web design skills. Freelancers can pick their hours and projects. They handle things like finding clients, building a portfolio, and managing taxes.
it side hustles
The tech industry is full of chances for people to make extra money with IT side hustles. You can work on web development, web design, SEO, copywriting, and social media management. These areas offer many freelance and contract jobs.
Web development is a great choice. You can use your skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to make websites for clients. Glassdoor says the average pay for web developers in the U.S. is $37 per hour and more. This makes it a good way to earn more money.
Web design is also in demand. Designers can earn about $33 per hour and more, as reported by Glassdoor. With design tools and knowledge, you can make websites that look great and are easy to use for businesses and entrepreneurs.
- SEO consulting: Helping clients improve their online visibility and search engine rankings.
- Copywriting: Writing content that grabs attention and helps with SEO for websites, blogs, and marketing.
- Social media management: Taking care of social media accounts, making content, and planning social media strategies for clients.
There are also chances in tech support. You can offer help with troubleshooting and IT tasks for about $200 a month per client. Quality assurance (QA) testing is another good side hustle, paying around $33 per hour and up, according to Glassdoor.
| Tech Side Hustle | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Web Development | $37 and up |
| Web Design | $33 and up |
| Video Editing | $30 and up |
| Tech Support | $22 and up |
| Quality Assurance Testing | $33 and up |
| Technical Writing | $33 and up |
By finding your tech skills and matching them with the demand for specialized knowledge, you can make the most of the tech side hustle market. This can help you earn more money.
SEO Consulting Side Hustles
In today’s digital marketing world, SEO has become a key skill for making money on the side. As an SEO consultant, you help clients get their websites to show up higher on search engines like Google. This brings in more visitors and potential customers to their sites.
Understanding SEO Fundamentals
To be good at SEO consulting, knowing the basics is crucial. You need to learn about keyword research, website analytics, and how to optimize content with HTML tags. You don’t have to be a web developer, but knowing a bit about HTML, CSS, and WordPress helps a lot.
Working with SEO Tools and Analytics
Good SEO consultants use tools and platforms to check how websites are doing and find ways to get better. Tools like Google Analytics, NetInsight, and Webtrends give important info on website traffic and how people act on the site. Knowing how to use these tools well lets SEO consultants give clients solid advice and increase their side hustle income.
| SEO Skill | Earning Potential |
|---|---|
| SEO Consulting | $81,000 average yearly earnings |
| SEO Freelancing | Six-figure income potential |
| SEO Agency Associate | $50,000 first-year salary |
“SEO skills allow for building internet properties that can generate multiple revenue streams through various monetization methods.”
The digital marketing world is growing fast, expected to hit $780 billion by 2023 and grow 11.1% each year until 2030. With more companies needing good SEO, there are many chances for skilled SEO consultants to make a good side income.
Copywriting Side Hustles
In the tech world, copywriting is a great side hustle. It’s about writing content that grabs attention. Tech companies and digital product owners need this skill a lot.
They need it for things like website copy, product descriptions, and marketing emails. Good copywriting helps users connect with the brand and understand what they offer.
If you’re good at writing, you can offer these services to tech clients. You can earn $25 to $50 for each email or $150 to $500 for longer ones. Some even make over $1 million a year. Beginners can earn about $60 an hour, according to Zip Recruiter.
Copywriting lets you work from anywhere, making it easy to balance work and life. As you get more experience, you can charge more, which means you can earn more too.
| Copywriting Side Hustle Earnings | Average Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Affiliate Marketer (US) | $82,000 |
| Content Repurposer | $60/hour |
| Blogger (US) | $62,000 |
| Email Copywriter | $25-$50 per email |
To start a copywriting side hustle, build a portfolio and network on LinkedIn. Use job boards to find paid work. With the right skills and hard work, copywriting can be a rewarding side job in tech.
“Copywriting is considered one of the most lucrative side hustles in 2023.”
Social Media Management Side Hustles
Over 1 million marketers now get social news and tips via email. This shows the high demand for skilled social media managers. Social media is key in today’s marketing and communication. Many businesses and individuals find it hard to manage their online presence.
This opens up a great chance for those with strong social media skills to start a side hustle.
Managing Social Media Platforms
Good social media managers use copywriting, SEO, and tech skills. They create engaging content, optimize posts, and blend social media with digital marketing. This makes them valuable and can lead to higher earnings.
Combining Copywriting and SEO Skills
Side hustles can boost your income through UGC creation, selling digital goods, affiliate marketing, and consulting. UGC creators make money by creating content for brands. Affiliates earn by promoting products on social media or newsletters.
Consulting on social media channels can also bring in clients worldwide. A portfolio and websites can help promote your social media management skills.
| Job Title | Average Annual Earnings |
|---|---|
| Social Media Advertising Consultant | $95,000 |
| Social Media Manager | $60,918 |
| YouTube Channel Manager | $109,000 |
| PPC Campaign Manager | $156,000 |
| LinkedIn Profile/Content Writer | $96,000 |
Promoting your side hustle is key to success. Tools like Later help plan and schedule social media content. Features like Link in Bio make social media more interactive.
With global social media spending set to hit $255.8 billion by 2028, the chances for social media management side hustles are huge.
Tech Support Side Hustles
In today’s gig economy, tech support side hustles are a great way for tech lovers to make extra money. If you know your way around technology, offering tech support side hustle services can be both rewarding and flexible.
Certification for Tech Support Roles
Getting a tech support side hustle job doesn’t always need a deep tech background. But, having the right certifications can really help you stand out. The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a great choice. It shows you know your stuff in areas like fixing computers, software, and helping customers.
If you’re not a tech expert, you can still do well in tech support. Just be good at finding answers online and solving problems. With these skills and a desire to learn, you can be seen as a trustworthy tech support person.
| Certification | Average Hourly Rate | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Google IT Support Professional Certificate | $14 – $30+ | Excellent, with 75,000+ job openings annually for computer support specialists in the U.S. |
| CompTIA A+ Certification | $16 – $35 | Positive, with growing demand for skilled tech support professionals |
| Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) | $18 – $40 | Strong, as businesses increasingly rely on technology support |
“Obtaining relevant certifications can significantly boost your credibility and appeal to potential clients in the tech support side hustle market.”
QA (Quality Assurance) Testing Side Hustles
In today’s tech world, QA (quality assurance) testing is a great side hustle option. As a QA tester, you’ll check websites, apps, and software for bugs and usability problems. You need to have a sharp eye, problem-solving skills, and some knowledge of how software is made.
Even without formal QA training, if you love tech and want to make high-quality products, you can do well in QA testing side hustles. By being a software testing freelancer, you can use your skills to earn more or even start a business.
The Role of a QA Tester
As a QA tester, you’ll do a few key things:
- Creating and carrying out detailed test plans to check software works right and runs well
- Writing down test results and telling the development team about any problems found
- Working with developers to fix bugs
- Checking that fixes work and doing tests again to make sure everything’s good
- Keeping up with new testing tools and methods
This job can be detailed, but it’s rewarding to know you’re making software that users love. By improving your quality assurance testing skills, you can find many QA testing side hustles. These can add to your main job or give you extra money.
Freelancing Platforms and Payment Options
In the gig economy, freelancers have many platforms and tools to connect with clients and manage projects. These freelancing platforms are like marketplaces. Freelancers can show off their skills, bid on projects, and handle invoicing and payments all in one place.
Popular freelance payment methods include online solutions like Square, PayPal, or Stripe. These options make invoicing and billing easier for freelancers. They also help freelancers get paid faster for their work.
| Freelancing Platform | Features | Payment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Upwork | Charges a high service fee, offers budget-based projects | Withdrawal through PayPal or wire transfer |
| Freelancer.com | Takes a 10% fee for earnings | PayPal or wire transfer |
| Fiverr | Sends 80% of payments to freelancers, has 3.42 million active buyers | Proprietary payment system |
| Toptal | Screens only the top 3% of freelancers | Payoneer, PayPal, or direct bank transfer |
These online payment solutions for freelancers have many features. They offer secure transactions, automatic invoicing, and work well with freelancing platforms. This makes it easier for freelancers to get paid and manage their money.
Balancing Side Hustles with Full-Time Work
In today’s gig economy, many use their tech skills for side hustles while keeping a full-time job. It’s tough to keep a good work-life balance with so much on your plate. Time management and communication are key to handling a side hustle and a full-time job well.
Experts say setting aside 10-20 hours a week for side projects works well. You might start your side work early or use evenings and weekends. Planning ahead and setting aside specific times for your side hustle keeps it from clashing with your main job.
More employers now support their staff’s side hustles, but it’s important to set clear boundaries. Talk openly with your boss to avoid any issues. Keeping your side hustle separate from your main job helps you focus on both.
To balance a side hustle with a full-time job, you need creative thinking, flexibility, and to take care of yourself. Make time for family, friends, and things that relax you. This helps prevent burnout and keeps you going on this dual career path.
| Statistic | Significance |
|---|---|
| Side hustles can require around 10-20 hours per week to maintain alongside a full-time job. | Provides a guideline for the time commitment needed to successfully balance a side hustle with a full-time job. |
| Successful side hustlers have spent 20 hours a week running their eCommerce brand while working as a reality TV casting producer and director. | Demonstrates that it is possible to dedicate a significant amount of time to a side hustle while maintaining a full-time job, with the right time management and prioritization. |
| Some successful side hustlers have balanced their side work for three years alongside a day job. | Indicates that with proper planning and dedication, side hustles can be sustained over an extended period alongside a full-time career. |
| 33% of side hustlers are aged 54 and over, indicating that side hustles are not limited to young adults. | Suggests that individuals of all ages are embracing the side hustle lifestyle, debunking the notion that it’s a pursuit exclusive to younger generations. |
“Balancing between a full-time job and a side hustle is described more as a blend than a clear separation.”
Conclusion
The gig economy is booming, offering many chances for extra income with tech skills. You can try web development, design, SEO consulting, copywriting, social media management, tech support, or quality assurance testing. These tech side hustles can help increase your earnings.
By using your current skills or learning new ones, you can make the most of these IT side hustles. This way, you can keep your full-time job and earn more. With hard work and the right strategy, these tech side hustles can give you a steady extra income and improve your financial stability.
Work is changing, making it key to use freelance chances and side hustles to earn more. By taking advantage of the gig economy’s flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit, you can boost your financial security. You’ll also open doors for personal and professional growth.
FAQ
What types of IT side hustles are available?
IT side hustles offer many opportunities. You can work in web development, web design, SEO consulting, copywriting, social media management, tech support, and quality assurance testing.
How can tech skills be leveraged for side hustles?
Tech skills like web development, WordPress, SEO, and social media management are in demand. They are perfect for freelance and contract-based side hustles.
What are the benefits of web development as a side hustle?
Web development is a profitable side hustle. It requires skills like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that are easy to learn. You can build websites for clients and increase your earnings by adding WordPress skills.
What skills are needed for a web design side hustle?
Web designers use tools like Photoshop and Webflow. They create websites that look good and are easy to use. Learning design software and user experience can help you offer web design services on the side.
What are the key skills for an SEO consulting side hustle?
SEO consultants help websites rank better on search engines. They need to know SEO best practices, do keyword research, analyze website data, and optimize content and HTML tags.
How can copywriting be leveraged as a side hustle?
Copywriting is about writing content that grabs attention. It’s a valuable skill for tech side hustles. Tech companies need good copy for websites, product descriptions, and marketing.
What skills are needed for a social media management side hustle?
Social media managers use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They also need to write well and know a bit about SEO and HTML. This helps them help clients reach their audience.
What are the requirements for a tech support side hustle?
You don’t need a tech background for tech support. But knowing computers and technology helps. Being good at research and solving problems is also key.
What does a QA (quality assurance) testing side hustle entail?
QA testers check websites, apps, and software for bugs and usability issues. They test carefully, document problems, and talk with developers about improvements.
What platforms and tools are available for IT side hustles?
Freelancers can find clients and manage projects on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. They can also use Square, PayPal, or Stripe for easy invoicing and billing.