Revealed: Top 15 Online Freelance Side Hustles 2024
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- The top online freelance side hustles include web development, AI artistry, and programming.
- The quickest online freelance side hustles to start include social media management, virtual assistance, and content writing.
- Future online side hustle growth areas spotlight AI consulting, AI engineering, and influencer marketing management.
🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast: Top 15 Online Freelance Side Hustles 2024
Discover the UK's most profitable side hustles for 2024: Web development, marketing consulting, and product photography lead the way for lucrative opportunities.
There’s no hiding the fact that we’re living in increasingly tough times. Here in the UK, there are two primary reasons why people found 2023 a challenge to make ends meet.
The first is the inflation hike, which saw the inflation rate reach 4% before the year ended. The second is the stagnating wages, which have essentially flatlined — resulting in average workers losing £10,700 annually in lost pay growth.
Faced with these economic challenges, an increasing number of people are entering the side hustle and freelance market to supplement their income and maintain their standard of living. Ranging from one-time contracts to recurring side jobs, online side hustles make it possible to earn more than a decent chunk of change without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
However, not all side hustles are made equal. Below, we answer the question “what are the UK's top online freelance side hustles for 2024?” to help you boost your income.
The Advantages of Online Side Gigs
Whether you're a student needing extra cash, a full-time employee working towards greater financial freedom, or a retiree exploring ways to utilise their free time, the online landscape is brimming with freelance gig opportunities.
The main draw of these online opportunities is that they give you access to a much broader market. There’s no need to limit yourself and your capabilities to the UK market. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork allow you to reach high-paying clients from the US, Canada, Australia, and all across the EU.
How We Did Our Research
To write this article, we created a list of the 15 most popular side hustles and freelance jobs using Google search. We tallied different best side hustle lists, taking note of the common and reappearing gigs across each one.
After that, we searched listings for these gigs on Fiverr. We only considered the active sellers on the platform. To get an estimate of the pay range, we looked at the package prices offered by top sellers or Fiverr-recommended sellers and the level one or rising new talents for each side gig listing.
For the fastest-rising freelance opportunities, the three were taken from LinkedIn's data-backed list of Jobs on the Rise for 2024. The jobs were then screened primarily for new opportunities, whether they can be done completely online, and whether it is possible to take on several clients at a time if necessary.
The Big Reveal: What Are the UK's TOP ONLINE FREELANCE Side Hustles for 2024?
Choosing a side hustle carefully is essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance — while still reaping maximum profits. Not all side hustles are created equal, and the key to success is finding one that fits well with your skills, interests, and lifestyle.
Make sure to weigh the potential earnings against the time and effort you need to invest before committing to a side hustle. This strategic approach will ensure your side gig complements your primary occupation and results in maximum profit without causing burnout.
So, without further ado, check out our big reveal of the UK's Top 15 Online Freelance Side Hustles for 2024.
1. Web Developer
Job description: Designs, codes, and modifies websites, usually based on a given UI or Figma design, for a user-friendly experience.
Top skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python proficiency
Average hourly rate: Between £31/hr to £40/hr
Salary range: Starts at £66 to £120 for basic packages and goes up to £243.28 to £762.84 for premium services on Fiverr
2. Marketing Consultant
Job description: Advise businesses or solo entrepreneurs on how to best promote their brand, product, or services, as well as assist in crafting business plans and the like.
Top skills: Brand awareness, digital and traditional marketing best practices
Average hourly rate: Around 40/hr
Salary range: Starts at £21 to £149 for basic packages and goes up to £57.73 to £313.38 for premium services on Fiverr
3. Product Photographer
Job description: Capture high-quality images of products for advertising and marketing purposes, including social media and Amazon or Shopify listings.
Top skills: Lighting, composition, attention to detail
Average hourly rate: Around £28/hr to £45
Salary range: Starts at £83 to £227 for basic packages and goes up to £288.64 to £325.75 for premium services on Fiverr
4. Videographer
Job description: Record clients or requested products and services for various purposes, including advertising, promotions, and events.
Top skills: Storytelling skills, lighting, audio technical proficiency
Average rate: Around £37,775 annually
Salary range: Starts at £83 to £359 for basic packages and goes up to £371.11 to £824.69 for premium services on Fiverr
5. AI Artist
Job description: Generate digital art via well-crafted image prompts using artificial intelligence programs like Midjourney or Dall-E.
Top skills: Familiarity with various AI image generators, prompt crafting, basic photo editing
Average hourly rate: Between £39,521 and £47,425 annually
Salary range: Starts at £13 to £42 for basic AI image generation packages and goes up to £82.47 to £247.41 for premium services on Fiverr
6. Social Media Manager
Job description: Manage and grow a brand's social media presence, engaging with audiences and driving engagement.
Top skills: Social media marketing, digital marketing, brand awareness
Average hourly rate: Between £11/hr and £28/hr on Upwork
Salary range: Starts at £9 to £248 for basic packages and goes up to £32.99 to £325.75 for premium services on Fiverr
7. Video Editor for YouTube and Ads
Job description: Edit and produce engaging videos for YouTube channel growth and advertising campaigns.
Top skills: Attention to detail, time management, proficiency in video editing software
Average hourly rate: Between £12/hr and £24/hr on Upwork
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £289 for basic packages and goes up to £51.96 to £700.99 for premium services on Fiverr
8. Web Designer
Job description: Create visually appealing and user-friendly websites, optimised for web, mobile, or both, based on client requests to ensure a seamless user experience.
Top skills: Proficiency in Figma, UI/UX best practices, graphic design principles
Average hourly rate: Between £12/hr and £24/hr on Upwork
Salary range: Starts at £9 to £124 for basic packages and goes up to £32.99 to £1,320 for premium services on Fiverr
9. Graphic Designer for Social Media
Job description: Design aesthetically pleasing visual content that follows the client's requests or design brief for use in social media platforms or digital advertising.
Top skills: Colour theory, typography, branding design principles
Average hourly rate: Between £31/hr and £35/hr
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £207 for basic packages and goes up to £37.11 to £494.82 for premium services on Fiverr
10. Copywriter or Content Writer
Job description: Write engaging, SEO-optimised, and informative content for websites, blogs, social media, or e-books.
Top skills: SEO best practices, research skills, English grammar and syntax
Average hourly rate: Between £24/hour and £32/hr
Salary range: Starts at £9 to £124 for basic packages and goes up to £24.74 to £329.88 for premium services on Fiverr
11. Copy Editor or Proofreader
Job description: Review and edit written content for clarity, grammar, syntax, tone, and style.
Top skills: Attention to detail, proficiency in English grammar, syntax, and punctuation
Average hourly rate: Between £20/hr and £27/hr
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £120 for basic packages and goes up to £41.23 to £263.49 for premium services on Fiverr
12. 3D Artist
Job description: Create 3D models for various applications, including product design, architecture, and gaming.
Top skills: 3D modelling and texturing, rigging, character design
Average hourly rate: Between £14/hr and £24/hr on Upwork
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £145 for basic packages and goes up to £74.22 to £804.08 for premium services on Fiverr
13. Programmer
Job description: Create, test, and deploy code for various applications, ranging from proprietary software and websites to mobile applications.
Top skills: Git and Github, debugging and testing procedures, coding languages like JavaScript, C++, and Python
Average hourly rate: Between £47/hr and £55/hr
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £99 for mobile app programming basic packages; starts at £5 to £326 for software programming basic packages
14. Business Consultant
Job description: Provide strategic business or financial advice and solutions to help organisations or brands improve their operations and achieve their goals.
Top skills: Strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, in-depth knowledge of business trends
Average hourly rate: Between £22/hr and £77/hr on Upwork
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £87 for basic packages and goes up to £41.23 to £127.83 for premium services on Fiverr
15. Virtual Assistant
Job description: Provide administrative support, such as scheduling, email management, and data entry, for entrepreneurs, influencers, and more.
Top skills: Verbal and written communication skills, time management, familiarity with administrative software tools
Average hourly rate: Between £7/hr and £16/hr on Upwork
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £42 for basic packages and goes up to £49.48 to £206.17 for premium services on Fiverr
The Pros and Cons of side Hustling on Freelancer Platforms
Operating your side hustle or offering freelance services on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork brings the advantage of flexibility and exposure to a global clientele. Since you aren't limited to only offering your expertise to UK clients, you don't have to worry as much about possible lack of demand. This opens up the potential to earn a higher income, especially if you have niche or high-level skills that are in demand in other countries.
Freelancing platforms also allow you to set your hours and rates, tailor your services to your skills, and access a broad market. You can offer basic or simple packages that are tailored for clients with lower budgets. At the same time, and using the same platform, you can offer more comprehensive services at much higher price points.
The freedom to choose your pricing and services gives you the control to maximise your earnings, expand your target audience, and cater to different clients. However, the freedom to set your rates can create a huge discrepancy between hourly rates and packages offered by individual sellers.
Having the opportunity to charge higher prices for high-level services also means that you are competing with freelancers from all over the world who may be willing to offer their expertise at a much lower cost.
This is where the beauty of basic packages or offerings on Fiverr and Upwork come into play. By offering simpler and easier services at a lower price, you can match the lower listing rates of other sellers. Posting lower rates can also help you reach clients who set their price filters lower.
Honourable Mention - one more profitable side gig
Our top 15 list is a great place to start if you’re looking to supplement your regular income. However, that does not mean you have no other options outside of those side hustles if they’re not your cup of tea. There are plenty more side gigs that have proven to be profitable for side hustlers, for example, bookkeeping and accounting.
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Job description: Record transactions, create financial reports, reconcile financial accounts, and handle other financial responsibilities of businesses or individuals, including tax compliance.
Top skills: Bookkeeping software proficiency, time management, knowledge of standard accounting principles and regulatory standards
Average hourly rate: Between £24/hr and £28/hr
Salary range: Starts at £5 to £67 for basic packages and goes up to £58.89 to £196.31 for premium services on Fiverr
If you have the experience and certifications, you can find profitable work as a freelance bookkeeper or accountant. The rise in self-employed professionals and solo entrepreneurs has caused an uptick in the need for freelance bookkeepers to help keep these businesses on the good side of the law.
Bonus: Three Fastest-Rising Freelance Opportunities in 2024
It's no secret that the job market changes — and fast. Just the skill sets required for the same jobs or positions alone have changed significantly over the past decade. So, aside from taking a look at the popular side hustle opportunities today, it is also worth taking a quick look at some fast-rising freelance opportunities — in other words, the jobs that can help you make it big in a few years.
LinkedIn releases a list of Jobs on the Rise each year, naming the top 25 roles that are growing more and more in demand. While these roles are generally for regular employment opportunities, some are also possible for freelancers.
Below is a quick look at three of the fastest-rising job opportunities from LinkedIn's 2024 list that you may offer as a side hustle.
Artificial Intelligence Consultant
Job Description: Advise businesses on how to implement and incorporate AI technologies in their operations and products or service offerings.
Top Skills: Machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP)
Average Hourly Rate: £55 per hour
Salary Range: Between £60,500 and £151,000
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Job Description: Responsible for developing, programming, and training AI models and algorithms to solve problems or perform functions as close to human intelligence as possible.
Required Skills: Machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP)
Average Hourly Rate: £51 per hour
Salary Range: Between £44,000 and £173,500
Influencer Marketing Manager
Job Description: Develop marketing campaigns, build influencer personal brands, negotiate deals, and coordinate influencer or celebrity partnerships with businesses to further drive profit and brand awareness.
Required Skills: Social media marketing, digital marketing, and brand awareness
Average Hourly Rate: £40 per hour
Salary Range: Between £33,000 and £145,500
Knowing what the fastest-rising side hustle opportunities are can help you prepare for the future. After all, it's important to ensure that your chosen side hustle isn't drying up — that is to say, there is and will continue to be a demand for your side gig.
The more popular or in-demand a service is, the longer you can continue to explore that job as a freelancer. Continued demand can also help you avoid the sunk-cost fallacy — where you feel reluctant to stop doing a side hustle that has reached peak saturation or now has low demand due to the time and effort you’ve already invested in it.
FAQs
Final thoughts
Recent events, particularly the inflation hike, have underscored the financial vulnerability of numerous British individuals and families. As such, it is no surprise that many will likely continue to seek additional income streams through side gigs and freelance services.
As a result, the gig economy will continue to thrive beyond 2024 — offering flexible work opportunities that complement regular employment.
However, the profitable and popular side hustles will continue to evolve. In response, freelancers need to continue evolving through upskilling as well. Whether it is deepening your professional knowledge or exploring new skills that spark your interest and passion, developing a varied skill set can enhance your freelancer marketability.
In particular, the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) presents abundant opportunities in the coming years. As AI continues to grow and develop, proficiency in AI-related skills — be it AI writing, prompt generation, or art generation — can give you a competitive edge.
BEFORE YOU GO...
Before you go, we'd like to extend an invitation to continue your journey into the world of supplementary income. While we've focused on the digital domain here, the landscape of side hustles is broad and varied. Dive deeper and discover a wider array of opportunities with our forthcoming piece, "THE TOP 10 UK SIDE HUSTLES 2024". This next article steps beyond the online realm to explore the top side hustles across the UK that are making waves in 2024. Ensure you're well-informed on where to direct your efforts for maximum return. Stay tuned, and let's uncover more paths to financial resilience together.
sidehustles.co.uk one-minute podcast
🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast
Top 15 Online Freelance Side Hustles 2024
Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.
Today, we're discussing the Top 15 Online Freelance Side Hustles for 2024. In today's small business arena, diversification of income is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity. Our investigation into the UK's most profitable online side hustles has unearthed a goldmine of opportunity for those ready to extend their professional palette. The key takeaway? Leverage your existing skills in the digital marketplace. Whether it's crafting compelling content or managing social media for influencers, these skills are in high demand and can be monetised. By tapping into online platforms, you can connect with a global client base without stepping outside your door. So take a moment to consider your own skill set — how can you put it to work for you in the online world? That's a valuable piece of insight that can change the way you look at your earning potential.
That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!
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https://www.canva.com/business-cards/side-hustle-economies/#earnings
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https://www.shopify.com/uk/blog/side-hustle
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-inflation-rate-rises-4-december-2024-01-17/
https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/what-is-outlook-uk-inflation-2024-2024-01-17/
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9402-artificial-intelligence-business-trends.html
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https://www.breakroom.cc/en-gb/employers/uber/pay
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