Introduction

Everyone wants to know the laziest way to make money online. Who doesn’t dream of making extra cash with minimal effort, all while enjoying the freedom to work from anywhere? As an experienced entrepreneur, I’ll break down five of the simplest ways to make money online. Each method will be rated on factors like learning curve, fulfillment ease, scalability, startup capital, and risk, helping you find the best method for you to earn $100+ a day. So, let’s dive in and discover the best way to make easy money online.

1. Freelancing: The Flexible Way to Make Money Online

What It Is: Freelancing allows you to offer skills like graphic design, copywriting, video editing, or social media management directly to clients. With tons of in-demand skills to choose from, freelancing offers flexibility in both work schedule and project selection.

• Learning Curve: About 6 months to build skills and create a portfolio. You can speed up the process with free online tutorials on YouTube.
• Fulfillment Difficulty: Moderate. Client management can be tough. Dealing with requests and revisions may add stress, especially if you’re passionate about your work.
• Scalability: Limited. Your earnings are tied to the hours you work. To scale, you may need to raise your rates or build a larger client base.
• Startup Capital: Close to zero if you have a computer and internet. Optional expenses include tools like Adobe Creative Suite or affordable alternatives like Canva.
• Risk Level: Low. Freelancing has minimal upfront costs, though you may need to put in extra effort to keep a steady stream of clients.

Overall: While freelancing isn’t the laziest option, it’s a solid way to start making money if you’re willing to invest time into building your skills and reputation.

2. Airbnb Arbitrage: Passive Income Without Owning Property

What It Is: With Airbnb arbitrage, you rent a property long-term and sublet it short-term on platforms like Airbnb. You profit from the difference between the monthly rent and the Airbnb income. This method requires landlord approval but can be very lucrative.

• Learning Curve: 1–3 months. You’ll need to learn Airbnb basics, local rental laws, and property management tips.
• Fulfillment Difficulty: Medium. You’ll manage bookings, check-ins, and possibly cleaning. Using management software like Guesty or Hostfully can simplify this.
• Scalability: High. You can grow by adding more properties, and creating a passive income stream.
• Startup Capital: Around $5K–15K to secure leases, furnishings, and basic management costs.
• Risk Level: High due to upfront cash requirements and potential issues with subletting.

Overall: Airbnb arbitrage is ideal for those with initial capital and good organizational skills. With the right approach, it can yield significant passive income.

3. eBay Shop: Start an Online Store with Minimal Investment

What It Is: Selling on eBay lets you list items you own or source from suppliers and reach millions of buyers. You can sell vintage clothing, electronics, or even handmade items.

• Learning Curve: About 2 weeks. Create an eBay seller account and identify popular items. Sourcing can begin with unused items at home or low-cost products from sites like DHgate.
• Fulfillment Difficulty: Medium. You’ll handle shipping and customer service, but refunds and replacements are part of e-commerce.
• Scalability: Very high. You can list as many items as you like, add new products, or even open multiple niche stores.
• Startup Capital: Around $500 to start purchasing stock.
• Risk Level: Medium. Initial stock costs pose a risk, but staying on top of trends can help you make informed choices.

Overall: eBay shops offer a flexible way to make money online, especially for anyone willing to handle order fulfillment and invest in inventory.

4. Affiliate Marketing: Easy Commissions Without the Hassle

What It Is: Affiliate marketing pays you a commission for promoting other people’s products or services. Sign up with affiliate programs on platforms like Amazon Associates or ClickBank, and share your unique referral links.

• Learning Curve: Very short (1–2 days). Signing up and choosing affiliate products is simple.
• Fulfillment Difficulty: Extremely easy. You don’t handle products or customer complaints; just share your links.
• Scalability: Very high. You can promote as many products as you want. Posting short-form content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts is an excellent strategy to drive traffic for free.
• Startup Capital: Around $250 if you’re outsourcing content creation. Otherwise, it can be as low as zero.
• Risk Level: Very low. With minimal initial investment and no inventory, the risk is negligible.

Overall: Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money online, ideal for those looking for a low-effort, scalable option.

5. AI-Powered Shopify Store: The Ultimate Lazy Way to Start E-commerce

What It Is: An AI-built Shopify store lets you launch an e-commerce site without the usual hassles. AI tools can create your store, select profitable products, and automate inventory and fulfillment through services like AutoDS.

• Learning Curve: Nearly zero. Sites like BuildYourStore.ai walk you through setup, design, and Shopify integration.
• Fulfillment Difficulty: Very easy. AutoDS handles everything, from listing trending products to fulfilling orders, making this a hands-off method.
• Scalability: Unlimited. You can add new products with ease, grow your store, and keep it updated without much effort.
• Startup Capital: Around $1.99 to get started with Shopify and AutoDS trials.
• Risk Level: Almost none. Low startup costs mean minimal risk, making this a great entry point for beginners.

Overall: An AI-powered Shopify store takes the top spot as the laziest way to make money online. With no need for inventory management or extensive marketing, it’s perfect for beginners who want a low-risk way to start an online business.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the laziest way to make money online, setting up an AI-powered Shopify store is the clear winner. However, all five methods can be profitable, depending on your interests and initial resources. Freelancing offers flexibility, Airbnb arbitrage can generate passive income, eBay shops are scalable, and affiliate marketing is beginner-friendly.

So, what’s your pick? Whether you’re interested in freelancing, affiliate marketing, or creating an AI-powered Shopify store, the right method is out there to help you make over $100 a day from the comfort of your home.