Anyone can learn how to make money coding. In fact, there are a number of simple ways that you can start to make money coding online from the comfort of your home right now, and you don’t even need a degree! All you need is some basic knowledge of coding and a willingness to put in the work. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 different ways that you can make money coding online from home.
How Do Coders Earn Money?
Programmers are very diverse in the ways they earn money.
Unlike many other professionals, such as lawyers, economists, and doctors,
coders often profit from gigs other than full-time employment (which we will
review below).
However, let’s not discredit or omit that full-time work
still remains one of the most common sources of revenue for software
developers. They often work for tech or non-tech companies, at the office or
from home, to earn a stable income on a daily basis working an average of 40 hours a week.
Another popular way to earn money among programmers is
through freelance work. Developers are known for taking on independent
projects, and many earn full-time living by doing freelance work.
Besides these two common ways of making money coding, there
are several other ways to make extra cash by taking on smaller projects, which
we are going to lay out for you in this article.
What Is the Average Programmer's Salary?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers make
$109,020 per year on average. This is about twice as high as the income of an
average American.
Needless to say, programming is a very lucrative field with
a lot of earning potential.
However, it is important to note that this number does not
take into account all the different ways of making money coding. There are many
other sources of income for coders which may amplify the yearly earning for
developers that are willing to put in some extra work.
So, How Much Can You Make Programming on the Side?
Programming on the side can be a very profitable activity.
Depending on the type of coding you’re doing, you could make anywhere from a
few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.
For example, web developers can make a lot of money just by
freelancing and taking on small side projects. They can also make money by
selling software applications, creating themes and plugins for WordPress
websites, or developing iOS/Android apps.
Other types of coders, such as video game programmers and
data scientists, also have a lot of potential for making money on the side.
They can make money by creating video games, designing websites
and databases, or doing data analysis for businesses.
All-in-all, you can certainly add a nice bump to your
monthly earnings in 3 or 4-figure numbers from doing side gigs as a coder.
10 Simple Ways to Make Money Coding Online
So, let’s get into the 10 simple ways you can make money
coding online and write a few paragraphs about each way.
1. Freelance Projects
Freelancing is a great way to code for money without
creating your own product or service.
As a freelancer, you can offer your skills and experience to
clients who are looking for help with their projects.
You can work on projects such as web or software
development, graphic design, online consulting, app development, and many more.
Level of experience required: Intermediate
Payout: $20-5000+ per gig or $15-120/hour
Pros: Freelance projects are one of the best
ways for coders to make money as you can often find short-term gigs with
well-paid rates.
Cons: The downside is that it can be
time-consuming to find clients.
How to get started:
- Navigate
to an online freelancing platform, such as Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, and Freelancer.com.
- Sign
up, fill out your profile, and upload a picture. Make sure to include your
credentials, experience level, and areas of expertise.
- Create
an offering for potential clients, such as web development or software
engineering services.
- Wait
for a client and start your first job.
2. Bug Bounty
Bug bounty is an opportunity for developers to get rewards
and bonuses for identifying bugs in the systems of large companies.
For example, if someone finds a bug in the code of a
company’s website or software, they can report it and the company will give
them a reward. Easy as that!
Some companies will reward you even higher if you offer a
solution to the bug.
Large companies that offer bug bounty programs include Google, Microsoft,
and Uber. These giant leisurely offer tens of thousands of
dollars per bug for qualifying findings. Just click on the links above to see
the bounty payout tables!
Level of experience required: Intermediate-Advanced
Payout: $100-$10,000+ per bug depending on the
severity
Pros: You can make a lot of money by finding
bugs in large companies.
Cons: It may be time-consuming to find bugs.
How to get started:
- Navigate
to the bug bounty page of a company or HackerOne’s database.
- Carefully
read their bug bounty policy.
- Start
researching and look for bugs in the company’s software/website.
- Report
any bugs you find to the company, and you will be rewarded for it.
3. Build an App or a Game
Building an app or a game and selling it on the App Store is
another great way to make money coding.
There are a few ways to make money coding an app or a game.
One way is to create a paid app and sell it on the App
Store. You can create the app yourself or outsource the development to someone
else.
Another way is to create a free app and include ads in it. You can generate revenue by displaying ads from companies such as Google Adsense or AppLovin.
You can also create a paid game and sell it on the App Store
or Google Play. Games are becoming increasingly popular, so there is a lot of
potential for making money in this space.
Level of experience required: Intermediate-Advanced
Payout: $1-$100+ per sale depending on the price
of the app or $0.50-$5 per thousand impressions for ad revenue.
Pros: This is a great way to make money if you
have coding skills and some marketing experience.
Cons: It can be difficult to make money with
apps and games, as you need to have a lot of downloads/users in order to
generate significant revenue.
How to get started:
- Choose
an idea for an app or game and start planning it out.
- Design
the user interface and graphics for the app/game.
- Code
the app/game using your preferred language(s).
- Submit
the app/game to the App Store or Google
Play for approval.
- Market
and promote the app/game using various channels such as social media,
online ads, etc.
4. Build a WordPress Plugin or Theme
Another great way to make money coding is by creating
plugins or themes for the popular WordPress platform.
WordPress is used by millions of people around the world to
create websites, blogs, and other online content.
Plugins are used to add additional features to a WordPress
website, such as contact forms, SEO, and security measures. Themes are used to
change the design of a WordPress website.
Creating plugins and themes for WordPress is a great way to
make money coding, as you can sell them directly on the WordPress repository or
through third-party marketplaces such as CodeCanyon.
Building a plugin or theme for WordPress is relatively easy
as there are many tutorials and resources that you can use to get started.
Level of experience required: Intermediate-Advanced
Payout: $20-$200+ per sale depending on the
price of the plugin/theme.
Pros: This is a great way to make money from
coding as you can build plugins and themes once and then sell them multiple
times.
Cons: You may need to invest in marketing if you
want to have success selling your plugins/themes.
How to get started:
- Choose
a plugin or theme idea that you would like to develop.
- Create
the plugin/theme using your preferred language(s).
- Test
the plugin/theme and make sure it works correctly.
- Upload
the plugin/theme to the WordPress repository or a third-party marketplace.
- Market
and promote the plugin/theme using various channels such as social media,
online ads, etc.
5. Udemy Course
Udemy is
an online learning platform that allows anyone to create courses and sell them.
Creating a course on Udemy is a great way to make money
coding, as you can share your knowledge and expertise with a large audience.
You don’t need any experience in teaching or online course
creation to make money on Udemy. All you need is a good idea and the ability to
explain concepts clearly.
There are more than 100,000 courses on Udemy and the
platform pays out over $20 million dollars to its instructors each year.
Popular courses earn as much as $100,000+ in a single month.
Level of experience required: Beginner-Advanced
Payout: $10-$200+ per sale
Pros: This is a great way to make money from
coding as you can share your knowledge and expertise with a large audience.
Cons: It can be difficult to stand out from the
competition and get noticed on Udemy.
How to get started:
- Choose
a topic that you would like teach.
- Create
slides and/or videos to explain the topic.
- Record
audio with your voice to add another layer of explanation.
- Edit
and refine the content of your course.
- Upload
the videos/slides to Udemy and set a price for the course.
- Market
and promote the course using various channels such as social media, blog
posts, etc.
6. Technical Writing
Technical writing is the process of writing about complex
topics in a clear and concise manner. It is used by software companies, IT
firms, and other businesses to explain technical concepts to their customers.
As a programmer, you can put your technical knowledge to use
by writing on subjects such as technology, programming, software development,
web design, and more.
You can find technical writing gigs on various job sites
such as Sitepoint, Digital Ocean, Auth0, LogRocket, and others. You
can also find technical writing gigs on freelance platforms including Upwork and Fiverr.
Technical writers are expected to have a good understanding
of the technology they are writing about, as well as being able to explain
complex concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.
Level of experience required: Beginner-Advanced
Payout: $15-$50+ per hour
Pros: You can make money from coding without
actually writing code.
Cons: You may need to update your writing
portfolio frequently to remain competitive.
How to get started:
- Login
to websites that offer gigs to freelance technical writers.
- Update
your portfolio with writing samples to demonstrate your skills.
- Apply
for gigs related to the topics you’re knowledgeable about.
- Once
you land a gig, start writing and deliver your work on time.
- Market
yourself through various channels such as social media and cold emailing.
7. Blogging
Blogging is a great way to make money writing about
technical subjects and share your knowledge with the world. You can use
blogging platforms such as WordPress, Blogger,
and Medium to
create your own blog.
The costs of starting a blog are usually low and anyone with
even minimal knowledge of blogging and web development can do it.
While it may take time to start attracting traffic to your
blog and expanding your audience, once you have a good amount of articles on
your blog, you could be making a significant income just through writing about
programming and other related topics.
There are various ways you can earn money from blogging such
as display ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, etc.
After 1-2 years of consistent work on your blog, you can
expect to be making at least $500-1000 per month from your website. However, it
does take diligence and hard work to get there.
You would also have to learn concepts and strategies related
to keyword research (what people are searching
for), search engine optimization (ways to increase
visibility of your posts on Google), and other aspects of blogging in order to
get the most out of your blog.
For what it’s worth, it’s pretty fun to be writing about the
topic that interests you and make side income at the same time.
Level of experience required: Beginner
Payout: $100-$5000+ per month depending on the
size and age of your blog.
Pros: You can be your own boss and work on your
own schedule.
Cons: It takes time and hard work to build a
profitable blog.
How to get started:
- Decide
on a blogging platform (WordPress, Blogger, Medium, etc.).
- Create
a blog and start writing about programming topics you are knowledgeable
about.
- Update
your blog regularly with content that is valuable to readers.
- Learn
blogging concepts and strategies such as keyword research, search engine
optimization, etc.
- Start
marketing your blog on various platforms (social media, forums, etc).
8. YouTube Channel
If you’re the kind of person who loves teaching and creating
videos, then starting a YouTube channel
could be the perfect way to make money talking about programming.
You can create videos related to coding topics such as
tutorials, guides, and reviews. You can also create interviews with developers
or other tech professionals.
You’ll need to be creative with your video ideas and make
sure to optimize your content for YouTube’s search engine. This way, you’ll be
able to attract more viewers and have a chance to monetize your channel.
YouTube channels are usually monetized by AdSense, and
you can expect to make $2-5 per 1000 views. With lots of effort and dedication,
it’s possible to make up to $1000 a month from your channel within a year or
two.
Level of experience required: Beginner
Payout: $2-$5000+ per month depending on the
number of views and subscribers.
Pros: Flexible working hours and creative outlet
for self-expression.
Cons: Not easy to attract viewers and make
money.
How to get started:
- Come
up with ideas for your channel and decide on the type of content you want
to create.
- Learn
the basics of video editing, SEO and promotion techniques.
- Create
your videos and upload them to YouTube.
- Optimize
your videos for SEO and start promoting them.
- Earn
money by applying for YouTube’s Partner Program and displaying ads on your
videos.
- Keep
creating engaging content and continue growing your audience.
9. Write an eBook
If you have extensive knowledge on a programming-related
topic, then you can use that to write an eBook and make some money.
Writing an eBook requires research and dedication, but once
it is done, it could be a great source of passive income. You just have to
market your book extensively and you’ll start making money from it
consistently.
The amount of money you can make from an eBook depends on
the content, quality, and how well it is marketed. Generally, you can expect to
make around $5-$50 per eBook sale.
Level of experience required: Intermediate to
advanced
Payout: $5-$50 per eBook sale
Pros: It’s a great source of passive income.
Cons: It takes time and dedication to write an
eBook.
How to get started:
- Decide
on the topic for your book and make sure it is something readers will find
useful.
- Do
research and gather information to write your book.
- Write
your book in an engaging way and make sure it is free of errors.
- Publish
your book on a platform like Amazon or create a PDF version for sale on
your website.
- Start
promoting the eBook through social media, blogs, forums, etc.
- Keep
track of the sales and continue to promote your book to get more exposure.
10. Coding Competitions
If you’re an experienced programmer, then you can take part
in coding competitions to make some money.
These competitions usually involve solving a difficult
coding problem within a given time frame. Companies offer prizes in the form of
cash or jobs to the winners, and this can be an excellent way to make some
money while honing your programming skills.
You can find such competitions on platforms such as CodeChef, HackerEarth, and Topcoder.
Level of experience required: Intermediate-Advanced
Payout: $100-$1000+
Pros: Can be a great way to hone your
programming skills.
Cons: High level of competition and tough coding
problems.
How to get started:
- Research
and find coding competitions that are relevant to your skill level.
- Read
the rules of the competition and make sure you understand them.
- Spend
time studying the problem and come up with a solution.
- Write
clean, efficient code to solve the problem within the given time frame.
- Submit
your solution and wait for results.
- Keep
participating in coding competitions to hone your skills and make some
money.
Tips for Making Money Online as a Developer
No matter which of these methods of making money as a coder
you choose, here are some tips to help you make more money online as a
developer.
Ask for testimonials
If you decide to work as a freelancer, create a course or an
eBook, or write for a company, make sure to ask for reviews or testimonials
from your clients. This will not only help you build credibility and trust, but
it will also give you more exposure and boost your income.
Increase charges incrementally
If you’re working as a freelancer, don’t be afraid to
increase your charges. As your skillset grows and the demand for your services
grows, you should be able to charge more. This will help you earn more money
and improve your standard of living.
Have a portfolio
If you plan to work as a freelancer, or if you want to write
for companies or start teaching coding, then make sure you have an up-to-date
portfolio of your work. This will help show potential clients and employers the
quality of your work and make them more likely to hire you.
Focus on Quality
No matter what you do, make sure to focus on delivering
quality work. Quality is always rewarded in the long run and will help you gain
more clients and make more money.
Network and build relationships
Networking is essential for any developer who wants to make
money online. Connect with other developers, attend conferences and events,
join online forums, and build relationships with potential clients. This will
help you stay up-to-date with the industry and will give you more opportunities
to make money.
Set realistic goals
Making money online as a coder won’t happen overnight, so
it’s important to set realistic goals. This will help you stay motivated and on
track, and it will also give you something to work towards. Keep in mind that
it takes time and dedication to make money online as a developer, but with the
right tools and strategies, you can achieve success.
Manage your workload
When it comes to making money online as a coder, time
management is key. Learn how to manage your workload and prioritize tasks so
that you can focus on the most important and lucrative projects. Don’t say yes
to every job. This will help you get more done in less time and maximize your
income potential.
Conclusion
Making money online as a coder can be challenging, but it’s definitely doable. If you’re willing to put in the effort, you can make a good income from home by coding. In this article, we’ve provided some tips and advice that will help you get started. So what are you waiting for? Start coding and start making money!
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