ALT-2 Making Money on the Internet
The internet has become a source of income for many people. There are many ways a person can make money by using the internet.
Auction Sales
One of the easiest ways to make money online is by using online auction sites such as eBay. Starting out is very easy and you can begin by selling unwanted items around your home. When I first joined eBay I sold my old videos, CDs, and books. EBay allows anyone with just a little computer experience and some free time to make money selling everyday items they already own. If you already have your own company, eBay is a great place to get some more exposure for your products and increase your profits. You don't need to set up an expensive web site to sell your products. While eBay may not be as great as it was in the past for selling, it is still one of the best auction sites online. There are other sites to sell your goods as well which can be explored by anyone wanting to make extra money online.
Website
Owing and operating your own online website is another way to generate online income. This works particularly well if you already own your own business and have products to sell. While it does cost money to purchase a domain and run your website it is much less then trying to operate a retail store. A website can work well for someone who is just starting a business and cannot afford the operating costs that can occur when renting retail space. A website can also promote your product to a larger audience that just couldn't be possible with a retail space. You can even ship your products worldwide for more exposure. You can also use a personal website to market yourself to potential employers.
Affiliate Marketing
If you already own a website, but don't have any products to sell you can use what is called affiliate marketing. You can place ads from other companies on your website and earn a percentage of the sales made through your links. There are literally thousands of companies offering affiliate marketing with every possible product you can think of. Amazon.com is just one example of thousands of companies offering affiliate marketing programs. Doing an internet search for "affiliate marketing" will yield hundreds of results. While this type of advertising does take a lot of work for any real profits it is possible to make a full-time income. Don't expect magic results overnight you need to put in time, effort and above all have patience.
Writing/Freelance
If you are good with the written word, the internet is fast becoming a place for writers to make some real money. There are websites online that will pay you to write small articles and other material. You are usually paid a small fee for your work or when your material is viewed by others. There are other places where you can bid on contracts and do work for others who need website or other internet material. This work is usually part-time but you can go from job to job and build your portfolio. Helium.com and elance.com are two such places interested in your written word.
I would classify these four as the best ways to make money online. Just like in real life it does take time and effort to see results, but it is well worth it in the long run.
