6 Underrated Ways to Make Money Online

The internet is full of money-making opportunities, but many are oversaturated—dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and print-on-demand, for example, have fierce competition. If you're looking for fresh, less competitive ways to earn online, here are six underrated methods with high potential.

1. AI-Powered Freelance Services

Why It’s Not Oversaturated:

While freelancing itself is crowded, using AI tools to enhance your services (like AI-generated content, automated design, or coding assistance) sets you apart. Many businesses want efficiency but don’t know how to leverage AI.

How to Start:

• Offer AI-assisted services (e.g., ChatGPT-enhanced copywriting, Midjourney graphic design, or AI-driven video editing).

• Market yourself on Fiverr, Upwork, or LinkedIn as an "AI-Enhanced Freelancer."

Potential Earnings: 50–50–500 per project

2. Niche Virtual Assistance for Tech-Savvy Clients

Why It’s Not Oversaturated:

Traditional virtual assistants (VAs) are common, but specialized VAs (e.g., for AI startups, crypto businesses, or SaaS companies) are in demand.

How to Start:

• Learn tools like Notion, Zapier, or AI automation platforms.

• Offer services like CRM management, AI tool setup, or automated workflows.

• Find clients in Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or cold emailing startups.

Potential Earnings: 20–20–50/hour

3. Digital Product Reselling (With Private Label Rights - PLR)

Why It’s Not Oversaturated:

Most people create their own digital products (e-books, courses), but buying PLR content, rebranding it, and reselling it is a faster, scalable model.

How to Start:

• Purchase PLR content from sites like PLR.me or IDPLR.

• Customize and sell on Etsy, Gumroad, or your own website.

• Focus on niches like self-improvement, business templates, or health guides.

Potential Earnings: 500–500–5,000/month (scalable)

4. Local Lead Generation for Small Businesses

Why It’s Not Oversaturated:

Many local businesses struggle with online visibility but don’t know how to fix it. Offering lead generation (not just SEO or ads) is a direct revenue model.

How to Start:

• Build simple lead-gen websites (e.g., "Best Plumbers in [City]").

• Rank them on Google using basic SEO.

• Sell the leads to local businesses for a recurring fee.

Potential Earnings: 500–500–10,000/month (passive income)

5. Micro-SaaS (Software as a Service) for Specific Niches

Why It’s Not Oversaturated:

Big SaaS tools dominate, but small, niche-specific tools (e.g., a Shopify plugin for a specific industry) have less competition.

How to Start:

• Identify a niche problem (e.g., "Instagram schedulers for real estate agents").

• Use no-code tools like Bubble or Softr to build a simple solution.

• Market via Reddit, niche forums, or cold outreach.

Potential Earnings: 1,000–1,000–20,000/month (scalable)

6. Online Community Monetization (Paid Memberships)

Why It’s Not Oversaturated:

Social media is crowded, but private, topic-focused communities (Slack, Discord, or Circle.so) offer real value.

How to Start:

• Pick a niche (e.g., "AI for Non-Techies" or "Freelance Writers Growth Hub").

• Offer exclusive content, networking, or coaching.

• Monetize via subscriptions (10–10–50/month).

Potential Earnings: 1,000–1,000–10,000/month (scalable)

Final Thoughts

The key to making money online in 2024 is finding underserved niches and leveraging emerging trends (like AI, micro-SaaS, and hyper-specific communities). Instead of competing in saturated markets, focus on:
✅ Specialization (niche down)
✅ Automation & AI (work smarter)
✅ Recurring Revenue (subscriptions, leads, SaaS)

Which of these methods will you try first? Let me know in the comments!