Top 6 Easy Beginner-Friendly Ways to Make Extra Money Online in 2026

This article may contain affiliate links, please read our Disclosure Policy.

Still thinking about it? Stop.

No matter your age, gender, or where you live, making money online doesn't have boundaries in 2026.

That's why you might regret skipping this simple and beginner-friendly guide.

It's based on the latest trends, low-competition and high-demand profitable online side hustles for 2026 that can actually generate money even as a beginner with no tech skills.

Pick ONE idea from this list and spend 2 hours setting it up. That's it. No overthinking, no "I'll do it tomorrow." Let's go.

1- Build a Coloring Book Shop

A coloring book is what most people looking for screen-free relaxing time use, and selling them online is the definition of "beginner friendly."

These are low content books that require minimal effort.

Here's how :

Grab a Pre-Made Coloring Book Collection – they come in huge bundles (500+), are stunning and eye-catching for customers.
Go to Canva (free version) – in the search bar, look for "coloring books" and pick the right dimensions.
Upload your coloring pages – add each on a page, 20-30 pages are good.
Design a cover with some designs and a bold title like: "Fruit Houses Coloring Book for Kids and Adults"
Upload on platforms like Etsy, Payhip, Lulu… Make sure to link to a print on demand service if you want to sell a printable version.
Promote using Pinterest – it's a visual search engine that favors coloring books A LOT! Post pins and generate sales.

Pro Tip : Consistent pinning = consistent sales.

💡 How to Build a Profitable Coloring Book Shop in One Weekend?

2- Sell Fun T-Shirts with Print on Demand

Print on demand is a service where you upload a design, and it stays there until a customer orders.

Then the platform prints, ships, and you earn your commission (usually $3-8 per item).

This might look very saturated in 2026, but POD is still thriving.

How to sell Print on Demand products :

Pick a niche that interests you – funny puns and gift ideas work the best.
Make your design on Canva, Kittl, or use AI for visuals.
Upload your designs on Redbubble, TeePublic, Spreadshirt, Spring, or any platform you choose.
Promote on Pinterest – again, people go to Pinterest to look for products and ideas.

Mistake to Avoid : Going too generic. Niche down to funny dog owner quotes or sarcastic teacher tees—specificity sells.

3. Sell Editable Social Media Templates on Etsy

Social media templates are very powerful on Etsy, yet very easy to make.

Here's the process :

Pick a niche for your templates : finance, food, fashion, travel, beauty…
Go to Canva and pick which type of templates you want : Instagram posts/stories, Pinterest pins…
Design 20-30 templates and sell them in one bundle (share the Canva template link).
List on Etsy with good SEO – better yet, have a website to drive traffic or run ads.

💡 Your A-to-Z Full Guide on How to Make Money Selling Social Media Templates.

4. Sell Wall Art, No Worrying About Stock

Home decor never runs out of demand, and the process of selling wall art has never been easier thanks to print on demand.

Your action plan :

Design your art – handmade or with AI.
Go to Canva and upload different dimensions with high resolution, then add your mockups.
Upload to platforms like Society6, Zazzle, or use Etsy linked to Printify.
Promote! Use Pinterest that sends huge traffic to the home decor niche.

The beauty of this : One design becomes a canvas, poster, framed print, and more. More products = more chances to sell.

5. Sell AI-Generated Stock Photos in Bundles

Stock photos are professional images created to draw attention for marketing and social media.

Any business in the world needs a strong online presence, and a strong online presence needs the best visuals!

How to get started :

Pick an AI tool to design your photos (MidJourney, DALL-E, Artistly…) – make sure it offers the right to sell commercially!
Choose a niche – target especially bloggers and social media managers. You can pick niches : food, travel, business, medicine, seasons like fall, spring, Christmas, Halloween…
Bundle 20-50 photos together and sell on Etsy, Payhip, Creative Market, or your own site.

💡 Mistake to Avoid : Always verify you have legal rights to sell AI-generated images. Check each tool's terms.

6. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a process where you write or post about a product and recommend it.

If someone buys using your link, you earn a commission. This side hustle is for persistent people!

It's very slow but the most rewarding one so far, because what you build is a trustful audience, huge traffic, and you make money without creating any products.

What you need for affiliate marketing :

Build a website or blog with a clear purpose and niche.
Post about the topic and provide value.
Start including affiliate links naturally with the right context.
Drive external traffic using social media or Pinterest.

Real talk : Months 1-6 might feel slow (I made my first sale after 8 months!). But stick with it—you'll build income that compounds over time. Some posts can make money for years.

Your Next Move

Pick ONE of these profitable online side hustles for 2026. Don't try all six at once or you'll get overwhelmed.

Spend this weekend setting up. These 2026 money making ideas only work if you actually start.

Which one are you trying first?