Whether it’s unleashing your entrepreneurial spirit or the rising cost of living, more and more people are looking to earn additional income in the form of a side hustle.
Some people have a passion they want to share with the world while others are more tactical – jumping on a trending industry in order to make a profit. And with 45 per cent of people looking to start a side hustle (NatWest survey, 2024), there’s no shortage of people considering this as and side hustles that actually work?
We scoured internet trends and Simply Business insurance data to understand popular side hustles and trades worth exploring – from creative businesses to those with low start-up costs.
- low-cost side hustles
- creative side hustles
- digital skills and online businesses
How to make extra money
Before you choose a side hustle, there are a few things you need to consider in order to make a profit in the fastest way possible:
- will you need to invest in materials or supplies?
- will you need to invest in marketing to attract initial customers?
- will you need specific training, which may cost money?
- will you be charged fees when you make a sale?
In this guide, we’ll cover what you should expect about any initial startup costs – as well as how often (and how much) you may get paid.
Best side hustles – side hustle ideas you could start today
A report from Small Business Britain and eBay found more than a third of small businesses (39 per cent) started out as a side hustle. So we’ve researched some of the best side hustle ideas to help give you some inspiration for earning extra income.
Low-cost side hustles
These ideas involve relatively low start-up costs and can technically work well as a full-time job or a side business.
Dog walking
Up front costs
Very low
You could get started right away. Costs involve leads, waste bags, promotion, insurance.
Flexibility
Moderate
You set your schedule, but bookings often cluster around standard working hours (lunchtime, early morning, evening).
Earning potential and
Moderate
Great for consistent, local income. owners.
We saw a 43% rise in dog walkers between 2020-24*, so it’s definitely a growing trend
Pet sitting
Up front costs
Very low
Similar to dog walking, you won’t need qualifications or any specific equipment to get started, just some basic supplies and insurance.
Flexibility
Low to moderate
Generally requires overnight stays or long blocks of time.
Your schedule is dictated by the owner’s travel dates.
Earning potential and
Moderate to high
You can charge premium rates for overnight care.
We saw a 49% rise in pet sitters between 2020-24*, and pet ownership has soared since the pandemic so there’s no shortage of potential clients.
Takeaway delivery
Up front costs
Low to moderate
You’ll need a reliable mode of transport – a bike can be the most affordable option. Insurance.
Flexibility
Most products on the market and refine your sales technique.
Will 2026 be the year you take your products to the market? Read our guide on setting up a market stall to help get you started.
Craft stall startup costs
The startup costs for your craft stall will depend on what items you sell, so your initial costs will be for the raw materials and tools that you need.
And as a creative with a visual eye, you may also want to invest in packaging and labelling for your items.
If you’re selling your products at a market, you’ll probably be renting the stall space, so reach out to the markets you’re interested in to get an indication of the specific costs.
You’ll probably also need your own display equipment – including tables, shelving, and signage. And check the transaction rate set by your card reader provider if you plan on taking card payments.
Selling online comes with its own set of costs. If you’re selling on an ecommerce platform, they’ll probably take a commission from any sale you make. You should also make a note of when your chosen online sales platform will release your earnings. For example, Etsy will release funds to new sellers weekly on a Monday.
No matter where you’re selling, investing in craft insurance can be a way to avoid unexpected costs in the future.
