How I Made £500 in a Week With One of These 30 Side Hustles
Making extra money can feel like a big challenge, but with the right ideas, it’s easier than it seems. A “side hustle” is a way to earn money outside of your main job or school, often on your own schedule. These opportunities are a chance to explore new skills, take control of your time, and work on things you’re passionate about.
Split by High Earning Potential vs Low Barrier to Entry. Each item includes what it is, how to do it, UK-specific tips, and starter links.
Compliance reminder: if total side-hustle income exceeds £1,000/year, register as self-employed and file Self Assessment with HMRC.
🚀 High Earning Potential (can scale to £1,500–£5,000+/mo)
1) SEO Consulting for UK Businesses
What it is: Improve rankings for UK businesses (e.g., “plumber in Bristol”, “solicitor near me”).
How to do it: Learn keyword research, on-page, backlinks, and Google Business Profile. Start with free audits, then sell monthly retainers (£300–£1,500+).
UK tips: Optimise GBP, local citations (Yell, Thomson Local), and location pages.
Links: BrightLocal, Upwork
2) Amazon UK FBA
What it is: Source products, send them to Amazon warehouses; Amazon handles fulfilment.
How to do it: Research demand/margins, order samples, create compliant listings, ship to UK FCs.
UK tips: Consider small/light items, understand VAT thresholds and UK product compliance.
Links: Amazon Seller Central UK, JungleScout, Helium10
3) YouTube Channel (UK niche)
What it is: Videos on UK-specific topics (personal finance, council tax, property, visas, NHS).
How to do it: Focus on searchable topics; post weekly; use end-screens and playlists.
UK tips: Mix “evergreen UK” queries with trending policies/budgets for spikes.
Links: YouTube Studio, Amazon Associates UK, Awin
4) Affiliate Marketing (UK Retailers)
What it is: Recommend products; earn a commission on sales (Argos, Currys, John Lewis).
How to do it: Build a niche site or social channel; publish comparisons, deal roundups, gift guides.
UK tips: Use UK-only retailers and GBP pricing; disclose affiliations as per ASA guidance.
Links: Awin, Amazon UK Affiliates
5) Etsy UK Store (Digital + Handmade)
What it is: Sell printables (planners, CV templates) or handmade crafts.
How to do it: Research Etsy UK keywords, create mockups, launch 20–40 listings, iterate.
UK tips: Digital goods avoid postage; for physicals, use Royal Mail size/weight sweet spots.
6) Online Course Creation
What it is: Pre-recorded lessons on a valuable skill (e.g., Excel, bookkeeping, UK tax basics).
How to do it: Draft syllabus → record screen/camera → upload → add worksheets → promote.
UK tips: UK-specific modules (“Self-Assessment for freelancers”, “UK payroll basics”).
7) Property Virtual Tours (Estate Agents)
What it is: Produce 360° tours for listings; agents embed tours in portals and microsites.
How to do it: Buy 360 camera; create demo; pitch local agents; deliver links & embeds.
UK tips: Offer quick turnaround for rental markets (student/urban hubs).
Links: Matterport
8) Freelance Copywriting (UK)
What it is: Write landing pages, emails, and ads that convert.
How to do it: Build samples in finance/proptech/e-commerce; sell per-project packages.
UK tips: Use British spelling/tone; reference UK compliance where relevant.
Links: PeoplePerHour, Fiverr
⚡ Low Barrier to Entry (quick £200–£800/mo)
9) Paid Surveys (UK)
What it is: Get paid for opinions and academic studies.
How to do it: Join multiple panels; prioritise higher-pay tasks first.
UK tips: Prolific pays well and screens fairly.
Links: Prolific, Swagbucks UK
10) Website/App Testing (UK companies)
What it is: Record your screen and narrate feedback while testing flows.
How to do it: Qualify via sample tests; keep mic quality clear; follow scripts closely.
UK tips: Set availability to UK business hours for more tests.
Links: UserTesting, Respondent
11) Mystery Shopping (Online)
What it is: Evaluate service quality from home (checkout, chat, phone).
How to do it: Provide screenshots and concise reports; hit deadlines.
UK tips: Prefer platforms with clear reimbursements.
Links: Market Force UK
12) Transcription (UK)
What it is: Convert UK audio (meetings, lectures) to text.
How to do it: Improve WPM; use foot pedal/shortcuts; proof thoroughly.
UK tips: Learn UK legal/medical terminology for higher rates.
Links: Take Note, GoTranscript
13) Captioning & Subtitling
What it is: Add captions to YouTube/short-form content.
How to do it: Use Subtitle Edit/CapCut; deliver in SRT/VTT.
UK tips: Pitch UK creators; offer fast 24-hour turnaround.
14) Depop / Vinted Reselling
What it is: Sell second-hand/vintage clothing online.
How to do it: Start with your wardrobe; then source charity shops/car boots.
UK tips: Use daylight photos; free shipping tiers boost conversion.
15) eBay Flipping
What it is: Buy undervalued items and resell for profit.
How to do it: Focus on categories you know (retro games, books, small electronics).
UK tips: Factor Royal Mail parcels; use auction endings on Sunday evenings.
Links: eBay UK
16) Micro-Tasking (UK)
What it is: Bite-sized tasks (data tagging, research, QA).
How to do it: Batch tasks; set daily caps to avoid burnout.
UK tips: Watch for qualification tests to unlock higher-pay queues.
Links: Clickworker, Appen
17) Pet Sitting & Online Pet Services
What it is: Offer virtual check-ins, training advice, or bookings management.
How to do it: Create profiles with reviews; offer bundles (e.g., 5 calls).
UK tips: Target city pros and students with flexible schedules.
Links: Tailster, Pawshake UK
18) Online Market Research (UK)
What it is: Paid studies/interviews on products and behaviour.
How to do it: Complete screeners honestly; keep calendars open for weekday slots.
UK tips: Tech/finance demos pay more; keep NDAs in mind.
Links: Ipsos i-Say, YouGov
🎓 Professional / Skill-Based (steady growers)
19) UK Online Tutoring
What it is: Tutor GCSE/A-level or ESL from home.
How to do it: Build subject profiles, set availability, use Zoom/whiteboards.
UK tips: Peak demand: evenings/weekends & exam seasons.
20) CV & LinkedIn (UK format)
What it is: Rewrite CVs and profiles to UK conventions.
How to do it: Offer packages (CV + LinkedIn + cover letter + interview prep).
UK tips: Target NHS, finance, IT; tailor to ATS keywords.
21) Language Translation (UK demand)
What it is: Translate English ↔ Welsh/Polish/Arabic and more.
How to do it: Build a glossary; specialise (legal/medical/local gov).
UK tips: Public sector tenders prefer certified/experienced translators.
22) Voiceover (UK Accent)
What it is: Record scripts for ads, explainers, audiobooks.
How to do it: Treat a quiet room; use Audacity; deliver WAV/MP3 clean.
UK tips: Offer regional accent options; provide 24-hour add-on for premium.
Links: Voices, Bunny Studio
23) Virtual Assistant for UK SMEs
What it is: Email, diary, invoicing, customer support.
How to do it: Sell retainer blocks (10/20 hours); daily check-ins.
UK tips: Align with 9–5 GMT; GDPR-compliant handling of data.
24) Online Fitness Coaching
What it is: Remote training plans and check-ins.
How to do it: Niche down (postnatal, desk workers); weekly progress calls.
UK tips: Offer hybrid packages (video + PDF + app tracking).
Links: Trainerize
25) Online Notary / Legal Support (UK)
What it is: Provide notarial/administrative services (where certified).
How to do it: Check eligibility/training; set remote appointment flows.
UK tips: Verify ID/compliance; maintain secure document handling.
Links: Gov.uk – Find a Notary
26) Stock Photography for UK Media
What it is: Sell UK-relevant images to publishers/brands.
How to do it: Shoot themes with consistent style; keyword properly.
UK tips: Prioritise UK seasons, events, transport, healthcare.
Links: Alamy, Adobe Stock
27) Blogging (UK SEO Niches)
What it is: Build a UK-focused content site and monetise with ads/affiliates.
How to do it: Target low-competition UK queries; publish weekly; build internal links.
UK tips: Use GBP prices and UK resources; E-E-A-T with real author bios.
Links: WordPress, Krystal Hosting (UK)
28) Podcasting on UK Topics
What it is: UK news, culture, finance, or expat living.
How to do it: Batch record; publish weekly; cross-post clips on TikTok/YouTube.
UK tips: Seasonal topics (budget, tax year, bank holidays) drive spikes.
Links: Acast, Spotify for Podcasters
29) Freelance Graphic Design (UK)
What it is: Logos, brand kits, social assets for startups/SMEs.
How to do it: Build a small portfolio; sell fixed-price bundles.
UK tips: Offer rush delivery for campaigns/events.
Links: 99designs, PeoplePerHour
30) Remote Customer Support (UK Firms)
What it is: Handle tickets/chat for UK e-commerce and SaaS.
How to do it: Showcase empathy, writing clarity, tool familiarity (Zendesk, Intercom).
UK tips: Apply for evening/weekend shifts for premium pay.
Compliance & Taxes: If your total trading income exceeds £1,000 within a tax year, register for Self Assessment and keep basic bookkeeping (income, receipts, miles). See Gov.uk – Self Assessment.