'The online economy is opening doors for young people – but success depends on using trusted platforms and building the right skills.'
With millions of South Africans already spending hours every day online, the Internet is no longer just a place for entertainment and social networking, it has become a growing source of income.
As the country grapples with the world's highest youth unemployment rate, many people are turning to digital platforms to boost their earnings or build full-time careers from home.
From freelancing to content creation and e-commerce, there are many opportunities for people to make money online.
It's worth noting that not every option guarantees instant wealth and success, but with the right skills, consistency, and access to stable internet, one can turn screen time into a valuable source of income.
“The online economy is opening doors for young people – but success depends on using trusted platforms and building the right skills,” says Sarah Nicholson, head of customer experience at Justmoney.
Here are nine ways to earn income online with JustMoney
Paid Surveys and Market Research
Platforms pay users small amounts of money to answer short questionnaires for brands, researchers or universities. After signing up and completing a profile, users receive surveys based on age, location, and interests.
Nicholson says people can use platforms like Toluna Influencers, SurveyTime, Prolific, Ipsos iSense, Wysense, and SagaPoll. “No experience, skills or upfront costs are required,” she adds.
“Payment is made either in cash (via PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill) or with points that can be redeemed for vouchers from Takealot or Pick n Pay, or airtime top-ups.”
The debt consultancy company said most users earn R200 to R600 per month, while very active users on multiple platforms can earn up to R1,500.
Micro Tasks and Data Labeling
Nicholson says platforms like ClickWorker Outlier and Amazon Mechanical Turk pay users to complete simple online tasks like labeling images, examining small pieces of text, and helping train AI systems.
“Tasks are usually paid per task rather than per hour and availability varies greatly. To get paid, you need a fully verified PayPal account,” she adds.
“Clickworker pays in euros, Outlier pays in US dollars, while Amazon Mechanical Turk usually pays South Africans in Amazon.com gift cards, unless they have a US bank account.
“Most active users who qualify for better-paying jobs can earn around R500 to R1,000 per month. A minority who put in significant hours can reach around R3,000.”
graphic design
Nicholson says common freelance work includes logo design, social media graphics and marketing materials. Most freelancers rely on tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Figma.
“Entry-level designers generally earn Rs 120 to Rs 300 per hour and mid-level designers earn Rs 300 to Rs 500 per hour,” she says.
Freelance Writing and Content Creation
Nicholson says freelance writing and content creation is one of the most accessible ways to earn money online, especially if you have strong English and basic research skills.
“South African writers typically find work on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr and PeoplePerHour, and by contacting businesses, agencies and publications,” she says.
“Freelance writers typically earn between R1 and R2 per word initially and between R3 to R4 per word once established. Expert writers and those skilled in SEO and AI-assisted content creation can charge significantly higher rates.”
web development and coding
Nicholson says web development is one of the highest-paying skills-based online pathways in South Africa, but it has a steeper learning curve.
“There is strong demand for WordPress and Shopify developers for small business sites, while knowledge of JavaScript frameworks like React are often required for more complex builds.
“Developers who combine technical skills with project management or site maintenance secure a more stable monthly income.”
She says entry-level developers typically earn R10,000 to R20,000 per month. Experienced or full-stack developers can earn R40 000 to R70 000 locally. Higher earnings are possible through long-term remote work for foreign clients.
virtual assistance
Nicholson says remote administration can be an important source of online income, driven by strong English skills, South African time zone alignment with Europe and low labor costs.
Typical tasks include email and calendar management, scheduling, basic social media posting, invoicing, and bookkeeping.
“Entry-level virtual assistants typically earn Rs 50 to Rs 100 per hour, while experienced or specialized virtual assistants earn closer to Rs 100 to Rs 200 per hour. This can increase if working directly with offshore clients.”
teaching and learning
She says education offers flexible, skills-based income for South Africans with subject expertise or teaching experience.
“Local and international platforms include Teach Me 2, Preply, Tutorful and Cambly (primarily for conversational English).
“Tutors on Teach Me 2 and similar South African platforms typically earn R120 to R300 per hour, depending on the subject, level and qualifications.
“Global platforms like Preply and Tutorful allow tutors to set their own rates, which typically range from $15 to $25 per hour (about R244 to R406), although these platforms typically charge commission. Cambly pays a fixed rate of about $10.20 per hour (about R167).”
Digital Marketing and SEO
“This is one of the higher-value freelance skill sets. Basic social media management for small businesses often starts at the lower end, while paid ad management or SEO can push fees significantly higher,” says Nicholson.
“South African freelancers and agencies typically charge R5 000 to R30 000 per client per month, depending on deliverables, channel and campaign complexity.”
affiliate marketing
She says creators earn commission by promoting products through blogs, YouTube channels or social media.
“Earnings are usually minimal in the beginning, increasing from R2 000 to R20 000+ per month once consistent traffic and audience trust is established. Affiliate marketing requires an upfront time investment, with earnings only increasing after months of content creation, SEO or audience building.”