There’s never been a better time to start a side hustle. But with so many options out there, freelancing, dropshipping, UGC, and digital products, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
The truth is: not every side hustle is the right fit for you. What works for someone else might not work for your goals, skills, or schedule. Before you jump in, ask yourself a few key questions.In this post, I’ll walk you through five simple things to consider when choosing your side hustle. These aren’t random tips; they’re things I personally looked at when I started my first online business. And they’ll save you months of trial and error.
1. Time Commitment
The first thing to ask is: how much time do I actually have?
If you only have 1–2 hours a day, you can’t afford to choose a side hustle that needs 30 hours a week to get moving. That’s how people burn out.
Low-time commitment side hustles:
- Affiliate marketing through content
- Faceless YouTube channels
- Newsletter writing (1–2 emails a week)
- Flipping items on Facebook Marketplace
Higher-time commitment hustles:
- Starting a full ecommerce brand
- Running paid ads for clients
- Freelancing with tight deadlines
Be honest about your schedule. Don’t pick something that drains you before it even starts paying.
2. Startup Costs
Not all side hustles are free to start. Some need $0. Others need $500–$1,000 to get real traction. So you need to know what you’re working with. If you’re starting from scratch with no money, here are some smart choices:
- Content creation + affiliate marketing
- UGC (user-generated content)
- Freelancing with AI tools
- Newsletter business using Beehiiv or Kit’s free plans
If you have a small budget and want to invest in growth:
- Dropshipping with Shopify + paid ads
Starting from $17/month
Get your free trial and $1 for the first month + Free store builder
Key FeaturesAI-powered product recommendations and marketing
Advanced fulfillment and inventory management
Seamless omnichannel sellingWhy We Recommend ItStorage and Bandwidth:
Unlimited storage allows you to upload as many products and images as needed.
Unlimited bandwidth means your site can handle many visitors and lots of activity without slowing down.
Extras and Inclusions:
Secure, integrated payment gateway, with transaction fees waived if you use Shopify Payments.
Access to an extensive app store to add features and functionality.
Built-in tools for SEO, marketing, and analytics.Pros & Cons- Comprehensive store management tools
- Wide range of themes and apps
- Excellent 24/7 customer support
- It can get expensive with additional apps and transaction fees
- Limited SEO capabilities compared to other platforms
There’s no wrong answer. Just don’t start something that forces you to take on debt or spend money you don’t have.
3. Skill Set (or Willingness to Learn)
The best side hustle for you depends on what you’re already good at—or what you’re excited to learn.
Ask yourself:
- Do you enjoy writing, designing, editing, or selling?
- Are you comfortable on camera or prefer to stay behind the scenes?
- Do you like solving problems or creating content?
If you’re creative: Try TikTok content, YouTube channels, or selling Canva templates.
If you’re analytical: Look into SEO writing, flipping products, or running paid ads.
If you’re social: Offer freelance client services or grow a community-based brand.
And if you’re not sure what you’re good at, just start. Pick one path and let the reps show you.
4. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Payoff
Some side hustles take time to grow, but can pay you for years. Others give you fast cash now, but don’t scale.
Here’s a breakdown:
Fast money (but not scalable):
- Flipping items locally
- DoorDash, Instacart, or Uber Eats
- Basic freelancing jobs on Fiverr
Slower build, bigger payoff:
- Affiliate content that ranks on Google or YouTube
- A faceless channel with ad revenue
- Email newsletters with sponsors
- Digital products or online courses
Ask yourself: Are you doing this to survive the month or build long-term freedom? Both are valid. But your strategy will change depending on your answer.
5. Exit Potential or Passive Income
The best side hustles give you leverage over time. You can scale them, automate them, or even sell them later. This is what separates a job from a business.
High leverage hustles:
- A profitable blog or newsletter (you can sell or monetize it later)
- A YouTube channel with consistent traffic
- A productized service business (that others can run for you)
- Digital products or templates (sell 24/7)
If your side hustle only makes money when you’re working, that’s fine in the beginning. But think about how it can evolve. You want to stop trading time for money eventually.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best side hustle isn’t about finding what’s trending. It’s about finding what fits you, your time, your budget, your skills, and your long-term vision. Start with something that aligns with your current situation. Don’t wait for the perfect idea. Don’t overthink it. Just start something small and build from there. One decision, one project, one action at a time.