Making money online with a phone or laptop is certainly possible, ranging from $5 to $100. However, it’s important to remember that having good skills or abilities is essential for clients to feel confident about using the services of someone they don’t know personally.
If you have excellent skills that are proven in your portfolio, there are many online jobs you can take. Client needs on the internet are vast and not limited by region or country, so the earning potential can be greater than in the real world where demands are more restricted.
Freelance is another term for this work, and people who take jobs online from around the world are called freelancers. A freelancer has outstanding skills comparable to office workers.
However, before starting as a freelancer online, it is important to understand what freelancing is, its benefits, and its risks. The goal is to have a strong conviction because this work is clearly not easy and is unsupervised, so success greatly depends on one’s credibility.
You might neglect and stop working before completion. If that happens, don’t expect to make $5 to $100 online using your phone and laptop.
A freelancer is an independent worker who is not bound by a contract with any company. They don’t have full-time commitments, schedules, or rules to follow. They are free to choose when to work and which clients to take on.
Unlike office workers who are bound by contracts and must meet the company’s needs, freelancers have no demands from others besides their own needs. A freelancer’s need is to find projects or clients online that they can work on.
There are many projects or client requests online. There are even special platforms that offer digital jobs across countries that can be done from home. Clients can request someone to work on their project for a certain fee, and freelancers can also publish their portfolios on these websites.
Freelancing is an attractive option for modern people who understand the internet and digital marketing. Although there are no health benefits, annual leave, or fixed monthly salaries, the flexibility of this job gives them unlimited creative space.
Freelance work is popular among many people. However, not many individuals with adequate skills or abilities work as freelancers. This is because this part-time work has attractive benefits.
One reason people choose to work as freelancers is because of the flexibility in time and place. When bound by a work contract with a company, some feel constrained, their lives become unbalanced, and their families are neglected. However, as freelancers, they have the freedom to balance work, personal life, and family.
This job allows everyone to work according to their own profession and choose projects that match their expertise. Additionally, they can decide which company or client they want to collaborate with.
Unlike office workers with a fixed monthly salary, freelancers can earn more by taking on many projects from the internet. However, this is only possible if your skills are above average. The higher your skills, the higher your income will be.
You are free to set your rates for products or services based on the complexity of the project and the time required. In other words, there is room for negotiation with clients, or you can set a fixed price from the start.
Wherever there are benefits, there are also drawbacks. Although we have mentioned some significant and attractive benefits, you also need to be aware of the drawbacks of being a freelancer to avoid future regrets. Here are some disadvantages of working as a freelancer.
The first disadvantage freelancers face is high competition. Since freelancing uses digital media, its reach is very wide, even global. In other words, although many projects are offered, clients also need to review the freelancer’s profile to see if they have a good reputation. Whether you can earn money depends on the projects you get. Meanwhile, there are many talented people in the world.
Since freelancers work independently and are not contracted with a company, they cannot receive social benefits from clients. Social benefits such as health insurance, accident insurance, and other allowances are not provided. Therefore, you have to pay for insurance yourself.
Freelancers do not receive equipment like office workers do. They need to provide their own tools, such as laptops and high-speed computers for video editing, coding, and other tasks. These expensive tools can become a financial burden for them.
Since this article discusses how to make money online, freelancers need to understand digital marketing. Digital marketing uses digital media and the internet for marketing and reaching consumers. Buying and selling products and services happen in the digital world, like online transactions.
Freelancers need to understand various types of digital marketing to succeed. With this knowledge, you can choose the best methods to promote your products and services. Digital marketing is vast and diverse, so without a good understanding, it can be confusing.
If you want to promote products and services through a website, it’s important to understand SEO techniques. With good SEO, your website’s ranking can improve in search engine results, making it easier for people to find and buy your products.
This marketing uses advertising services like Google Ads and META. By paying for ads on Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, your products can reach more visitors and increase sales. However, it’s important to learn how to use ads correctly to get the best results.
This type of marketing focuses on creating, publishing, and distributing engaging and high-quality content on digital platforms. The goal is to attract an audience and generate profit. An example is cooking content, which can make money from ad monetization and product endorsements.
Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to promote digital products and services, such as tutorial e-books, cooking recipes, or editing and design services. Followers are a crucial factor in social media; the more followers you have, the higher the viewership and your earnings.
This marketing method is very popular because it offers a high daily commission. You only need to visit a marketplace that offers an affiliate program, such as Shopee, Tokopedia, or Amazon.
After understanding the different types of digital marketing, those of you who want to become freelancers should be able to choose the digital path that suits your skills. However, keep in mind that although digital marketing has many benefits, it also has drawbacks, such as high competition, limited access, data security concerns, dependence on technology, and rapid changes in the digital landscape.
When discussing the largest and most trusted global platforms for side jobs, Upwork and Fiverr are the frontrunners. These platforms provide numerous opportunities for freelancers to earn extra money. Additionally, they offer easy payments, convenient access, and a wide variety of job categories.
First, Upwork was founded in 2015 from the merger of two companies, Elance and oDesk. Elance was founded by Beerud Sheth and Srini Anumolu in 1998, while oDesk was founded by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis in 2003. In 2013, the two platforms merged, and in 2015, they became Upwork, the global platform we know today.
Second, Fiverr is also one of the largest digital freelance platforms, connecting companies or individuals with freelancers ready to take on projects. Fiverr was founded by Micha Kaufman and Shai Wininger in 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Fiverr’s growth has been rapid, reaching 3 million services by 2012, releasing an iOS app in the App Store in 2013, and an Android app in Google Play in 2014. As of 2025, Fiverr has expanded to more than 160 countries.
There are several key features on these two platforms that are really useful for both clients and freelancers, including the following:
| Development & IT | |
|---|---|
| Android Developer Consultants | Ada Programmer |
| UI Developer | Indian Web Developers |
| Twitter Developer | Web Developers |
| Yeoman Developer | 2D Game Developers |
| Schema Developers | Software Developers |
| Research Programmer | Big Data Engineers |
| Amazon Backend Developer | Microsoft Developers |
| Chrome OS Developer | Google API Developers |
| Blockchain Tester | Amazon API Developers |
| Java Engineer | Full Stack Developers |
| AI Services | |
|---|---|
| Machine Learning Engineers | Algorithm Developers |
| Artificial Intelligence Engineers | Keras Freelancers |
| Data Scientists | Deep Neural Networks Developers |
| Deep Learning Experts | Jupyter Specialists |
| Pandas Developers | Artificial Neural Networks Experts |
| Computer Vision Engineers | Predictive Analytics Specialists |
| TensorFlow Developers | Time Series Analysis Freelancers |
| PyTorch Freelancers | Linear Regression Freelancers |
| Scikit-Learn Specialists | Reinforcement Learning Freelancers |
| OpenCV Developers | Python SciPy Developers |
| Design & Creative | |
|---|---|
| 2D Game Assets Designers | Logo Designers |
| 2D Game Designers | Video Editors |
| Handmade Jewelry Designers | Final Cut Pro X Specialists |
| Costume Designers | 2D Animation Background Artists |
| Floral Designers | Sound Engineers |
| Action Writers | Adobe Illustrator Experts |
| Marketing Designers | Mixing Engineers |
| Evaluation Designers | 2D Illustrators |
| Graphic Designers | Music Managers |
| Adobe Photoshop Experts | Singing Managers |
| Sales & Marketing | |
|---|---|
| Sales Analysts | Digital Marketing Strategy Consultants |
| Social Media Experts | Dental Marketing Consultants |
| Social Media Specialists | Business Marketing Consultants |
| Marketing Consultants | Marketing Strategy Consultants |
| SEO Managers | Law Firm Marketing Consultants |
| SEM Specialists | Vertical Marketers |
| Social Media Consultants | Digital Marketers |
| Small Business Marketing Consultants | Demand Generation Marketers |
| Healthcare Marketing Consultants | Lead Generation Experts |
| Google Marketing Consultants | Social Media Managers |
| Admin & Customer Support | |
|---|---|
| Skip Tracing Freelancers | Excel Experts |
| Systems Programmer | Virtual Assistants |
| Amazon Virtual Assistant | Auction Software Specialists |
| Ebay Virtual Assistant | Assistant Editors |
| CRM Data Entry Virtual Assistants | Medical Mastermind Medical Billers Services |
| CRM Data Entry Assistants | Google Calendar Developers |
| Data Entry Specialists | Real Estate Virtual Assistants |
| Data Encoding Specialists | Personal Assistants |
| Data Entry Operators | Digital Marketing Virtual Assistants |
| Customer Service Representatives | Digital Marketing Assistants |
| Writing & Translation | |
|---|---|
| Book Reviewers | Book Translators |
| Writers | Article Translators |
| Newsletter Specialists | Document Translation Specialists |
| Manuscripts Specialists | Science Fiction Writers |
| Journal Writers | Copywriters |
| CV Writers | Food Writers |
| Content Writers | Anime Writers |
| Professional Writers | Manga Writers |
| Business Plan Writers | Fantasy Writers |
| Translators | Indian Writers |
The remaining categories are as follows: Finance & Accounting, HR & Training, Legal, and Engineering & Architecture.












Freelancers can actually set their own rates for clients. Therefore, regarding payment, there is no fixed rule, and it varies; the price can be low or high. Check the image below for more details:
In the image below, it is shown that payments for 4 freelancers vary, ranging from 40 dollars to 75 dollars. The image only shows a portion of the many freelancers. For more details, check here: Development & IT.

In the Graphic Designers category, some people charge between $118 and $145. Sorry, the image below is only a partial view. For more details, check here: Design & Creative.

For the AI Servicer category, prices range from $18 to $100 for every 30-minute consultation. For more details, check here: AI Services.

For the logo design category, prices vary for each designer, but their rating is not less than 4.8/10. Prices range from $15 to $125. For more details, check here: Logo Design.

For the Website Development category, prices range from $80 to $495. For more details, check here: Website Development.

The Translation category is slightly cheaper than the others, with the lowest price averaging $5 and the highest price being $100. The prices shown in the image are only partial and do not include everything. For more details, check here: Translation.

First, you need to understand your own skills and make sure they fit into the platform categories, like Translation or Website Development.
Enter a valid and active email address. You can use a Google or Apple account for easier login. Make sure the email is active and you remember the password. If you’re not using a Google account, you can manually fill in the information.
After creating your account, select your country of origin. Then, check the box that says, “Yes, I understand and agree to the Upwork Terms of Service, including the User Agreement and Privacy Policy”.
Fill out the form with your full name, email, and a strong but memorable password. Then, verify the email sent to your email account.
This step is very important as it’s similar to a portfolio that potential clients will review to decide whether to work with you. Create a Professional Profile by choosing a good, professional photo. Describe who you are and your skills. Additionally, include your experience and skills, and if possible, add some examples of projects you have worked on.
This step is crucial for attracting many clients. Write your portfolio well and include examples of previous work relevant to your skills.
You are free to set your price. To attract your first clients, start with a lower rate because there is a lot of competition on Upwork and Fiverr. Adjust your price according to your skills and quality of work.
After creating your portfolio and setting your price, use relevant keywords to find jobs that match your skills. Read each job description carefully to ensure you meet the requirements.
Don’t apply randomly. Tailor your job applications to your proposal for better acceptance. If you’re skilled in design, apply for jobs in that field. Remember to include examples of previous work to showcase your skills.
In conclusion, making money online through Upwork and Fiverr as a freelancer requires an understanding of freelancing, digital marketing, and self-business management. Freelancers enjoy flexibility and high earning potential but face income instability and lack social security benefits like health and accident insurance.
Being a freelancer on Upwork and Fiverr is also challenging. It requires adequate skills and expertise, and competition on these global platforms is very high.