Tips on how to make your income at home. If you want to generate income without leaving your house, the UK job market offers countless opportunities. But knowing where to look makes all the difference between earning just a few pounds and building a steady stream of reliable income.
Best UK Websites to Find Remote Work
To start earning from home, these platforms have proven to be the most effective in the country:
- Indeed UK – Offers filters specifically for remote or hybrid jobs with salary info and application ease.
- Reed.co.uk – Widely trusted platform that features remote roles across industries like customer service, marketing, and administration.
- FlexJobs UK section – Though international, it has a strong selection of legitimate flexible roles, many of them available to UK residents.
- PeoplePerHour – Great for freelancers in the UK looking to get paid per project, particularly in design, writing, admin, and tech.
Which Remote Jobs Pay the Best?
Here are some popular work-from-home roles in the UK and their average hourly rates:
| Job Role | Avg. Hourly Pay |
|---|---|
| Virtual Assistant | £12 – £18 |
| Freelance Copywriter | £20 – £35 |
| Customer Support Agent | £10 – £14 |
| Online Tutor (GCSE/A-Levels) | £20 – £40 |
| Bookkeeper (Freelance) | £15 – £25 |
| Social Media Manager | £18 – £30 |
💡 Tip: Look for roles that offer contract work if you prefer flexibility, or remote full-time positions if you’re looking for stability.
How to Apply and Get Hired Faster than the Competition
Getting noticed is the biggest challenge. Thousands of people in the UK apply for work-from-home roles daily. Here’s how to stand out.
Tailor Your CV to Remote Job Keywords
Most UK recruiters use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter CVs. Make sure yours includes the same keywords as the job description. For example:
- For customer service: include “CRM systems”, “conflict resolution”, “inbound calls”.
- For writing: use “SEO copy”, “content creation”, “tone of voice”.
- For admin roles: mention “Google Workspace”, “scheduling”, “data entry”.
You can test your CV for ATS compatibility using tools like Jobscan.
Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
Even for home-based jobs, employers in the UK are checking your online presence. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Professional headshot and banner
- Headline with keywords like “Remote Customer Service Specialist”
- Fill out your experience and skills completely
- Enable “Open to Work” feature with the remote work preference
Most In-Demand Home Jobs You Can Start with Basic Skills
You don’t need a degree or advanced training to get started. Many in-demand remote roles only require basic computer literacy and good communication.
Entry-Level Roles You Can Apply for Today
- Remote Call Centre Agent – Great for people with strong interpersonal skills. No advanced tech skills needed.
- Data Entry Clerk – If you’re organised and have good typing speed, this is ideal. Can pay £10–£13/hour.
- Content Moderator – Many UK-based companies hire moderators for forums, marketplaces, and social media.
- Product Tester – Some companies offer payment or perks in exchange for testing and reviewing products from home.
These roles are often available on sites like Reed and Indeed, and are updated daily.
How to Avoid Scams
Unfortunately, home-based job scams are still active in the UK. Here’s how to spot red flags:
- If they ask you to pay upfront, walk away.
- If the salary seems too high for the task, it likely is.
- Always check if the company is listed on Companies House.
Best Online Side Hustles to Supplement Your Main Income
Looking for extra cash without committing to a full-time job? Side hustles done from home are exploding in popularity across the UK — and some of them can generate more than your 9-to-5 if done consistently.
Sell Digital Products or Skills on UK-Friendly Platforms
If you’ve got a knack for design, writing, or even creating planners or templates, here are platforms where people in the UK make money without leaving their homes:
- Etsy UK – Ideal for selling digital downloads like CV templates, wedding invites, or social media graphics.
- Fiverr – UK freelancers can list services from copywriting and design to voiceovers and SEO consulting.
- Gumroad – Perfect if you want to sell directly to your audience (eBooks, courses, design packs).
Most people start with just 1–2 products or services and grow over time. The beauty? Passive income. Once uploaded, you earn as people buy.
Paid Surveys and Market Research – Are They Worth It?
These won’t make you rich — but they’re perfect for earning a few extra pounds in your downtime.
Legit UK-based platforms include:
- Prolific – Created by academics, pays £6–£10 per hour for taking part in research.
- YouGov – Pays users for giving opinions on politics, brands, and public issues.
- Swagbucks UK – Allows you to earn small amounts through surveys, shopping cashback, and watching videos.
Most serious users focus on Prolific because of higher payouts and shorter surveys.
💬 Did you know? Some UK users report making up to £150/month with 30–45 minutes of daily activity.
Become a Remote Tutor or Language Coach
The UK’s demand for remote tutoring exploded post-2020 — and it’s still going strong, especially for GCSE, A-level, and ESL (English as a Second Language).
What You Need to Get Started
You don’t need to be a certified teacher — many platforms just require subject proficiency, clear communication, and a stable internet connection. For example:
- GCSE Maths & English Tutors – Average £20–£30/hour
- ESL Teachers – £10–£22/hour depending on experience and platform
Top platforms include:
- MyTutor – UK-based tutoring site. You must be studying at or have graduated from a UK university.
- Preply – Great for teaching English or your native language to international students.
- Superprof UK – List your services and set your own rates across dozens of subjects.
How to Get Clients and Build Reputation
- Start by offering slightly below-average rates to get your first few students and 5-star reviews.
- Be responsive and punctual – platforms reward tutors who don’t miss sessions.
- Use video intros to show personality — many UK clients decide based on how approachable you seem.
🔍 Pro tip: Add “online tutor” and your subject to your LinkedIn headline — many private clients search there before going to agencies.
Turn Your Home into a Source of Income
If you have space, equipment, or even a hobby, your home itself can become part of your income strategy.
Rent Out Space or Tools
You don’t need to be a landlord to rent things out. In the UK, platforms allow people to rent all kinds of everyday items or rooms.
- Fat Llama – Rent out your camera, bike, projector, or even tools.
- SpareRoom – List a spare bedroom to earn passive income. Popular among professionals and students.
- Stashbee – Rent out your garage or parking space.
People in London and larger UK cities can make £100–£400/month just by renting space they weren’t using anyway.
Freelancing from Home — A Long-Term Income Strategy
Freelancing gives you the freedom to choose your projects, rates, and schedule — all from your laptop. In the UK, it’s becoming one of the most common ways people replace or boost traditional income.
Which Freelance Jobs Are in Demand Right Now?
According to recent trends, UK companies and startups are increasingly outsourcing the following roles:
- Copywriting & Blogging – £25–£40/hour
- Graphic Design – £30–£50/hour depending on niche
- Web Development – £35–£60/hour
- Virtual PA/EA Services – £18–£28/hour
- Translation & Proofreading – £15–£25/hour
If you have marketable skills, freelance work could replace a full-time salary with fewer hours worked.
How to Land Your First Clients
- Start with Freelance Marketplaces – Websites like Fiverr (mentioned earlier) or Upwork can help build your portfolio fast.
- Use LinkedIn Strategically – Join niche UK job groups and respond to freelance opportunity posts.
- Cold Outreach Still Works – Identify small UK businesses via Google Maps or directories and email them directly with a short pitch and sample of your work.
🔑 Key tip: Use a simple, well-designed website or portfolio to showcase 2–3 strong examples of what you offer. Many clients skip proposals without proof of quality.
How to Qualify Yourself While You Earn
Many UK residents are nervous about starting home-based work because they feel underqualified. The truth is: you can learn while you earn — especially with free or low-cost tools.
Best Free UK-Friendly Resources to Learn In-Demand Skills
- OpenLearn by Open University – Offers free short courses in business, IT, education, and more. Comes with digital certificates.
- FutureLearn – Created by UK universities. Offers skill-specific courses in areas like digital marketing, finance, and language.
- Google Digital Garage – Offers certificates in areas like SEO, career development, and project management.
These resources are highly regarded by UK employers and freelance clients alike.
H3: Certificates That Can Boost Your At-Home Job Profile
If you’re looking to invest a little and stand out, consider these valuable short certifications:
- Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping – Great for freelance admin or finance support.
- TEFL Certificate – Required by many platforms if you want to teach English online.
- CIM Foundation in Digital Marketing – Trusted by UK businesses hiring remote marketers.
🎓 Pro tip: Add every certificate you earn to both your CV and LinkedIn — it’s a huge trust booster.
Use Social Media to Find Gigs and Make Money
Social platforms are more than scrolling and memes — they’re a goldmine for income opportunities when used with intention.
Top Ways UK Residents Use Social Media to Earn
- Instagram & TikTok for Affiliate Marketing – Many earn by recommending Amazon UK or other affiliate products with commission.
- Facebook Marketplace & Groups – Great for selling secondhand items, offering local services, or even finding work-from-home roles in community groups.
- LinkedIn for Client Leads – Many UK freelancers get consistent clients just by posting about their projects and expertise.
If you’re consistent, social media can become a free pipeline of opportunity.
