10 Stupidly Simple Side Hustles to Earn Extra Money as a Programmer

I've experimented in a variety of industries over the past few years, learned a few new skills, started a few side businesses, and met some wonderful people.

And I've gained a lot more knowledge as a result of everything. We now have a group of like-minded individuals who support one another's financial growth.

Let me give you an example: One of my friends is continuously looking for stock opportunities, and when he does, he shares it with us so that we can invest money in it for a few weeks or months.

One of them is a tech entrepreneur who spoke about the newest technology advances and how we may invest in them. As a result of his counsel, we put some of our funds in decentralised real estate and gained extensive knowledge of Web3.

We think that by helping others, we may learn more, find the best chances, and make more money.

Yes, I have written a couple short pieces about side jobs for publication.

And now I'd want to share a few side businesses with you so you can consider them, learn about them, and profit from them. Additionally, don't expect any dubious employment or a side business that doesn't demand any effort. since there aren't any side businesses like this.

Without a certain, every single side job is simple because the majority of us—including me and my friends—have already tried it and are successful at it. Every side business, though, requires effort and consistency.


1. Earn Money from Selling Code

Yes, you did read that right. There are other websites that might help you make money by selling codes.

But exactly how? Some business owners, entrepreneurs, and artists need websites in order to do their work. And to do that, they need to hire a freelancer, alter their websites using WordPress or another editor, or buy websites.

So, in order to buy a website, someone has to sell. Additionally, the vendor is a developer, more precisely a programmer.

You can sell your code in places like Git Market and Codecanyon, for instance. It is a website that offers code for websites and mobile apps. There are countless PHP scripts, HTML5 templates, JavaScript codes, and other resources available.

There are several websites and app codes available. For instance, you could pay Codecanyon and receive your own e-commerce website or app if you wanted to start an online business.

What more can be said? There is no cost of $1,000 to you. A number of websites offer codes for sale, with prices ranging from $5 to $50.

In a similar vein, you might create websites, programmes, or plugins and market them on GitMarket or CodeCanyon.


2. Selling APIs

One of the newest and most well-liked side businesses to think into is selling APIs. Additionally, since web developers mostly use APIs, they don't need to learn new technologies.

Developers can sell API on services like RapidAPI and earn money from it.

I saw a YouTube video on it after that. I then failed to create another one.
Later, I received an email from a business requesting me to create APIs they could sell. I was genuinely shocked by it. Are they generating income or are they merely flooding my inbox? I spoke with them and tried to use their connection to set up a meeting.

After talking about my talents and learning about their firm, I enquired as to whether they were making money from it.

We are receiving close to 15-20 clients each month, they stated, but we can't share our entire revenue with you. And we require you to spend 3–4 hours per day in order to complete the task.

Therefore, you can start this side business if you are familiar with JavaScript or Python.


3. Become an Online Creator

What if I told you that the creative economy has more money than the rest of the world combined?

And did you know that programmers enjoy a plethora of additional benefits?

The following are the two explanations behind this:

  • Top firms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and even Medium are investing in hiring more creators. You may be aware that LinkedIn has introduced a creator mode, and that Medium has acquired Knowable in order to add audio to the site.
  • Programmers are in high demand, so if you know how to code, you can teach, help, provide value, and earn money.

And it's entirely up to you what you want to do. Create YouTube courses and lessons to resell on marketplaces like Skillshare and Udemy.

If you don't want to make videos, you can publish to Medium instead. You can also write about recently funded, acquired, or launched businesses or technologies.

From what I've seen, you'll make a lot of money, and as you add more value, your income will increase.

What is the most effective approach to begin? You don't need to be an expert to start; just use what you already know.

I'm about to tell you something very sad. To begin with, your first year won't bring in any money. This is due, in part, to the fact that you are still in the learning process and must concentrate on picking up new skills and adding value.

You'll start getting paid a lot, like a lot, in the second year. But remember that enormous power also comes with great responsibility. Additionally, how you approach and succeed is entirely up to you.


4. Earning with Canva

Some of my coworkers design websites using Figma or Adobe XD. Most of them are also not aware that we can use Canva templates and alter them to suit our needs.

Later, other friends of mine gave it a try, and their burden significantly lessened. They may make more money by selling to their customers because Canva makes it simple for them to create designs.

Let me share with you an event I went to with a website design company. A graphic designer I worked with only put in three hours every day. When I questioned him, he said that every time he needed to produce something, he used his Canva pro subscription.

The second is through offering templates for sale on Canva.

Do you know who creates the Canva templates, then? We are designers.
You can apply on a page called Canva Creators, and if accepted, you can earn money by selling templates on Canva. They now only collaborate with a few creators. If you are skilled in design, you may apply.

You will eventually receive an email from the Canva team.

I've also spoken with other professionals that charge their clients to take Canvas classes.

You may easily make money if you produce Canva designs and sell them on Canva or Gumroad.


5. Crypto, Defi, NFT, and Virtual Lands

The majority of engineers are knowledgeable about emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and stock because they work for leading IT companies and even startups.

As a result, the vast majority of programmers will be able to produce anything associated with cryptocurrency, network functions, and other cutting-edge technology.

You may also be aware of how much interest NFTs, Defi, and Virtual Land are receiving. Not to mention the recently developed Metaverse.

You can also master Blockchain technology to achieve this goal. Additionally, offer a service that is needed by the great majority of individuals.

As a result, developers have an advantage when it comes to absorbing new technology and profiting from it.

You must definitely learn more about these technologies.


6. Selling the Products

You've definitely heard of Amazon KDP, Redbubble, Gumroad, Etsy, and other online shops where people sell their goods in an effort to profit from each sale.

John, a buddy, advised me to produce a book of 80–100 pages and then submit it to Amazon KDP. You'll be shocked to learn that after I tested it, I now receive a monthly Kindle commision.

On Gumroad, my friend George, who has a significant Twitter following, had also made his debut book freely downloadable. However, the majority of customers paid for it.
He earned $656 over the course of three months.

Additionally, my friend Alia has a full-time job while also making pillows and t-shirts. She made about $2341 in five months by selling some of the designs on Redbubble, Teespring, and Zazzle.

Similar to this, you are free to create whatever you want and sell it in a variety of ways.


7. Become an Online Consultant

Similarly, if you have particular knowledge, you may create money counselling a corporation or firm.

Let me give you an example from my own experience. Six months ago, one of the LinkedIn businesses reached me and stated they were seeking a consultant with some Web programming skills.

I inquired for more information from them. So they informed me that they need a developer that can support their developers when they run into a large challenge and be there at the client conference to answer some of the customer’s questions.

That’s all there is to it. I’m not needed to code or work from 9 to 5. And I accepted because I’m familiar with Next.js and React.js, so it was simple for me.

Others of my pals, such as Sam, charge an hourly rate for advice. Furthermore, several organisations pay him to update the optimal technology stack for their goals.

Isn’t it cool? I recognise that as a beginning, you won’t be able to dive deeper into these side hustles. However, at an intermediate level, you can experiment with this sort of side hustle.


8.Make an NFT Marketplace, Industry, or Application

When I see headlines like Why an Animated Flying Cat With a Pop-Tart Body Sold for Almost $600,000, I am a little apprehensive. I assumed that the notion of NFTs was a trick and that it was dependant on luck.

Maybe you’re thinking the same thing about these.

However, the bulk of us are mistaken.

The notion of NFTs is far more than we ever thought; if done effectively, it has the ability to disrupt a lot of areas. Beyond digital artworks, NFT may be employed in a variety of ways.

Assuring the legitimacy of things, for example. Fake food goods, such as supplements and medication, are a major worry around the globe; NFTs can assist battle this by tracking and tracing food products. Imagine scanning a QR code on a nutritional supplement you purchased online and witnessing the substance’s whole path, from manufacture to delivery.

Even musicians may apply smart contract technology to transfer their copyrights to NFTs, ensuring that they be paid every time their song is played.

And there are certainly plenty of additional examples.

Why is it so simple? Because others aren’t making good use of NFTs. As a result, if you’re a programmer, you may develop an NFT marketplace for a variety of objectives.


9. Becoming a Web3 Developer

As a web developer, I'm curious about the technology that powers Web3, Blockchain, and the metaverse, which are currently causing such a stir in our culture.

What's more exciting is that for a web developer like myself, transitioning to web3 development is simple.

I only need to understand how to use Solidity, Truffle, and Ganache with web technologies; I don't need to learn a lot of new technology.

Numerous surveys indicate that the vast majority of individuals are unaware of Defi, Web3, or CBDC. Don't limit the benefits of blockchain to the financial industry or to electronic payments, either. Of course, there is a lot more to it than that.

It may be helpful for a variety of applications, including voting procedures, supply chain management, legal compliance, auditing, and IoT operating systems.
And if you don't mind, let me tell you a few secrets.

Most large IT conglomerates have started to develop blockchain-related technology. Additionally, most businesses now pay extra for web3 engineers.

In other words, if you're a web developer, you can quickly pick up on blockchain technology and use it to increase your income.


Recently, I spoke with Lucas after one of my friends told me about him. He is a skilled developer who mostly works for a significant French company.

And as a result of his understanding, he makes an effort to create and market ebooks online. He initially considered it to be a side gig.

Shortly after his tenth book was published, his earnings soared. Amazon typically pays him once every month. He also told me that I could now buy his book on Kindle. As a result, he will be able to increase his income.

I probed him for further information. Could you possibly go into more detail about the difficulties you've faced? He then told me that when I initially started writing books, I tried titles like "Getting Started with React" and "Introduction to Python."

But there are many books close by. I am therefore unable to work. More particular, anyone may produce such books, as seen by the quantity of such publications on Amazon.

So you're curious about what I've done recently. Simply put, I tried to use the knowledge I had to produce short books. Everything worked without a hitch.