Everyone wants to make money with the least amount of effort, right? The dream is to work from anywhere in the world while earning a steady income.
But what are the real ways to do this? No fluff, no gimmicks—just proven methods that can make you $100+ per day.
In this guide, I’ll rank the easiest online money-making methods based on five key factors:
- Learning Curve – How quickly can you start making money?
- Effort – How much work is actually required?
- Scalability – Can you grow this into a serious income stream?
- Startup Costs – How much money do you need upfront?
- Risk Level – Is this a safe way to earn money?
Let’s dive into the best lazy money-making strategies in 2025!
1. Affiliate Marketing Through Short-Form Content (A+ Rating)
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most passive ways to make money online. Here’s how it works:
- Find a product or brand you like.
- Sign up for their affiliate program.
- Promote it through short-form content like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
- Earn commissions every time someone buys through your link.
Why It Works
- Low Effort: Creating quick product reviews and dropping a link is easy.
- Scalability: Once you learn how to hook people and tell a good story, your content works for you 24/7.
- Startup Cost: Practically zero. If you have a phone and WiFi, you can start today.
- Low Risk: No upfront investment, just your time.
The Potential
There’s no limit to how much you can make. Some affiliate marketers earn six or seven figures annually. With a solid content strategy, you could be making passive income in your sleep.
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2. AI-Powered Shopify Stores (A- Rating)
Want to break into eCommerce without the hassle of inventory, product selection, or fulfillment? AI-powered Shopify stores automate everything, making this one of the easiest online businesses to start.
How It Works
- Use an AI store builder to create a professional-looking store in minutes.
- Pick a niche (fashion, electronics, pets, etc.).
- The AI sets up your branding, banners, layouts, and even product selection.
- Connect to Shopify (free trial available) and Autods for automated fulfillment.
Why It Works
- Minimal Learning Curve: AI handles product selection and store design.
- Low Effort: No need to manage inventory, pack orders, or track shipments.
- Scalability: You can add winning products without logistical headaches.
- Startup Cost: Less than $10 (Shopify and Autods have $1 trial options).
- Low Risk: No upfront inventory investment.
The Potential
With the power of organic social media marketing, you can promote your store for free. Some Shopify store owners make six or seven figures annually with minimal effort.
3. Selling Digital Products (B Rating)
Selling digital products is one of the smartest ways to build passive income. Once you create a product, it can generate money indefinitely.
Examples of Digital Products:
- eBooks
- Online Courses
- Templates
- AI-Generated Tools
Why It Works
- Effort: High upfront, but low long-term. Once your product is made, it sells passively.
- Scalability: Unlimited income potential.
- Startup Cost: Close to zero (you can create products with Google Docs, Canva, or Zoom).
- Low Risk: No inventory, no shipping, and no customer service headaches.
The Potential
Some digital product creators make six or seven figures annually. If you can package valuable information in an easy-to-consume format, this could be a goldmine.
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4. Freelancing (B- Rating)
Freelancing isn’t always the laziest way to make money, but when done right, it can become a passive income stream.
How It Works
- Offer skills like video editing, social media management, or copywriting on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
- Start making money immediately if you already have the skills.
- If you're new, you can learn from free YouTube tutorials.
Why It Works
- Low Effort: If you already have a skill, you can start earning right away.
- Scalability: Eventually, you can hire other freelancers and turn your work into a business.
- Startup Cost: Practically zero (all you need is a laptop or phone).
- Low Risk: No upfront spending, and you get paid per project.
The Potential
Instead of trading time for money, the goal is to scale into an agency where others do the work while you collect a profit. Some freelancers-turned-business-owners earn six figures yearly.
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Final Thoughts
We’ve covered some of the laziest ways to make money online in 2025, but none of these will work if you don’t take action.
The internet is full of opportunities, but success comes from picking one, committing to it, and putting in the initial effort.
Recap of the Best Lazy Money-Making Methods:
- Affiliate Marketing (A+) – Low effort, high scalability, nearly zero startup cost.
- AI-Powered Shopify Stores (A-) – Automated eCommerce with minimal setup.
- Selling Digital Products (B) – Upfront effort but unlimited passive income potential.
- Freelancing (B-) – Best for those with marketable skills, but can scale into a business.
If you’re serious about making money online with minimal effort, pick a method and start today.
Want to learn how I built my brand and scaled my business? Check out my other blogs on making money online.
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