19 million Brits are selling goods online to earn extra cash

While the UK has famously been described as a ‘nation of shopkeepers’, it’s not far from the truth, as nearly three quarters of people with a side hustle (72%) are selling online - equivalent to 19 million Brits.

E-commerce activities include selling general goods (50%), self-crafted items (13%) and drop-shipping (9%). Drop-shipping in particular has boomed since the Pandemic, as budding entrepreneurs looked to make money from the rise in online shopping.

Seven in 10 people with a side hustle (71%) are spending more than five hours per week doing this extra job - equivalent to almost another full day of work.

While two-thirds of people (66%) are only recording earnings of less than £500, that doesn’t stop their ambition to earn more, with almost half of them (47%) saying they would like to go full-time with their venture.

A fifth of side-hustlers (21%) are earning between £500 and £1000 and a fortunate one in ten (11%) are raking in between £1,000 and £5,000 per month.

Omnisend is advising people with a side hustle how to make the most of the dynamic world of e-commerce and tips on how to scale their business.

Greg Zakowicz, senior ecommerce expert at Omnisend, comments: “The British entrepreneurial spirit is in full swing with millions of people looking to set up their own side hustle to boost their earnings.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing cost-of-living crisis have driven many people to find innovative ways to make money online.

“Popular ecommerce sites like Vinted, Depop and Etsy have amassed millions of fans that use the platforms to sell their products, but it is surprising just how much money Brits are taking home from setting up their own shopping business.

"What’s often overlooked is the growing competition in the side-hustle space. As it has become easier to sell goods, crowded marketplaces for products and freelance work leave most people stuck earning smaller amounts.

"However, with over one million adults earning more than £1,000 per month, there's potential for significant income. Scaling these casual operations often requires making their side job their primary one — a risky step that many Brits are considering, but don’t take the plunge.

“Drop-shipping has surged in popularity following the downfall of catalogue shopping and the rise of digital marketplaces has clearly made it a scalable business model.

To grow your side hustle sustainably, Greg Zakowicz, goes on to offer some tips:

• Don’t quit your day job too soon. Quitting prematurely can lead to financial strain. Make sure your side job consistently generates a stable income before taking the leap.
• Time management isn’t always about efficiency. Instead of just working faster, focus on prioritising the most profitable. Cutting non-essential tasks can save you from burnout.
• Reinvest earnings to grow. Reinvest a portion of your earnings into better tools, advertising, or outsourcing. Staying small might be easy, but it limits your potential.
• Focus on Niche Markets. Find a niche market where your skills or products stand out, instead of competing in oversaturated spaces.
• Set boundaries. To prevent your side hustle from spilling over into your day job’s time, set clear boundaries to avoid undermining both.