Top 9 Ways To Make Money Online in Europe: Uncovering the Demand for Each Model

The top 9 ways to make money online in Europe are:

1. Generating leads for small businesses
2. Writing and selling e-books
3. Joining e-sports and gaming competitions
4. Selling stock photos
5. Reviewing online games
6. Doing online bookkeeping
7. Selling SaaS products and services
8. Planning virtual events
9. Offering online tutorial services

Making money online in Europe is popular because of its profitability. Flippa says that mature e-commerce European businesses earn €19,954 ($21,497) on average. The top 10% of these companies generate €110,590 ($119,141) per month. You can make $100 (€92) a day or more through various online ventures in the UK and other European countries. This is because of the high number of internet users in the EU. The European E-Commerce Report of 2024 reveals that 93% of Europe's population uses the internet. 71% are e-shoppers aged 16 to 74.

As an online entrepreneur, you have a massive market for different digital products. These include membership sites, subscription services, and lead generation assets. Famous models for influencers are YouTube channel monetization and online coaching programs. Content creators prefer digital marketing niches like social media management and copywriting.

Mobile commerce (m-commerce) also drove the demand for online businesses in Europe. Ecommerce News Europe states that this continent has the highest mobile penetration rate. Eastern and Central Europe are at 151%, while Western Europe is at 129%. Consumers in the EU are using mobile phones to shop online or avail of services. Some examples include mobile games and apps, e-books, and online tutorial services.

Making money online in Europe offers opportunities for individuals seeking financial independence. I have been making over €46,400 ($50,000) monthly in passive income since 2014 because of digital assets. Many entrepreneurs choose online businesses in Europe because of:

However, some aspiring business owners struggle to find the right business model. That's why I'll talk about the top ways to make money online in Europe. I'll also discuss each online business' income potential and current demand.

1. Generating Leads for Small Businesses

Local lead generation is a top way to make money online in Europe, as it generates around €460-€1,845 ($500-$2,000) monthly per site. It has less competition, low startup costs, and high profit margins. Entrepreneurs choose this business model because of the:

Eurostat data shows a 58% digital intensity for small and medium European businesses. These local enterprises are building their digital presence to get more customers. Local lead generation connects clients with their target market. To generate leads for small businesses:

Popular niches in Germany and the UK include plumbing, roofing, and legal services. Local lead generation works well in countries with diverse urban centers.

Theo shares his success in landing his first website client in the UK after taking Ippei and Dan's course. He made £275 ($357) from a client's 50% down payment within 4 weeks. His strategy involved targeting home renovation businesses without websites. Theo searched on Google Business sites, Google Maps, and Facebook for affluent areas. He made around 200 cold calls and created preview sites for interested prospects. Theo secured the deal using a Google Slides presentation addressing specific requirements.

The demand for generating leads for small businesses hasn't dropped since August 2021. Post-pandemic digital transformation has changed consumer behavior. Potential customers favor online research for local services.

2. Writing and Selling E-Books

Writing and selling e-books is popular in Europe because self-published authors can expect a €25.25 ($27.37) average revenue per user. This translates to around €11,762 ($12,749), according to the Alliance of Independent Authors. You earn royalties from each sale after the platform takes its commission. Self-distribution sites like Amazon KDP are free to use and offer 60% to 70% royalties.

This method has minimal production costs, international distribution potential, and flexible pricing options. E-books cover a wide range of topics, from fiction to non-fiction. As a freelance writer, you get to capitalize on your expertise or creativity. This model involves creating digital content and formatting it for e-readers. To create and sell e-books:

Opt to DIY your e-book writing and selling process. This entails around €0 to €276 ($0-$300) for minimalistic formatting and a self-made cover. The digital format reduces production costs. It yields higher profit margins compared to traditional publishing.

The demand for e-books increased in March 2020. It stabilized at 25% to 50% from then on.

3. Joining E-Sports and Gaming Competitions

E-sports and gaming competitions are thrilling ways to make money in Europe, with prize pools exceeding €500,000 ($542K). This includes major European tournaments like DreamHack. In fact, ESL One opened its Birmingham tournament in April 2024 with a €900,000 ($1 million) cash prize. Top European players and teams earn over €100,000 ($108K) yearly.

Joining e-sports in Europe requires little upfront investment compared to other ventures. You only need spare time and gaming skills to make extra cash. E-sports players have strong sponsorship opportunities with brands like Red Bull and Adidas. Plus, Europe has an enormous market for online gaming platforms. These include League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and FIFA. To join e-sports and gaming competitions:

Search interest for e-sports careers is highest in Nordic countries and Germany. However, the demand for e-sports and gaming competitions has fluctuated since October 2019. It has continued to rise above 31% since December 2023.

4. Selling Stock Photos

Selling stock photos is a simple way to make money online in Europe, earning around €0.046 ($0.05) per file. Average income ranges from €460 ($500) to €3,800 ($4,200) monthly. According to PetaPixel, Switzerland has the highest average salary at €84,700 ($91,952) per year. However, this depends on the niche, image quality, and variety of photos you have.

This method allows photographers to monetize their skills. They capture and sell high-quality images to businesses, marketers, and content creators. Plus, they don't have to worry about customer service. Individuals earn from the same photo on different platforms. Some top websites for selling stock photos are Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. To sell stock photos:

One Redditor makes €92-€184 ($100-$200) monthly selling on Alamy, Adobe, Shutterstock, and Getty. Another Redditor revealed earning €550-€920 ($600-$1,000) monthly. He is an exclusive contributor on iStock and Getty. His income goes up to €2,700 ($3,000) for doing custom content briefs.

The demand for stock photos dropped in September 2020 because of AI platforms. But, it peaks during the holiday season when businesses seek fresh imagery. It has stayed above 51% since the beginning of 2024.

5. Reviewing Online Games

Reviewing online games is famous in Europe because freelance game reviewers make €50-€200 ($54-$217) per review (PayScale). According to Salary Expert, game reviewers in the UK earn £43,991 ($57,110) yearly. Potential earnings vary based on platform, audience size, and engagement.

This method involves playing and evaluating games. Reviewers get to work anywhere with a good internet connection. It's a good opportunity for gamers, game designers, vloggers, and writers. Popular platforms for game reviews are YouTube, Twitch, and IGN. To review online games:

The UK stands out as a prime market for game reviewers because of its large gaming population. It has consistent search interest in Northern and Western Europe. Demand peaks at 80%-100% every fourth quarter of the year.

6. Doing Online Bookkeeping

Online bookkeeping is a lucrative way to make money online in Europe, with average earnings ranging from €10-€23 ($11–$25) per hour (Upwork). Glassdoor and Indeed reveal that entry-level positions often start around €25K ($27,100). Experienced virtual bookkeepers make closer to €50,000 ($54,200) yearly.

This model offers flexibility and steady income potential for those with financial acumen. You get to work with multiple clients and businesses to earn extra income. Bookkeepers manage financial records, track transactions, and ensure accurate accounting for businesses. Popular platforms for finding online bookkeeping clients are Upwork, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour. To start online bookkeeping:

This Redditor started an online bookkeeping business in Europe. He has served U.S. clients for 7 years. He gets most of his work from referrals from CPAs and fixing books that were poorly done by others. This Redditor charges flat monthly fees rather than hourly rates.

The UK, Germany, and France show a high demand for online bookkeeping services. These countries have robust business ecosystems that require financial expertise. Google Trends data show growing interest in Ireland and Russia. Since January 2023, search intent hasn't dropped below 51%.

7. Selling SaaS Products and Services

Selling Software as a Service (SaaS) is popular in Europe, as SaaS startups earn €1K-€5K ($1,085-$5.4K) MRR on average (Indie Hackers). Mosaic.tech reveals that successful SaaS companies make 80% to 90% in gross profit margins. You can increase your Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) by cross-selling complementary features.

This online business has high scalability and recurring revenue potential. It involves selling software applications over the internet. Customers pay for access rather than owning the software outright. Use platforms like Salesforce AppExchange and Microsoft Azure Marketplace. To sell SaaS products and services:

The European SaaS market has the highest search interest and adoption rates. It grew by 46% from November 2019 to October 2024.

8. Planning Virtual Events

Planning virtual events is a lucrative way to make money in Europe, with profit margins reaching up to 93% (Starter Story). This translates to around €40K-€80K ($43,400-$86,800) in revenue yearly. Salary Expert reports an average salary of €58,113 ($63K) per year for event planners in Germany. Potential income varies depending on the country, the size of the event, and the client.

Virtual event planning involves organizing and managing digital gatherings. These include online conferences, webinars, and workshops. This method offers flexible service offerings, easier collaboration, and environmental sustainability. Popular platforms include Zoom, Hopin, and Glue Up. To plan virtual events:

The demand for virtual events has dropped globally since January 2021. However, Google Trends data shows increasing search interest for "virtual events" across Europe.

9. Offering Online Tutorial Services

Online tutoring is a great way to earn money in Europe, with hourly rates ranging from €15 to €50 ($15-$53). This information from Preply reveals that online tutors earn around €5,000 to €20,000 ($5,300-$21,200) monthly. And, Europe accounted for 25.1% of the global market's revenue in 2023 (Grand View Research). Subjects like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and languages often have higher demand.

Online tutorial services connect students with instructors for remote education. This entails live one-on-one or group sessions or pre-recorded lessons. Popular examples include language coaching, academic support, and specialized skill training. They operate through video conferencing, digital whiteboards, and learning management systems. Top platforms for offering tutoring services include TutorMe, Chegg, and Skooli. To offer online tutoring services:

This Redditor says that countries like Poland, Slovakia, and Lithuania offer better opportunities. He makes €1,500 ($1,590) monthly preparing for exams and teaching business English.

The demand for online tutors skyrocketed in Germany, France, and the UK in May 2020. These countries have a high concentration of international students who seek academic support. However, it dropped in January 2021 and maintained a 25%-50% search intent.

Why Consider Local Lead Gen Over Other Online Business Models

Local lead generation is 3-4x more profitable than other online businesses in Europe. It generates around 80% to 95% in profit margins. Other business models like affiliate marketing only offer a small percentage of commission. Some online ventures like Amazon FBA need physical inventory. That's why most entrepreneurs find it hard to scale their businesses.

Many online business models suffer from market saturation. This leads to an unpredictable income and limited scalability. With local lead generation, you focus on a smaller market. You have less competition. Plus, you can build your own digital assets with this method. This gives you greater control over your business, profits, and clients. You don't need to rely on third-party platforms, suppliers, or low-quality products.

Local lead gen involves creating websites for specific services in targeted areas. You rank these sites in search engines like Google through SEO. I have followed this process for over 10 years now. It drives free traffic that you can sell to local businesses. Each lead gen site earns around €460-€1,845 ($500-$2,000) monthly in passive income. I have been earning over €46,000 ($50,000) per month since 2014 with multiple sites.