Making money online might sound like the dream, but if you’re thinking it’s an easy way to cash in, think again.
Every method has its pitfalls, and the reality of trying to earn a living online is a grind. Here’s a critical look at six ways to make money online in South Africa—no sugarcoating, just the facts.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing seems like the go-to for anyone with a marketable skill, and it’s true—you can make decent money if you can find clients. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer access to international markets, which means foreign currency and better pay due to the exchange rate.
The Pain Points: But don’t get too excited. Freelancing platforms come with serious baggage. First, you’ll constantly be at the mercy of bad reviews—one unhappy client can wreck your reputation. And let’s not forget about the dreaded unpaid work. You might spend hours on a project, only to have a client refuse to pay or disappear altogether. Good luck chasing payments internationally.
Then there’s the platform itself. Upwork, Fiverr, and the rest change their rules constantly. Fees can go up, visibility can go down, and suddenly, you’re earning less than before. It’s a game of roulette, and you’re not holding the cards.
Reality Check: Freelancing is a hustle. The money’s there, but you’ll fight for every cent. It’s unstable, and unless you’re at the top of your game, don’t expect smooth sailing.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing sounds brilliant on paper—promote products, get a cut of the sales, no stock, no hassle. But here’s the truth: it’s far from the passive income dream many make it out to be. Sure, platforms like Amazon, Takealot, and Loot have affiliate programmes, but making money off them is no walk in the park.
The Pain Points: Let’s start with the obvious: not every sale is tracked. Sometimes clicks aren’t counted, and sometimes sales don’t get credited to your account. Payment schedules can be unnecessarily long, and for some programmes, payment is borderline sketchy. You’ll spend time driving traffic to someone else’s platform, and you’re completely reliant on their system working in your favour.
And speaking of traffic—you need a ton of it. Without it, your commissions are going to be tiny. Affiliate marketing isn’t the easy cash machine you’re hoping for.
Reality Check: Affiliate marketing can work, but it’s slow, it’s frustrating, and you’ll need a serious amount of traffic to see meaningful returns.
3. Online Courses and E-Learning
“Just create an online course,” they said. “Everyone’s doing it!” Sure, platforms like Udemy and Skillshare allow anyone to become a teacher, but before you dive in, ask yourself: How unique are you, really? The market is overcrowded with courses, and standing out is next to impossible.
The Pain Points: Let’s start with the competition—everyone’s jumping on this bandwagon, so good luck getting noticed. Even if you create a fantastic course, the platforms themselves take a hefty cut, and payments can be delayed or outright questionable.
But it gets worse. In South Africa, if people are paying for a course, they expect something they can use—usually for career advancement. Here’s the kicker: Udemy and Skillshare courses aren’t recognised by the Department of Basic Education or the Department of Higher Education. They don’t count towards any official qualification. So, unless you’ve got a course that’s genuinely groundbreaking or skill-specific, your audience will be limited.
Reality Check: Creating online courses isn’t easy money. You’ll struggle to differentiate yourself in an oversaturated market, and South Africans expect proper accreditation. Think long and hard before you jump in.
4. YouTube Content Creation
Sure, YouTube can be a goldmine, but let’s get real—this is hard work. Everyone’s heard of YouTubers raking in cash, but those people are outliers. First, getting approved for monetisation is an uphill battle. You need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time before YouTube even lets you in the door.
The Pain Points: Let’s say you manage to get monetised. Congratulations—but don’t expect to roll in money. South African AdSense RPMs are pitiful compared to places like the US. Unless you have a massive audience or you’re in a high-paying niche like personal finance, your revenue from ads is going to be peanuts. And just because you upload content doesn’t mean anyone will find it. Discoverability is brutal, and you’ll need to master SEO, audience engagement, and consistency if you want to stand a chance.
Reality Check: YouTube is not your ticket to quick riches. It’s a long, hard slog, and the money isn’t as good as people think—especially if you’re operating in the South African market.
5. eCommerce
Selling products online? Sounds great—until you start doing it. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce make it easy to set up a store, and Takealot offers third-party selling, but the reality of eCommerce in South Africa is anything but simple.
The Pain Points: Let’s start with fraud. South Africa has a massive fraud problem, and you’ll be dealing with chargebacks, disputes, and returns constantly. Then there’s the logistics nightmare—shipping delays, lost packages, and angry customers. That’s just the cost of doing business here.
And if you’re thinking of going the Takealot route, good luck. You need serious volume to make real money, and competition is fierce. Oh, and let’s not forget the issue of product plagiarism—don’t be surprised if your best-selling product gets copied and sold for cheaper by someone else.
Reality Check: eCommerce can be profitable, but it’s a minefield. Fraud, logistics, and competition will eat into your profits, and standing out is harder than it looks.
6. Blogging
Let’s talk blogging. Everyone says, “Just start a blog and monetise it,” but the reality is far from the rosy picture many paint. Yes, blogging can generate income through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content—but don’t expect to start cashing in from day one.
The Pain Points: First, you need traffic. No traffic, no income. And building that traffic is an absolute grind. You’ll spend months (maybe even years) writing content, optimising for SEO, and promoting your site, with very little return in the beginning.
Then there’s the Google factor. One algorithm update, and your site could be dead in the water—just ask the countless bloggers who lost everything with the Google Helpful Content Update. And let’s not ignore the fact that ad revenue in South Africa is nothing like what bloggers in the US or Europe earn. The RPMs are low, and unless you have significant traffic, you won’t be quitting your day job anytime soon.
Reality Check: Blogging can be profitable, but it’s a long, painful process. You’ll need patience, SEO skills, and a ton of content before you start seeing any real money.
Making money online in South Africa isn’t some get-rich-quick scheme. Every method comes with serious challenges, and if you’re not ready for the grind, don’t expect much. The opportunities are there, but they require time, effort, and a lot of patience.
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