Resources
Starting a side hustle is so much easier when you’re not trying to figure everything out from scratch.
This page is a curated list of tools, platforms and resources I genuinely recommend for building and growing a side hustle alongside real life, work, and family.
Everything here is beginner-friendly, affordable, and chosen because it actually helps you move forward, not just feel busy.
Transparency
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you choose to sign up or purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I use myself or genuinely believe are helpful for beginners starting a side hustle.
Website & Online Business Tools
These tools help you build your website, grow an email list, and manage the basics of running your side hustle online.
WordPress & Astra Theme
Side Hustle QnA is built using WordPress with the Astra theme. WordPress gives you full control over your content and growth, and Astra is lightweight, beginner-friendly and fast.
Best for:
- Creating a blog or side hustle website
- Customising your site without coding
- Growing long-term organic traffic
- Recommended if you want a flexible website you actually own.
MailerLite (Email Marketing Platform) Platforms
MailerLite is what I use to collect email subscribers, send newsletters, and build simple email automations. It’s very beginner-friendly and affordable compared to many alternatives.
Best for:
- Building an email list
- Sending weekly newsletters
- Creating free downloads and lead magnets
- A great option if you’re just starting your email list.
Canva (Design Tool)
Canva is a brilliant all-in-one design tool for beginners. I use it for creating website graphics, printable downloads and lead magnets.
- Designing printables and planners
- Creating blog graphics
- Simple branding
- Perfect if you’re not a designer but still want things to look professional.
Google Analytics
A free analytics platform from Google that helps you understand your website visitors, what content they respond to, and where your traffic is coming from.
- Tracks site visitors and behaviour
- Helps you make data-based decisions
- Integrates with most sites easily
Learning Platforms & Courses
You don’t need endless courses, but having a few solid learning platforms can massively shorten your learning curve and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Skillshare (Creative & Business Skills)
Skillshare is great for learning practical skills like design, digital product creation, productivity, content creation and basic marketing.
Best for:
- Learning design basics
- Digital product ideas
- Productivity and workflow
- Creative side hustle skills
- Helpful if you like learning in short, practical lessons.
Etsy Seller Learning (Free Resources + Courses)
If you’re selling printables or physical products on Etsy, Etsy’s own seller resources and training are genuinely useful for understanding SEO, listings and shop optimisation.
Best for:
- Learning Etsy SEO basics
- Understanding how listings rank
- Improving product visibility
- A must-use resource if Etsy is one of your side hustle ideas.
Planners, Trackers & Printables
Staying organised is half the battle with a side hustle. Simple planners and trackers help you stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
Side Hustle Planner
A simple weekly side hustle planner helps you stay focused on small, realistic actions you can actually fit into your life.
Use it for:
- Weekly planning
- Setting 1–3 small goals
- Tracking progress
- Ideal if you only have limited time each week.
Income & Idea Tracker
Tracking what you’re trying and what’s working helps you make smarter decisions over time.
Use it for:
- Tracking side hustle ideas
- Monitoring income streams
- Seeing what’s worth your time
- Great for keeping your side hustle intentional, not chaotic.
Quick & Low-Barrier Ways to Make Extra Money (UK)
If you want simple ways to start earning without setting up a full website or business, these UK-friendly platforms are a great place to begin. They’re flexible, beginner-friendly, and ideal if you want to test earning online in small, manageable steps.
Reselling Second-Hand Items
Time vs Money: Medium time – Medium money
Reselling apps make it easy to sell a wide variety of second-hand items in the UK, from clothes to toys to electronics and more. It’s simple to list items and it’s great for decluttering while making extra cash.
Best for:
- Decluttering your home
- Quick wins
- Selling varied items
Website Testing – UserTesting
Time vs Money: Low time – Low-Medium money
UserTesting pays you to test websites and apps by completing short tasks and giving feedback. Tests are flexible and you can fit them around your schedule.
Best for:
- Short, flexible tasks
- Getting paid for feedback
- Remote work from home
Microtask Apps
Time vs Money: Low-Medium time – Low-Medium money
Microtask apps let you earn by completing small tasks like trying apps, playing games, and signing up for offers. It’s low-effort and works well for spare moments. They are also known as “Get Paid to Apps.”
Best for:
- Quick, simple tasks
- Earning small amounts in spare time
- Mobile-friendly earning
Survey Apps
Time vs Money: Low time – Low money
Survey apps pay you for sharing opinions on news, brands, services and public topics.
Best for:
- Filling small amounts of time
- Using alongside other side hustles
- Simple, low-effort tasks
Cashback Apps
Time vs Money: Very low time – Low money
Cashback apps give you money back when you shop online or in-store with major UK retailers. It’s an easy way to earn passively on things you already buy.
Best for:
- Saving money on everyday shopping
- Passive earning
- Stacking with sales and discount codes
Receipt Scanning Apps
Time vs Money: Very low time – Low money
Receipt scanning apps let you scan receipts from supermarkets and high-street shops in exchange for points you can redeem for vouchers or PayPal cash.
Best for:
- Everyday receipts
- Simple, low-effort rewards
- Stacking with other receipt scanning apps
How to read these labels:
- Time vs Money shows how much effort is usually needed compared to the likely return.
Low time usually means low earnings. Higher effort generally opens up higher earning potential.
Quick-earning platforms are best used as short-term wins or stepping stones. They’re great for getting started, building confidence, or covering small costs, but they’re usually not scalable long-term income streams on their own.
My Recommendation Policy
I only recommend tools, platforms and resources that I personally use or genuinely believe are helpful for beginners building a side hustle alongside real life, work and family.
I don’t promote tools just because they pay commission. If I wouldn’t use it myself or suggest it to a friend, it won’t appear on Side Hustle QnA.
If a tool stops being useful, becomes poor value, or no longer aligns with what I believe is helpful for beginners, I remove it from my recommendations.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help support the running of Side Hustle QnA and allow me to keep creating free, practical content for beginners who want to build a side hustle without overwhelm.
You are never obligated to use these links. You’re always free to research and choose the tools that feel right for you.