10 Best tech side hustles

Is it possible to boost your income by doing a tech side hustle in your free time? It can be, since many businesses (large and small) all need a range of IT-related skills. To know more about these opportunities, read this guide on the most profitable technology gigs!  

Web developer

With more people shopping online, businesses both large and small know the importance of having some form of online presence – especially a website and an e-commerce site. These days, there’s no shortage in demand for a web developer who can put up an online store with all the bells and whistles. Thanks to this web development side hustle, online sellers have the advantage of a professional who can easily customise, update, and troubleshoot any problems their website may have and free them to concentrate on running their business. 

Some clients may even pay more for a web developer who can get their website up and running quickly! 

Website designer

Bloggers, online retailers – anyone who needs a website, really – will tell you they don’t have the expertise (much less the time!) to combine the vital elements that’ll give their website the look and ease-of-use they want. From fonts, colour palettes, layouts, menus and other visual elements on a client’s website, they’ll need people who have the skills to create the most attractive website that stands out from the rest. And if they know you’re good at what you do and you have a portfolio of great-looking websites, you may even command a higher rate.  

> Find web design & development jobs 

Mobile app developer

As more Australians shop online, they do so with their phones. That’s why as a mobile app developer, your skills and services will certainly be in high demand. There will be more new and existing businesses that will need to make their products and services available for purchase on iOS and Android devices. 

If you create mobile apps, this is one coding side hustle that can help you make bank!

> Find mobile app development jobs 

SEO consultant

Anyone with a website wants to know how they rank in search engines like Google or sometimes Bing and improve their rankings. It’s a well-known fact that internet users rarely go past the first page of search results, so it’s hugely important for websites to rank high enough so they appear on the first page of search results. 

That’s where SEO consultants come in. Clients who will hire you for your SEO knowledge and skills may ask you to create content calendars, research specific keywords and do other tasks that can optimise client websites.  

Computer support specialist

Many small businesses will need someone to maintain their computer networks and provide tech support and troubleshoot any problems with their computer networks or computers. Some businesses may only need the expertise and services of a computer support specialist only as the need arises, such as when they want to set up a new network, upgrade their network’s capabilities or troubleshoot problems. 

Working as a freelance computer support specialist doesn’t only mean maintaining networks for business, it can include a wide range of services like:

• Building a gaming rig
• Building a streaming setup
• Setting up a home office
• Fixing a PC or laptop
• Setting up a home network
• Hardware or software troubleshooting
• Minor repairs for PC desktops or laptops

As a tech support gig, working as a computer support specialist is truly both flexible and profitable! It’s a wide category, so feel free to browse computer & IT support jobs to find one that suits your skills and interests. 

Programmer

Big companies and small businesses that sell apps, app services, or software will always need good programmers. While software or app developers and engineers can create the software, they’ll need people like you who can turn it into code that a computer can use. 

So if you’re good at writing, modifying, and testing code and scripts for apps and software to run smoothly, then you’ve got the right skill set for a highly profitable side hustle for techies. 

Tech support

Some businesses don’t keep a regular IT or tech support staff on-site for practical reasons. If the business is small or gets the occasional hiccup, they prefer to call IT or tech support consultants or freelancers like you to fix any IT-related issues as they arise. 

Installing new software, upgrading servers or networks, minor software updates or minor hardware repairs are some of the tasks they’ll hire you to do. If you manage to establish yourself as a reliable and trustworthy IT/tech support consultant with many businesses, you won’t lack for clients that will make this among the best tech side hustles!   

Cybersecurity specialist

With so many people and businesses transacting over the internet, it’s natural for cybersecurity to be of significant concern. Large amounts of valuable and sensitive data travel back and forth, and there will always be bad actors who will attempt to steal or take that data hostage. 

As a cybersecurity specialist, you can make a decent profit by:

• Checking clients’ networks to look for potential vulnerabilities
• Protecting companies against cybersecurity risks, and 
• Taking appropriate action against cyberattacks or breaches. 

The good news is that there’s a large demand for cybersecurity specialists in Australia, with thousands of jobs waiting to be filled! If you have the right skills and education in cybersecurity, you can certainly find a regular job or work as a freelance cybersecurity specialist. 

QA tester

There’s no shortage of demand for Quality Assurance Testers. The great thing about this tech side gig is that you don’t need to be an expert at coding. You only need to know enough about code to run automated tests and identify bugs or flaws in your client’s software. If you’re starting out as a QA tester, you can learn about code and QA testing from online courses. 

Video editor

The work of a video editor may not strictly involve IT, but it is IT-related. There’s a demand for people who can string footage together and make an intriguing story, for an online ad, or any other shareable content. 

If you have video editing skills and can make interesting graphics for videos, you can find plenty of profitable side gigs. Content creators or companies can hire you to edit their footage into viral videos to promote themselves or their goods and services.  

Find tech side hustles on Airtasker. 

Airtasker is one platform that can help you make more money in your spare time. If you’re a skilled IT professional with free time on your hands, why not give it a go? Remember that you aren’t limited to tech-related gigs and you can always browse the many tech jobs you can do – so don’t let an opportunity like this pass you by; sign up with Airtasker to earn money with your tech skills!