how to make money online with data entry jobs
What is data entry?
Data entry can be applied to a number of tasks, but usually, it involves inputting data, via a computer keyboard, into a company’s database. Although the name “data entry” might sound a little scientific or specialized, for most of these jobs you don’t need any previous experience or qualifications.
Here are some of the sort of the typical sort of tasks you might have to complete:
Typical work:
- Data Entry / Input – ‘copying and pasting’ information
- Collecting Data – from online and other sources
- Data Cleaning / Validation – checking data is correct and up to date
- Typing / Transcription – typing up documents from different formats
Who Qualify to do this type of work?
Data entry can be done by anyone who is over 18 years old and from almost anywhere in the world. You don’t need much in the way of formal education, the most important qualification is to be proficient in using a computer. You should also have some knowledge of using a word processor and in general, the faster you can work, the more you can earn. The only requirements in the way of technical equipment are a computer and a high-speed internet connection.
This may sound good so far, however, you will be asked to take an evaluation before you will be offered a job, so you should have some basic skills:
- Be able to type fast and accurately
- Good spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Work quickly and accurately
- Have good comprehension of read matter
There is a lot of competition for these jobs and you may be kept waiting a while (several months) before you are finally offered some work.
You are not paid per hour, but by task and the pay is usually low. Therefore, you shouldn’t consider this as a full-time job or count on this to pay your bills. You are not employed directly by the company, you are a freelancer or independent contractor.
Should you consider data entry jobs when looking for work online?
Through good research one can get some legitimate data entry work opportunities and Some have has no charge to join while others will require a small fee, which sounds okay. However, before joining this data entry program, you need to consider several things.
- You will have to take an evaluation and depending on the result you may be offered some work. Even if your results are very good, in the upper 90s, you will probably be put on a waiting list. There’s a lot of competition for the work that’s available, that means you may only work very occasionally.
- The pay isn’t good, you will probably be working below the minimum wage. The pay may be anything from 20 cents to 60 cents per 1000 keystrokes, many workers report being paid 30 cents per 1000 keystrokes.
- You cannot rely on this to provide a regular income, each month you will be offered different work. This might be for just a couple of hours one month and the next month 30 hours, you never know. You might have to wait a few months before you are even offered some work.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Work when you like
- some are free to join
Cons
- Not well paid
- You won’t always have work
- Evaluation, when you join, doesn’t guarantee work
- Not very interesting, can be repetitive
- some require fee
My View
Data entry may sound appealing, you can get started immediately with no outlay and if you have the typing capabilities you have nothing new to learn. Nonetheless, this is a very shortsighted way to earn money because you never know how long you will have work, that’s assuming you manage to get work in the first place and the pay isn’t very good, usually less than the minimum wage. You could only use this type of work to supplement your existing earnings. .
Recommendation
If you are ready to spend a few hours a day doing data entry work and earning very little, why not consider creating your own business. My favorite business model is affiliate marketing, you can build up your business over time and there is no limit on your possible earnings.
Another advantage is you can build your business around one of your passions or hobbies, now that can be a really enjoyable way of earning some money online. Nothing like the boring data entry work.