Working from home might have once seemed like a pipe dream, something that only a few could attain. However, today the story is very different. Thanks to the Internet, working from home has become a very real possibility for many different people. Of course, you still need to know what the best work at home jobs are. You’ll find employment in a tremendous range of fields, but you have to choose carefully, as not all work at home jobs are created equal. Here are five great jobs for the at-home worker, in no particular order.

1. Virtual Customer Service
Companies around the world have found that outsourcing their customer service needs to at-home workers is not only cost effective, but provides them with better results than many were able to attain with an in-house call center staff. You’ll find that pay here can range from moderate to very good depending on your experience and the company with which you work, and the field continues to grow. You’ll need to have the right equipment (computer, headset, mic, high-speed Internet access, etc.) but it can be a very rewarding choice for many people.

2. Crafting and Hobbies
Do you have a hobby or craft that can be turned into a career? Do you paint? Do you carve wood? Perhaps you have sewing skills or can make custom jewelry. Regardless, crafts and hobbies can be excellent options for at-home workers. In fact, with the growing “buy local” movement, you might just find that your crafts are in very high demand. You can sell your crafts through a variety of platforms online, as well, including sites like Etsy and eBay, or even start your own website if you prefer.

3. Go Freelance
Increasingly, taking your traditional work skills and offering them up on a freelance basis has become an immensely popular option. Whether you’re a writer, web designer, accounting professional or someone else, you’ll find that not only are your skills in demand, but that you can earn a very good living as a freelancer. You’ll need to know where to look for work of course, but the Internet has made this simpler as well. You’ll find that Elance.com and oDesk.com are two popular options, but you can also find work through Guru.com and tons of other sites online.

4. Virtual Assistant
If you have the skills, then becoming a virtual assistant is an excellent idea. You’ll take care of a number of reception and administrative tasks, handle data entry and perform a range of other job duties, all from your home computer. You can also go the freelance route or hire on with one of the new VA companies that are popping up all over the place.

5. Graphic Designer
Graphic design has become incredibly vital for businesses and entrepreneurs. Whether designing art for a book cover or graphics for a new website, graphic designers can earn a significant income with their skills. Moreover, you can work from home by going the freelance wrote or even telecommuting with a design company.

As you can see, there are numerous excellent work at home jobs available – the five listed above are just the tip of the iceberg.

Most people in work still leave the house every day to go to the office, but thousands more stay home to work. Working from home can be a good option for many especially with a new born, and studies have shown that a majority of people are actually more productive when they are able to do so – so this is something that can be good for businesses as well as their employees. Another benefit of working from home is that it suits the lifestyle of some people: for instance, if you only have a limited amount of time each day or would be unable to work to the normal 9-5 pattern due to other commitments, a work from home job could be a good solution.

There is a wide range of ‘work from home’ jobs available, too. For instance, while many people tend to think of face to face activity when they think of customer service, you can actually do some customer service jobs from home. This could include calling customers with information or accepting phone queries from them. If you are a whizz with computers, you might also be able to find work from home IT jobs.

The growth of the internet has also made it easier to many other sorts of jobs from home. For example, a lot of freelance writers are now home-based, using online platforms to find and bid for work – and the flexibility of home-working can also help. If you are skilled at web design or SEO then this is something else you could well be able to do from the comfort of your own home.

If you are looking for something slightly less formal or just on a part time basis then something else you might like to consider is completing online surveys. Quite a lot of companies are continuously recruiting people to carry out surveys for them and the more you do, the more you earn. You can even take part in online focus groups that last for a couple of hours – these tend to pay more and so are great if you are able to participate.

One thing to be aware of when you are working from home is that you may need to have certain types of insurance for your property: your employer should be able to tell you what cover you are required to have. Working at home can be very fulfilling and it makes a change from the traditional daily grind, so if you’re looking for something new it could be one to ponder.

This post is sponsored by Total Jobs a leading job site that currently offers a variety of job vacancies from environment jobs to construction jobs.

The accessibility of the internet means that almost anyone who owns a computer can tap into the endless opportunities on offer. In today’s digital environment there are countless ways to make money with your computer, and the following six examples are good places to start looking.

Freelance

If you have a professional skill, such as writing or graphic designing, then there are numerous websites that offer freelance opportunities. Business owners and webmasters need writers and graphic designers on a daily basis and there is no shortage of opportunities for freelancers on the internet. Some websites require a membership fee, but others allow users to browse available projects free of charge.

Expand Your Business

If you are running a business, then you should broaden your clientele by providing your service on the internet. This will make it possible to reach a wider range of potential customers and you can therefore make more money. Creating a website for your business is akin to introducing a new office block in every city in the world and it is also a brilliant marketing strategy.

Buy And Sell

The internet is a very good place to buy and sell goods. Websites like eBay have made it possible for anybody to get a bargain on a desired product. If you have random, unnecessary items lying around the house then you should try to sell them on eBay. Somebody in the world might consider your trash a worthwhile acquisition.

Create a Website

If you have a good idea for a website, then you should create it. All major websites started out small and exploded into huge moneymakers. To understand how far a good idea can go, you simply need to look at the Facebook phenomenon that has captivated the world. If your website gets enough hits then someone will eventually pay you to advertise on its pages.

Use Affiliate Marketing

Every time someone views your blog or website you can be paid through affiliate marketing. You earn commission for the number of hits that you get on your website. When joining an ad affiliate program you should always use adverts that correspond to the theme of your website. This is one of the most effective ways to make money with your computer because you are being paid, simply, for having a website.

Teach English Online

Skype is creating an interesting opportunity for native English speakers, because they can now teach from the comfort of their homes. Many people are desperate to learn English, but teachers are in short supply. Teaching English online is one of the surest ways that you can make money with your computer.

With the right ideas and a little effort, your computer can become a reliable source of income!