We all want to make some extra money online. Search the web and you will see countless business opportunities advertised that promise massive returns. Beware of these claims - while it is certainly possible to earn a lot online, it involves a large amount of work. However, if you are realistic in your goals, you can make some extra cash fairly easily. Here I list ten comparatively easy ways to start an online income.

1. eBay and Internet auction sites

The quickest and easiest way to earn some money is to join an online auction site such as eBay. Look around your home or office and you will probably find lots of things that you no longer use. It is surprising what people will buy - so try putting some of it on eBay. Remember that one persons rubbish is someone else's treasure! Just be honest in describing the article and its condition and see what happens. Many people start by selling one or two items and end up making quite a business out of these sites.

2. Make your own product

Have you any skills that you can bring to mind? Skills that can be converted to a product. For example, you may be able to knit, crochet, make wooden signs, make craft work items like cards or Christmas crackers, etc.. The list goes on. Any of these things could be produced in small quantities to sell on eBay for instance.

Can you write about something you know about? Do you have any expertise? Many people have a knowledge of something through work or a hobby that other people will pay to read. For instance write a report on how to do something e.g. arrange a wedding, make model planes, gardening, repairing household goods, cars, decorating tips - again the list is endless. Think hard, its surprising what you can come up with. If you can write a short manual on something then save it and burn it onto a Cd - than, again, sell it on eBay!

3. Start blogging

Blogging is becoming very popular.Going on from the last suggestion, if you didn't want to sell your information on eBay, then publish it on a blog. You can set up a blog at no cost and post useful information on it. Make regular contributions to it and invite people to comment on it. Discussions soon start and traffic will begin to increase. If you keep at it the blog can become popular and other means of income earning can be introduced. You can add affiliate, adsense and private sales to a successful blog.

4. Google adsense

Once you have a blog you can apply to Google to become a member of adsense. Putting one of their ads on your site will help you to earn a little money just from people clicking that ad. It does not pay a lot, but if your site becomes popular then the earnings potential will increase. You can put the adsense ads on any web sites or blogs that you own.

5. Affiliate sales

Joining an affiliate program such as Clickbank, PayDotCom or Commission Junction can be very profitable. People click on your ads or links and if they buy the product, you get a commission. These are free to join so risk free. The problem, as always, is getting people to click on your links! Try putting them on your web site or blog. Make sure that the product you are selling is relevant to the subject matter on that page. You could also try advertising free on USfreeads and linking back to your web site.

6. Provide product reviews

There are sites on the internet that pay you for submitting product reviews. People like to search the web for reviews on products they are interested in so some companies will look out for reviewers. This can be a fairly easy way to earn a little extra cash for writing about something you have tried.

7. Write articles for people

Places such as Elance will pay you for writing articles. Customers go to Elance and request articles on certain subjects. If you have basic writing skills you could write these for them. Usually around 500 words is sufficient and you can find plenty of supporting information to put in the article by searching the internet! Just make sure you don't simply copy and paste things - all work has to be unique and written by yourself. This can be quite fun to do as well as profitable.

8. Complete paid surveys

There are several companies online that ask people to complete surveys. You can do it online and just need to register with a few of them. Joining is free so do not pay anyone for it. The first few you do may not give you anything much, but keep doing them and they will come to accept you as a reliable and regular responder. Then you will start to get better payments. At that stage you can choose the best surveys to complete.

9. Proof reading

Have you a good basic English grammar? If so you can proof read documents and web sites and get paid for it. Check out Elance for offers of work here.

10. Translation

This may not be suitable for many, but if you have a good command of a second language, there are always requests for translations online. Again check out Elance for work offers.

I realize that not all of these methods will suit everyone but I hope that one or two of them may inspire you to take those first steps to earning some money online and, who knows, start you on your online business. Keep reading and you will find further tips and methods on making money as you learn more.