If you’re looking for jobs and tasks you can do from home in order to make some money on the side, then data entry jobs are the best way to do it.
Moreover, this allows you to work more flexibly i.e time and location independence.
Here you don’t really require any specialization or a degree to work, other than of course, typing skills.
You can be an absolute beginner with a good typing speed in order to get hired.
If you’re a stay at home mom, dad or a student looking for some side income with a flexible schedule or someone in general, looking for a home-based job, one of the following data entry jobs mentioned below might just be for you!
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How much can you really make from data entry?
Since data entry tasks do not require some high profile education or skills, the amount you make might not be as attractive as other freelance jobs.
But according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data entry clerks earn an average hourly wage over $15 an hour – an amount well over the minimum wage.
Which is pretty great considering the facilities & flexibility of the job.
Sitting on your couch at any time of the day, just typing stuff.
You can be mindlessly working while jamming to your favorite tunes without putting much attention on what certain sentences/ values mean.
Equipment Required to work in such data-oriented jobs
Work from home data entry jobs aren’t going to require something that you don’t already have, and there are mainly the following things that you will need in order to properly function, which are:
- A computer (desktop or a laptop): Of course! In order to work as a data entry worker, you’ll be needing a Computer. Some of the companies–not all of them–will either recommend or will require you to have dual monitors in order to get started because it is easier to transfer data from one document to another when you have both the documents open right in front of you.
- A fast reliable internet connection: There is a constant need for uploading your work and downloading your next assignment while working, so you need to have an internet connection reliable enough to not cause any interruption during the process.
- A comfortable place to work: You’ll be sitting at your computer for long stretches of time – your desk chair, or couch if you prefer, should be comfortable so that it will be fairly easy to work without damaging your body posture in any way.
- Common Data processing applications: As a data entry worker, it’s a good idea to have access to computer applications such as Microsoft Excel, word, etc because these will the main platforms you will be working on.
How to recognize a scam while searching for data entry jobs?
No matter how straightforward and easy the job might sound, there are still quite a few ways you could get scammed while applying or looking for such jobs.
Just like you, there are lots of people who often search for remote data entry jobs that are actually good, scammers take advantage of that.
So it is very crucial for you to keep an eye out for these scams by following a few tips mentioned below. Don’t sign up for jobs that:
Sounds too good to be true
As I’ve mentioned above, data entry jobe aren’t very lucrative. You can expect a dollar or two above minimum wage but that’s it. If a very unrealistically high pay rate has been advertised, it is better to ignore it.
The website is poorly designed and seems suspicious
If the company or the job site that you’re visiting seems like it has been recently made or everything seems a bit off, it is probably not legitimate.
Scammers may throw a fake site to convince people but they don’t usually put too much time and effort into design.
You can actually check how old that website is on Whois.net, sites that a built recently or just a few weeks old indicates some major red flags.
Wants you to go through an unnecessary training program
Keep in mind that data entry does not require any type of special skills other than to be able to type 25-35 Words Per Minute- which most people can do!
Any other training programs, certification course that a company wants you to take (that will probably have to be paid by you to get that training/course) is not at all required.
Anything that isn’t free is probably a scam!
If you’ve been scammed this is how you can report it:
There are numerous ways you can file a complaint, including providing information to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, theFederal Trade Commission, and theBetter Business Bureau. For more information, you can visit “How to report a job scam“.
Here are some (Legit) Data Entry Jobs:
1: Flexjobs
FlexJobs is a reputable and popular site for those who are looking for remote, flexible, and freelance jobs. Data entry jobs are popular on this platform.
It’s probably your best bet for finding legit work at home data entry jobs online. Though it costs you a membership fee to get access to all job opportunities, it is really worth it considering the quality of the job listings.
Every job listed is vetted by a real person, so you don’t have to sort through scams or low-paying jobs to find something worth your time and energy.
This makes FlexJobs well worth browsing, you can choose from a $14.95 per month plan, or longer-term plans with lower monthly costs.
2: MicroWorkers
Microworkers, as the name suggests, is another site for micro-task based jobs. They offer a variety of jobs, and some of those include data entry.
On their website, it also shows you a percentage on each job that tells you how often that job poster has approved the work of previous workers.
Your only paid for approved work, so that is a pretty useful feature to have!
Payment for completed jobs goes directly to your PayPal account once you hit a $10 payout threshold.
3: AccuTran Global
AccuTran Global is most widely known as a transcription task-oriented company, which is pretty accurate since that’s mostly what they bring on independent contractors to do.
However, they sometimes have data entry jobs as well, so it’s best to keep your eye out. Either way, if you’re down for both, I suggest you check their employment opportunities.
4: Scribie
Transcription is converting a written text from audio sources, for example – Subtitles. Scribie is a great way to get started in the area of transcription.
A lot of companies submit their audio files to Scribie and freelance remote workers transcribe it.
Transcribers can choose what tasks they want to complete, so you have the freedom to decide when and how much you want to work. Jobs pay at least $5 per hour of audio, with some offering up to $25 per audio hour.
To get started, you’ll need to apply and complete a transcription test first.
5: Clickworker
Clickworker allows you to sign up for free and become part of a group of other workers who complete certain clerical tasks for Clickworkers’ clients.
Data entry is one of those, (other tasks include draft editing, market/web research, proofreading, surveys, and more).
Once you sign up, you fill out your profile and complete short assignments to demonstrate your abilities. The number of jobs available to you depends on how well you perform the jobs provided to you.
You work your own schedule, they take care of invoicing, and you’re paid either monthly or weekly through PayPal.
6: Birch Creek Communications
Birch Creek Communications periodically looks for people for data entry jobs, when they do, they’re looking for independent contractors just like everyone else.
You can set your own schedule with them, but most likely, work is widely available Monday through Friday.
Pay is by the job and your performance, with a higher pay range going to those with consistent near-perfect accuracy, of course.
7: Dion Data Solutions
DionData Solutions is often looking for data entry workers, preferably those who can type 60 (words per minute (WPM) with a high degree of accuracy.
You should be familiar with computers, able to handle Internet connectivity, email attachments, and both downloading and opening files. I believe these criteria are applicable throughout the realm of data entry.
They also expect their data entry professionals to work on multiple projects simultaneously while sticking to deadlines. U.S. citizenship is a requirement in order to work here.
8: Sigtrack
The hiring process at Sigtrack revolves around the petition season, so they only hire at certain times.
Pay is per work unit based on work accuracy, and they want you to maintain at least 98% accuracy to satisfy your contract and also peer review work of others. They pay through PayPal.
Note: This position is only available to U.S. citizens and you’ll be required to attend a short Skype call during the interview to establish identity. And they require you to have dual monitors to make your work easier.
9: Capital Typing
Capital Typing provides a variety of data and clerical services for its clients and other businesses. They offer a wide range of services besides basic data entry.
Capital Typing offers remote data entry jobs from home where contractors (like yourself) are hired as independent workers. Check out their job-offering section for employment opportunities.
10: Kendall Creek Communications
Kendall Creek Communications hires all sorts of remote workers, including data entry clerks.
This company (like most data entry companies) hires workers as independent workers/contractors to complete tasks in the fields of transcription, data entry and processing, and market research.
They have a huge list of clients that includes several big U.S. government agencies. Check their jobs section for current employment opportunities.
Skills That are Typically Required for Data Entry Jobs
Typing skills (Obviously!)
As a data entry clerk, the skill that is mandatory to have is, of course, typing skills.
Anyone who is just a beginner at typing will find themselves in a very tough spot as this job requires you to type fast, and with great accuracy.
And if you’re not able to get things done in time, you’ll be making a lot less money because as a freelancer, you probably will be paid by the amount of work done and not by hours worked.
Spreadsheets
Most of the companies organize their data in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel and Google docs. So in order to be efficient in these jobs, you might have to master the mentioned these spreadsheets platforms.
Note: Learn all the quick combination keys for shortcuts, so you can use them and save your time.
Attention to Details
Data entry is something that can get old really fast if you’re dealing with the same type of data formats over long periods of time. This makes data entry prone to a lot of mistakes.
If you’re not very detail-oriented, this might make you work more just to fix the mistakes you’ll be making.
Organization Skills
Data entry is solely based on bringing order into chaos, sorting and placing the data values from a jumbled up draft. So if you’re good at the organization stuff, the job might come easy for you!
Moreover keeping things organized will easily let you keep track of your work.
Communication Skills
This is not as important as the rest of the above but this might come handy in taking to the task providers in general.
You definitely need to talk to them about your progress, time frame, the requirement for additional documents and stuff like that via email or by phone.
There are Great Alternatives for Data Entry too…
Proofreading
Proofreading is the process of reviewing and analyzing the final draft of a piece of writing to ensure accuracy in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting, and it should make sense altogether in the end.
Freelance proofreading jobs are the kind of work from home jobs where a person spends time identifying typos in the text formats.
So, if you like correcting mistakes and can spot errors, or can easily fix hidden misspellings, proofreading may be the thing just for you.
In 2014, Caitlin Pyle made over $43,000 by working as a freelance proofreader.
After she had a ton of success doing that, she decided she wanted to teach others how to do the same thing, so she started upProofread Anywhere to make sure that others learn to proofread the right way and get clients consistently.
Virtual Assistant
A Virtual Assistant (Also known as VA) is a person who helps businesses from a remote location through their paid services.
All thanks to high-speed internet facilities and data sharing, real-time multimedia communication has facilitated a lot of people to work from home.
And thus there is an increase in the demand of virtual assistants to entrepreneurs and businesses that are on the internet (Blogging, Ecommerce, etc) because it is way easier for small businesses to get a VA to hire a full-time employee.
Freelance Writing
A freelance writer is someone who doesn’t work for one specific company, rather they work for themselves, contract out their writing and writes for a number of different clients, such as websites, blogs, magazines, and more.
You don’t really need a strong writing background in order to thrive in this business.
How much money do freelance writers make?
According to PayScale.com, a part-time freelance writer salary is put somewhere in the range of $24,000 to $115,000 a year.
This range can go as high as $200,000 a year!
How can you get started as a work from home freelance writer?
Holly fromClub Thrifty started doing freelance writing on the side with no real background, and nowmakes over $200,000 per yearfrom her writing.
Now she has a course primarily focussed on people who want to be a successful freelance writer with no previous experience.
For more “work from home” options like the above-mentioned check out these 10 work from jobs that pays well.
Working as a remote freelancer or jobs that are similar are a great way to make money these days. Just make sure to pick something that does not take a toll on your sanity.
Otherwise, everything about working from home is really smooth. Even if you have a day job, side hustles like data entry, proofreading, etc are still great to have a little side income.
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