Creative entrepreneurs for years have found ways to earn money through Internet jobs. Whether by capturing ad revenues, selling goods and services, or working via home-based data entry jobs, Internet jobs offer a variety of income streams for one to choose from.

The collection of revenue via online ads is a popular way to earn money passively. A portion of revenues collected when click-throughs are paid from the advertiser goes back to the websites owner after the website can drive traffic with the clickable ads. The only requirement of the owner is for him or her to maintain the site, and to of course, redirect traffic to it to generate the revenue.

Active income streams include popular Internet business models like the online store. This method was made popular through online auction sites, and can be quite effort-intensive. Since it involves constant listing, invoicing and shipping of physical goods, the cost of doing business is higher than the purely passive strategy. And if the goods are fragile or bulky, or if there is a high rate of returns or exchanges, the costs can climb and impact the bottom line.

There are also a growing number of telecommuting jobs that can be found at various job boards. The positions tend to be entry level and part time. These jobs include home-based data entry jobs, which tend to offer flexible hours but below market rate pay, even for back office work. Contractor work, which falls under the 1099 section of the IRS code, can pay below minimum wage.

The Internet is less than 15 years old, and as a result of its rapid development, most countries have not created labor laws to deal with Internet employment. This can result in brutal exploitation, as seen in China, where many “gold farmers” play twelve-hour shifts on massive multiplayer online role-playing games for as little as five cents per hour.

There are many Internet jobs for one to choose from and these options are growing every year as the Internet continues to expand its presence in the workforce. One only needs Internet access to find and work in such jobs. With dedication and Internet savvy, it’s possible to find a job online and earn steady income from home without the fuss of travel or setting a foot into an office.

- Mark Farrar