Getting Into Online Data Entry Jobs

By: Dannie Phan | April 8, 2020

Data entry may not be the most glamorous job, but it is essential to the day-to-day functionality of businesses large and small. Obviously, data entry clerks are essential presences in the office place – right?

Not necessarily. This doesn’t mean data entry clerks aren’t essential, of course, but rather that these most important employees can actually do their jobs from home.

Are you thinking of new ways to make money from the comfort of your couch? Whether full-time or part-time, entry-level or advanced, why not consider data entry online jobs? You can take your skills freelance or apply to work with an established organization, you can turn your eye for detail into an essential service for businesses around the world.


How Can You Do Data Entry From Home?

Data entry can be its own kind of fulfilling, especially if you’re a fan of the organizational process and bookkeeping. More importantly, though, you can start earning money from home by entering data into existing spreadsheets.

How does this work at home, precisely? You can become a stay-at-home data entry clerk in one of two ways. You can either apply to become a remote employee through an existing company, or you can reach out to large and small businesses, offering your services as many freelancers or independent contractors do.


If you choose the latter, data entry jobs from home get a bit more complicated. This home job can help you make money online, but it’ll require basic computer skills, communication skills, typing skills, Microsoft Office, decent proofreading and typing speed, and a fair understanding of data processing. You must also discern between legit or scam clients, of which there could be many. As far as jobs online go - and especially remote jobs - it can be very rewarding.

Once you’ve secured a client base, you’re going to need to ensure that you have the proper tools on hand. This means high-speed Internet and a data tool like Excel or Google Sheets. Communicate with your client to determine how well-encrypted your work needs to be, and then hop to it! You’ll be able to fill in data over the course of however many hours you please, as long as you get the work done and submitted by the appropriate deadline.


How Do Online Data Entry Jobs Work?

Anyone working from home has to have a lot of self-discipline. If you don’t have the will to sit down every day and get to work, you’re not going to thrive as a stay-at-home data entry clerk and home data entry jobs will be limited. That said, once you’ve managed to sit at your desk, it’s easy enough to get started.

Most data entry clerks communicate with their supervisors, clients, and contemporaries on a daily basis. It’s not quite a call center, but a data entry specialist will do quite a bit of interacting, even at home. Once a day’s work has been set, you’ll be able to settle down with your data set and begin the transcription process. It’s not the same as transcription jobs, but typist experience can help - and if you ever worked as a transcriptionist, this can be a great secondary field to explore. 


Sometimes, this work will involve a data transfer, and other times you’ll have to dig through reports to find the numbers you’re looking for. Either way, you’ll need to be detail-oriented and patient – and maybe have a good virtual assistant and playlist on hand.


Are Online Data Entry Jobs Legitimate?

You may be wondering whether or not data entry jobs like the ones described here are actually viable, let alone legal.

On one hand, that concern is legitimate. After all, if you reach out to a company calling for people to enter data through Craigslist, the position may not be with a real organization. On the other hand, if you reach out to a company or client that can verify their operation through reasonable means, the work you’re doing is more than just legitimate – it’s a money-maker. As more and more jobs become remotely possible, especially typing jobs, finding one of these companies or clients could mean the start of a brand new career.


How Well Do Data Entry Jobs Pay?

Most data entry jobs pay by the hour. Rates tend to vary based on the company you’re working with or your client base. In general, though, you’ll be able to bring home between $10.37 and $22.24 per hour. As you gain more on the job experience, you’ll be able to negotiate a higher rate.


Who’s Hiring For Online Data Entry Work?

Once you’ve committed to a career in data entry, it’s time to find someone to take you on. There are some companies that try to bring together a stable of data entry clerks, but more often than not, you’re going to have to seek out work directly at the source.

To find companies or clients looking for a freelance data entry clerk, you can check out the job boards available through LinkedIn and other platforms, including: 


  • Indeed
  • Glassdoor
  • Craigslist
  • Problogger
  • Upwork
  • Fiverr

How Can You Get Started With Data Entry Online Jobs?

Now that you know a little more about the people who are hiring, why wait? To get started, all you need to do is apply. Put out your resume and cover letter as soon as possible, though – remote data entry positions tend to go quickly. Once you’ve got your foot in the door, though, it’ll be smooth sailing into a rewarding work-from-home experience.



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