8 Best Work-From-Home Jobs

Working from home has long been a dream for many, and the modern state of the economy is making it easier than ever before. But people who are new to the routine may find it more challenging than they originally supposed; staying inside all day can be hard, and the home may offer many distractions. On top of that, many employers rely heavily on precise metrics of success to evaluate the quality of work performed when employees aren't coming into an office everyday.

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With that said, there are some excellent opportunities in the world of work-from-home. Here are eight of the best jobs you can do without stepping out the door:

1. Writer

Though many writers still find their way to an office five days a week, home computers make the task trivially easy to do remotely. The demise of print media has long been forecast, but there are still countless web outlets in search of writing talent, whether on a freelance or more consistent basis. Burgeoning or long-established novelists or book writers may also get most of their work done without leaving their bedrooms.

2. Educator

Most full-time teachers are still expected to appear live in front of their classrooms, but there are growing opportunities for educators to make a living at home. Tutoring of all kinds can be performed over email, online chat and video conferences with students.

Particularly entertaining and engaging teachers may find success making educational materials from home. And there's an audience of people across the world interested in learning English from their computer screen.

3. Editor

Much like writers, editors can perform their work from almost anywhere with an outlet and Wi-Fi. For those with a keen eye and a sense of form and style, fixing others' prose can be a full-time gig. Large-scale content producers like book publishers and online magazines are in constant need of highly skilled editors, and there's also an endless supply of academics and other writers who are willing to pay well for a trained eye.

4. Translator

Globalization means an increase in the intermingling of cultures, which means a higher and higher value will be placed on those who can surmount language barriers. If you're fluent in multiple languages, there are ample opportunities for real-time and document-based translation. While most of the positions listed here require a computer, translators can be of help using a relatively primitive piece of technology: the telephone.

5. Etsy Craft-Maker

For the artistic or crafty would-be self-employer, Etsy — the site that allows people to buy and sell custom-made creations — may seem like the perfect opportunity. It's not an easy living, because you'll be dealing with lots of competition and individualized orders. But if you can hack it, and if you have the ability to market yourself well, it could be a creative and fulfilling way to work from home.

6. Software/Web Developer

Experts in software and web design, if they really know their stuff, may find enough contract and consulting work to make a good living entirely from home. Many employers still want these workers to come into an office, but they often have the opportunity to work two or three days from home as well.

As the practice becomes more and more accepted, expect more of this work to be done remotely.

7. Customer Service

Though you might not realize it when you call into a company's customer service department, the person on the other end of the line is likely sitting at home. If you have a calm voice and a helpful demeanor, this might be the right job for you. However, some positions may have odd pay structures, such as paying by the minutes you spend on the phone, not for the hours you spend on-call, so make sure you're clear up front about what you're getting yourself into.

8. Tech Support

Computers have become ubiquitous in life and work, but skill with computers and technology remains a scarce resource. With better-than-average problem-solving skills and and a deep familiarity with the inner workings of the machines that run our lives, you'll be in high demand. Many call centers handling technical inquiries will be happy to have you work at home.

One thing to beware of: there are many, many work-from-home scams online. Remember that any legitimate job won't require you to spend money upfront with promises of a big payout down the road. Look for established companies and independently seek out current and former employees to get a sense of what employment will be like. And if there's anything at all suspicious, do a quick web search — there's likely others who have fallen victim to the scam before you.

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