Whether it's due to the rising cost of living, stagnant wage growth, or simply an entrepreneurial itch to scratch, more and more Americans are finding income from their businesses primary jobs would be insufficient. Whether it's making ends meet or getting the latest and greatest tech gadgets on the market, our citizens supplement their income in various ways. Among the many ways people are increasing their income, some are taking more traditional approaches by taking on a second job or selling off used goods. Other workers in our economy, becoming “professionals” and entrepreneurs, are participating in the development of the “gig economy” through ride-sharing and delivery programs, or the short-term rental of personal property in desirable destinations. Another group of individuals who are increasing their income are capitalizing on the various e-commerce opportunities that have emerged as the Internet has continued to evolve and grow alongside humanity. While we all know the success stories of those who have opened online stores selling their products or those who have developed online technologies to solve personal and business problems, there are two lesser-known online avenues to acquire additional income, which are affiliate marketing and drop shipping. Despite different business models, due to low barriers to entry, flexible location and flexible hours, affiliate marketing and drop shipping are both business opportunities available to part-time workers, scammers and entrepreneurs full-time workers looking to increase their income. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayAffiliate marketing can be defined as “an Internet-based marketing practice in which a company rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought in by the affiliate's marketing efforts.” (affiliate marketing) Of course, there are additional steps to take when becoming an affiliate marketer, but the basic premise is pretty simple. As an affiliate marketer, you simply need to find ways to "funnel" Internet traffic to an online store where a good or service is sold. Now, “funneling” or directing traffic from potential customers to a site that offers a good or service that they are likely to purchase or use takes some ingenuity and creativity. It is worth considering how to encourage the customer all the way through to the full sale, as most affiliate programs pay when the good or service is purchased, not simply in driving traffic there. However, common means of driving this traffic are generally low-cost and require minimal investment to get started. Furthermore, all research regarding a particular market segment can easily be conducted through general Internet searches. These aspects of affiliate marketing create low barriers to entry, and therefore, these types of ecommerce opportunities are much more accessible to both part-time workers, scammers, and full-time entrepreneurs. Another aspect of affiliate marketing to consider when discussing e-commerce opportunities is workplace flexibility. Most of the work involved in this mode of marketing is computer-based and generally self-directed. To drive internet traffic you need to buy ads on the most popular social media platforms, create blogs, and create landing pages, all of them.