The failure of many Internet companies during the late 90's discouraged many online entrepreneurs. Many came to believe that it was nearly impossible to make money online. But in reality, there is plenty of money to be made online.

Even though many early Internet companies failed, they did achieve one major breakthrough. They convinced millions of people to do their buying online. Shoppers have now been educated to buy online.

What is even more beneficial to the development of the E-commerce aspect of the Internet is that this breakthrough enabled hundreds of thousands of people to start selling online. Tools have automated and simplified many of the steps required to start conducting business online.

From eBay to affiliate programs there are now thousands of distinct opportunities to earn money online. What clearer proof is there to this than the hundreds of thousands of eBay sellers selling online?

So how can you join the rising number of entrepreneurs who earn a substantial income online?

For starters you need to be well informed. You need to read up on all of the latest online developments taking place. Message board sites such as Web Master World and Digital Point Forum act as a virtual community of online entrepreneurs. Valuable tips and ideas are being posted on a daily basis.

Based on my years running online businesses I have compiled the following list. In it you will find the current top methods for making money online.

Online Income Strategy #1

Google Adsense. Google Adsense is an advertising program launched by Google. It allows you to place ads on your site which are provided by Google. Google will then share with you the amount it is charging those advertisers. Since the advertisers are paying per click, you will earn a commission every time a visitor to your site clicks on one of the ads. Your income will increase based on the number of pages you have on your site, since every page can display the Google Adsense ads. Traffic is always key, like with any online program, so plan out a strategy to attract visitors to your site.

Online Income Strategy #2

Clickbank. Clickbank is a reseller of digital information in the form of eBooks. By signing up as an affiliate for Clickbank you can profit when one of your visitors buys any of their more than 10,000 digital products. They have a tool that enables you to create a text or html link to any of their digital products. You should promote a digital product which closely fits your audience. The more targeted the product is the more your customers will be interested in it. Commissions are as high as 75% on sale prices of up to $100.

Online Income Strategy #3

Set up a membership site. Membership sites are a great source for earning revenue online. They can earn revenue through multiple sources of income. For starters, you can charge a monthly or annual membership fee. Provided that your members are satisfied you will make more money when they renew their membership fees.

You can earn additional revenue by having Google Adsense ads throughout the site. Every time a member logs in to the site they will be exposed to the ads, potentially increasing the number of times the ads will be clicked.

Clickbank can be used in the membership site by having articles which recommend clickbank products. There are business and non business categories, so finding a product that will match your online audience should be pretty easy.

Online Income Strategy #4

Sell advertising. You can also build a focused niche site and sell advertising on it. For example, let