What Exactly is Online Data Entry?

What does data entry consist of? Data entry can mean a number of things, some of which you may of heard of. There are basically 4 categories for online data entry. Traditional (clerical and office assistant type work), Company Research (surveys and focus groups), Outsourced (helping others promote and support their website), and Internet Marketing (promoting your own internet business). So depending on the time you have available, combined with your own interests and goals would determine which data entry area you would excel in.
There are many different types of online data entry jobs that qualify as legitimate job opportunities and are available on the internet. Obviously, if you are using the internet to find data entry work, that qualifies as online. However, there are many different things that can be included when you use the term 'data entry'. In most instances, data entry positions do not require sophisticated equipment, education or knowledge and can quickly be implemented whenever you need a few extra dollars in your pocket. Here are some of the typical jobs that you might encounter as a freelance person. 

Simple Typing Jobs: 

One of the most commonly seen job in data entry category is simple typing jobs. This is the easiest job of all. You simply have to type some content from a given source into word documents. 

The given source can be: Scanned pages, Pictures containing text, PDF files etc. No experience is required to do this work.

 

Online Form Filling Jobs 

There are many online form filling jobs in the data entry category. The work is extremely easy to do but a lot of time is consumed. 

Online form filling jobs require us to simply visit a site where we will have to fill up some forms. 

Example of such work: 

There are many online shopping sites where owners have to use online forms to add new items in their shopping cart. Instead of doing this work themselves, they simply hire people online to do this work. 

Image Editing Jobs

This is also a very easy job to do. You just need to have some simple software that can be used to do small editing to images. For this job, you will be given a set of images where you will have to make small edits. 

Upgrading data base information

Large and detailed databases often contain fields that must be upgraded periodically. Some of these fields require individual entry of information. These online data entry jobs consist of revising an address or telephone number for example. This type of data base work is not as common as some of the other types nowadays, since anything typed into a computer or online field can be recaptured electronically and doesn't have to be considered data entry in that instance. 

Preparing lists

Anything that involves placing written communication into a database requires data entry. Online data entry jobs might require compiling a list of names and addresses from a rebate form filled out by hundreds or thousands of consumers. This sort of work would be fairly routine, with the only difficulty in reading poor or illegible handwriting. Rebates or refund lists, contact lists filled out at a trade fair booth, voting registration information--these are the types of list preparation jobs that a person might accept. If a high degree of accuracy is needed, then the list can be compiled by two different people and then a merge file is created that points out discrepancies.

Secretarial type typing and editing

Another type of the online data entry jobs is that of typing letters, reports and memos. This can be done directly online, such as with an email correspondence. It may also be carried out from audio or video dictation or podcasts. Secretarial data entry requires a much higher attention to details and accuracy. It is expected that the data entry person serving in a secretarial role will be able to accurately spell and punctuate the words used. As with other types of data entry jobs editing, rewriting and correcting another's work is another type of editing or revision work. 

Catalog descriptions

A more specialized type of online data entry jobs have to do with catalog creating. Whether you are writing about books or shoes, a person who can express tidbits of information in an otherwise dull and boring presentation will be successful. Granted, some products are more difficult to bring to life than others. The data entry person in this instance may work by the description, or by a certain number of words in the item. It can be grueling work to try to think of many different ways to describe a particular item so that it appears different from another place of very similar design.

 

Scams of Data Entry

I’d love nothing more than to claim that personally I have never been a victim to online data entry scams, however, that’s not the case, in fact during my search to make online money I joined over 10 programs in which I didn’t make a nickel (I wrote them off as a tax loss so it wasn’t that bad). As a desperate student, without extra time to hold a job,  O had to find a way to make some extra cash, the promises of easy money with virtually no work, where just too good to pass up. I was naïve then, and like thousands of other people I was scammed often by misleading claims of other data entry programs that turned out not to be legitimate.

But are there really any legitimate companies offering legitimate data entry programs?

Truth be told, you can actually make a lot of money online with data entry, but only if you were able to find a legitimate company that has a well though though out program which is easy to understand. There are some legitimate companies out there, even if 99% of them are unsatisfactory or scams.