An ATM side hustle is a great way to earn passive income, especially if you already have a main source of income. Nowadays, many people are embracing the idea of a side hustle for financial gain, personal fulfillment, or both.
So why is an ATM side hustle an ideal path toward financial gain or personal fulfillment? The answer lies in the effort. With minimal effort, you can make money at ATMs. This is because the business relies on high footfall and concentration of people in the area where your ATM machine is situated. Areas with high footfall and concentration will generate a good return on your investment in just a few hours.
Where does your money come from with an ATM side hustle?
Operating an ATM business can be profitable as people opt to use ATMs in areas where it is difficult to visit a bank. As an ATM machine owner, you’ll earn money from a fee for every completed transaction on the machine.
In the world of viable businesses, the ATM business is a potential gold mine, with its market value estimated at $20.58 billion in 2019 and predicted growth of $30.50 billion by 2027. Taking advantage of this now can open up financial opportunities for anyone brave enough to jump in and become their own boss.
This article will provide you with all the information necessary to successfully own and operate an ATM side hustle business. Read on to learn more about what it takes to build a profitable venture.
How An ATM Side Hustle Works
To get your ATM side business off the ground, there are certain steps you need to take. These include laying the groundwork, organizing all essential elements, and preparing for launch. Only then can you expect to see positive results from your business efforts.
Securing the perfect name for your business is key. Afterward, you must create a realistic business plan and get the required legal structure in order. Then, make sure to register with any relevant licensing bodies (e.g. Office of consumer affairs) and gather enough start-up funds to begin operations. The first step to getting started with an ATM is to open a business bank account which will be connected to it. Then it’s important to ensure the ATM is insured, and you must acquire the software needed for its operation. Finally, you can get your machine up and running
The ATM industry relies on a solid agreement between the ATM machine owner, the company managing it, and the owner of its location. A typical transaction made via an ATM might incur about $3-$4.66 as chargeable fees to the user. The surcharge incurred is not solely yours; it will be split between you (the ATM machine owner) and any other parties involved.
By the end of each month, you could easily earn over $400 as an ATM machine owner. Read on to find out more about the potential financial rewards you could receive from this venture.
Who loads money into ATM Machine?
You may be curious about who fills the ATM machine with money. Usually, it is the owner of the machine who loads it up. Alternatively, you can also hire a third party to take care of loading your ATM for you.
Vault Cash Management Service providers are a great help when it comes to managing your cash. Depending on the capacity of the cassette, ATMs can store between $10,000 and $200,000 worth of currency.
Image credit: Pixabay
How much can you make per month as an ATM machine owner?
If you plan to launch an ATM side hustle business, it is important to be mindful of the start-up costs. ATM machines can range from $2,000-$8,000 and additional installation fees may amount to $200-$300 per machine.
ATM owners can potentially earn up to $450-$1000 each month, depending on the location of the machine. For example, if the ATM is placed in a high-traffic area, they may be able to rake in more profit – up to $15-$30 each day.
Pros and cons of owning an ATM Business
Like any other business venture, owning an ATM machine comes with its own pluses and minuses. It can be profitable but can also come with its own challenges.
Pros of owning an ATM business include the following:-
1. Consistent Income Stream: With this side job, the amount of money you can make is not predetermined or dependent on how much effort you devote to it. You can create a steady stream of income with unlimited potential.
2. You employ yourself: As the owner, taking control of your business is something you are solely responsible for. Every operation and activity falls into your hands and you are the ultimate decision-maker.
3. Physical activity: If you self-manage your ATM machines, you’re likely to be always on the go. This will provide you with natural physical activity, eliminating the need for additional sports or cardio workouts.
4. For your business to be successful in its environment, choose a suitable business model that works well with the local conditions. This will ensure that your venture has the best chance of thriving in its surroundings.
5. Establishing trust with customers in this industry is effortless. Just ensure that the machine always has enough funds to cover all the needs of people in the area to offer the required assurance.
6. Great exposure: Owning an ATM business offers a great opportunity to learn about how people make money transactions in their everyday lives. Moreover, these machines offer more than just cash withdrawals – you can use them for various other purposes such as advertising
7. You can get handsomely rewarded by helping people with their immediate cash needs. The deductions made on the user’s account and credited to your own account give you an incentive for solving such problems.
Cons of owning an ATM business include: –
1. Just like any other business, running a business can be incredibly demanding as you’re expected to take on so many roles & responsibilities. The life of an entrepreneur is certainly never dull, but it’s also very rewarding. You’ll get the satisfaction of seeing your hard work come to fruition.
2. Business owners often have to push their own boundaries and take on stressful tasks in order to get the job done and grow their business. While this can sometimes be beneficial, it can also lead to uncomfortable situations and feelings of anxiety.
3. Each month is different in the commission you can earn. This means, unlike a salary earner, you can’t predict what your income will be at the end of the month.
4. As with any kind of business, the ATM industry isn’t immune to liability. The cost of insurance policies may be relatively high, meaning that incurring liabilities is an unavoidable reality.
5. Moving money is a risky venture as it can attract malicious attackers who intend to steal your funds. To ensure safety and security, you should be extra vigilant when transporting cash.
6. When faced with several tasks that need to be handled at once, it can be overwhelming.
What are the best locations for ATM machines?
Geographical position plays a significant role in the success of any business. Therefore, it is essential for business owners to conduct research or feasibility studies before settling on a particular location for their venture.
The best locations for your ATM machine are-
1. Restaurant: Restaurant customers rarely have enough money on them and are forced to go to an ATM to withdraw cash in order to pay their bills.
2. Bars and Nightclubs: Visiting bars & nightclubs has become easier as more and more people are only carrying their ATM cards with them instead of cash. This allows them to withdraw the exact amount they need before entering, helping to make sure they don’t spend too much money at the club.
3. Grocery stores: Customers are more likely to pay in cash instead of using a credit card when shopping at the grocery store. To do this, they often withdraw money from an ATM machine prior to entering the store.
4. Gas Station/Convenience Store: Gas stations generally prefer cash transactions over credit cards or other methods of payment. As a result, customers have to withdraw cash from an ATM before heading to a gas stand. Alternatively, convenience stores also do better in terms of sales when customers pay in cash which makes having an ATM business extremely profitable.
5. Hotels: Hotel proprietors are increasingly requesting for ATM stands to be set up in their vicinity as a result of their guests’ need for cash. This is an interesting trend that has been observed. Staying in-house, guests don’t have to venture out of the hotel if they require cash. Installing an ATM machine within the hotel complex would be convenient for lodgers, who can quickly withdraw money and go back to their rooms without any hassles.
6. Concert Arena: Concerts tend to be expensive, so having a lot of cash is essential. Moreover, since the prices of food and other items in concert arenas are usually higher than in other venues, it is necessary to provide easy access to cash by placing ATMs in the area.
7. Event centers: Having ATM stands in event centers proves to be a beneficial decision for all parties involved. It provides a convenient access point for customers and also presents an opportunity for additional income for the event center owner.
8. Casinos: Customers at a casino need instant access to cash in order to make their transactions more convenient. Installing an ATM stand there can provide this much-needed accessibility and keep your customers happy.
9. Financial Establishments: When people need fast access to cash, the first place they turn to is often a financial institution such as a bank. Positioning your ATM machine in close proximity to these banks can be particularly profitable as some smaller ones may not have the necessary resources for their own machine – this could provide you with an excellent opportunity for collaboration.
How to make money using an ATM Machine
Whenever an ATM transaction is made, a fee of around $4.66 is charged, and that money goes directly to your account as the machine’s owner. This helps cover operating expenses and increases the overall efficiency of your business. Moreover, investing in ATM marketing can do wonders for businesses looking to get noticed. Putting up materials on the machines will help spread the word about your services and products, as well as boost your company’s visibility. Businesses pay a hefty sum for advertisement placement on ATMs due to their effectiveness in marketing.
An ATM machine business is an exciting way to earn money. Selling ATMs can be a great source of income as part of this hustle. You can also try this as well.
Tips for success in an ATM side hustle
Here are a few tips to help you towards a successful in your ATM side hustle:
- Choose an appropriate machine when buying an ATM
- Choose a profitable location to place your ATM
- Have a reliable source of cash to fill your machine day-in-day-out
- Ensure a steady power supply to your machine
- Don’t be afraid to fail. Every business has its own risk;
- Think of ways to add value to your service;
- Have a service agreement template for your ATM with a service company
Conclusion
Reading over this article should have helped you recognize the important factors to consider before taking the plunge into this business. You can make an impressive commission of at least $450 monthly just by having an ATM without being physically present. It is essential to keep the Machine Vault well-stocked with money and ensure a reliable power source for it.
ATMs are now a common feature in most retail outlets, fashion shops, and restaurants. This provides convenience to customers so that they can access cash quickly and easily. It’s a win-win situation for all parties involved; the customers get a more convenient service while the merchants and ATM owners benefit from higher traffic & customer visits. With an understanding of managing an ATM business, you can begin to explore the world of passive income with less stress. This is a great way to make money while freeing up more time.
