Question 1

What bisnis sampingan can I start as an Indonesian college student?

Accepted Answer

Any skill you're developing through your studies is a marketable service right now. Design students: logo design, social media graphics, presentation design, UI mockups. Programming students: website development, landing pages, bot building, data scraping. Accounting students: bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial statements for small businesses. Marketing students: content writing, social media management, ads setup. English students: translation, proofreading, tutoring. Even students who study law, psychology, or engineering can offer consulting, tutoring, or research services to other students and small businesses.

Question 2

Do I need to register a business to earn money as a student in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

No. You can earn income as an individual (pribadi) without registering a business entity. For tax purposes, individual income under Rp 54 million per year is exempt from income tax. Most student freelancers earn well below this threshold and simply receive bank transfers from clients. If your income grows, you can register as a sole trader (usaha perseorangan) later. You do not need any business registration to start taking paid projects through Suriya.

Question 3

How do I get my first client without a portfolio or experience?

Accepted Answer

Your campus community is your first market. Every university has LINE groups, Discord servers, and WhatsApp groups for departments, years, and interests. Post your service page link with a simple introduction to the relevant groups. Offer your first 1–2 projects at a discounted rate in exchange for a testimonial. Senior students, UKM (extracurricular) organizations, and campus UMKM businesses are your best first clients — they need exactly what you're learning to do and prefer working with known people over anonymous online freelancers.

Question 4

How do I protect myself from clients who don't pay?

Accepted Answer

Suriya's booking system requires a deposit (DP) upfront before you begin any work. The deposit is typically 30–50% of the project value. This is standard practice in Indonesian freelance work — legitimate clients expect it. If a client refuses to pay a deposit, they're either not serious or planning to disappear after delivery. By requiring DP through Suriya, you automatically filter for committed clients and protect your time.

Question 5

Can I run a bisnis sampingan while studying full-time?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is exactly what bisnis sampingan is designed for. You set your own hours, take on only what fits your schedule, and pause accepting new bookings during exam periods. Suriya lets you block off unavailable dates so clients can only book when you're free. Most student freelancers work 8–15 hours per week on their side business, earning enough to cover living costs without compromising their studies.

Still in college. your own business. Already building

Your campus skills. Your first real income.

Your skill is a service — go live today

Uang muka before any work begins

Clients book around your lectures

Look professional before you graduate

Questions from Indonesian students starting a side business.

Bangun aplikasimu. Kembangkan bisnismu.

Ready to grow your business?