Currently writing for free...What should my next career move be?

To be honest, if they aren't paying you now they are probably not looking to pay people to write for them. Chances are they don't make that much (or any) money.

As others have mentioned, make sure you have a byline. If not copy and paste the text with any images, arrange it nicely enough and save it in .PDF format. You can then use this for your portfolio. If you are not getting a byline by the way, then you really should be being paid; you are just doing someone else's work (or pet project) for nothing.

Sign up to some of the online freelancing sites (e.g. Copify, PeoplePerHour, Upwork, Freelancer.com) and see if you can get a bit of work there. It's probable that you will only be able to get awful jobs from awful clients, but you will (hopefully!) be paid (albeit a pittance). It will give you more of a feel for the market however, and, most importantly, give you a sense of whether writing really is a career you want to pursue.

Also, try to find a niche. Look for any other websites or publications who do similar stuff to your current place, and see whether you can get a bit of work there.

Even blogs with a decent readership often make very little money. I know a few people who run them and who take on people just like you. They aren't bad people by any means, but you are unlikely to make a living with them.

If you are after full-time employment, then you are best building up a portfolio and looking for SEO copywriting jobs. The pay is usually poor and the work mundane, but you will at least be making a living from writing.

Hope this hasn't put you off! It is a difficult path, but I think nigh-on everything is these days. Good luck and remember: despite the doom and gloom, professional writers do still exist!

/r/freelancewriting Thread