How to Make Money from a Website

Anyone can make millions of dollars online (at least if you believe every how to make money online Instagram video)

Ok, so “millions” is a bit of an oversell, but you can make money online if you have something of value to share.

With a clear direction and a strategy, you’d be surprised what you can do.

So if you want to try something new, read through this article and consider building your own website to monetize.

How to Make Money from a Website

To be clear, making money online is a much more broad topic, for now, we want to focus on how to make money from a website specifically.

A website isn’t just an online presence—it’s the foundation of a profitable business.

Whether you’re selling a product, recommending others’ products, or building a paid membership community, your website can generate revenue for you.

So how do you make money from a website?

These are the main three methods:

• Selling Products or Services
• Affiliate Marketing
• Memberships & Subscriptions

There are a lot of approaches out there, but they all kinda fall into one of these buckets.

Let’s go deeper on each of these.

How to Make Money Selling Products or Services?

Selling stuff directly through your website is one of the best ways to make money online.

Whether you’re offering physical goods, digital downloads, or pro services, your site serves as a digital storefront, allowing you to reach customers anywhere.

But selling online isn’t just about listing a product or service—it takes some strategy.

You’ll need to think through:

• What you’re selling
• Who your audience is
• How to present your offer
• Which tools and platforms to use

Ok, let’s go further into selling products and selling services to see which is the best direction for you.

How to Make Money Selling Products

Selling products is one of the most popular and scalable ways to monetize a site.

Whether you’re selling physical goods or digital products, your website can serve as a powerful sales platform, giving you full control over your brand, pricing, and customer experience.

Here are the two main approaches when it comes to selling products online:

1. Selling Physical Products – Things that need to be shipped, such as clothing, handmade crafts, or drop shipping products.
2. .Selling Digital Products – Intangible items that can be downloaded or accessed online, such as e-books, templates, or online courses.

Selling Physical Products Online

These are tangible goods that customers receive after purchasing.

This could be something you make yourself like or sources from a supplier.

Ways to Sell Physical Products from Your Website

• E-commerce Store: Set up an online shop using platforms like Showit (with integrations for e-commerce), Shopify, or WooCommerce.
• Print-on-Demand: Sell custom-designed products like t-shirts, mugs, or posters without holding inventory. A service like Printful or Printify fulfills orders as they come in.
• Dropshipping: Instead of stocking products, work with a supplier who ships directly to customers on your behalf. This reduces upfront costs but requires good supplier relationships.
• Handmade or Custom Products: If you create custom artwork, jewelry, or other crafts, your website can be a direct sales channel.

Pros of Selling Physical Products

• ✅ Customers get something tangible, which can build brand loyalty.
• ✅ Can be highly profitable if you have a unique product or niche.
• ✅ Opportunities for repeat sales with consumable products.

Cons of Selling Physical Products

• ❌ Requires inventory management or working with suppliers.
• ❌ Shipping and fulfillment logistics can be complex.
• ❌ Higher overhead costs compared to digital products.

Examples of Selling Physical Products Online

.

1. A Handmade Jewelry Business

Imagine you’re a jewelry maker who creates unique, handcrafted necklaces and earrings.

You set up a website using Showit and integrate an e-commerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce.

Your website is now your digital storefront, where customers can browse, read about your process, and place orders.

Simply put:

• You use high-quality product photos to showcase your work.
• Customers can select different materials or request custom pieces.
• Orders are fulfilled and shipped.

2. A Print-on-Demand T-Shirt Store

You’re a graphic designer with a passion for creative, niche-themed T-shirt designs.

Instead of handling inventory, you partner with a print-on-demand service like Printful.

Simply put:

• Folks browse and buy from your website’s online shop.
• Once an order is placed, Printful prints the design and ships it directly to the customer.
• You never touch the product—everything is handled by the fulfillment partner.

This business model is great because it requires low upfront investment, and you only pay for production when a sale is made.

3. A Boutique Coffee Brand

You decide to start a specialty coffee brand, selling ethically sourced beans.

Through your website, you offer:

• One-time purchases for coffee bags.
• A subscription model where customers receive fresh coffee every month.

You use your website to tell your brand story, educate customers on different brewing methods, and build a loyal community.

4. A Custom Artwork or Photography Print Shop

You’re a photographer or digital artist who wants to sell prints of your work.

You set up an online gallery where customers can purchase canvas prints or framed photos of your work.

Simply put:

• Orders are printed and shipped through a print-on-demand service like Gelato or Gooten.
• Customers can choose from different sizes and framing options.
• Since printing is handled on demand, you don’t need to keep inventory.

Why These Examples Work

Each of these examples follows a simple formula:

• ✅ A product people want to buy.
• ✅ A website that makes purchasing easy.
• ✅ A fulfillment method that works for the business owner.

It’s worth mentioning that all of the things we convert here are simple to write out, but will actually take some work to get going.

But, these are proven methods people have used to make money from websites for years.

How to Make Money Selling Services

Selling services is one of the most direct and effective ways to monetize a website.

Instead of selling physical or digital products, you’re offering your skills, expertise, or time in exchange for payment.

This approach is good for coaches, creatives, freelancers, and agencies who want to use their websites to attract and convert clients.

This is a great approach if you are starting with limited cash.

But, unlike products, services often require direct interaction with customers.

Whether it’s a one-on-one session, a done-for-you package, or an ongoing service subscription.

There are two main approaches to selling services online:

1. One-time or project-based services – Clients pay per project, session, or package.
2. Retainer or subscription-based services – Clients pay a recurring fee for ongoing work.

Now, let’s break down different kinds of service-based businesses and how they work.

Types of Services You Can Sell Online

1. Freelance or Consulting Services

• The Business: A graphic designer, copywriter, or business consultant offers services on a project basis.
• The Website: A portfolio website showcases their work, explains services, and includes a contact or booking form.
• Sales Strategy: The freelancer generates leads via SEO, social media, and networking.
• How They Get Paid: Clients pay per project or per hour through an invoice system.

Examples:

• A brand designer creating custom logos and visual identities.
• A copywriter writing website content for businesses.
• A business coach offering one-on-one strategy calls.

2. Online Coaching & Education Services

• The Business: A fitness coach or career consultant provides virtual coaching.
• The Website: Features client testimonials, session details, and an easy way to book coaching.
• Sales Strategy: Leads are captured through email opt-ins, webinars, and social media.
• How They Get Paid: Clients purchase single sessions or long-term coaching packages.

Examples:

• A fitness coach offering personalized workout plans and accountability check-ins.
• A career coach helping job seekers improve their resumes and interview skills.
• A relationship coach providing virtual coaching for couples.

3. Done-for-You Services (DFY)

• The Business: A service provider (photographer, web designer, videographer) offers complete, hands-on solutions.
• The Website: A strong portfolio highlights past work, and a contact form makes inquiries easy.
• Sales Strategy: Clients are drawn in through referrals, SEO, and case studies.
• How They Get Paid: One-time project fees or installment plans.

Examples:

• A wedding photographer selling a premium photography package.
• A web designer building custom websites for clients.
• A real estate videographer offering professional video tours.

4. Memberships & Subscription-Based Services

• The Business: A marketing agency, social media manager, or VA (virtual assistant) provides ongoing services.
• The Website: Clearly outlines membership tiers, pricing, and benefits.
• Sales Strategy: Subscriptions often grow via networking, referrals, and long-term client relationships.
• How They Get Paid: Clients pay monthly or annually for ongoing services.

Examples:

• A social media manager offering a monthly content creation and posting package.
• A marketing consultant providing continuous support to businesses.
• A legal professional offering a small business legal subscription for ongoing advice.

Pros of Selling Digital Products/Services

• ✅ Low upfront costs
• ✅ High-value transactions
• ✅ Scalable with the right approach

Cons of Selling Digital Products/Services

• ❌ Requires active work (beyond just setting up an online store)
• ❌ Can be harder to scale than products depending on what service you are offering

How Your Website Helps You Sell Services

A well-designed website builds credibility and helps convert visitors into paying clients.

To maximize your service-based website, make sure you include:

• ✅ A clear description of your services – Make it easy for potential clients to understand what you offer.
• ✅ A strong portfolio or testimonials – Show proof of your expertise.
• ✅ A simple way to book or inquire – Use a scheduling tool like Calendly or a form for custom quotes.

Showit provides a fully customizable platform for service-based professionals to build their websites and attract more clients.

How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly ways to monetize a website.

Instead of creating and selling your own products or services, you promote other companies’ products and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral links.

DISCLAIMER: You can earn money this way, but don’t fall for people telling you “I left my full-time job after doing affiliate marketing for 2 months and make 5-figures a week”)

With that out of the way, who is affiliate marketing a good option for?

Think bloggers, influencers, and content creators who want to monetize their audience without handling inventory, customer service, or product development.

Basically, if you can build an audience, affiliate marketing is a great option.

How Affiliate Marketing Works

1. You sign up for an affiliate program – This could be from an individual brand or a larger network like Amazon Associates or ShareASale.
2. You get a unique referral link – Every time someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
3. You promote the product on your website – This can be through blog posts, reviews, tutorials, or recommendations.
4. You earn money when people buy through your link – Commissions range from a few percent (Amazon) to 50% or more (digital products and software).

Ways to Use a Website for Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing works best when your website provides valuable content that naturally leads visitors to buy through your links.

Here are the best ways to incorporate affiliate links into your website:

1. Writing Product Reviews & Recommendations

One of the most effective ways to promote affiliate products is by writing honest, in-depth reviews.

You test a product, highlight its pros and cons, and include an affiliate link for readers to purchase.

An example of this would be:

• A photography blogger writes a review about the “Best Cameras for Wedding Photography” and includes affiliate links to each camera on Amazon.

2. Creating Tutorials & How-To Guides

People often search for step-by-step guides on how to use specific products or tools. You can provide helpful tutorials while incorporating affiliate links.

An example of this would be:

• A web designer writes a blog post titled “How to Build a Beautiful Photography Website” and recommends Showit as the platform, using an affiliate link to the Showit signup page.

3. Listicles & “Best Of” Roundups

Curated lists like “Top 10” articles are great for affiliate marketing because they compare multiple products and increase the chances of conversions.

An example of this would be:

• A tech blogger writes “10 Best WordPress Plugins for SEO” and links to the affiliate programs of each plugin.

4. Resource Pages

A recommended tools & resources page is a simple way to promote affiliate products without writing new content constantly. This page lists the software, tools, or services you use and recommend.

An example of this would be:

• A business coach has a “My Favorite Business Tools” page that includes affiliate links to email marketing software, website builders, and invoicing tools.

5. Email Marketing & Lead Magnets

Once you’ve built an audience, you can promote affiliate products through your email list.

Offering a free lead magnet (like an e-book or checklist) is a great way to attract subscribers and share relevant affiliate offers later.

An example of this would be:

• A blogger offers a free PDF guide on “How to Start a Blog” and includes affiliate links to web hosting services inside.

If you’re new to affiliate marketing, here are some beginner-friendly and fair-paying affiliate programs to look into:

• Amazon Associates – Commissions are low, but you can promote almost any product.
• ShareASale & CJ Affiliate – Marketplaces that connect you with thousands of affiliate programs.
• Software & SaaS Programs – Platforms like Showit, ConvertKit, and Teachable offer higher commission rates for referrals.

Pros of Affiliate Marketing

• ✅ No need to create your own products – Just promote existing ones.
• ✅ Low startup costs – All you need is a website and traffic
• ✅ Passive income potential – Once content ranks well, it can generate commissions long-term.

Cons of Affiliate Marketing

• ❌ Requires consistent traffic – Without visitors, no one clicks your links.
• ❌ Less control – You rely on the company’s pricing, commission rates, and product availability.
• ❌ Affiliate program rules vary – Some companies have strict policies about how you can promote their products.

How Your Website Helps You Succeed in Affiliate Marketing

A well-optimized website is the foundation of a successful affiliate marketing business.

To maximize your earnings, make sure your website has:

• ✅ SEO-Optimized Content – Rank on Google for relevant keywords to attract organic traffic.
• ✅ A Clean, Professional Design – Builds trust with visitors.
• ✅ A Strong Call to Action (CTA) – Encourages users to click your affiliate links.
• ✅ Fast Loading Speed & Mobile Optimization – Ensures a smooth user experience.

With Showit, you can create a beautifully designed, high-converting website to showcase your affiliate content in a visually compelling way—without coding!

Is Affiliate Marketing a Good Fit for You?

Affiliate marketing is perfect if:

• ✅ You enjoy creating content and sharing recommendations.
• ✅ You want to monetize a blog, review site, or niche website.
• ✅ You prefer passive income over actively selling products or services.

If that sounds like you, it’s time to start your affiliate marketing journey!

How to Make Money with Memberships & Subscriptions

If you want recurring revenue, a membership or subscription model is one of the best ways to go.

Unlike one-time sales, this model allows you to build a community, provide ongoing value, and generate predictable income monthly.

Memberships and subscriptions work well for creators, educators, and business owners who want to offer exclusive content, premium resources, or ongoing services.

How Membership & Subscription Models Work

1. You create a members-only area – This could be a private blog, online course, or premium forum
2. Users pay a recurring fee – Members subscribe weekly, monthly, or annually to access the content or service.
3. You provide ongoing value – This could be new content, group coaching, premium tools, or community access.
4. Your income becomes predictable – Unlike one-time sales, memberships provide stable, recurring revenue.

Types of Membership & Subscription Models

1. Premium Content Memberships

One of the simplest ways to start a membership business is by offering exclusive content that’s only accessible to paying members.

A good example would be:

• Example: A fitness coach runs a private membership site where members get access to exclusive workout plans, nutrition guides, and live Q&A sessions.

2. Online Course & Educational Subscriptions

Instead of selling courses individually, lots of creators offer a course membership model, where students pay a monthly or yearly fee for continued access to materials.

• Example: A business strategist runs an ongoing business coaching membership, where members get access to recorded lessons, group coaching calls, and new monthly content.

3. Subscription Box or Product Memberships

A subscription box business sends curated products to customers each month, while digital products (like templates or stock photos) can be offered via a download subscription.

• Example: A stationery brand offers a monthly planner subscription where members receive exclusive designs and stickers every month.

Pros of Memberships & Subscriptions

• ✅ Predictable income – Monthly or annual memberships provide financial stability.
• ✅ High customer retention – Members stay as long as they receive ongoing value.
• ✅ Scalable – You can grow your membership without needing to create new products all the time.

Cons of Memberships & Subscriptions

• ❌ Requires a lot of content or engagement – Members expect consistent updates.
• ❌ Potential high churn rate – Some members will cancel each month.
• ❌ Needs strong community management – Especially for discussion-based memberships.

How Your Website Helps You Sell Memberships & Subscriptions

A well-designed website makes all the difference when building a successful membership business.

To convert visitors into paying members, make sure your website includes:

• ✅ A Clear Value Proposition – Tell visitors what they’ll get as a member.
• ✅ An Easy Signup Process – Make joining simple with an optimized checkout flow.
• ✅ Member Testimonials & Social Proof – Show how others have benefited from your membership.
• ✅ A Strong Content or Community Hub – Whether it’s videos, downloads, or a forum, your website should make it easy for members to access their perks.

With Showit, you can design a stunning, high-converting membership website that gives users an amazing experience—without needing to code.

Is a Membership Stratagy a Good Fit for You?

A membership model is a good fit if:

• ✅ You have ongoing value to provide (content, coaching, products, or a community).
• ✅ You want to build a loyal audience instead of making one-time sales.
• ✅ You like the idea of stable, predictable revenue each month.

If that sounds like you, now is the perfect time to start your membership journey!

Build your Showit-powered membership site today and create a recurring income stream.

Essential Tools for Making Money from a Website

A profitable website doesn’t just need the right strategy—it also needs the right tools.

From website builders to payment processors, email platforms to content delivery systems, the right tools will make all the difference.

Website Builder & Design Tools

Your website is the foundation of your online business, so having a user-friendly and customizable website builder is crucial.

1. Showit – A true drag-and-drop website builder for creatives, entrepreneurs, and service providers.
2. Canva – A beginner-friendly graphic design tool for creating social media graphics, lead magnets, and website visuals.
3. Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom) – Great for more advanced branding, photo editing, and design.
4. Figma – A design and prototyping tool for building website layouts and UI elements.

E-Commerce & Payment Processing Tools

If you plan to sell products or services, you’ll need a way to accept payments and manage transactions on your website.

1. WooCommerce – A flexible e-commerce plugin for WordPress that allows you to sell physical or digital products.
2. Shopify – A popular all-in-one e-commerce platform that works well with Showit integrations.
3. Gumroad – A simple way to sell digital products like e-books, courses, and templates.
4. ThriveCart – A high-converting shopping cart tool with built-in upsell and funnel features.
5. PayPal – Trusted payment processors that allow you to accept credit card payments securely.

Email Marketing & Lead Capture Tools

Building an email list is one of the most powerful ways to grow a sustainable online income.

1. BDOW! – A lead capture tool that helps you collect email addresses directly from your website and convert visitors into subscribers.
2. Kit – A creator-friendly email marketing platform for sending automated sequences and newsletters.
3. Flodesk – An intuitive email marketing tool with beautiful email templates and automation features.

Membership & Subscription Tools

If you want to sell memberships, subscriptions, or gated content, these tools will help:

1. MemberPress – A WordPress plugin that allows you to create a paid membership site.
2. Podia – A great all-in-one platform for selling memberships, courses, and digital downloads.
3. Patreon – A platform that allows creators to earn recurring revenue through a membership community.
4. Kajabi – A powerful tool for hosting courses, memberships, and coaching programs.
5. Mighty Networks – A community-building platform with membership and social networking features.

Course & Digital Product Delivery Tools

If you’re selling digital products or courses, you’ll need a platform to deliver content securely.

1. Teachable – A robust platform for hosting and selling online courses.
2. Thinkific – Another excellent platform for creating and selling courses.
3. SendOwl – A tool for delivering digital downloads like PDFs, templates, or e-books.
4. Dropbox / Google Drive – Secure file storage for sharing digital products or downloads.

Affiliate Marketing & Monetization Tools

If you’re using affiliate marketing as a revenue stream, these tools can help you manage and optimize your earnings.

1. Amazon Associates – A popular affiliate program that lets you earn commissions by promoting Amazon products.
2. ShareASale & CJ Affiliate – Affiliate networks that connect you with thousands of brands.
3. Lasso – A powerful tool for managing and displaying affiliate links in a professional way.
4. Pretty Links – A WordPress plugin that helps you create clean, trackable affiliate links.
5. Rewardful – A great tool for creating referral and affiliate programs for your own business.

SEO & Traffic Growth Tools

To drive more traffic to your website and increase your earnings, you’ll need the right SEO tools.

1. Google Analytics (GA4) – Essential for tracking website traffic and visitor behavior.
2. Google Search Console – Helps you understand how your website ranks on Google and fix SEO issues.
3. Ahrefs / SEMrush – Powerful tools for keyword research, backlink tracking, and SEO audits.
4. Yoast SEO (for WordPress users) – A plugin that helps you optimize your site for search engines.
5. Rank Math – Another popular SEO plugin for WordPress with advanced features.

Social Media & Marketing Automation Tools

Promoting your website across social media and other channels is key to making money online.

1. Buffer / Hootsuite – Social media scheduling tools to automate posting.
2. Tailwind – A great tool for automating Pinterest and Instagram marketing.
3. Zapier – Connects different apps and automates repetitive tasks across platforms.
4. ClickFunnels – A powerful tool for creating sales funnels and landing pages.
5. ManyChat – A chatbot automation tool for Facebook Messenger and Instagram DM marketing

Just Get Started

If you scrolled straight to the bottom, we see you.

We gave you a few paths you can take and some tools you can use to make money from a website.

But, it’s admittedly easier said than done

Maybe you’ve built a website and are wondering what you can do with it, we hope this encouraged you with some next steps to take.

But, if you’ve never built a website, that’s a great place to start.

Click here to start a 14-day free trial of Showit to take the first step toward building a website that works for you.

We know it takes some work, but we know you’ve got this.

Go get started!