How to Monetize a Website: 8 Proven Ways to Make Money Online

A few years ago, I built a website just for fun. I had no idea it could actually make money. I used to think you needed to be a big brand or a tech expert to generate income from a website—but I was wrong. You can actually make money online.

Fast forward to today, and my websites bring in consistent income every month. The best part? You don’t need to be a developer or have millions of followers to monetize your website.

Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or content creator, your website can become a revenue-generating asset. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to make money from your website—even if you’re just starting out.

1. Sell Digital Products (Best for Passive Income)

Selling digital products is one of the easiest ways to monetize a website because you create them once and sell them repeatedly. No inventory, no shipping—just pure profit.

Popular Digital Products to Sell

• E-books and guides – Share your expertise in a niche.
• Printables – Planners, checklists, and templates are popular on Pinterest.
• Online courses and workshops – Teach a skill and sell access to your lessons.
• Stock photos and graphics – If you’re a photographer or designer, sell digital assets.

Pro tip: Add a shop page to your website using Showit, Squarespace, or Shopify to start selling today.

2. Affiliate Marketing (Earn Commissions by Promoting Products)

Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by recommending products or services to your audience.

How It Works

• Join an affiliate program (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or niche-specific programs).
• Create content – Write blog posts, tutorials, or product reviews featuring the items.
• Add affiliate links – When someone buys through your link, you earn a commission.

Pro tip: Websites with strong SEO and Pinterest traffic perform best with affiliate marketing.

3. Sell Website Templates and Themes (High-Profit Business Model)

If you love web design, selling website templates is a great way to earn passive income. Once a template is created, you can sell it multiple times.

Who Can Sell Website Templates?

• Web designers (Showit, Squarespace, Shopify, or WordPress templates).
• Business owners who want to create DIY-friendly website designs.
• Creators offering pre-made templates for beginners.

Pro tip: I sell high-converting Showit and Squarespace website templates—check them out. [Insert Shop Link]

4. Offer Memberships or Exclusive Content

A membership site can generate recurring revenue, allowing users to pay monthly or yearly for premium content.

Examples of Membership-Based Websites

• Exclusive communities – Paid mastermind groups or business coaching forums.
• Content subscriptions – Private newsletters, premium blog posts, or gated content.
• Digital product memberships – A new printable, template, or stock photo set each month.

Pro tip: Platforms like MemberPress (WordPress), Squarespace Memberships, and Patreon make it easy to set up a membership site.

5. Display Ads (Earn from Website Traffic)

If your website gets steady traffic, you can make money by displaying ads.

Best Ad Networks for Website Monetization

• Google AdSense – Easy to set up but works best for high-traffic sites.
• Mediavine – Higher payouts but requires 50,000+ sessions per month.
• Ezoic – A great alternative to AdSense with better earnings potential.

Pro tip: Use SEO and Pinterest marketing to increase traffic and boost ad revenue.

6. Sell Coaching and Consulting Services

If you have expertise in business, marketing, fitness, or any niche, you can offer one-on-one coaching or consulting services through your website.

How to Monetize with Coaching and Consulting

• Create a professional website showcasing your expertise.
• Offer discovery calls to potential clients.
• Use a booking system (Calendly, Acuity, or Squarespace Scheduling).
• Charge for sessions (one-time or retainer-based).

Pro tip: I offer Showit website templates designed for coaches and consultants—check them out. [Insert Shop Link]

7. Offer Freelance Services

Many online entrepreneurs start by freelancing before expanding into passive income. If you have skills in web design, writing, social media, or marketing, you can offer your services online.

Popular Freelance Services to Offer

• Web design (Showit, Squarespace, Shopify).
• Content writing and blogging.
• Pinterest management and social media marketing.
• Graphic design (logos, branding, templates).

Pro tip: Use your website as a portfolio to showcase past work and attract high-paying clients.

8. Sell an Online Course or Workshop

One of the most profitable ways to monetize a website is by selling online courses or live workshops.

Best Platforms to Sell Courses

• Teachable and Kajabi – Best for in-depth courses.
• Podia – Great for simple digital products and coaching.
• Thinkific – Beginner-friendly and affordable.

Pro tip: Add a sales page to your website and start collecting leads before launching your course.

Final Thoughts: Which Monetization Strategy is Right for You?

There are many ways to make money from a website, but the key is to start with one strategy and scale from there.

• Quickest way to make money? Offer freelance services or coaching.
• Best for passive income? Sell digital products or website templates.
• Long-term growth? Build traffic and monetize with ads, affiliate marketing, and memberships.

Ready to turn your website into a money-making machine? Check out my website templates for bloggers, business owners, and creatives here: Code Creative Template Shop