If you’ve been thinking about making money online, you’re in the right place. Today, I’ll show you my favourite 7 ways to make money on Shopify in 2025, some of which you might not have thought about before.
But before we dive in, let’s talk about why selling online is such a big deal.
Right now, millions of people prefer shopping online instead of going to physical stores. In fact, as of January 2025, Shopify powers around 30% of eCommerce websites in the US, making it one of the biggest players in the market.
And here’s the exciting part: you don’t need to sell physical products to make money with Shopify. There are multiple ways to use this platform and turn it into a profitable business.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Start Your Own Online Store
One of the best ways to make money with Shopify is by starting your own online store. This is the most common way people use Shopify, and for good reason, it’s simple, flexible, and packed with powerful features.
When I first looked into setting up an online store, I was surprised at how easily Shopify made everything. I didn’t need coding skills or experience in web design. With just a few clicks, I had a professional-looking store up and running.
Here are some things you can sell on Shopify:
- Physical products: Clothing, electronics, handmade crafts, beauty products, and more.
- Digital products: eBooks, online courses, templates, and other downloadable items.
- Print-on-demand: custom t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other personalized merchandise.
- Resale items: Used or secondhand goods for niche markets.
The thing I love is? Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, plus 3 months for just $1, so you can test everything before making a full commitment.
Try Shopify free2. Sell Digital Products
If you have a skill like writing, designing, or teaching, I highly recommend turning your knowledge into digital products. I did this myself, and it’s been one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to make money on Shopify.
The best part about digital products is that you only need to create them once, and then you can sell them endlessly.
There’s no need to worry about shipping, inventory, or physical storage. You’re simply selling what you’ve already created, and the profits keep coming in.
Here are some examples of digital products you can sell on Shopify:
- Online courses: Share your expertise and teach others online.
- eBooks: If you enjoy writing, this is an easy way to package your knowledge.
- Digital art: If you’re a designer, selling digital art can be highly profitable.
- Templates and printables: From resume templates to planners, these are always in demand.
- Music or sound effects: If you’re into audio production, there’s a market for this too.
Shopify makes it super simple to upload and sell digital products.
Plus, you can set up automated delivery, meaning your customers get instant access after they purchase. This automation makes the process seamless, and I can focus on creating more products.
If you’re good at something and want to turn it into a source of income with minimal upfront costs, selling digital products is one of the easiest ways to start.
Start with Shopify3. Start a Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping was one of the first Shopify business models I tried, and I can confidently say, it’s a great option for beginners. Why? Because you don’t need to buy inventory, store products, or handle shipping.
Here’s how it works:
You add products to your Shopify store, and when a customer places an order, your supplier ships it directly to them.
You don’t have to deal with packing or shipping, which means you can focus on growing your business instead of managing stock.
Shopify makes dropshipping super easy with apps like:
- Spocket: Great for finding high-quality suppliers, especially in the US and Europe.
- DSers (AliExpress Dropshipping): Connects you with thousands of affordable products.
- Zendrop: Helps with fast shipping and automated order fulfillment.
But here’s the thing, dropshipping isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Since you’re not the only one selling these products, competition can be high. Plus, you don’t control product quality or shipping times, so customer service is key.
Try Shopify Dropshipping4. Sell on Social Media
Social media isn’t just for sharing pictures and updates, it’s also a powerful way to sell products. When I first started exploring social selling, I realized it’s more than just posting product photos.
It’s about building relationships with your audience and turning followers into customers. The good news?
Shopify makes this super easy by integrating with major social platforms.
With just a few clicks, you can connect your store to:
- Instagram & Facebook Shops: Let people buy directly from your posts and stories.
- TikTok Shopping: Sell to TikTok’s massive audience with in-app purchases.
- Pinterest Catalogs: Turn your pins into shoppable products.
- YouTube Shopping: Display your products right under your videos.
I love how Shopify lets me manage everything from one dashboard.
Customers don’t even have to leave their favorite social media apps, they can buy my products right where they discover them.
And here’s a fun fact: 78% of businesses that use social selling outperform those that don’t.
Learn More on Shopify5. Affiliate Marketing
If you enjoy sharing helpful information with your audience, affiliate marketing can be a fantastic way to earn money. I’ve been using the Shopify Affiliate Program for a while now, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best ways to make money online, especially if you already have a blog, YouTube channel, or a strong social media presence.
The concept is simple: you promote Shopify through a unique affiliate link, and whenever someone signs up or makes a purchase through that link, you earn a commission. It’s as easy as that!
Affiliate marketing is perfect for anyone who:
- Has a blog or website
- Runs a YouTube channel
- Is active on social media
- Talks about eCommerce, entrepreneurship, or online businesses
What I love about the Shopify Affiliate Program is the impressive commission rates. However, your payout depends on where the merchant is located, which is something to keep in mind.
But here’s the thing: affiliate marketing isn’t about throwing random links everywhere on the internet. It’s about building trust with your audience and providing real value.
I’ve found that writing detailed tutorials, comparison guides, or case studies really helps showcase how Shopify can solve specific problems for business owners.
Also Read: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners
I’ll be honest, success with affiliate marketing takes time and consistent effort. It’s not an overnight thing, but with persistence, the rewards can be amazing.
And the key to success? Building genuine relationships with your audience and offering useful, honest content rather than just pushing for quick commissions.
Become a Shopify Affiliate6. Shopify Partner Program
When I first heard about the Shopify Partner Program, I wasn’t sure if it was for me.
However, after looking deeper into it, I realized it’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone with technical skills or a passion for helping businesses thrive online.
If you’re someone who loves design, coding, or helping others set up their stores, this is definitely something worth considering. As a Shopify Partner, you can earn money in several ways:
- Create and sell themes: Design beautiful themes for stores and sell them to Shopify merchants.
- Develop apps: If you know how to build apps, you can create tools to improve store functionality.
- Offer design services: Help businesses build their brand with professional designs for their stores.
- Build stores for clients: Set up Shopify stores for businesses and get paid for your expertise.
However, becoming a successful Shopify Partner takes time and effort. It’s not just about signing up and getting paid, it’s about building trust with clients and delivering high-quality work.
If you have the skills or are willing to learn, the Shopify Partner Program is a great way to earn money by helping others succeed in eCommerce.
Become a Shopify Partner7. Shopify Collabs
If you’re someone who loves creating content but doesn’t necessarily want to sell products yourself, Shopify Collabs is an awesome way to earn money.
I’ve found this option especially appealing if you’re an influencer or creator, whether you’re on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
What I really love about Shopify Collabs is how it connects you with brands that are looking for authentic promoters. It’s a perfect fit for me as I create content but don’t always want to deal with the logistics of selling my own products.
With Shopify Collabs, you promote products from brands you truly believe in, and it feels much more natural.
One of the coolest features is being able to share discount codes or special affiliate links with your audience. I’ve personally gotten the chance to try out products for free, and it’s been a fun experience to create content around those products. It feels less like a “hard sell” and more like sharing something exciting with my followers.
So, if you’re into influencer marketing but want more flexibility and perks, I highly recommend giving Shopify Collabs a try. You can make money by simply promoting things you love, and it doesn’t get much better than that.
Join Shopify CollabsWrapping Up:
And there you have it, 7 fantastic ways to make money with Shopify.
The best part is, that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one option. You can mix and match based on your skills and what excites you the most.
For instance, I started by trying dropshipping, which was a great low-risk way to get my feet wet in the e-commerce world. Later, as I gained more experience, I moved on to creating my own digital products.
The key takeaway here is to take that first step. Don’t stress about being perfect right away, just get started. I’ve learned so much by diving in and making adjustments as I went along.
There are plenty of resources available online, like Shopify Academy, that can help you along the way.