How to Make Money on Shopify: The Ultimate Guide to Earning Online

Ah, Shopify... the digital goldmine where ordinary people turn side hustles into six-figure businesses.

Whether you dream of selling trendy print-on-demand products, launching an online course, or starting your private-label supplement business, the opportunity is real.

But making money on Shopify isn’t just about setting up a store and waiting for the cash to roll in. You need the right business approach, tools, and strategies to succeed.

This guide will walk you through how to make money on Shopify, step by step. From picking a niche to driving traffic and scaling your store, you’ll learn proven methods to turn your Shopify store into a money-making machine.

Making money with Shopify in 2025

The world of ecommerce is evolving fast, and Shopify remains at the forefront, helping entrepreneurs easily build profitable online businesses. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned seller, 2025 presents more opportunities than ever to make money on Shopify.

With new Shopify apps, improved marketing tools, and booming online shopping trends, there’s never been a better time to start.

The Shopify gold rush: why now is the time to start

In the ever-evolving world of ecommerce, Shopify continues to be a beacon for entrepreneurs aiming to establish a successful online business. Here's why now is the perfect time to start your Shopify journey:

In 2024, 2.71 billion people were shopping online. That's 70 million more than the year before, a 2.7% increase. And the number keeps growing!

Embarking on your Shopify journey now allows you to capitalize on these advantages, positioning your online store for success in the thriving digital economy.

What makes Shopify a powerful ecommerce platform?

Shopify isn’t just another ecommerce platform—it’s a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to make money online. Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling an existing Shopify store, the platform offers everything you need to succeed.

1. Easy to set up and use

You don’t need to be a tech genius to launch a Shopify store. The platform provides pre-built themes, drag-and-drop design tools, and an intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners to create a professional online storefront.

2. All-in-one ecommerce solution

Shopify handles everything—from hosting and security to payment processing and inventory management. Whether you sell physical products or digital products, Shopify provides the infrastructure to run a seamless ecommerce business.

3. Powerful Shopify integrations

With access to the Shopify App Store, you can enhance your Shopify store with thousands of apps for marketing, automation, analytics, and more. From email marketing tools to third-party apps that help with stock management, there’s an app for everything.

4. Optimized for growth and SEO

Shopify makes it easy to attract organic traffic through built-in search engine optimization (SEO) tools. Plus, it integrates with major social platforms and marketing tools, helping you reach future customers and drive sales.

5. Flexible business models

Unlike other ecommerce platforms, Shopify supports multiple ways to make money online. Whether you want to start a dropshipping business, sell digital products, create an online course, or become a Shopify affiliate, the platform adapts to your business model.

6. Global reach with secure payments

With Shopify Payments, multiple currency options, and worldwide shipping integrations, Shopify allows Shopify merchants to sell anywhere in the world—securely and efficiently.

No matter your experience level, Shopify provides the tools, flexibility, and support to help you start and scale a successful online business.

Who can make money on Shopify?

The beauty of Shopify is that anyone can turn it into a money-making machine with the right strategy. Here’s who can thrive on the Shopify platform:

• Beginners and side hustlers. No experience? No problem. Shopify makes it easy to start an online store with minimal investment.
• Dropshipping entrepreneurs. Sell products without holding inventory by partnering with suppliers.
• Digital product creators. Make money selling ebooks, templates, courses, or printables.
• Print-on-demand designers. Launch a custom apparel, accessories, or wellness brand without upfront costs.
• Existing business owners. Expand an offline store or own website by selling online.
• Content creators and influencers. Monetize an audience with merch, courses, or affiliate marketing.
• Freelancers and agencies. Offer Shopify expertise by building or optimizing stores for clients.

No matter your background, if you’re ready to put in the effort, you can make money on Shopify!

Choosing the right online business model

Before starting your Shopify store, you must decide how you’ll make money. The right business model depends on your budget, skills, and long-term goals.

Shopify supports multiple ways to earn money online, whether you want a low-risk side hustle or a scalable ecommerce business. Some require zero upfront investment, while others may need more time or expertise.

In this section, we’ll explore four of the most popular Shopify business models—each with its own perks and challenges.

Dropshipping business: A low-investment way to start

Dropshipping is one of the easiest ways to make money on Shopify without handling inventory. Instead of stocking products, you partner with suppliers who ship items directly to customers when you make a sale. This means low startup costs and minimal risk—perfect for beginners.

Pros of dropshipping

• Low upfront investment. No need to buy inventory or rent a warehouse.
• Wide product selection. Sell trending items without worrying about stock.

Cons of dropshipping

• Lower profit margins. Since suppliers handle fulfillment, they take a cut of your earnings.
• Less control over shipping. Delivery times depend on the supplier’s efficiency.

Dropshipping is a simple yet powerful business model for those who want to start their Shopify store with little money upfront.

Print-on-demand products: No inventory needed

Print-on-demand (POD) lets you sell custom products like t-shirts, tote bags, and mugs without holding inventory. When a customer places an order, your POD supplier prints and ships the product directly to them.

It’s a low-risk, creative way to make money on Shopify—perfect for artists, designers, and influencers.

If selling your own clothing line isn't your thing, you can sell supplements, skincare, and wellness products on demand. All with your custom labels. Check out Supliful if you're interested in starting an online supplement business.

Pros of print-on-demand

• No upfront inventory costs. Products are printed only when sold.
• Endless customization. Sell unique designs on a variety of items.

Cons of print-on-demand

• Higher base costs. Custom printing is more expensive than bulk production.
• Limited branding options. You have less control over packaging and fulfillment.

If you want to build a custom brand without upfront costs and sell your own products, POD is a smart approach to start your Shopify store.

Selling digital products for passive income

Digital products are one of the most profitable ways to make money on Shopify because they have zero production or shipping costs. Once created, you can sell them over and over—making it a true passive income stream. Popular digital products include e-books, templates, and printables.

Pros of selling digital products

• High profit margins. No inventory, shipping, or restocking costs.
• Instant delivery. Customers receive their purchases immediately.

Cons of selling digital products

• Takes time to create. Quality products require effort and expertise.
• More competition. You’ll need great marketing to stand out.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, high-margin business, selling digital products on Shopify is a smart way to make money online.

Creating an online course: Share your expertise

If you have valuable knowledge or a unique skill, you can turn them into profitable online courses on Shopify. Whether it’s digital marketing, fitness training, or graphic design, people are willing to pay for expert-led education. Once created, courses can be sold repeatedly—making it a great passive income stream.

Pros of selling online courses

• Scalable income. Create once, sell unlimited times.
• Build authority. Position yourself as an expert in your niche.

Cons of selling online courses

• Time-consuming to create. Requires planning, filming, and editing.
• Marketing is key. You need a strategy to attract students.

If you’re passionate about teaching and helping others, selling online courses is a fantastic way to make money on Shopify while sharing your expertise.

Setting up your Shopify store for success

Starting an ecommerce store is exciting, but success doesn’t just happen. You need the right foundation. From choosing the best Shopify plan to optimizing your store for search engines, every decision impacts your ability to make money on Shopify.

In this section, we’ll cover the key steps to setting up a high-converting Shopify store. Whether you’re selling digital products, print-on-demand items, or running a dropshipping business, these strategies will help you build a professional, profitable online storefront.

Choosing the right Shopify plan

Before launching your Shopify store, you need to pick a plan that fits your budget and business goals. Shopify offers several pricing tiers, each with different features and benefits. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Shopify plans and who they’re best for

• Starter ($5/month). Best for selling on socials without a full store.
• Basic ($39/month). Great for new Shopify store owners who need a complete ecommerce website.
• Shopify ($105/month). Ideal for growing ecommerce stores that need advanced reports and features.
• Advanced ($399/month). Perfect for scaling businesses that require lower transaction fees and custom analytics.
• Plus (starting at $2,300/month). Designed for high-volume Shopify merchants who need enterprise-level solutions.

The prices above are monthly payments. You could save an extra 25% if you opted to pay yearly.

We recommend starting with the Basic Shopify plan and upgrading as your Shopify business grows. This keeps costs low while you focus on making money online.

Picking a profitable niche through market research

Choosing the right niche is the difference between a thriving ecommerce store and one that struggles to get sales. Instead of selling random products, focus on a niche with high demand, low competition, and strong profit potential.

Steps to find a profitable niche

1. Follow your passion. Choose a niche you’re genuinely interested in. Passion keeps you motivated and helps you connect with your audience.
2. Validate market demand. Make sure people are actually buying products in your niche. Conduct market research to confirm there’s a strong customer base.
3. Identify your target audience. Define your ideal customers based on age, interests, and shopping habits. The clearer your audience, the easier it is to sell.
4. Solve a real problem. Research what your potential customers struggle with and how your product can help. A niche that solves a problem is always profitable.
5. Analyze the competition. Check out successful Shopify stores in your niche. Look for gaps in their offerings and ways to stand out.
6. Find your unique selling point. Determine what makes your store different—whether it’s price, quality, or branding.
7. Test before committing. Start with a few products or a simple landing page to gauge demand before investing heavily.

A profitable niche isn’t just trendy—it’s sustainable, solves problems, and has an engaged audience. Do your research, test your ideas, and build a Shopify store that stands out!

Designing a professional Shopify storefront

Your Shopify store’s design is the first thing customers see. First impressions matter! A clean, easy-to-navigate store builds trust and increases sales. Here’s how to create a high-converting Shopify storefront.

• Choose a clean Shopify theme. Pick a fast, mobile-friendly theme from the Shopify Theme Store. Free options like Craft or premium ones like Be Yours work great.
• Keep navigation simple. Use clear menus and categories so customers can find products easily.
• Use high-quality images. Professional product photos increase conversions. If possible, show products in use.
• Write clear product descriptions. Highlight features, benefits, and what makes your product unique.
• Build trust with reviews and policies. Add customer reviews, a refund policy, and secure payment badges to increase credibility.

A well-designed Shopify storefront builds trust, improves customer experience, and helps you make more money on Shopify.

Driving traffic to your Shopify site

You’ve built your Shopify store. Now, how do you get people to visit and buy? Driving consistent, high-quality traffic is the key to making money on Shopify. The more targeted visitors you attract, the more sales you’ll make.

Luckily, Shopify offers multiple ways to bring in traffic, from social media marketing and email campaigns to SEO and content marketing.

Using social media platforms to attract potential customers

Social media is one of the fastest ways to drive traffic to your ecommerce store and build brand awareness. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook let you showcase products, engage with your audience, and even sell directly through Shopify integrations.

Best social media strategies for Shopify stores

• Instagram and TikTok for viral content. Post short, engaging videos showcasing product benefits, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content. Use trending hashtags to boost visibility.
• Facebook and Pinterest for targeted ads. Run highly targeted paid ads to reach customers based on their interests and shopping habits.
• Engage in online communities. Join Reddit and niche forums where your target customers hang out. Offer genuine advice, answer questions, and subtly introduce your products where relevant.

Focus on platforms where your target audience is present. If you sell beauty products, Instagram and TikTok are key. For home goods, Pinterest is gold. The right strategy can bring consistent traffic and sales to your Shopify business.

The role of email marketing in customer retention

Email marketing is one of the best ways to keep customers coming back to your ecommerce store. Unlike social media, where algorithms control your reach, email lets you directly connect with your audience.

How to use email marketing for retention

• Welcome emails. First impressions matter! Send a warm welcome email with a discount to encourage first-time purchases.
• Abandoned cart reminders. Recover lost sales by reminding customers about items left in their carts.
• Loyalty and VIP programs. Reward repeat buyers with exclusive offers, early access to products, or special discounts.
• Educational and engaging content. Share tips, tutorials, or success stories related to your products to keep subscribers engaged.

Explore the Shopify App Store to find marketing tools for email like Klaviyo or Omnisend to automate campaigns and boost customer retention effortlessly.

Leveraging organic traffic and search engine optimization

The practices below apply to any product or service you sell. For example, let's imagine you're planning to launch a beauty and supplement store. Below are our tips.

• Use product-specific keywords. Optimize content for niche terms like "organic vitamin C serum" or "plant-based protein powder" instead of just "beauty products" or "supplements."
• Write detailed product descriptions. Highlight ingredients, benefits, and unique selling points. Example: This collagen-boosting serum reduces wrinkles and hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid.
• Optimize product images. Use high-quality lifestyle photos (e.g., skincare applied to real models) and include keyword-rich alt text like best anti-aging serum for dry skin.
• Create informative blog content. Write SEO-friendly articles like "Best Skincare Routine for Glowing Skin" or "How to Choose the Right Protein Powder for Muscle Gain" to gain free traffic.
• Get featured on relevant blogs. Reach out to influencers, guest post on industry blogs, and get backlinks from authority sites to boost your store’s credibility.

A well-optimized ecommerce store doesn’t just rank higher—it builds trust, attracts the right customers, and increases sales.

The power of YouTube channel and blogging for long-term growth

Unlike paid ads that stop working when you stop paying, YouTube videos and blog content drive long-term traffic to your Shopify store—for free! Creating helpful, keyword-rich content can attract customers months or even years after posting.

You can craft videos like "Best Skincare Routine for Acne" or "How to Choose the Right Protein Powder." Include product links in the description so those watching your videos can also quickly jump to your store and buy your products.

The same videos you create, you can also turn into keyword-optimized blog posts or create new ones like "Top 10 Supplements for Energy" to rank on Google and attract traffic.

Use your created content smartly—repurpose blog posts and videos into short-form content for your socials.

Monetizing your Shopify store beyond selling products

While selling products is the core of most Shopify businesses, there are additional ways how to make money on Shopify and boost your income. By leveraging your expertise, audience, or technical skills, you can create new revenue streams without needing to manage inventory.

In this chapter, we’ll explore how you can diversify your online income through affiliate marketing, offering expertise, or developing apps. These ideas are perfect for Shopify merchants looking to scale or branch out.

Becoming a Shopify affiliate marketer

Join the Shopify Affiliate Program to earn commissions by referring new merchants. Promote Shopify using your unique referral link on blogs, YouTube, or social media, and get paid for every successful sign-up.

Offering Shopify expertise as a Shopify partner

Use your Shopify skills to offer services like store setup, custom design, or SEO as a Shopify Partner. Promote your expertise on freelance platforms or forums and help merchants optimize their stores while earning income.

Developing Shopify apps as a Shopify developer

If you can code, create apps for the Shopify App Store that solve common merchant problems, like email marketing tools or inventory management solutions. Offer freemium or subscription pricing for recurring revenue.

To decide which apps to focus on, research the app store to see where certain apps are lacking. For example, if there are 100s apps for store popups but only 10 apps for abandoned cart notifications, then you'd have a higher chance for your app to be discovered among the 10 apps.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Not all Shopify stores have success stories behind them. Many fail due to avoidable mistakes. Whether it's poor product choices, lack of marketing, or bad customer experience—knowing what to avoid can save you time and money.

Why some Shopify stores fail and how to prevent it

Many Shopify online stores fail due to common issues like choosing the wrong niche, weak optimization for search engines, or no marketing strategy.

• Pick a profitable niche based on market needs, not just personal preference.
• Invest in branding and professional store design to build trust.
• Be persistent, it takes just a few hours in the day to work on your business

Mistakes Shopify store owners make when scaling

Scaling too fast or without a strategy can lead to cash flow issues, supplier problems, and poor customer experience. Many store owners jump into new products or markets without the right preparation. Here are the top 3 mistakes:

• Expanding too quickly without testing demand. Unless you're extremely sure you're products will become bestsellers, don't invest in heaps of inventory. To ensure you have the exact inventory you need, sell print-on-demand products that are produced only when someone makes an order.
• Ignoring inventory, leading to stock issues. You have to know which of your products sell well and which gather dust on your shelves.
• Overlooking customer support, causing bad reviews. You have to read your product and service reviews on-site and on other sites. Answer each customer to show you care.

Your roadmap to making money online

Building a profitable Shopify store isn’t about luck—it’s about choosing the right business strategy, setting up a professional store, and driving consistent traffic. Whether you go with dropshipping, digital products, or print-on-demand, success starts with a profitable niche and a solid strategy.

To scale, use SEO, social media marketing, and email automation to keep customers engaged and boost sales. And don’t stop at just selling products—monetize your expertise with Shopify’s affiliate program, consulting, or app development to create multiple income streams.

Don't quit before you've actually started.

The most successful Shopify merchants stay committed, learn from their mistakes, and optimize their stores. If you take action, adapt, and stay persistent, your Shopify store can become a full-time business—and even change your life.

Your Shopify success story starts NOW. Go build it!