Shopify is one of the easiest platforms to build a steady income from, whether you’re starting with zero experience or already have a business.
With its wide range of features, apps, and built-in tools, Shopify lets anyone create an online store and start earning quickly. From product-based stores to service-based ideas, there’s no shortage of opportunities.
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In this blog, we’ll cover 25 practical and simple ways you can start earning money using Shopify in 2025.
25 Proven Ways to Make Money on Shopify (No Inventory Needed)
1. Sell Print-on-Demand Products 👕📦
You can offer products like t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags with your designs, without managing stock. A print-on-demand service prints and ships the item after a buyer places an order, so there’s no risk of leftover inventory.
Ideal for: Creators who want to launch quickly without buying stock
Prep time: Around 1–3 hours
Involvement level: Low effort once set up
First payout window: 2–5 days, depending on the promotion
Heads-up: Use mockups that show your designs on real products. Customers trust what they can see.
Pro Tip: Build a niche brand (e.g., dog lovers, gamers) and run themed giveaways to build traction fast.
With dropshipping, you don’t handle or ship the items yourself. Instead, you feature products in your store and let suppliers take care of delivery. This keeps upfront costs low.
Great for: First-time sellers with limited storage or capital
Setup duration: Typically 2–4 hours
Ongoing work: Medium effort (especially on product testing)
Sales timeline: Often 1–2 weeks if marketed well
Note: Use platforms like DSers or Spocket for product sourcing. Start with 10–15 quality items instead of a huge catalog.
Smart tip: Try video ads on social media—they convert better than images.
Think resume templates, eBooks, photo filters, or art prints. Digital products are created once and sold forever. There’s no inventory, no packaging, and no shipping headaches.
Perfect for: Designers, writers, and creatives
Launch time: Around 2–5 hours, including product creation
Workload level: Medium (high in the beginning, drops later)
When you get paid: Often within a few days
FYI: Choose tools like Digital Downloads or SendOwl to automate delivery. Add clear previews to boost confidence.
Growth move: Repurpose your product into a mini-course or starter bundle.
4. Start a Subscription Box 📦🔁
Curated boxes are a fun way to earn recurring revenue. Think skincare samples, monthly teas, or kids’ crafts. Customers subscribe and receive a new box each cycle.
Suited for: Sellers with access to repeat-use or collectible products
Kickoff time: 3–6 hours, depending on product prep
Effort range: Moderate (packaging & shipping take time)
Expected payment speed: Usually 2–3 weeks
Important: Include instructions or surprise items—people love unboxing experiences. Use Shopify apps like Recharge or Loop for subscriptions.
Next step: Invite your subscribers to vote on next month’s theme.
Have a skill others want to learn? Package your knowledge into short lessons or full courses. Topics can range from guitar basics to social media strategies.
Best fit for: Coaches, creators, or educators
Initial setup: Around 4–8 hours, including content planning
Time investment: High upfront, then more passive
First earning window: 1–2 weeks, depending on reach
Thing to know: Use tools like Thinkific or the Courses app to keep things organized.
Try this: Offer a free sample video or worksheet to encourage sign-ups.
6. Run a Specialty Product Store 🧘📚
Instead of offering everything, focus on a single audience, like fitness lovers, new parents, or eco-conscious shoppers. Specialized stores feel more trustworthy.
Great for: Entrepreneurs who understand their audience well
Getting started: 3–5 hours for a basic storefront
Maintenance load: Moderate, especially with customer service
How soon it pays off: About 1 week with solid marketing
Reminder: Don’t just list products—write why they matter to your audience.
Bonus idea: Start a blog or email tips series that fits your niche.
7. Sell Customized Products 🎁🖊️
From name-engraved gifts to photo mugs, personalization makes buyers feel special. Custom orders usually sell for more and stand out among generic listings.
Who it’s for: Creatives who enjoy tailoring items to buyers
Launch time: 2–4 hours (mockups and app setup included)
Involvement rate: Medium, since orders vary
Money arrival: Around 3–7 days
Keep in mind: Use tools like Product Options or Customify to collect custom inputs smoothly.
Helpful tip: Offer seasonal designs for holidays—these convert fast.
8. Sell Handmade Goods 🧼🎨
If you’re good with your hands—making candles, jewelry, pottery, or art—Shopify gives you full control to sell directly to buyers. Skip the marketplace fees and grow your brand instead.
Great match for: Crafters, DIY artists, and local makers
Time to go live: 2–6 hours, depending on product photos
Work required: Steady (especially for packaging and restocking)
Payout time: Within 1–2 weeks
Heads-up: Use natural light for product photos and tell your “why” in the About page. People buy stories, not just stuff.
Growth idea: Partner with local events or pop-ups to drive more traffic to your store.
9. Flip Second-Hand or Vintage Items 📻📚
Old doesn’t mean outdated—vintage sells. Whether it’s books, vinyl, or denim jackets, many buyers want unique, retro, or rare items. Shopify helps you skip the middleman and list directly.
Good fit for: Thrifters, collectors, and vintage curators
Start-up time: 2–5 hours (item listing + store setup)
Ongoing effort: Medium (mainly sourcing & shipping)
Cash-in time: As soon as someone buys, often 1–3 days
Keep in mind: Show all angles and list item flaws clearly. Honest sellers get repeat buyers.
Pro tip: Group items into themes like “90s tech” or “retro fashion” to spark interest.
10. Offer Freelance Services 📝🖥️
You can list your skills on Shopify like products—design, writing, development, coaching, and more. Instead of chasing clients, let them come to you through your store.
Ideal for: Solo professionals offering digital or remote services
Launch time: 1–3 hours for a clean service layout
Day-to-day work: Low to high, based on project load
When you earn: Could be same day if services are in demand
Quick note: Add FAQs, turnaround time, and sample work. This builds trust fast.
Freelancer tip: Offer a small paid package to attract new clients who can upgrade later.
11. Sell Tickets for Events or Classes 🎟️🎤
Hosting an online workshop, live class, or local event? Shopify lets you sell tickets directly, track signups, and send reminders automatically.
Works best for: Trainers, performers, teachers, or workshop hosts
Time to set up: 2–4 hours with event app integration
Ongoing work: Medium (mainly scheduling and support)
First payments: Usually a few days after tickets sell
Know this: Use tools like Event Ticketing or BookThatApp. Also, sync with your calendar for smoother planning.
Smart move: Add a waitlist option for sold-out events to build demand.
12. Create a Blog with Affiliate Links 🧑💻💸
If you like writing, you can create a content site with product reviews and recommendations. Add affiliate links and get paid when someone buys through your link—even if you don’t sell the product yourself.
Made for: Bloggers, content creators, and reviewers
Kickoff time: 4–8 hours for writing + page setup
Daily grind: Medium (content creation is key)
Pay window: 2–4 weeks, depending on clicks
Important: Disclose affiliate links. Use blog apps or Shopify pages to organize posts.
Content tip: Write for real questions your audience is already searching—Google rewards helpful answers.
13. Sell Wholesale to Other Businesses 🏷️📦
If you can get products in bulk—locally or from trusted suppliers—you can sell them at wholesale prices toretailers or resellers. Shopify’s wholesale features make pricing and access simple to manage.
Best suited for: Bulk buyers or those with supplier contacts
Setup window: 3–6 hours, including tiered pricing
Workload level: Moderate (order handling and B2B chats)
Sales cycle: 1–2 weeks, sometimes longer
FYI: Use apps like Wholesale Club or B2B Verify Access to lock certain products behind the login.
Next move: Offer discounts for quantity-based orders to encourage larger checkouts.
14. Launch a Private Label Product Brand 🧴👟
Want your own name on the product? With private labeling, you can order goods (like skincare or apparel) and add your branding. It takes more time, but it builds real long-term value.
Tailored for: Entrepreneurs who want to build their own product line
Setup period: 5–10 hours (supplier + branding + store setup)
Work required: High (sampling, packaging, marketing)
First order time: 3–6 weeks on average
Reminder: Order samples and test shipping speed before launch.
Branding tip: Keep packaging clean and instructions simple—it builds credibility.
15. Sell Locally with Doorstep Delivery 🛵🥬
If you sell perishable items like baked goods, home-cooked meals, or groceries, you can reach local buyers using Shopify’s delivery features and apps.
Great for: Bakers, farmers, and local food sellers
Startup time: 3–5 hours, including delivery zones setup
Effort level: Medium (daily prep + delivery coordination)
Time to first income: Often 1–3 days
Heads-up: Use local delivery apps like Zapiet or Shopify’s built-in features to manage logistics.
Local tip: Drop flyers or coupons in nearby buildings to get quick traction.
Have a camera and a good eye? You can sell original photos, short video clips, or animations directly through your Shopify store. Buyers include bloggers, marketers, and media companies.
Best for: Photographers, videographers, and motion artists
Setup duration: 2–4 hours, including gallery setup
Ongoing work: Light—just keep adding new content
Earnings start: Within 1–7 days with the right audience
Keep in mind: Use image protection apps to avoid misuse. Offer bundles for better value.
Smart tip: Watermark previews and promote your best-selling sets on Pinterest or Instagram.
17. Offer Printable Downloads 🖨️📝
Printables like planners, flashcards, and checklists are super popular. Once you make them, they can be sold again and again with zero handling.
Best for: Designers, teachers, or planners
Startup effort: 2–3 hours
Maintenance level: Very low
Sales window: 1–3 days if priced right
Good to know: Use Canva or Figma for design. Set up an auto-email app for instant file delivery.
Creative idea: Bundle 3–5 related sheets to boost order value.
18. Build Stores for Other People 🛠️🧑💻
If you know Shopify well, you can create stores for businesses or creators who don’t want to build their own. Treat your service like a digital product—fixed packages, fast delivery.
Perfect for: Web designers, freelancers, and developers
Start time: 3–6 hours for service listing + portfolio
Effort scale: High per project
Payout time: Depends on contract—often milestone-based
Note: Include past work or store templates to show credibility.
Freelance tip: Offer setup + 30-day support to build trust and win repeat work.
19. Sell Fonts, Icons, or Design Packs 🔤🎨
If you’re good at creating digital assets like icons, fonts, UI kits, or brushes, you can sell them to designers and developers. These products are evergreen and in high demand.
Made for: Graphic designers and digital illustrators
Time to launch: 2–4 hours
Workload level: Low after assets are uploaded
Buyers appear: 3–5 days with decent exposure
What helps: Clear licensing terms and preview files.
Design tip: Offer both personal and commercial-use licenses to widen your reach.
20. Accept Donations or Fundraise for a Cause 🙌💖
Whether you’re a nonprofit or an individual running a campaign, Shopify can help you collect donations with ease. It’s easy to set up and trusted for secure payments.
Good match for: NGOs, artists, or grassroots campaigns
Initial setup: 1–2 hours
Ongoing work: Light, mostly promotion
Donation flow: Same-day to 1 week
Heads-up: Use apps like Crowdfunder or Tip Jar. Keep supporters updated on where the funds go.
Local hack: Offer a thank-you gift (like stickers or postcards) to show appreciation.
21. License Your Music or Audio Files 🎧🎵
Musicians and sound designers can upload original tracks, beats, or sound effects and sell licenses for use in videos, games, and ads.
Fits well for: Artists, composers, and audio engineers
Launch time: 3–5 hours
Effort level: Medium (file prep, tagging, previews)
Buyers show up: 1–2 weeks with some outreach
Reminder: Make sure your licensing terms are crystal clear. Royalty-free sells better.
Audio tip: Add categories like “for podcasts” or “for YouTube intros” to guide buyers.
22. Sell Digital Filters or AR Effects 🎭📱
AR creators and filter designers can package their effects for apps like Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. You can sell pre-made filters or custom packages.
Tailored for: 3D artists and Spark AR designers
Build time: 4–6 hours for product + sample videos
Effort required: High upfront, passive after launch
Income time: 1–2 weeks
Don’t forget: Show before/after previews and compatible platforms.
Creative spin: Offer themed bundles for holidays or events like weddings.
23. Start a Merch Store for Influencers or Brands 👕🔥
If you work with content creators or businesses, help them sell merch like hoodies, mugs, or phone cases. You can either run the store for them or charge setup fees.
Great for: Agencies, brand managers, or media teams
Kickoff time: 3–5 hours, including mockups
Work involved: Medium to high, depending on design needs
Revenue starts: Often within days of the promotion
Tip to remember: Use print-on-demand to keep things hands-free.
Insider move: Offer bundles like “creator merch + signed thank-you note.”
24. Host Paid Webinars or Live Workshops 🎙️🗓️
If you teach something valuable, like SEO tips, cooking classes, or business coaching, you can host live sessions and charge attendees through Shopify.
Ideal for: Coaches, instructors, and specialists
Prep time: 3–6 hours for event setup and promotion
Effort level: High on the day of the event
Payout speed: Usually within a few days post-sale
What works well: Include downloadable materials or replays.
Monetization move: Offer early bird pricing and upsells after the event.
25. Sell Shopify Themes or Apps 🧩💼
For developers, creating Shopify apps or custom themes is one of the most technical—but rewarding—ways to earn. Once built, your app can keep earning with little extra input.
Best for: Developers and advanced coders
Setup load: 10–20 hours or more
Effort scale: High, especially for coding and testing
Return timeline: 3–6 weeks, depending on quality and approval
Note: Publish your app in the Shopify App Store for wider exposure.
Dev tip: Add clear onboarding tutorials—better UX brings better reviews.
Need Help Building Your Shopify Store?
If you’re serious about turning any of these ideas into a real business, the right support can make a big difference.
At CartCoders, we’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs launch, grow, and scale their Shopify stores with custom solutions that actually fit their goals.
Whether you’re starting with a blank page or need advanced features, you can hire Shopify developer from our experienced team and get things moving faster, with fewer mistakes.
Shopify gives you more than just a store—it gives you the tools to turn ideas into income. Whether you want to sell physical goods, offer services, or go completely digital, there’s a path here for you.
The above given 25 ideas are just the beginning. What matters most is getting started, staying consistent, and learning as you go.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but with the right mindset—and the right tech partner—you’re already halfway there.
As the CTO at Shiv Technolabs & CartCoders, I am liable for instigating, planning, integrating, and implementing the organization's strategic orientation.
I gather the most significant tech news in addition to sharing the information I gained while serving as the CTO of Shiv Technolabs, a renowned web and mobile app development company. I am pleased to answer questions as a most valuable expert for Shiv Technolabs Private Limited and to share my experience. I offer a keen insider's perspective on technical advancements.
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