How to Make Money on Shopify: 7 Proven Business Ideas for 2025

Why Choose Shopify?

Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms, trusted by over 4.5 million businesses worldwide. Here’s why it’s a great choice for making money online:

✅ Beginner-Friendly: No coding or technical skills required.
✅ Flexible Business Models: Sell physical products, digital products, or services.
✅ Low Startup Costs: Start with a small budget and scale over time.
✅ Powerful Marketing Tools: Built-in SEO, email marketing, and social media integrations.
✅ Dropshipping-Friendly: No need to hold inventory or handle shipping.

Now, let’s dive into 7 business ideas that can help you make money on Shopify.

1. Start a Dropshipping Business

Best for: Beginners with little upfront investment.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without keeping inventory. Instead, you partner with suppliers (like AliExpress, Zendrop, or Spocket) who ship products directly to your customers.

How to Get Started:

1. Pick a Niche: Choose a profitable niche (e.g., fitness, pet products, home decor).

2. Set Up Your Shopify Store: Use Shopify’s drag-and-drop builder to create your store.

3. Find a Supplier: Connect with a supplier from AliExpress, CJ Dropshipping, or Zendrop.

4. Import Products: Use Shopify apps like DSers or Spocket to add products to your store.

5. Market Your Store: Run Facebook & Instagram ads, use TikTok marketing, and optimize for SEO.

6. Start Selling: Focus on customer service and optimize your store for conversions.

How Much Can You Earn?

Many Shopify dropshippers earn $500 to $10,000+ per month, depending on their marketing efforts.

2. Sell Print-on-Demand Products 👕

Best for: Artists, designers, and entrepreneurs who want to sell custom products.

What is Print-on-Demand (POD)?

POD is similar to dropshipping, but instead of reselling generic products, you sell custom-designed items like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and hoodies. When someone orders, the product is printed and shipped by a supplier like Printful, Printify, or Gelato.

How to Get Started:

1. Choose a POD Platform: Shopify integrates with Printful, Printify, and SPOD.

2. Design Your Products: Use Canva or Photoshop to create unique designs.

3. Add Products to Your Store: Sync your designs with Shopify.

4. Promote Your Store: Run Facebook ads, collaborate with influencers, and use Pinterest marketing.

5. Scale Your Business: Test new products and optimize your marketing campaigns.

How Much Can You Earn?

Most POD sellers make $500 to $5,000 per month, but some scale to $100,000+ annually with strong branding.

3. Sell Digital Products 📚

Best for: Creators, educators, and digital entrepreneurs.

Why Sell Digital Products?

Digital products (like e-books, templates, and courses) are profitable because you create them once and sell them repeatedly with no shipping costs.

Popular Digital Products to Sell:

✔️ E-books & Guides
✔️ Online Courses
✔️ Canva Templates
✔️ Printables & Planners
✔️ Stock Photos & Graphics

How to Get Started:

1. Choose a Product Idea: Find a problem your audience faces and create a solution.

2. Create Your Digital Product: Use tools like Canva, Notion, or Google Docs.

3. Set Up Shopify & Upload Your Product: Use apps like Digital Downloads or SendOwl.

4. Market Your Product: Use Pinterest, TikTok, and content marketing.

How Much Can You Earn?

Digital product sellers often earn $1,000 to $50,000+ per month, depending on demand and marketing.

4. Start a Subscription Box Business 📦

Best for: Entrepreneurs looking for recurring income.

How It Works:

Subscription boxes deliver curated products to customers every month. Examples include beauty boxes, snack boxes, and fitness boxes.

How to Get Started:

1. Pick a Niche: Choose a theme (e.g., organic snacks, self-care, books).

2. Source Products: Work with wholesalers or private label suppliers.

3. Set Up a Shopify Store: Use the Recharge app for subscriptions.

4. Market Your Box: Use influencer marketing, TikTok, and email campaigns.

Earnings Potential:

Successful subscription box businesses can make $5,000 to $50,000+ per month.

5. Sell Handmade or Unique Products 🛍️

Best for: Artisans and small business owners.

If you make jewelry, candles, or home decor, Shopify lets you sell directly to customers without relying on Etsy.

How to Get Started:

1. Create Unique Products – Handmade crafts, personalized gifts, etc.

2. List Them on Shopify – Use high-quality product photos.

3. Market with Social Media & SEO – Use Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Pinterest.

Earnings Potential:

Varies, but many handmade business owners earn $2,000 to $20,000 per month.

6. Start an Affiliate Marketing Store 🔗

Best for: Bloggers and content creators.

Affiliate marketing means promoting other brands’ products and earning a commission for each sale.

How to Get Started:

1. Join Shopify’s Affiliate Program (or Amazon, CJ Affiliate, etc.).

2. Create a Shopify Store with Blog Content.

3. Write SEO-Optimized Reviews of products in your niche.

Earnings Potential:

$500 to $10,000+ per month, depending on traffic and commissions.

Final Thoughts: Which Shopify Business is Right for You?

Shopify offers multiple ways to make money, whether through dropshipping, digital products, or affiliate marketing. The best business model depends on your interests, skills, and budget. The key to success? Take action, be consistent, and keep learning. 🚀

💡 Ready to Start? Try Shopify for Free Today!

👉 Start Your Shopify Store with a 3-day free trial and then enjoy 3 months for just €1/month.