There’s a reason millions of brands chose to make money on Shopify.
Shopify supplies entrepreneurs, crafters, and makers with the tools needed to build a thriving online business.
From a user-friendly site builder and stunning out-of-the-box themes to 24/7 customer support, Shopify has become an industry standard.
Because of Shopify’s A+ platform, businesses generate $444 billion USD in global economic activity. What’s more, Shopify businesses are responsible for a whopping 10% of total US ecommerce.
Shopify merchants hail from various niches and sizes, too, which is part of what makes the Shopify community so strong.
Giant brands like Heinz and Staples are in good company with indie DTC brands like Arrae and Plink.
There’s no question that Shopify is a powerful platform. But with so much opportunity, where should you start?
Today, we’ll cover why Shopify is a great ecommerce platform to make money on, the top ways you can sell on Shopify, and more.
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Why Shopify is a great platform to make money
If millions of ecommerce brands are selling on Shopify, they must be doing something right, right?
It turns out Shopify is doing many things right regarding setting up retailers for success.
Let’s look at a few of the top reasons Shopify is a leading ecommerce solution for businesses of all sizes.
You can start building and selling instantly
The good news? You can start selling products on Shopify as quickly as you can get your online store up and running.
The even better news? Shopify makes it pretty easy to build your store and push it live.
Designed to be out-of-the-box, Shopify shows you how to set your store up for success. Upon creating an account, you’ll see how to choose a Shopify theme, how to add pages to your site, how to customize your site navigation, and more.
Before you even start building out your app stack, you’ll have immediate access to Shopify Payments to capture purchases right away, advanced reporting to analyze your initial sales, and marketing tools like abandoned cart recovery.
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Add the apps and integrations you need to power your store
As you build your store, you may want to add Shopify integrations like Gorgias for customer service, Klaviyo for email, Yotpo for SMS, or Shogun for landing page building (😉).
Integrations like these help grow your store and allow you to customize your customer experience to a T.
Shopify’s massive third-party app store is packed with nearly every app, widget, or integration you could want or need to power your store.
Exceptional technical support
Shopify customer support is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and responsive.
They offer 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat, so you can always get help when (and how) you need it.
Additionally, Shopify offers an extensive help center, tutorials, user guides, and FAQs, so you can find answers to common questions quickly.
Access to the Shopify Theme Store
Shopify’s Theme Library makes it easy to get an eye-catching store up and running in no time.
Browse hundreds of themes (both paid and free) equipped with the features you need to build a successful online business—like a conversion-optimized checkout and features specific to your vertical.
Start by finding the perfect look and feel, then customize it with your own content to create a unique, professional store.
Plus, each theme comes with detailed installation instructions and support, so you can get up and running fast.
#cta-paragraph-pb#Learn more about how to choose the right Shopify theme for your store.
Reliable and secure
Amazing features, beautiful themes, and a plethora of integrations aside, you want your online business (and your customer data) to be secure.
Shopify didn’t become one of the top ecommerce platforms today because it’s untrustworthy.
Shopify is Level 1 PCI compliant and uses 128-bit SSL encryption to protect your customer data. You can rest assured that your customers’ information is secure and that your online store will remain online and available to customers no matter what happens.
Shopify also provides fraud analysis tools to protect you from fraudulent transactions and suspicious activities.
Top 13 tried and true ways to make money on Shopify
First, we’ll look at alternatives to starting traditional product-based businesses. Then, we’ll jump into product-based business ideas (e.g., opening up a jewelry store).
1. Start a dropshipping business
Dropshipping has become an increasingly popular way to make money on Shopify.
With this type of ecommerce store, you don’t keep any inventory. Instead, you partner with a dropshipping supplier who manages your inventory and your fulfillment.
Shopify caters to dropshipping stores by allowing you to add products from your supplier to your store with just a few clicks.
#cta-paragraph-pb#Learn how to identify the right products to sell for your dropshipping business.
You can also set up automated fulfillment in Shopify, which makes sure that orders ship to customers as they place them.
What’s more, Shopify has an entire hub of resources just for dropshippers, making sure you get your business up and running on the right foot.
2. Develop a Shopify app or theme
The popularity of Shopify’s theme store and app store makes both a lucrative avenue for making money on Shopify.
So if you’ve got an app idea you think will change the game for Shopify business owners, or an eye for building gorgeous themes, this could be for you.
However, if you want to make a Shopify app or you need to make sure it meets the standards of the Shopify App Store or Theme Store.
That means you need to have the necessary technical skills to create a well-coded, secure, and user-friendly app or theme.
Additionally, you must have a solid grasp of Shopify’s APIs to make sure your app or theme can integrate with Shopify’s core features. For those with the technical know-how on Shopify, you can leverage your skills as a Shopify Expert.
3. Become a Shopify affiliate
Got a knack for inspiring entrepreneurship? Joining Shopify’s Affiliate Program may be the perfect fit for you.
By becoming an affiliate, you’ll help entrepreneurs reach their goals, while also earning a commission for the sales you refer to Shopify.
You’ll receive personalized support from Shopify’s team of passionate affiliate specialists Plus, you’ll have access to affiliate marketing resources to help you promote your business.
According to Shopify, you can make a pretty penny as an affiliate:
A 20% commission? Not too shabby!
4. Flip Shopify stores
You’ve heard of flipping homes, but what about flipping Shopify stores?
If the idea of starting your own business from the ground up isn’t your style, but you’ve got an eye for what converts, consider monetizing this skill.
Flipping Shopify stores simply means buying an established online store, optimizing and improving it, then reselling it.
This way, you can still flex your entrepreneurial muscles but don’t have to start from scratch.
Marketplaces like Empire Flippers make it easy to find your next endeavor.
5. Monetize your social media channels
Super active on TikTok or Instagram? Opportunity is knockin’!
If you’re already active on social media, monetizing your accounts can be a lucrative way to make some serious money on Shopify.
Whether you aim to become an influencer or make sponsorship deals for your content (like YouTube videos), there’s no question that social media channels are a great way to make money.
But where does Shopify come into play?
Let’s say you make handmade pottery and like to post videos of your creative process on TikTok. You could create a Shopify store that links to your favorite tools and materials, so others who want to learn can see what you use.
An awesome example of this in action is artist and athlete Rachel Pohl.
She constantly posts videos of her painting and creating, to which fans can buy her art directly from her Shopify store.
She also posts YouTube videos of her life as an artist, which have yielded thousands of views.
What’s more, she collaborates with outdoor brands like Rumpl and is a featured artist.
#cta-paragraph-pb#Read about Rumpl’s success with Shogun Page Builder.
6. Bring your brick-and-mortar store online
Already have a thriving IRL business? Maybe you post to Facebook occasionally, but having a full-blown ecommerce site is a great way to generate extra revenue.
Taking your business online has multiple benefits, like:
- Reaching new audiences you otherwise might not (global): If you want to reach customers who live in a different county or country, you’ll need to invest in an online presence.
- Meeting customers where they are: As customers look for businesses like yours online, you’ll want to ensure your business appears in their search. If you’re interested in Online-to-Offline (O2O) marketing—a strategy where brands actively guide online customers to physical stores, leading to conversion—having an online presence is essential to driving that foot traffic. In the same vein, to take advantage of Buy Online Pick-Up In Store (BOPIS), it’s necessary to have an online channel.
- Offering convenience to customers: When shoppers visit your site, they won’t have to wait in line and can shop at home. With 2.64 billion digital buyers in the world, who could argue with that?!
7. Sell print-on-demand products
Similar to dropshipping, running a print-on-demand (POD) business means you don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping logistics.
Here’s how a print-on-demand business model works:
- Add your designs to products (e.g., mugs, hats, t-shirts) to Shopify
- When a customer orders a product, your Shopify store automatically sends the order to your print-on-demand service for printing
- Once printed and packaged, the item ships to the customer directly
Best of all, Shopify makes it really easy to start a print-on-demand business with recommended printing companies and an app store packed with tools that’ll help you get your business up and running.
Fanjoy is an excellent example of the kind of success you can have with a POD-model business.
This company partners with social media creators and influencers to create merch fans can’t resist.
The result is less waste (by not managing inventory) and happy customers.
8. Sell handmade or custom products
Calling all crafters and makers. If you’ve ever been interested in selling your wares online but weren’t sure where to start, this is your sign.
Selling your handmade goods online through your own website means more money in your pocket by forgoing any third parties.
Many crafty folk sell on both Shopify and Etsy to increase their digital footprint. With Shopify, sellers can build a brand and own their customer relationships, but they don’t have a built-in audience Etsy provides. With Etsy, you have an audience ready to buy, but it’s more challenging to market to them and customize your store from a branding perspective.
Shopify makes it easy to build a stunning site even if you aren’t confident in your online design or coding skills. Choose from hundreds of gorgeous site themes and customize to fit your brand’s aesthetic.
Themes like Studio cater to artists and makers. Features like image galleries, product video, and more help you showcase your finest work.
Make sure to choose a theme that allows you to easily add pop-ups, calls-to-action, and promotions (like sales, events, etc.) to help you market your products even further.
9. Curate and sell thrifted goods
Turn your love of thrifting into a lucrative revenue stream!
Brands like STREETCVLTURE are spreading the word about their vintage finds through their Shopify store.
While they’ve got a physical store, STREETCVLTURE sees the value in maintaining an online store.
The brand can reach customers who aren’t local, and it’s a great way to announce new thrifted finds, drops, or pop-up events.
10. Sell men’s grooming products
Want to join the ranks of brands like Beardbrand, Beard & Blade, and Dr. Squatch?
Men’s grooming is a growing industry that isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. According to research, this industry is expected to hit $132 billion by 2030!
Brands like those above offer a variety of products, from beard oils and shaving creams to cleaners and deodorant and everything in between.
Whether your vibe is to add big, bold imagery throughout your site like Beardbrand does to convey their vibe:
Or if you want to make it easy for shoppers to subscribe and save with your products like Dr. Squatch, it’s possible in Shopify!
#cta-paragraph-pb#Read about Beardbrand’s success with Shogun Page Builder.
11. Sell wellness products
Want in on the $1.5 trillion wellness industry? People are prioritizing health and it’s clear in their purchase behavior.
Of the wellness pie, most are spending on health-related products, followed by products related to appearance (think: beauty and skincare) and fitness.
Products like vitamins, cleansers, face oils, and body scrubs are fan favorites.
Shopify’s suite of tools—like a QR code generator to make reordering products easy—can help you display your products that convey quality and your brand ethos.
12. Sell jewelry
Whether you make it yourself or are considering buying wholesale, starting an online jewelry store is an excellent way to make money on Shopify.
Brands like J & Co. and Missoma have seen stellar results on Shopify. J & Co. saw a 40% increase in wholesale sales, while Missoma slashed 60% of their monthly information technology infrastructure.
There’s no question that starting an online jewelry brand is hard work, but Shopify’s platform gives you the tools you need to grow at whatever pace works for you.
13. Sell apparel and accessories
The apparel industry in the US continues to grow—to the tune of $1.53 trillion, to be exact.
Even with a booming industry like this one, there are still plenty of opportunities to break into the market. That’s one of the best things about starting an online clothing store—everyone has different styles!
Whether you want to start a t-shirt store or a high-end boutique, there’s an opportunity.
Apparel brands on Shopify range from household name brands like Spanx to small, family-owned businesses like Shop Talulah.
How to make money on Shopify FAQ
Got burning questions about how to make money on Shopify? We’ve got your answers!
Can you make good money with Shopify?
Yes! The sky is the limit. There’s no guaranteed amount of money you can make on Shopify. The ecommerce platform has a trove of resources for new entrepreneurs to get started.
Is Shopify good for beginners?
Yes, Shopify is beginner-friendly. Simply create a Shopify account and let Shopify walk you through how to build pages, pick a theme, and add products to your catalog.
How much does it cost to start a Shopify store?
Shopify pricing plans vary depending on your needs. The simple pricing breakdown is as follows:
– Basic: $39/month
– Shopify: $105/month
– Advanced: $399
Figuring out the best Shopify pricing plan for your store can be tricky. Keep in mind, you can upgrade at any time if you feel your store needs more than the basic plan, like inventory locations, staff accounts, etc.
How much does the average Shopify seller make?
The average earnings of a Shopify seller can vary based on factors like the product type, the marketing and sales strategies being used, the target market, and the product quality.
Shopify sellers’ incomes can range from a few hundred dollars per month to thousands or even millions of dollars per year.
That said, 457 million people bought from Shopify stores in 2020, so there’s lots of opportunity!
Do I need a business license to sell on Shopify?
Some businesses will need licenses to operate legally.
How much does Shopify take in per item?
The amount Shopify skims off the top depends on your plan and the payment method used by customers. The fees vary for online vs in-store purchases, too.
How long does it take to build a Shopify store?
All things considered, Shopify is a pretty user-friendly ecommerce platform.
However, the amount of time it takes to build a Shopify store varies on variables like:
– Your familiarity with Shopify
– How many products you want to add to your store
– How much customizing you want to do to your store
Making money on Shopify requires hard work and a great idea
It’s possible for anyone, anywhere, to start a successful Shopify business.
Entrepreneurship is a wild ride, but if you are motivated, open to learning, and committed to providing stellar customer service, you’re sure to be a success.
#cta-visual-pb#<cta-title>Ready to customize your Shopify store?<cta-title>Build the Shopify store you envision with the help of Shogun Page Builder. Try for free
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