Ways to Monetize Your Blog or Website

Expansion on last week's article about monetization

Feb 09, 2025

Last week, I provided four examples of creators who used various resources to generate income. They also provided free education for their readers to do the same. You don’t have to stick to income-generating topics at all for your website assets. You can focus on history, science fiction, food, or poetry. You can develop any topic online and learn how to generate income while you’re in the process.

I’m not saying much more, as I want to get into the various ways you can earn that income. Although I listed those methods in last week’s article, I wanted to expand on them here. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

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1. Google AdSense (Automated Display Ads)

Google AdSense is one of the easiest ways to monetize a website with minimal effort. It allows website owners to display targeted ads on their site, with Google handling the placement and revenue distribution. Website owners earn money based on clicks (CPC – cost per click) or impressions (CPM – cost per thousand views). No purchase necessary to earn income this way!

For example, a food blogger with steady traffic can integrate AdSense into their site, allowing Google to display ads for kitchen gadgets, meal delivery services, or cookware. If the blogger generates 100,000 monthly visitors, even a modest CPM rate could bring in hundreds of dollars per month. AdSense works best for websites with consistent traffic and engaging content that keeps visitors on the page longer.

It’s not easy to get onboard with Adsense. You must show evidence of engaging content, some web traffic, and rules to follow for content. Go sign up and learn what you might need for this opportunity, as it’s the easiest and fastest way to earn income on your site that I know about. This one method is how I build a site in two years that allowed me to purchase the home I live in now.

2. Direct Ad Sales (Sponsorships)

Unlike automated ads, direct ad sales allow website owners to negotiate ad placements directly with brands. This gives them more control over pricing, ad format, and relevance to their audience. Businesses often pay a fixed rate for ad space, which can be more profitable than relying on pay-per-click models.

For instance, a niche travel blogger who writes about eco-friendly tourism might partner with a sustainable backpack brand. Instead of using a generic ad network, they secure a deal to feature a banner ad and a sponsored blog post, earning a set monthly fee. This approach works best for websites with a well-defined audience that appeals to specific advertisers.

If you use Google Adsense as a measure to know when you’re ready for this type of monetization, consider making $400-$500/week with Adsense before you seek out direct ads. This method might take a year or two. Another option is to seek out a brand to learn what you need for sponsorship now.

3. Native Advertising (Integrated Ads in Content)

Native advertising blends promotional content seamlessly into a website’s existing content, making ads feel more organic and less intrusive. These ads often take the form of sponsored posts, product reviews, or in-article recommendations. Because they match the style of the site, they tend to have higher engagement rates compared to traditional banner ads.

A good example is a personal finance blog that features a sponsored post about a new budgeting app. Instead of a generic banner ad, the post offers a real-life review of the app, showing how it helped the blogger save money. Readers are more likely to trust and engage with this type of content, leading to higher conversion rates for the advertiser—and more revenue for the website owner.

You probably have seen this type of advertising used widely in newsletters. It’s a great way to fit into a niche space if you’re an advertiser. If you have a large readership, send out some feelers to see who might bite for this type of monetization. Again, make it perfectly clear that these posts are sponsored ads.

Affiliate Marketing: Earning Through Product Recommendations

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular and scalable ways to monetize a blog or website. It involves promoting products or services and earning a commission on sales made through tracked referral links. This method works well for bloggers, content creators, and niche website owners who can recommend relevant products to their audience.

1. How Affiliate Marketing Works

Website owners sign up for an affiliate program, receive unique tracking links, and integrate those links into their content. When a visitor clicks on the link and makes a purchase, the website owner earns a percentage of the sale.

For example, a tech blogger writing a review on the latest smartphone can include an affiliate link to Amazon. If a reader clicks the link and buys the phone (or any other product within a certain time frame), the blogger earns a commission.

2. Popular Affiliate Networks and Programs

There are several ways to find affiliate partnerships:

Amazon Associates – A great starting point for beginners, allowing website owners to earn commissions on a vast range of products.
ShareASale & CJ Affiliate – Affiliate marketplaces with thousands of brands across different industries.
Individual Brand Partnerships – Many companies have direct affiliate programs, such as Bluehost for web hosting or Sephora for beauty products.

3. Example: The Wirecutter’s Success with Affiliate Marketing

One of the best-known examples of successful affiliate marketing is The Wirecutter, a product review site acquired by The New York Times. The site built trust with readers by extensively testing and recommending products, earning commissions through affiliate links to retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Their high-quality content and strong audience trust allowed them to generate millions in affiliate revenue before being sold for over $30 million. Brian Lam, a former editor-in-chief of Gizmodo, founded The Wirecutter in 2011. That site was only five years old when The New York Times acquired it in 2016.

4. Best Practices for Success

Promote products you trust and have used – Authentic recommendations build credibility. Tell your readers that you back your picks personally. This declaration provides you with some standards and your readers with a sense of trust.
Use comparison articles and in-depth reviews – These tend to convert better than generic product mentions.
Optimize for SEO – Ranking for keywords like “best budget laptops” can drive targeted traffic to affiliate content.
Disclose affiliate links – Transparency builds trust and is legally required in many countries. In fact, it’s basically a legal obligation.

Affiliate marketing is a long-term monetization strategy that works well for content creators who consistently provide value to their audience.

Selling Digital Products: Scalable, Passive Income

Selling digital products is a powerful way to generate income because they can be created once and sold repeatedly without additional production costs. This strategy is ideal for content creators, educators, and business owners looking to monetize their expertise.

1. Types of Digital Products

eBooks and Guides – Perfect for writers, bloggers, and industry experts. Example: A gardening blogger could sell an eBook on “Year-Round Indoor Gardening.” You can write the book yourself or sell another author’s book as an affiliate.
Printables and Templates – Budget planners, social media templates, or wedding planning checklists. Example: A finance blogger could sell budget spreadsheets on Etsy.
Online Courses and Webinars – Video-based learning on platforms like Teachable or Udemy. Example: A photographer could create a course on “Mastering Portrait Photography.”
Stock Photos, Music, or Graphics – Great for designers and musicians. Example: A digital artist could sell pre-made logo designs or Photoshop brushes.

2. Example: The Success of Sarah Titus

Sarah Titus, an example from last week, built a thriving business selling printables and planners on her website. Starting with free downloads to attract an audience, she later introduced premium products, leading to a seven-figure online business. Her success shows that even simple digital products can generate substantial income with the right audience and marketing strategy.

3. Best Practices for Selling Digital Products

Create high-quality, in-demand products – Research your audience’s pain points and needs. Offer a solution.
Use an e-commerce platform – You don’t need to set up a website that is a be-all and end-all. You can sell directly through Shopify, Gumroad, or Etsy. Currently, eBay doesn’t offer a platform for digital or downloadable products.
Offer a mix of free and paid products – Freebies build trust and lead to sales.
Leverage email marketing – Promote products to a targeted audience.

Digital products offer a low-cost, scalable way to monetize a website, making them a great option for passive income.

E-commerce and Physical Products: Turning a Website into an Online Store

If you’re willing to sidestep the use of a gallery offered by Etsy, Gumroad, or other platforms, you can turn your site into a store. You must be willing to handle inventory or work with fulfillment services, selling physical products can be a profitable monetization method.

1. E-commerce Models

Dropshipping – No inventory required; products are shipped directly from suppliers. Example: A fitness blogger could sell branded water bottles via Shopify and a dropshipping partner. Be aware that this is often a risky business, as suppliers may run out of product before you know it.
Print-on-Demand – Sell custom T-shirts, mugs, and accessories. Example: A travel blogger could design city-themed apparel without holding inventory.
Handmade or Custom Products – Selling handmade crafts or art on platforms similar to Etsy. Example: A food blogger could sell spice blends or handmade kitchen tools.
Subscription Boxes – Recurring revenue model with curated products. Example: A book blogger could offer a monthly book-themed subscription box.

2. Example: Beardbrand’s E-commerce Success

Beardbrand, a niche grooming brand, started as a blog about men’s beard care before expanding into an e-commerce store selling beard oils, combs, and grooming kits. By building trust through content first, they created a loyal customer base, allowing them to scale into a multi-million-dollar brand.

3. Best Practices for Selling Physical Products

Start with a niche – Focus on a specific audience to stand out.
Choose the right fulfillment model – Dropshipping and print-on-demand minimize upfront costs.
Optimize for mobile shopping – Many users purchase via smartphones. To optimize a site for mobile shopping, creators should use a responsive design, ensuring the website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes. They should also prioritize fast loading speeds by compressing images, using caching, and minimizing unnecessary scripts, as slow sites drive away mobile users. Finally, streamlining the checkout process with mobile-friendly payment options (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) and clear, easy-to-click buttons improves the shopping experience and boosts conversions. I’ll add some links at the end of this article where you can test your site.
Use content marketing to drive sales – Blogging and social media can increase visibility.

E-commerce requires more involvement than digital products but offers significant income potential when executed well. This also might be a venture for more than a solopreneur. A great expansion option.

Offering Services: Turning Expertise into Income

One of the most direct ways to monetize a website is by offering services. If you have expertise in a particular field, you can use your website as a platform to attract clients. This method works well for freelancers, consultants, and professionals in various industries.

1. Types of Services You Can Offer

Freelance Writing, Graphic Design, or Web Development – Many bloggers monetize by offering writing services on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Example: A travel blogger could offer destination-specific content writing for tourism companies.
Coaching and Consulting – Business, fitness, life coaching, or niche consulting services. Example: A marketing expert could offer one-on-one coaching for small businesses.
SEO Audits and Website Optimization – Helping businesses improve search engine rankings. Example: A tech blogger with SEO knowledge could offer audits for small business websites.
Virtual Assistance – Administrative support, social media management, or customer service.

2. Example: Neil Patel’s Digital Marketing Consulting

Neil Patel, a digital marketing expert, started his website as a blog about SEO. Over time, he leveraged his reputation to offer consulting services, eventually working with major brands and launching his own software. His site generates leads by providing free, high-value content that builds trust.

3. Best Practices for Selling Services

Create a compelling services page – Clearly outline what you offer and how it benefits clients.
Showcase testimonials and case studies – Social proof increases credibility.
Offer a free consultation or lead magnet – Helps potential clients experience your expertise.
Use email marketing to nurture leads – Regular follow-ups can turn visitors into clients.

Selling services is a fast way to generate income, though it requires active involvement. Many website owners eventually transition from offering services to selling digital products or courses for passive income.

Donations and Crowdfunding: Letting Your Audience Support You

For creators who provide free value, donations and crowdfunding offer a way for loyal fans to contribute financially. This strategy is commonly used by content creators, artists, and independent journalists.

1. Popular Donation Platforms

Patreon – Subscription-based crowdfunding where fans pay monthly for exclusive content.
Buy Me a Coffee – Simple donation platform for one-time or recurring support.
Ko-fi – Similar to Buy Me a Coffee, often used by artists and bloggers.

2. Example: The Success of Brain Pickings

Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings (now The Marginalian) is a literary and philosophy blog that relies entirely on reader donations. Instead of displaying ads, Maria provides thought-provoking content and invites readers to support her work through PayPal and Patreon.

3. Best Practices for Using Donations

Build a strong community – People donate to creators they trust and value.
Offer perks for recurring donors – Exclusive content or early access to articles.
Be transparent about how funds are used – This increases trust and encourages contributions.

While donations alone may not be enough for financial stability, they work well as a supplement to other monetization methods.

Email Marketing and Lead Generation: Building an Audience for Long-Term Revenue

Email marketing is one of the most powerful monetization strategies because it allows website owners to maintain direct contact with their audience. Unlike social media, where algorithms control visibility, an email list gives you full control over your messaging.

1. How Email Marketing Works

Capture Emails with Lead Magnets – Offer a free resource (e.g., an eBook, checklist, or mini-course) in exchange for email sign-ups.
Send Valuable Content Regularly – Build trust with newsletters, exclusive insights, or personal stories.
Promote Products or Services – Use email campaigns to sell digital products, courses, affiliate products, or consulting services.

2. Example: Ramit Sethi’s Email-Driven Business

Ramit Sethi, founder of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, built his multi-million-dollar business primarily through email marketing. By offering free resources and delivering high-value content, he nurtured a dedicated audience willing to invest in his premium courses and coaching programs.

3. Best Practices for Email Marketing

Use an email marketing platform – Services like Kit (formerly ConvertKit), Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign make automation easier.
Segment your audience – Send personalized emails based on user interests.
Focus on delivering value, not just selling – The more trust you build, the more likely subscribers are to buy from you. If you generate an email list from your customers on eBay, for instance, the individuals on that list already have a vested interest in you as opposed to an email list developed from a list purchase.

In the end, email marketing provides a reliable way to build relationships, promote offers, and generate consistent revenue over time.

Final Thoughts

Monetizing a website is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Successful website owners often combine multiple strategies to create diverse revenue streams. Whether through advertising, affiliate marketing, digital products, e-commerce, services, donations, sponsorships, or email marketing, each method has unique advantages that cater to different types of content and audiences.

For those just starting, the key is to focus on building valuable content and growing an audience first. Monetization should come naturally as traffic and engagement increase. With patience, consistency, and strategic planning, any website can become a profitable digital asset.

To provide you with a purposeful goal, some sites have multiple people working on them, adding content on a daily basis. Those sites can gain traffic through SEO, marketing, and added value (content) much faster than a one-person operation. I can tell you personally that a one-person operation takes about two years to see any appreciable income (meaning several hundred dollars per day, a few thousand a week).

What are you waiting for?