How to make money on Shopify profitably in 2025 (14 methods)
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Shopify has become a profitable platform for businesses of all sizes. If you are one of those e-commerce business owners who are wondering how to make money on Shopify, you have come to the right place. In this guide, NextSky will help you learn 14 tips to make money without spending any capital in 2025.
Top 14 Business Ideas to Make Money on Shopify 2025
Start an ecommerce store
It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out or you are an established brand, you can make use of Shopify to create and run your online store. Shopify offers multiple plans starting from only $25 per month. As you growth your store, you can start subscribing to more advanced plans.
The platform offers great analytics tools as well as marketing tools. If you need additional unique features, there are thousands of apps in the Shopify App Store ready to accommodate your needs. Â
Set up a dropshipping business
Dropshipping is an online business model known for its "three no's": no inventory, no warehousing, and no shipping. It is becoming increasingly popular. However, on Shopify, only about 7.77% of businesses are adopting this model, indicating that there is still plenty of room for newcomers in the market. With just a laptop and an internet connection, you can easily start your own dropshipping store and earn a steady income from home, without having to worry about warehousing or logistics.
Set up a dropshipping business
Dropshipping is a great way to start a business with minimal upfront investment. With no need to hold inventory, you partner with suppliers who ship products directly to your customers. Shopify offers integrations with dropshipping apps like Oberlo and Spocket, making it easy to source and sell products.
However, the profit margins from dropshipping can be really low while the competition is high. Since you cannot control the product quality as well as the fulfillment process, it is vital that you provide an exceptional customer service.
Sell print-on-demand products
With print-on-demand, you can sell custom-designed products like t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases. You design the items, and when a customer orders, the product is printed and shipped by a third-party supplier. This is ideal for creative entrepreneurs looking to launch a brand without inventory risk.
To succeed in selling print-on-demand products, you need to focus on creating a good reputation for your design, and building a loyal customer base who loves your brand.
Sell handmade goods
If you're a craftsman, Shopify is the perfect platform to sell your products. Whether you make jewelry, decorations, or handmade food, Shopify will help you expand your customer base and simplify the selling process. To succeed with unique handcrafted products, in addition to quality, a compelling brand story will be the "key" to standing out and attracting customers.
Sell thrift or antiques
According to Statista in 2024, 35% of young people choose to buy second-hand items as part of a green lifestyle, promoting the trend of sustainable consumption. If you enjoy hunting for unique finds at flea markets or second-hand stores, Shopify is the perfect platform to start a business.
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Explore potential niches such as vintage clothing, classic furniture, or collectible vinyl records to create great opportunities for those passionate about aesthetics and valuing the past.
Sell digital products and downloads
Selling digital products is one of the best business models without an inventory. You can sell a large quantity of products without having to worry about most logistic problems, making the profit margin of this model extremely high.
Selling digital products such as eBooks, online courses, software, or design templates allows you to create a scalable, low-cost business.Â
Create and sell online courses
Another growing trend is offering exclusive access to content via memberships. You can create courses, webinars, or membership communities and charge customers for premium content, all managed through Shopify’s integrated tools.
Monetize your social media presence
If you are a content creator with a high number of followers, you can offer products that are appealing to them. You can sell branded products or offer premium content or memberships. Monetizing your audience by selling products on Shopify can be an excellent business opportunity.Â
Offer product photography services
If you have a talent for photography, offering product photography services through Shopify is a profitable and in-demand business idea. All online store has a demand for high quality product images. You can tap into a growing market and help businesses improve their product presentation, making their online stores more appealing to customers.
Develop Shopify Apps
There are many Shopify stores that rely on different Shopify apps so their stores can function exactly how they want.
Shopify apps can help merchants improving their marketing, sales, streamline sales processes, manage inventory, and more. There is a huge demand for Shopify apps and this is a great opportunity for talented developers.
Design Shopify Themes
Creating Shopify themes is another profitable avenue. Store owners often look for themes that align with their brand identity and business model. By developing customizable and unique themes, you can sell them on the Shopify Theme Store or directly to clients who need specialized design solutions.
If your theme can make it to Shopify Theme Store, you can sell your theme and get 100% of the revenue for the first $1 million.
Become a Shopify affiliate
The Shopify Affiliate Program allows you to earn commissions by referring others to start their stores on Shopify. By promoting Shopify through your blog, website, or social media channels, you can generate passive income when someone signs up using your referral link. If you can access to a large audience with great interest in opening a Shopify store, this can be a great source of passive income.
Become a Shopify expert
Shopify experts are professionals who assist store owners in areas like development, design, marketing, and SEO. Becoming a certified Shopify Expert can help you offer specialized services to Shopify merchants, whether it’s building custom stores, optimizing for performance, or creating marketing strategies tailored to the platform.
How to make money on Shopify with a subscription boxÂ
Subscription boxes are a popular business model due to the convenience of regular deliveries, saving customers the hassle of making choices every time. This is an effective way to generate steady income from products like cosmetics, snacks, or fitness equipment. With this method, all you need is a good understanding of trending niche markets to maintain orders and increase product sales.
Monetize your social media presence
Shopify is launching a marketing program called Shopify Collabs, aimed at individuals with large social media followings. Through this program, you can promote your favorite products and earn commissions when your followers make a purchase. Currently, merchants can sign up early to connect with brands, receive free products, create content, and earn money from sales made through their referral links.
Quick Tips for Opening a Shopify Store
1. Get a Decent Shopify Theme
Your store's visual appeal is key to capturing and retaining customer interest. When choosing a Shopify theme, make sure it aligns with your brand’s personality and offers a smooth, responsive experience across all devices.Â
Customize elements like the layout, typography, and color scheme to create a distinctive, professional look. Themes like Agile or Impulse not only makes your store stand out but also enhances navigation and user experience, leading to better engagement and conversions.
2. High-Quality Product Images
In e-commerce, high-quality visuals are non-negotiable. Invest in professional photography or, if you’re on a budget, learn to take clear, well-lit photos that showcase your products from different angles.Â
Include lifestyle images to help customers visualize how they can use the products in real life. For more complex items, consider adding short video demonstrations to increase customer confidence and reduce hesitation before purchase.
3. Create An Effective Marketing Strategy
An effective marketing strategy is essential for any online store to take off. First, you need to identify your target audience and reach them on platforms they frequent.
Email marketing can nurture relationships with potential and existing customers, while paid advertising (e.g., Google Ads or Facebook Ads) can drive targeted traffic.Â
SEO is also a great way to increase your store’s visibility, but it’s going to take more time.
4. Provide Exceptional Customer Service
Outstanding customer service can transform one-time buyers into repeat customers. Set up a robust support system, including live chat, email, or even a phone line, so customers can easily reach out with questions or concerns. Be prompt and courteous in your responses, and go above and beyond to resolve any issues.
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