Introduction
Shopify is one of the world’s most popular platforms for starting your own online store. Whether you want to sell physical products, digital downloads, or dropship items — Shopify gives you the tools to launch a full online business with no need for coding or technical skills.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make money on Shopify, step by step, including the best strategies, business models, and success tips. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or full-time entrepreneur, Shopify offers endless potential.
1. What is Shopify?
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that lets you create your own online store to sell products to anyone, anywhere in the world. It provides:
- Website builder
- Payment gateway (Shopify Payments, PayPal, etc.)
- Inventory and order management tools
- Mobile-friendly themes
- Marketing integrations
Shopify is easy to use — even for beginners — and supports both physical and digital product sales.
2. Ways to Make Money with Shopify
Here are the top ways people earn money using Shopify:
- Start a Dropshipping Store
- Sell Physical Products (Own Inventory)
- Sell Digital Products (eBooks, Templates, Courses)
- Print-on-Demand Products
- Private Labeling / Branded Products
- Subscription Boxes
- Offer Services via Shopify
- Build and Sell Shopify Stores for Others
Let’s explore each method.
3. Dropshipping with Shopify (Low-Investment Method)
Dropshipping means selling products without buying stock in advance. You only order from the supplier after you get a sale.
How It Works:
- You build your Shopify store
- Import products from a supplier (AliExpress, CJdropshipping, etc.) using apps like DSers or AutoDS
- Customer places an order
- You pay the supplier, who ships the product directly to your customer
- You keep the profit
Why It’s Great:
- Low upfront cost
- No inventory needed
- Works globally
With the right marketing (mostly through TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook Ads), you can make $50 to $5000+ per month.
4. Sell Your Own Physical Products
If you already have items to sell — like clothes, jewelry, electronics, cosmetics, or handmade crafts — you can easily set up a Shopify store.
Examples:
- Home-based clothing brands
- Customized gifts and packaging
- Handmade candles or decor
- Imported products from wholesalers
Steps:
- Take product photos
- Set prices and shipping options
- Promote your store through social media or paid ads
This method gives you full control over branding, packaging, and customer experience.
5. Sell Digital Products
Shopify isn’t just for physical items. You can also sell:
- eBooks
- Online courses
- Presets (Lightroom, Canva)
- Printables (planners, templates)
- Music or stock photos
- Excel/Notion templates
You only create these products once, and sell them again and again — which makes this model great for passive income.
You’ll need the “Digital Downloads” app (free) to deliver files after purchase.
6. Print-on-Demand (POD)
This model is perfect if you want to sell custom-designed T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, hoodies, etc., without handling inventory.
How It Works:
- Create designs (or hire a designer)
- Use print-on-demand apps like Printful, Printify, or Gelato
- When someone orders, the product is printed and shipped by the app
- You keep the profit after production and shipping costs
Great for artists, graphic designers, and content creators. You can launch a brand with zero inventory.
7. Create a Private Label Brand
Private labeling is when you take a generic product (like shampoo, tea, or supplements), add your own branding, and sell it under your store name.
You can order in bulk from suppliers (AliExpress, Alibaba, or Pakistani manufacturers), brand the packaging, and set higher prices.
This model requires more investment but leads to higher long-term profits and brand value.
8. Offer Services on Shopify
Shopify isn’t just for products — you can sell services too, like:
- Freelance writing
- Coaching or consulting
- Website design
- Online training sessions
- Virtual assistance
Set up service packages, use a scheduling app, and let people book directly through your store.
9. Start a Subscription Business
Subscription boxes are a booming trend. Customers subscribe to receive a curated box of items every week or month.
Examples:
- Monthly skincare box
- Snack boxes
- Stationery kits
- Motivational packages
Use apps like Recharge or Bold Subscriptions on Shopify to manage recurring billing.
10. Build and Sell Shopify Stores for Clients
If you’re skilled in web design, development, or branding, you can build Shopify stores for other people and charge a setup fee.
Offer services like:
- Store setup
- Theme customization
- Logo design
- Product upload
- SEO optimization
You can charge $100 to $1000+ per store, depending on your expertise.
List your service on:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- Facebook groups
11. Promote Your Shopify Store and Get Sales
No matter which method you choose, you’ll need traffic (visitors) to get sales.
Free Traffic Methods:
- Post on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
- Create a YouTube channel or blog
- Use Pinterest for visual products
- Build an email list for promotions
Paid Traffic Methods:
- Facebook Ads (great for targeted products)
- Google Shopping Ads
- Influencer marketing (pay creators to promote your product)
Always test different ads, creatives, and captions to see what works best.
12. How Much Can You Earn on Shopify?
Your income depends on:
- The product you sell
- Profit margin
- Traffic volume
- Conversion rate
Example:
If you sell a product for $30 and earn $15 profit per sale:
- 10 sales/day = $150 profit/day = $4,500/month
- 50 sales/day = $7,500/month
Many Shopify store owners earn anywhere from $500/month to $50,000/month or more — depending on effort and niche.