How to Make Money with WordPress Websites

September 8, 2025 livuz

WordPress is not just a platform for creating blogs or simple websites it has evolved into a complete ecosystem where individuals and businesses can generate substantial income. Whether you are a beginner learning web development or a seasoned entrepreneur seeking to scale your digital presence, WordPress offers endless opportunities to earn money.From blogging and affiliate marketing to running full-fledged eCommerce stores, the potential is vast. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to make money with WordPress websites, step by step.

Table of Contents

1: Why WordPress is the Best Platform to Make Money

Before diving into money-making methods, let’s understand why WordPress is the go-to choice:

Open-Source and Free – WordPress itself is free to use.
Flexibility – Supports blogs, eCommerce, portfolios, memberships, and more.
Plugins and Themes – Thousands of free and premium tools for customization.
SEO Friendly – Optimized for Google rankings.
Large Community Support – Millions of developers and resources available.

These factors make WordPress a powerful money-making tool, whether you’re a freelancer, business owner, or content creator.

2: Proven Ways to Make Money with WordPress

1. Blogging with Ads

One of the oldest and most popular ways to earn money through WordPress is blogging.

Steps to Get Started:

Pick a niche (tech, travel, health, finance, lifestyle).
Write quality content and drive traffic.
Monetize using ads:
- Google AdSense – Automatic ads based on your content.
- Direct Ad Sales – Sell ad space directly to companies.

Earning Potential: $100 – $10,000 per month depending on traffic.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products/services and earning a commission per sale.

How to Start with WordPress:

Install plugins like ThirstyAffiliates or Pretty Links.
Join affiliate programs: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or niche-specific ones.
Write reviews, tutorials, or listicles linking products.

Example: A tech blogger reviews laptops and adds affiliate links.

3. Selling Digital Products

You can sell eBooks, online courses, templates, software, or music directly from your WordPress site.

Setup Process:

Use plugins like Easy Digital Downloads or WooCommerce.
Secure files with digital download protection.
Add PayPal/Stripe for payment.

Earning Potential: High—since digital products have no inventory costs.

4. Starting an Online Store

WordPress + WooCommerce = Full eCommerce power.

What You Can Sell:

Physical products (clothing, gadgets, crafts).
Dropshipping items (no inventory needed).
Print-on-demand products (t-shirts, mugs, posters).

Why WooCommerce?

Free and flexible.
Huge ecosystem of extensions.
Supports multi-currency payments.

5. Membership Websites

Charge users for exclusive content, resources, or community access.

How to Set Up:

Use MemberPress or Restrict Content Pro.
Offer free content to attract visitors.
Lock premium guides, downloads, or forums behind paywalls.

Example Niches:

Fitness training programs.
Online communities for entrepreneurs.
Exclusive financial insights.

6. Offering Freelance Services

WordPress websites can also act as a portfolio for your freelance business.

Services You Can Offer:

Web design and development.
Content writing.
SEO optimization.
Graphic design.

How to Market:

Showcase work in a portfolio section.
Add testimonials.
Use forms (WPForms, Contact Form 7) for clients to reach you.

7. Online Courses & eLearning

Education is booming online, and WordPress lets you build course websites easily.

How to Start:

Use LearnDash or LifterLMS.
Create structured lessons, quizzes, and certifications.
Sell courses individually or via subscriptions.

Example:
A digital marketer sells “SEO Mastery” courses on their WordPress site.

8. Sponsored Content

If your blog gains traffic, brands will pay you to publish articles or reviews.

Steps:

Build niche authority.
Contact relevant brands.
Publish sponsored posts with disclaimers.

Earning Potential: $100–$5,000 per post depending on audience size.

9. Dropshipping Business

Dropshipping is selling products without handling inventory.

Setup:

Use WooCommerce + AliDropship plugin.
Import products directly from suppliers.
Automate shipping and fulfillment.

Pros: No inventory costs.
Cons: Lower profit margins.

10. Selling WordPress Themes & Plugins

If you’re a developer, create and sell themes or plugins.

How to Sell:

Sell on marketplaces like ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, or your own site.
Provide support and updates.

Earning Potential: Developers make thousands monthly from premium themes/plugins.

11. Email Marketing + WordPress

Build an email list and monetize it through promotions.

Steps:

Install Mailchimp for WordPress or ConvertKit.
Offer freebies (ebooks, checklists) to get sign-ups.
Send newsletters with affiliate links or product promotions.

12. Offering Consulting or Coaching

Position yourself as an expert and sell one-on-one consulting sessions.

Tools:

Schedule appointments with Amelia or Calendly.
Collect payments via WooCommerce or Stripe.

Example:
A WordPress SEO expert offers paid consulting for small businesses.

Scaling Your WordPress Income

Optimize for SEO

Use plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.
Target profitable keywords.

Focus on User Experience

Choose fast, responsive themes.
Use caching plugins (WP Rocket).

Diversify Income Streams

Don’t rely only on ads—combine with affiliate and digital products.

Automate Marketing

Use email drip campaigns.
Schedule social media posts.

Leverage Analytics

Install Google Analytics.
Track what content/products generate the most revenue.

4: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using too many plugins (slows down site).
Ignoring mobile optimization.
Overloading site with ads (hurts user experience).
Not building an email list early.
Relying only on one income source.

Conclusion

Making money with WordPress is not a “get rich quick” scheme. It requires time, effort, and strategy. From blogging and affiliate marketing to selling digital products and services, the opportunities are endless.The best approach is to start small choose one method, grow it steadily, and then diversify into multiple streams of income. With consistency and smart planning, your WordPress website can become a reliable source of passive and active income.

FAQs on Making Money with WordPress

Q1: How much money can you make with a WordPress site?
Income ranges from a few dollars to six figures monthly, depending on niche, traffic, and monetization strategy.

Q2: Do I need coding skills to make money with WordPress?
No. Plugins and themes make it easy to build websites without coding.

Q3: Is blogging still profitable in 2025?
Yes, but it requires targeting specific niches and combining with affiliate marketing or digital products.

Q4: What is the easiest way for beginners to start earning?
Affiliate marketing and blogging are beginner-friendly.

Q5: How long does it take to start making money?
Most websites need 6–12 months to gain enough traffic for consistent income.

Q6: Can I run multiple WordPress money-making sites?
Yes, but it’s best to master one first before expanding.

Q7: Which hosting is best for making money with WordPress?
Managed WordPress hosting providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, or WP Engine offer speed and reliability.