Alliedify

If you’re looking to earn income online, Shopify offers more than just a typical eCommerce route. While most people know Shopify as a platform to run an online store, there are lesser-known, creative ways to make money with it even if you never plan on shipping a single product.Here’s the truth: Over 85% of global consumers shop online, and social commerce is booming with over half of Americans making purchases through social platforms weekly.

And Shopify?

As of early 2025, Shopify holds almost 30% of the U.S. eCommerce software market, which presents great opportunities for creators, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and side hustlers.

So whether you’re a product person or not, here are 7 unique ways to make money using Shopify this year.

 Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Monetize Your Influence with Shopify Collabs
No product? No problem. Shopify Collabs lets influencers and content creators connect directly with brands who want their products promoted authentically.

Think of it as influencer marketing done smarter.

Whether you’re building a niche following on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you can:

Partner with Shopify stores aligned with your brand

Earn commissions through custom links and discount codes

Get free products to review and promote

This model thrives on genuine content and community trust, not just sponsored spam. You’re not selling directly you’re connecting audiences with brands they’ll actually care about.

Best for: Creators, micro-influencers, and niche content producers

2. Sell Digital Products with Zero Inventory
Digital products offer a simple and efficient way to earn money on Shopify. After you create a product, you can sell it as many times as you want no need for shipping, fulfillment, or storage.

Popular options include:

eBooks and guides

Digital planners or templates

Music, presets, or sound effects

Art prints or photography downloads

Online courses or video tutorials

Shopify supports instant delivery, so once someone purchases, they get immediate access. All you need is a solid marketing plan to reach your audience.

Bonus: Use AI tools like ChatGPT to help you outline and format your digital products faster.

3. Use Social Media to Power Your Sales
If your audience is already spending hours scrolling TikTok or Instagram, you can meet them right where they are with social selling.

Shopify integrates directly with:

Instagram and Facebook Shops

TikTok Shopping

Pinterest Catalogs

YouTube Shopping

From product discovery to checkout, your audience never has to leave the app. Shopify lets you manage everything from one clean dashboard, so you don’t need to juggle platforms.

Remember: Social selling isn’t about spamming product photos. It’s about building relationships, providing value, and showcasing products in an authentic, lifestyle-based way.

78% of businesses that use social selling outperform those that don’t. That’s not just hype it’s strategy.

4. Start Dropshipping Without Handling Inventory
Dropshipping is still one of the most beginner-friendly ways to launch an online store without buying or storing any products upfront.

Here’s how it works:

Choose products from a supplier

List them on your Shopify store

When a customer buys, your supplier ships it directly

Apps like DSers, Spocket, and Zendrop make it easy to plug dropshipping into Shopify in minutes.

But here’s the catch: marketing is everything. Since many sellers may offer similar products, your edge comes down to better branding, smarter ads, and a laser-focused niche.

Heads-up: You won’t control product quality or shipping times, so choose your suppliers wisely.

5. Earn Through the Shopify Partner Program
If you’re a web designer, developer, or just tech-savvy, Shopify’s Partner Program lets you earn by helping other entrepreneurs succeed.

Ways to earn:

Build and sell Shopify themes or templates

Create apps that solve specific merchant problems

Offer freelance services (store setups, troubleshooting, customization)

It’s free to join and opens the door to recurring income from store referrals or revenue shares.

️ Ideal for: Freelancers, agencies, or side hustlers who want to build multiple income streams behind the scenes

6. Promote Shopify as an Affiliate Marketer
You don’t have to build stores to profit from them. With the Shopify Affiliate Program, you can earn commissions just by recommending the platform.

Here’s how to succeed:

Create content that educates your audience (tutorials, guides, comparisons)

Add your affiliate link to blog posts, videos, or emails.

Help people solve problems and introduce Shopify as the solution

Commissions can vary based on merchant location, but payouts are generous and best of all, this method scales passively over time.

Pro Tip: Focus on content quality over link spamming. Real value alays wins.

7. Build a Traditional Online Store
Yes, the most obvious method is still one of the best: launching your own Shopify store.

Whether you want to sell:

Handmade goods

Branded merchandise

Resale/vintage items

Print on demand shirts, mugs, or totes

Niche products tailored to a specific audience

Shopify’s intuitive interface and endless apps make it easy even if you’ve never sold anything before.

The best part? Shopify offers a 3-day free trial and 3 months for just $1, so there’s zero risk in getting started.

️ Tip: You don’t need a huge product catalog. One great offer in the right niche can outperform a store with 100 generic listings.

Final Thoughts: Shopify Isn’t Just for “Online Stores” Anymore
Shopify in 2025 is more than an eCommerce platform it’s a digital toolbox for anyone looking to earn online, build a brand, or create something scalable.

From creators and educators to marketers and developers, there’s a Shopify income stream that matches your skills and interests.

So whether you’re selling a course, designing a storefront, or just recommending tools you love, you don’t need to be a product genius to succeed.

The opportunities are real. The tools are ready. Now’s the time to pick your lane and start building.