Your WordPress website is live, fast, and secure—now it’s time to move on to the most-awaited, important part of this guide—how to make money from your WordPress website!
Whether you want to earn beer money or build a full-time income, this chapter will teach you beginner-friendly ways to make money online, and no-code strategies to monetize your WordPress site. This tutorial will transform readers from hobbyists into savvy entrepreneurs, proving that anyone can monetize a WordPress site irrespective of coding knowledge or prior experience. We’ve covered everything from displaying ads, affiliate marketing, selling digital products, and many more.
Your journey to financial freedom starts now! Let’s turn your passion into a profitable business!
- 12.1 Why Monetization Matters
- 12.2 Display Ads on Your Site: Earn Passive Income
- 12.3 Affiliate Marketing 101: Earning Through Product Recommendations
- 12.4 Sell Digital Products That Generate Income
- 12.5 Membership Sites: Recurring Revenue
- 12.6 Sponsored Content: Partner with Brands
- 12.7 Diversify with Services: Leverage Your Skills
- 12.8 Email Marketing: Your Secret Weapon
- 12.9 Social Media: Drive Sales
- 12.10 Common Monetization Mistakes
12.1 Why Monetization Matters
How to Turn Your Blog Into a Money-Making Machine 2025
Did you know that successful bloggers maintain different revenue streams? In 2025, the blogging landscape has evolved far beyond simple advertising and affiliate links. Smart content creators rely on multiple revenue channels to maintain steady earnings.
The Opportunity:
- 77% of bloggers monetize their sites, earning an average of $9,497/month (RankIQ).
- With the right strategies, small sites can earn $500-$2,000/month.
Example: Emily, a part-time travel blogger, earns $3,500/month through affiliate links and sponsored posts—enough to quit her 9-5 job!
Suggested Reading:
- “How to monetize a WordPress blog?”
12.2 Display Ads on Your Site: Earn Passive Income
Monetizing your WordPress site is a simple way to earn income by displaying ads to your visitors. Popular ad networks like Google AdSense, Media.net, and other Premium Ad Networks connect you with advertisers and manage everything from ad placement to tracking, and payments.
12.2.1 Google AdSense
How It Works: Display targeted ads on your WordPress site. Earn when visitors view or click ads.
Setup:
- Sign up at google.com/adsense ↗
- Wait for Google Adsense approval. (2-7 days)
- After you get approved install the Site Kit plugin by Google → Connect the WordPress site with Google AdSense and start showing ads on your website.
- Learn how to set up the Site Kit WordPress plugin ↗ by Google.
Earnings Potential: $1-$5 per 1,000 pageviews (RPM).
Case Study: Mike’s tech blog earns $1,200/month from AdSense alone with 100,000 monthly visitors.
Are you struggling with Google AdSense approval for your WordPress site?
Check out our post, “Google AdSense Approval Guide: The Quick Road to Monetization,” which walks you through every step to secure approval fast.
12.2.2 Media.net
How It Works: Display contextually targeted ads on your WordPress site. Media.net (powered by Yahoo and Bing) serves ads based on your content, letting you earn when visitors view or click ads.
Setup:
- Sign up at media.net ↗.
- Wait for Media.net approval (3-7 days).
- After approval, install the Ad Inserter plugin → Paste the Media.net ad code into headers, sidebars, or between posts.
- Learn how to set up ads with the Ad Inserter plugin ↗.
Earnings Potential: $1-$4 per 1,000 pageviews (RPM).
Case Study: Lisa’s finance blog earns $450/month from Media.net with 150,000 monthly pageviews.
12.2.3 Premium Ad Networks
- Mediavine:
- Requirements: 50,000 monthly sessions.
- Earnings: $20-$40 RPM (5x higher than AdSense!).
- Ezoic:
- Uses AI to test ad placements (sticky headers, in-content ads).
- Example: Lisa doubled her ad revenue to $4,000/month with Ezoic’s AI optimization.
12.3 Affiliate Marketing 101: Earning Through Product Recommendations
Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by recommending products or services that align with your blog’s niche.
12.3.1 How It Works
- Join Trusted Networks: Start with beginner-friendly platforms like Amazon Associates (ideal for physical products), ShareASale (50,000+ programs), or ClickBank (digital products with high commissions).
- Pick Relevant Products: Choose items that solve your readers’ problems or enhance their lives. For example, a fitness blog could promote protein powders or workout gear.
- Create Helpful Content: Write honest reviews (“Why This Coffee Maker Saved My Mornings”), step-by-step tutorials (“How to Start a Podcast with This Mic”), or comparison posts (“Budget vs. Premium DSLR Cameras”).
- Add Links Strategically: Use your unique affiliate links in logical spots—like within tutorials, “Recommended Tools” sections, or product roundups.
Pro Tip: Always prioritize your audience’s needs. For example, Sarah, a travel blogger, earns $2k/month by linking to her favorite luggage and travel gadgets in her “Packing Guides.”
Stay Transparent: Add a disclaimer like “This post contains affiliate links—I earn a small commission if you buy (at no extra cost to you).”
Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners:
- Amazon Associates: Beginner-friendly program offering 1-10% commissions on millions of products. Perfect for niche blogs and beginners.
- Awin: Access global brands like Etsy and Gymshark. Earn ~5% commissions with a $20 minimum payout.
- Rakuten Advertising: Partner with premium brands (Walmart, Best Buy). Offers AI-driven tools and a $50 minimum payout.
- CJ Affiliate: Promote big names like Grammarly and Priceline. Advanced tracking tools and a $50 minimum payout.
- ClickBank: High commissions (50-75%) on digital products (eBooks, courses). Low $10 payout threshold.
- eBay Partner Network: Earn 50-70% of eBay’s revenue share on physical goods. $10 minimum payout.
- ShareASale: 50,000+ programs across fashion, tech, and home goods. Reliable tracking and payments.
Pro Tip: Always disclose affiliate partnerships (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links”) to build trust with your audience.
Case Study: Sarah, a food blogger, earns $3,000/month reviewing kitchen gadgets. Her “10 Best Air Fryers” post alone generates $800/month in Amazon commissions.
12.3.2 Getting Started With Affiliate Programs
- Join Programs: Apply to networks matching your niche (e.g., TravelPayouts for travel blogs).
- Create Content: Write “Best X for Y” posts (e.g., “Top 5 Laptops for Graphic Designers”).
- Disclose Compliance: Add “This post contains affiliate links” to stay FTC-compliant.
12.3.3 Advanced Strategies
- Comparison Tables: Use AffiliateWP to create side-by-side product comparisons.
- Link Cloaking: Hide ugly affiliate links with Pretty Links (e.g.,
yoursite.com/recommends/camera). - Seasonal Promotions: Target holidays (Black Friday, Christmas) for higher conversions.
Pro Tip: Place affiliate links in product reviews, gift guides, and “Resources” pages.
Suggested Reading:
- “How to use ThirstyAffiliates in WordPress”
12.4 Sell Digital Products That Generate Income
Many successful bloggers earn more than $1,000/month selling digital products. Digital products are a fantastic way for bloggers to generate income without the hassle of inventory or shipping costs. Popular items like eBooks, printable planners, and design templates, sell well because they offer instant downloads, making them convenient for customers.
12.4.1 Sell E-Books & Guides
- Tools:
- Easy Digital Downloads (free): Sell PDFs, e-books, checklists, or templates.
- (Example: Create an eBook titled How to Create a Free Blog On Blogger.com and Earn Money.)
- PayPal: Accept payments securely.
- Pricing: $10-$50 (e.g., ”Ultimate SEO Checklist” for $17).
Case Study: John, a fitness coach, sells a $29 “Meal Prep Guide” and earns $2,000/month.
12.4.2 Sell Online Courses
- Best Plugins for Online Courses.
- LearnDash: Build courses with quizzes, drip content, and certificates.
- MemberPress: Restrict access to paying members.
Example: Anna’s $299 “Instagram Growth Masterclass” earns $15k/month with 500+ students.
12.4.3 Sell Printables & Templates
- Design Tools: Canva (free), Adobe Express.
- Platforms: Sell via WooCommerce or Gumroad.
- Example: Emma sells wedding planner templates for $45 each, making $1,500/month.
Suggested Reading:
- “How to sell digital products on WordPress”
12.5 Membership Sites: Recurring Revenue
12.5.1 Why Memberships Work
- Predictable Income: Charge $10-$100/month for exclusive content.
- Community Building: Offer forums, webinars, or Q&A sessions.
Plugins:
- MemberPress: Create tiers (Basic, Premium).
- WooCommerce Memberships: Integrate with your Woo store.
Case Study: David’s photography site charges $49/month for Lightroom presets and tutorials, earning $10k/month.
12.5.2 Content Ideas
- Exclusive Tutorials: “How to Edit Photos Like a Pro.”
- Downloadable Resources: Stock photos, code snippets, or contract templates.
12.6 Sponsored Content: Partner with Brands
12.6.1 How to Land Deals
- Pitch Brands: Email companies with a media kit (traffic stats, audience demographics).
- Networks: Use AspireIQ or Upfluence to find partnerships.
Rates:
- Micro-influencers (10k followers): $200-$500/post.
- Macro-influencers (100k+ followers): $2,000-$10,000/post.
Example: Sophia charges $1,500 for a sponsored post on her parenting blog, partnering with brands like Pampers and Fisher-Price.
12.6.2 Disclosure Requirements
- FTC Compliance: Add “Sponsored Post” labels.
- Plugins: FTC Compliant for automated disclosures.
12.7 Diversify with Services: Leverage Your Skills
12.7.1 Freelance Services
- Offer: Writing, design, SEO audits, or social media management.
- Tools:
- Simple WP Booking: Let clients book appointments.
- WooCommerce Subscriptions: Charge retainer fees.
Example: Mark, a web designer, charges $150/hour for WordPress help, earning $6,000/month.
12.7.2 Coaching/Consulting
- Platforms: Use Zoom for calls, and Calendly for scheduling.
- Example: Linda offers $299/month SEO coaching sessions, helping 20 clients scale their blogs.
12.8 Email Marketing: Your Secret Weapon
12.8.1 Build Your List
- Lead Magnets: Offer freebies (e.g., “10 Blog Post Templates”) in exchange for emails.
- Plugins: OptinMonster for pop-ups, ConvertKit for automation.
Case Study: Rachel grew her list to 10,000 subscribers and sells $5,000/month in courses via email.
12.8.2 Monetize Your List
- Promote Affiliate Links: Share exclusive deals.
- Sell Products: Launch courses or e-books directly to subscribers.
12.9 Social Media: Drive Sales
12.9.1 Pinterest for Bloggers
- Strategy: Create pins for your top posts.
- Tools: Tailwind for scheduling, Canva for designs.
Example: Nina drives 50% of her affiliate sales from Pinterest, earning $2,000/month.
12.9.2 YouTube Synergy
- Repurpose Content: Turn blog posts into tutorials.
- Example: Alex’s YouTube channel (100k subs) funnels viewers to his WordPress site, boosting course sales by 300%!
12.10 Common Monetization Mistakes
- Too Many Ads: Cluttered sites annoy visitors. Stick to 3-5 ads per page.
- Ignoring SEO: Optimize monetized pages for keywords like “best DSLR cameras.”
- Low-Value Products: Price based on outcomes (e.g., “Save 10 hours/week with my templates”).
Case Study: Tom added too many pop-ups, causing a 50% traffic drop. After simplifying, revenue rebounded to $3k/month.
Read our comprehensive guide (4,060 words, 21 minutes read time) on different ways to earn money online.
Real-Life Inspiration:
- Emily’s travel blog started with $200/month in affiliate income. After adding courses and memberships, she now earns $25k/month full-time!
- Jake turned his coding blog into a $50k/month business selling WordPress plugins.
Chapter 12: Checklist
Joined 1-2 affiliate programs (e.g., Amazon Associates).
Installed Google AdSense or applied to Mediavine.
Created a digital product (e-book, course, template).
Set up a membership tier with MemberPress.
Added an email opt-in form (OptinMonster).
Disclosed affiliate/sponsored links properly.
Previous: In Chapter 11, The Ultimate Guide to Website Speed Optimization Techniques, you’ve learned, how to speed up your website. Be aware that slow sites lose 40% of visitors!
Next Up: In Chapter 13, How to Maintain and Grow Your Website (The Final Chapter), you’ll learn how to maintain and scale your website long-term—ensuring it stays fast, secure, and profitable!