20 Proven Ways to Monetise Your Website (Even If You're Just Starting Out)

Once your Bluehost website is live – and we have a full step‑by‑step guide to get you there – a world of earning opportunities opens up. It's not unusual for dedicated bloggers to quit their day jobs within a few months. I did exactly that!

In this guide, I'll share some of the most effective strategies to turn your site into a revenue stream, packed with practical tips and resources you can act on from day one.

Don't try to do everything at once. My strongest advice is to pick one or two methods that suit your niche and your skills, and focus on those first. Once they're humming, you can expand.

Here are my 20 favourite ways to monetise a website – in no particular order.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing means promoting products or services on your site. When a visitor clicks your unique link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

Join a network like Awin to access thousands of affiliate programmes from major brands such as Travelodge, Etsy, and Nike. Simply insert the provided affiliate link whenever you mention a relevant product in your content.

For a deeper dive, check out our full beginner's guide to affiliate marketing.

2. Use Skimlinks

Skimlinks works similarly to other affiliate networks, but with a handy twist. As well as letting you create individual affiliate links, you can install it on your site to automatically monetise existing content.

If you link to a merchant that's part of the Skimlinks network, the platform automatically converts that link into an affiliate one. Commissions typically range from 1% to 10%, and you earn when a purchase is made.

3. Add Banner Adverts

Image: Man looking happy at a laptop – Credit: bbernard / Shutterstock

You can quickly set up banner ads using networks like Google AdSense or Media.net – just paste a snippet of code into your site, and relevant ads appear based on visitors' recent searches.

As your traffic grows, you can graduate to premium ad networks. Some require minimum monthly views (e.g., Monumetric at around 10,000 views, Mediavine and Raptive at 25,000–50,000+ sessions). However, Journey by Mediavine now offers a lower threshold, welcoming sites with about 1,000 sessions.

Taboola is another popular option, displaying article recommendations rather than banners. You'll typically be paid per click (CPC) or per 1,000 impressions (CPM).

You can also sell ad space directly to companies. This can be more profitable because you set your own rates and the advertiser knows exactly who they're reaching.

4. Text Link Advertising

Offer simple text links within your content to advertisers' websites. Charge a fixed monthly fee (e.g., £20) or go with a per‑click model. Marketplaces like Backlinks and LinksPanel let you list your availability.

5. Sell to Email Subscribers

The single biggest regret I hear from other bloggers? Not starting an email list early enough.

Use a service like AWeber or Mailchimp from the very beginning to capture visitor emails. That way, you can keep in touch after they leave your site – promoting products, sharing updates, and earning commissions through affiliate recommendations.

6. Publish Sponsored Posts

Sponsored posts – also called advertorials – are articles written to promote an advertiser, usually with a link back to their site. Sometimes the advertiser provides the copy, but if you write it yourself, you can charge extra for your time.

Rates vary wildly: from £35 up to £1,000+ for a single post, depending on your site's popularity. Join blogger network groups on Facebook – advertisers frequently browse there looking for partnership opportunities.

Important: Advertising standards require you to clearly label sponsored posts as "ad", "advert", or "advertisement" somewhere on the page.

7. Review Products

Image: Dog using a computer – Credit: Kalamurzing / Shutterstock

If you have a niche audience – say, new parents or gamers – product reviews are a natural fit. But even without a tightly defined niche, you can get on board. Companies are often happy to send free samples (and sometimes pay) in exchange for an honest review.

Platforms like Toluna are a great starting point for discovering product testing opportunities.

8. Sell Digital Products

eBooks, printables, graphics, templates, and podcasts are all digital products that can generate passive income. For instance, a 5,000‑word eBook priced at £2.99 doesn't sound huge, but 20 sales a month quickly adds up. Browse the Envato Marketplace for inspiration.

9. Sell Physical Products

Your website can also serve as a shopfront for physical goods. Use print‑on‑demand services like Zazzle to create branded T‑shirts, mugs, or other merchandise.

For a more ambitious project, consider launching a full e‑commerce store – platforms like Shopify make it accessible. You can also sell handmade items on eBay or Etsy, always making sure to link back from your site to give yourself a competitive edge.

10. Include a Business Directory

Create a directory page where businesses pay a listing fee to be featured. You could charge a monthly or annual fee – anywhere from £20 to £500+ per year, depending on your traffic.

For example, if you run a sound system review site, you could list independent retailers (both online and offline) that sell high‑end speakers, charging them for the exposure.

11. Publish Premium Articles

Image: Laptop with WordPress on a bed – illustrative

If you can create genuinely exceptional content, you can charge for it. Share a few free tips to hook readers, then link to a password‑protected page (WordPress makes this easy) where the most valuable information lives.

Visitors pay a small fee – typically £2 to £10 – via PayPal to unlock the content. Major outlets like The Telegraph and The Times use this model, so there's clear proof it works.

12. Add a Membership Forum

Using free plugins like bbPress, you can create a "members‑only" forum. Monetise it by charging a one‑time access fee or a recurring subscription.

The key to success is building a genuine community – where members network, share tips, and find real value. If you can foster that, people will happily pay.

13. Create an Online Course

Courses are another form of premium content. They can be delivered automatically via email (using AWeber) to paying subscribers, or you can list them on platforms like Udemy to reach a wider audience.

Think about what your readers want to learn – for instance, if your site covers arts and crafts, a crochet course could be a perfect fit.

14. Create Your Own Affiliate Programme

Once you have your own digital product – like an eBook or a course – you can recruit affiliates to promote it for you. This brings in more sales and more traffic, all on a commission‑based model.

Free WordPress plugins can help you set this up quickly. Many big brands manage their own affiliate programmes successfully, so it's a proven approach.

15. Create a 'Hire Me' Page

Image: Hands typing on a laptop – Credit: Shutterstock

Building a website gives you valuable skills – writing, design, development. Set up a 'Hire Me' page to offer freelance blogging, writing, or even development services.

You can also list your services on platforms like Upwork, where freelance writers can earn anywhere from £15 to £50+ per hour, depending on experience. Check out our freelancing guide for more platforms and tips.

16. Ask for Donations

Add a simple PayPal donation button – or link to a service like Buy Me A Coffee – and ask readers to chip in a couple of quid if they enjoy your content.

It might feel awkward, but some of the web's biggest sites (including Wikipedia) run largely on donations. If you don't ask, you don't receive.

17. Create an Amazon Store Page

Since Amazon sells almost everything, there's a good chance it stocks products relevant to your niche. Add a dedicated Amazon store page to your site, recommending products you genuinely believe in.

Join the Amazon affiliate programme to earn commissions between 1% and 12% on sales generated through your links.

18. Create Video Content on YouTube

Image: YouTube logo – Credit: Abdie / Shutterstock

Adding video to your site boosts engagement – and it can also earn you money. Upload your videos to YouTube, enable monetisation through Google AdSense, and embed them in your blog posts.

If a video goes viral, ad revenue can quickly add up. Check out our guide on making money from YouTube for more detailed advice.

19. Become a Consultant

If you're genuinely knowledgeable in your field, offer one‑to‑one consultancy for an hourly fee. Promote your services via your website and deliver expertise through webinars, podcasts, or paid video calls.

If people already come to you for expert opinions, charging for tailored advice is a natural next step.

20. Sell Your Website

Once your site is monetised and pulling in steady traffic, it becomes a valuable asset. Just like any business, it can be sold.

Platforms like Flippa and BusinessesForSale.com can help you find buyers. As a rough rule, expect to sell for 30 to 45 times your monthly profit – a significant payoff for all your hard work.

Final Thoughts

This list is just the beginning. Its real purpose is to inspire you to take action – to get your site up and running, knowing there's a massive opportunity waiting down the line. If you haven't launched yet, now's the time. Our step‑by‑step guide to setting up a website with Bluehost and WordPress will have you live in no time.