(even if you don’t sell products)

I know the 36% of us that don’t have a website rely on word of mouth for new clients, and trust that if someone wants to work/dine/shop with us, they’ll get in a car and drive over. Or pick up the phone.

But 2024, it…. doesn’t work like that anymore.

If someone is looking for what you offer, they’re going to Google [dot] com to find it. If you’re not on there or even on the Google Maps (which is the second place people look), how will that person know you exist?

Websites are the new business card.

Like it or not, whether you have a website or not says a lot about you. If growing your business and attracting new customers or clients is important to you, then you can’t afford to NOT have an online presences that makes it not only easier to find you but to buy from you— especially if your competitors have one.

I’m really not trying to convince anyone they need a website if they are dead set against it —> but let’s explore all the ways having one can make you more money, even if you don’t sell products.

You’ve probably heard hear phrases like “monetize your content” or “monetize your website”, and think that doesn’t apply to you.

But what DOES apply? To everyone? We’re all in business to make money. Your website is a tool to do that.

Think of your website as a train station.

Your websites one and main goal is to help the right people find where they need to go and get them on their way. Even if you don’t sell products, you’re helping people find what they need.

Websites don’t only generate leads to your business through search engines, but they help your current and new customers find what they need (menu, hours, restock), and give you a low-pressure place to send inquiries to so they can see what you’re about and move forward.

Below you’ll find an overall list of ways your website should help you make money, based on your industry and whether you’re a brick & mortar store, service provider or running an e-commerce site. Implementing ~all~ of these wouldn’t make sense, so pick what makes the most ense to your business

How to make money with your website:

… AS A BUSINESS OWNER WITH NO INTENT TO SELL ANYTHING ONLINE

Making money with a website doesn’t always mean you have to sell products. It’s a huge way to legitimize your business and help people know you exist.

For example, if you own a hardware store, and there are several other big box hardware stores within a reasonable distance, people are more likely to go to the larger stores because they know they’ll have what they want— even if most people would prefer to shop local and support small businesses.

Many of the mom & pop shops have no place for others to check online to see what they carry. You don’t have to sell your items online, but at least let people know if you carry lumber, plumbing materials, insulation, etc.

The internet at our finger tips + the buying processes of younger generations are setting the stage for how people shop these days. And it’s way different than it used to be. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone stroll into a store before taking a peek at their website, even if it’s just to get an idea of price.

Expect people to call and ask if you have what they need? Some people might, but most won’t. Especially if they know someone else has what they want.

… AS A BUSINESS OWNER OPEN TO SELLING ONLINE

If you own a brick & mortar shop, it’s a big step to offer your products online. But the payoff would be well worth it.

If you’re not ready to open your doors to the whole wide world just yet, at the very least offering in-store pickup is a huge plus. Some people are just short on time. Others want to know if the specific item they need is in stock. (Anyone else pull up inventory while you’re INSIDE a store? Just me? 🫠). And there mayyyyy be a random wife come in on a quest for the handy man of the home. And no, we don’t all want to talk to people once inside.

…AS A SHOP OWNER

If you sell products, setting up an online store on your website can be a lucrative option. If you have a brick and mortar store, this would open your shop to literally the entire world.

Take it 100% online with digital products such as e-books, templates, stock photos, printables, or software tools. These products can provide wonderful passive income once created and marketed effectively. Some people run shops solely for this purpose, and many will also sell these on the side of their main offering.

… AS A SERVICE PROVIDER

These days, service providers is a pretty broad term. Here, I’m talking about anyone who providers a service for anyone else, whether it be completely online or in person. Wedding photographers, plumbers, hair stylists, landscapers, etc

You could absolutely employ a combination of any of the ideas on this page

• Local? Def need a minimum of a 1 page site to help people find you and know what you offer.

• Offer a discount in exchange for email address so you can add value and gain trust through that medium

• Referral system for loyal customers with discount codes or rewards can be setup on your website

• General service page to share all your offerings, or a very targeted sales page to funnel leads to. Make sure to include FAQ’s and address pain points, desires and hesitations.

The best thing you can do to make more money with your website as a service provider is to have clear offerings, clear prices and a way to automate the inquiry or booking process. If your business allows people to book services right from your website, that lowers a huge barrier to entry. Don’t make interested people wait or they’ll go somewhere else. You can see how I automate my own booking process as a web designer right here.

PS, if you don’t have an automated inquiry or booking process in place, and you’re still getting customers, that’s great. But if your competition IS doing this, they’re probably booking more clients.

… THROUGH CONTENT CREATION

When you hear “monetize your website/content/blog”, this is probably what you think of. But don’t dismiss it— you might have a chance here.

>>> Affiliate Marketing: This is when you promote products or services related to your niche through affiliate links and you earn a commission for each sale or referral made through that link. This could be done through product reviews on places like Amazon, or with anyone else who offers it.

There are some people who make their full paychecks solely through affiliate marketing! Influencers and MLM’s are commonly recognized to earn income this way, but as more and more businesses realize the power in referrals, this is becoming more and more common. And something you can absolutely employ in your own business— I personally have a ‘finder’s fee’ that I give to clients who send me leads that also become clients. And I receive a small bonus each month from other small online businesses I refer people too. Take a look at my resources page to get some ideas.

>>> Advertising: Display ads on your website using ad networks like Google AdSense or directly selling ad space to advertisers. The amount you earn can vary based on factors like traffic volume, niche, and ad placement. This is common with bloggers.

>>> Sponsored Content: Partner with brands or companies to create sponsored blog posts, reviews, or social media content. You receive compensation for promoting their products or services to your audience. You don’t have to do this for money either— getting in front of other people’s audiences is the best way to build your email list or expand your audience. I dive into this more in my free guide to growing your email list.

>>> Freelancing or Gig Opportunities: If you have specialized skills, use your website to advertise your freelance services or offer gig opportunities. This could include writing, graphic design, web development, virtual assistance, and more.

>>> ONLINE COURSES OR WORKSHOPS (EITHER IN PERSON OR ONLINE)
With all the options available for course creation, it’s generally a fit for anyone who has something to teach. Seriously, anything. A very select few have seen my list of courses— I love learning and I’m kinda a sucker for them.

There are many course platforms and all-in-one options these days to make course creation super simple! If you’re on a tight budget to start with, you can host your videos unlisted on YouTube for free.

>>> WITH A MEMBERSHIP OR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
Offer premium content, exclusive resources, or access to a members-only community in exchange for a subscription fee. This model works well for businesses offering valuable insights, courses, or industry-specific knowledge. You can create regular content to serve to your group and interview experts in the field, but often the best part is the community and support from peers. There are many app options for hosting pay-walled groups, like Circle or Kajabi.

… THROUGH YOUR EMAIL LIST

We all know about that 42% ROI on your email list. This is probably the best investment you could make with your time for long term growth strategy, and I can’t think of a single industry that wouldn’t benefit from it. Check out this blog post on newsletter ideas for any industry to spark some creativity and help you know what to write about.

… BY ASKING FOR DONATIONS

Buy me a coffee or paypal donation buttons on your site! I can’t vouch to how well these work, but if it’s in alignment with what you offer and stand for, then go for it! I can see this working very well for non-profits and sites that produce a large volume of extremely helpful free content.

Making money with your website doesn't always require selling physical products. By leveraging your skills, expertise, and online presence, you can generate income through various avenues.

Whether you offer services locally or remotely, grow your email list to gain trust, or optimize your website to attract more traffic and clients, the key is to focus on providing value to your audience.

Need more help?

>>> Ready to DIY your website? Here’s what to put on it.

>>> Automate your inquiry process: How I automate my web design business— FREE workbook

>>> How much does a website *actually cost these days? Check out this blog post so you have no unexpected expenses.

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Use the code PARADISE for 30% off your first year or month when your trial is over!

Website Content Workbook [free]

Everything you need to know about what to put on your website in one handy little guide— yours to keep.

Get it here >>>