In this article, you’ll learn about several online business models that are working right now and are beginner-friendly if you want to start from scratch. These models have been tested in the real world, but it’s important to understand one thing first:
“These business models are working, but there is no guarantee they will work for every person. Use them as recommendations and start at your own discretion.”
With that said, let’s get into the business models one by one.
1. Digital Downloads
The first business model is digital downloads.
This means selling anything that exists as a digital file. You can create these on a computer, iPad, or even a phone. In most cases, digital downloads fall into two categories:
- Graphics
- Templates
These are things people are willing to pay a few dollars for because they save them time.
Selling Digital Downloads on Etsy
One of the biggest marketplaces for digital downloads is Etsy. Etsy already receives millions of visitors every month, which means people are constantly searching for products there.
Instead of running ads or doing marketing yourself, you list your digital products on Etsy, and buyers discover them through Etsy’s built-in traffic.
To understand how it works, imagine someone searching for something like “fishing digital download.” The results would mostly show graphics bundles. For example, a buyer might pay around $12 and receive a collection of fishing-related graphics. They could use these graphics however they want—print and frame them, put them on a t-shirt, add them to a planner, or anything else.
Digital Download Templates
Templates are another massive category.
Think of a search like “budget template digital download.” Buyers might purchase a ready-made budget spreadsheet or planner so they can simply fill in their own numbers. Templates can be about anything, such as:
- wedding planning checklists
- habit trackers
- meal planners
- travel itineraries
- business worksheets
The point is simple: the creator has already thought through everything, saving the buyer time.
Another Marketplace: Gumroad
Besides Etsy, another option is Gumroad (also spelled “Gum Road” in some discussions). It works similarly: you upload your digital products, list them on their marketplace, and buyers can purchase directly there. It’s still growing, but gaining traction.
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2. Print-On-Demand T-Shirts (Amazon)
The second business model is print-on-demand t-shirts, using Amazon as an example.
Here’s the model:
- Create a t-shirt design.
- Upload it to Amazon (or other print-on-demand platforms).
- Amazon lists your shirt like a normal product.
- Customers choose color, style, and size.
- Amazon prints it, ships it, and handles customer service.
- You earn a cut of every sale.
So instead of buying inventory or shipping anything yourself, your only job is to create and upload designs.
Best Tip for Print-On-Demand
“Find underserved niches.”
General marketplaces are crowded. But the real opportunity comes from finding niche topics that many people search for, but few sellers target. Those are the sweet spots.
Once you find them, you repeat the cycle: create designs for those niches and upload consistently.
The Only 30 Ways to Make Money in 2026.
3. Amazon KDP (Books)
The next model is also on Amazon: Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).
This is print-on-demand, but for books instead of shirts.
You create:
- a book cover
- the inside content
Then you upload it to Amazon KDP. After that, Amazon handles printing, shipping, and customer service. You earn royalties each month.
Example of KDP Books
An example niche could be fishing word search books. These types of books have:
- fishing-themed covers
- fishing-themed puzzles inside
Other examples include seasonal or themed activity books like Christmas word searches.
Even if you don’t know how to create covers or puzzles, the process is straightforward when broken into steps. The key idea is that KDP allows you to publish books without inventory, and Amazon fulfills everything.
4. Educational YouTube Channels
Another powerful business model is creating educational YouTube videos.
You don’t need fancy gear. A smartphone camera is enough.
The concept is:
- Teach something you already know.
- Upload videos consistently.
- Help people while building a following.
People search YouTube for “how to” content all day. For instance, they might search:
- how to fish
- beginner’s guide to fishing gear
- how to teach a kid to fish
These are normal people sharing skills they already have.
How YouTube Pays You
YouTube places ads on videos. When someone watches an ad, the advertiser pays YouTube, and YouTube pays the creator 55% of that ad revenue.
However, you must be monetized first.
Monetization Requirements
At the moment, monetization requires roughly:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months
This means YouTube income is a long-term play. You don’t expect money instantly. Instead, you build a library of helpful content, and over time YouTube starts recommending your videos.
Best Tip for YouTube
“Don’t worry about competition.”
Even if there are thousands of videos on the same topic, viewers connect with people. They like personalities, explanations, and unique experiences. That’s why they subscribe.
5. YouTube Affiliate Marketing
This business model pairs perfectly with YouTube: affiliate marketing through videos.
Instead of teaching how to do something, you review or recommend products.
Example searches might include:
- best fishing pole for kids
- best fishing pole for beginners
- best fishing pole for bass or trout
Creators make recommendation videos, and in the description they place affiliate links.
How Affiliate Links Work
An affiliate link is a referral link.
If a viewer clicks your link and buys something, you earn a commission. This happens automatically through the affiliate program.
One of the easiest to start with is Amazon Associates. You don’t need a certain number of followers, and you can generate affiliate links for almost anything sold on Amazon.
Should You Own the Products?
Yes, ideally.
You should recommend things you’ve actually used. The easiest way to begin is with products you already own. Find them on Amazon (or the brand’s affiliate program) and link to them.
Best Tip for Affiliate Marketing
Start with Amazon Associates because:
- most people already own Amazon products they can review
- approval is easy (no big following required)
- Amazon gives secondary commissions
If someone clicks your link, doesn’t buy that product, but buys anything else on Amazon within 24 hours, you still earn a commission.
Secondary commissions often make up a huge part of earnings.
6. Blog Affiliate Marketing (Google)
You can do the same affiliate strategy with a blog instead of YouTube.
People search Google for product recommendations—just like YouTube—and blog articles rank for those queries.
Example:
Instead of filming best fishing pole for kids, you write the same recommendations in an article. Inside that article, you place affiliate links.
Extra Income With Blog Ads
Blogs can also run Google ads (sidebar ads, in-content ads, etc.). If readers view or click those ads, you earn additional passive income.
Best Tip for Blogging
“Create original content.”
AI can write generic articles now, so Google rewards authenticity.
What helps most is:
- real photos you took
- direct personal experience
- non-generic explanations
That’s what Google wants to rank.
Most Unsaturated Ways to Make Money With AI.
7. Selling Courses on Udemy and Skillshare
Next is creating online courses for marketplaces like Udemy and Skillshare.
A course is like YouTube, but deeper and structured into chapters.
Example:
Instead of a single “how to fish” video, a course may include:
- best fishing poles for different styles
- bait types for different fish
- step-by-step methods
- advanced techniques
Once uploaded, Udemy markets and sells the course for you. They also run discounts automatically. You earn a share of each sale.
Best Tip for Course Marketplaces
Upload the same course to both Udemy and Skillshare to tap into both audiences.
8. Creating Your Own Paid Course
The final model is launching your own paid course independently.
This is the most premium version:
- YouTube = basic learning
- Udemy/Skillshare = detailed learning
- Your own paid course = full mastery
These courses are priced higher because they go deeper.
Examples might look like:
- Live Bait Mastery – $97
- Flounder Mastery – $97
- Bait Catching Mastery – $97
These courses are available on Udemy related to fishing.
Yes, people could learn basics on YouTube. But a well-made course speeds up the learning curve significantly and organizes everything in one place.
Final Note
Those are the main online business models covered here:
- Digital downloads
- Print-on-demand t-shirts
- Amazon KDP books
- Educational YouTube channels
- YouTube affiliate marketing
- Blog affiliate marketing
- Courses on Udemy/Skillshare
- Your own paid course
Each one is beginner-friendly, scalable, and can become passive over time if you stay consistent.
