1️⃣Shopify
I spun up a store in a weekend and it started converting immediately. The ecosystem, checkout, and analytics made it easy to scale without hiring a dev. Apps and one-click payments boosted average order value.
- fast setup
- high-converting themes
- trusted checkout
- huge app marketplace
- built-in analytics
- global payments
- monthly fees
- some apps add extra cost
- learning the theme editor takes a minute
2️⃣Gumroad
Perfect for selling ebooks, templates, and courses with zero code. I launched in an afternoon and had sales rolling in the same day. Payouts were smooth.
- one-page checkout
- instant product hosting
- built-in email
- simple affiliates
- sales analytics
- easy VAT handling
- per-transaction fees
- limited storefront customization
- basic A/B tools
3️⃣beehiiv
My newsletter became a real revenue stream with Boosts and ads. Growth tools and referrals helped me compound subscribers, but it still requires consistent publishing.
- ad network access
- referral program
- clean editor
- audience segmentation
- solid deliverability
- ad fill and CPMs fluctuate
- paywalled content is still maturing
- fewer integrations than older ESPs
- growth depends on consistent output
4️⃣YouTube Studio
Content that ranks kept earning long after upload. Between AdSense, sponsorships, and affiliates, each video stacked revenue, but production takes work.
- search-driven discovery
- compounding back catalog
- multiple monetization paths
- deep analytics
- monetization threshold to join the Partner Program
- risk of limited ads on sensitive topics
- algorithm swings
- high production time and cost
5️⃣Etsy
A fast way to validate products and get cash flow from day one. The built-in buyer traffic helps, but competition is fierce and margins can shrink.
- instant access to buyers
- easy listing creation
- built-in payments and taxes
- solid reviews system
- marketplace fees eat margin
- search ranking is volatile
- copycat sellers
- customer service can be slow in disputes