1️⃣Stripe
Stripe turned clicks into cash for me with a checkout customers already trust. Cards, wallets, and subscriptions work out of the box so setup is quick. Set it once and keep collecting.
- Instantly trustworthy checkout
- global payments and currencies
- simple no-code links and invoices
- subscription billing built in
- excellent fraud protection
- clean APIs and docs
- fast payouts in many countries
- Periodic account reviews can pause features
- payouts slower in some regions
- needs basic compliance setup
2️⃣Shopify
Shopify let me launch a high-converting store in a weekend and start selling the same day. Apps, themes, and the built-in checkout did the heavy lifting. It keeps scaling as orders grow.
- Launch a store in hours
- high-converting checkout
- huge app ecosystem
- scales from first sale to thousands
- great analytics and order management
- 24/7 support
- App costs can stack up
- custom theme work may require a developer
- extra fees if not using Shopify Payments
3️⃣Google Ads
When I needed sales on demand, Google Ads delivered purchase-ready traffic. Tight keyword targeting and smart bidding made testing fast. You must watch costs daily to protect margins.
- Buyer intent traffic
- precise keyword control
- fast experiments
- automation that learns
- massive reach
- Clicks can get expensive fast
- steep learning curve
- policy issues can suspend campaigns
- click fraud risk requires monitoring
4️⃣Upwork
I turned skills into cash by bidding on projects with proof-rich proposals. Upwork sends a steady stream of leads and escrow keeps payments safe. Competition is fierce and fees add up.
- Built-in escrow
- global client pool
- ratings build credibility
- messaging and contracts in one place
- Service fees cut into profit
- race-to-the-bottom bidding in some niches
- account holds can happen
- time spent filtering low-quality jobs
5️⃣Gumroad
I shipped small digital products fast and collected payments with a simple link. Gumroad handles VAT, files, and refunds so I can focus on creation. Discoverability is limited, so you must bring your own audience.
- No-code product pages
- easy subscriptions and bundles
- handles taxes and receipts
- simple payouts
- Limited store customization
- platform discovery is weak
- fees are higher at lower volumes
- analytics are basic