The best online shopping websites process millions of transactions a year, creating opportunities for you to profit by optimizing the process for them.
You can use these platforms today to leverage the millions of platform subscribers by bringing them more customers while earning affiliate commissions, becoming your own shop owner, or arbitraging items.
I’ve looked at the most popular online shopping sites and found all the ways you can monetize off of each one.
Look at what makes these websites easy targets to monetize and the different business models you can align with your skills to start making money.
The variety of online shopping platforms makes it easy for entrepreneurs in any industry to start making money online.
Here are some of the best online shopping sites in the world and the different programs they offer where you can start making some money.
1. Amazon: Multiple Monetization Opportunities
With over 300 million subscribers, Amazon has established itself as one of the best online shopping websites in the world. With a click of a button, people buy books, movies, groceries, and even cars daily.
All those transactions open numerous ways to make side money through Amazon.
I and many other affiliate marketers started our online income journey thanks to Amazon. It’s still considered a legitimate way to earn commission on products sold.
Another option is to become your own shop owner thanks to Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). The online retailer stores, packages, and ships the products for you while you handle the marketing and sales.
Ways to Monetize: Amazon Affiliate, Amazon FBA, Amazon Handmade, Amazon Home Services, Amazon Influencer, Resell, Dropship
2. Alibaba: Top Choice for Dropshippers
Starting in China as a B2B marketplace, Alibaba now owns retail properties for about a quarter of the global eCommerce market. The large number of products makes it ideal to start a dropshipping store.
Using third-party services, you can sell items without handling inventory or shipping logistics and still make a profit.
The built-in customer base makes it easy to find an audience for your niche to start making sales.
Ways to Monetize: Dropship, Affiliate Marketing
3. Rakuten: Earn Money While You Spend
I love this plugin because it makes it easy to find great cashback deals while shopping online.
Once you download the Rakuten plugin to your browser, the app automatically scans each site for deals.
Click the activate button to link your purchase to your account for cashback rewards. All online shoppers should have this ready to activate in your browser.
Ways to Monetize: Cashback Rewards
4. eBay: The Original Resale Hub
One of the first online marketplaces, eBay, was one of the original places where I sold old and used items like books and electronics.
Here are just a few categories people use to shop online:
- Motors
- Classifieds
- Live
- Installation
- Business and Industrial
The auction format gives sellers more control over pricing and allows for bidding wars that can drive up profits.
5. Instacart: Money-Making Side Hustle
The gig economy is still going strong, and Instacart is a great online shopping site for starting a side hustle.
I use the app to shop online when I’m busy, and the groceries are delivered to my door while I work. You can physically shop for the items in the store or deliver them to the customer’s home to make money.
While Instacart is a great way to earn extra cash, it isn’t easy to make a full-time income, so consider it a supplemental opportunity.
Ways to Monetize: Delivery, Shopping
6. Etsy
Artists and crafters love Etsy because anyone can start an online shop and sell original goods without startup costs.
You won’t find common items like you would at Target or Walmart. Unique and creative items, such as custom jewelry and artwork, are sold here.
Although, you don’t have to be an artist to start making money. Another option is to create digital designs and attach them to popular products like coffee mugs or yoga mats through a third party.
Ways to Monetize: Sell Handmade Products, Print-on-Demand
7. Wayfair
Wayfair has grown from a specialty decor site into a giant in the online marketplace for home goods. For sellers, this offers a great opportunity to reach a large lifestyle market. With dropshipping, you can list your products on the platform without managing inventory or handling shipping.
Here are some examples of specs and bundling info required to list dropshipping products:
- Carton Quantities
- Collections
- Weights
- Product Compliance Details & Certifications
If you already have an audience to leverage products to, Wayfair also has an affiliate marketing program.
Ways to Monetize: Dropshipping, Affiliate Marketing
8. Walmart
Walmart became famous as one of the largest physical retailers in the world but has now seamlessly adopted online e-commerce to become one of the best online shopping websites.
You can become an affiliate for Walmart to market their products and get a commission cut.
With millions of products across various categories, it is perfect for dropshipping or fulfillment services. Like Amazon, the platform is large enough to handle storage, packaging, and shipping for you.
Ways to Monetize: Dropshipping, Fulfillment Services, Affiliate Marketing
9. Target
Target’s revenue numbers compete with Walmart and Amazon; the company makes over $100 billion in annual sales.
By promoting Target products on blogs, social media, or websites, you can earn commissions on each sale generated through your unique affiliate links.
Target also launched its creator program to encourage brands to create promotional content for its products and earn up to 8% of each sale.
Ways to Monetize: Affiliate Marketing, Target Creators
10. Best Buy
Once a leader in the physical electronics retail space, Best Buy has integrated their online store to become a top eCommerce destination.
Sellers can create a Best Buy Marketplace account to sell products directly on the platform or become an affiliate partner.
The marketplace program offers features like:
- Seller tools
- Promotion opportunities
- Customer reviews
You don’t have to sell new products either; I’ve looked for refurbished electronics here because of the brand recognition.
Ways to Monetize: Affiliate Marketing, Best Buy Marketplace
11. Costco
Costco has built its reputation on offering bulk goods at wholesale prices.
The bulk discounts make it easy to stock up on popular products and then sell them at a markup through second-hand online platforms like eBay.
If you don’t want to do all the work, you can join their affiliate marketing program, which offers up to $6 in commission rates.
Ways to Monetize: Affiliate Marketing, Resell through Online Platforms
12. Kohl’s
Kohl’s is one of my favorite brands for affordable clothing. It also carries electronics, home goods, and children’s toys.
Through its affiliate program, you get a cut of each sale when you use your unique affiliate links.
The average order cart value is $86 for every customer at Kohl’s.
They also offer a credit card with $10 for every $50 spent and other discounts.
Ways to Monetize: Kohl’s Cash Rewards, Affiliate Marketing
13. Overstock
What makes Overstock unique is it focuses on products and items that are closing out or overstocked.
This means you can find great deals and discounts on high-quality products to try and resell on other platforms.
Overstock also has an affiliate marketing program where you can earn commissions on referred sales.
Ways to Monetize: Resell on Other Platforms, Affiliate Marketing
14. QVC
QVC started as a TV shopping channel that became popular as a more direct way to buy products.
Instead of going to a physical retailer, people call a number to buy a product and have it shipped to their home.
The model makes it easy to show your product live to potential customers.
If you don’t have the time to create your own product business, QVC offers an affiliate marketing program called QCrew.
Ways to Monetize: Product Vendor, Affiliate Marketing
15. ASOS
ASOS is one of the most influential online clothing stores for young adults.
The vast collection of over 850 brands and its range of clothing and accessories make it a go-to platform for fashion-forward trends.
ASOS also has a Marketplace that caters to independent brands and vintage boutiques.
To be accepted into the Marketplace, you need to fill out an application.
Competition is stiff, so it helps to have an audience on social media to be accepted.
Ways to Monetize: ASOS Marketplace, Affiliate Marketing
16. Barnes and Noble
Author entrepreneurs still have an outlet for making money through Barnes & Noble’s Nook Press.
The platform allows you to self-publish your books and use Barnes and Noble’s built-in tools.
You can publish your eBooks without upfront costs or fees and receive up to 70% royalty on your sales.
Additionally, Barnes & Noble has an affiliate program where you can earn commissions by promoting books and other products on your website.
Ways to Monetize: Self-publishing, Affiliate Marketing
17. Bed Bath and Beyond
When I was moving into a new home or attending college for the first time, Bed Bath and Beyond was my go-to for affordable household goods.
The company has opened its affiliate program, and you can earn up to 3% in commission for each item you sell.
When you join the platform, you get a unique affiliate link to share on your social media channels.
Ways to Monetize: Affiliate Marketing
Starting your online store will take up your time and require constant optimization.
To simplify the process, these tools streamline common tasks, free up your schedule for more important activities.
Jungle Scout
The best way to grow your Amazon store is to have real-time data that you can use to make better future decisions.
Jungle Scout is an Amazon Marketplace software that tracks listing rankings, competitor insights, keyword performance, and product features.
The platform has several plans depending on the size and success of your store. First-time, experienced, and even major brands have features designed just for them.
Merch Informer
Merch Informer is an all-in-one tool for Amazon merch sellers to start and grow their shops.
It has a suite of smaller tools designed to help you make the tedious process of starting a shop easy, including:
- Product research
- Keyword research
- Automation
- Built-in designer
The platform is standalone, and you don’t need to give Merch Informer access to your Amazon account to use the tools.
Etsy Masterclass
There are multiple ways to monetize Etsy, and the platform promotes original and unique designs.
The fastest path to making money is implementing, testing, and scaling your shop as quickly as possible.
An Etsy masterclass condenses all the information you need into 22 easily digestible sections, including:
- Earning reports and analysis
- SEO, site-optimization + hacks
- Site setup
Over 18,000 people have taken the course, and the ratings hover around 4.5 stars.
Carving your digital niche has never been easier with the best online shopping websites on this list. Whether you’re an affiliate marketer, a product company, or an aspiring author, the potential to start your shop and start making money is now accessible when you collaborate with major retailers.
With many entry points into monetization for the entrepreneur to consider, choose options that align with your current business goals or new skill sets that you’re eager to learn. There’s a wide field of possibilities, from earning affiliate commissions to selling your own wares.
