Looking for practical ways to earn extra income or get a fresh start financially? A side hustle might be your answer. With the rising cost of living, many people are turning to part-time gigs and small businesses to supplement their main income. In fact, a recent study found that around 10% of Americans started a side business or second job in 2025 because their primary income wasn’t enough to cover expenses. Below are 17 smart and realistic side hustles to consider — both online and offline — to help you make more money this year. 💻 How to Make Money Online Who doesn’t want to earn income from the comfort of their home? While some online hustles take time to build, others can give you small, quick wins right away. 1. Start Freelancing Online Freelancing remains one of the best ways to earn money online. Platforms like Upwork , Fiverr , and Freelancer.com allow you to offer services such as writing, web design, programming, data entry, or virtual assistance. While AI tools ar...
In the world of affiliate marketing, not all products are created equal. For beginners and experienced marketers alike, digital products have become the preferred choice in 2025—offering higher commissions, easier delivery, and greater scalability. If you’re looking to make serious money online without dealing with shipping, inventory, or returns, promoting digital products should be at the top of your list.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 digital product categories that convert well, explain why digital beats physical for beginners, highlight platforms you can join, and reveal the best ways to promote these products for commissions.
Why Digital Products Are Perfect for Beginners
Digital products are easy to promote and require no inventory, shipping, or customer support on your end. Once a product is created, it can be sold an unlimited number of times—creating passive income opportunities.
Key benefits:
-
High commission rates (up to 75% in some cases)
-
Instant delivery—no shipping delays
-
Global reach—sell to anyone, anywhere
-
Scalable income model—no limit to how many you can sell
Platforms like ClickBank, Coursera, and Teachable make it easy to find these products and get started promoting them immediately.
Top 10 Digital Product Categories for Affiliate Marketing in 2025
1. Online Courses
Educational content is booming. From personal development to business skills, online courses are in high demand.
-
Platforms: Coursera, Teachable, Udemy, Skillshare
-
Commission: 15–50% depending on platform
2. Email Marketing Tools
These tools help businesses grow and monetize email lists.
-
Examples: ConvertKit, GetResponse, Systeme.io
-
Commission: Up to 33% recurring monthly
3. Website and Blog Hosting
Beginner bloggers need hosting and domains.
-
Examples: Bluehost, Namecheap, Hostinger
-
Commission: $50–$150 per referral
4. Design Templates and Resources
Bloggers, marketers, and influencers buy templates for social media and branding.
-
Examples: Canva Pro, Envato Elements
-
Commission: 20–40%
5. AI Tools
AI tools for writing, coding, and design are exploding in popularity.
-
Examples: Jasper, Copy.ai, Writesonic
-
Commission: 20–30% recurring
6. Productivity Apps and SaaS Tools
These solve real problems for entrepreneurs and remote workers.
-
Examples: Notion, Trello, ClickUp (via PartnerStack)
-
Commission: Varies, often recurring
7. Digital Marketing Courses
Niche-focused skill-building courses sell extremely well.
-
Examples: Courses on SEO, Facebook Ads, Affiliate Marketing
-
Platforms: Teachable, Coursera
-
Commission: Up to 40%
8. eBooks and Memberships
Info products and memberships with exclusive content remain strong sellers.
-
Platforms: Gumroad, ClickBank, Podia
-
Commission: 30–75%
9. Software Licenses and Plugins
Especially valuable to website builders and online creators.
-
Examples: Elementor Pro, WP Rocket, Thrive Themes
-
Commission: 25–50%
10. Health and Fitness Programs
Digital coaching, diet plans, and workout videos continue to dominate.
-
Platforms: ClickBank, Digistore24
-
Commission: 50–75%
Top Platforms to Find and Promote Digital Products
Here are trusted affiliate networks and platforms that offer thousands of digital products to promote:
-
ClickBank – Ideal for info products, courses, and health programs
-
Coursera & Teachable – Great for online education and certification
-
PartnerStack – For SaaS and B2B tools like Trello, Grammarly, and Thinkific
-
ShareASale – Offers digital product vendors and tools in various niches
-
Gumroad & Podia – Popular for independent creators and info product sellers
💡 Tip: Always vet the product before promoting. Look at reviews, refund rates, and affiliate policies.
How to Promote Digital Products for Maximum Conversions
Promoting digital products requires a mix of content, strategy, and value creation. Here are some effective methods:
📌 Start a Niche Blog
Create SEO-optimized articles reviewing or teaching how to use the product. Add your affiliate links naturally throughout.
📧 Build an Email List
Use lead magnets to build a list and promote digital tools through a value-based email sequence.
📱 Use Social Media & Pinterest
Visual platforms like Pinterest can drive thousands of free clicks to your affiliate content—especially for tools, templates, and online courses.
🎥 Create YouTube Reviews or Tutorials
Video content converts highly when demonstrating digital tools or walkthroughs.
🛠Create Resource Pages
A "Tools I Use" page on your blog or link-in-bio tools can showcase your affiliate tools in one place.
Conclusion: Digital Products Are the Smartest Choice for 2025
In 2025, digital products remain the most beginner-friendly and profitable option in affiliate marketing. They’re scalable, easy to deliver, and backed by generous commissions. If you're serious about earning online, focus your efforts on high-converting digital categories like online courses, SaaS tools, and templates.
Begin today by signing up to ClickBank, Coursera, or Teachable. Choose a niche, build value-rich content, and start earning by recommending products you believe in.