Display ads are the first income source most bloggers think of – and often the least profitable for small blogs. Ad earnings depend heavily on traffic volume, audience location and niche, so a new blog with a few thousand monthly visitors may earn very little from ads. Meanwhile, the same blog could earn more by offering a service, selling a template or recommending a trusted tool to readers who need it.
This guide explains the main ways to monetise a blog beyond ads, when each makes sense, and how to set them up step by step.
Quick overview
- Services: freelance services related to your blog’s topic – often the fastest way for small blogs to earn.
- Affiliate marketing: commissions from recommended products.
- Digital products: e-books, templates, checklists, presets.
- Courses and workshops: structured teaching.
- Memberships and paid newsletters: recurring income from loyal readers.
- Sponsorships: brands paying for clearly labelled content.
- Email list: the engine that makes most of these work.
Why go beyond ads
- Small blogs can earn meaningfully from a few sales or clients.
- Diversified income is more stable when search traffic changes.
- Offers aligned with reader problems build more trust than ads.
- Ads can slow down pages and distract readers.
Who this guide is for
Bloggers with at least some traffic and a clear niche, and new bloggers planning their business model early.
What you need
- A focused blog with helpful content.
- An understanding of your readers’ problems (comments, emails, search queries).
- An email list – see How to Build an Email List.
- Payment methods that work for your customers and for receiving money in Bangladesh.
Income stream 1: Services
If your blog teaches web design, offer web design. If it teaches social media, offer social media management. Readers who trust your articles often become clients.
Steps:
- Create a “Work with me” or “Services” page.
- Describe services, process, starting prices and results.
- Add calls to action at the end of relevant articles.
- Include case studies and testimonials.
Income stream 2: Affiliate marketing
Recommend tools and products your readers need, with clear disclosure. Tutorials, comparisons and resource pages work well.
Steps:
- List products your readers use or ask about.
- Join programmes that accept you and pay in Bangladesh.
- Create honest tutorials and reviews – see How to Write Honest Reviews.
- Add a “Tools I use” resource page.
Income stream 3: Digital products
Solve a specific problem with a downloadable product: templates, planners, checklists, e-books, swipe files.
Steps:
- Identify repeated reader questions.
- Create a small product that solves one problem.
- Sell through your own site (with a payment gateway) or a suitable platform.
- Promote to your email list and in related articles.
See How to Sell Digital Products.
Income stream 4: Courses and workshops
Turn your best content into structured learning with exercises and support.
Steps:
- Run a live workshop to test demand.
- Pre-sell a course.
- Record, refine and launch.
See How to Create and Sell an Online Course.
Income stream 5: Memberships and paid newsletters
Offer premium content, community access, templates or monthly Q&A for a recurring fee. Works best with a loyal, engaged audience.
Income stream 6: Sponsorships
Brands may pay for sponsored posts or newsletter placements. Requirements:
- a clearly defined, engaged audience;
- a media kit with traffic, audience and rates;
- clear labelling of sponsored content;
- editorial control to protect trust.
Income stream 7: Display ads (as one part)
Ads can still add income, especially as traffic grows. Use them thoughtfully: avoid excessive placements that damage user experience. See AdSense approval guide.
Choosing the right mix
| Blog stage | Best starting streams |
|---|---|
| New (low traffic) | Services, simple affiliate links, email list |
| Growing | Affiliate content, small digital products |
| Established | Courses, memberships, sponsorships, ads |
How you get paid
- Services: marketplace payouts or direct international transfers.
- Affiliates: programme payouts (bank wire, Payoneer).
- Products and courses: payment gateways settling to your Bangladeshi bank, plus local methods like bKash for local buyers.
See our payments guide.
A worked example (hypothetical)
A blog teaching small shop owners to use Google Sheets gets modest traffic. Ads earn almost nothing. The owner adds a “Bookkeeping templates” product, a “Setup service” page and an email course. Within months, a handful of template sales and two setup clients earn far more than ads. The owner later launches a small course for shop owners, promoted through the email list.
Common mistakes
- Relying only on ads with small traffic.
- Launching products without testing demand.
- Hiding service offers.
- Too many monetisation methods at once.
- Not building an email list.
- Undisclosed sponsored content or affiliate links.
Risks and safety
- Trust damage from aggressive monetisation.
- Legal and platform rules on disclosures and payments.
- Payment method limitations for some platforms in Bangladesh.
Pros and cons of diversified monetisation
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More stable income | More work to manage |
| Higher earnings per reader | Requires different skills |
| Less dependence on search/ads | Must maintain quality across offers |
Realistic expectations
Monetisation success depends on audience trust and relevance. A small, focused blog can earn meaningfully from services or products, while large blogs may combine many streams. Growth is usually gradual.
Your 30-day monetisation plan
| Days | Action |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | Review top posts and reader questions |
| 6-10 | Create a Services page and resource page |
| 11-18 | Build an email opt-in and welcome sequence |
| 19-25 | Create a small digital product |
| 26-30 | Promote in relevant posts and email |
Key terms explained
- Monetisation: ways of earning income from content.
- Media kit: a document for sponsors showing audience and rates.
- Membership: recurring paid access to premium content.
- Resource page: a curated list of tools you recommend.
Beginner tips
- Start with services if you have a relevant skill.
- Listen to reader questions.
- Keep offers aligned with your niche.
- Disclose affiliate links clearly.
Advanced tips
- Build product ladders from free to premium.
- Use email segmentation to match offers to interests.
- Create evergreen sales funnels.
- Negotiate sponsorships with clear editorial standards.
Frequently asked questions
How much traffic do I need to monetise a blog?
Services and products can earn with small traffic; ads need much more.
Which monetisation method is best?
It depends on your niche and audience. Services and affiliate content are common starting points.
Can I combine ads and affiliate links?
Yes, but balance them to avoid cluttering the reader experience.
How do I price digital products?
Research similar products and price based on value and audience budget.
Should I accept sponsored posts?
Only if relevant to your audience, clearly labelled and aligned with your standards.
Final step
List the five most common questions your readers ask and match each with one possible offer (service, product, affiliate or course). Start with one this month. More in our blogging guides.