Passive Income Ideas For It Solutions Developers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a IT solutions developer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a IT solutions developer today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a IT solutions developer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, starting an email marketing tool could provide you with a meaningful way to earn passive income. You already have the skill set to develop software applications, so creating a tool to help businesses manage and automate their email campaigns would be a natural extension of your expertise. This tool could attract a wide range of users, including entrepreneurs, startups, and real estate agents, all of whom are keen on leveraging effective marketing channels to grow their audiences.
Email marketing is extremely effective for generating leads, boosting sales, and building a subscriber base. By developing a robust email tool, you could tap into the booming email marketing industry, which is projected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028. With even a small share of this market, your side project could turn into a steady stream of passive income.
Starting this venture requires just a domain and hosting account to get off the ground, but the possibilities for growth and additional features are endless. As businesses look for more ways to engage with customers online, your email marketing tool could become indispensable, solving real problems and creating value for users.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
2. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
If you are an IT solutions developer, you could consider supplementing your income by creating an AI writing tool. This venture involves developing a digital tool that uses artificial intelligence to help users generate accurate and engaging content quickly and without errors. Given your expertise in IT, you could design a tool that automates part of the writing process, making it easier for businesses, bloggers, and students to produce high-quality material efficiently.
This could be an appealing side project because it leverages your existing skills and addresses the growing demand for constant, quality content in today’s digital world. By creating an AI writing tool, you would not only be boosting your own income but also providing a valuable solution that enhances productivity for writers everywhere. It’s an exciting opportunity to innovate and make a meaningful impact in the sphere of content creation.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, you could create an AI-based business solution to streamline operations for various companies. AI can optimize areas like customer service, inventory management, data analysis, and personalized marketing, making business processes much more efficient. By automating repetitive tasks and offering precise customer insights, your AI solution could help companies reduce costs and make better, data-driven decisions.
The growing demand for AI solutions presents a huge opportunity. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the advantages of adopting AI, so offering these services could position you as a key player in a rapidly expanding market. Starting an AI-based business solution could not only increase your income but also allow you to leverage cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
4. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
If you're an IT solutions developer, creating a mobile app could be a natural fit to supplement your income. You likely already have some coding skills and understand how software applications work, which gives you a head start. With a good idea, you could develop an app that meets a specific need or entertains users, turning your expertise into extra money.
You'd need to plan the user experience, design engaging interfaces, and ensure the functionality of your app through rigorous testing. The marketing side is also important—getting your app in front of the right users could be the key to significant downloads and revenue. By leveraging your existing skills and a clear vision, the world of mobile apps offers promising opportunities for passive income.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
5. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
Developing a lead generation tool could be a great way to supplement your income as an IT solutions developer. You could create a software application that automates the process of identifying and capturing potential customer leads for businesses. By integrating it with websites, social media channels, and other digital touchpoints, you could help companies gather valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and interests.
This would allow businesses to focus more on converting leads rather than spending time manually searching for them. The demand for efficient lead generation is high, as businesses of all sizes look to streamline their marketing efforts. If you're tech-savvy and have an interest in marketing, this could be a profitable side venture for you.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
6. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, starting a WordPress plugin business could be a great way to supplement your income. Given your technical skills and problem-solving abilities, you could identify common issues faced by website owners and develop plugins to address these needs. Selling these plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon, your blog, or a dedicated website could help you generate passive income.
If you've ever worked with WordPress, you know the importance of plugins for running a successful website. By focusing on offering targeted solutions through your plugins, you could attract a steady customer base. This venture not only brings in extra money but also leverages your existing skillset effectively.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
7. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, you could leverage your technical skills to create a social media automation business that helps manage multiple social media accounts effortlessly. This business would involve developing tools that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, providing value to clients ranging from small businesses to influencers.
Given the growing need for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there is a strong demand for automation services. By staying updated on social media trends and building custom solutions for your clients, you could create a steady stream of passive income while providing a valuable service that saves clients time and enhances their social media presence.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
8. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, you could leverage your technical skills and industry knowledge by creating online courses. With the growing demand for learning coding, web design, cybersecurity, and other tech skills, there is a large audience interested in your expertise. You could create a course on a specific topic you are passionate about or knowledgeable in, such as cloud computing or software development.
By developing and selling these courses online, you can generate passive income, meaning you earn money even when you're not actively working. All you need is to identify your target audience, create engaging and informative content, and select an online learning platform to host and sell your course. The e-learning market is predicted to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, making it a lucrative opportunity to supplement your income through your existing expertise.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
9. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, you could harness your technical expertise to create a niche website focused on a specialized topic you're passionate about. This allows you to share your knowledge in a specific area, such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, or software development, while also creating content that attracts targeted traffic.
By investing time in research, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO), you could build a loyal audience interested in your insights and solutions. This audience offers numerous monetization opportunities, such as affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products like e-books or online courses. Over time, your niche website could evolve into a reliable source of passive income, providing financial rewards for sharing what you know best.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
10. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a great way for you as an IT solutions developer to share your expertise and make extra income. You could focus on a specific area within the tech industry that you are passionate about, such as coding tips, software reviews, or cybersecurity advice. By creating unique and informative content like how-to guides, top product lists, and industry news, you could attract a loyal audience who values your insights.
To monetize your blog, you could provide affiliate links to relevant tech products, grow a YouTube channel for additional content, and collaborate with brands looking to reach your tech-savvy readership. Over time, as your blog gains visibility and followers, you might even be invited to speak at industry events, further establishing your authority and opening new income opportunities. This way, your niche blog would not only supplement your income but also position you as a thought leader in your field.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
11. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great way to supplement your income. By leveraging your technical skills and industry knowledge, you could create content that resonates well with your audience. For example, you could review software tools, coding platforms, and tech gadgets, recommending them to your blog readers or social media followers, and earn a commission on each sale made through your unique affiliate links.
Additionally, your understanding of web traffic and analytics could help you identify the most effective strategies to maximize your affiliate commissions. You could spend time finding the right products and brands to partner with, ideally ones that align with your professional expertise. In the long run, this side hustle not only diversifies your income but also adds financial stability with minimal ongoing effort.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
12. Make passive income with a web scraping API ($34.2K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, you could leverage your existing coding skills to create a web scraping API, helping businesses automate their data collection processes. By providing an API that extracts data from websites, you enable companies to effortlessly gather market research, competitor information, or aggregated content, saving them time and effort.
The demand for data in today’s market is continually growing, so a reliable web scraping API could become a valuable and sought-after tool across various industries. Starting with a niche market can help you perfect your service before expanding. This means that with a solid technical foundation, you could turn this endeavor into a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $50 — $125,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.
13. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you, as an IT solutions developer, to supplement your income. You could create content that shares tips, tutorials, or solutions to common IT problems, showcasing your expertise and helping others in the process. By monetizing your videos through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise, you could generate passive income while doing something you enjoy.
Building a successful YouTube channel requires consistent posting and high-quality content. You'll need to plan your videos, shoot and edit them, and actively engage with your viewers. Though it takes effort, the financial rewards and the satisfaction of helping others can make this a worthwhile venture.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
14. Make passive income with an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As an IT solutions developer, you could leverage your technical skills to create an online survey tool that businesses can use to gather valuable customer feedback. This venture would not only utilize your expertise in software development but also tap into a growing market where businesses need efficient, cost-effective ways to collect and process data.
By developing an online survey tool, you could offer features like a survey builder, a data collection system, and a reporting interface, making it easier for businesses to understand their customers. A popular example in this space is Typeform, which saw its annual recurring revenue surpass $70 million in 2021 by providing these essential services.
Given the increasing demand for data-driven decision-making, your online survey tool could become a sought-after resource for businesses aiming to improve their services and develop new products. This could turn into a steady source of passive income as subscriptions and usage fees from your tool accumulate over time.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
