14 Passive Income Ideas For Web Developers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a web developer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a web 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 web developer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a web developer, creating an email marketing tool could be a great way for you to earn passive income. By leveraging your programming skills, you could build software that helps businesses and individuals create, manage, and automate their email campaigns. The global email marketing tool market size is expected to reach $2.53B by 2028, showing just how much potential there is for growth in this area.
Moreover, email marketing is one of the most effective ways to generate leads and increase sales, meaning your tool could be in high demand. You could start by buying a domain and hosting account, and from there, you'll quickly see the many possibilities for feature development. Whether entrepreneurs, startups, or even real estate agents, many are looking for user-friendly tools to help them connect with their audience via email.
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 based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a web developer, you could leverage your technical skills to create an AI-based business solution that streamlines business operations. This could involve developing tools that help automate repetitive tasks, like customer service chatbots, or systems that manage inventory more efficiently. By integrating AI into these processes, businesses can save time and reduce costs, making your solutions highly valuable.
Given the rapid growth in demand for AI technology, there are ample opportunities for creating solutions that provide real-time data analysis and personalized marketing strategies. You don't need to be an AI expert; many platforms offer user-friendly interfaces that you can integrate into your projects. This could make it easier for you to enter the market and start generating passive income while helping businesses make smarter, data-driven decisions.
With AI becoming more prevalent, your web development skills position you well to capitalize on this trend. Building solutions that enhance efficiency and provide meaningful insights could set your business apart and attract a steady stream of clients. It's a promising venture to consider if you're looking to innovate and secure an additional revenue stream.
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.
3. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a web developer, creating a lead generation tool could be a smart way to diversify your income. This business idea involves building software that helps companies automatically find and collect potential customer leads, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and interests, from various sources like websites and social media channels.
By automating the process of finding new clients, your tool could save businesses a lot of time and effort, allowing them to focus on converting these leads into customers. This can be particularly appealing given the high demand for efficient marketing solutions. If you have both technical skills and an interest in marketing, developing a lead generation tool could turn into a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business.
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.
4. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
Starting a WordPress plugin business could be a great side hustle for you as a web developer. Given your skills, you likely understand how essential plugins are for running a successful WordPress website. By identifying common problems or needs that website owners face, you could develop plugins that offer specific solutions.
Once you create a useful plugin, you could sell it on platforms like CodeCanyon, on your own blog, or even on a dedicated website you create just for the plugin. This way, every time someone buys or downloads your plugin, you'll be making extra money. Developing WordPress plugins doesn't just offer a way to earn supplemental income, but it also allows you to leverage your current skills in your free time to create something valuable and in demand.
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.
5. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Developing a mobile app as a web developer could be a promising venture to supplement your income and even generate passive revenue. With your existing coding skills and experience in user interface design, you're already equipped with the foundational knowledge required. All you need is a clear idea, an understanding of user needs, and a well-thought-out strategy for marketing your app.
Creating a mobile app allows you to leverage your technical know-how to build tools that people might find useful or entertaining, potentially attracting a broad user base. Successful apps often solve everyday problems or provide unique entertainment, which can lead to significant downloads and revenue. Whether it’s a productivity tool, a game, or something in between, the potential is vast for those willing to invest time and creativity.
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.
6. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a web developer, you could leverage your coding skills to start a social media automation business. This would involve creating tools and services to help clients schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various social media platforms. Your technical expertise can create seamless solutions that save your clients time and improve their social media presence.
With the growing need for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there's a strong demand for automation tools. You could cater to small businesses and influencers who are willing to pay for effective social media management. By staying updated on the latest social media trends and building solid relationships with your clients, you could turn this venture into a lucrative and fulfilling side hustle.
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.
7. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a web developer, you could supplement your income by creating an AI writing tool designed to assist in content generation. Leveraging your coding skills, you could build a digital product that uses Artificial Intelligence to help businesses, bloggers, and students generate accurate and engaging content more efficiently. This tool could save users time by automating the writing process, making it an attractive utility in a world where constant, high-quality content is in high demand.
Additionally, since you have the technical know-how, you could ensure that the AI writing tool is highly functional and reliable, increasing user trust and satisfaction. By addressing common pain points in content creation, such as time constraints and the need for error-free writing, you could position your tool as an indispensable resource for writers. This entrepreneurial opportunity allows you to make a significant impact on the digital landscape while earning passive income.
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.
8. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a web developer, tapping into the growing e-learning market by starting an online course sales business could be a fantastic way to earn passive income. You could create courses on web development topics like front-end frameworks, back-end development, or web design principles. Your expertise and experience in the field provide a strong foundation to develop valuable content that others are willing to pay for.
All you need is to identify a target audience, whether it’s beginners wanting to learn coding basics or professionals looking to upgrade their skills. Once you’ve created your course, you could choose an online learning platform to host and sell it. Given the e-learning market's anticipated growth to over $645 billion, launching an online course could be both a fulfilling and profitable venture.
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 brain sensing headband business
As a web developer, starting a brain-sensing headband business could be a powerful way to leverage your technical skills for passive income. Given your background, you could design and build a user-friendly website to sell the headbands online, optimizing it for search engines to attract more visitors and potential customers. Your understanding of web analytics could help you fine-tune your marketing strategies, ensuring you reach your target audience effectively.
Additionally, you could develop accompanying applications or software that work with the headbands, creating a complete package that enhances the user experience. By incorporating features like progress tracking and customizable settings, you add significant value to the product, making it more attractive to buyers and encouraging repeat business. This combination of hardware and software expertise could set your business apart in the growing market of brain-sensing technology.
10. Make passive income with a SEO & lead generation service ($60K/month)
As a web developer, starting a SEO and lead generation service could be a practical way to supplement your income. You likely already possess technical skills and an understanding of how websites function, which are crucial for optimizing websites to rank higher in search engine results, thereby attracting more visitors. By learning the basics of lead generation and gaining some experience in digital marketing, you could offer a valuable service to businesses looking to increase their online presence and customer base.
With your background in web development, you could provide comprehensive solutions by enhancing website performance and attracting quality leads. Businesses are often in need of someone who can not only drive traffic but also understand the technical aspects of maintaining a functional and user-friendly site. By diversifying your skillset to include SEO and lead generation, you open up the possibility of creating multiple revenue streams through ongoing client retainers or performance-based contracts.
How much you can make: $8,000 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A link building company co-founded by Justas Markus has grown to make an average of $35k per month in recurring revenue with a focus on delivering high-quality services through manual processes and focusing on fewer markets.
11. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a web developer, starting a niche blog could be an excellent way to make extra money and build a passive income stream using your existing skills. You could focus on a subject you’re passionate about, such as web development tools, tips for coding efficiency, or reviews of the latest tech gadgets. Producing content like how-to guides, product reviews, and tutorials could attract a dedicated audience and establish you as an authority in your chosen topic.
To monetize your blog, you could use affiliate links, partner with tech brands, or grow a YouTube channel that complements your written content. Participating in conventions or speaking at events could also help you grow your following. To be successful, you need to consistently create engaging content and actively interact with your audience.
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.
12. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a web developer, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a natural extension of your skills and interests. With your expertise in building and optimizing websites, you could create a platform that attracts visitors interested in specific products or services. By promoting these products and linking to sales pages, you could earn commissions for every successful sale.
To get started, you could learn how to identify the right products and brands to partner with. For instance, you might decide to work with an eCommerce store or partner with a manufacturer to market their products. This way, you could leverage your technical skills to build a successful affiliate marketing site that generates passive income.
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.
13. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a web developer, you could leverage your skills to create a niche website, focusing on a specialized topic you're passionate about. This would allow you to exercise your creativity and technical expertise while building a platform that attracts a dedicated audience interested in that niche.
The process involves selecting a niche, crafting relevant and engaging content, and employing SEO strategies to drive traffic to your site. With time and effort, you could monetize your site through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products, creating a steady stream of passive income. For web developers looking to use their skills in a new way, starting a niche website could be a fulfilling and financially rewarding venture.
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.
14. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
As a web developer, starting a cold email service business could be a smart way to branch out and supplement your income. You already possess technical skills and an understanding of how to measure website performance, which can translate well into tracking email metrics like open rates and conversions.
In this business, you could help companies reach new clients directly by crafting and sending targeted email campaigns. You'd need to understand client needs, research target audiences, and use various email marketing tools. The ability to write compelling emails and analyze results is crucial, so your blend of technical and analytical skills could be invaluable.
The best part is that this business has the potential for scaling. You could begin by offering lead generation services for small businesses and expand as your portfolio of success stories grows. By combining your marketing acumen with your technical knowhow, you provide a service that's always in demand.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)
GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.
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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.
