How to Make 6 Figures As A E Commerce Specialist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a e-commerce specialist? Good for you! Being a e-commerce specialist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a e-commerce specialist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly supplement your income as an e-commerce specialist, enabling you to leverage your existing knowledge and experience to help others achieve their professional goals. By offering personalized guidance in resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement, you could create additional revenue streams while sharing your expertise with a broader audience.

With the flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, you could tailor your coaching services to fit into your current schedule, building a diverse client base that values your specialized advice and accountability. For those with a knack for motivational speaking and human resources expertise, this side business could not only provide financial gain but also the personal satisfaction of empowering others.

By positioning yourself as a trusted expert who guides clients through career transitions and growth opportunities, you could steadily build a robust coaching practice. This entrepreneurial path could ultimately contribute to achieving the six-figure salary goal, giving you both financial freedom and professional fulfillment.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

From Getting Fired At 24 To Growing A $140K/Month Online Community

Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.

Read by 22,381 founders

2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be an effective way for you to supplement your income as an e-commerce specialist and eventually reach six figures. By creating a podcast focused on e-commerce strategies, trends, and insights, you could position yourself as a thought leader in the field. This not only opens up potential revenue streams from sponsorships and advertisements but also increases your visibility and credibility in the industry.

With a minimal initial investment in basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform, you could launch a high-quality podcast without breaking the bank. Sharing your expertise through engaging content could attract a loyal audience of entrepreneurs and business owners who value your insights. Over time, as your listener base grows, you could explore additional monetization options such as offering premium content, creating e-commerce courses, or even consulting services.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,167 founders

3. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Starting an affiliate marketer business could help you make six figures as an e-commerce specialist by leveraging your existing marketing skills to promote other companies' products and earn commissions on referrals. Given your expertise in driving traffic and optimizing sales funnels, you could effectively generate significant revenue with minimal upfront investment. This venture allows you to diversify your income streams and build a scalable business without the need to create or own products.

By signing up for relevant affiliate programs and utilizing your unique tracking links, you could supplement your primary income effortlessly. The low-cost nature of affiliate marketing makes it an attractive, low-risk opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded e-commerce specialists. With dedication and strategic marketing, you could easily reach and surpass the six-figure mark.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

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.

Read by 24,556 founders

4. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative side business that enables you to supplement your income as an e-commerce specialist. Whether you aim to clear your utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation, this venture offers a flexible way to earn extra income without heavy time commitments. You could automate many tasks using social media marketing tools, allowing you to manage your agency efficiently alongside your e-commerce projects.

The key lies in developing a robust social media marketing strategy and creating an appealing agency portfolio to attract clients. With the right approach, not only will this endeavor provide additional financial security, but it could also expand your professional skill set and open doors to new career opportunities. In combining your e-commerce expertise with social media marketing, you could position yourself to achieve a six-figure income more swiftly.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,780 founders

5. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

As an e-commerce specialist, supplementing your income or even starting a new business as a social media influencer could significantly boost your earnings to six figures. Leveraging platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok allows you to build credibility and engage with a vast audience that trusts your expert recommendations. Brands are eager to partner with influencers who have established authority in their field, leading to lucrative sponsorship opportunities and affiliate marketing deals.

By choosing a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise, you could create highly relevant content that resonates with your audience and attracts brand collaborations. With a strategic approach to content creation and audience engagement, you could effectively monetize your social media presence, creating multiple revenue streams that complement your primary e-commerce career.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

How I Started A $2.5K/Month Blog About Motherhood, Life And Travel

How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.

Read by 7,452 founders

6. Digital products ($261K/month)

Creating and selling digital products presents a compelling opportunity for e-commerce specialists aiming to make six figures. Digital products are incredibly versatile, ranging from software applications and games to informational content like eBooks and online courses, or even membership sites and communities. These products are not only easy to create but also simple to distribute, enabling you to build a scalable side business or primary venture.

The beauty of digital products lies in their low overhead costs and high-profit margins. Since there is no physical inventory to manage, you avoid the complexities and expenses tied to traditional e-commerce. By leveraging your existing e-commerce skills to market and sell digital products, you could significantly supplement your income and potentially grow your earnings to six figures.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Created A $30K/Month Marketplace Of Photo Filters And Digital Assets For Creatives

FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.

Read by 11,031 founders

7. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative way for you to reach six figures as an eCommerce specialist. Leveraging your existing expertise in online marketing, product management, and customer engagement, you could create a robust platform that offers consumers the convenience and efficiency they increasingly seek. Lower overhead costs and the ability to reach a global audience make this business model particularly attractive.

Given the booming nature of eCommerce, your store could become a significant income supplement or even evolve into a full-time business. With the right strategies in place, like utilizing advanced payment processing, shopping cart, and inventory tracking software, you could maximize operational efficiency and profitability. This not only increases your revenue streams but also helps you boost your professional credentials and market value.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $20K/Month Southern Inspired Candle Business

Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.

Read by 72,210 founders

8. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Starting an online course could help you reach six figures as an e-commerce specialist by allowing you to leverage your expertise and share specialized knowledge with a global audience. By identifying educational gaps within the e-commerce field and developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could create a valuable resource for aspiring e-commerce professionals.

Additionally, with the potential for passive income through self-paced or cohort-based structures, your online course can generate revenue even as you focus on other aspects of your career or side business. For those with a passion for information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents an entrepreneurial opportunity with low startup costs and significant income potential, as it caters to lifelong learners who seek convenient access to emerging topics in the e-commerce space.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,739 founders

9. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a strategic move for an e-commerce specialist looking to make six figures. By sharing your expertise through engaging videos, you could attract a substantial following, opening up revenue streams such as ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. As an expert, you could offer tutorials, product reviews, and e-commerce strategies that resonate with your audience.

Reaching the minimum requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours needed to join the YouTube Partner Program may seem challenging, but with consistent, high-quality content, it's achievable. Once monetized, your channel could generate significant extra income, or possibly turn into a full-fledged business, leveraging YouTube's established monetization system and immense popularity.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This Couple Makes $5K/Month Generating Content About Ways To Make Money Online

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

Read by 14,439 founders

10. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could provide you with an additional revenue stream and help you establish yourself as a thought leader in the e-commerce field. As an e-commerce specialist, you could leverage your knowledge and expertise to generate quality content that resonates with your audience, potentially attracting substantial web traffic.

Given that blogs are considered the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and that 77% of internet users read blogs, you have an excellent opportunity to reach a broader audience. By creating engaging, informative posts and developing a solid content strategy, you could not only supplement your income but eventually turn your blog into a highly profitable business.

Consider starting with a niche you’re passionate about and build a mailing list to keep your readers engaged. With consistent effort and a strategic approach, your blog could become a substantial source of income, moving you closer to the six-figure mark.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,756 founders

11. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as an e-commerce specialist and even pave the way for a six-figure salary. With your expertise in the e-commerce field, you could create content tailored to the industry, such as articles, product descriptions, and white papers, thus attracting clients who need specialized knowledge. Your entrepreneurial mindset and ability to stay on the cutting edge will further enhance your value as a freelance writer.

Freelance writing offers the flexibility to work on your own schedule and from any location, allowing you to balance both your full-time job and your side business. Developing strong writing and communication skills, as well as keeping up-to-date with the latest writing tools and trends, could help you meet client deadlines and deliver high-quality work. This combination of specialized knowledge and flexibility could uniquely position you to achieve a six-figure income by effectively managing multiple streams of revenue.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,777 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.