Display ads are the most common way bloggers make money. But ads alone rarely pay the bills. If you want to earn a proper income from your blog, you need alternative income streams. Here are seven ways UK bloggers can monetise their blogs without relying on display ads.
Why Move Beyond Ad Revenue?
Display ads pay very little unless you have millions of page views each month. According to industry reports, most UK bloggers earn less than £50 per month from display ads in their first two years. That is not enough to justify the hours you spend writing content.
Alternative income streams let you earn more from fewer readers. A blog with 5,000 loyal readers can make more money through digital products or services than a blog with 50,000 readers relying on ad revenue alone.
1. Sell Digital Products
Digital products are one of the best ways to monetise a blog. You create them once and sell them forever. Popular digital products include ebooks, templates, worksheets, printables and online courses.
For example, a food blogger could sell printable meal planners. A personal finance blogger could sell budget spreadsheets. A travel blogger could sell itinerary templates.
Start with something simple. Create a PDF guide related to your niche. Sell it for £5-£15. Test the market before investing time in bigger products like courses.
If you want to learn more about creating and selling digital products, read our detailed guide on how to create and sell digital products on your blog.
2. Offer Services
Your blog is a portfolio. It shows potential clients what you can do. Use it to offer services related to your niche.
If you write about interior design, offer virtual styling consultations. If you write about fitness, offer personalised workout plans. If you write about business, offer consulting sessions.
Services have a high earning potential. A single client can pay you more in one month than display ads pay in a whole year. Start by offering services to your existing readers. They already trust your expertise.
3. Build a Membership Community
Membership communities are growing fast. Readers pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content, community and support. Platforms like Patreon, Memberful and WordPress plugins make it easy to set up.
Offer different membership tiers. A basic tier might give access to exclusive posts. A premium tier could include monthly live Q&A sessions or one-to-one support.
The key to a successful membership is ongoing value. Keep creating exclusive content. Engage with your members regularly. Listen to what they want and deliver it.
4. Write Sponsored Content
Sponsored content pays better than display ads. Brands pay you to write about their products or services. The key is to work with brands that fit your niche and audience.
Build a media kit that shows your blog stats, audience demographics and past work. Reach out to brands you already use and love. Genuine recommendations perform better than forced partnerships.
If you are new to working with brands, our guide to creating a blog media kit will help you get started.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing remains one of the most effective ways to earn from a blog. You recommend products and earn a commission when readers buy through your links.
Choose affiliate programmes that pay well and match your niche. Amazon Associates is popular but pays low rates. Look for niche-specific affiliate programmes that offer 20-50% commission.
Disclose your affiliate links clearly. UK law requires it, and it builds trust with your readers. For a full breakdown, check out our complete guide to affiliate marketing for UK bloggers.
6. Sell Online Courses
Online courses are a natural extension of your blog content. If you have written several posts about a topic, you probably have enough material for a course.
Your blog readers already know and trust you. They are your first customers. Price your course between £20 and £200 depending on the depth and value.
Use platforms like Teachable or Thinkific to host your course. Promote it through your blog posts and email list. A well-structured course can generate consistent income for years.
7. Offer Paid Newsletters
Paid newsletters are becoming popular. Platforms like Substack and ConvertKit let you charge readers for premium email content.
A paid newsletter works well if you have strong opinions and insights. Readers pay for your perspective and curation. It is a low-effort income stream once you build the habit.
Start with a free newsletter. Grow your subscriber base. Then introduce a paid tier with exclusive content. Many UK bloggers earn £500-£5,000 per month from paid newsletters alone.
Which Income Stream Should You Start With?
Start with one income stream and do it well. Trying to do everything at once leads to burnout and poor results.
If you enjoy creating things, start with digital products. If you like teaching, try online courses or a membership. If you prefer one-to-one work, offer services.
The best income stream is the one that fits your skills and interests. Your readers can tell when you genuinely enjoy what you do.
Final Tips for Blog Monetisation Success
Build your email list from day one. Your email subscribers are your most valuable asset. They are the people most likely to buy your products and services. Read our guide to building an email list for your blog to get started.
Track your earnings. Know which income streams work best. Double down on what works and cut what does not.
Be patient. Building alternative income streams takes time. Most UK bloggers start seeing significant results after 6-12 months of consistent effort.
Monetising without ads gives you more control over your income. Start with one stream, grow it and expand from there.