🌐 How to Earn Step-by-Step by Selling Website Themes
📘 Introduction
Every day, thousands of people launch blogs, businesses, e-commerce stores, portfolios, and landing pages. What’s the one thing all of them need? A website theme. These themes—templates that define the layout, design, and functionality of a website—are always in demand.
If you have a passion for design or development, you can turn your creativity into a sustainable online income by selling website themes. Whether it’s for WordPress, Shopify, HTML, or niche builders like Webflow or Ghost, there’s a large global market hungry for ready-to-use, professional-looking themes.
In this guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step process to create, launch, and profit from selling website themes in 2025—even if you’re starting from scratch.
💡 What Is a Website Theme?
A website theme is a pre-designed template that controls how a website looks and behaves. It includes:
- Layout design (headers, footers, pages)
- Color schemes and fonts
- Built-in functionality (sliders, navigation)
- Responsive behavior (mobile/tablet views)
- Customization options
Website themes are popular on platforms like:
- WordPress
- Shopify
- Webflow
- Ghost
- HTML5
- Blogger
- Wix/Squarespace
💰 Why Selling Website Themes is a Great Way to Earn
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Huge Global Market | Millions of websites launched daily |
| 🛒 Passive Income | Build once, sell endlessly |
| 💸 High Profit Margins | Digital product with zero inventory |
| 🔁 Repeat Sales | Sell updates, versions, and add-ons |
| 🧰 Low Investment | Just your time, tools, and skills |
| 🔥 Growing Trend | No-code & DIY web building is exploding |
🪜 Step-by-Step Guide to Start Earning from Selling Website Themes
✅ Step 1: Choose Your Platform
Pick one or more platforms to design themes for. Each has its audience and earning model.
🔧 Popular Platforms for Selling Themes:
| Platform | Skills Needed | Users |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | PHP, HTML, CSS, JS | Bloggers, businesses |
| Shopify | Liquid, CSS, JS | E-commerce sellers |
| Webflow | No-code, design-focused | Startups, creatives |
| HTML/CSS | Static site coding | Developers |
| Ghost | Node.js + Handlebars | Bloggers, publications |
🟢 Tip: Start with the platform you’re most comfortable with. WordPress and HTML templates are beginner-friendly and high in demand.
✅ Step 2: Learn the Tools & Technologies
Each platform has its own ecosystem. To build high-quality themes, learn:
- HTML5 & CSS3
- JavaScript (for interactivity)
- Responsive design (Flexbox, Grid, Media queries)
- For WordPress: PHP, template hierarchy, theme hooks
- For Shopify: Liquid (templating language)
- For Webflow: Visual designer and CMS integration
🛠 Recommended Learning Resources:
- FreeCodeCamp.org
- W3Schools
- YouTube (Traversy Media, DesignCourse)
- WordPress.org Developer Handbook
- Shopify.dev
✅ Step 3: Decide Your Niche
Choose a specific type of theme to create based on your interests and market demand.
🔥 High-Demand Theme Niches:
| Niche | Audience |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | Designers, photographers |
| Blog/Magazine | Writers, lifestyle bloggers |
| Business | Agencies, consultancies |
| E-commerce | Shopify/Shopline sellers |
| Landing Pages | Startups, product launches |
| Real Estate | Brokers, builders |
| Non-profits | NGOs, charities |
| Course Creators | Coaches, online teachers |
🎯 Niche themes perform better than generic ones and help you stand out.
✅ Step 4: Design the Theme
Now comes the creative part. Design your theme layout using tools like:
- Figma (free and collaborative)
- Adobe XD
- Sketch (Mac only)
- Webflow (for visual drag-and-drop)
🧱 Core Pages to Design:
- Homepage
- About Page
- Blog/Post Layout
- Contact Page
- Product/Service Page (for business/ecom themes)
- 404 and Search Results
🧑🎨 Keep it clean, modern, and responsive (works on mobile and tablet).
✅ Step 5: Convert Design to Code
Once you’re satisfied with the design, convert it into working code.
For HTML Templates:
- Convert Figma to HTML/CSS
- Add animations with JavaScript or libraries like AOS
- Optimize for performance and accessibility
For WordPress:
- Create a custom theme using functions.php, style.css
- Use theme hooks, template tags
- Add theme options panel (using Customizer API or ACF)
For Shopify:
- Code using Liquid templating
- Use Shopify CLI for development
- Ensure responsiveness and store compatibility
✅ Test your theme across browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and devices.
✅ Step 6: Add Theme Features & Documentation
To increase value and usability, include:
✅ Features to Consider:
- Light/Dark mode
- Color & font switcher
- One-click demo import
- SEO optimization
- Mobile responsiveness
- Blog module
- Contact form integration
📄 Create a Documentation File:
Include:
- Installation steps
- Customization guide
- FAQs
- Screenshots
- Support info (email or website)
✅ Step 7: Package and Prepare Your Theme for Sale
Bundle everything into a clean, ready-to-upload format.
📦 What to Include in Your Final ZIP File:
- All theme files (.html, .css, .php, .liquid, etc.)
- Documentation (.pdf or .md)
- Preview images
- License file (usage terms)
- Demo content (optional)
🧰 Test the package before uploading. Buyers expect a smooth install experience.
✅ Step 8: Choose Where to Sell
Pick one or multiple marketplaces to list your theme.
🛒 Best Platforms to Sell Website Themes:
| Platform | Audience | Pros |
|---|---|---|
| ThemeForest | Global | Huge exposure, strict quality |
| Creative Market | Designers, freelancers | Easy to list |
| TemplateMonster | Businesses, bloggers | Good pricing |
| Mojo Marketplace | WordPress users | Medium exposure |
| Etsy | Small creators, bloggers | Handmade theme appeal |
| Gumroad | Direct sales | Keep 90% profits |
| Your Website | Full control | Use WordPress + WooCommerce or Shopify |
📢 Don’t depend on one source. Diversify across platforms.
✅ Step 9: Create a Demo Site and Previews
Buyers want to see a live preview before they buy.
🖥 Include:
- Live demo link (e.g., yourdomain.com/theme-name)
- High-quality screenshots
- Video demo walkthrough (optional)
- Feature highlights list
- What’s included and who it’s for
Use Netlify, Vercel, or cPanel hosting to publish your demo.
✅ Step 10: Set the Right Price
Price based on:
- Quality
- Features
- Platform
- Target market
💰 Sample Pricing:
| Theme Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic HTML Template | $10 – $20 |
| WordPress Theme | $30 – $70 |
| Shopify Theme | $80 – $180 |
| Premium Bundle | $150+ |
| Extended License | $300 – $1000 |
🎯 Always offer a free version or discount for first buyers to gather feedback.
✅ Step 11: Promote Your Theme
Now get the word out!
📣 How to Promote:
- Share on Dribbble, Behance, and Pinterest
- Post tutorials on YouTube or Medium
- Run ads on Facebook or Instagram
- Collaborate with design influencers
- List freebies on forums like Reddit, IndieHackers
- Grow an email list for future product launches
🚀 Tip: Use SEO-focused blog posts to bring organic traffic to your store.
✅ Step 12: Provide Support & Build a Brand
Your success depends on happy users.
🧑💻 Offer:
- Fast email support (within 24-48 hrs)
- Bug fixes and updates
- Documentation updates
- Chat support (optional)
Ask for reviews and offer future buyers discounts or free updates.
📊 Earning Potential: How Much Can You Make?
| Level | Monthly Sales | Average Theme Price | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 10 themes | $30 | $300 |
| Intermediate | 50 themes | $50 | $2,500 |
| Advanced | 200+ themes | $70 | $14,000+ |
Some ThemeForest authors earn $10,000+ per month from 1–2 high-quality themes.
🛑 Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
| Unresponsive design | Loses mobile users |
| Poor documentation | Frustrates buyers |
| No demo preview | Fewer conversions |
| Copying others | Leads to bans or legal issues |
| No customer support | Bad reviews & refunds |
🧰 Recommended Tools
| Need | Tool |
|---|---|
| Design | Figma, Adobe XD |
| Code | VS Code, GitHub |
| Hosting | Netlify, Vercel, Hostinger |
| Payments | Gumroad, Stripe |
| Documentation | Notion, GitBook |
| Screenshots | MockupWorld, Smartmockups |
| Icons | Feather Icons, FontAwesome |
🌱 Pro Tips for Long-Term Growth
- 🎁 Offer free mini themes to attract users
- 🔁 Update themes regularly for relevance
- 🏆 Build a portfolio website
- 📥 Collect buyer emails for re-marketing
- 📦 Sell bundles and exclusive licenses
🏁 Final Thoughts
Selling website themes is one of the most profitable digital product models in 2025. It combines creativity, coding, and smart marketing. The best part? Once your themes are live, they can generate passive income for years.
Whether you’re a solo designer or a small team, your journey can begin today.