Sell custom products with Printify
With the global dropshipping market expected to reach $476.1 billion by 2026, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular online business models.
While traditional dropshipping is a solid starting point, exploring alternative models is essential to remain competitive and meet market demand.
This guide explores profitable alternatives to dropshipping in 2025, helping you find the perfect fit to diversify your income or launch your entrepreneurial journey.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Why look for an alternative online business model?
There are several reasons why individuals and eCommerce stores may want to look for alternatives to dropshipping:
- Over-reliance on suppliers
Dropshipping involves relying on third-party suppliers, leading to quality control challenges, inventory issues, and shipping delays.
- Market saturation and competition
The market can quickly become oversaturated with other dropshipping store owners selling the same product as yours, making it challenging for your own business to stand out.
- Low-profit margin
Dropshipping often results in lower earnings than a traditional retail model due to the supply chain and order fulfillment costs.
Alternatives to dropshipping in eCommerce
![Dropshipping alternatives: Guide for [bp_year] 1](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alternatives-to-dropshipping-in-eCommerce-1024x576.png "Alternatives to dropshipping in eCommerce")
Besides running a dropshipping store, there are many popular online business models that can help you succeed in the competitive eCommerce landscape.
Whether you’re seeking greater control over inventory, unique branding opportunities, excellent customer service, or simply a more enjoyable way to make money, we’ll go over some ideas that can lead you to a profitable business.
Print on Demand dropshipping business
This is a popular alternative to classic dropshipping that allows you to create custom products with your own brand designs and there’s no need to hold inventory.
You’ll pay for order fulfillment only after a customer orders something from your online store.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zero upfront costs Create and sell custom products without spending money ordering product inventory and renting storage facilities. | Low-profit margin You’ll only keep a small percentage from the sale, as you need to pay suppliers for printing and shipping orders. With Printify, it’s possible to set your own retail prices, but we recommend a 40% profit margin to ensure business growth. |
| On-demand fulfillment Products are printed as orders come in, reducing the risk of overstocking and unsold inventory. | Limited fulfillment control Dropshipping suppliers handle order fulfillment, limiting your involvement. This can result in issues with stock and quality control, which leads to unsatisfied customers. |
| Wide range of products Print-on-demand services like Printify offer diverse customizable products, from apparel and accessories to home decor and consumer products. | Order delays Fulfillment times vary for reasons out of your control, potentially resulting in longer wait times for customers. We offer a global network of trusted Print Providers – check their average production times in our Product Catalog. |
| Scalability It’s easy to expand your product offer and reach new markets with integrations to popular sales channels. |
Check out our blog on alternatives to screen printing to find the best printing method for your print-on-demand merch.
Inventory-based selling
This business model means purchasing and storing inventory before selling it to customers.
While it may require more upfront investment and logistical management, inventory-based models offer greater control and potentially more money.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full control Ensure consistency and customer satisfaction with complete control over order fulfillment and shipping. | Necessary upfront investment You’ll need starting capital to purchase products and additional funds to cover shipping costs. Unless you opt for in-house fulfillment, you may also need to invest in a storage facility. |
| Custom packaging It’s easy to customize order packaging to align with your brand identity. | Risk of overstocking Overestimating demand can lead to excess inventory, raising storage costs and forcing markdowns to clear leftover stock. |
| Faster fulfillment times Since products are already stocked and ready for shipping, fulfillment times are typically faster than on-demand models. | Time-consuming Managing inventory levels, tracking stock movements, and forecasting market demand requires careful planning, which can be complex and tedious. |
| High-profit margin There’s no need to pay a third-party supplier to fulfill orders, and purchasing inventory in bulk often comes at a lower price. | Seasonal fluctuations Inventory-based business models are highly susceptible to seasonal demand, requiring you to anticipate and adjust inventory levels accordingly. |
Selling digital products and courses
![Dropshipping alternatives: Guide for [bp_year] 2](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Selling-digital-products-and-courses-1024x576.png "Selling digital products and courses")
This dropshipping business alternative allows you to create and sell digital products like graphic designs, eBooks, online courses, and subscriptions.
It’s one of the best online business models if you want to avoid the complexities of handling physical inventory or overseeing order fulfillment and earn passive income even while you sleep.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low overhead costs No need for storage, order outsourcing, or managing shipping logistics. | Necessary initial investment Although you may not need to spend any money, if you have the right tools, creating digital products still requires time and effort. |
| Diverse product options It’s possible to sell various digital products and services (designs, templates, eBooks, online teaching) in different variations (basic vs premium packages) to meet the needs of your target audience. | Need for some technical skills Developing and maintaining digital products often requires a good understanding of graphic design and video programs, as well as digital marketing skills. Consider starting a drop-servicing business to outsource digital content creation. |
| Passive income Digital products can be repeatedly sold without restocking or managing order fulfillment. | High competition The digital products market is highly competitive, with countless online businesses and creators offering the same products. |
| Flexible pricing models Set various pricing models, such as one-time purchases, subscriptions, or tiered pricing, to maximize revenue and cater to different customer segments. | Intellectual property violations Protecting digital products from piracy and unauthorized distribution can be very challenging, potentially leading to revenue loss and damage to brand reputation. |
Go through our suggestions on free Photoshop alternatives to find the best tools for creating your digital content, and check out Copyright 101 to be on the safe side when printing.
Wholesale business model
This dropshipping alternative means buying products in bulk from manufacturers or distributors at discounted prices and reselling them at a higher price to retailers or consumers.
It’s a profitable business model that allows you to benefit from economies of scale and negotiate favorable pricing, in turn receiving more control and maximizing profit margins.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-profit margin Buying products in bulk at a lower price enables you to earn more money from higher retail prices. | Necessary upfront investment Requires a significant initial investment to purchase products, cover shipping costs, and secure a storage facility if you don’t use in-house fulfillment. |
| Full control Complete oversight of inventory levels, quality standards, and customer experience. | Time-consuming Handling stock and predicting market demand means a lot of effort and time going into planning. |
| Bulk discounts Purchasing large quantities of products offers the potential for significant volume discounts. Save up to 30% on shipping by placing a bulk order with Printify. | Risk of overstocking It can tie up capital and increase storage costs if products don’t sell as expected. |
| Custom branding Handling and controlling your inventory enables you to create a cohesive brand experience, from packaging to delivery. | Market fluctuations Your online business will be susceptible to changes in consumer demand, requiring you to adapt your product offer and pricing strategies to remain competitive. |
Affiliate marketing accounts
A great alternative to running a dropshipping store – you won’t even need to open your own shop. Affiliate marketing means promoting third-party products and earning a commission for each referral made through your own custom links.
This highly profitable online business model eliminates the need to hold inventory and carry out order fulfillment; you’ll earn money from marketing and driving traffic to your affiliate partners.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low startup costs You don’t need any starting capital to join an affiliate marketing program and receive an affiliate link. However, some programs will require you to have promotional channels and an established following. | Commission structure Affiliate commission rates vary widely with some programs offering very low rates for driving traffic from your custom links. Join the Printify Affiliate Program and enjoy a 5% commission from each sale. |
| No inventory or order fulfillment There’s no need to worry about stocking products or managing inventory levels. | Limited control Changes in terms or termination of affiliate programs will directly impact your income. |
| Passive income Earn commissions over time without ongoing effort by joining several affiliate marketing programs. | High competition Standing out from other brands and attracting conversions will require effective marketing strategies and targeting a specific niche market. |
| Flexibility Promote various products and services across multiple niches, catering to different audience segments. | Initially time-consuming Building trust with your target audience will take a lot of time and effort if you don’t already have an established following. |
| Scalability There are no limits to how much you can make, and there’s a high potential to earn more by growing your audience and joining more programs. | Revenue fluctuations Seasonality, market trends, and changes in consumer behavior can directly impact your affiliate program earnings. |
Follow our guide on how to create a website for affiliate marketing and find the best AI tools for affiliate marketing to make use of virtual agent services.
Online blogging
This is a great dropshipping alternative if you want to earn money by creating and publishing valuable content on online blogging platforms.
It’s easy to combine this method with affiliate marketing, Print on Demand, selling digital products, and alternative business models to diversify your income streams.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low barrier to entry It’s possible to start blogging for free, so it’s accessible to anyone with limited capital. | Time-consuming Building a successful blog means creating a high-quality website with valuable content, engaging with your audience, and implementing effective marketing strategies. |
| Flexible revenue streams Monetize your content through various revenue streams, including Print on Demand, affiliate marketing, digital product sales, sponsored posts, and ad revenue. | Advertising costs Paid advertising may be necessary to boost website traffic and monetization opportunities. |
| Passive income Use effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and create high-quality content to increase revenue potential by attracting organic traffic from popular search engines like Google. | Unreliable income Changes in advertising rates, affiliate program terms, and audience engagement will directly impact your income. |
| Authority and influence It’s an opportunity to establish yourself as an authority in your niche and build a loyal audience. | High competition Standing out from the crowd and attracting a dedicated audience requires unique and valuable content, SEO, social media management, and paid advertising. |
Check out our list of the best blogging platforms to make money and our guide on monetizing a blog.
Online freelancing
![Dropshipping alternatives: Guide for [bp_year] 3](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Online-freelancing-1024x576.png "Online freelancing")
Becoming an online freelancer involves offering your skills in fields like graphic design, digital marketing, copywriting, or web development to clients on a contractual basis.
List your services on your own online business, our Experts Program, or platforms like Fiverr, which provide opportunities for any online freelancer to find gigs, earn money, and build a loyal client base.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low barrier to entry It’s possible to start freelancing without spending money, making it accessible to anyone with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. | Unreliable income Project availability and client demands will directly impact your income. |
| Flexibility Choose projects and set your own schedule according to your preferences. | Client dependence Success as a freelancer often relies on maintaining good client relationships and continuously securing new projects, which can be challenging. |
| Project variety Offer your services in various industries, catering to different client needs and preferences. | Skill diversification You may need to continuously upgrade your skills to remain competitive in the industry. |
| Global reach Work with clients from different geographic locations and industries. | High competition Online freelancing platforms are packed with thousands of other online freelancers. |
| Portfolio building Freelancing enables you to collect a diverse portfolio of work, which can later help showcase your skills and expertise to potential clients and employers. | Administrative tasks You’ll be in charge of preparing your own invoices, contract negotiation, and project management. |
Manufacturing with private labeling
This dropshipping alternative involves creating custom-branded products by working directly with manufacturers. This gives you full control over the product, branding, and packaging and the potential to make more money.
Sell private label products on your own eCommerce store, popular online sales channels, or local retail stores.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full control Oversee product development, branding, and packaging to ensure products align with your brand identity. | Significant upfront investment Requires investment in custom product development, manufacturing, branding, and packaging. |
| High customization Tailor products to meet specific market demands and consumer preferences. | Minimum order quantities Manufacturers often require specific order minimums, which can result in excess inventory. |
| High-profit margin By working directly with manufacturers, you’ll enjoy higher profit margins than with a wholesale business model. | Lengthy lead times Product complexity, order volume, and manufacturer capacity can result in substantial delays. |
| Brand exclusivity Establish exclusive brands and products that no one else is selling, reducing competition and increasing customer loyalty. | High risk Investing in large quantities of inventory without guaranteed sales can result in a lot of unsold goods and financial losses. |
| Quality assurance Working closely with manufacturers helps you ensure product quality and consistency. | Time-consuming Managing tasks associated with developing private-label goods can take much time and effort. |
How to start a successful online business with Printify?
If you’re looking for something like dropshipping that offers the convenience of someone else preparing and shipping orders to customers – start selling custom products with the print-on-demand business model.
Use Printify to create high-quality products with custom designs and sell them online for a profit!
Sign up for Printify
Create a free Printify account to access a wide range of customizable goods with affordable and consistent product pricing, integrations with online sales channels, and automated order fulfillment.
Connect your online store
Choose a sales channel for your print-on-demand dropshipping business. Open a free Pop-Up Store to sell products via a unique link or use our integrations to connect with eCommerce platforms like Shopify or marketplaces like Etsy.
If these popular sales channels don’t seem right for you – don’t worry, there are alternatives:
Design your products
Browse our Product Catalog of over 1,300 high-quality items to find the perfect additions for your store, then click Start designing.
Upload your artwork or create completely new and unique designs with our Product Creator. It offers free graphics, fonts, an AI Image Generator, and professional graphics editing tools.
Create, layer, scale, and adjust your designs to perfection, generate high-quality product mockups, and publish them to your store.
Launch your eCommerce store and start selling
Once your store is set up and products designed, launch your online business and start making money.
We’ll handle the production and shipping of your orders so you can focus on marketing, providing excellent customer service, and growing your business.
FAQ: Dropshipping alternatives
Dropshipping is a business model where online businesses sell products sourced from third-party suppliers who handle inventory, packaging, and shipping directly to customers on behalf of the online store.
This allows you to focus on marketing without the need to manage inventory or fulfillment and shipping logistics.
Yes, popular alternatives include Print on Demand and inventory-based selling, offering digital products and courses, wholesale, affiliate marketing, blogging, online freelancing, and manufacturing with private labeling.
While it’s possible to make $1,000/month with dropshipping, your success depends on various factors, such as your target audience, product selection, industry competition, and marketing strategies.
Running your own dropshipping business in 2025 can be a highly profitable venture, but it’s important to also explore other business models that align with your business goals and target audience.
Check out our guide on dropshipping for beginners to learn the basics and best practices for dropshipping.
Conclusion
What’s better than dropshipping? Only you can answer that question, but we’ve explored a range of profitable alternatives in this blog, from Print on Demand to affiliate marketing.
Whatever you choose, Printify is here to support you with expert advice on making money online.
Start your business with Printify today and unlock a world of profitable possibilities in 2025!
