Where You Should Be Selling You Showit Website Templates.

There’s no doubt about it—selling website templates is one of the best ways to earn passive income as a web designer. Sure, you want those 1:1 clients, but creating templates that you sell again and again? That’s just smart business. The beauty of templates is that you do the work once and continue reaping the rewards over time. The big question, though, is where to sell them.

From running your own online store to leveraging large marketplaces, here’s a breakdown of the best places to sell your website templates, so you can find the right fit for your business.

How Much Money Can You Make Selling Templates?

The earning potential from selling website templates can be huge, but like any business, it depends on the platform, the quality of your designs, and your marketing efforts. Take Tonic Sites, a Showit Design Partner, for example. They’ve publicly shared that they’ve made $15 million from selling Showit website templates alone. That’s not just a fluke; it shows what’s possible with high-quality, in-demand designs and a strong brand presence.

While hitting the $15 million mark is an extraordinary case, even selling a few templates a month can be a game-changer. Let’s break it down:

• Selling 2 templates per month at $500 each: That’s $1000—enough to cover some bills or rent.
• Selling 5 templates per month at $500 each: That’s $2,500—which could be your entire rent and utilities.
• Selling 10 templates per month at $500 each: Now you’re looking at $5,000—a solid side income or part of a full-time gig.

The beauty of selling templates is that, once they’re created, you can keep earning from them month after month. Some designers focus on quantity, cranking out numerous templates, while others lean into high-ticket items that are more exclusive and priced higher. Either way, there’s real potential to supplement or even replace your income.

Pro Tip: Start by setting realistic goals. Even modest sales can add up to substantial revenue over time, and once your designs gain traction, those numbers can skyrocket.

1. Your Own Website

• Commission: 0% – Full profit goes to you!
• Added Fees: Minimal (Showit Payment, payment gateway, marketing)
• URL: Your domain, of course!

Description:
Selling website templates on your own website is like running your own store – no middlemen, no commissions, and you keep 100% of the profits! However, the challenge is in driving traffic. Without a solid SEO strategy or a strong marketing plan, you might find it tough to get your templates in front of the right audience. To succeed here, you’ll need to use social media, email marketing, and potentially paid ads to promote your templates. The upside? Full control over pricing and customer relationships.

Pro Tip: If you’re new, be prepared for a long game. Ranking on Google’s first page for competitive keywords requires an aggressive SEO campaign, but it’s worth it in the long run.

2. Creative Market

• Commission: 50%
• Added Fees: None, but keep in mind taxes may apply.
• URL: Creative Market

Description:
Creative Market is one of the top online marketplaces for digital design assets. It’s known for its premium quality offerings, which can justify higher prices compared to other platforms. However, the downside is the steep commission rate – they take 50% of each sale, which is a significant cut. That being said, the platform’s large customer base and strong brand reputation can help your templates reach a bigger, more premium audience. Having Creative market take such as big fee it makes more sense to spend the time and money promoting your own website. However it’s still easy money so make the right decision for you and where you are in your business.

Pro Tip: Focus on quality over quantity here. Creative Market is competitive, and to stand out, your designs need to be unique, polished, and professional.

3. Etsy

• Commission: 6.5% per sale
• Added Fees: $0.20 listing fee per item
• URL: Etsy

Description:
Etsy is a well-known marketplace for handcrafted and digital products, including website templates. While the platform is great for beginners due to its ease of use and wide audience, it’s known for lower prices and a “race to the bottom” atmosphere. Many designers struggle to charge premium prices, as customers on Etsy often expect bargains. It’s an excellent place to get started and build an initial portfolio, but scaling your business with higher profit margins might be tricky.

Pro Tip: Use Etsy’s built-in marketing tools like Etsy Ads and SEO optimization to boost your visibility.

4. Showit

• Commission: 35-40%
• Added Fees: None, though partnership status may require certain fees or commitments.
• URL: Showit

Description:
Showit is a web design platform that caters to non-coders, allowing users to build customizable websites. As a Showit Design Partner, you can sell your templates directly in their store. This option is ideal if you’re looking to target a niche audience – photographers, small business owners, and creatives. Once accepted into their partner program, you can submit designs for inclusion in their template store, though you might be limited in how many templates you can upload.

Pro Tip: Becoming a Showit Design Partner is an achievement in itself and offers credibility.

5. Envato: ThemeForest

• Commission: Starts at 37.5%, decreases as sales increase
• Added Fees: Depending on the country, a buyer’s fee may apply.
• URL: ThemeForest

Description:
ThemeForest by Envato is a massive marketplace for themes and website templates. It’s one of the largest and most popular platforms, but it comes with significant competition. If you manage to break through, you can potentially sell a lot of templates, and the commission structure rewards high sellers – starting at 37.5% and improving as your sales grow. However, you’ll need to meet strict submission guidelines and quality standards, so expect a thorough review process before your templates go live.

Pro Tip: Focus on creating niche, high-quality templates with unique functionality. Standing out in a crowded marketplace like ThemeForest is essential for success.

Final Thoughts

Selling website templates can be a great way to make passive income, but your choice of platform will determine your success. If you want full control and higher profit margins, consider selling on your own website, though it requires more effort upfront. If you’re looking for easy access to a large audience, Creative Market, Etsy, Showit, and ThemeForest all offer fantastic opportunities, but be ready to part with a portion of your profits.