“A business model describes the rationale of how an organisation creates, delivers, and captures value.”
— Peter Drucker
Online Business Models Explained
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Affiliate Marketing
Promoting other people’s products or services and earning a commission when someone buys through your link.
Often content-driven and slower to start, but relatively simple once set up properly.
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Dropshipping
Selling physical products online without holding stock, with orders fulfilled by a third-party supplier.
Requires strong product research, marketing skills, and realistic expectations around margins.
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Digital Products
Creating and selling downloadable products like guides, templates, or tools.
Front-loaded work, but scalable once the product is built and positioned correctly.
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Content Creation
Building an audience around useful or entertaining content and monetising through ads, affiliates, or products.
Takes consistency and time, but compounds well if done properly.
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Freelancing / Services
Selling a skill or service to clients online.
Often the most straightforward starting point, but tied more closely to your time.
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AI-Assisted Businesses
Using AI tools to speed up or simplify content, services, or product creation.
Effective when paired with a real skill or system, not as a standalone shortcut.
Explore the Digital Income Hub
Guides, breakdowns, and explanations — all in one place.