WordPress Themes & Plugins

Develop and sell WordPress themes or plugins on marketplaces or your own site

Startup Cost
$500-$2,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
4-8 months
Profit Potential
$2,000-$15,000/month

Overview

WordPress powers 43% of all websites, creating massive demand for themes and plugins that extend functionality.

You can sell themes (design templates for websites) or plugins (tools that add features like contact forms, SEO optimization, or e-commerce capabilities) through marketplaces like ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, or directly from your website.

Successful products solve specific problems - booking systems for salons, directory themes for local businesses, or membership site plugins.

Development requires PHP, JavaScript, and understanding WordPress standards.

One-time purchases range from $20-200, while premium versions with annual licensing generate recurring revenue.

Marketing involves creating compelling demos, detailed documentation, and providing excellent support.

Top-selling themes and plugins generate $5,000-50,000+ monthly through a combination of new sales and support renewals.

The key is identifying underserved niches, creating quality code that's regularly updated, and building reputation through reviews and support.

Required Skills

  • PHP Development
  • JavaScript
  • WordPress Architecture
  • UI/UX Design
  • Customer Support

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High profit margins (80-95%)
  • Recurring revenue from support/updates
  • Huge existing WordPress market
  • Can build brand and multiple products
  • Passive sales through marketplaces

Cons

  • Requires advanced coding skills
  • Ongoing maintenance and updates needed
  • Support requests can be time-consuming
  • Marketplace fees reduce margins (30-50%)
  • Competition from free alternatives

How to Get Started

  1. Identify gap in WordPress ecosystem through forums
  2. Develop MVP with core functionality
  3. Test thoroughly across WordPress versions
  4. Create professional demo site and documentation
  5. Submit to ThemeForest or CodeCanyon
  6. Build own website for direct sales (higher margins)
  7. Provide responsive support to build reviews

Explore More Digital Products Ideas

Discover additional business opportunities in this category.

View All Digital Products Ideas →