10 Creative Ideas on How to Make Money on Canva Today

Key highlights

• Canva makes it easy to design and sell templates, digital products and custom designs, helping you turn creativity into income. 
• Focus on creating unique designs and targeting specific audiences to stand out in a competitive market. 
• Social media and partnerships with influencers can be great ways to promote your Canva creations and attract more customers. 
• Offering bundles and exclusive content can add extra value and keep your customers coming back. 
• Using the right tools and platforms can simplify your work and help grow your Canva business efficiently. 

Introduction

The rise of Canva has transformed how creators monetize their designs through the platform. As more businesses and individuals seek professional-looking content, the demand for customizable templates, digital products and branding solutions has grown rapidly. Canva makes it possible for anyone to tap into this demand, turning their creativity into a reliable income stream. 

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Global Graphic Design market size is USD 49125.2 million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.40% from 2024 to 2031. This offers enormous opportunities for Canva creators.  

This blog explores how to make money on Canva through 10 actionable ways. This, in turn, helps you take your creative skills to the next level and thrive in a competitive market. 

Why Canva stands out: Key features & target audiences for monetizing your creativity 

1. Creatives and designers 

• Who they are: People with design skills who enjoy creating visual content and want to sell or offer services related to design. 
• Needs: Tools for designing templates, custom graphics, branding kits, social media content, etc. 
• Monetization opportunities: Selling templates, designing digital products, offering design services, contributing to the Canva library, creating courses. 

2. Small business owners and entrepreneurs 

• Who they are: Individuals who run their own businesses and need accessible design tools to create professional marketing materials. 
• Needs: Customizable templates, branding materials, marketing graphics and social media content. 
• Monetization opportunities: Purchasing templates or digital products, using Canva for internal design needs, hiring freelancers for design services, branding kits. 

3. Marketers, social media managers and influencers 

• Who they are: Professionals and individuals who rely on visual content for their marketing strategies and social media presence. 
• Needs: Editable templates for social media posts, flyers, promotional graphics, campaign materials and content calendars. 
• Monetization opportunities: Buying ready-made templates, hiring designers, purchasing design packages, selling social media content services. 

10 proven Canva business ideas to start making money 

Canva’s versatility makes it an ideal platform for creating designs and turning creative ideas into income. With its accessible tools, beginners and professionals can start earning money in various ways.  

Whether you’re selling templates, designing products or offering services, Canva provides the features needed to build a profitable creative business. Below are ten proven strategies for how to make money on Canva, complete with actionable steps and insights to help you succeed. 

1. Selling Canva templates

Canva templates are pre-designed layouts that help you create stunning content quickly and easily, making them ideal for selling Canva products online. From Canva template business ideas to creating Canva templates for eCommerce, the possibilities are endless. These templates offer businesses, marketers and individuals a convenient way to save time by providing professionally designed starting points. They are particularly in demand to create social media graphics, resumes, planners and event invitations. 

With the growing need for editable templates, many creators are thriving by monetizing their Canva designs. Selling these templates has become a profitable and long-term opportunity, meeting the needs of a diverse audience seeking both quality and efficiency. 

How to start: 

1. Identify a niche: Decide which audience you want to target, such as small business owners, social media managers or educators. For example, social media managers might need templates for Instagram stories, posts or carousel designs. 
2. Create high-quality templates: Use Canva’s tools to create Canva templates that are not only visually appealing but also functional. Ensure that your designs are easy to edit for non-designers. 
3. Market your templates: Platforms like Etsy, Creative Market and your own website are excellent places to sell Canva templates. If you’re considering launching your own website, check out Bluehost’s guide on how to start an eCommerce store with WordPress. Include appealing previews and descriptions that highlight their features.  
4. Promote your work: Leverage social media platforms like Pinterest or Instagram to showcase your templates and drive traffic to your store. 

Building a collection of templates and maintaining consistent branding can help establish your reputation in this space. Regularly updating your inventory with seasonal or trending designs keeps your shop relevant and appealing. This is specifically helpful for businesses offering social media management services. 

2. Creating digital products

Digital products like eBooks, planners, printable worksheets and lead magnets are entirely online items that can be created, sold and delivered without any physical inventory or shipping. This makes them a cost-effective and scalable option for earning online. 

Canva makes designing these products easy with its user-friendly tools and customizable templates. You can create eye-catching and functional designs that cater to specific audiences, then sell them repeatedly on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad or your own website. 

How to monetize digital products: 

• Pick a product type: Identify what your audience needs. For example, a productivity planner might appeal to working professionals, while a meal planner could be ideal for busy families. 
• Design with purpose: Focus on creating visually appealing designs that are practical and easy to use. Canva’s template library can help you get started with pre-made layouts. 
• Export and optimize: Save your designs in PDF format for printables or editable formats if buyers need customization options. 
• Sell through eCommerce platforms: Use platforms like Gumroad, Shopify or Etsy to make your products available for purchase. 
• Market to your audience: Use blogs, social media or email campaigns to reach potential buyers. Providing free samples can entice users to purchase full versions. 

The digital product market thrives on uniqueness and value. By offering items that solve specific problems or simplify tasks, you can attract loyal customers who return for more. 

3. Creating print-on-demand products

Print-on-demand services allow creators to design custom products like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags and posters without maintaining inventory. Canva makes it simple to design graphics for these products, which can then be uploaded to platforms like Printful, Redbubble or Zazzle for production and fulfillment. 

Getting started: 

• Select a niche: Focus on a specific audience or theme, such as motivational quotes, nature-inspired designs or pop culture references. 
• Design appealing visuals: Use Canva’s design tools to create bold, eye-catching graphics that resonate with your chosen niche. 
• Upload to a print-on-demand platform: These platforms handle the printing and shipping, so your main task is to create and promote the designs. 
• Market your store: Use Pinterest, Instagram and other social media platforms like TikTok to showcase your products in action. High-quality mockups can help customers visualize the items. 

Success in print-on-demand often depends on the uniqueness of your designs and the effectiveness of your marketing strategy. By focusing on trends and customer interests, you can grow your sales. 

4. Offering Canva design services

Many businesses and individuals lack the time or skills to create designs, making Canva design services a valuable offering. With Canva’s tools, you can boost your income by creating graphics, logos, social media posts or even entire branding kits for clients. This service is ideal for freelancers and agencies looking to provide tailored solutions.  

How to begin: 

• Build a portfolio: Create a showcase of your best Canva designs to demonstrate your skills and style. 
• Define your services: Decide on the types of projects you’ll offer, such as social media graphics, social media images, presentation decks or logos. 
• Set up a profile: Use platforms like Fiverr, Upwork or LinkedIn to advertise your services. Clearly outline what clients can expect and include examples of past work. 
• Attract clients: Leverage your network, social media and targeted ads to connect with potential clients. Satisfied customers can lead to referrals and repeat business. 

By providing high-quality designs and excellent customer service, you can establish yourself as a go-to designer for Canva-based projects. 

5. Joining the Canva contributor program

The Canva contributor program is a great way to earn passive income by adding your designs to Canva’s library. With millions of users accessing the platform daily, it offers significant exposure and a steady earning potential. 

How it works: 

• Apply to the program: Submit your application on Canva’s website, showcasing your portfolio and design skills. 
• Focus on in-demand designs: Create templates for popular categories like social media posts, business cards or invitations. 
• Upload your designs: Add your creations to Canva’s library, ensuring they meet the platform’s quality standards. 
• Earn royalties: Get paid each time users incorporate your designs into their projects. 

Consistently uploading fresh and trendy designs can boost your income, as users are always on the lookout for new content. This program is perfect for designers looking to generate income without ongoing effort. 

6. Create and sell courses or tutorials 

Educational content, such as courses on Canva skills like template design or social media graphics, is a profitable way to share your expertise. The growing demand for online learning creates opportunities for creators to earn income by teaching these valuable skills. Canva helps you create high-quality slides, worksheets and visuals that make your course stand out. Platforms like Udemy and Teachable make it easy to reach a wide audience and monetize your knowledge with a simple setup process. 

How to monetize courses: 

• Structure your content: Break your course into clear modules with defined learning objectives to keep students focused. 
• Design professional materials: Use Canva to create polished slides, worksheets and infographics that simplify complex concepts. 
• Choose a hosting platform: Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution offers unmatched scalability compared to Etsy, Shopify and Teachable. Unlike Etsy’s transaction fees and Shopify’s higher monthly costs, Bluehost provides flexible pricing with WooCommerce integration. Additionally, Bluehost allows complete customization and ownership of your site, unlike Teachable’s restricted course-hosting environment. 
• Promote effectively: Use trailers or social media posts to highlight how your course benefits the target audience and generates interest. 

Platform	Best for	Bluehost advantages
Bluehost + WP	Complete business customization	WooCommerce integration, SEO tools (Yoast), membership tools (YITH)
Etsy	Beginners selling templates	No ownership of customer data, higher transaction fees
Shopify	Small eCommerce stores	Limited flexibility, higher costs
Teachable	Online courses and tutorials	Restricted customization, platform-dependent revenue sharing

7. Create social media content for clients 

Businesses and influencers rely on eye-catching social media content to connect with their audiences. However, many lack the time or skills to create professional-quality visuals consistently, so they turn to designers for help. If you have a good eye for branding and creativity, Canva can help you deliver polished, cohesive visuals that align with your clients’ goals and brand identity. 

How to get started: 

• Study the brand: Understand the client’s audience, branding and marketing objectives to ensure your designs match their vision. 
• Offer content bundles: Provide packages with various social media assets, such as posts, banners and stories, to meet diverse needs. 
• Design reusable templates: Use Canva to create templates that clients can easily customize later, ensuring consistency while saving them time. 
• Incorporate client feedback: Share drafts early, gather input and make adjustments to deliver designs that meet their expectations. 

8. Offer content packages for influencers and small businesses 

Influencers and small businesses often need high-quality, customizable graphics like social media templates and promotional materials to promote their products and services. Canva enables designers to create comprehensive content packages—bundles of pre-designed templates and marketing assets tailored to client needs. These packages save time, ensure consistent branding and offer a polished, professional appearance, making them an attractive solution for small businesses and influencers alike. 

What to include in packages: 

• Editable templates: Provide editable templates for email headers, Instagram posts or flyers. These templates allow the client to make updates when necessary. 
• Campaign-specific graphics: Create campaign-specific graphics for major events like sales or product launches. Include items such as banners and ads for consistent messaging. 
• Platform-specific designs: Offer variations of designs tailored for different social media platforms. This ensures the content appears optimized wherever it is posted.

9. Create branding kits 

Branding kits, including logos, color palettes and typography, create a cohesive identity that strengthens a business’s image and builds trust. Canva’s tools make it easy to design professional kits, especially valuable for startups and small businesses defining their brand. Offering these kits positions you as a key partner in helping clients make a strong, lasting impression. 

How to create branding kits: 

• Understand the brand: Conduct a discovery session with the client to understand their brand values and goals. Use this information to guide your designs. 
• Design complementary assets: Create logos, business cards and social media banners with consistent design elements for a unified look. 
• Organize and deliver: Package the assets into an organized folder with clear instructions for use. Include editable Canva files and high-resolution exports. 

10. Create and sell custom website & blog templates 

With Canva’s user-friendly design tools and Bluehost’s hosting solutions, you can combine your design skills with a service that powers the backbone of many online businesses. There’s a huge demand for custom-designed websites and blogs, particularly among small business owners, bloggers and entrepreneurs who want to create a professional online presence without the complexity of web development. 

How to get started: 

• Identify your audience: Focus on niches like small business owners, bloggers or niche entrepreneurs who need affordable, professional-looking websites. 
• Design templates in Canva: Use Canva’s drag-and-drop features to create website and blog mockups, including homepage layouts, blog post designs and other key pages. 
• Leverage Bluehost for hosting solutions: Partner with Bluehost to offer seamless hosting solutions alongside your templates. Our hosting makes it easy for clients to set up their sites. 
• Promote your offerings: Showcase your templates on platforms like Etsy, Creative Market or your own website. Highlight ease of customization and affordability to attract buyers. 

Tips to scale your Canva business 

1. Work together with Canva Teams 

As your business grows, you’ll need a way to work more efficiently with others. Canva Teams is perfect for that. You can invite team members, assign tasks and keep communication clear. It helps everyone stay on track, so you can create more designs without losing quality. 

2. Keep things consistent with brand templates 

One of the biggest time-savers is using Canva’s Brand Templates. You can set up your brand colors, fonts and logos, then just reuse them across new designs. This way, you stay consistent and cut down on the time spent creating new templates, letting you focus on expanding your business. 

3. Plan ahead with Canva’s Content Planner 

When you’ve got a lot going on, staying organized is key. Canva’s Content Planner lets you schedule social media posts and design tasks in advance. That means you won’t miss deadlines, and you’ll have more time to take on extra clients. 

4. Use Magic Switch™ to scale faster 

This is a huge time-saver! With Magic Switch™, you can turn one design into multiple formats for different platforms. Whether it’s for social media, print or presentations, you can adapt your designs in just a few clicks. It’s a game-changer for scaling your business without the extra work. 

5. Offer premium services with advanced features 

Want to get higher-paying clients? Canva’s advanced tools—like video editing, animations and cool photo effects—let you offer more. You can create animated posts or branded videos, which will set you apart from the competition and justify higher rates. 

6. Stay organized with centralized storage 

As your design collection grows, staying organized becomes even more important. Canva’s centralized storage keeps everything in one place, so you can quickly find and share your templates or assets with clients and team members. It makes the whole process smoother. 

7. Improve your designs with Insights 

To scale your business, you need to know what works. Canva’s design insights show which templates perform best. This helps you tweak your designs based on what your audience likes, so you can create more of what sells. 

8. Delegate tasks to handle more 

To take on bigger projects, you’ll need to delegate some tasks. Hiring freelance designers or bringing on collaborators lets you handle more work without sacrificing quality. Canva’s team tools make it easy to manage everything. 

9. Keep clients coming back with customizable templates 

Building strong relationships with clients is essential for growth. Offering customizable templates that they can adapt to their brand makes them feel like they’re getting a personalized service. This leads to repeat business and referrals, which will help your business thrive. 

10. Connect Canva to other platforms 

Make your workflow even easier by connecting Canva with other tools you use, like social media schedulers or eCommerce platforms. This streamlines how you manage and share your designs across different channels, so you can reach more people and grow faster. 

Common challenges and how to overcome them 

Starting a business with Canva can be exciting, but there are some challenges. Here’s how to handle a few of them. 

1. Licensing and copyright issues 

Canva has rules about what you can and can’t use. It’s easy to get confused between free and pro templates. Always double-check the licensing terms to make sure you’re using assets correctly for commercial purposes. 

It’s also smart to keep track of what you’re allowed to use. If you’re selling templates, make sure they’re either your own work or things clearly marked for commercial use. This keeps your business safe and helps you build trust with customers. 

2. Standing out in a busy market 

There’s a lot of competition on Canva, so you need to find a way to stand out. A great way is to focus on a specific niche. For example, you could design templates for small businesses or fitness coaches instead of general social media templates. 

Also, listen to your customers and offer free samples or resources. This can help you attract new buyers. Building a following on social media and email helps you stay visible in a crowded space. 

3. Balancing time and effort for more profit 

Running a Canva business can get busy. You have to juggle designing, marketing and customer service. The trick is to create templates that can be reused or tweaked for different clients. Canva has features that let you resize or duplicate designs, which saves time. 

Focus on projects that can bring in steady income, like digital planners or social media packs. That way, you’re working smart and not burning out. 

Power your Canva business with Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution

While Canva excels at helping you create stunning designs, it falls short when it comes to scaling your business. Canva doesn’t provide tools for hosting a dedicated website, managing eCommerce features or consolidating multiple income streams. These limitations can make it harder to protect your intellectual property or manage your growing business effectively.

To overcome these challenges, you need a robust website platform that can showcase your Canva creations while providing essential business tools. This is where Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution makes a difference. Here’s what you get:

• Professional website hosting with WordPress integration
• YITH Membership tools to create exclusive content areas
• WooCommerce Paid Courses for selling online tutorials
• CreativeMail for automated marketing campaigns
• YITH WooCommerce Affiliates for partnership management
• Yoast SEO tools to improve your site’s visibility

Combining your Canva designs with these powerful tools gives you everything you need to scale. You can sell digital products, showcase your portfolio and build a professional blog. The reliable hosting infrastructure and advanced features ensure your creative business runs smoothly and grows consistently.

Streamlining website creation and management 

Creating a professional website is essential for showcasing your Canva designs and building a platform for selling products or services. The Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution simplifies monetization and expands the business for content creators. You also get AI-driven onboarding, which provides a guided setup process. This feature simplifies launching your site and eliminates the need for technical expertise. Custom site-building blocks allow you to design a platform that reflects your brand while maintaining full control over functionality. 

To ensure your site runs smoothly, the package also includes: 

• Staging sites: Safely test and preview changes before they go live. 
• User-friendly tools: Reduce the time spent on website management and focus on growing your business. 

Enhancing engagement and customer retention 

Keeping your audience engaged is vital for sustaining a successful Canva business. Bluehost offers tools like customizable email templates, which help maintain consistent communication with your customers. Social login options simplify the account creation process, improving user convenience and encouraging repeat visits. 

The package supports exclusive content access with its membership-only feature, adding value for subscribers. Additionally, the integrated payment solutions make it easy to offer and manage: 

• Paid courses: Create an additional revenue stream by sharing your expertise.  
• Premium resources: Restrict access to high-value content, encouraging audience loyalty. 

Optimizing for visibility and monetization 

Increasing your visibility ensures more people discover your Canva offerings. The Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution includes Yoast SEO plugin that helps optimize your site for search engines, improving its ranking and reach. This feature, combined with customizable subscription forms, helps grow your audience and capture potential leads. 

For creators exploring affiliate marketing, Bluehost makes managing affiliate programs simple, enabling you to boost sales while expanding your reach. Key monetization features include: 

• Integrated payment gateways: Securely collect payments using PayPal or Stripe. 
• Customer database tools: Build and manage a database of your customers for future marketing efforts. 

Final thoughts

Canva offers a world of possibilities for creators to build a profitable business. The strategies shared in this blog can help you start or grow your journey, whether it’s through selling templates, designing for clients or creating digital products. Success comes from understanding your audience, delivering high-quality designs and staying ahead of trends in the competitive creative market. 

Having the right platform to showcase and scale your work is just as important as creating exceptional designs. Bluehost WordPress Content Creator Solution gives you everything needed to establish a professional online presence. These tools let you create a website that highlights your portfolio, optimizes your content for visibility and simplifies customer interactions through integrated payment systems and SEO features. 

If you’re ready to take your Canva business to the next level, investing in a reliable hosting and website solution is the next step. With the right tools and strategies, you can establish a strong brand, attract a loyal customer base and achieve long-term success in the creative market.

Take the first step today by visiting Bluehost to explore our WordPress Content Creator Solution. Build a professional website, enhance your SEO and easily start selling Canva templates and products online! 

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