So you’ve built some cool code and you’re wondering if you can make money with it. Spoiler alert: you totally can. Platforms like CodeCanyon and GitHub Sponsors let you actually earn from the stuff you’re already coding whether it’s a simple script, a design plugin, or a full-on web app.
Here’s how I figured it out, and how you can get started too.
Table of Contents
What is CodeCanyon?
CodeCanyon is part of the Envato Market. It’s basically a place where people buy and sell digital stuff like:
- Website templates
- WordPress plugins
- JavaScript snippets
- PHP tools
- UI kits
- Mobile app code
If you’ve built something useful or time-saving, someone out there will probably pay for it.
How to Sell on CodeCanyon
Here’s what I did to get started:
1. Build Something Useful
This sounds obvious, but your code has to actually solve a problem. A good example is:
- A calculator plugin
- A responsive navbar template
- A PHP contact form
- A small API tool
- A chatbot UI
People are looking for clean, ready-to-use stuff to drop into their projects.
2. Clean Up Your Code
Even if you’re still learning, your code should be:
- Neat and organized
- Commented (at least a little)
- Bug-free (test it more than once)
- Easy to install and use
Also, bundle everything up into a .zip file with a readme that explains how to use it.
3. Make a Demo
This is super important. Buyers want to see what your tool looks like before they buy it. You can:
- Host a live demo on Netlify, GitHub Pages, or Vercel
- Include screenshots and a video if you can
- Make your demo clean and simple
4. Create a CodeCanyon Account and Submit
Go to codecanyon.net, sign up, and go to the “Start Selling” page.
They’ll ask for:
- A title and short description
- Tags and categories
- A preview image
- Your demo link
- Your code bundle
Then hit submit. It usually takes a few days to get reviewed. If it gets approved, your product goes live. If not, they’ll tell you what to fix.
5. Promote It (Optional but Helpful)
Share your CodeCanyon page on:
- Dev forums
- Discord groups
- Twitter or LinkedIn if you’re into that
The more traffic you send to your item, the better chance it has to sell.
What is GitHub Sponsors?
GitHub Sponsors is more about supporting you as a developer. People don’t buy a single item they sponsor you monthly (like Patreon but for code). It works great if:
- You have open-source projects
- You’re building tools other devs use
- You write useful documentation or tutorials
- You contribute to the dev community
You can earn a little money while still giving your stuff away for free.
How to Get Started with GitHub Sponsors
1. Make Your GitHub Profile Look Good
First, set up your GitHub profile. Add:
- A nice bio
- A list of the tech you work with
- A pinned repo or two
- Maybe a link to your portfolio or blog
You want people to see what you’re about and what you build.
2. Create Open-Source Projects
This is key. GitHub Sponsors is mostly for open-source devs.
You don’t need to build the next React or anything. Just useful stuff like:
- A color picker plugin
- A free JS animation tool
- A CSS button library
- A collection of templates
The more useful and well-documented it is, the better.
3. Apply for GitHub Sponsors
Go to github.com/sponsors and sign up for the waitlist. If you’re approved, you’ll get a Sponsors button on your profile.
Then you can add sponsor tiers (like $1/month, $5/month, etc.) and offer perks like:
- Shoutouts
- Early access to features
- Private Q&A
- Access to exclusive repos
Even if only a few people sponsor you, it adds up over time.
4. Add a Sponsors Button to Your Repos
Once you’re in, add the Sponsor button to all your repos. That way, people who use or star your project can support you directly.
Tips That Helped Me
- Make your project easy to understand. Simple always sells better than complex.
- Be patient. You might not get rich overnight, but it’s cool to get even one sale or sponsor.
- Keep learning. The better your code gets, the more money you can make from it.
- Ask for feedback. Discord dev servers are great for this.
- Don’t underprice your work, but also keep it fair, especially if you’re new.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be some coding genius to start making money with your projects. If you’ve built something helpful, polished it up, and put it in front of the right people, you’re already way ahead of the game.
Whether you go with CodeCanyon for selling one-time items or GitHub Sponsors for long-term support, both are awesome ways to make your code work for you.
