Gaming isn’t just about epic quests and boss battles anymore. It’s a realm where creativity meets commerce, a virtual marketplace buzzing with user-generated content (UGC). In this arena, gamers don’t just play – they create, trade, and even make a buck.
You probably know a few famous game streamers, who are even known for getting rich from their broadcasts. It’s a common way for gaming content creators to earn money, but it’s not the only one. We’re here today to talk about how UGC creators can make money by building a gaming-related website. We have some ideas for you, so let’s get into the zone:
Selling Custom Game Skins and Models
Move over, default skins; it’s time for personalization. UGC sites are the new hotspots where gamers design, sell, or trade custom skins and models. It’s like a huge fashion store for your avatar, offering everything from mythic swords to intergalactic armor.
Game skins are big business and it’s quickly becoming the standard across the gaming industry, with the gaming cosmetics market size estimated to be at $50 billion.
You can sell your skins in a marketplace, but setting up a website isn’t too complicated these days. There are a lot of ready-made solutions, and you don’t need to know coding in order to build your own site. Selling skins on a personal website means all the money goes to you. Plus, if you want to create a second revenue stream, you can join LootLabs and monetize your traffic with ads.
Level Design and Mod Creation
Got a knack for creating jaw-dropping levels or game mods? Build a website where these creations turn into cash. Whether it’s a puzzle that would stump Einstein or a zombie apocalypse mod, there’s a market for your brainchild.
You can use a platform such as Shopify in order to set up shop. Shopify is ideal for creators who want a hassle-free setup with robust e-commerce capabilities. Shopify offers a wide range of customizable templates, easy product management, secure payment gateways, and effective marketing tools. It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require advanced technical skills.
Tutorials and Strategy Guides
If you’re the “been there, conquered that” kind of gamer, why not monetize that expertise? From written guides to video walkthroughs, a UGC website is an optimal stage to share your insider knowledge, tips, and tricks for the right price.
You can sell the written guides directly on your website, and you can also gate the content, using a content locker – which is a very easy way to monetize traffic.
Digital Art and Fan Fiction
If you can tell a story or draw an amazing gaming-related picture, there’s a market for that. You may be able to sell such products, but here’s a thought: set up a content website using WordPress, like a blog or magazine. Don’t charge for your creations, but use platforms such as LootLabs to insert ads into your website. Monetizing your traffic is a great way to create a passive income stream.
Gaming Affiliate Marketing
If you are into gaming, but don’t have a specific artistic skill, you can still use your knowledge in order to earn a buck.
Affiliate marketing has been around ever since the internet entered our lives (we’re talking the 90s, of course), and it’s a great way to earn some money, if you’re into it.
You can set up a website using the platform of your choice (WordPress, WIX etc.). Fill the website with gaming-related content, such as game reviews, gaming gear articles, videos and gaming news, and start building traffic.
In the meantime, register for relevant affiliate marketing offers. Amazon has a well-known affiliate program, but they are not the only ones. Razer, Nvidia, Epic Games, Microsoft and many other companies have affiliate programs. For each lead or sale you generate, you get a certain percentage of the purchase. Some people are doing affiliate marketing as a full time job! It requires time and effort, of course, but done right – it can be very lucrative.
Also, as with any website, you can use LootLabs in order to generate another revenue stream. Install their code in your website so it displays ads, and enjoy an easy cash flow from your traffic.