Looking to turn your passion for blogging into a source of income?
Wondering if it’s possible to monetize your WordPress blog without ads or affiliate links? The answer is yes! Setting up a donation form or Stripe donate button gives a straightforward, reader-friendly way to support your content financially.
This article also explains how donations work, the different types, and tips on encouraging donations.
Let’s dive in and look!
How Blog Donations Work?
Collecting blog donations online involves setting up a donation system on your site, allowing readers to contribute funds easily. Donation forms can be embedded directly on your website or shared through links in newsletters, social media, etc.
Free tools like WP Full Pay make it easy to set up a donation form for your WordPress blog. WP Full Pay enables bloggers to securely accept Stripe donations without writing a single line of code.
Why Monetize Your WordPress Blog with Donations?
Every donation, big or small, can help cover the costs of running a blog, such as:
- Web hosting fees
- Domain name registration
- Content creation expenses
- Marketing and promotion costs
Donations are voluntary contributions of money. You don’t need to give a donor anything in return for their financial gift. But you can still thank them with a shout-out, a small reward, or special recognition.
đ You might also like to read: How to Add a Payment Gateway to Your WordPress Blog.
What Types of Donation Forms Can You Create with WordPress?
Here are 3 types of donation models available:
WordPress Donation Form (One-Time)
The most common donation model thatâs used by bloggers is one-time donations. This model essentially allows readers to make one-time contributions to support your content. It offers flexibility for both the blogger and their audience, as readers can contribute an amount of their choice whenever they feel inspired to do so.
Hereâs what makes one-time donations on your WordPress site ideal:
- Flexibility – Readers can donate what they want, whenever they are able to, allowing for spontaneous acts of support.
- No commitment – Unlike recurring donations, one-time contributions donât require long-term commitments, which can be appealing to casual readers.
WordPress Recurring Donations (Subscription-Based)
Another very commonly used donation model thatâs used by content creators and bloggers is recurring donations. With this model, you can set up donation forms on your WordPress site and allow readers to commit to regular, ongoing contributions, such as weekly, monthly, or annually.
The subscription-based model can help you create a steady stream of income and is ideal for bloggers who have pretty consistent readership.
This model offers benefits such as:
- Predictable income – Recurring donations provide a stable source of income, allowing bloggers to plan for the future.
- Stronger supporter relationships – You can use a recurring donations model to help foster a sense of community among your most loyal readers, who want to contribute to your blogging platformâs success more often.
Custom Amount Donation Form
Some blogs, especially those that offer exclusive insights or specialized knowledge, can benefit from pay-what-you-want (PWYW) pricing or voluntary donations. Unlike the more traditional pricing structure, this approach gives the customer control over the amount they pay.
Custom amount donations let your readers decide how much they want to give. By adding this option to your blog, you give supporters the flexibility to donate an amount that fits their budget.
This approach is ideal for bloggers who want to make donating as easy and comfortable as possible for their audience. With custom amount donations, you can reach a wider range of supporters, from those who can only give a little to those who are able to contribute more.
This flexibility can lead to several benefits:
- Increased support: Supporters who wish to contribute smaller amounts can do so easily. It ensures that every contribution, no matter how small, counts toward your goals.
- Encourages generosity: By allowing donors to decide their amount, youâre more likely to receive larger contributions from those who feel strongly about your blogging activities.
- Improved donor experience: Giving donors the freedom to choose their contribution makes the donation process more personal and satisfying.
Using WP Full Pay, you can easily set up a donation form that lets readers enter their own amount, making the process smooth and user-friendly.
How to Create a Donation Form in WordPress (Step-by-Step)
You can effortlessly create a donation form using the WP Full Pay plugin. Here’s how:
- Install WP Full Pay Plugin:Â From your WordPress admin panel, go to Plugins > Add New, search for WP Full Pay, then install and activate.
- Connect Your Stripe Account:Â Integrate your Stripe account directly in the WP Full Pay settings.
- Create the Donation Form:Â In WP Full Pay, select âAdd New Formâ and choose the donation type (one-time, recurring, or custom amount).
- Embed the Donation Form:Â Use shortcodes provided by WP Full Pay to embed your form anywhere on your WordPress blog pages or posts.
Tips for Encouraging Donations
It can be tricky to get your readership to start donating to your WordPress site. So weâve put together a few ways that can help your readers conduct this one-time action.
Add a âCoffeeâ Button
A âcoffeeâ button is a donation button styled like “buying you coffee.”A âcoffeeâ button is a donation button styled like “buying you coffee.” It makes donation requests feel friendlier and more personal, significantly boosting contribution willingness. You can think of it as a barter system: they buy you a coffee and you offer a small benefit in return rather than ask for money.
đĄ Tip: Always ensure there is a compelling value proposition for your visitors to consider contributing!
Use the Simple Payment Approach
A simple, quick donation form motivates more people who appreciate your content to proceed with supporting you. One-click forms and minimal distractions greatly benefit conversion rates.
It works well with the psychology of your site visitorsâif itâs simple like one-click-payments, they donât have to think much about the donation process, and if theyâre already motivated to support your work, changing their mind will be less likely!
Provide a Membership Option
Another way to get readers to start supporting your site is to provide them with premium content thatâs already published, i.e. no extra work on your end. Use WP Full Member to create a membership site, restrict access to certain posts on your site and then set up a subscription payment form using WP Full Pay, and place it on your WordPress site.
This way, when readers make membership payments (using Stripe) they can access premium blog posts and content on your site. This not only encourages more donations but also helps build a community around your content.
đ You might also like to read trending membership models in 2025.
đ Read also: 10 Best membership marketing practices.
Offer Multiple Payment Options
When you offer more ways for people to pay, you make it easier for them to donate. Some people prefer credit cards, while others like to use digital wallets. By giving them options, you make it simpler for everyone to support your blog.
You can accept various payment methods supported by Stripe, like credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and even local payment options like Alipay or SEPA Direct Debit. This flexibility means that donors can choose the method they are most comfortable with, increasing the chances theyâll complete the transaction.
đĄ Tip: Add a “Thank You” Page: After a reader donates, redirect them to a personalized “Thank You” page. Itâs a small touch, but it can encourage repeat donations.
Suggest Donation Amounts
A suggested donation amount is a pre-set figure that guides your readers on how much to donate to support your blog. By providing a suggested amount, you remove the guesswork for your audience, making it easier for them to decide how much to give. This can be particularly helpful for first-time donors who may not know what amount is appropriate. When bloggers use suggested donation amounts, they often see an increase in contributions because it simplifies the decision-making process.
đ You might also like to read 9 donation page best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Monetize a WordPress Blog?
Yes, absolutely! You can monetize your WordPress blog through ads, affiliate links, direct sales, membership subscriptions, and donations. Accepting reader donations is one of the least intrusive and user-friendly ways to monetize.
Does WordPress Pay You Directly?
No. WordPress itself does not pay bloggers directly. However, you can monetize your WordPress blog through third-party solutions, such as donation forms integrated with Stripe payments or PayPal buttons.
How Do I Monetize a WordPress Blog Without Ads?
One effective, non-intrusive method is setting up donation forms. Readers voluntarily contribute financial support without interruptive ads, which maintains a clean and enjoyable reader experience.
How to Add a Stripe Donate Button in WordPress?
Add it easily by using a Stripe-compatible WordPress plugin such as WP Full Pay. Install the plugin, connect Stripe, and embed the Stripe donate button using provided shortcodes.
WP Full Pay is a reliable WordPress donation-form plugin that integrates seamlessly with Stripe. Itâs easy-to-use, secure, and requires no coding skills.
Time to Start Monetizing!
You donât have to sacrifice blog integrity or user experience when monetizing your WordPress site. Let donations become a meaningful channel for readers to support your creativity and dedication.
As you continue to create, know that each donation and member is a nod to your hard work and the meaningful impact your blog has on your readers.