10 Ways You Can Make Money Investing in Digital Real Estate (Earn Cash Online in 2024)

The 10 ways you can make money investing in digital real estate include:

1. Creating local lead generation landing pages and websites.
2. Buying and flipping domains and websites.
3. Promoting affiliate marketing products.
4. Stacking and trading NFTs.
5. Investing in e-commerce.

You can earn significant passive income in 2024 by investing in digital real estate. Successful individuals like Snoop Dog, Matt Diggity, Changpeng Zhao, and Jake Paul have built their online empire through NFT investments, cryptocurrency trading, YouTube channel monetization, and affiliate marketing. Digital real estate investments also include buying and leasing premium domain names and websites, investing in digital artworks and designs, and developing and selling software as a service (SaaS) and apps.

Lots of Reddit and Quora posts mention popular platforms such as Bricktrade, Decentraland, Amazon, OpenSea, and Flippa for making money online in the 21st century. These individuals invest in digital real estate because of the demand, sustainability, and viability of these assets compared to traditional real estate. It's also less complicated and costly than starting other business models. Take Redditor Jamie_neutron for example. He makes around $36,000 monthly buying and building sites then selling them for a profit. However, you need to determine a site's long-term and maximum perceived potential.

The latest data from Precedence Statistics reveals that the global metaverse real estate market will grow by 38.20% from 2024 to 2033. This means that digital real estate investments will become more popular in the coming years. That's why most investors buy digital assets now and build value through traffic generation and online reputation management. However, succeeding in this business venture entails utilizing data-backed buying, selling, trading, and marketing strategies to ensure profit and growth.

This article will introduce the 10 best ways to make money with digital real estate investments, including how to invest in them and how the business model works. You'll also learn the pros and cons, costs involved, and sustainability factors when investing in virtual real estate. Plus, we'll discuss the best digital asset to choose in 2024 at the end of the article.

10 Ways You Can Make Money Investing in Digital Real Estate

1. Creating Local Lead Generation Landing Pages and Websites.

Creating local lead generation websites and landing pages is first on our list and my number one recommendation for making money with digital real estate. This business model is what I used to generate a passive income of $52K per month. Not only is it a proven concept and a simple strategy, but it's the best way to drive organic traffic to your digital real estate assets.

First, you build generic websites for phone-based services. Then, you rank them at the top of search engines like Google. Once your lead gen site produces leads, find a local contractor and sell your leads for profits as high as 85% to 95%. This way, you own the website, the call tracking number, and the leads. You're in full control of every aspect of your business. Plus, you can build more than one site at a time.

You don't need to be at the top of the SERPs before your virtual property can be valuable. Because you focus on the local market, your sites rank faster (in as little as six weeks). Consider that over 41,683 ZIP codes are in the USA. Each one represents a target market with a ton of untapped niches. Lead generation is a skill set, so the barrier to entry is higher (less competition). Of course, some niches take longer to rank, and you need about $500 to get your lead gen property built and ranked.

But each site can earn around $1,000 to $2,000 monthly on average. Compared to investing in physical property, costs are minimal. Get your systems in place, then rinse and repeat so you can scale fast and become an online investor. With local lead gen, there's no limit to how many sites you build and rank. (I have over 80). So there's no cap on your earning potential. Once you've "rented out" your sites and they're at the top of the search engines, they're pretty much hands-off. So not only do you harness time freedom. But if you build an empire, you create a passive income.

2. Buying and Flipping Domains and Websites.

Buying and flipping domains and websites is a growing market for digital real estate. Online entrepreneurs like the simplicity of buying a domain and website instead of building one from scratch. You can buy and flip an established website or aged domain with a marketplace like Flippa and Empire Flippers or NameJet and NameCheap Auctions for minimal costs up to thousands of dollars. Aged websites and domains are attractive because they're established. They're easier to rank and simple to remember.

The key is to purchase domain names with a clean backlink profile and high domain authority. Use a third-party tool like Ahrefs or Semrush to see what keywords they're ranking for and a platform like Spamzilla to check for bad links. But because the online space is crowded, niche-specific websites or domains that include the name of a city and have short URLs (3-5 words) are optimal.

Verisign states that the market closed in the first quarter of 2023 with 354 million domain name registrations across all top-level domains. But a strategically named domain can quickly appreciate in value and then be sold for profit. For example, the domain business.com was purchased in 1999 for $5.7 million. But eight years later, it sold for $350 million. You can also build and rank your own websites using a platform like WordPress or GoDaddy for $8-$15 per month.

Host your domain on sites like Namecheap or HostGator for $2.75-$13.99 monthly. Use tools like Keywords Everywhere to find keywords and phrases you can rank for fast. Then, use SEO techniques like backlinks, citations, and GBPs to get your site to the top of the SERPs. Once it's at the top, you own a valuable digital real estate asset that you can rent or sell to generate cash flow.

3. Promoting Affiliate Marketing Products.

Promoting affiliate marketing products and services is a profitable way to invest in digital real estate. You can grow your website's traffic while advertising other people's products and services. It's a referral-based system that can generate a steady cash flow. For every product or service you sell, you get paid a commission. Globally, affiliate marketing is a $17 billion industry.

Affiliates don't need to own products or deal with customers. Instead, your only job is to drive traffic to offers and make sales. There are less moving parts as an affiliate than a dropshipper. But affiliate marketing is a low-cost startup that can generate 3%-10% per click or $5-$300 daily. (Super affiliates earn $3,000+ daily).

But this isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. If you want to be successful, you need to be able to drive a constant stream of online traffic to your offers. But in 2024, traffic is challenging to get. So you need to pay for it with your time or wallet. You don't own the products you're promoting, so you won't land any recurring sales. You're also competing with other global affiliates for the same target audience.

So you're being pitted against sites from all over the world. (Some have a ton of money and a well-established brand). The secret is to be the better marketer. Constantly create new content or promote an offer people can't refuse. Or be willing to spend on paid ads. It takes time to develop trust and connect with an online audience. (Anywhere from 6 weeks to 18 months). So create a clear marketing strategy and take the time to consider the following:

Affiliate marketing boasts unlimited growth potential. You're like a commercial real estate investor. Your offers are like a short term rental unit that makes you money. Promote as many offers as you want from affiliate programs like ShareASale and ClickBank. But when you start, be willing to invest the time and commit to doing the hard work. The key is to you build a brand and get attention on the Internet. Then you can make a passive income. 

4. Stacking and Trading NFTs.

Stacking and trading NFTs or Non-Fungible Tokens is quite similar to trading stocks and cryptocurrencies. You can make money with this digital real estate by buying them from marketplaces like OpenSea or Axie Infinity for under $150. Then develop them and resell them for profit. You can also make money with NFTs by trading or renting them. Revenue from NFTs is set to equal $3,162,000 by 2027. 

NFTs become valuable when there is consumer interest. The more rare, the more valuable. The key is to create something exclusive that people want to own. Then you can resell your NFT for big payouts. Other ways to make money with NFTs include:

• NFT flipping 
• NFT stacking on platforms like Kira Network and Splinterlands
• Invest in NFT startups
• Leverage play-to-earn games like Pikamoon and Axie Infinity
  

The value of NFTs is influenced by demand and market sentiments. The industry is still evolving, so there is a risk, and NFTs can be volatile and fluctuate much like the stock market or crypto. So do your research and only invest what you can afford to lose.

5. Investing in E-Commerce.

Investing in e-commerce is a lucrative venture in the 21st century because this industry will see a global valuation of $5.4 trillion in 2026. The business model is one of the best virtual real estate investing options in 2024. It's a way to make a ton of money. However, e-commerce isn't a low-cost investment and needs a budget of $1,000-$50,000+.

But if you have a product that people want to buy or is challenging to find, then e-commerce is for you. You can make revenues between $30,000-$127,000+ monthly. The key is to know how to drive online traffic to your store. A few ways to get in front of the right people include:

• Websites & landing pages
• Sales funnels & social platforms
• Influencer marketing & paid ads

But the business model doesn't give you much control over your customers' experience. There are a ton of returns and refunds. (Some are often fraudulent). It takes time to establish your e-commerce store and generate profits. But automation software like Active Campaign and Shopify Flow can help streamline systems. You can leverage the dropshipping business model to test the market and find a proven concept.

E-commerce businesses are going up against big players like Amazon, and more than 3.7K new sellers join Amazon every day. Data reveals that 9.7 million merchants are selling under the Amazon marketplace. Of all sellers, 89% use FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) as their order fulfillment. But Amazon FBA has its own issues, like the lack of branding. The platform has strict rules on how sellers interact with their consumers.

Sellers aren't allowed to leverage email marketing. Instead, they can only send Amazon seller-permitted messages. Add that it's hard to stand out because people on Amazon shops base on prices and reviews. GrowthDevil reports that about 82% of Amazon shoppers list pricing as the most crucial shopping factor.

6. Monetizing YouTube Channels and Social Media Accounts.

Make money investing in digital property by monetizing your social media accounts or YouTube channels. You can buy an active account on sites like FameSwap for $100-$1,000+. Then, share hyper-valuable content that speaks to your target audience. Statistics confirm that 4.9 billion people use social media. This number is set to hit 6 billion by 2027. Thus, creating an account as early as now will give you a head start against future competitors.

Add that YouTube has more than 2.68 billion active users as of 2023. It's also the most used social platform for research purposes among B2B decision-makers. Develop an online real estate asset that gets in front of a ton of eyeballs. Then you can monetize your social media account or YouTube channel with sponsored posts and partnerships. Other ways to monetize your assets include:

But it can take four months to ten years to build a following. The key is to publish regular content. Post videos or stories that grab people's attention. What can you offer to make people want to check out your site? What problem can you solve? Answer questions people are asking online and be authentic. There's no limit to your earning potential or how big you scale. Instead, focus on building a trusted brand. Then, share unique content that sets you apart from the competition.

7. Investing in Various Cryptocurrencies.

Invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and make money with digital real estate. You can buy Bitcoin on trusted platforms like Coinbase, Robinhood, and Kraken for as little as $10. Each Bitcoin is divisible into smaller fractions, so you don't need thousands of dollars to start investing. You can make money with Bitcoin with lending websites and earn interest, or you can mine Bitcoin if you're tech-savvy. Other ways to make money with crypto include:

Research reports that over 24 million Bitcoin addresses were active during the Q1 of 2022. So the market continues to see growth.

8. Selling Digital Products.

Selling digital products is a low-cost investment that offers scalability and the potential for automation. Have an initial budget of $200-$2,000+. (It will depend on the software and platform you use to create and sell your product). But you can sell your creations for $100-$165 (single products) to $20-$5,000+. 

In 2024, digital products are a $331 billion industry. Data states that over 30,000 new products are introduced every year. But 95% will fail because no one wants or needs them. So, to make money by investing in digital products, create something that solves a problem, educates, entertains, or fills a gap in the market. Your digital product should fit into one of the following criteria:

• Unique and in high demand
• Requires a level of expertise and is not easy to find
• Reasonably priced and provides value

You can use software like AppSumo (free with no upfront fees), sell on sites like Etsy, or create your website on Shopify. Popular digital products include: 

• E-books
• PDFs guides
• Plug-ins & extensions
• Printables (planners, schedules, invitations, etc.)
• Webinars
  

Once you create a digital product, you can sell it repeatedly. Then you make a steady income. You can use digital products as a standalone strategy or combine them with display ads, affiliate links, or partnerships.

9. Creating a Membership Site or Service.

Creating membership sites or subscription services is the new trend in 2024. This digital asset lets you share your expertise while earning significant income and growing your subscriber base. Data reveals that the subscription economy will be worth $1.5 trillion by 2025. Over the past nine years, the subscription economy has increased by 435% and is set to be a $1.5 trillion market by 2025.

Plan on investing around $250-$5,000 to cover the cost of automation software, packaging, etc. Deliver items that have value. Then, develop a marketing strategy. How will you drive online traffic to your offer? How will you stand out in a crowded space? Consider marketing approaches like:

• Websites and landing pages
• Sales funnels and paid advertising
• Email marketing and SMS marketing

The key is to build a brand. You can use a site like Patreon or Substack. Then, invest the time to develop trust with your buyers. Provide the best shopping experience possible, and offer stellar customer support.

Share valuable content, engaging posts, or limited-time offers. Present bundles and discounts and regularly introduce new products. Create offers people can't refuse and include:

• An end date (then people have a built-in exit)
• Cause marketing (donate a percentage to charity)
• Discounts and loyalty rewards (like a free trial or one-time offer)
• Tiered price options (scaled pricing based on purchase)

Data says that the average monthly spend on subscriptions is $273. So there is market demand. But there's no limit to the amount of money you can make. Set up autopay, and you generate recurring income. Plus, if you continue to bring in new members (this is the goal). Or you can create FOMO and a buzz around your products. Then you can earn an income online.

10. Acquiring Land in the Metaverse.

Invest in buying land in the Metaverse and make money by developing your virtual real estate. To purchase land in the Metaverse, have a budget of $660-$2,000+. Then you can buy land on sites like Decentraland or Sandbox. The idea is to purchase land in a good location. Then develop it with amusement parks or shopping malls and rent it for virtual events and experiences.

You can also sell your virtual property for a higher price than you paid. But to make money with Metaverse land, own property where people want to visit. The more popular the area, the more worth your digital asset has. Data says that the Metaverse is estimated to reach a global market of $1.5 trillion by 2030. So its value is rising, and there continues to be a demand in the market.

Metaverse is a digital real estate. The pixels on the Internet represent land parcels in a digital world. Metaverse land doesn't have physical traits, but it does exist online. You possess a unique plot of digital land. But you can use it to create income-generating properties like leasable buildings or interactive media. Then you charge a fee or can boost a brand and earn a steady cash flow.

How To Invest in Digital Real Estate and Earn Cash Online in 2024

How Does Digital Real Estate Investments Work?

Digital real estate investments work by creating or buying digital assets like websites, virtual land, or mobile apps and selling them for a profit. These are properties or assets that you own on the Internet. It can be a domain name, a social media account, or land in the Metaverse. Data suggest that digital revenue will be worth $102.7 million by 2027. But just like investing in traditional real estate in the real world, the key is to buy digital assets at a low cost. Then, use monetization methods to increase their value before selling them at a higher price. You can also rent out virtual land like a blog that leverages paid ads or sponsorships. Or create and sell digital products such as an online coaching program or PDFs.

You can also buy a deed where your digital asset lives online from a platform like Cryptovoxels or Sandbox. But the virtual real estate you develop belongs to the site where it's housed. Ultimately, they own online space, but you buy the right to create and monetize it. You need to follow their rules and comply with platform policies. So it's essential to spread your investment over several digital assets. Then, mitigate risks like disruptions in the market or changes to how data is shared online.

What are the Pros & Cons of Investing in Digital Real Estate?

How Much Money Do You Need To Invest in Digital Real Estate?

You need around $0 to $500 to invest in digital real estate, according to sources like Reddit, Google, Quora, and Youtube. However, the amount you need depends on the digital asset you'd like to acquire. Building websites typically costs $10 to $30 monthly, as stated by Website Builder Expert. Buying domains ranges around $10 to $10,000. You can even invest in digital real estate for nothing. For example, a YouTube channel or social media profile is free to set up and create. But most digital real estate investments are more expensive.

For example, NFTs and Metaverse land costs are over a hundred dollars. CoinGecko reveals that the cheapest Metaverse land you can buy is Voxels. It costs 0.16 ETH or around $477 as of May 2023. So you can either pay with your time or your wallet.

Another great example is trading Bitcoins. While the money you need depends on the cryptocurrency you're going to invest in, it's still safe to choose popular and performing ones. According to various individuals from Reddit, you can start investing in Bitcoin with around $10-$100 daily, weekly, or monthly. However, some Redditors like BetterGarlic7 and Throwaway12222018 pitch in a starting investment of $10K.

Is Digital Real Estate Passive Income Sustainable in 2024?

Yes, digital real estate passive income is sustainable in 2024, given that you develop virtual assets that have increased demand, a significant customer base, drive high-quality traffic, and place on the top of search engines. Then you can make money with your online asset even beyond 2024. The key is to create a virtual property that offers value to people. You have to make use of the 6 hours and 35 minutes that people spend daily on online sites and platforms, as mentioned in Statista.

The types of digital real estate that make the most money are the ones that get attention. A popular niche-focused website with a large audience can earn significant money through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or paid ads. In contrast, a developed plot in a high-traffic area in the Metaverse can rent out its space for substantial gains. Or sell for huge amounts of money. Data reports that the most expensive Metaverse land sale was $5 million in the relatively unknown virtual world, TCG World.

The best digital real estate investment is something that fits your long-term goals and budget. The idea is to make your online asset valuable. Then you can use your space like a rental property and earn monthly cash flow. Or you can sell it for a lump price and earn capital gains.

Why Local Lead Generation is the Best Digital Real Estate Investment in 2024

Local lead generation is the best digital real estate investment in 2024 because it's a proven concept and a learned skillset. The barrier to entry is higher, but the competition is lower. Because the focus is on the local market, you can get your sites to the top of the SERPs in as little as six weeks. Alternatively, traditional real estate requires significant investments or loans and entails countless hours to rent out or sell. Plus, if you picked the wrong place, it's hard to get a do-over. While other digital real estate investments appreciate over time, building them requires more effort (and money).

Digital real estate passive income is money your online entity gains while you sleep. In Roop Singh's interview by TEDx Talks, he pointed out the increasing value of digital investments in the 21st century. People are switching from physical investments to intangible, digital experiences. Social media accounts and YouTube channels earn passive income through sponsorships and ad revenue. A blog makes passive income using banner ads or affiliate marketing strategies. The key is to create an asset that drives online traffic. The more people who visit your online property, the more passive income you earn.

That's why I prefer the local lead generation business model. You only need enough money to cover the costs of your domain, hosting, and call tracking number. (This is about $50 monthly). Then, you target local niches and offer a service people actively search for online. Your local lead gen sites produce leads that you sell to a business owner for a profit. You own the website, the tracking number, and the leads. So you're like a digital landlord renting out your asset to earn a steady cash flow.

Once you understand the process, you can adopt a copy-and-paste style. Build one, and then build ten more. It takes about 10 hours to create a site and around $500 to rank. But every lead gen website can generate $1,000+/month. Plus, they don't need much work once they're at the top. As a result, you earn passive income.

Build an uncomplicated, scalable, and profitable digital real estate investment that offers unlimited potential and growth. Choose the local lead gen biz model in 2024.