How To Make Money With Digital Products

Introduction.

Let’s be honest: making money online isn’t just a dream anymore—it’s a real option for people everywhere. And digital products? They’re one of the smartest ways to do it.

I’ve seen so many people turn simple ideas into steady income using just their laptop and a bit of know-how.

What makes digital products such a good idea? Low upfront costs, zero inventory, and the ability to scale without working more hours. You make something once, and it keeps working for you.

This guide is going to walk through exactly how to do it—from idea to launch, and beyond. I’ll keep it simple, real, and based on what actually works.

What are Digital Products?

Digital products are items you can sell online that don’t exist in physical form. Once created, people download them or access them online. There’s no packaging, shipping, or storage.

Some examples include:

• Ebooks

• Online courses

• Canva templates

• Printables

• Stock photos or videos

• Digital art

• Music or sound effects

• Software or apps

• Notion templates

• Planners and journals (PDFs)

The list goes on. If it can be delivered through a link or download—it’s a digital product.

Why Digital Products Are Such a Smart Move

1. High Profit Margins

Once your product is made, it costs almost nothing to deliver. You’re not buying materials or paying for shipping. That means more profit in your pocket.

2. Scalable

You can sell 1 copy or 10,000. You’re not stuck with “inventory” or needing to make more of something every time someone buys.

3. Passive Income

This one’s huge. You can literally earn money while you sleep. Of course, it takes effort upfront, but once it’s live, sales can roll in 24/7.

4. No Storage or Shipping

Everything is digital, so you don’t need a warehouse or post office runs. That’s a major plus for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with logistics.

5. Work from Anywhere

All you need is Wi-Fi and a laptop. You can run your business from your home, a coffee shop, or even while traveling.

How Do I Make Money With Digital Products?

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Find a Problem To Solve

This is where every great product starts: solving a problem. The best digital products help someone get from point A to point B—faster, easier, or cheaper.

Ask yourself:

• What do people keep asking me about?

• What do I know that others find useful?

• Is there something I’ve made for myself that others would pay for?

Check forums, Facebook groups, Reddit, TikTok comments, and Amazon reviews for ideas. Real people leave real clues.

Step 2: Choose Your Format

Not every idea fits every format. Here are a few examples:

• If you know how to organize a home: Sell a digital planner or checklist

• If you’re great at marketing: Build an online course

• If you’re a designer: Make Canva templates

• If you’re good with writing: Write an ebook or guides

Choose the format that feels easiest for you and best suits your idea.

Step 3: Create Your Product

Don’t get stuck trying to make it perfect. Focus on useful, clear, and easy to understand.

Some tools I use and recommend:

• Canva – for ebooks, templates, and printables

• Notion – for planners and digital workspaces

• Loom – for recording screen-based tutorials

• Teachable or Gumroad – for hosting courses or selling downloads

Important: Make it easy to use. No one wants a confusing download.

Step 4: Set a Fair Price

Start by looking at what others are charging for similar things. If you’re offering more value, you can charge more.

A few examples:

• Printables: $5–$20

• Ebooks: $10–$50

• Courses: $50–$500+

• Templates: $10–$100+

You can always raise your prices later once you have proof and reviews.

Step 5: Set Up a Simple Sales Page

This doesn’t need to be fancy.

Just focus on:

• A headline that tells people what problem your product solves

• A few bullet points showing what they’ll get

• A strong call-to-action (“Download now” or “Start learning today”)

Tools to create sales pages:

• Gumroad (free plan available)

• Podia

• ThriveCart

• Payhip

• Shopify (for scaling)

Step 6: Market It Without Being Salesy

Marketing isn’t about being pushy—it’s about helping the right people find what you made.

Try:

• Sharing helpful tips on TikTok or Instagram related to your product

• Writing blog posts or tutorials (like this one)

• Sending emails to your list

• Posting in communities where your audience hangs out

People won’t know your product exists unless you talk about it. Just make it helpful and authentic.

Real-World Examples That Work

1. Budget Mom Printables

A single mom turned her personal budgeting templates into a thriving six-figure business.

2. Notion Creators

Creators like Thomas Frank make $10K+ a month from Notion templates alone. It’s about solving a small, real need with a clean solution.

3. Ebook Creators

Many writers self-publish guides on how to get freelance clients or grow on Instagram—and earn thousands a month with just one PDF.

These aren’t overnight success stories. They’re people who put in time, kept learning, and got better with every launch.

FAQs

Do I need to be tech-savvy to start?

No. Tools like Canva, Gumroad, and Teachable make it beginner-friendly. You can learn as you go.

What sells best?

Products that solve clear problems or save people time. Think budget tools, planners, how-to guides, niche templates, etc.

Can I do this part-time?

Absolutely. Most people start as a side hustle. Even an hour a day adds up.

Do I need a big following?

No, but an audience helps. You can start with a few people, and grow by sharing valuable content consistently.

Tools I’d Recommend

Here are some tools and platforms that can help (some are free or low-cost):

Final Thoughts

Digital products are one of the simplest, most beginner-friendly ways to make money online. You don’t need a warehouse, a ton of cash, or a huge team. You just need one good idea, the right tools, and the courage to hit publish.

You’re not just selling a file—you’re helping someone solve a problem. And that’s what makes this so rewarding.

So now I’ll ask you:

What digital product could you create today that someone would gladly pay for tomorrow?