How Much Can You Make Selling Digital Products?

Introduction.

The internet has opened up countless ways to make money, and selling digital products is one of the most popular.

You might have noticed people selling eBooks, courses, design templates, or even music online—and you’ve probably wondered if it’s worth it. How much can you make by selling digital products? Is it a side hustle, or can it replace a full-time job?

Let’s break it all down. I’ll walk you through what digital products are, why they’re a solid business idea, how much money you can make, and what factors affect your earnings.

If you’re thinking of creating something to sell online, this guide should help you figure out what to expect.

What are Digital Products?

Digital products are anything you can sell online without needing to ship a physical item. Some examples include:

eBooks: Like a guide or how-to book you write and sell as a PDF or through platforms like Amazon Kindle.
Online courses: Lessons you record or write, often in video or text form, and sell on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or even your website.
Design templates: Pre-made designs for websites, social media posts, or presentations that buyers can customize for their use.
Stock photos or music: High-quality photos, sound effects, or original music that others can use in their projects.
Printables: Things like planners, calendars, or worksheets people download and print at home.

Unlike physical products, digital ones don’t need inventory or shipping. Once you create it, you can sell it over and over without much extra work.

That’s the beauty of it—it’s scalable, meaning you can sell to 10 people or 10,000 without needing more resources.

Why Selling Digital Products Is a Great Idea

Selling digital products can be a smart way to earn money online because:

Low upfront costs – Creating a digital product usually requires only time and a few basic tools. If you’re writing an eBook, for example, all you need is a word processor. For online courses, a decent camera or screen recording software might do the trick.
Passive income potential – Once your product is created and listed for sale, you can earn money from it repeatedly without much ongoing work. This is often referred to as “passive income,” though it’s important to remember it does require some initial effort.
High-profit margins – Since you’re not dealing with manufacturing, shipping, or inventory, most of the money you make from a sale is profit. If you sell an eBook for $20, you might only spend a few dollars on platform fees or marketing, meaning most of that $20 is yours to keep.

How Much Can You Make?

The big question: how much can you earn?

It depends on several things:

1. The type of product you’re selling

Some products sell for more money than others. For example:

eBooks typically sell for $5–$30.
Online courses can range from $50 to $500 or even more, depending on the topic and audience.
Design templates and printables might sell for $10–$50, but if you create a bundle or a membership, you can charge more.

2. The size of your audience

If you have a large audience (through social media, a blog, or an email list), you’ll likely sell more. But even with a small audience, it’s possible to make good money if you offer something valuable and market it well.

3. Your marketing efforts

How you promote your product matters. Simply listing it online isn’t enough—you need to get it in front of potential buyers. Some common ways to market digital products include:

Social media: Sharing your product with your followers on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.
Email marketing: Sending updates and promotions to your email subscribers.
Collaborations: Partnering with other creators or influencers to promote your product.

4. Pricing

Pricing can be tricky. You don’t want to charge too little and miss out on profit, but you also don’t want to price it so high that people aren’t willing to buy.

It’s often a good idea to start with a competitive price and adjust based on feedback and sales.

Real-Life Examples

Let’s look at a few examples to see what’s possible:

Sarah, the eBook author: Sarah writes a guide on productivity hacks and sells it for $15. In her first month, she sells 100 copies, making $1,500. Over time, as she markets it more and gets positive reviews, she starts selling 500 copies a month, earning $7,500 monthly.
John, the online course creator: John creates a course on graphic design and lists it for $200 on a popular course platform. He spends time promoting it through YouTube tutorials and social media. In his first few months, he sells 50 courses, earning $10,000. Over the next year, with more marketing and word-of-mouth, he sells 500, making $100,000.
Emily, the template designer: Emily designs Instagram templates and sells them for $25 each. She also offers a bundle for $100. After building a following on Instagram, she starts selling 20 bundles a month, earning $2,000. As her audience grows, so does her income.

Challenges You Might Face

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Initial time investment: Creating a high-quality digital product takes time and effort.
Competition: The market for digital products can be crowded, so you need to find a way to stand out.
Ongoing promotion: Even after your product is live, you’ll need to keep promoting it to make consistent sales.

FAQs

How do I choose the right digital product to sell?

Think about your skills, interests, and what people are looking for. If you’re good at photography, maybe sell stock photos. If you know how to organize your day like a pro, an eBook on time management could be a hit.

Do I need a big audience to make money?

Not necessarily. While a large audience helps, you can still make money with a small one if you offer something valuable and market it well.

How long does it take to start making money?

It varies. Some people see sales within days of launching, while others take weeks or months. It depends on your product, audience, and marketing efforts.

What platforms should I use to sell my product?

There are plenty of options:

For eBooks: Amazon Kindle, Gumroad, Payhip
For courses: Teachable, Udemy, Thinkific
For templates: Etsy, Creative Market, your own website

Conclusion

Selling digital products can be a rewarding way to earn money online. Whether you’re looking to make some extra cash or build a full-time business, it offers flexibility, scalability, and low overhead.

The income potential is real, but it depends on your product, audience, and marketing.

So, how much can you make selling digital products? It’s up to you! Have you thought about what kind of digital product you might create?