How To Build a Digital Product Store Selling Downloadable Products

Selling digital products is one of the easiest ways to make money online without worrying about shipping, packaging, or inventory.

If you’ve ever created something like an ebook, a preset, a design template, or even a checklist, you already have something people might pay for.

The best part? You only have to create it once—and you can sell it over and over again.

I’ve helped people set up simple digital stores that brought in hundreds, sometimes even thousands of dollars each month—all from products they built in a weekend.

You don’t need to be a tech expert or have a huge audience to start.

You just need a product that solves a problem, a place to sell it, and a way to get it in front of the right people.

Let me walk you through everything I know about building your digital product store—from picking your product to getting your first sale.

Step 1: Choose a Product That Solves a Problem

If you’re stuck on what to sell, start by thinking about problems you’ve solved in your own life. Chances are, someone else is dealing with the same thing. Here are some popular digital product ideas:

• Ebooks – Step-by-step guides, niche tips, or personal stories with practical advice.

• Notion templates – Productivity setups, habit trackers, or content planning boards.

• Design assets – Fonts, icons, logo templates, or Instagram post templates.

• Printable planners – Budget trackers, meal plans, study planners.

• Online courses or video tutorials – Teach a skill you already know.

The best digital products are simple, helpful, and quick to use. You don’t need to overcomplicate it—just focus on making something useful.

Step 2: Validate Your Idea

Before building anything, make sure people want it.

Here’s how I test ideas quickly:

• Search on Etsy, Gumroad, or Payhip. See if people are buying something similar. If they are, that’s a good sign.

• Ask your audience. If you have a small following on Instagram, X (Twitter), or TikTok, ask what they struggle with.

• Use Reddit or Quora. Look up your topic and see what questions people ask.

If your idea solves a real need, it’s much easier to sell.

Step 3: Create the Product

Now comes the fun part—making your product.

You can use free or low-cost tools to get started:

• Canva – For ebooks, checklists, and design templates.

• Notion – For creating and sharing templates.

• Google Docs or Slides – For simple guides or planners.

• OBS Studio or Loom – For screen recording tutorials or courses.

Tip: Keep it simple. A clean, easy-to-read product that delivers real value is all you need. Don’t stress about it looking “perfect.”

Step 4: Pick the Right Platform to Sell

You don’t need to build your website from scratch. There are a few platforms I recommend if you want something simple and beginner-friendly:

Gumroad (https://gumroad.com/)

• Super easy to use

• Free to start (they take a small fee per sale)

• Handles file delivery automatically

Payhip (https://payhip.com/)

• Easy to set up

• Lets you sell memberships, courses, and downloads

• No monthly fees on the free plan

Podia (https://www.podia.com/)

• Great if you want to bundle downloads with courses or coaching

• All-in-one dashboard

Sellfy (https://sellfy.com/)

• Great for selling digital + physical products

• Monthly subscription, but no transaction fees on the top plans

Most of these platforms handle file delivery, customer emails, and even tax for you. You can focus on creating and marketing.

Step 5: Add a Payment Method

Most platforms support PayPal, Stripe, or both. Once you connect your account, you can start collecting payments immediately.

If you’re in a country where Stripe isn’t supported, Payhip and Gumroad are usually more flexible. You can also look into payment gateways like Wise, Payoneer, or even Flutterwave (if you’re in Africa).

Step 6: Write a Clear Product Page

Your product page is like your salesperson—it has to explain what your product is, who it’s for, and what result they’ll get from it.

Here’s a simple structure I use:

• A short headline that says what it is

• One or two sentences about who it helps

• A list of what’s inside

• What makes it different

• A call to action (like “Get it now”)

Add screenshots or mockups to show what people will get. You can use tools like Smartmockups or Canva for this.

Step 7: Set Up Delivery and Licensing

If your product is downloadable, make sure people can access it right after payment. Most platforms handle this automatically.

Also, think about licensing:

• Will they get lifetime access?

• Can they resell or share it?

• Will you offer updates later?

Make this clear in your product description or terms.

Step 8: Market Your Product

Even the best digital product won’t sell if nobody knows it exists. Start by sharing where you already have attention—on social media, your email list, or even your WhatsApp status.

Here are a few ways I’ve seen people get their first sales:

• TikTok or Instagram Reels: Show a behind-the-scenes look at what’s inside your product.

• Email marketing: Send a few emails explaining how your product helps and include a discount for early buyers.

• Twitter/X threads: Share tips related to your product, then mention your store at the end.

• Reddit: Answer questions in relevant subreddits (without spamming) and link your product when appropriate.

If you don’t have an audience yet, no problem. Consider listing your product on marketplaces like Etsy or Creative Market to reach buyers.

Step 9: Collect Feedback and Improve

After your first few sales, ask customers:

• What did they like?

• What was missing?

• Would they recommend it?

Use this feedback to improve the product or even create a second one. You can also add testimonials to your product page to help new buyers feel confident.

Step 10: Keep Going

The first product is just the beginning. Once your store is up, you can:

• Create bundles or product packs

• Offer discount codes for returning customers

• Add a simple email list to stay in touch with buyers

Over time, your store becomes an asset that works for you—even while you sleep.

FAQs

Do I need to register a business before I sell digital products?

Not at first, but check local laws. In most places, you can start as an individual, then register your business once you start making consistent income.

What’s the best platform to sell digital products as a beginner?

Gumroad or Payhip. They’re easy, free to start, and don’t require a lot of setup.

Can I sell in a currency that’s not USD?

Yes. Most platforms let you set your preferred currency, especially if you connect PayPal or Stripe.

Can I sell to people in other countries?

Yes, digital products can be sold globally. Just make sure your platform handles international payments.

What if someone downloads my product and shares it for free?

That can happen. You can add a personal touch (like name or email) to each file, or use licensing reminders. But don’t stress too much—focus on delivering great value.

Final Thoughts

Starting a digital product store is one of the simplest ways to earn online, even if you don’t have a huge following or a tech background.

Once you’ve made a product that solves a real problem, set up your store, and shared it with the right people, it can bring in passive income month after month.

So, if you’ve got a great idea or a skill that could help someone, why not package it up and put it out there?

What’s stopping you from launching your first digital product today?