How To Create a Shopify Store For Digital Products

Introduction.

If you’re thinking about selling digital products, creating a Shopify store is a smart move. Why? Because Shopify is one of the easiest and most reliable e-commerce platforms out there.

Now, if you’re not sure where to start or feel a bit overwhelmed by the process, don’t worry! I’m here to walk you through everything step by step. From setting up your store to adding your first digital product, I’ll cover it all.

By the end of this article, you’ll feel confident enough to launch your Shopify store and start making money from your digital creations.

Why Shopify?

Before jumping into the how-to part, it’s important to understand why Shopify is a great choice for digital products.

• Easy Setup: You don’t need to be a tech expert to create a store on Shopify. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with drag-and-drop features that make setting up a breeze.
• Secure Payments: Shopify has secure payment processing built-in, so you don’t have to worry about integrating third-party systems. Your customers will feel safe making purchases on your store.
• Customization: With plenty of themes and apps available, you can make your store look professional and match your branding style without needing a web designer.
• Digital Product Delivery: Shopify makes it simple to deliver digital products automatically to your customers as soon as they purchase. You don’t have to manually send files, which saves you time.

How Do I Create a Shopify Store for Digital Products?

Now let’s dive into creating your Shopify store. I’m breaking it down into manageable steps to make sure you don’t miss anything important.

Step 1: Sign Up for Shopify

First things first, head over to Shopify and sign up for an account. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, so you can explore the platform without committing right away.

During the signup process, you’ll be asked to provide some basic info like your name, email, and store name.

When choosing a store name, keep it short, memorable, and relevant to the digital products you plan to sell.

Your store name will be part of your URL (e.g., storename.myshopify.com), so pick something that reflects your brand.

Step 2: Choose a Theme for Your Store

Once your account is set up, it’s time to pick a theme for your store. Shopify has both free and paid themes, and you can easily browse them in the “Themes” section. You’ll want a clean, professional-looking design that highlights your digital products.

For digital products, focus on a simple and clear layout. Your customers should be able to navigate your site quickly and find what they’re looking for without any distractions. Don’t overcomplicate things with too many features.

Step 3: Set Up Your Store’s Basic Information

Now it’s time to set up some basic details about your store. In the settings, make sure to:

• Add your store address (even though you’re selling digital products, this info is required for tax and shipping calculations).
• Choose your currency. Since digital products can be sold globally, make sure you select the right currency for your target audience.
• Set up taxes. Digital product tax rules vary by country, so you’ll want to make sure you’re setting up the right tax rates. Shopify has a tool that automatically applies tax rates based on your location.

Step 4: Install the Digital Product Delivery App

For digital products, you’ll need an app that can automatically send your files to customers after they purchase.

Shopify offers a built-in app called Shopify Digital Downloads. It’s free and easy to use. Once you install it, you’ll be able to upload your digital files (eBooks, music, PDFs, software, etc.) to your store.

After a customer buys a product, they’ll automatically receive a link to download the file. This process is completely automated, so you won’t need to send emails manually.

Step 5: Add Your Digital Products

Now it’s time to add your digital products to your store! To do this:

• Go to the Products section in your Shopify dashboard.
• Click Add Product and enter details like the product name, description, and pricing.
• Upload your digital file (like an eBook PDF, audio file, or software file) directly to the product listing using the Digital Downloads app.
• Set the file to automatically deliver after purchase.

If you’re selling something like an online course or membership, you might need to set up access permissions or use a third-party app like Course Manager or Sky Pilot to manage that content.

Step 6: Set Up Payment Processing

You’ll need to set up your payment gateways so you can receive payments. Shopify integrates with multiple payment processors, including PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify Payments (Shopify’s payment system).

If you’re selling digital products, you won’t need to worry about shipping settings, but you still need to enable a payment gateway so customers can buy your products securely.

Make sure to enable Shopify Payments as it’s the most seamless option if you’re based in supported countries. Otherwise, PayPal and Stripe are both excellent alternatives.

Step 7: Test Your Store

Before launching, it’s a good idea to do a test order. This allows you to check that everything is working smoothly—from the checkout process to digital file delivery.

• Go through the entire buying process as if you were a customer.
• Make sure you receive the email with the download link right after making the purchase.
• Check the email for any errors or missing information.

Step 8: Launch Your Store

Once everything looks good, it’s time to go live! You can remove the password protection on your store by going to your Online Store > Preferences, where you can make your site visible to everyone.

Now, your store is up and running, and you’re ready to start selling your digital products.

Additional Tips for Success

• Create a Blog: Adding a blog to your store can help with SEO and drive traffic to your site. Share valuable content related to your digital products, like tips, tutorials, or stories about your creations.
• Use Social Media: Promote your digital products on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to reach a larger audience.
• Offer Discounts: Run promotions or offer discounts to encourage customers to make a purchase. You can create discount codes directly in Shopify.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list to keep customers informed about new products, updates, and sales. Shopify integrates with email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Klaviyo.

FAQs

Q: How do I set up a digital download for my product?

A: After installing the Shopify Digital Downloads app, simply upload the file to your product listing. The app will automatically send a download link to the customer once they’ve made a purchase.

Q: Can I sell physical and digital products on the same Shopify store?

A: Yes, Shopify allows you to sell both digital and physical products in the same store. You can manage each type of product separately and set different shipping or delivery options.

Q: Do I need to worry about taxes for digital products?

A: Yes, taxes on digital products can be complicated and vary by location. Shopify automatically calculates taxes based on your store’s location, but you should verify that you have the correct tax settings for your country and target markets.

Q: What if I want to sell a subscription-based digital product, like an online course?

A: Shopify supports subscription models through apps like ReCharge or Bold Subscriptions. You can easily set up recurring payments for digital services or content.

Conclusion

Building a Shopify store for digital products doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools and a bit of guidance, you can have your store set up and start selling in no time.

Shopify’s user-friendly platform, combined with apps for digital downloads and secure payment processing, makes it a great choice for anyone looking to sell digital content.

Are you ready to create your own Shopify store and start selling your digital products?