How To Create and Sell Digital Products Online

Introduction.

If you’ve ever thought about starting an online business, selling digital products might be the perfect opportunity.

With low overhead costs, a global market, and endless creative possibilities, it’s no wonder more and more people are jumping into the digital product game.

But how do you go from idea to launch? Well, that’s exactly what I’m going to walk you through today.

I’m going to break things down into simple steps, explain the key concepts you need to understand, and help you avoid common mistakes so that you can get started on the right foot.

Ready to take the plunge? Let’s dive into how to create and sell digital products online!

Why Digital Products?

Before I go into the how-to, let’s quickly look at why digital products are a smart choice. First off, they’re super flexible.

You can create anything from eBooks, online courses, and stock photos to software, design templates, or even music.

The best part? Once you’ve created your product, it’s ready to sell as many times as you want—without needing to restock or ship anything.

Additionally, selling digital products online means you don’t have to deal with the logistics of physical products.

No packing, no shipping costs, and no waiting for things to arrive. You simply create your product, list it online, and let the digital magic happen.

Statistics:

The global digital product market is expected to grow significantly. According to a report by Statista, the global market size of e-learning alone is expected to reach $374.3 billion by 2026. This shows just how much potential there is in the digital products space.
Selling digital products also has a low startup cost. Unlike physical products, you don’t need to worry about inventory or shipping costs, which makes it a much more accessible option for people just starting.

How Do I Create and Sell Digital Products Online?

Step 1: Find Your Niche.

Before you get too excited about creating your product, you need to figure out what to create. Think about your skills, interests, or even problems you’ve solved that others might face.

Your niche will help define your target audience and make your marketing efforts more focused.

Ask yourself:

What am I good at? (Designing, writing, coding, teaching?)
What problems can I solve with my knowledge or skills?
Who would benefit from my product? (Beginners, experts, small business owners?)

Narrowing down your focus helps you stand out. For example, if you love photography and have an eye for detail, you could create and sell stock photos. If you’re a great teacher, you could develop an online course on a topic you’re passionate about.

Step 2: Create Your Product.

Once you’ve decided on your niche, it’s time to create your digital product. This part can feel like a huge task, but if you break it down, it gets a lot easier.

Here are some ideas for common digital products and how to create them:

EBooks: Writing an eBook can be as simple as using a word processor (like Google Docs or Microsoft Word). Focus on a topic you’re knowledgeable about and break it down into manageable sections. Once you have your content ready, you can format it into an eBook-friendly file like a PDF or EPUB.
Online Courses: If you prefer teaching, creating an online course is a great option. Platforms like Teachable or Udemy make it easy to create and sell courses. You’ll need to record videos or write lessons and organize them in a clear, engaging way. Make sure the content is valuable and solves a problem.
Printables or Design Templates: If you’re into graphic design, creating printable templates (like planners, calendars, or workout sheets) is an awesome digital product idea. Tools like Canva make it easy to create and export these types of products, even if you’re not a professional designer.
Stock Photos, Graphics, or Fonts: If photography or graphic design is your thing, selling your photos, graphics, or fonts on platforms like Etsy or Shutterstock can be a solid way to make passive income. Take high-quality images or create beautiful designs and list them for sale.
Music or Sound Effects: Are you a musician or sound designer? You could create music tracks, beats, or sound effects that people can use in videos, podcasts, or other projects. Sites like AudioJungle or Bandcamp let you upload and sell your creations.

The key to creating a successful product is to make sure it’s something that your target audience wants or needs. So, take some time to research and get feedback from potential customers, if possible.

Step 3: Choose Your Platform.

Now that you have your product ready, the next step is to figure out where to sell it. There are plenty of platforms to choose from depending on your product and what fits best for you.

Etsy: Great for printable templates, digital art, and some eBooks. It’s super user-friendly and has a large built-in audience.
Udemy or Teachable: If you’re creating an online course, these platforms make it easy to build, host, and sell your course.
Gumroad: A simple option for selling almost anything—eBooks, music, software, or digital downloads.
Shopify: If you want to set up your online store, Shopify lets you create a professional-looking website to sell your digital products.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): If you’ve written an eBook, Amazon’s KDP platform is an easy way to get your book into the hands of readers.

No matter which platform you choose, make sure you pay attention to their fees and how they handle payments.

Step 4: Market Your Product.

Once you have everything set up, it’s time to get the word out. Marketing can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into simple steps makes it more manageable.

Create a Website or Blog: Having a website gives you a home base where people can learn more about you and your products. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but having a professional-looking site helps you build credibility.
Use Social Media: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok are all great ways to showcase your products. Share behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks of your products, and user-generated content to build engagement and attract potential customers.
Email Marketing: Building an email list is one of the best ways to promote your digital products. Offer a freebie (like a mini eBook or printable) to get people to sign up for your list. Once they’re on your list, you can keep them updated on new products, discounts, and promotions.
Collaborate with Influencers or Bloggers: Partnering with someone in your niche to promote your products can help you reach a larger audience. Look for people whose followers align with your target audience.
Run Ads: If you have a budget for it, running ads on Facebook or Instagram can help you reach people who may be interested in your product.

Step 5: Automate & Scale.

One of the best parts about selling digital products is that they can be automated. Once your products are created and listed online, your job is mostly to maintain and market them.

Set up automation for tasks like:

Email sequences to nurture leads and encourage sales.
Sales funnels to guide potential customers through the buying process.
Affiliate programs allow others to sell your products for a commission.

Scaling comes down to expanding your product offerings, increasing your marketing efforts, or tapping into new audiences.

FAQs

1. How much can I make selling digital products?

It varies widely depending on the product, your audience, and how effectively you market. Some people make a few hundred dollars per month, while others make thousands. It all depends on the demand for your product and how well you promote it.

2. Do I need technical skills to create digital products?

Not necessarily! While some digital products (like software) might require coding skills, many products like eBooks, printables, and online courses can be created without advanced technical knowledge.

3. How do I handle taxes on digital products?

You’ll need to check your local laws to figure out how taxes work for digital sales. In some places, digital products are taxed just like physical products, while in others, they aren’t. Keep track of your sales for tax purposes.