How To Create and Sell Digital Products Online

Introduction.

Selling digital products online is one of the best ways to earn money while doing something you enjoy.

You create it once, sell it many times, and skip the hassle of inventory, shipping, or dealing with returns. It’s low-risk, highly flexible, and the profit margins are huge compared to physical products.

More people are buying digital items like ebooks, templates, online courses, stock photos, and even digital planners.

In 2024, the global digital products market crossed $500 billion, and it’s still growing fast. Statista shows that people spend more on digital products each year — which makes this a perfect time to start selling.

If you’re good at something — writing, designing, teaching, organizing — chances are, you can turn it into a digital product.

Let me walk you through how to actually do this, step by step. I’ll also share tools I use, mistakes to avoid, and tips to help you stand out.

What are Digital Products?

Digital products are anything you can sell online that doesn’t have a physical form. That means the buyer can download or access it digitally — no shipping needed. Some popular examples include:

• Ebooks
• Online courses
• Templates (for resumes, Notion, Canva, etc.)
• Spreadsheets
• Stock photos or videos
• Digital art or stickers
• Printable planners or journals
• Music and audio files
• Membership access to private communities or tools

The great thing is that once you create the product, you can sell it over and over without any extra work. That’s what makes digital products so scalable.

How Do I Create and Sell Digital Products Online?

Step 1: Pick The Right Product To Sell

Start by asking yourself:

• What do I know really well?

• What do people ask me for help with?

• What problems can I solve?

Think about skills or knowledge you already have. Maybe you’re great at budgeting, organizing content, designing with Canva, or teaching languages.

You don’t need to be a genius — you just need to be one or two steps ahead of someone else.

Here are some ideas based on skills:

Don’t try to do too much at once. Start small. One product is enough to test the waters.

Step 2: Create Something People Want

Before you jump into building your product, make sure there’s a market for it. Here’s how to do that:

1. Search marketplaces – Look at Gumroad, Etsy (for digital), Creative Market, or even TikTok to see what’s trending.

2. Browse Reddit or Quora – Look at what people are asking in communities related to your niche.

3. Use free tools like:

   • Google Trends – to see if people are searching for your topic.

   • Answer the Public – shows questions people ask online.

   • Ubersuggest – to check keyword demand.

If others are selling similar products, that’s a good sign — it means people are buying.

Step 3: Build Your Digital Product

This doesn’t have to be fancy. Start with tools you already know.

Tools You Can Use:

• Canva – for anything visual (ebooks, templates, planners)

• Google Sheets or Excel – for finance or business templates

• Notion – to create dashboards or digital workspaces

• Loom or ScreenFlow – to record video tutorials

• Google Docs – for guides or text-based products

• Audacity or GarageBand – for audio files or meditations

Keep it simple. Focus on solving one problem. A $9 template that helps someone save time or stay organized can sell like crazy if it’s helpful.

Step 4: Choose Where to Sell

You have two main options: marketplaces or your site.

Marketplaces:

• Gumroad (easy, clean, great for creators)

• Etsy (huge reach for printable and planner products)

• Creative Market (for designers)

• Podia or Teachable (for courses)

These are perfect if you don’t want to deal with tech stuff. They handle payments, downloads, and taxes for you.

Your Own Website:

Use tools like:

• Shopify

• Payhip

• Stan Store (popular for creators on TikTok and Instagram)

• WordPress + WooCommerce (if you’re more technical)

Selling on your own site gives you full control and no platform fees, but it takes a bit more work.

Step 5: Price It Right

Pricing is tricky, but here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Templates and planners: $5–$25

• Ebooks or guides: $9–$49

• Courses or video content: $49–$300+

• Toolkits or bundles: $20–$100

Start low and increase once you have reviews or social proof. Don’t underprice forever. Your time and skills have value.

Step 6: Launch and Promote

Now comes the fun (and slightly scary) part: putting it out there.

Where to promote:

• TikTok – Share tips, show how your product works
• Instagram Reels or Stories
• Pinterest – Amazing for planners, templates, or anything visual
• Email list – Even a small list can help with sales
• Reddit or niche communities – Be helpful first, then share your product naturally

You don’t need to be an influencer. Real stories and behind-the-scenes content go a long way. Just be consistent.

FAQs

Do I need to be an expert to sell a digital product?

Nope. You just need to help someone solve a problem. If you’re a few steps ahead, you’re qualified.

Do I need a business license to start?

It depends on where you live. In many places, you can start as a sole proprietor. Look up your local rules or ask an accountant if you’re unsure.

Can I make a full-time income?

Yes, but not overnight. Many people make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month in the beginning. Consistency and building an audience help a lot.

What’s the best product to start with?

Start with what’s easiest for you to create. Templates, simple guides, and planners are great first products.

Final Tips

• Keep improving your product based on feedback.

• Add bonus content to increase value.

• Build an email list early — it’s way more reliable than social media.

• Don’t wait for it to be perfect. Done is better than perfect.

Conclusion

Digital products are one of the simplest and most powerful ways to earn money online. You don’t need to be famous, have a huge following, or spend months building something. Just start small, stay consistent, and be helpful.

So, if you could turn any skill or passion into a digital product — what would you create first?