How To Create Digital Products For Beginners

Introduction.

Creating digital products can be one of the easiest ways to earn money online, and it’s growing more popular every year.

But, let’s be real—getting started can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re new to it. Where do you begin? What tools do you need? How do you even figure out what to sell?

I’ve been in that position too, and the good news is—it’s not as complicated as it might seem. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create your first digital product from scratch. I’ll break it all down step-by-step, keep things simple, and throw in some helpful tips along the way.

Why Digital Products are a Smart Idea

Digital products have some serious perks. First, they’re scalable, meaning you can sell them over and over without spending extra money.

Unlike physical products, you don’t have to deal with manufacturing, storing inventory, or shipping. Once you’ve created a product, it’s ready to be sold—24/7.

Also, the market for digital products is huge. According to Statista, the global e-learning market alone is expected to hit $375 billion by 2026.

That’s just one type of digital product! There’s a demand for knowledge, tools, and creative resources online, and people are willing to pay for products that solve their problems or make their lives easier.

Now, let’s get into the fun part—creating your digital product.

How Do I Create Digital Products For Beginners?

Step 1: Decide What to Sell

Before anything else, you need to figure out what you’re going to sell. This is probably the most important step because if you choose something nobody needs or wants, it’ll be tough to make sales.

Here are a few questions to help you figure it out:

What are you good at? Think about your skills, hobbies, or knowledge. Are you a great writer? Do you know how to code? Are you good at designing social media graphics?
What do people ask you about? Sometimes friends or coworkers ask for your advice on a specific topic. If they see you as an expert in something, others might too.
What problems can you solve? Digital products sell best when they solve a specific problem. For example, if you’re good at budgeting, you could create a budgeting template to help people manage their finances.

Popular Digital Product Ideas:

Ebooks – Great if you love writing or have deep knowledge about a subject.
Online Courses – Perfect for teaching a skill like photography, coding, or cooking.
Printables – These can be planners, checklists, or habit trackers that people can download and print.
Templates – Think of social media templates, website designs, or email marketing templates.
Music or Sound Effects – If you’re a musician, you can sell beats, loops, or sound effects.
Stock Photos – Photographers can sell high-quality images that businesses or bloggers need.

Step 2: Research Your Audience

Once you have an idea of what to sell, it’s time to dig into some research. You need to know who your audience is and what they’re looking for. This will help you create a product that meets their needs and stands out.

How to Research Your Audience:

Join Facebook Groups related to your niche and see what questions people are asking.
Look at online forums like Reddit or Quora to find out what problems people are trying to solve.
Check out competitors and read their reviews. What are customers saying? What do they like, and what do they wish was better?

Once you know what your audience needs, you can tailor your product to solve their problems.

Step 3: Create Your Digital Product

This is where things start to get exciting! You’ve got your idea, you’ve researched your audience, and now it’s time to build your product. The tools you’ll need will depend on the type of product you’re creating.

Tools for Creating Digital Products:

Ebooks – Use Google Docs or Microsoft Word to write and format your ebook. Then, convert it to a PDF.
Online Courses – Platforms like Teachable, Kajabi, or even Udemy make it easy to create and sell courses.
Printables – Design them using free tools like Canva or more advanced ones like Adobe Illustrator.
Templates – If you’re making templates for social media or websites, Canva is a beginner-friendly option.
Music or Sound Effects – Use software like GarageBand or Audacity to create and edit audio files.

Tip: Start Small

You don’t need to create a massive product right away. Start with something simple and manageable. Once you have your first product out there, you can build on it or create more.

Step 4: Price Your Product

Pricing can be tricky. You don’t want to set your price too high and scare people away, but you also don’t want to sell yourself short.

A Simple Way to Price Your Product:

Look at similar products in your niche and see what they charge.
Consider the value you’re providing. How much time, money, or stress will your product save someone?
Start with a low-to-mid-range price if you’re new. You can always increase your price later as you gain more customers and feedback.

Step 5: Choose a Platform to Sell On

Now that your product is ready, it’s time to sell it! There are plenty of platforms you can use, depending on your needs and budget.

Popular Platforms to Sell Digital Products:

Etsy – Great for selling printables and templates.
Gumroad – Simple and perfect for selling ebooks, courses, and more.
Shopify – A more robust option if you want to create a full online store.
Teachable or Thinkific – Best for online courses.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – Ideal if you’re selling ebooks.

Step 6: Market Your Product

Your product won’t sell itself, so you need to spread the word. The good news is, that there are tons of free or affordable ways to market your digital product.

Simple Marketing Tips:

Social Media – Share your product on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
Email List – Build an email list and send updates or special offers to your subscribers.
Collaborate – Partner with influencers or other creators in your niche to promote your product.
Content Marketing – Write blog posts, create videos, or start a podcast that ties into your product.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be an expert to create a digital product?

No! You just need to know more than your target audience. If you can solve a problem or teach a skill, that’s enough.

2. How long does it take to create a digital product?

It depends on the type of product. An ebook might take a few weeks, while a full online course could take a few months.

3. Can I create a digital product with no money?

Yes! Many free tools are available, like Canva for design, Google Docs for writing, and social media for marketing.

4. What if my product doesn’t sell?

Don’t give up. Try to figure out why it didn’t sell. Was it the price? The marketing? The product itself? Get feedback, make improvements, and try again.