How To Make Money Selling Digital Products

Introduction.

Making money online isn’t a myth. It’s real—and digital products are one of the best ways to do it.

I’ve seen people go from zero to full-time income just by selling things like eBooks, templates, courses, or even simple checklists.

The best part? You create it once, and it can keep selling again and again without you needing to be online all the time.

Now, I know it can sound a bit overwhelming at first—what should you sell, where should you sell it, and how do you get people to buy?

That’s what I’m going to walk you through here. I’ll break everything down in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you’ve never sold anything online before.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to turn your knowledge or skills into income.

Let’s get into it.

What are Digital Products?

A digital product is anything you can sell online without shipping a physical item. Once someone buys it, they download it or get access to it online. Think:

• eBooks
• Online courses
• Digital templates (like resumes, planners, or social media kits)
• Stock photos
• Printables (like coloring books or worksheets)
• Software or apps
• Music, audio files, or sound effects

Once it’s created, it costs almost nothing to deliver. That’s why the profit margins are so high.

Why Digital Products Are So Popular Right Now

People are buying digital products every single day—without even realizing it. That planner someone downloaded from Etsy?

Digital product. That online course on how to edit videos? Digital product. That recipe eBook sold through Instagram?

Yep, digital again.

According to a report from Statista, the global e-learning market alone is projected to hit $400 billion by 2026 (source). And that’s just one slice of the digital product pie.

Here’s why selling digital products makes sense:

• Low startup cost: You don’t need a warehouse or inventory.
• Work once, sell forever: Once it’s up, it keeps earning.
• No shipping hassles: Everything is sent automatically.
• Global reach: Sell to anyone, anywhere.
• You own it: You’re not relying on someone else’s platform.

What Can You Sell?

If you’re stuck on what to create, start with what you already know. You don’t need to be an expert with a huge following—just a step ahead of someone else.

Here are a few product ideas based on your skills or interests:

Just think about what people often ask you for help with—that’s probably something others would pay to learn or use too.

Where To Sell Your Digital Products

You have two main options here: sell through your own website, or use a marketplace.

1. Your Own Website

This gives you full control. You set your price, keep most of the profit, and build your brand.

To sell on your site, you’ll need:

• A domain and hosting (I recommend Namecheap + WordPress or Shopify)
• A payment processor (like Stripe or PayPal)
• A tool to deliver the product automatically (like SendOwl, Gumroad, or ThriveCart)

2. Online Marketplaces

If you’re just starting out and don’t have an audience yet, marketplaces are a great option. You get access to people already searching for what you sell.

Popular platforms include:

• Etsy – Great for planners, printables, and templates
• Gumroad – Simple and beginner-friendly
• Payhip – No monthly fees and supports courses too
• Teachable – Perfect for online courses
• Udemy – Courses with built-in traffic (though they take a cut)
• Ko-fi – Good for smaller digital products and building a fanbase

How To Price Your Product

Don’t underprice just because you’re new. People often assume low price means low quality. Here’s a general idea to help:

• eBooks: $7–$30
• Templates: $10–$50
• Courses: $25–$500+
• Printables: $2–$15

Think about how much value your product gives. If it saves someone time or helps them make money, it’s worth more.

How To Market Your Product (So It Actually Sells)

Creating a great product is just half the job. You also need people to see it. Here’s what works:

1. Email Marketing

Start building a simple email list. Offer a freebie (like a sample or free checklist) in exchange for their email. Use tools like Systeme.io or MailerLite to set it up.

2. Content Marketing

Write helpful blog posts or create YouTube videos around your topic. For example, if you’re selling a budgeting template, make content about saving money.

3. Social Media

Use Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest depending on your product. Show sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and tips related to what you’re selling.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Let other people promote your product for a cut of the sale. Gumroad and Payhip both support this.

5. SEO

If you’re selling through your own site, make sure people can find it on Google. Use simple keywords like “meal planner printable” or “resume template for fresh graduates.”

Mistakes To Avoid

• Trying to make it perfect: Launch first, then improve later.
• Copying others exactly: Be inspired, but add your own spin.
• Giving up too soon: Most people don’t get sales on Day 1. Keep going.
• Underpricing: Charge for the value you’re giving.
• Not collecting emails: Your email list is your best asset long-term.

FAQs

Do I need to be tech-savvy?

No. Platforms like Gumroad or Payhip make it super easy. If you can upload a file and set a price, you’re good.

Do I need to register a business?

Not at first. But if you start making consistent income, you’ll want to check your local tax rules.

What’s the easiest product to start with?

Printables or simple templates. They don’t require video or audio and are quick to make.

How do I deal with refunds?

Set clear refund policies. Since it’s a digital download, many sellers offer “no refunds” unless the file is broken or missing.

Final Thoughts

Selling digital products is a real way to make money online—without needing to post every day or trade time for hours.

You don’t need a huge audience or fancy tools. Just start with what you know, create something useful, and share it with the right people.

I’ve seen single products bring in hundreds to thousands of dollars per month on autopilot. Is it magic?

No. But it works if you stick with it.

So, what kind of digital product will you create first?