How To Sell Digital Products On WordPress

Introduction.

If you’re thinking about making money online, selling digital products is one of the easiest and most profitable ways to start.

There’s no inventory, no shipping hassles, and once you’ve created your product, you can sell it over and over again.

I’ve helped people set up WordPress stores for everything from eBooks to Lightroom presets, and I can tell you—it’s not hard to get started. You just need the right setup and a clear plan.

Selling digital products on WordPress puts you in full control. You’re not handing over big chunks of your income to platforms like Etsy or Gumroad, and you get to run your business exactly how you want. If you already have a blog or website, that’s even better—you can plug your products right into your existing site.

Let’s break this down in a simple, beginner-friendly way. I’ll walk you through every step, share some tools I trust, and answer common questions at the end.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly how to launch your own digital product shop on WordPress—and start making sales.

What Counts as a Digital Product?

Before we get into the technical stuff, let’s be clear on what you can sell.

Digital products are anything people can download or access online. Some popular examples:

• Ebooks and workbooks

• Online courses or video tutorials

• Canva templates

• Notion templates

• Photography presets

• Stock photos or videos

• Website themes or plugins

• Music, beats, or sound effects

• Printables (planners, calendars, etc.)

• Software, tools, or files like spreadsheets

You only need to create the product once. After that, it’s all about marketing and delivery.

Why Use WordPress?

There are tons of places to sell online, but WordPress gives you full control. Here’s why I think it’s the best option for most people:

• No platform fees (unlike Etsy or Gumroad)

• You own your website and your customer list

• Easy to customize your store and branding

• Huge plugin library—you can add any feature you want

• Scales with you—start small, grow big

If you already have a WordPress site, you’re halfway there.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Here’s the basic setup:

1. A WordPress website (self-hosted, not WordPress.com)

2. A theme that supports eCommerce (I like Astra or Kadence)

3. A plugin to sell digital products (more on this below)

4. Your digital product (ready to upload)

5. A payment processor like Stripe or PayPal

That’s it. You don’t need to be a tech wizard. If you can upload a photo to Instagram, you can do this.

How do I Sell Digital Products on WordPress?

Step 1: Set Up WordPress

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to:

• Buy a domain name (from Namecheap or Google Domains)

• Get hosting (SiteGround, Hostinger, or Bluehost are good for beginners)

• Install WordPress (usually a one-click install through your host)

Once you’re in your WordPress dashboard, you’re ready for step two.

Step 2: Choose a Theme

Your theme controls how your site looks. For digital products, you want something fast, clean, and easy to navigate.

A few themes I recommend:

• Astra – lightweight, customizable, great for speed

• Kadence – beginner-friendly with great design templates

• Hello Theme (with Elementor) – minimal and flexible

All of these work great with eCommerce plugins.

Step 3: Install a Digital Product Plugin

This is where the magic happens. You need a plugin that can:

• Sell products

• Handle payments

• Deliver files automatically

Here are a few good options:

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)

This is made for digital products. It’s lightweight and focused. You can sell any kind of downloadable file, and it handles payments, product pages, and delivery.

• Free version works for most people

• Add-ons available for extra features (subscriptions, licensing, email integrations)

• Link to Easy Digital Downloads

WooCommerce

Best if you want to sell physical and digital products. It’s a bit heavier but super customizable.

• Tons of extensions

• Great for scaling

• Link to WooCommerce

For most digital-only shops, I recommend starting with Easy Digital Downloads.

Step 4: Add Your Product

Once your plugin is set up, it’s time to upload your product.

In EDD, you go to Downloads > Add New, then:

• Give your product a name

• Upload the file (PDF, ZIP, etc.)

• Set a price

• Write a short description

• Add an image or preview

You can also set limits, like how many times a buyer can download the file.

Step 5: Set Up Payments

EDD supports Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and more.

Go to Downloads > Settings > Payments, then choose your processor and connect your account.

I recommend Stripe for credit/debit cards—it’s fast, secure, and trusted.

Step 6: Customize Your Store

Make sure your site includes:

• A clean homepage

• Product pages (you can link to them from blog posts too)

• A checkout page

• A thank-you/download page

• Legal pages (privacy policy, terms, etc.)

Use clear language and avoid clutter. Keep the focus on what your product helps people do.

Step 7: Launch and Promote

You don’t need a massive audience to make sales. Here are some easy ways to start:

• Write blog posts around your product’s topic

• Share on Pinterest, Instagram, or Reddit

• Send an email to your list (even if it’s small!)

• Offer a limited-time discount for launch

• Ask early buyers for testimonials

You don’t have to go viral. Consistency is what matters.

Pro Tips to Boost Sales

• Use urgency (like limited-time bonuses)

• Add product previews (like sample pages or screenshots)

• Bundle products to increase order value

• Collect emails so you can follow up with future offers

• Use testimonials or reviews for social proof

• Keep improving your product based on feedback

FAQs

Do I need to register a business to sell?

In most cases, no. You can start as an individual. But check local laws—if you’re earning regularly, you might need to register.

Can I sell to people outside my country?

Yes. Stripe and PayPal both support international payments. Just make sure your currency is set correctly.

What file types can I sell?

Anything you can upload—PDFs, ZIPs, MP4s, DOCXs, etc. Just make sure it’s under your host’s file size limit.

How do customers get their files?

EDD and WooCommerce both send an email with a download link. You don’t have to do anything manually.

Is it better than using Etsy or Gumroad?

WordPress gives you full control and no extra fees. Etsy and Gumroad are easier at first, but you’re renting space on someone else’s platform.

Final Thoughts

Selling digital products on WordPress isn’t just possible—it’s smart. You control the pricing, the branding, and your relationship with your customers. Once it’s all set up, you can start earning while you sleep.

I’ve helped a lot of people go from idea to launch, and I can tell you: your first product doesn’t have to be perfect. You just need to start.

So here’s my question for you:

What digital product are you excited to sell first—and what’s holding you back from launching it today?