What Are The Best Platforms to Sell Digital Products?
Having multiple streams of income is crucial in this economy, but you don’t have to go out and get multiple part-time jobs. Starting an online business has never been easier. Many online marketplaces allow you to sell digital and downloadable products without even having a website! But not all platforms are the same. So today, I’m sharing a round-up of the best platforms where you can sell digital products online.
But First, Why You Should Start Selling Digital Products?
The digital product market is thriving, driven by high demand for unique digital content. As a business owner, starting a venture in this space can be incredibly rewarding. Selling digital products not only allows you to reach a global audience but also provides the flexibility to work on your terms. Whether you’re a graphic designer, software developer, or content creator, the opportunities to create and sell online courses, ebooks, templates, or digital files are endless.
With the rise of social media and e-commerce, it’s become easier than ever to promote and sell your digital creations. By utilizing various marketing tools and techniques, you can effectively reach your target audience and boost your sales.
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What Are The Best Platforms to Sell Digital Products?
Selling digital products online can be a great way to make money, but you want to choose the right platform to sell your digital products. Picking the right platform can make a big difference in your success.
Next, we’ll talk about what digital products are and why you should consider selling them. Be sure to save this article because we’ll also share some helpful things to consider when choosing which platforms to use.
What Is A Digital Product?
Digital products are items you can sell online that don’t have a physical form. They’re often downloadable or accessible through the internet. These products can be a great way for beginners to make money online.
You can sell many different types of digital products. Ebooks and online courses are some of the best digital products that allow you to share your knowledge with others. Digital art and design assets are perfect if you’re creative. You could make templates, logos, or illustrations.
Software and apps are another option. If you’re tech-savvy, you might create tools that solve problems for users. Music and audio files can also be sold if you’re musically inclined. And don’t forget about digital planners and worksheets, which can help people get organized.
Benefits of Selling Digital Products
Selling digital products is one of the best passive income ideas for young adults and an excellent choice for beginners or content creators looking to monetize their online presence. You don’t need to worry about shipping or inventory. Once you create the product, you can sell it over and over. This can lead to passive income.
Your costs stay low since you don’t need to make physical items, and you can reach customers all over the world easily. Digital products often have high profit margins, which means you get to keep more of what you earn.
You can start small and grow your business at your own pace. It’s also easy to test new ideas without a big investment. Plus, you can update your products quickly if needed.
Where Can You Sell Digital Products
Stan Store: Your All-In-One Digital Marketplace
Want to have everything you need in one place? Stan Store is here to make that dream a reality. This platform is a game-changer for creators looking for simplicity and efficiency. Stan Store combines all the tools you need to sell and manage digital products in one convenient spot. From analytics to marketing tools, it offers an easy-to-use interface that’s perfect for beginners and pros alike. Plus, with multiple payment integrations, getting paid is as seamless as ever.
Kajabi: Course Creators’ Companion
Kajabi is the go-to choice among educators seeking comprehensive solutions for online courses, coaching, and memberships alike under a single roof. It offers everything needed to launch and run a successful online business, including email marketing and funnel builders, alongside a top-notch customer service support team available whenever questions inevitably arise.
Payhip: Free Plan to Get You Started
Who doesn’t love free stuff? Payhip offers a free plan that’s perfect for new entrepreneurs. It’s especially great if you’re focusing on educational content like ebooks and online courses. As your business grows, Payhip scales with you effortlessly, and transparent pricing means no hidden surprises down the road. With features like transaction fee breakdowns and integrated marketing tools, it’s an ideal choice for those looking to dive into digital product sales.
SendOwl: Focused on Digital Downloads
SendOwl can easily integrate with other platforms and services. It also has an easy-to-use interface, so you’ll be able to navigate it with ease. And of course, it includes secure payment processing options, making it a good choice for digital product sellers.
Teachable: Build and Sell Your Courses
Do you have knowledge you want to share with the world? Teachable can help turn that expertise into revenue! Teachable is tailored for courses and allows you to create engaging lessons with ease. Keep students coming back for more with its engagement features and interactive elements. Plus, Teachable has several monetization options, so there are multiple ways to earn from your hard work.
Podia: All-in-One Platform for Creators
With Podia, you can manage courses, downloads, and memberships all under one roof. The community-building features allow you to foster a loyal audience who loves what you do. And with flexible payments, you have options when it comes to how you get paid.
Thinkific: Make Your Courses Stand Out
Thinkific takes course creation up a notch with professional-grade tools that make even newbies look like seasoned pros! Build beautiful courses that captivate students’ attention from start to finish. With robust marketing features, Thinkific can help you reach a wider audience.
Etsy: The Artisan’s Paradise
Etsy is a haven for creatives selling digital art and printables (including worksheets, party games, invitations, etc.). What makes Etsy stand out is its massive audience—people come here specifically looking to buy unique items. Plus, with a straightforward interface and tons of resources to help newbies get started, you’ll have your store up and running in no time. Etsy supports multiple payment methods including credit cards and PayPal, making it easy for buyers from around the globe to purchase your digital masterpieces. And with their marketing tools, reaching potential customers has never been easier.
Sellfy: Perfect for Beginners
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of digital sales, Sellfy might be your new best friend. It’s like having a personal assistant guiding you every step of the way. Sellfy makes it super easy with its intuitive setup process. It includes built-in marketing tools to help boost your sales without breaking a sweat. And it boasts a user-friendly setup. No tech wizardry required—just straightforward steps to get you started. The platform also offers a free plan that lets you experiment without commitment.
Gumroad: Start Selling Right Away
No time to waste? Gumroad lets you set up shop in minutes so you can start selling ASAP! Creators love it because of its simplicity and effectiveness. With its super quick setup, you can literally have your store running in no time. Flexible payments allow you to accept payments from around the globe with ease. Plus, its pay what you want pricing model can attract more buyers.
Shopify: Power Meets Flexibility
Looking for something robust yet adaptable? Shopify has got your back! Ideal for all products, whether it’s e-books or music, Shopify is built to handle it all. There are tons of customization options, so you can tailor your store’s look and feel just the way you want it. As a leader in the digital space, Shopify supports various payment methods, from PayPal to credit cards. It’s often regarded as the best e-commerce platform for serious digital product sellers.
Squarespace: Your Digital Storefront Designer
With Squarespace, you can design a beautiful site where you can showcase and sell your digital goods with style. Its drag-and-drop website builder means you don’t need any coding skills to create something stunning. Squarespace stands out because it allows you to integrate e-commerce functionalities seamlessly. You can track sales and even offer discounts—all from one dashboard. They also support various payment options such as Stripe and PayPal, so you won’t miss out on any sales.
BigCommerce: The Powerhouse for Growth
If you’re dreaming big (and who isn’t?), BigCommerce might be just what you need. This platform is robust enough to grow with your business, whether you’re selling digital or physical products—or both! BigCommerce excels in providing advanced features like SEO tools and multi-channel selling options that let you expand your reach across different marketplaces. Plus, with secure payment gateways including Apple Pay and Amazon Pay, customers will feel safe buying from you.
SamCart: The Checkout Champion
SamCart is all about optimizing those checkout pages to boost conversions. This platform is ideal if you’re focusing solely on selling digital products or services. It offers customizable templates designed specifically for high-converting checkouts. And guess what? You can even add order bumps and upsells without breaking a sweat! With integrations like PayPal and Stripe at your fingertips, getting paid is quick and hassle-free. It’s a powerful tool to enhance your digital sales experience.
Creative Market: Designers’ Dreamland
For those creating design assets like fonts or templates, Creative Market is perfect. It’s an online gallery where designers gather not just to showcase their work but also connect with fellow creatives. The community aspect here is strong—feedback flows freely among sellers, which can be invaluable when refining new offers! And since Creative Market handles VAT compliance automatically (phew!), international transactions are less daunting than ever before. Payments are processed through PayPal directly into seller accounts each week, so cash flow stays consistent.
Mighty Networks: Membership Made Easy
Looking to create a community around your products? Mighty Networks can help you build a thriving membership site with all the perks! Members can connect with one another while accessing exclusive content—creating a sense of belonging and encouraging repeat purchases. Features like discussion boards and polls make engagement effortless, plus mobile apps keep your community connected wherever they go.
How To Choose Where To Sell Digital Products
Now that you know where you can sell digital products, let’s talk about what to consider when choosing the best platform for your needs.
1. Understand Your Products
First and foremost, take stock of the products you want to sell. Whether it’s digital files, online courses, or memberships, you need to ensure the platform you choose aligns with your goals. Some platforms may excel in selling downloadable content while others specialize in online course delivery or community building.
2. Evaluate Your Budget
Different platforms come with varying pricing models and transaction fees. Make sure to evaluate your budget and consider any hidden costs, such as monthly fees or commissions on sales. Some platforms offer a free plan, which can be ideal if you’re just starting.
3. User-Friendly Interface
Look for a platform that has a user-friendly interface. You want to spend your time creating and marketing your products, not struggling with a complicated setup. A seamless integration with your existing website, social media platforms, and email marketing tools can also make a significant difference.
4. Payment Process
Evaluate the payment process the platform offers. Ensure it supports the payment methods your customers prefer, whether it’s credit card, PayPal, or other options. Additionally, consider the transaction fees associated with each payment method to maximize your profits.
5. Marketing Tools
Effective marketing is key to the success of any online business. Look for platforms that offer marketing tools to help you promote your digital products. This could include features for email marketing, discount codes, and sales funnels. The ability to create a landing page that converts visitors into buyers is also essential.
6. Customer Support
Having reliable customer support can save you time and frustration down the road. Check what kind of support is available and whether it’s easy to reach out for help when you need it.
7. Scalability
Consider whether the platform can grow with your business. As your digital product sales increase, you want a platform that can handle more customers, products, and features.
8. Unique Features
Finally, look for platforms that offer unique features tailored to your specific needs. For example, if you’re looking to create and sell online courses, a platform like Teachable or Thinkific may be ideal. If you’re focusing on digital art and design, Creative Market or Etsy could be the best choice.
The Process of Selling Digital Products
Once you’ve chosen the best platform to sell your digital products, it’s time to dive into the selling process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Create Your Digital Products
Before anything else, focus on creating high-quality digital content. Invest time in researching your target audience and the products they want to buy. Consider your skills and interests—this will help you choose the right products to develop. To learn more, check out my free masterclass, “How to Create Passive Income with Your Own Digital Products.”
2. Set Up Your Store
After creating your digital products, it’s time to set up your online store. Choose the right platform for selling digital downloads, and follow their guidelines for creating your store. This includes adding product descriptions, setting pricing models, and ensuring that your shopping cart is functional.
3. Optimize for SEO
To drive traffic to your online store, optimize your product listings for search engines. Use relevant keywords to improve your visibility on search engines and within the platform itself. This will help potential customers find your products more easily.
4. Market Your Products
Now comes the fun part: marketing! Utilize social media platforms, email marketing, and other channels to promote your digital products. Create engaging content that highlights the benefits of your products and encourages people to buy.
5. Track Your Performance
Monitor your sales and track your performance using the analytics tools provided by your chosen platform. This will help you understand what works and what doesn’t, allowing you to refine your marketing strategies over time.
6. Engage with Your Customers
Building relationships with your customers is essential for long-term success. Respond to inquiries promptly, ask for feedback, and consider offering discounts or loyalty programs to keep them coming back for more.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing the best platform to sell digital products can significantly impact your success as a business owner. By understanding your unique needs and evaluating the options available, you can find a platform that works for you. Whether you choose a free platform to start or invest in something more robust, remember that your goal is to reach a global audience with high-quality digital content.
Selling digital products allows you to turn your passions into profits while enjoying the flexibility of working on your terms. With the right tools and strategies in place, you’re well on your way to building a successful online business. So, take the plunge and start selling digital products today!
