Nicole MunsamiSelling digital products has become one of the most rewarding ways to earn online. Whether it’s printables, e-books, templates, stock photos, or even online courses, the opportunities are endless, and the best part? You don’t have to worry about shipping, inventory, or any of the complexities that come with physical products. With a little upfront effort, you can set up a digital product business that generates passive income.
The beauty of digital products lies in their scalability. Once you’ve created something, you can sell it over and over again without any additional cost. Whether you’re a creative person looking to share your designs, a writer with a passion for self-publishing, or a course creator eager to teach, there’s a platform for everyone. But, with so many options out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting.
In this post, I’ll break down the best platforms where you can sell your digital products. From marketplaces with built-in traffic to self-hosted storefronts where you have full control over your brand, we’ll explore all the options. Let’s dive into what works best for your digital products and business goals.
What Are Digital Products?
Digital products are intangible goods that exist in a digital format and can be sold online. Unlike physical products, they don’t require shipping or inventory, making them a fantastic source of passive income. Some popular digital products include e-books, online courses, printables, templates, stock photos, digital planners, and even music files.
The demand for digital products is growing as more people seek convenient, instant-access solutions. Whether you’re a designer, writer, teacher, or entrepreneur, you can create a digital product that provides value and generates income. With the right strategy, digital products can become a scalable, sustainable business.
Here’s a list of digital products you can create and sell:
- E-books – Write and self-publish books on topics you’re passionate about or knowledgeable in.
- Online Courses – Create educational content in video, audio, or text format.
- Printables – Items like planners, journals, to-do lists, calendars, and worksheets.
- Templates – Design templates for resumes, social media posts, business cards, websites, etc.
- Stock Photos & Graphics – Sell high-quality images, illustrations, and design elements.
- Digital Art – Original illustrations, digital paintings, or designs that people can use for personal or commercial purposes.
- Music & Sound Effects – Create and sell royalty-free music tracks, sound effects, or beats.
- Fonts – Design unique fonts for designers and content creators.
- Printable Invitations & Cards – Customizable designs for weddings, birthdays, and other special events.
- Digital Planners & Journals – Interactive planners for those who prefer digital organization.
- Web Themes & Templates – Design themes for WordPress, Shopify, or other platforms.
- Software or Apps – Develop and sell digital tools or applications for businesses or individuals.
- Video Tutorials – Record and sell instructional videos on various topics.
- Photography Presets & Filters – Offer Lightroom presets or Instagram filters for photographers and content creators.
- Guides & Workbooks – Create informational guides or workbooks to help your audience solve problems.
- SVG Files & Clipart – Provide vector-based designs for crafting or digital projects.
- Digital Stickers – Fun or functional stickers for planners, scrapbooking, and more.
- Online Memberships – Offer exclusive content or perks through a subscription-based model.
- Coaching & Consulting Services – Sell access to one-on-one sessions or group coaching programs.
- Subscription Boxes – Curated digital content delivered regularly (e.g., digital wallpapers, new fonts, or exclusive articles).
How to Create Digital Products
Creating digital products doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few simple steps to get started:
- Choose Your Product Type – Decide what you want to sell (e-books, templates, stock photos, courses, etc.).
- Use the Right Tools – Use platforms like Canva, Photoshop, Affinity Designer, or Notion to create your product.
- Validate Your Idea – Make sure there’s demand by researching competitors and engaging with your target audience.
- Design & Package It – Ensure your product is well-designed and easy to use.
- Set Up a Sales Page – Whether on Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify, or another platform, make your listing appealing with great visuals and copy.
- Market Your Product – Use social media, SEO, and email marketing to drive traffic and sales.
You can learn how to do each of the above steps on YouTube; just type what you want to learn in the search bar.
Learning How To Create Digital Products:
Use these YouTube search terms to learn how to create digital products:
- “How to create digital products for beginners”
- “Best tools for creating digital products”
- “How to sell digital products on Etsy”
- “How to make money with printables”
- “Step-by-step guide to selling Canva templates”
- “How to create and sell e-books online”
- “How to start an online course business”
- “Best platforms to sell digital downloads”
- “Gumroad tutorial for selling digital products”
- “How to market digital products effectively”
Where to Sell Your Digital Products
Marketplaces (Best for Built-in Traffic)
If you want to start selling quickly without worrying about driving traffic, these marketplaces are a great option:
- Etsy – Perfect for printables, planners, digital art, and templates.
- Creative Market – Best for designers selling fonts, graphics, and templates.
- Gumroad – Flexible and easy-to-use for anything from e-books to courses.
- Redbubble / Society6 / Zazzle – POD platforms for turning digital art into physical products.
- Amazon KDP – For self-publishing e-books and paperbacks.
- Draft2Digital – Distributes e-books to Apple Books, Kobo, and more.
- IngramSpark – A wider publishing platform for print and e-books.
- Teachers Pay Teachers – A go-to marketplace for teachers selling lesson plans, worksheets, and other educational resources.
- Stan Store – Ideal for creators looking to sell digital products like courses, workshops, and downloadable content in a simple, conversion-optimized store.
- Payhip – Allows digital downloads, memberships, and courses.
Stan Store and Payhip do not have built-in traffic, but they make it easier to sell your stuff on social media; only start a shop on those if you know how to market your products on social media or have a lot of followers.
Self-Hosted & Storefront Platforms (Best for Full Control)
If you want your own shop with more branding control, these are great options:
- Shopify – Works well with the Digital Downloads app.
- WooCommerce – A WordPress plugin for selling digital and physical products.
- BigCommerce – A scalable eCommerce platform.
- Podia – An all-in-one platform for digital downloads, courses, and memberships.
- ThriveCart – Ideal for high-ticket digital products and memberships.
Online Course & Membership Platforms (Best for Education-Based Products)
If you’re selling knowledge-based products like courses, memberships, or coaching, these are the best options:
- Teachable – Best for structured online courses.
- Thinkific – Another great online course platform.
- Kajabi – A premium all-in-one tool for courses and memberships.
- LearnWorlds – Great for interactive courses.
- Udemy – A course marketplace (but Udemy controls pricing and takes a cut).
- Skillshare – A subscription-based learning platform (earn based on watch time).
- MemberPress – A WordPress plugin for memberships and gated content.
- Patreon – Ideal for subscription-based content.
- Buy Me a Coffee / Ko-fi – For selling one-time digital downloads or memberships.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right platform for selling digital products depends on your goals, product type, and how much control you want. If you’re looking for built-in traffic, platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Creative Market are great options. They come with a large, established audience, making it easier to get started without having to drive traffic yourself.
On the other hand, if you want full control over your branding and customer experience, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Podia are excellent choices. These platforms don’t provide built-in traffic, so you’ll need to focus on driving your own, through social media, SEO, or paid ads.
For courses and memberships, Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi are top options, giving you the tools to create and manage educational products.
Whether you’re on a marketplace or running your own store, the effort you put into creating quality products, marketing them, and engaging your audience will drive your success. No matter where you sell, the key is taking action. You don’t need a perfect plan—just start, test, and improve as you go.
