Key takeaways

1. Digital products are goods and services that exist solely in digital form. They are created, distributed, and consumed digitally, using electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, or other digital media.
2. Selling digital products comes with many benefits, including low overhead costs, ease of improvement and updating, scalability, and high profit margins.
3. Some of the best digital products that you can sell online include eBooks, online courses, photography, templates, music and audio, software and games, plugins and extensions, mobile apps, graphic design templates, and memberships.
4. You can sell digital products on your own Shopify store, on creator platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, Stan Store, and Whop, on course platforms like Thinkific and Udemy, and on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon (for ebooks, apps, and print-on-demand designs).
5. Validate demand before you build, package your product professionally, and use email, SEO, content, and automation to turn one product into a steady source of passive income.

We consume digital products every day, from music to videos, ebooks, and online courses.

Digital products are a cost-effective way to generate income for your business. They are intangible goods that you can easily launch and distribute. What's more, once you create a digital product, you can sell it repeatedly to different customers.

But what kind of digital products can you sell? What are the best platforms to sell digital products?

Read on as we look at some of the best digital products to sell online, how to choose and create your first product, the platforms you can sell them on (with fees), and how to market them for passive income.

What is a digital product?

Digital products are goods and services that exist solely in digital form. They are created, distributed, and consumed digitally, using electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, or other digital media.

Digital products do not have a physical presence and are experienced digitally. They can be distributed instantly over the internet, which means you don't need physical distribution channels.

Digital products can be easily scaled to accommodate a growing customer base with little incremental cost. You can also easily make updates and improvements, unlike with physical products that may require replacement or additional features.

Other examples of digital products include ebooks, whitepapers, templates, themes, software, songs, podcast episodes, courses, webinars, stock photos and videos, apps, games, browser extensions, and guides. Your Uber app or Facebook app is also an example of a digital product.

Why sell digital products?

Selling digital products comes with many benefits. One of the most obvious is convenience. When selling physical goods, you have to deal with many processes, including sourcing, packing, shipping, and distribution. However, with digital products, you can successfully avoid these processes. Here are more reasons why you should consider selling digital products:

Low overhead costs

Not only are digital products less complicated to sell, but they are also less costly. With no recurring cost of goods, warehouse maintenance costs, shipping costs, and other costs, you can have higher profit margins.

Also, you won’t have to make heavy investments or incur high overhead costs.

For example, creating an ebook might take time and effort upfront, but once it’s done, you can sell it infinitely without additional costs.

Scalability

Digital products are easy to distribute as they are sold electronically. They can be sold to an unlimited number of customers without additional work. Whether you sell one copy or a thousand, the effort remains the same, making it a highly scalable business model. For example, you can create an online course that can be sold to millions of students worldwide, generating passive income for years.

Instant delivery and convenience

Customers get access to digital products as soon as they pay, with no shipping or waiting. For sellers, digital products are convenient too: you can create, update, and sell them from anywhere with an internet connection.

Easier to update and improve

Digital products can be easily updated or revised based on customer feedback or new trends. This allows you to improve your offerings and keep them relevant without starting from scratch.

High profit margins

Since the cost of production and distribution is low, digital products often come with higher profit margins. This makes it easier to reinvest in marketing or expand your product line.

See also: 50 Best Summer Products to Sell Online in the United States (2026 Guide)

10 best digital products you can start selling today

We know that selling digital products comes with lots of benefits. However, knowing the kind of digital products to sell and on what platforms to promote them will ultimately help you increase sales and online business revenue. Let’s look at some of the best types of digital products that you can sell online:

1. eBooks
2. Online courses
3. Photography
4. Templates
5. Music and Audio
6. Software and games
7. Plugins and extensions
8. Mobile apps
9. Graphic design templates
10. Memberships

eBooks

eBooks are one of the most popular forms of digital products. The great thing about eBooks is that you don’t need to be a professional author to create one. If you have expertise in a specific area, whether it’s fitness, finance, cooking, or self-help, you can package your knowledge into an ebook and sell it on platforms like Amazon Kindle, Gumroad, or directly through your website.

Online courses

With the rise of e-learning platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera, online courses have become a booming industry. We see a lot of YouTube videos on various subjects all over the internet.

Online courses are a type of digital product you can sell to generate income. If you have expert knowledge in certain fields like coding, photography, language learning, etc, you can create tutorials and lessons on the subject and sell them on an e-learning platform.

Photography

If you love photography and are skilled in taking good photographs, you can consider selling your work to make a profit. There is a need for high-quality images as many businesses set up their ecommerce stores. You can create your online photography store and sell your work or license them through stock photo marketplaces that pay contributors. Stock video clips can be sold the same way.

Templates

Another tremendous digital product you can sell online is templates and printables. You can create templates or tools that help people carry out their tasks more effectively. They’re easy to create with tools like Canva, and you can market them to various niches such as education, fitness, or business productivity. Some templates you can create include resumes, cover letters, PowerPoint slides, digital strategy templates, spreadsheets, infographics, and so on.

Music and Audio

Music and audio are powerful digital products you can sell. Music and Audio can be a medium to entertain, motivate, inform, or inspire people. You can monetize your music talents by putting up your songs for sale. You can also create podcasts, sound effects, music samples, or audiobooks and put them up for sale.

Software and games

Software is a large and growing market. Small and large businesses and individuals need various software to speed up daily tasks. If you are skilled in coding or product development, you can create apps that solve a problem and sell them to generate income. Some products you can sell include mobile apps, fitness apps, WordPress plugins, and so on.

The gaming industry is also expanding. Though time-consuming, you can create your own game. Platforms like Steam allow developers to sell their products directly to gamers.

Plugins and extensions

Selling plugins and extensions online, particularly for platforms like WordPress, can be a profitable venture for you. You can develop and sell plugins and extensions to generate passive income, especially if they're popular among users. You can choose to sell on marketplaces like the WordPress.org Plugin Directory and access a large audience. However, keep in mind that there are fees and limitations that can affect your profitability. You can also choose to sell directly from your website and get complete control over your product pricing and branding.

Mobile apps

If you have programming skills, creating and selling mobile apps can be highly profitable. The demand for useful tools and entertaining apps is always on the rise. You want to find a niche that hasn't been saturated and develop an app that solves a problem or fills a gap in the market.

Graphic design templates

If you are a graphic designer, templates, logos, fonts, and design elements are powerful digital marketing products to sell to people who need visual elements for their website, videos, branding materials, and more. Websites like Creative Market and Etsy are great platforms for selling such digital products.

Memberships

Selling your digital products individually is great. But what if you could sell it with a better approach? You can bundle your digital products and sell them as a paid subscription to generate income for your business.

For example, if you are a blogger, you can start a membership site where users have to pay to access exclusive content. You can do this for your podcasts, webinars, or any type of content. What's great about memberships is that you can grow an online community that consistently subscribes to your content.

How to choose a profitable digital product niche

Choosing the right niche is one of the most important decisions you'll make when selling digital products online. Even the best-designed ebook, course, or template is unlikely to generate consistent sales if there isn't enough demand. Rather than creating a product based solely on your interests, focus on solving a specific problem that people actively search for and are willing to pay to fix.

Before investing time in creating your product, validate your niche by looking for these key factors:

High search demand

Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Semrush to see whether people are regularly searching for solutions related to your idea. Consistent search volume indicates ongoing interest rather than a short-lived trend.

Existing buyers

A healthy market already has customers spending money. Browse marketplaces like Etsy, Gumroad, the Kindle Store, or Udemy to see if similar products are selling well. Strong competition often signals strong demand.

Moderate competition

While competition is a good sign, avoid niches dominated by large brands unless you can target a more specific audience. You want to narrow your focus to stand out.

Repeat purchasing

Some niches naturally encourage repeat sales. Customers who buy one product may later purchase related templates, advanced courses, premium resources, or memberships, increasing their lifetime value.

If you're unsure where to start, consider niches with consistent consumer demand. Some of the most profitable digital product niches include personal finance, AI productivity, ecommerce, health and wellness, education, and home organization.

How to create your first digital product

Whether you're planning to sell an ebook, online course, printable, template, or digital toolkit, following a structured process will increase your chances of creating something people are happy to pay for. Here's how to create your first digital product from idea to launch:

Step 1: Identify a specific problem

The most successful digital products are built around solving a clearly defined problem. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focus on helping a specific audience achieve a particular goal or overcome a challenge.

For example, rather than creating a broad product like a photography guide, you want to go more specific, like a wedding photography guide for beginners. The second example speaks directly to a niche audience with a specific pain point, making it much easier to market and more likely to attract buyers.

You want to ask yourself:

• What questions do people ask repeatedly?
• What tasks do they struggle with?
• What process can you simplify?
• What knowledge or experience do you have that others would find valuable?

The more specific your solution, the easier it becomes to stand out in a competitive market.

Step 2: Validate market demand

Before spending days or weeks creating your product, make sure people actually want it. Product validation helps reduce the risk of investing time in an idea that won't sell.

Here are several ways to research demand:

• Google Trends: Use Google Trends to determine whether interest in your topic is growing, stable, or declining over time.
• Keyword research tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Semrush can show how often people search for topics related to your product.
• Online communities: Browse Facebook groups, Reddit, Quora, and niche forums to discover common questions and recurring challenges.
• Online marketplaces: If you're creating an ebook, browse Amazon's bestseller lists to identify popular topics and gaps in existing content. If you're selling printables, templates, or digital downloads, Etsy can reveal what customers are actively purchasing.
• Competitor reviews: Read both positive and negative reviews of similar products. Negative reviews are especially valuable because they often highlight missing features or unmet expectations that you can address in your own product.

If people are already buying similar products and asking for improvements, you've found a strong opportunity.

Step 3: Create high-quality content

Once you've validated your idea, focus on creating a product that genuinely helps your customers achieve the promised result. Quality is one of the biggest factors influencing customer satisfaction, reviews, and repeat purchases.

Remember, your goal isn't simply to provide information but to deliver results. A product that helps customers solve their problem is far more likely to earn positive reviews, referrals, and repeat buyers.

Step 4: Package and test your product

Your product's presentation is often the first thing potential customers notice. Even an excellent digital product can struggle to sell if it looks unprofessional or incomplete.

Take the time to package your product with care by including a professionally designed cover or thumbnail, consistent branding, including colors, fonts, and logos, clear installation or usage instructions, and an FAQ section to address common customer concerns. As a bonus, you can add resources like checklists, templates, and cheat sheets.

Finally, before launching, test your product from the customer's perspective. Verify that the download links work correctly, that files open without issues, and that all instructions are easy to follow. A smooth purchasing experience can lead to better reviews, stronger customer trust, and more repeat sales over time.

Best platforms to sell digital products online

When it comes to selling digital products, just like selling physical goods, where you sell your product matters. When choosing a platform to sell your digital product, consider factors like what you sell and your budget. Here are our picks for the best platforms to sell digital products online:

1. Shopify
2. Payhip
3. Gumroad
4. Thinkific
5. Etsy
6. Stan Store
7. Whop
8. Amazon
9. Online course marketplaces

The fee table at the end of this section was checked on each platform's own pricing page in October 2026. Plans change often, so confirm before you sign up.

Shopify

Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create their own store for both physical and digital goods. With customizable themes, you can set up your store quickly, and the Shopify App Store has tools for almost anything your business needs.

Shopify's free Shopify Digital Products app lets you attach files or links to a product, host the files, and email customers a download link right after purchase. You can also set download limits. You can sell digital products like music, ebooks, templates, guides, courses, and stock photography.

Shopify gives you complete control over branding, pricing, and customer relationships. This is why Shopify is a strong choice for selling digital products. This guide shows you how to sell on Shopify.

Payhip

Payhip is a platform designed to make selling digital products and services simple. You can sell ebooks, software, online courses, design assets, memberships, and other digital downloads.

Payhip includes email marketing tools and coupons, and to discourage illegal sharing, it can automatically stamp each file with the buyer's details. If you sell software, you can upload or generate license keys.

Gumroad

Gumroad is one of the most popular platforms for creators, known for its ease of use and simplicity. You can upload digital products like ebooks, online courses, games, music albums, and more, and sell them without any coding through your Gumroad profile or a direct link.

Gumroad also lets you email your customers and keep them up to date with new products.

Thinkific

If you are looking for a platform to create and sell online courses, think Thinkific. Its course builder lets you design custom courses with videos, text, quizzes, and downloads, and sell them to students around the world. It also includes marketing tools to help you promote your courses, and you can use your own domain.

Etsy

Can you sell digital products on Etsy? Yes. Etsy is a popular, well-trusted marketplace with a large existing base of buyers, and it is a go-to for vintage sellers and craftspeople.

Selling digital products on Etsy is similar to listing physical products and is quite easy to set up. Choose a niche, set up your Etsy shop, list your digital products, and start selling. Printables, patterns, templates, fonts, digital art, and ebooks on craftsmanship or DIY topics are a natural fit. Be mindful of your visuals, as they can make or break the sales of your digital product.

For digital products like audio or videos, Etsy does not provide robust features that can effectively promote your product.

Stan Store

Stan Store is an all-in-one, mobile-first platform built for creators who want to sell digital products directly from their social media profiles. Instead of building a full ecommerce website, you create a customizable "link in bio" storefront where customers can buy ebooks, templates, online courses, coaching sessions, memberships, and other digital downloads. It is popular with creators on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube because it makes monetizing social media traffic quick and straightforward.

Whop

Whop is a creator commerce platform for selling digital products, online communities, memberships, software, courses, newsletters, and other subscription products. It focuses on recurring revenue and community-driven businesses, which makes it popular with creators selling access to exclusive content, Discord or Telegram communities, SaaS tools, and digital downloads.

Amazon

Amazon is one of the largest marketplaces in the world, and selling on Amazon is profitable for many business owners and retailers because of its large customer base.

Over time, Amazon has expanded to support certain types of digital products. If you're wondering how to sell digital products on Amazon using KDP, Merch on Demand, and the Appstore, it's important to understand that Amazon supports specific digital product categories rather than offering a general marketplace for all digital downloads.

One of Amazon's most successful digital product channels is Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which allows authors and creators to self-publish ebooks (and print books) and sell them in the Kindle Store. If your main product is an ebook, KDP is worth considering because of the size of Amazon's audience.

Creators can also monetize digital designs through Amazon Merch on Demand, where artwork is printed on products such as t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories only after a customer places an order. In addition, software developers can distribute mobile apps and digital experiences through the Amazon Appstore.

Amazon does not let independent sellers list downloadable files such as printables, templates, or digital planners in its standard marketplace, and it is not built for online courses or digital memberships. For those, the dedicated platforms above give you more flexibility and control.

You can check out how to start selling on Amazon if you are new to the platform.

Online course marketplaces

Online course marketplaces like Udemy provide a wide range of online courses for students. You can sell your courses on these online course platforms to create awareness and make sales.

Marketplaces like Udemy and Skillshare bring their own audience of learners. In return, they keep a share of the revenue from your courses, so check each platform's current instructor terms. If you would rather own the student relationship, a course platform like Thinkific or Teachable lets you sell under your own brand.

Bonus: TikTok as a discovery channel

TikTok Shop is built mainly for physical products. Selling virtual goods on TikTok Shop in the US is invite-only and limited to approved categories such as software, games, and online courses, with a $500 cap per listing, so most printables, templates, and ebooks are not a fit for TikTok Shop itself. Check TikTok Shop's Virtual Goods Requirements before you list anything digital.

TikTok can still be a powerful marketing channel: tutorials, before-and-after examples, and educational videos can show your product's value in seconds and send viewers to your own store. If you also sell physical products, our TikTok Shop management team can help.

Factors to consider when choosing a platform for your digital products

You want to consider factors like your target audience, type of product, as well as the pros and cons of the online marketplace to choose which is best for your digital products. Here are factors to consider when choosing which online marketplace to sell your digital product:

Type of digital product

Various platforms cater to specific types of digital products. For example, Gumroad is popular for selling eBooks, Udemy for educational courses, and Etsy for creative digital products like printable art or patterns.

Target audience

You also want to consider where your ideal customers spend their time online. Some platforms have a younger demographic, while others appeal to professionals or hobbyists.

Ease of setup

You want to consider how user-friendly the interface is for uploading products, managing sales, and tracking performance. Platforms like Shopify and Sellfy offer the flexibility of creating your own unique storefront, which might be preferable if you want full control over your branding and customer experience.

Customer base

You may want to leverage established platforms like Amazon and eBay, which have a vast customer base, potentially increasing your product's visibility and sales volume.

Commission fees

You want to take note of the commission fees charged by each platform. Selling through your own website means no marketplace commission (you still pay payment processing fees), whereas third-party platforms may deduct a percentage of each sale. See the fee table above.

Payment options and security

Ensure the platform you choose offers secure payment methods that are convenient for your customers. Also, consider the ease of receiving payments and managing transactions.

Security and legal considerations

Protecting your digital products from unauthorized distribution is crucial. The platform should have measures in place to secure your files and handle licensing issues.

How to promote and market your digital products

Creating a great digital product is only half the battle. Success comes from getting it in front of the right audience. Whether you're selling ebooks, online courses, software, or design templates, effective promotion is key to driving traffic and generating sales.

Selling on popular marketplaces like Amazon won't guarantee automatic success. To generate large traffic and increase sales, you need to promote your digital products.

Here’s how you can promote and sell your digital products effectively:

Build an email list

Email marketing allows you to communicate directly with potential customers. Unlike social media, where algorithms control your reach, your email list is an audience you own.

Start by offering a free resource in exchange for a visitor's email address, such as a checklist, a mini ebook, a printable planner, or a template. Once someone joins your list, use an automated email sequence to introduce yourself, share valuable tips, build trust, and gradually recommend your paid digital product. Keep nurturing subscribers with educational content, product updates, and exclusive offers to encourage repeat purchases.

Utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is a foundational strategy for promoting your digital products. It involves optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results. This attracts potential customers, increasing organic traffic and ultimately sales.

You want to start with keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs to identify phrases your target audience uses when searching for your product. Creating content around these keywords will position your website as the solution for potential customers’ problems, ultimately boosting your visibility and sales.

Also optimize page titles and meta descriptions, improve site speed and user experience, and earn high-quality backlinks. SEO takes time, but it can become one of your most reliable long-term traffic sources.

Leverage social media platforms

You can leverage social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook to attract an audience for your product. Rather than constantly posting sales promotions, focus on educating, inspiring, or entertaining: quick tutorials, productivity tips, behind-the-scenes content, and customer success stories. Consistency matters more than going viral.

Collaborate with bloggers and influencers

You can also leverage social media influencers to help you promote your digital product. Collaborating with bloggers, creators, and affiliates within your niche can increase your product's reach and tap into established audiences.

Offer partners free access to your product, affiliate commissions on referrals, and exclusive discount codes for their audience. Choose partners whose audiences match your target market rather than focusing only on follower count.

Invest in paid advertising

Paid advertising, such as Google Ads or social media ads like Facebook ads and Instagram ads, can quickly increase your product's visibility, especially if you’re launching a new product or running a promotion.

You can run unique targeted campaigns on these platforms to reach potential customers who are interested in your product.

Content marketing and blogging

Creating helpful, SEO-optimized content around your niche can attract organic traffic from search engines, building trust and authority in your space. You can write blog posts, tutorials, and guides related to the problems your product solves.

Include calls-to-action (CTAs) within your content that direct readers to your product page.

Use SEO techniques to rank your content higher on Google, targeting keywords your audience is searching for.

Run limited-time promotions

Occasional promotions create urgency and encourage hesitant buyers to act. You can run launch discounts, holiday sales, flash sales, bundle offers, or buy-one-get-one deals. Use promotions strategically rather than constantly discounting, as that can reduce your product's perceived value.

Use testimonials and reviews

Reviews can be a powerful tool to clear customer objections and build confidence in your customers. Testimonials and reviews can significantly impact purchasing decisions, especially in the digital space where credibility is important.

You can leverage positive feedback from satisfied customers to build trust with potential buyers. You can share these testimonials and reviews on your website, social media posts, and emails.

Build a sales funnel

Rather than sending potential customers straight to a sales page, guide them through a structured buying journey. A simple sales funnel might look like this:

1. A visitor discovers your blog, YouTube video, Pinterest pin, or social media post.
2. They download a free resource in exchange for their email address.
3. They receive a series of helpful emails that build trust and show your expertise.
4. You introduce your paid digital product as the solution to their problem.
5. After purchase, you recommend complementary products, bundles, or premium offers.

This approach nurtures potential customers over time and often converts better than asking for a sale immediately.

Turning digital products into passive income

Passive income doesn't mean earning money without doing any work. Instead, it means putting in the effort upfront to create a valuable digital product and then using automation and smart marketing to generate ongoing sales with minimal day-to-day involvement. A well-optimized system can continue bringing in revenue long after your product is launched. Here’s how:

Automate payment processing and product delivery

The first step toward building passive income is eliminating manual tasks. Instead of sending files to customers yourself, use any of the best ecommerce platforms for US sellers or the creator platforms above to automatically process payments and deliver digital downloads or grant instant access to your products after purchase. Platforms like Shopify, Gumroad, Payhip, and Thinkific can automate the entire fulfillment process, allowing customers to receive their purchases 24/7 without your involvement. This not only saves time but also creates a seamless buying experience that can improve customer satisfaction and support long-term business growth.

Build automated email sequences

Create email campaigns that welcome new subscribers, nurture leads, and promote your products automatically. A well-designed email funnel can generate sales around the clock without requiring constant attention.

Upsell related products

Increase your average order value by recommending complementary products after a customer makes a purchase. For example, an ebook buyer may also be interested in a workbook or template.

Launch product bundles

Package related digital products together at a discounted price. Bundles provide greater value to customers while encouraging larger purchases and boosting overall revenue.

Offer subscriptions or memberships

Generate recurring monthly income by providing exclusive content, templates, courses, or resources through a subscription or membership program. This creates a more predictable revenue stream than one-time sales alone.

Continue improving your products

Regularly update your products based on customer feedback and market trends. Keeping your content current improves customer satisfaction, encourages positive reviews, and increases repeat purchases.

Final thoughts

From lesser costs and investments to ease of set-up and quick deliveries, numerous benefits come with selling digital products. There are many opportunities to launch and scale digital offerings quickly.

However, long-term success depends not just on what you sell, but on strategy. Understanding how to increase ecommerce revenue with scalable product strategies, such as expanding product lines, implementing dynamic pricing strategies, and leveraging automation, can help you build a more sustainable and profitable business over time.

Focus on solving real customer problems, validating demand before you create, producing high-quality resources, and investing in long-term marketing such as SEO and email. If you're looking to grow your online business beyond choosing a selling platform, ePlaybooks ecommerce growth services can help you develop the right strategy.