In an increasingly Digital world, selling digital products has become a lucrative and accessible way to tap into various markets. Whether you’re an artist, designer, writer, or an entrepreneur with a unique idea, creating and selling digital products can be a fulfilling and profitable venture. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to sell digital products, create them and market them successfully in 2023.
Table of Contents
How Do I Become a Digital Seller?
Becoming a digital seller involves mastering the creation and marketing of digital products. It also requires understanding your target audience and choosing the right platform for selling your products.
Where Can I Sell My Digital Goods?
You can sell your digital goods on various platforms, including marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon, your own website, social media, and email marketing campaigns.
Chapter 1: How to Create Digital Products
Before diving into the world of digital product sales, it’s crucial to understand what digital downloads are and how to create them. Digital downloads encompass a wide range of products, including eBooks, digital art, software, music, templates, and more. There are several steps to consider on how to create digital downloads to sell:
Choose Your Niche
Start by identifying your niche and target audience. Research your potential customers’ needs and preferences to create digital products that cater to their demands.
Create High-Quality Content
Whatever your digital product, ensure it is of top-notch quality. For instance, if you’re crafting eBooks, invest time in compelling writing and engaging design. For digital art, focus on creating visually appealing and unique pieces.
Check out these 12 Best Free Book Publishers Resources for Indie Writers
Format Your Product
Prepare your digital product in the appropriate format. For eBooks, this might mean using PDF, ePub, or MOBI formats. Graphic designers should export their work in high-resolution formats like PNG or JPEG.
Add Value
To make your digital product stand out, consider adding bonuses, such as video tutorials, templates, or additional content. Adding value enhances your product’s appeal.
Chapter 2: How to Sell Digital Products Online
Now that you’ve created your digital products, it’s time to explore the various online platforms and strategies for selling them.
Choose the Right Platform
Selecting the right platform to sell your digital products is crucial. Popular platforms include Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, and independent websites. Each has its pros and cons, so evaluate which suits your business model and goals.
How to Sell Digital Downloads on Etsy
Etsy is a thriving marketplace for artisans and creators, and it’s an excellent platform to sell digital products.
Selling digital downloads on Etsy can be a lucrative way to share your creative work or expertise with a global audience. Whether you’re offering digital art, printables, patterns, templates, eBooks, or any other downloadable digital products, Etsy provides a platform to reach potential customers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to sell digital downloads on Etsy:
- Create an Etsy Account: If you don’t already have an Etsy account, you’ll need to sign up. Visit Etsy’s website and click on “Sell on Etsy” to begin the registration process. You can either use an existing Etsy account or create a new one.
- Set Up Your Shop: Once you have an Etsy account, you’ll need to set up your shop. Choose a unique shop name, add a profile picture, and write a compelling shop description that tells potential buyers what you offer. You’ll also need to set up payment methods and provide bank account information for receiving payments.
- Add Your First Listing: Write detailed descriptions for your digital products, including their uses, benefits, and any bonus content you’re offering. To sell digital downloads, you need to create a listing for each product you want to sell. Here’s how:
- Click “Add a listing” from your shop dashboard.
- Choose “Digital item” as the item type.
- Upload a clear and attractive image that represents your digital product.
- Fill in the title, description, and tags for your listing. Be sure to use relevant keywords to improve visibility.
- Set a price for your digital download.
- Specify the file type and upload your digital file. Etsy allows various file formats like PDF, JPG, PNG, etc.
- Select the quantity (typically set to 999) and whether your product can be customized.
- Choose a category and add any relevant variations (e.g., different sizes or color options).
- Set up shipping (select “Digital” for the shipping option).
4. Copyright & Licensing: Clearly define the terms of use and licensing for your digital products to protect your intellectual property.
5. Optimize Your Listing: To attract more buyers, use descriptive titles, engaging product descriptions, and relevant tags. High-quality images and clear instructions can also make your listings more appealing.Use relevant keywords and tags in your product listings to improve discoverability.
Check out how to use Placeit by Envato Etsy banners for your shop!
6. Provide Instant Downloads: After uploading your digital file, you can enable the “Instant Download” option. This allows buyers to access the digital product immediately after purchase. You can also include multiple files or a ZIP file if your product consists of several components.
7. Complete Shop Policies: Etsy requires you to set shop policies, including a refund policy and processing times. Make sure to provide clear and fair policies for your buyers.
Promote Your Shop: Etsy provides tools to promote your shop, including paid advertising options. Additionally, you can promote your listings on social media, create your website, and use SEO techniques to increase visibility.
Fulfill Orders: When a customer purchases one of your digital downloads, Etsy handles the payment processing. You’ll receive a notification and can access order details in your shop dashboard. For digital products, Etsy will provide a link for the buyer to download their purchase. Ensure your customers receive their files promptly.
Customer Support: Provide excellent customer service, promptly address any inquiries or issues, and maintain a positive rating to build trust with your buyers.
Track Your Progress: Use Etsy’s shop analytics to track your sales, understand customer behavior, and refine your marketing strategies.
Learn more on our How to Be Successful on Etsy | A Guide for T-Shirt Sellers
How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon
First, you need to ensure your digital product is in a format that Amazon supports. For eBooks, Amazon’s preferred format is MOBI, but they also accept EPUB. If you’re selling other types of digital content, such as software or digital art, ensure your files are in the appropriate format.
- Create an Amazon KDP Account: If you don’t already have an Amazon KDP account, go to the KDP website (kdp.amazon.com) and sign up. You can use your existing Amazon account or create a new one specifically for your KDP activities.
- Set Up Your Amazon Author/Publisher Profile: Fill out your author or publisher profile on KDP. This includes adding your name, bio, and a profile picture. Having a well-optimized author profile can help build credibility with potential buyers.
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3. Add a New Kindle eBook or Digital Product: To create a new listing for your digital product, click on “Kindle eBook” (or “Paperback” if you plan to sell print and digital versions) from your KDP dashboard. Fill in the eBook Details:
- Title and Subtitle: Choose a compelling title and, if necessary, a subtitle.
- Series Info (if applicable): If your product is part of a series, provide the series name and volume number.
- Edition Number (if applicable): Specify the edition number if it’s not the first edition.
- Author: Enter your author name or pen name.
- Contributors: Add any co-authors or contributors.
- Description: Write a compelling book description that highlights the value and content of your digital product.
- Keywords: Use relevant keywords to improve discoverability.
- Categories: Select appropriate categories and subcategories for your product.
- Age and Grade Range: If applicable, specify the intended age group and grade range.
- Release Options: Decide whether you want to make your product available for pre-order or publish it immediately.
- Upload Your Digital Product File: Upload your digital product file in the supported format (MOBI or EPUB for eBooks). Amazon will convert the eBook into the appropriate formats for Kindle devices and apps.
- Set Pricing and Royalties: Determine the price for your digital product. Amazon offers two royalty options:
- 70% Royalty: Available for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (USD) and meeting other criteria.
- 35% Royalty: Applied to books outside the 70% range, as well as those in certain territories.
- Publish Your Digital Product: Once you’ve completed all the necessary details, click “Publish Your Kindle eBook” to make your digital product available on Amazon.
Enroll in KDP Select (Optional): KDP Select is a program that allows you to earn additional royalties and take advantage of promotional opportunities in exchange for making your eBook exclusive to Amazon for a specified period (usually 90 days). This is optional, and you can decide whether it’s the right choice for your digital product.
Promote Your Digital Product: After publishing, it’s essential to promote your digital product to maximize sales. You can leverage Amazon’s promotional tools, run advertising campaigns, and use social media and email marketing to reach your target audience.
Monitor Sales and Reviews: Keep an eye on your sales and customer reviews through your KDP dashboard. Encourage satisfied readers to leave reviews to boost your product’s visibility.
Learn all about How to Start Dropshipping on Amazon
How to Sell Digital Products on Shopify
Shopify vs Etsy: Where to Start Your Online Shop?
Selling digital products on Shopify is a straightforward process that allows you to reach a global audience.
- Sign Up for a Shopify Account: If you don’t already have one, visit the Shopify website and sign up for an account. You can start with a free trial to get a feel for the platform.
- Choose Your Shopify Plan: Select a Shopify plan that suits your needs. The Basic Shopify plan will work for most digital product sellers, but you can upgrade as your business grows.
- Set Up Your Store: Follow Shopify’s setup wizard to customize your store’s name, branding, and domain. You can use Shopify’s built-in domain or connect your own if you have one.
- Select a Theme: Choose a theme for your online store. Shopify offers both free and premium themes that you can customize to match your brand.
4. Add Products: To sell digital products, go to the Shopify dashboard and click “Products.” Click “Add product” to create a new product listing. Here’s how to set it up for digital products:
- Title: Enter the product name.
- Description: Provide a detailed description of your digital product, including its features and benefits.
- Images and Media: Upload images or digital product mockups to showcase your product.
- Pricing: Set the price for your digital product.
- Inventory: Since digital products don’t have physical inventory, you can leave this section blank or specify the number of available downloads.
- Variants (if applicable): If you offer different versions or packages of your digital product, set up variants and pricing accordingly.
- Shipping: Since it’s a digital product, select “This is a digital product” under the shipping section.
- Files: Upload the digital files for your product. Shopify allows you to upload files directly or provide download links.
- Configure Checkout Settings: Under the “Settings” tab, navigate to “Checkout.” Make sure you have a secure payment gateway set up, such as Shopify Payments or a third-party payment provider like PayPal.
Read all about How to Improve SEO on Shopify and Rank
Set Up Digital Product Delivery: You have a few options for delivering digital products to customers:
- Manual Delivery: After a customer completes a purchase, you can manually send them the digital product via email or a file-sharing service.
- Automated Delivery: Shopify apps like “Digital Downloads” can automate the delivery process by sending customers a download link after purchase.
- Third-Party Platforms: Use a third-party platform like SendOwl or FetchApp to handle digital product delivery seamlessly.
Provide Customer Support: Be ready to provide customer support in case customers encounter any issues with their digital downloads. Ensure that you have clear instructions on how to download and access the digital products.
Monitor Sales and Analytics: Use Shopify’s built-in analytics and reporting tools to track sales, customer behavior, and website performance. This data can help you refine your digital product offerings and marketing strategies.
Promote Your Digital Products: Continue to market your digital products to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Consider using digital advertising, content marketing, and social media to reach your target audience.
Selling digital products on Shopify offers a flexible and scalable way to monetize your digital content. With the right strategy and marketing efforts, you can build a successful online business selling digital products to a global audience.
Chapter 3: The Best Digital Products to Sell in 2023
The digital product landscape is continually evolving, and certain products are particularly popular in 2023.
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