Selling digital products online has a number of benefits for entrepreneurs and creators. One of the main advantages is the low cost of production and distribution.
Unlike physical products, digital products do not require inventory, storage, or shipping, which means you can sell them on a global scale without incurring significant costs.
Another benefit of selling digital products is the passive income potential. Once you create and launch a digital product, it can continue to generate sales for you without requiring additional effort on your part.
This can be especially attractive for individuals who want to build a scalable business or supplement their income with passive streams.
However, it’s important to note that selling digital products online is not a guaranteed path to success. To stand out in a crowded market, it’s crucial to identify a niche and offer products that meet the specific needs and desires of your target audience.
This means doing market research, understanding your customer’s pain points, and developing products that solve their problems or fulfill their wants and needs. By focusing on a specific niche, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and build a loyal customer base.
The 11 Best Digital Products to Sell Online in 2023
1. eBooks
Ebooks are a popular digital product that can be sold online in a variety of formats, including PDF, MOBI, and EPUB. They can cover a wide range of subjects, including fiction, non-fiction, self-help, business, and more.
One of the main benefits of selling ebooks is the low cost of production. All you need to create an ebook is a computer and a word processor. You can then save your document as a PDF and sell it on your own website, through an online retailer like Amazon, or through a platform like Gumroad or Sellfy.
To be successful with ebooks, it’s important to choose a topic that you are knowledgeable about and that is in demand within your target market. You should also consider formatting and design, as well as the length and value of your ebook. It’s also a good idea to offer a preview or sample of your ebook to potential customers to help them decide if it’s a product they want to purchase.
Ebooks can be a great source of passive income, as they can continue to generate sales for you even after you have created and launched them. They can also be a stepping stone to other products and services, as you can use your ebook as a way to establish your expertise and build your brand.
2. Online Courses and Tutorials
Online courses and tutorials are another popular digital product that can be sold online. These products can cover a wide range of subjects, including business, personal development, technology, and more. They can be delivered through video, audio, text, or a combination of these formats.
One of the main benefits of selling online courses and tutorials is the high perceived value of these products. Because they are typically more comprehensive and in-depth than ebooks or other digital products, they can command a higher price point.
Online courses and tutorials also have the potential to be highly lucrative, as they can be sold as a one-time purchase or as a subscription-based product.
To be successful with online courses and tutorials, it’s important to choose a topic that you are knowledgeable about and that is in demand within your target market.
You should also consider the format and delivery of your course, as well as the length and value of the content you are offering. It’s also a good idea to offer a preview or sample of your course to potential customers to help them decide if it’s a product they want to purchase.
3. Stock Photos & Graphics
Stock photos and graphics are digital products that can be sold online to individuals and businesses who need high-quality images for their websites, social media profiles, marketing materials, and other projects. These products can include photographs, illustrations, icons, and other visual assets.
One of the main benefits of selling stock photos and graphics is the potential for passive income. Once you create and upload your images to a stock photo website or platform, they can continue to generate sales for you without requiring additional effort on your part.
Stock photos and graphics can also be a scalable business model, as you can upload as many images as you want and potentially earn a percentage of each sale.
Where to Get Stock Photos?
There are a few ways you can find unique free stock photos and graphics to sell online. One option is to create your own images using a digital camera or illustration software.
This allows you to have complete control over the content and style of your images, and ensures that they are truly unique. You can also use this method to create a consistent visual aesthetic for your stock photo business.
Another option is to source images from creative commons websites, such as Unsplash, Pexels, and Freepik. These websites offer a wide range of high-quality images that are free to use and modify, as long as you give credit to the original creator. You can use these images as a starting point and then add your own touch by editing or altering them in some way.
4. Printables and Planners
Printables and planners are a fantastic digital product to sell online! These products are perfect for individuals and businesses looking to organize their lives and achieve their goals.
Printables can include worksheets, checklists, calendars, and other resources that can be printed out and used in a physical format.
Planners can be in the form of a physical planner that is shipped to the customer, or a digital planner that can be accessed on a computer or mobile device.
One of the main benefits of selling printables and planners is the potential for passive income. Once you create and upload your printables and planners to a website or platform, they can continue to generate sales for you without requiring additional effort on your part.
Selling printables and planners can be a fantastic opportunity to share your creativity and expertise with a wider audience, and to create a passive income stream for your business.
5. Audio & Music
Music and audio tracks are popular digital products that can be sold online to individuals and businesses looking for high-quality audio content. These products can include original compositions, sound effects, and audio recordings of books, podcasts, and other content.
You can source music and audio tracks from creative commons websites, such as Free Music Archive, Jamendo, and Audionautix. These websites offer a wide range of high-quality audio content that is free to use and modify, as long as you give credit to the original creator.
You can use these tracks as a starting point and then add your own touch by editing or altering them in some way.
6. Software & Apps
Software and apps are digital products that can be sold online to individuals and businesses looking for solutions to specific problems or needs.
These products can include desktop software, mobile apps, and web-based applications, and can be designed for a wide range of purposes, including productivity, entertainment, education, and more.
Here are some tips:
- Hire a team of developers and designers with the necessary skills and expertise to create your software or app
- Work with the team to develop a detailed plan for the product, including its features, functionality, and design
- Communicate your vision and goals to the team, and provide clear instructions and guidance throughout the development process
- Test and debug the software or app to ensure that it is functional and user-friendly
- Marketing the product and promoting it effectively to potential customers
It’s important to note that creating software or app from scratch requires a significant amount of time, resources, and expertise. If you have no knowledge or experience in this area, it may be challenging to successfully create and sell software or app on your own.
Hiring a team of professionals with the necessary skills and experience can help ensure that your product is of high quality and meets the needs of your target market.
7. Membership Sites & Subscriptions
Membership sites and subscriptions are digital products that offer ongoing access to exclusive content, resources, or services for a fee. These products can be delivered through a website, app, or other platform, and can be designed for a wide range of niches, including business, personal development, entertainment, and more.
Here are some tips for a successful membership site:
- Identify a niche or topic that you are knowledgeable about and that is in demand within your target market
- Determine the content or services you will offer through your membership site, and create a plan for creating and delivering this content on a regular basis
- Choose a platform or software for hosting your membership site, such as WordPress, MemberPress, or Kajabi
- Set up a payment system for your membership fees, such as PayPal or Stripe
- Design and launch your membership site, including creating a website or landing page, setting up membership levels and pricing, and creating content or services for your members
- Promote your membership site to potential customers through marketing and advertising efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising
Creating a membership site requires a significant amount of planning and effort, but it can be a rewarding and lucrative business model.
8. Print-on-demand products
Print-on-demand (POD) products are digital products that are printed and shipped to customers on an as-needed basis. These products can include items such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and other physical items that can be customized with designs or text.
Here are some tips for a successful Print-on-demand product:
- Choose a niche or market for your print-on-demand products, such as clothing, home decor, or accessories
- Determine the type of products you want to create, such as t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags
- Design or source unique and high-quality graphics or designs for your products
- Choose a print-on-demand platform or provider, such as Printful, Redbubble, or CafePress
- Set up your account and product listings on the platform, including uploading your designs and setting up pricing and terms
- Promote your products through marketing and advertising efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising
Creating print-on-demand products can be a rewarding and scalable business model, as you can create and sell as many products as you want without having to invest in inventory or storage space. By offering unique and high-quality designs, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and build a loyal customer base.
9. Online Coaching & Consulting
Online coaching and consulting services are digital products that offer personalized guidance, support, and expertise to individuals or businesses looking to achieve specific goals or solve specific problems.
These services can be delivered through a variety of formats, including video calls, email, and messaging, and can be tailored to a wide range of niches, including business, personal development, health, and more.
Selling online coaching and consulting services can be a lucrative business model, as you can charge premium rates for your time and expertise. To be successful with these services, it’s important to choose a niche that is in demand and to offer high-quality, personalized guidance and support to your clients.
Here are some useful tips to succeed in online coaching:
- Choose a niche or area of expertise that you are knowledgeable about and that is in demand within your target market
- Determine the format and delivery of your coaching services, such as video calls, email, or messaging
- Create a website or landing page to promote your services, including information about your background, credentials, and the benefits of working with you
- Set up a payment system for your coaching fees, such as PayPal or Stripe
- Market your coaching services to potential clients through marketing and advertising efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising
- Communicate with clients to understand their needs and goals, and develop personalized coaching plans to help them achieve their objectives
- Provide high-quality, personalized support and guidance to your clients to help them achieve their goals.
10. Plugins & Extensions
Plugins and extensions are digital products that can be added to websites or applications to enhance their functionality or performance. These products can include add-ons for content management systems, such as WordPress, or extensions for web browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox.
Selling plugins and extensions can be a lucrative business model, as you can charge for access to your products or offer them for free and generate revenue through advertising or upsells.
- Choose a niche or area of expertise that you are knowledgeable about and that is in demand within your target market
- Determine the platform or application for which you will create your plugin or extension, such as WordPress, Chrome, or Firefox
- Research the needs and pain points of your target market, and develop a plan for creating a plugin or extension that meets these needs
- Use programming languages and tools, such as PHP, JavaScript, or HTML, to develop and test your plugin or extension
- Create documentation and user guides for your plugin or extension to help users understand how to install and use it
- Promote your plugin or extension to potential customers through marketing and advertising efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising
- Provide support and updates to your plugin or extension to keep it functional and relevant to your customers
Creating plugins and extensions requires a significant amount of technical expertise and programming skills.
A paid newsletter is a digital product that is delivered to subscribers on a regular basis, typically via email, and for which subscribers pay a fee. Paid newsletters can be focused on a wide range of topics and niches, including business, personal development, entertainment, and more.
To create a paid newsletter, you can follow these steps:
- Choose a niche or topic that you are knowledgeable about and that is in demand within your target market
- Determine the format and frequency of your newsletter, such as weekly or monthly emails
- Develop a plan for creating and delivering high-quality, valuable content for your newsletter on a regular basis
- Set up a payment system for your newsletter fees, such as PayPal or Stripe
- Create a website or landing page to promote your newsletter and provide information about its content and pricing
- Market your newsletter to potential subscribers through marketing and advertising efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and paid advertising
- Communicate with subscribers to understand their needs and interests, and tailor your newsletter content accordingly
- Provide excellent customer service and support to your subscribers to keep them engaged and satisfied.
Benefits of Selling Digital Products
Why sell digital products
- The inventory will never run out: No issues with supply and demand issues since it sells automatically over and over.
- Provides passive income: After you’ve made the product, you can chill out and enjoy the income.
- It is easily scalable: 1000s of people can buy in 1 hour and you don’t have to worry about logistics.
- Cheap to start: Most of the time, all you need is just a laptop, or maybe a camera and microphone. That’s it.
- It provides freedom and flexibility: Selling digital products will give you more time to focus on other aspects of your business like marketing.
- You reach a broader market because some people would want to buy your course instead of hiring your services.
Best Plugins to Start Selling Digital Products on your Site
Here are 10 best plugins to sell digital products:
Easy Digital Downloads: This plugin is specifically designed for selling digital products through WordPress, and offers features such as file tracking, automatic updates, and customer management.
WooCommerce: This popular e-commerce plugin can be used to sell a wide range of products, including digital products, and offers features such as payment gateways, shipping options, and inventory management.
WPForms: This plugin allows you to create custom forms and surveys for your WordPress site, which can be used to gather customer information, collect orders, and more.
Gravity Forms: This plugin offers a variety of form creation and management tools, including the ability to create order forms, collect payments, and integrate with other plugins and services.
PayPal Digital Goods: This plugin integrates with the PayPal payment gateway and allows you to sell digital products through WordPress, with features such as automatic delivery of download links and customer management.
MemberPress: This plugin is designed for creating membership sites and offers features such as payment gateways, content protection, and customer management.
WP eStore: This plugin allows you to sell digital products through WordPress and offers features such as payment gateways, customer management, and automatic delivery of download links.
Stripe Payment Gateway: This plugin integrates with the Stripe payment gateway and allows you to accept payments for digital products through WordPress.
WP Simple Pay: This plugin integrates with the Simple Pay payment gateway and allows you to sell digital products through WordPress, with features such as automatic delivery of download links and customer management.
WP EasyCart: This plugin allows you to create an online store and sell digital products through WordPress, with features such as payment gateways, shipping options, and customer management.
Digital Products FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about selling digital products.
What is a digital product?
Virtual items that can be purchased and accessed instantly without the need for physical shipping are known as digital products. While creating a digital product can be a challenging task, the payoff is well worth it as they are highly scalable due to the lack of inventory or materials needed.
Anyone can create a digital product by identifying a skill or knowledge they possess and turning it into a product that can educate, inspire, or entertain others.
The beauty of digital products is that anyone has the potential to create one, it’s simply a matter of finding what they are good at and turning it into a product that can provide value to others.