How to Make Money Online by Selling Digital Products?

Think Rich Grow Rich July 22, 2025


Instruction

The internet has revolutionized the way we work, shop, and even create value. One of the most effective ways to earn a sustainable income online is by selling digital products. These products are non-physical items delivered electronically—making them inexpensive to produce, scalable, and capable of generating passive income. This guide explores how you can make money online by selling digital products, what kinds to create, platforms to use, and how to successfully market them.

What Are Digital Products?

Digital products are intangible assets or pieces of media that can be sold and distributed repeatedly online without the need to replenish inventory. Examples include

  • Ebooks

  • Online courses

  • Digital art

  • Music or sound effects

  • Stock photos/videos

  • Software or apps

  • Printables

  • Templates

  • Membership content

The beauty of digital products is their low overhead costs, high profit margins, and the ability to automate sales.

Why Sell Digital Products Online?

  1. Low Startup Costs
    Unlike physical goods, you don’t need raw materials, warehousing, or shipping.

  2. High Scalability
    Once created, a digital product can be sold an infinite number of times without extra effort.

  3. Automation-Friendly
    Platforms and tools like Gumroad, Shopify, or Teachable allow you to automate delivery and payments.

  4. Global Reach
    You can sell to customers anywhere in the world 24/7.

  5. Passive Income
    After initial development, digital products can generate income with minimal ongoing effort.

Types of Digital Products to Sell

1. Ebooks

Perfect for authors, coaches, or niche experts. You can write an ebook about

  • Personal development

  • How-to guides

  • Industry insights

  • Recipes

  • Fiction or non-fiction

Tools: Canva, Google Docs, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

2. Online Courses

Turn your knowledge into structured learning. You can create courses in:

  • Business skills

  • Programming

  • Languages

  • Fitness or yoga

  • Photography

Platforms: Teachable, Udemy, Thinkific

3. Design Templates

Ideal for graphic designers. You can create and sell:

  • Canva templates

  • Social media templates

  • Resume or CV layouts

  • Website mockups

Marketplaces: Creative Market, Etsy, Gumroad

4. Printables

Great for teachers, parents, and organizers. Examples include

  • Planners

  • Journals

  • Worksheets

  • Coloring pages

Selling Platforms: Etsy, Payhip

5. Software and Apps

If you have coding skills, you can build

  • Mobile apps

  • Web tools

  • WordPress plugins

  • SaaS products

Where to Sell: CodeCanyon, App Store, personal website

6. Music and Audio

Producers and sound designers can sell:

  • Beets

  • Sound effects

  • Royalty-free music

  • Voiceovers

Platforms: AudioJungle, Bandcamp

How to Get Started Selling Digital Products

Step 1: Choose a Niche

The first step is to decide on your niche—what topic, skill, or industry you’ll focus on. Your niche should be

  • Something you’re knowledgeable or passionate about

  • In demand

  • Not too competitive

Tip: Use tools like Google Trends, Reddit, or Answer the Public to explore trending topics.

Step 2: Validate the Idea

Before you create the product, ensure people will pay for it.

  • Ask your audience (if you have one)

  • Do keyword research

  • Look at competitors: Check how well their products are selling (reviews, comments, pricing)

Quick Test: Create a simple landing page with an email sign-up and gauge interest.

Step 3: Create the Product

The production process depends on the type of product:

  • Ebook: Write in Word or Google Docs, format in Canva or Adobe InDesign

  • Course: Use slides, record videos with Loom or OBS Studio, host on Teachable

  • Templates: Design in Canva, Figma, or Adobe Illustrator

  • Audio: Use GarageBand or Audacity to record and edit

Tips:

  • Keep the design clean and professional

  • Make sure the product solves a specific problem

  • Offer bonuses (checklists, resources) to add value

Step 4: Choose a Platform to Sell On

There are three main options:

1. Marketplaces (low effort, high competition)

  • Etsy

  • Gumroad

  • Creative Market

  • Amazon KDP

Pros: Built-in traffic
Cons: Limited branding, fees

2. Your Own Website (high control)

  • WordPress + WooCommerce

  • Shopify

  • Kajabi

Pros: Full branding, no marketplace fees
Cons: Requires setup and marketing

3. Course Platforms

  • Teachable

  • Thinkific

  • Podia

  • Udemy

Pros: Tailored for learning, tools built-in
Cons: Some take a commission

Step 5: Pricing Your Digital Product

Pricing depends on

  • The value you provide

  • Your competition

  • Your target audience

Tip: Start low to get feedback and build testimonials, then raise prices over time.

  • Ebooks: $5–$25

  • Templates: $10–$100

  • Courses: $20–$300+

  • Software: Subscription or one-time (e.g., $9/mo or $49 lifetime)

Consider offering:

  • Bundles

  • Tiered pricing

  • Limited-time discounts

Marketing Your Digital Products

Creating a product is just the beginning. Marketing is key.

1. Build an Email List

  • Offer a freebie in exchange for emails (like a mini ebook or checklist)

  • Use platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit

2. Use Social Media

Promote content on:

  • Instagram (especially for visual products)

  • Twitter/X (for niche authority)

  • Pinterest (great for printables/templates)

  • TikTok (for short educational/promotional clips)

3. Content Marketing

Create blog posts, videos, or podcasts related to your product niche. This brings in organic traffic and builds trust.

Example: A blogger selling budgeting printables might write posts like “10 Ways to Save Money Fast” and link to their product.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Recruit others to promote your product in exchange for a commission.

Platforms: Gumroad, Podia, ThriveCart

5. Paid Ads

Use Facebook, Google, or Pinterest ads to drive traffic to landing pages.

Tip: Start with a small budget and test which creatives perform best.

Tips for Success

  • Start small and test before going all in

  • Focus on quality, not quantity

  • Nurture your audience with free value and email updates

  • Collect feedback and improve your products

  • Keep learning about marketing, design, and sales tactics

Real-Life Examples

  1. Sarah Titus—makes six figures selling printables on her own website.

  2. Gillian Perkins—Started with ebooks and now runs a digital course business.

  3. Chris Do (The Futur)—Sells design and branding courses using YouTube and community marketing.

Conclusion

Selling digital products online is one of the most flexible and scalable ways to make money in today’s digital economy. Whether you're a writer, teacher, designer, or developer, there’s a digital product you can create and sell.

By choosing the right niche, creating valuable content, and using the right platforms and marketing strategies, you can turn your skills or passions into a profitable online business.

Remember: Start simple, stay consistent, and scale with strategy.

Think Rich Grow Rich

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