How to Create and Sell Digital Products in 7 Easy Steps

Selling digital products is one of the best ways to generate income online. Unlike physical products, digital products require no inventory, no shipping, and can be sold repeatedly without additional costs. Whether you’re a designer, writer, educator, or entrepreneur, you can turn your skills into profitable digital products.

But where do you start? Many people get stuck overthinking the process, fearing competition, or struggling to create something valuable. The good news? Selling digital products is easier than you think—if you follow the right steps.

Here’s a simple, actionable guide to help you create and sell digital products in just 7 easy steps.

The first mistake people make is creating a product without knowing if anyone wants it. Instead of guessing, take a strategic approach:

How to Find a Profitable Idea:

1. Look at your own skills and experiences – What do people frequently ask you for help with?
2. Check online marketplaces – Browse platforms like Etsy (for printables), Gumroad (for e-books and digital tools), and Udemy (for courses) to see what’s selling.
3. Solve a specific problem – People pay for solutions. If your digital product saves time, simplifies a task, or teaches something valuable, it has potential.
4. Research demand – Use free tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, and keyword research tools to see if people are searching for what you want to create.

If you’re unsure where to start, check out How to Choose the Perfect Niche for Your Blog for more niche ideas.

Popular Digital Products Ideas:

• E-books, templates, or guides
• Notion or Excel planners
• Printables (calendars, trackers, journals)
• Online courses or mini-tutorials
• Digital art, stock photos, or design assets
• Software, scripts, or website themes

Once you find an idea with demand, move to the next step.

Before you spend weeks creating your product, test the waters. This ensures you’re making something people actually want.

Ways to Validate Your Idea:

• Pre-sell it – Announce your product on social media or email lists and see if people are willing to buy before it’s made.
• Offer a free sample – Create a smaller version and give it away in exchange for feedback.
• Ask in communities – Join relevant Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or Twitter discussions and ask potential buyers what they’d find useful.

Avoid common beginner mistakes with 5 Mistakes to Avoid as a Beginner Affiliate Marketer

If people express interest, congratulations! Your idea is worth pursuing. If not, tweak your offer based on feedback.

Many people get stuck here, believing they need expensive tools or expert-level skills. In reality, you can create digital products using free or affordable tools.

Quick Tips for Easy Product Creation:

• Use templates and AI tools – Canva (for design), ChatGPT (for content ideas), and Notion (for planners) can speed up your workflow.
• Keep it simple – Don’t overcomplicate. A well-organized, valuable guide or template will sell better than a bloated, complex product.
• Make it polished – Even a simple digital product should look professional. Use quality fonts, visuals, and formatting.

Best Free & Low-Cost Tools for Creating Digital Products:

• E-books, guides → Canva, Google Docs, Designrr
• Printables, templates → Canva, Adobe Express
• Planners, Notion templates → Notion, Google Sheets
• Online courses → Teachable, Podia, Gumroad

Create your product efficiently, then move to packaging it for sale.

Want to work smarter? Learn How to Use AI to Work Less and Earn More Legally.

You need a place to host and sell your product. Some platforms take a small fee per sale, while others charge a monthly fee.

Best Platforms to Sell Digital Products:

• Gumroad – Simple for e-books, templates, and guides.
• Etsy – Great for printables, planners, and digital downloads.
• Payhip – Easy setup, perfect for direct sales.
• Podia / Teachable – Best for selling courses.
• Your own website – More control, but requires setup (WordPress + WooCommerce, Shopify, or Squarespace).

Thinking of starting a blog? Here’s The Ultimate Guide to Writing Viral Blog Posts to attract traffic.

If you want zero upfront cost, start with Gumroad or Payhip. If you plan to build a long-term brand, a website is a great investment.

Pricing is tricky—set it too high, and people won’t buy. Too low, and you won’t profit.

How to Set the Right Price:

1. Look at competitors – See how similar products are priced.
2. Consider the value, not just effort – If your product saves time or solves a major pain point, it’s worth more.
3. Test different price points – Start with a lower price, increase as demand grows.
4. Offer tiered pricing – Example:
   • Basic (E-book only) – $9
   • Premium (E-book + worksheets) – $19
   • Ultimate (E-book + worksheets + 1-hour consultation) – $49

Want to charge more? Learn Pricing Strategies for Freelancers: Stop Undervaluing Your Work.

Pro Tip: Sell at a slightly higher price than you feel comfortable with. You can always offer discounts, but raising prices later is harder.

A great product won’t sell itself—you need to drive traffic. The best part? You don’t need to spend money on ads.

Free Marketing Strategies:

• SEO-optimized blog posts – Write helpful content related to your product to attract Google traffic.
• Social media marketing – Share tips, behind-the-scenes, and sneak peeks on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
• Email marketing – Build a simple newsletter and offer free resources to attract subscribers.
• Pinterest marketing – Create eye-catching pins linking to your product page (great for printables & guides).

Discover Beyond AdSense: 7 Hidden Blogging Income Streams No One Talks About for more monetization ideas.

The key is consistency—pick one or two platforms and show up regularly.

Once you make your first few sales, it’s time to scale.

How to Make Sales on Autopilot:

• Create an evergreen sales funnel – Offer a free lead magnet (like a free checklist) to capture emails and nurture buyers.
• Bundle & upsell – Combine similar products into a bundle for a higher price.
• Use affiliate marketing – Let influencers or bloggers promote your product for a commission.
• Expand to new platforms – If you started on Etsy, try Gumroad. If you used Gumroad, set up a personal website.

Want more income streams? Check out 4 New Passive Income Streams That No One is Talking About Yet.

Scaling doesn’t mean working harder—it means making small tweaks that generate more sales with less effort.

Most people fail at selling digital products not because it’s hard, but because they never start. Overthinking and fear of competition stop them before they even try.

If you take one step at a time, you’ll have a product ready in no time. Start with an idea, validate it, create something simple, and get it out there. Even if your first product isn’t perfect, you’ll learn and improve—and that’s how success happens.

Need more inspiration? Check out What If You Could Make $5000 While Sleeping? The Reality of Passive Income.

Now, take action:
What digital product idea are you thinking of? Start today, and your future self will thank you.