A Simple Guide to Selling Digital Products

So, you’ve created or already own some digital products, and now you’re wondering where and how to sell them online.

At this point, you have two main options: launch your products on a marketplace or sell them through your own website.

As a beginner, it can be tough to decide which is the right path. Both have their pros and cons, so let’s break them down for you:

1. Selling on Marketplaces

There are plenty of popular marketplaces, like Gumroad, Etsy, or Creative Fabrica, where you can list your digital products for sale.

The big advantage here is convenience—these platforms are already well-established, with built-in traffic and customers actively searching for digital products.

In other words, you get access to free traffic just by uploading your products. You won’t have to worry too much about finding buyers at first because the marketplace handles a lot of the marketing for you. However, some platforms don’t always bring a lot of traffic, so results may vary.

The good news is that marketplaces usually handle the technical aspects like payment processing, file delivery, and sometimes even customer service, which saves you time.

But, there are some downsides.

Marketplaces often charge fees for every sale, and you're competing with thousands of other sellers offering similar products.

To stand out, you’ll need to focus on competitive pricing, branding, or offering something unique.

2. Selling on Your Own Website

If you want more control over your brand and customer experience, selling through your own website is a great option.

You can either create a new website for your business or sell directly through your social media accounts with zero or minimal transaction fees.

For those who aren't tech-savvy, don’t worry—you don’t need to build a website from scratch.

There are beginner-friendly website builders like Systeme.io, Squarespace, or ClickFunnels that make it easy to set up your online store without any coding. While these platforms don’t take a cut of your sales, they do have pricing plans for using their services.

If you’re interested, you can sign up here for a free System.io account to get started your business with all-in-one marketing platform.

The benefit of selling through your own website is that you keep more of the profit, and you own the relationship with your customers. This means you can build a direct audience for future sales, giving you more control and flexibility.

However, the challenge here is driving traffic to your site. You’ll need to invest time in marketing—whether through social media, email lists, or paid ads—to get people to visit your store.

But over time, you’ll be building a personal brand and developing a loyal customer base.

So, Which Option Should You Choose?

If you’re just getting started and want a quick, easy way to get your products in front of people, using a marketplace might be the best route for you

But if you're thinking long-term and want to build your own brand, setting up your own website will be the more strategic option.

You’ve created your digital product and decided where to sell it—what’s next?

It’s time to set up your product listing, and this step is key to attracting buyers.

A good product listing isn’t just about uploading the file; it’s about presenting it in a way that grabs attention and convinces people to hit that “Buy Now” button.

1. Create a Compelling Title.

Think about what your target audience is searching for—your title should reflect that. It needs to be specific enough to show what the product is about but simple enough to be instantly understood.

For example, if you're selling a printable planner, something like “Undated Weekly Planner for Busy Professionals” works better than just “Planner.”

2. Write a Strong Product Description.

This is where you tell potential buyers what problem your product solves and why it’s the perfect solution.

Use simple, straightforward language but be specific about the benefits. Instead of just listing features, explain how those features help the buyer.

For instance, if your product is a social media template, you could say: “Save hours on content creation and boost engagement with these professionally designed, easy-to-edit templates.”

3. Add High-quality Images or Previews.

People like to see what they’re getting before they commit. Show a preview of your digital product—whether it’s screenshots, mockups, or a short demo video.

This makes your listing more visually appealing and builds trust with buyers who want to know exactly what they’re purchasing.

You can plug-and play using our 500+ mockup Canva template here to listing easily and display your digital products.

4. Don’t Forget to Price it Right.

Your pricing should reflect the value you’re offering, but it should also be competitive in the market.

Do a quick scan of similar products to get a sense of the price range. And if you're just starting out, a lower introductory price can help you build momentum and collect reviews.

5. Make it Easy for Buyers to Take an Action.

Use clear calls to action (CTAs) like "Download Now" or "Get Instant Access" so that your customers know exactly what to do next.

And don’t overlook the small details—ensure your payment process is smooth, and the delivery of the digital product is instant once purchased.

By following these steps, you’re not just setting up a product listing—you’re setting up a successful first impression that can help you land those initial sales.

In conclusion, selling digital products online offers two main paths: using a marketplace or your own website.

Marketplaces provide an easy, traffic-ready option, though fees and competition can be challenges.

On the other hand, selling through your website gives you more control, higher profits, and room to build a personal brand but requires more marketing effort.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your goals—short-term convenience or long-term brand growth.