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Selling digital goods is an effective, viable means to earn a decent living as a creator. The entire (hidden) expenses that could be involved in running bricks and mortar shops including production, storage, and shipping do not apply in the modern world. This means you can take your time worrying less about logistics for moving your inventory around and spend your time creating amazing content for your audience.
Most e-commerce goods include digital files that are commonly referred to as digital downloads. Let's take a look at what they're and how they can be sold.
What is a digital download?
Digital downloads may be more common than you think. Did you buy any of these:
- an ebook to read on your Amazon Kindle
- A software update or plug-in for your website
- an ebook for research purposes
- I would like to see a font that is new for a design project (perhaps in Adobe InDesign)
- an album from Bandcamp to aid a musician
If yes, then you've access to a digital download! They are files that are digitally created by a creator, to be downloaded onto a customer's computer. If you're planning to begin a side business or perhaps even creating a full-time company selling digital downloads, you can choose from many products that you can consider creating:
- Visuals such as digital art, stock images and fonts, as well as image presets
- Ebooks, such as for Amazon Kindle or Google Books
- Educational resources, such as Online courses, PDF tests and PDFs
- Songs, audio, or podcasts
- Videocontent, including animated lessons, stock footage, or animations footage
At, we offer a free digital download for our readers. It is an ebook entitled 'Top 21 channels to market membership sites', written by the Subscription Coach Amanda Northcutt. More details are available at this blog article or download the whole book. One of our customers, FujiLove Magazine, offers a digital download to its members: a beautiful photography magazine that features photographs, articles with shooting advice, and other gear advice. More information is available about the magazine on FujiLove Magazine website.
How can I create digital downloads?
Perhaps you already know the possibilities and just want to understand how you can go about the selling of digital downloads and making them an actuality? Have you already decided on the kind of product you'd like to make and then sell? Let's look at the ways you can make money from it:
The method for creating the digital file is dependent on the type of item that you're creating. Keep to these areas and look for some fantastic and, mostly gratis online tools to help you get started.
Visuals: You are a young graphic designer or photographer? It is possible to sell your photos or even digital artwork. There are incredible tools such as Canva or Figma that can assist you in the editing of individual images as well as creating an impressive online portfolio of art.
ebooks: Could you write the next Amazon Kindle bestseller? Take a look at Kaliber, Reedsy and Ceros to find editors and writing software for ebooks.
Educational resources: Do you have an idea you can share with other people? Blackboard as well as Outschool offer online channels to aid you in the creation of educational courses and platform.
Audio: Do you write music or contribute to the podcast? Check out Audio Mass or the Audio Mass for audio editing software.
video: Could you share your video online or offer stock footage for sale or your drone videography? Make your video editable using Adobe Premiere Rush or Final Cut Pro.
There are a myriad of online tools, with many of which are free, and go beyond those listed above to assist you in creating amazing digital downloads. If you know of any others, message us on our social media channels! You can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram..
So we've spoken about creating digital downloads as well as how to get started. Get creative! The next stage is taking your works public and then monetizing them therefore let's consider ways to make money from your latest digital downloads.
How to sell digital downloads
In order to begin selling items online, just as on the ground one can create your own marketplace, or join an existing one. Creating your own marketplace in the digital world essentially means to build an online platform that accepts payments from financial institutions, typically through PayPal or Stripe, in return of granting access to these downloads. An online equivalent of being a part of an established marketplace means enrolling on any or a variety of marketplace websites.
Make your own website
If you're thinking of selling the downloads on your own website, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits that allow you to direct establish your brand's identity and image. You can customize your site to exactly how you'd like it (but of course there may an expense associated with it).
When you have your own website, you'll be able to directly interact with your customers via chat rooms online, like Intercom. Create databases from your customers' emails perhaps through Mailerlite or MailChimp, to keep them updated with upcoming promotions and marketing campaigns.
You'll still need to work hard to get people to arrive at your website at all, and that could require a significant amount of effort or even paying Google, Facebook or similar for advertising. Once that traffic is in, there'll be no competition from other sellers because you'll be the sole person listed. And, perhaps most importantly there's no need to pay any marketplace commissions and you'll keep the entire earnings!
Incorporating an existing market
On the other hand you may be thinking about setting up an online store for selling digital downloads by using the existing marketplace. Most popular are eBay, Etsy, Zibbet, Amazon Handmade and Bonanza and these may be an excellent starting point to further research.
It'll be quick and easy to get and up and up and running because it won't require the infrastructure for a new website. However, there will be a loss of some flexibility to customize which means it will be difficult to create your own brand image that stands out from the competitors in the market. Indeed, competition will become an issue as there are many other sellers to choose from. customers to choose from.
The cost will likely be higher; just about every marketplace is going to charge a subscription fee. The average cost will be between $15 and $20 per month. In addition, you'll have to pay transaction costs each time you make a sale. Also, you'll be unable to speak directly to your (potential) customers and it'll be nearly impossible to establish an email list. However, traffic numbers are bound to be astronomical as these sites are well-established which increases your chances of being found by buyers.
The halfway-point: Adding to your current site
Much like many issues in the world it's not all black and white and there are alternatives that lie between the two extremes of the spectrum. For instance, you could add some functionalities for transactions to your current website, in order to allow for customers to buy access to your digital products. Since the most well-known website creator is WordPress The most straightforward method to increase a website's capabilities is to put in the WordPress plugin.
There's a variety of options for plugins which include Paid Memberships Pro, Easy Digital Downloads, Rave Easy Digital Downloads and Sell Digital Downloads. Of obviously, don't overlook our very own plugin, WP. All these plugins allow the sale of access to download documents. These downloads could already upload to your website's Media Library from previous work you've done, so you'll be able to begin making money quickly!
Conclusion: Selling digital downloads
Selling digital downloads is an excellent way to capitalise your presence on the internet and let you do what you love: creating amazing content that your customers will love. Downloads are made up of images and graphic content, ebooks, audio or video, and educational resources like online classes.
It's easy to start selling digital downloads online either through an online marketplace like eBay or Etsy as well as develop your own website to enjoy more creative control and a few more effort and knowledge. No matter which route you take, selling digital downloads is a rewarding and motivating way to monetize your online community!