Pick a Spot! Where to Sell Digital Products
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you where to sell digital products. Digital products are files, like a printable, a template or an e-book.
Your file is ready. Yay! But where do people buy it? There are three spots, and you only need one. But a shop nobody visits sells nothing, so you still have to bring people. Grown-ups call that traffic.
Three questions first
Before you pick, ask yourself:
- Can I already bring visitors?
- How much do I want to be the boss of how it looks and what it costs?
- How many grown-up jobs am I ready for?
Spot one: a big online mall
Grown-ups call it a marketplace. Like Etsy or Gumroad for downloads, Shutterstock or Adobe Stock for photos, and MyMiniFactory for 3D designs.
This is often the easiest start! Buyers are already walking around, looking for things. So you can sell before anybody knows you!
The mall also takes the payment and handles the rules of the sale. Grown-ups say the mall is the “seller of record.” It just means the mall is officially the seller.
The “buts”: the mall takes a little piece of every sale, you can’t decorate much, and you don’t get your buyers’ emails.
Spot two: a little shop on your social profile
Grown-ups call it a social store. You make it with link-in-bio tools like Stan Store. It sits right on your social media profile. Your followers can look and buy without leaving the app they love!
It’s great for files, because there’s nothing to ship. The download link arrives by itself as soon as they pay. Mo, from our digital product examples, sells her animation files this way.
These shops usually take a small fee per sale, or a monthly fee. At the start, pick a free plan. No monthly fees before your first sale!
The “buts”: you can’t decorate it as much. And if the app has problems, your shop does too.
Spot three: your own website
Your very own house! With something like Shopify, you decide everything, and nobody takes a piece of your money.
But all the jobs are yours! Your website needs:
- A privacy page.
- A page with your sale rules.
- A refund page made for files.
- A helper that sends the file by itself after paying.
And nobody walks by your house by accident. Every single visitor has to come because of you!
An easy path
No followers yet? Start in the big mall and learn what sells. Already have followers? A social shop lets you sell to them. Selling regularly? A website gives you more control.
A story
A calligrapher (that’s super fancy handwriting!) makes printable quotes. She starts on Etsy. A few months later, she has fans on Pinterest, so she adds a social shop. Etsy brings new buyers, and fans buy from her social shop. Next year, a website!
Tiny money, no face
You need very little money to start. You’d be surprised! Use free tools or tiny one-time fees. And you can bring visitors yourself, no agency needed.
Files are also perfect if you don’t want to show your face.
What’s next?
The next article shows what else you need. Spoiler: only ONE thing, always! The whole module is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help you choose? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
Where should beginners sell files?
The big mall is often easiest, because buyers are already there.
Which malls sell files?
Etsy and Gumroad for downloads, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock for photos, MyMiniFactory for 3D designs.
What’s a social store?
A little shop on your social profile, made with tools like Stan Store.
What does my own website need?
Rules pages, a refund page, and a helper that sends files by itself.
Do I need all three spots?
Nope! One is enough. Then bring people to it.
Will there be step-by-step lessons for each of the ten ways?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Can I start selling files for free or almost free?
Yes! Lynnaider shows you ways that cost nothing, or very little. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
