25 Digital Products to Sell (& How to Make Them)

In a nutshell, digital products are intangible assets—think e-books, online classes, digital art and the like—that can be sold and distributed online, with no physical inventory or storage space necessary.

Because they're easily scalable, come with low overhead costs and have the potential to generate passive income, digital products can be a hot commodity for entrepreneurs looking to make money from new sources.

Sound intriguing? Discover 25 digital products you can start selling online, and learn how to make them too.

Why You Should Sell Digital Products

Four paintings of birds laid out on a white tabletop. A person’s hands are holding one of the paintings. Paintbrushes and tubes of paint are arranged to the right of the paintings. — In the Skillshare class “Make Art, Make Money : Income Streams for Creatives,” teacher Shivani Patel explains how to turn physical works of art into lucrative digital products.

Digital products boast several advantages over their physical counterparts, including low overhead costs, easy distribution and simple scalability.

For example, unlike physical products, digital goods do not require manufacturing, storage or shipping. For the seller, that means a significantly lower initial investment, as well as minimal ongoing expenses.

Since digital products don't involve shipping, they can be delivered instantly to customers around the world, which makes it much easier to expand market reach and sell to a variety of demographics.

If you choose to create and sell digital products, you can build a sustainable online business that has the potential to generate passive income 24/7.

Where to Sell Digital Products

n Etsy shop titled ‘Angèle Kamp, artists & graphic designer.’ The shop features a minimalist black-and-white color scheme. The items featured at the top include digital downloads of graphic designs. — In the Skillshare class “Sell digital products on marketplaces like Etsy & Creative Market,” teacher Angèle Kamp shows students her own Etsy shop while leading them through the process of starting their own.

To make money off your digital products, you'll need a place to sell them. That's where selling platforms come in—choose the right one (or several), and you'll greatly increase your chances of reaching your target audience and getting more sales.

Here are some viable options to consider.

Online Marketplaces

Digital marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon and the like provide ready-made platforms with huge customer bases.

Each marketplace has its own features, audience and ease of use, so the one that's right for you will depend on the products you're selling and your own personal preferences.

Some of the most widely used marketplaces include:

Etsy: Ideal for hand-crafted digital products like art prints, printable planners and digital design files.
Amazon: The largest marketplace for selling e-books.
Fiverr: Popular platform for freelancers to sell graphic designs, illustrations, animations, audio files and more.
Gumroad: Allows artists and content creators of all kinds to create their own digital storefront.
Patreon: Here, a creator's supporters can pay a monthly membership fee in exchange for exclusive content.
Society6: A platform where artists can upload their work, and customers can buy it in the form of prints, home decor and more.
Teachers Pay Teachers: An education-focused marketplace where teachers can buy and sell lesson plans and other teaching resources.

The pros of using an online marketplace include:

A built-in pool of customers
Easy to set up your own shop without any coding or website experience
Higher visibility and trust

On the other hand, the cons of using an online marketplace include:

Stiff competition from other shops
Selling fees can eat into your profits
You'll need to comply with your chosen platform's terms, conditions and policies

Your Own Website

Don’t want to sell on Etsy or another online marketplace? No problem—you can also sell digital products on your own website.

Doing so will give you complete control over your business's branding, customer data, pricing and policies. You don't need to be ultra tech-savvy to sell on your own website, either, since platforms like Shopify, Wix and Squarespace provide the tools you need to build and manage your online store with ease.

The benefits of selling on your own website include:

Little to no selling fees
Competitors' products won't be displayed right next to your own
Total control over how you run your shop

However, the downsides of selling on your own website include:

No built-in audience; you'll have to grow one from scratch
Requires more technological know-how
Doesn't make it easy for potential customers to find your business

Whether you sell your digital products on an established marketplace or your own website, leveraging social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook can help you build an online presence and engage with your target audience.

By sharing content, running ads and interacting with followers, you can increase your store's exposure, drive traffic to your shop and increase sales. Social media also allows you to showcase your products visually and reach a wider audience through organic and paid promotion alike.

The advantages of promoting your products on social media include:

Greater chance of reaching a wider audience
Plenty of opportunities to engage with your customers in meaningful ways
Fantastic way to increase your business's visibility

The disadvantages of promoting your products on social media include:

Time-consuming
Can be difficult to gain visibility without spending money on ads
Could provide a low return on investment (ROI)

25 Digital Products You Can Sell

There are countless digital products you can create and sell on an online marketplace, your own website, social media or all of the above.

Use these 25 ideas to get the ball rolling:

1. Templates

The graphic design tool Canva open on a computer. It’s being used to create a worksheet titled ‘mindful questions’ which has several blank spaces for customers to add their own questions or prompts. — In the Skillshare class “Etsy Template Shop: Diversify Your Income with Canva Templates,” teacher Cheryl Chan shows students how to create Canva templates they can sell on Etsy.

You can design customizable templates for a multitude of uses, including invoices, wedding programs and invitations, signs and more. These templates can save users time and effort in creating polished documents and graphics. For example, a well-designed invoice template can help freelancers attain a more professional look for their clients, while a beautiful wedding invitation template can make it easy for engaged couples to invite their guests in style.

You can even create and sell templates specifically designed for certain apps, like Notion templates, to help users get organized.

Potential earnings: About $1-$10 per template

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad

Resources:

2. Printable Planners

Create printable planners and organizers that users can download and print at home. These products can include daily, weekly and monthly planners, budget trackers, meal planners and more. These types of planners can be especially helpful for niche groups of people, such as nurses, teachers and expecting parents.

Potential earnings: $1-$5 per planner, or up to $20 for a bundle

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad

Resources:

3. Digital Art

If you're looking for a way to monetize your art, consider selling digital illustrations, paintings and patterns that can be used for various purposes, such as home decor, gifts, stationery and personal projects. With print-on-demand sites being so easily accessible, the sky is truly the limit.

Pro tip: If you’ve already created a number of physical drawings and paintings, you can digitize your art to bring it to the online world.

Potential earnings: $5-$100+ per piece.

Best places to sell: Fiverr, Society6, Etsy, your own website, social media

Resources:

The photo editing software Adobe Photoshop open on a computer. It’s being used to create several different winter-themed social media graphics, such as one that’s shaped like a snowflake. — In the Skillshare class “Social Media Graphics: Clipping Masks with Adobe Photoshop,” teacher Kate Silver demonstrates how to create customizable graphics for social media posts.

Design graphics specifically for social media platforms, such as TikTok and Twitch live stream overlays, Instagram post templates and Pinterest Pin templates. These graphics can help businesses and influencers maintain a visually appealing and cohesive online presence without the need to create their own designs.

Potential earnings: $5-$20 per set of graphics

Best places to sell: Fiverr, Etsy, Gumroad

Resources:

5. Online Classes

Have a passion or area of expertise? Share your knowledge with others on platforms like Skillshare, where you can easily create and publish your own online class. Since thousands of students can potentially view online classes, they offer a scalable way to share your expertise while generating passive income.

Potential earnings: Varies based on viewership

Best places to sell: Skillshare

Resources:

6. E-Books

If you have a knack for writing, think about writing and publishing e-books on any topic you'd like. E-books can range from how-to guides and self-help books to novels and short stories, so get creative when conceptualizing yours.

Potential earnings: $5-$30 per e-book

Best places to sell: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Apple Books for Authors, Barnes & Noble Press

Resources:

7. Fonts

The app Fontself open on an iPad, which is laying on a white tabletop. A person’s hand is using an Apple Pencil to draw the letter ‘B.’ — In the Skillshare class “Design a Hand Drawn Font on Your iPad and Sell on Creative Market,” teacher Maja Faber creates an original font using an iPad app.

Create and sell unique fonts that individuals, designers and businesses can use in their projects. Custom fonts add a distinctive touch to any design and can be used in branding, marketing materials, websites and more. And with the help of apps like Fontself, creating one is simpler than ever.

Potential earnings: $10-$30 per font

Best places to sell: Fontspring, Creative Market

Resources:

8. Plugins

By developing plugins for websites and software, you can enhance functionality, improve the user experience and give users powerful tools. Plugins can include tools for SEO, social media integration, cross-software functionality, collaboration and more. And since platforms like Adobe and Shopify have extensive plugin markets, there are ample opportunities for sales.

Even on WordPress, where all plugins are free by default, plugin developers often use a "freemium" model to monetize their creations.

Potential earnings: $10-$200+ per plugin

Best places to sell: WordPress, Shopify, Adobe

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9. Mobile Apps

Design and sell mobile applications that provide utility, entertainment, education or information. From productivity tools and games to educational apps and social networking platforms, there's no limit to the types of apps you can create.

While the app market is highly competitive, popular apps can generate substantial revenue through sales, ad revenue and in-app purchases. To increase your app's chances of success, read up on app store optimization.

Potential earnings: $0.99-$10 per app, plus in-app purchases

Best places to sell: Google Play, Apple's App Store

Resources:

10. Procreate Brushes

An iPad resting on a wooden tabletop next to a jar of colored pencils. The app Procreate is open on the screen. A person’s hand is using an Apple Pencil to draw lines with a custom Procreate brush. — In the Skillshare class “Custom Procreate Brushes - Create Your Unique Digital Illustration Tools,” teacher Alexandra Finta draws with a Procreate brush of her own creation.

Create custom brushes for the Procreate app, a popular digital drawing tool used by millions artists worldwide. These brushes can mimic various traditional media effects, such as watercolor, oil paint and pencil, or they can create entirely new effects for unique results.

Potential earnings: $5-$20 per brush set

Best places to sell: Gumroad, Etsy, social media

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11. Stock Photos

Shoot and sell high-quality stock photos that can be used by businesses, bloggers and designers in their commercial projects. Stock photos cover a wide range of subjects, from landscapes and cityscapes to abstract designs and everyday scenes. They're sold on platforms like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock, and they earn money for the photographer who took them each time they're downloaded.

Potential earnings: $1-$10 per photo

Best places to sell: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Alamy

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12. Webinars

Share your expertise, engage with your audience and meet new people by hosting and selling webinars. They can be either live or pre-recorded, and they tend to be most popular in the niches of business, education and self-improvement.

Potential earnings: $10-$100+ per webinar

Best places to sell: Podia, Gumroad, your own website, social media

Resources:

13. Sound Effects

Produce and sell sound effects for use in media projects such as movies, video games, YouTube videos and podcasts. Sound effects can range from ambient sounds and nature noises to specific actions like footsteps or door creaks, so no matter what kinds of sounds you're interested in creating, there's probably a market for them.

Potential earnings: $1-$10 per sound effect.

Best places to sell: AudioJungle, Pond5, Gumroad

Resources:

14. Spreadsheets

Create and sell functional spreadsheets for any number of purposes, such as budgeting, project management, special event planning and data analysis. These spreadsheets can save users time and effort by providing ready-made templates with built-in formulas and features. (Hint: The more aesthetically pleasing and color-coordinated your spreadsheets are, the more appealing they'll be.)

Potential earnings: $1-$20 per spreadsheet

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad

Resources:

15. PowerPoint Templates

The presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint open on a computer. The user has created an infographic composed of three intersecting circles in shades of pink and purple. — In the Skillshare class “PowerPoint Class: Create a Modern PowerPoint Template,” teacher One Skill demonstrates how to create eye-catching PowerPoint templates.

Design professional PowerPoint templates that users can customize for their own presentations. These templates can include various slide layouts, color schemes, graphics, and any other elements that help users quickly create polished and visually appealing presentations. PowerPoint templates are especially popular in the fields of business, education and marketing.

Potential earnings: $1-$20 per template.

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad, Fiverr

Resources:

16. Resume Templates

Develop modern resume templates that job seekers can easily customize with their own information. These templates can help candidates stand out by providing a clean, professional design that effectively highlights their skills and experience.

Potential earnings: $5-$30 per template.

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad, Creative Market

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17. Workbooks

Create interactive workbooks for various topics, including personal development, language learning and business skills. Workbooks typically include exercises, prompts and activities that guide users through a learning process.

Potential earnings: $5-$50 per workbook.

Best places to sell: Gumroad, Etsy, Teachers Pay Teachers

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18. Lesson Plans and Educational Materials

Sell lesson plans and educational resources that teachers and educators can use in their own classrooms. These materials can include worksheets, activities and assessments for various grade levels and subjects.

Potential earnings: $5-$50 per set

Best places to sell: Teachers Pay Teachers, Classful

Resources:

19. Exclusive Content

Offer exclusive content to customers through subscription models or membership sites. This content can include premium articles, videos, animations, podcasts or photos. By providing valuable and unique content, you can build a loyal audience who's willing to pay for ongoing access.

Potential earnings: $5-$100+ per month

Best places to sell: Patreon, Substack

Resources:

20. Email Marketing Templates

Design email templates that businesses can use for their email marketing campaigns. These templates can include layouts for newsletters, promotional emails and transactional emails. Well-designed email templates can improve open rates and engagement, which makes them valuable assets for businesses of all sizes.

Potential earnings: $1-$50 per template.

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad

Resources:

Creative MailChimp Templates: Creative, Consistent Email Templates for Artists & Shop Owners

21. Checklists

Create detailed and beautiful checklists for specific tasks and projects, such as event planning, learning, travel packing and goal setting. Checklists can help users stay organized and motivated and ensure they don't overlook crucial steps.

Potential earnings: $1-$10 per checklist.

Best places to sell: Etsy, Gumroad

Resources:

Creating Checklists in Canva + Free Templates

22. Podcasts

A person sitting at a wooden table and speaking into a black microphone. Two additional microphones are visible on the table. — In the Skillshare class “How to Make a Podcast: Plan, Record, and Launch with Success,” teacher John Lagomarsino explores every aspect of the podcast creation process.

Produce and monetize podcasts on topics that interest you and your audience. Podcasts can generate revenue through ads, listener donations and even brand sponsorships. By consistently delivering valuable content, you can build a dedicated listener base that's always waiting for the next episode.

Potential earnings: $0.01-$0.10 per download, plus sponsorships

Best places to sell: Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts for Creators, PodBean

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23. Digital Files for 3D Printing

Create and sell digital files that can be used with 3D printers to create physical objects. These files can include models for tools, toys, home decor and more. The growing popularity of 3D printing has created a demand for unique and useful designs, so if you can make them, you can also sell them.

Potential earnings: $1-$50 per file

Best places to sell: Etsy, Thingiverse (tips only)

Resources:

24. SEO Services

Offer search engine optimization (SEO) services to help businesses improve their visibility in search results. These services can include keyword research, content optimization and backlink building.

Potential earnings: $20-$200+ per service package.

Best places to sell: Fiverr, Upwork, your own website

Resources:

25. Affiliate Marketing Products

Promote and sell affiliate products by recommending them to your online followers. Affiliate marketing involves earning a commission for each sale made through your referral links, which can be accomplished through blogs, social media, email marketing and more.

Potential earnings: 2%-30% of each sale

Best places to sell: Your own website, social media

Resources:

Boost Your Creativity (and Beef Up Your Income) With Digital Products

By selling digital products, you can make the most of your creativity, generate passive income and gain more financial independence. And if you choose the right platforms, understand your audience and create truly valuable products, you can build a sustainable (and low-maintenance) online business.

Whether you want to design templates, write e-books, record sound effects or create lesson plans, your options are practically endless. So if you want to diversify your income, there's never been a better time to do so—all you need to do is choose a digital product, learn how to create it and start selling.

Written By

Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz is a freelance writer who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and dog.