🚀 How to Create Digital Products (7 Simple Steps for Beginners)
💡 What Are Digital Products?
Want to learn how to create digital products from scratch — even if you have no tech skills? This step-by-step guide is for you. If you’re wondering how to create digital products, start with something simple like an ebook or printable. You deliver them over the internet, which means there is no shipping and no need for inventory.
Common examples include:
- 📘 Ebooks
- 🎓 Online courses
- 🎵 Music or audio files
- 📂 Templates and printables
- 📸 Photography
- 🖥 Software or apps
These products can be sold many times without extra cost each time someone buys them. You can reach customers around the world.
💰 How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings from digital products can range from a few dollars per month to thousands. It depends on your product type, audience size, and marketing efforts.
| 🧩 Product Type | 💸 Possible Monthly Income* |
|---|---|
| Ebooks | $50 – $1,000+ |
| Online courses | $100 – $5,000+ |
| Templates/Printables | $20 – $500+ |
*Estimates vary based on several factors.
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes:
- Setting prices too low or too high
- Not researching your audience
- Poor product quality or design
- Weak marketing or no promotion
- Ignoring customer feedback
📘 Related: How to Turn Your Passion into Profits with AI
🛍 Why Sell Digital Products In 2025?
Digital products are easy to make and share. You do not need to keep stock or worry about shipping. This saves time and money.
Demand for online content is growing every year. People buy ebooks, courses, and templates to learn new things or solve problems. You can even use tools like AI to help create and sell your first product.
Many digital products have low costs after creation. You pay to create it once, and then you can sell it many times. This can lead to extra income without much ongoing work.
| 📦 Type of Product | 💵 Price Range (USD) | 👥 Potential Buyers per Month |
| eBook | $5–$30 | 20–500 |
| Online Course | $30–$300+ | 10–200 |
| Template Pack | $10–$50 | 15–400 |
🚫 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid:
- Picking topics you are not interested in
- Making a product before knowing if people want it
- Not learning how to market or improve your product
🧱 How To Create Digital Products (Step by Step)
1. 🧠 Choose a product idea: Think about what you know well—topics, skills, or special interests. Look for what people ask about online.
2. 🔍 Research your target audience: Find out who might want your product. Use forums, social media, or surveys to understand their needs.
3. 🎯 Pick your product type: Ebooks, online courses, printables, stock photos, or digital art. Choose what suits your strengths and your audience’s needs.
4. ✍️ Plan your content: Outline what you’ll include. Think in terms of modules, chapters, or templates.
5. 🛠 Create your product: Use tools like Google Docs, Canva, or video editing software. Make it clean, easy to follow, and helpful.
6. 📦 Set up delivery: Use a platform like Etsy, Gumroad, Payhip, or your own site to deliver the product.
7. 📣 Launch and promote: Share with your network and on social media. Use email and content marketing to grow your reach.
| 🧩 Product Type | 💵 Price Range | 📈 Potential Monthly Sales |
| eBook | $5 – $30 | 10 – 100+ |
| Online Course | $20 – $200 | 5 – 50+ |
| Printables | $1 – $20 | 20 – 200+ |
⚠️ Common Mistakes:
- Not researching what people actually want
- Making the product too complicated
- Forgetting to promote your product
- Ignoring customer feedback
🧰 Free Tools You Can Use to Learn How to create digital products (Canva, KoalaWriter, ConvertKit)
You do not need expensive software to get started. Free tools can help you design, write, and promote your product.
| 🛠 Tool | 🎯 Main Use | 🆓 Free Features |
| Canva | Design & graphics | Templates, images, PDF exports |
| KoalaWriter | Writing | AI drafting, basic word count |
| ConvertKit | Email marketing | Basic list, simple campaigns |
These tools let you get started quickly and keep costs low.
🛒 How To Sell Digital Products Online (Beginner-Friendly Platforms)
Choose platforms that are easy to use and beginner-friendly:
- 🛍 Etsy: Great for art, planners, templates
- 📦 Gumroad: Simple for all digital products
- 🛒 Shopify: Build your own store
- 📘 Payhip: Good for ebooks and courses
- 📚 Amazon KDP: Perfect for ebooks
| 🌐 Platform | ✅ Best For | 💰 Fees | 🔗 Website |
| Etsy | Art, printables | Listing + % | etsy.com |
| Gumroad | All digital goods | % per sale | gumroad.com |
| Shopify | Full store | Monthly fee | shopify.com |
| Payhip | Ebooks, courses | % per sale | payhip.com |
| Amazon KDP | Ebooks | % per sale | kdp.amazon.com |
📘 Related: Free Blog Guide
🧪 Pros and Cons of Each Digital Product Platform
Not all platforms are created equal — and choosing the right one depends on what you’re selling, your tech comfort, and how much control you want. Here’s a breakdown of the top beginner-friendly platforms and when to use each one.
🛍 Etsy
Best for: Printables, templates, planners, clip art, digital art
Etsy is one of the easiest ways to get your first digital product in front of real buyers. It’s a search-driven marketplace with millions of monthly visitors looking specifically for creative and downloadable items. If you’re selling aesthetic templates, wall art, or planners, Etsy can be an ideal launchpad.
✅ Pros:
- Built-in audience: You don’t need to run ads or build a website to start selling — customers are already browsing.
- Trust and credibility: Etsy is a globally recognized platform, which builds buyer confidence.
- Quick to set up: Upload your digital files, write a product description, and go live within minutes.
⚠️ Cons:
- Listing + transaction fees: Etsy takes a cut of each sale and charges a small listing fee per product.
- Saturated niches: Popular product categories (like planners or budgeting templates) are highly competitive.
- Limited branding: You’re operating under Etsy’s rules and design — not your own brand or website.
Ideal for: Creators with visual, giftable, or design-based products who want to tap into existing traffic with minimal setup.
📦 Gumroad
Best for: Ebooks, mini-courses, toolkits, templates, creative bundles
Gumroad is a favorite among indie creators and solopreneurs because of its simplicity and flexibility. You don’t need a website, and you can sell almost anything: digital files, subscriptions, memberships, even presales.
✅ Pros:
- Zero setup friction: No technical skills needed — just upload your product and share the link.
- Pay-what-you-want pricing: Great for building goodwill or testing different pricing strategies.
- Free to start: No monthly fee unless you upgrade; only pays out when you make a sale.
⚠️ Cons:
- Higher transaction fees for beginners: Starts at 10% until you hit higher sales volume (then drops to 3.5%).
- Basic storefront design: You won’t get much visual customization unless you embed it into your own site.
- Limited funnel capabilities: No built-in email sequences, upsells, or advanced automation.
Ideal for: Beginners who want to validate product ideas quickly without dealing with a full storefront or custom setup.
🛒 Shopify
Best for: Full online stores, scaling businesses, product bundles
Shopify is a premium eCommerce solution designed for serious sellers. If you plan to build a branded storefront, grow a product catalog, or eventually expand to physical goods, Shopify offers the most powerful infrastructure.
✅ Pros:
- Complete control over branding: Customize every part of your website and product experience.
- App ecosystem: Extend functionality with thousands of plugins — from email marketing to cart recovery.
- Scalable solution: Whether you’re selling one ebook or 100 SKUs, Shopify can handle it.
⚠️ Cons:
- Monthly cost: Starts at $39/month, which might be steep for first-time sellers without an audience.
- Learning curve: More features = more complexity. Beginners may feel overwhelmed at first.
- Design setup required: You’ll likely need to spend time tweaking your theme and product pages.
Ideal for: Creators ready to build a long-term brand with full control over customer experience and growth.
📘 Payhip
Best for: Ebooks, online courses, client resources, coaching templates
Payhip is a great Etsy alternative for sellers who want a cleaner interface and built-in tools like affiliate management, coupon codes, and course delivery — without needing a full eCommerce site.
✅ Pros:
- Clean and easy to use: Intuitive dashboard with drag-and-drop functionality.
- EU VAT compliance: Automatically calculates and remits taxes for European customers.
- Built-in affiliate system: Let others promote your product for a commission.
⚠️ Cons:
- Design limitations: Basic layouts and limited customization options.
- Smaller ecosystem: Not as well-known or widely used as Etsy or Gumroad.
- Fewer integrations: Doesn’t play as nicely with third-party tools like ConvertKit or Zapier.
Ideal for: Coaches, authors, and creators who want a quick, professional storefront for digital downloads and simple course delivery.
📚 Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
Best for: Ebooks, low-content books, journals, print-on-demand publishing
Amazon KDP is the go-to platform for publishing and selling ebooks on Kindle. With millions of daily shoppers, it offers incredible reach — but with tight rules and limited access to your buyers.
✅ Pros:
- Huge audience: Your product is searchable by Amazon customers worldwide.
- No upfront cost: You can publish and list your book for free.
- Print-on-demand available: You can offer paperbacks without managing inventory.
⚠️ Cons:
- Low royalty share: Typically 35%–70%, and Amazon controls pricing options.
- No customer data: You can’t build an email list or follow up with buyers.
- Strict formatting: Manuscript and cover requirements can be tricky for beginners.
Ideal for: Writers and creators with polished written content who want passive exposure on the world’s largest eCommerce site.
📘 Want Help Choosing the Right Platform?
Grab our free step-by-step guide to learn how to create and sell your first digital product using the tools above:
👉 Launch Your First AI Income Stream in 7 Days
💸 How Much Can You Make Selling Digital Products?
Your income depends on product quality, pricing, marketing, and audience reach. Some sellers make a few dollars per month, others earn thousands.
| 💼 Product Type | 💲 Average Price | 📊 Estimated Monthly Sales | 💵 Possible Earnings |
| Ebooks | $5–$20 | 10–100 | $50–$2,000 |
| Online Courses | $30–$200 | 5–50 | $150–$10,000 |
| Printables/Templates | $2–$15 | 20–200 | $40–$3,000 |
| Stock Photos | $1–$10 | 10–100 | $10–$1,000 |
❌ Common Mistakes:
- Pricing too low or too high
- Not offering enough value
- Poor product images or copy
- Giving up too soon
⚠️ Beginner Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Digital Products
- 🔍 Skipping audience research — Build for what people need
- 💸 Setting a high price without testing — Price test first
- 🧪 Not testing your product — Quality matters
- 🧏♂️ Ignoring feedback — Feedback = growth
Plan ahead, stay simple, and improve as you go.
🎯 Final Thoughts: How to Create Digital Products That Actually Sell
Digital products offer big potential with low startup cost. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to start — just follow a proven path.
Want help? Grab our free guide to learn how to create digital products and launch your first AI-powered income stream.
📘 Launch Your First AI Income Stream in 7 Days → Free Blog Launch Guide below
You’ll learn how to set up your blog, write your first post, and start earning — even if you’re starting from scratch.
Let’s Create → Automate → Profit. 🚀
💬 FAQs: How to Create Digital Products and Start Selling Online
❓ What is the easiest digital product to create?
A: The easiest way to get started when learning how to create digital products is with a simple PDF guide, printable, or template. You can use Canva to design it and KoalaWriter or Google Docs to write the content — no advanced tech needed.
❓ Do I need a website to sell my digital product?
A: No, you don’t need a website to begin. Many people learning how to create digital products start by selling on platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, or Etsy. That said, having your own site gives you more control, helps build an email list, and supports long-term growth.
❓ How much money can I make with digital products?
A: There’s no set limit. If you’re strategic about creating digital products that solve real problems, it’s realistic to earn anywhere from $50 to $5,000+ per month. Success depends on your niche, product quality, and how well you promote it.
❓ What tools do I need to get started?
A: You only need a few free tools to start learning how to make digital products:
- Canva – for design and layout
- KoalaWriter – for fast AI writing and outlines
- ConvertKit – for building an email list
These tools make it easy for beginners to launch quickly with low startup costs.
❓ Can I use AI to help create digital products?
A: Yes — AI is a great shortcut if you’re learning how to create digital products with limited time. Tools like KoalaWriter and Canva’s Magic Write can help brainstorm, outline, and polish your product content quickly and professionally.
❓ How do I protect my digital product from being copied?
A: While no method is foolproof, creators can protect their work by:
- Adding usage rights or licensing terms
- Using delivery platforms like Gumroad or Payhip
- Including branding and watermarks (where relevant)
❓ What’s the best platform for beginners?
A: If you’re just starting out and want to learn the easy way:
- Use Etsy for creative designs like templates
- Try Gumroad if you want fast, no-fuss setup
- Choose Payhip for selling ebooks or coaching tools
- Consider Shopify if you’re ready to build a full store
See the pros and cons section above for more guidance.
❓ I don’t have a big audience. Can I still make sales?
A: Absolutely. Many creators new to how to create digital products start earning before they have a following — by choosing the right niche and focusing on platforms that bring in organic traffic, like Etsy or Amazon KDP.
About the Author
Chris @ AVYX AI is a former digital exec turned online entrepreneur. He helps beginners build passive income streams using AI tools — without tech overwhelm. At AVYX AI, he shares step-by-step systems anyone can use to Create → Automate → Profit. Learn more about Chris or grab the free guide to launch your first income stream.
