In 2026, the idea that you must have a website to sell digital products is outdated. Whether you’re a first-time creator or a business scaling a proven product, there are simple, flexible ways to reach your audience and make sales without the overhead of building and maintaining a full website.
We’ve supported hundreds of creators across a variety of digital products, from ebooks and templates to courses, memberships, and subscriptions, helping them boost revenue, avoid high platform fees, and maintain full control over their branding.
Without a website, you can still successfully sell via hosted checkout pages, QR codes on flyers, links in social media bios, email newsletters, or embedded mini-pages.
If you do decide to expand your business down the line, setting up a site or embedding your checkout pages is quick and easy.
What is a digital product?
A digital product is any intangible item delivered online, but more than that, it’s a scalable asset that allows creators to share expertise, monetize knowledge, and build recurring revenue streams without the overhead of physical goods.
Examples include: ebooks, online courses, templates, memberships, digital art, and subscription-based content. The key advantage? Once created, digital products can be sold repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort, making them a highly efficient way to grow a business while keeping costs low.
For creators scaling proven offerings, digital products are tools to engage audiences, build loyalty, and expand reach across social, email, and mini-funnels, all without the need for a traditional website.
Where and how to sell digital products without a website
Selling digital products without a website is simple, and many successful creators we work with use a combination of these options to reach different audiences and maximize sales.
You can reach your audience through marketplaces, hosted checkout pages, social media, email, and blogs. Each option has different advantages and trade-offs.
Comparison chart
Option | Pros | Cons | How sales are processed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Online Marketplaces (Gumroad, Etsy, Udemy) | Existing traffic, trusted checkout | High fees, limited branding | Integrated checkout | Beginners, first-time sellers |
eCommerce platform (Shopify, Podia, BigCommerce) | Full branding, multi-product support | Setup effort, monthly fees | Platform checkout | Scaling creators, multiple products |
Hosted checkout page(Checkout Page, Payhip, LemonSqueezy) | Simple setup, low fees, flexible | Fewer multi-step funnels | Payment link or embedded page | Creators selling from social/email/blogs, mini-funnels |
Social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) | Direct audience, free promotion | Platform rules, limited customization | Must link to hosted checkout | Creators with established social following |
Email newsletter / blog | Direct, highly targeted | Need audience, effort to build list | Must link to hosted checkout | Engaged community, newsletter creators |
More detail on your options
Marketplace
Marketplaces like Etsy, Gumroad, and Udemy provide an easy way to get started. You benefit from built-in audiences and integrated payment processing. The downside is higher fees and limited control over branding. Marketplaces are ideal if you are testing your product or just starting out, but may be less suitable for scaling a proven product.
eCommerce platform
Platforms such as Shopify, Podia, or BigCommerce let you create a branded store and sell multiple digital products. They are flexible and powerful but usually require more setup effort and a monthly subscription. These platforms work well for creators looking to scale and manage multiple products in one place.
Hosted checkout page
Hosted checkout pages, including Checkout Page and LemonSqueezy, allow you to sell digital products without a full website. You can share a payment link in social media bios, newsletters, or blogs, or embed the checkout directly on a page if you choose. Hosted pages are beginner-friendly, quick to set up, and ideal for mini-funnels, promotions, or single products.
Social media
Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook let you promote and sell digital products directly to your followers. These platforms do not process payments on their own, so you always need a checkout link or hosted page. Social media is excellent for creators with an existing audience, but rules, algorithms, and competition can affect visibility.
Email newsletter or blog
Selling through an email list or blog gives you a direct line to an engaged audience. Like social media, you need a checkout link or hosted page to actually collect payments. This method is highly targeted and cost-effective, making it a great option for creators who have built a loyal following.
What is the best digital product for me to sell?
A million-dollar question! When it comes to the question of what digital products to sell, selecting something that aligns with your expertise, target market, and goals is always your best bet.
Whether it's ebooks, online courses, platform subscriptions or digital artwork, choosing a product that resonates with your audience and showcases your unique skills and passions is key to a sustainable, profitable online business.
Here are some tips for consideration when deciding what digital products to sell:
- Understand your strengths: Identify your expertise, passions, and skills to determine the type of digital product that aligns with your knowledge and interests. Consider what you are passionate about creating or sharing with your audience.
- Target audience analysis: Conduct research to understand your target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points. Tailor your digital product to address specific problems or provide solutions that resonate with your potential customers.
- Market trends and demand: Stay informed about trends, technologies, and popular niches within the landscape.
- Personalization and uniqueness: Focus on creating digital products that reflect your unique perspective, creativity, or expertise. Offering personalized products or services can really set you apart from competitors.
- Testing and iteration: Experiment with different digital product ideas and formats to see what resonates with your audience. Invite and collect feedback and iterate on your offerings based on what your customers are sharing back with you.
We hope that’s nudged you in the right direction as you think about digital products to sell that are a great fit for you and your audience.
How do I use Checkout Page to sell digital products?
Selling digital products with Checkout Page offers a truly simple approach that makes the setup of customizable one-page checkouts a piece of cake.
Leaning on Stripe's reputation as a trusted payment processor, high-converting pages that offer secure transactions can be placed anywhere you and your audience interact.
Checkout Page’s cost-effectiveness makes it a fantastic standalone solution or a great addition to or pairing with other options discussed in this article. There are 0% transaction fees and a flat monthly subscription, starting at $24 per month.
With rapid, simple, no-code page setup you can spin up checkout pages for your social media, newsletters, blogs, and more.
Conclusion
Selling digital products without a website is not only possible but an increasingly popular choice for digital entrepreneurs. We’ve looked at the various alternative options and their pros and cons, as well as what to consider if you are working out how to bring your digital product magic to the world.
We know from our customers that Checkout Page can be a fantastic standalone solution or addition to many of the options we’ve looked at together, and we’d be delighted to be a part of your journey.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Can I sell digital products without a website?
Yes! You can sell via hosted checkout pages, QR codes, social media links, email newsletters, or embed pages on a site later.
2. What types of digital products can I sell online?
Ebooks, printables, templates, online courses, memberships, subscriptions, digital art, videos, and more.
3. Do I need technical skills to sell digital products?
No. Platforms like Checkout Page allow you to create pages, collect payments, and deliver products without coding.
4. Can I create mini sales funnels without a website?
Absolutely. Hosted checkout pages let you offer upsells, bundles, and subscriptions even without a full site.
5. How do I keep control over my sales and revenue?
By using a platform that lets you connect your own Stripe account, you control pricing, customer data, and revenue, without platform fees taking a cut.
