If you’ve been dreaming of finding a smart way to earn online, a dive into digital products can be one of the most effective paths. According to Mastercard, the volume of digital product transactions increased by almost 70% between 2022 and 2024.
Digital products can be super easy to create, require no inventory, and can be delivered instantly. That makes for low overheads, high margins, and the opportunity to build passive income around your skills, knowledge, and creative passions.
The key is to find a niche in a potentially saturated market.
In this Checkout Page guide, we’ll walk through the most profitable digital products to sell online, where to sell them, cautions to bear in mind, and tips to help you find a niche that suits your skills and passions.
What makes digital products profitable?
Digital products are profitable because they’re built for scale. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly with little to no additional cost, making them one of the most efficient ways to generate income online.
Unlike physical products, digital products don’t require inventory, shipping, or storage. That means lower overhead costs and higher margins, which can be as high as 70% to 90%.
Distribution is instant and automated, and that means you can make sales 24/7 (yes, even while you sleep 💤).
Key advantages of selling digital products:
✅ No inventory management
✅ Instant delivery to customers
✅ Minimal production and shipping costs
✅ High profit margins
✅ Global reach
✅ Supports passive income models
✅ Compatible with subscriptions and bundles
How to find a profitable niche
Worried the digital product market may already be too saturated? The truth is that while digital products are booming, saturation doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity left for you. It just means you need to get more specific.
Here’s how to find a niche that works:
- 🧩 Start with a problem
The best digital products solve something very specific, whether it be time management for busy teachers or branding templates for realtors. Find a genuine pain point, not just a product idea you hope will gain traction. - 🔎 Sub-niche down
Don’t stop at “fitness” or “productivity.” Go deeper into the niche: “bootcamp plans for tech CEOs” or “Notion dashboards for PhD students.” The narrower the niche, the stronger the match with your audience will be. - 📊 Check demand and competition
Look at search volume, marketplaces (like Etsy or Gumroad), and communities (like Reddit, TikTok, or Facebook groups) to validate your idea. If others are selling similar products, that’s a good sign, just ensure yours is better or more tailored. - 🎨 Differentiate your offer
Use your experience, voice, or design style to make your product stand out in the crowd. Because even in a crowded niche, a unique presentation and strong branding can set you apart. - 🌱 Don’t overthink it and start small
Starting with a basic idea and refining their niche based on what worked is the recipe many successful sellers will give you. Make something good enough, test it, then improve.
The most profitable digital products to sell
Whether you're a designer, teacher, developer, or simply in it for the sheer passion, there’s likely a profitable format that will fit your unique skills and interests.
Let's take a look at some of the most profitable digital product categories and why they sell.
1. Ebooks and workbooks
Ebooks are a true staple of digital sales because they’re easy to create if you already have expertise or blog content to build from.
Workbooks can offer tremendous value by providing an interactive, guided experience. From budget planners to self-help guides, ebooks, and workbooks thrive in niches like personal finance, ADHD management, wellness, education, and productivity.
Example: Self-help & development workbooks
The self-help and wellness industry is booming, and there are many coaches and practitioners who likely have a wealth of knowledge they could package and share as a workbook, such as this one on Etsy which has sold 1.5K copies to date:
Interested in this format? In this video, side hustle content creator Sandra Di talks about how to create and sell your first ebook:
Online courses and membership sites
Online learning is stratospheric and will only continue to boom. If you have a passion or skill you can teach, whether it's photography, coding, cooking, or DIY, packaging it into an online course can be an incredibly profitable endeavor.
Membership sites take this concept a step further by offering ongoing content and community engagement in exchange for a monthly fee, creating a predictable monthly recurring revenue stream.
Example: The Gathering of Men
Checkout Page customer The Gathering of Men is a hybrid online and in-person community dedicated to empowering men by offering courses and curating events designed to support and inspire positive life changes.
They use a subscription model for their community membership and a co-working space.
Templates and design assets
Templates are as popular as they are because they save people time, and that makes them incredibly valuable in our fast-paced lives. Canva templates, social media kits, resume layouts, presentation decks, and Notion planners are all in increasingly high demand.
Example: Announcement templates
Social media has paved the way for a burgeoning demand for attractive or entertaining ways to post announcements about life, be they weddings, births, graduations, and a whole host of other notable events.
Below is a downloadable newspaper-style Canva template, which has sold nearly 2K downloads:
Software and digital tools
Digital tools and lightweight software are some of the most profitable and scalable digital products you can sell right now. The global SaaS market was estimated at over $428 billion in 2025, representing a 20% increase from 2024.
These products are especially appealing because they solve a targeted, practical problem for a specific audience.
And the best bit? You no longer need to be a developer to create them. No-code Notion, Google Sheets, and Airtable mean anyone can package up a functional solution and sell it as a digital product.
Example: Notion templates
Notion templates of all sorts are gaining popularity. Some of the most popular are personal planning templates, such as this one below, that help manage all aspects of life, from pets to health and career.
Digital art and printables
From children's colouring sheets to wedding invitations and event signage, digital printables remain a top-selling digital product category. Printables appeal to customers who want instant access to beautiful or useful content they can print at home, without paying for shipping or waiting for delivery.
One of the most appealing things about this format is that you don't need design training to create them. You need to see what's popular, generate your own ideas, and use software like Canva to bring them to life.
Example 1: Printable checklists
A well-thought-out but straightforward planner, such as for managing ADHD, can sell in their thousands and require a minimum of design.
Niche-specific digital products
Last but not least, these hyper-niche products may not appeal to everyone, but they don’t have to.
When you create something that speaks directly to a niche, you face far less competition and attract loyal buyers if your product speaks to them.
Here are two examples of niche products:
1. Vintage sewing patterns
These digital sewing patterns are tailored for collectors or crafters who appreciate a particular historical style, for example, 1950s fashion:
2. Montessori-style phonics flashcards for toddlers
These digital flashcards help parents and homeschoolers teach early reading skills using the Montessori method.
Where to sell digital products
Choosing the right platform impacts how easily you reach customers, how much control you have over your brand, and how much of your revenue you keep.
Some platforms prioritize discoverability, others give you full ownership. Each comes with trade-offs.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types:
🛒 Marketplaces
Platforms such as Etsy, Gumroad and Teachers Pay Teachers give you access to a built-in audience actively searching for digital products.
- Pros: High discoverability, no need to drive your own traffic
- Cons: High listing/transaction fees, limited branding, algorithm dependency and lack of audience ownership
Note: Platforms like Gumroad act as both a marketplace and a simple storefront. It’s great for getting started, but the free plan includes up to 10% in fees, which adds up quickly as you grow.
🏪 Storefront platforms
Tools like Shopify (with digital product apps like EDP or Filemonk) or WordPress + WooCommerce let you create your own online store.
- Pros: Full control over design, pricing, and customer data; scalable for long-term growth
- Cons: Setup time, monthly or plugin costs, no built-in audience
💳 Checkout platforms
No-code tools like Checkout Page let you build high-converting, standalone checkout pages that you can embed anywhere, without needing a full website.
- Pros: Fast to launch, instant delivery, 0% platform fees, Stripe integration, upsells, and subscriptions
- Cons: You’ll need to bring your own traffic (no marketplace exposure)
🎯 Niche-specific platforms
If your product serves a specific industry or community, selling on a niche site or platform (like Itch.io for games or TPT for teachers) can help you reach motivated buyers quickly.
- Pros: Highly targeted audience, community trust
- Cons: Limited scalability, often strict content rules
How to create and market digital products that sell
Creating a digital product is easier than ever, but building something that actually sells requires a decent strategy. The most successful products are the ones that solve a real problem, meet a specific need, and/or save people time. Before you dive headfirst into design or development, start by validating your ideas.
Step 1. Brainstorm and validate your product idea
The best ideas often come from your own experience. What do people ask you for help with? What templates, tools, or resources do you wish existed?
Use tools like Google Trends or marketplaces like Etsy and Gumroad to research demand. Look at what's already selling—but also at where the gaps are.
Step 2. Choose your platform and build your store
If you’re starting, you don’t need a full-blown store. A streamlined checkout solution can be enough to sell your first products, and marketplaces that let you list for free can help test ideas for popularity.
When setting up your product listing, make sure to include:
- Clear product descriptions and benefit-driven copy
- Product previews or demos (so customers know exactly what they’re getting)
- Tiered pricing or bundles to increase average order value
- A simple, friction-free checkout to minimize drop-off.
Step 3. Promote your digital products
You can have the best product in the world, but if no one knows about it, it won’t sell. Start by identifying your target audience and showing up where they hang out.
Tactics to try:
- Content marketing (blog posts, videos, email series)
- Sharing case studies or customer success stories
- Using verified purchase badges and social proof
- Partnering with influencers or creators in your niche
- Running limited-time promotions or early-bird discounts
Step 4. Optimize and scale
Once you’ve made your first few sales, review your data. Which products are converting best? Where is your traffic coming from? Use that insight to improve your listings, refine your marketing, or even launch new product bundles based on what’s already working.
Challenges and risks in selling digital products
We've been singing the praises of the selling power of digital, but it’s not risk-free. Knowledge is power, so here are the most common challenges to plan for:
- Piracy and unauthorized sharing
Digital files are very easy to copy. Utilize watermarks, expiring links, and license keys to protect your work. - High competition and free alternatives
Many niches are rather crowded. Strong branding, clear value, and social proof help you stand out. - Inconsistent income
Sales can fluctuate. Diversify your product range and sell across platforms to smooth out revenue. - Platform rules and limitations
Marketplaces control your visibility and policies. Running your own store gives you freedom—but also responsibility.
Legal and technical considerations
Much like physical products, selling digital products still comes with real responsibilities. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Use only content you own or have rights to
Avoid the headache of copyright issues by using original, public domain, or properly licensed assets. - Set clear license terms
Let customers know what they can (and can’t) do with your product, like resell, edit, or use commercially. - Protect your files and delivery
Use secure platforms with expiring links, download limits, and automatic delivery; don’t be tempted to send files manually. - Stay tax compliant
Digital products may be taxed based on the buyer's location. If you opt for a Merchant of Record marketplace, this may be taken care of at a cost. Otherwise, use tools like Stripe Tax or consult an accountant.
Also, publish your terms of service, privacy policy, and refund policy.
How Checkout Page helps you sell digital products
Checkout Page is built specifically for digital creators, making it easy to launch, customize, and grow your digital product sales with zero platform fees and total creative control - all no-code.
Here’s how we can support your digital sales business:
⭐ Start selling in minutes
⭐ Instant file delivery
⭐ Point-and-click page builder
⭐ Bundles, upsells, and order bumps
⭐ No platform lock-in
⭐ Secure file hosting + customer portal
⭐ Sell from anywhere, embed, link, QR code
⭐ 0% platform fees
👉 Ready to try it? Start your 7-day free trial (no credit card needed).
