Figuring out where to sell digital products is a critical decision.
I’ve sold digital products across multiple platforms over the years.
Some were goldmines. Others were complete wastes of time.
The difference? Matching the RIGHT product with the RIGHT platform.
Let me save you months of expensive trial and error…
Why Digital Products Are Your Ticket to Freedom
Let’s be real about why you’re here.
You’re tired of trading hours for dollars.
Digital products are the answer.
Here’s why they’re absolutely CRUSHING it right now:
- Create Once, Sell Forever – Put in the work once, get paid thousands of times
- Zero Inventory Costs – No shipping, no storage, no supply chain headaches
- Insane Profit Margins – Often 90%+ after platform fees
- Global Reach – Sell to anyone, anywhere, 24/7/365
- Scalable AF – The same system sells to 10 or 10,000 customers
According to Statista, there are now over 5 billion internet users worldwide. That’s 5 billion potential customers for your digital products.
The opportunity is massive.
But only if you choose the right platform.
What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Platform
Choosing a platform isn’t just about fees.
It’s about finding the right FIT for your specific products and goals.
Before we dive into
Before we dive into specific platforms, you need to get crystal clear on these factors:
Know Your Product Type (It Changes Everything)
Different products need different platforms.
Period.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the major digital product types and their market potential:
| Digital Product | Market Size | Platform Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Ebooks | $15+ billion | Need platforms with reader-friendly delivery |
| Online Courses | $375+ billion | Require robust video hosting and progress tracking |
| Printables | $5+ billion | Need clean PDF delivery and preview capabilities |
| Templates | $10+ billion | Require format compatibility and usage instructions |
| Membership Sites | $70+ billion | Need recurring billing and access control |
The platform that’s perfect for selling ebooks might be terrible for online courses.
Get this wrong, and you’re fighting an uphill battle from day one.
For product-specific guidance, check out my guides on how to write an ebook or how to create an online course.
Consider These Make-or-Break Factors
Beyond product type, these factors will determine your success:
- Your existing audience – Where are they already hanging out?
- Technical comfort level – Are you a tech wizard or technophobe?
- Revenue goals – Need quick cash flow or building long-term assets?
- Marketing capabilities – Got traffic skills or starting from scratch?
- Control preferences – Want full ownership or happy to plug into existing ecosystems?
Be brutally honest with yourself here.
The perfect platform for an established influencer with 100K followers is completely different from what works for someone just starting out.
Let’s break down your best options…
Online Marketplaces: The Fast Track to Sales
Online marketplaces are platforms where buyers already go looking for digital products.
Think of them as digital shopping malls.
Here’s the deal with marketplaces:
Why Marketplaces Could Be Your Golden Ticket
Marketplaces solve your biggest initial problem: TRAFFIC.
Here’s why they might be perfect for you:
| Pros | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Built-in audience of buyers | No need to build traffic from scratch |
| Established trust and payment processing | Higher conversion rates than unknown sites |
| Search and category systems | People can find your products organically |
| Simple setup process | Launch in hours instead of weeks |
| Built-in analytics | See what’s working without complex tools |
For newbies without an audience, marketplaces can be a game-changer.
One of my clients went from $0 to $3,700 in their first month on a marketplace with zero prior audience.
The Downsides You Need to Know
But marketplaces aren’t all sunshine and rainbows.
Here’s the reality check:
| Cons | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| High fees (typically 30-50%) | Your profit margins take a significant hit |
| Limited customer data | Harder to build direct relationships |
| Platform dependency | Rule changes can tank your business overnight |
| Fierce competition | Standing out requires extra effort |
| Limited control over branding | Hard to create a distinctive brand experience |
I had a client who built a $15K/month business on a popular marketplace… only to see it crash to $2K/month when the platform changed its algorithm.
That’s the risk you take.
Top Marketplaces for Different Product Types
If marketplaces still sound right for you, here are my top picks by product type:
- For ebooks: Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo
- For online courses: Udemy, Skillshare, Domestika
- For templates/printables: Etsy, Creative Market, Teachers Pay Teachers
- For stock media: Envato, Shutterstock, AudioJungle
- For software/apps: App Store, Google Play, CodeCanyon
For more details on creating these product types, check out my guides on how to create printables or how to create templates.
E-Commerce Platforms: The Perfect Middle Ground
E-commerce platforms give you more control while handling the technical headaches.
They’re like renting a fully-equipped store instead of just a mall kiosk.
Why E-Commerce Platforms Might Be Your Sweet Spot
These platforms offer a balance between control and convenience:
| Pros | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Lower fees than marketplaces | Keep more of what you earn (typically 5-10% + payment processing) |
| More branding control | Create a custom look and feel that represents you |
| Direct customer relationships | Build your email list and communicate directly |
| Flexible pricing models | Offer bundles, subscriptions, or pay-what-you-want options |
| Built-in marketing tools | Upsells, affiliates, and discount codes without custom coding |
For creators with some marketing skills but limited tech experience, e-commerce platforms hit the sweet spot.
The Limitations to Consider
Of course, there are tradeoffs:
| Cons | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| No built-in audience | You need your own traffic sources |
| Monthly fees for premium features | Costs before you make sales |
| Limited customization (compared to self-hosted) | Some advanced features may not be possible |
| Learning curve | Takes time to master all the platform features |
Success on e-commerce platforms depends heavily on your marketing abilities.
Without traffic, even the prettiest store sits empty.
Top E-Commerce Platforms for Digital Products
Here are my recommendations based on product type and needs:
- For simplicity: Gumroad, Payhip, SendOwl
- For courses/memberships: Teachable, Podia, Kajabi
- For flexibility: Shopify + digital product apps
- For services + products: Thinkific, LearnWorlds
- For coaching/cohorts: Circle, Mighty Networks
Each platform has its own unique strengths, so think carefully about your primary needs.
Social Media Platforms: The Relationship Builders
Social media platforms are becoming increasingly powerful for selling digital products directly.
These are places where you build relationships first, sell second.
Why Social Media Could Be Your Secret Weapon
Social platforms offer unique advantages:
| Pros | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Direct connection with audience | Build trust through consistent engagement |
| Organic discovery potential | Possibility of content going viral |
| Low upfront costs | Start with $0 investment |
| Targeted advertising options | Reach highly specific audiences when ready to scale |
| Built-in social proof | Comments and shares act as testimonials |
For personality-driven brands, social media selling can be incredibly powerful.
One creator I work with generates $50K+ monthly selling exclusively through Instagram Stories and DMs.
The Challenges You’ll Face
But social selling isn’t easy:
| Cons | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Time-intensive relationship building | Requires consistent content and engagement |
| Algorithm dependence | Changes can destroy your reach overnight |
| Limited selling features | Often need to direct people elsewhere to purchase |
| Platform ownership of audience | Account suspension = losing your business |
| Content creation demands | Need to consistently create engaging content |
The biggest mistake people make with social selling is trying to sell too soon.
Value first, offers second. Always.
Best Platforms for Different Digital Products
Each social platform has different strengths for selling:
- Instagram: Visual products, lifestyle-focused offers
- Twitter/X: Info products, expertise-based offerings
- LinkedIn: B2B products, professional development courses
- Facebook: Community-based products, group programs
- TikTok: Trend-focused products, youth-oriented offerings
- YouTube: In-depth educational products, software demonstrations
For advice on building community-based products, check out my guide on how to create an online membership.
Self-Hosted Websites: Maximum Control, Maximum Responsibility
Self-hosted websites give you complete control over your digital product business.
You own the whole building instead of renting space.
Why Self-Hosted Might Be Worth the Effort
For established creators, self-hosting offers significant advantages:
| Pros | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Lowest fees (just payment processing) | Keep 97-98% of revenue instead of 70-80% |
| Complete creative control | Build exactly the experience you envision |
| Full ownership of customer data | Build direct relationships without platform interference |
| Unlimited feature flexibility | Implement any functionality you can imagine (and code/pay for) |
| No platform dependency | Your business doesn’t vanish if a platform changes policies |
The most profitable digital product businesses I’ve built have all been on self-hosted platforms.
The control and margins are unbeatable for scaling.
The Serious Downsides to Consider
But self-hosting isn’t for everyone:
| Cons | What This Means For You |
|---|---|
| Technical complexity | Requires development skills or budget to hire help |
| Higher upfront costs | Significant investment before making sales |
| Maintenance responsibility | You handle updates, security, and troubleshooting |
| Zero built-in traffic | 100% responsible for driving your own visitors |
| Integration challenges | Need to connect payment processors, email services, etc. |
For beginners, self-hosting is usually overkill and leads to frustration.
Start simple, then graduate to self-hosted when you outgrow other platforms.
Essential Components for Self-Hosted Success
If you’re ready for self-hosting, here’s what you’ll need:
- Domain name: Your web address (YourBrand.com)
- Hosting provider: Where your site lives (WP Engine, SiteGround, etc.)
- Content management system: Usually WordPress for flexibility
- E-commerce plugin: WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, etc.
- Payment processor: Stripe, PayPal, etc.
- Email marketing integration: For delivering products and follow-up
- Analytics solution: To track performance and optimize
Budget at least $1,000-3,000 for a professional setup if you’re not doing it yourself.
For more advanced digital products, see my guide on how to run an online challenge.
Making the Right Choice for YOUR Digital Products
Now comes the hard part.
With all these options, how do you choose?
Let me break it down into a simple decision framework:
Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Situation Honestly
Before choosing a platform, answer these questions truthfully:
| Question | If Yes… | If No… |
|---|---|---|
| Do you already have an engaged audience? | E-commerce or self-hosted platforms give better margins | Marketplaces provide built-in traffic |
| Are you tech-savvy or have a budget for help? | Self-hosted gives maximum control | E-commerce platforms handle the tech for you |
| Do you need immediate revenue? | Marketplaces often provide fastest initial sales | Build long-term assets on your own platform |
| Are your products highly specialized? | Niche marketplaces may have your exact audience | General platforms give more flexibility |
| Do you enjoy content creation and marketing? | Social selling leverages your strengths | Marketplaces reduce marketing burden |
Be real with yourself about your current capabilities, not where you wish you were.
Step 2: Choose the Right Platform Type for Your Stage
Based on where you are in your journey:
| Your Stage | Recommended Platform Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Beginner (No audience, first product) | Marketplaces | Built-in audience, instant feedback, low startup costs |
| Building Momentum (Small audience, some sales) | E-commerce Platforms | Better margins, start building direct customer relationships |
| Established Creator (Loyal audience, consistent sales) | Self-Hosted Website | Maximum profit, complete control, build long-term asset |
| Content Creator (Strong social following) | Social + Simple E-commerce | Leverage existing audience, minimize friction |
Many successful creators use a hybrid approach – starting on marketplaces, then gradually shifting to their own platforms.
Step 3: Match Your Product Type to Platform Strengths
Different products sell better on different platforms:
- Ebooks: Amazon KDP for reach, Gumroad for higher margins
- Online Courses: Teachable/Podia for structure, Kajabi for all-in-one
- Printables/Templates: Etsy for traffic, own site for branding
- Software/Apps: App stores for discovery, own site for SaaS
- Memberships: Dedicated platforms (Circle, Podia) or WordPress + plugins
The platform that worked for someone else’s products might be completely wrong for yours.
For more specific guidance on creating top-selling digital products, check out my product-specific guides.
The Bottom Line: Start Simple, Expand Strategically
Choosing where to sell digital products doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here’s my best advice after helping hundreds of creators:
- Start where your strengths are – Use platforms that leverage what you’re already good at
- Begin with ONE platform – Master it before expanding to others
- Validate before investing – Get sales and feedback before building complex systems
- Own your customer relationships – Always collect email addresses when possible
- Plan for platform independence – Gradually reduce reliance on any single marketplace
Remember: The perfect platform doesn’t exist.
There are only platforms that match YOUR specific situation, products, and goals.
The most successful digital product creators I know all started simple, focused on delivering value, and evolved their platform strategy as they grew.
You can do the same.
Now go choose your platform and start selling those digital products!
YOU GOT THIS 🙌
In your corner,
Adam
P.S. Want to learn more about creating specific types of digital products? Check out my guides on how to start a paid newsletter or how to create an email course.
