Six of the best options and features to sell digital downloads on the internet

Discover must-have features for selling digital downloads on the internet. This guide explains the features you should find and the most popular platforms to sell digital downloads.

The most effective ways to sell digital downloads for different types of creators

When deciding where to sell digital downloads, ensure you choose tools that offer ease access, function, support, marketing features as well as low fees and reasonable costs.

• Shopify and Etsy are specifically designed to sell physical items, but they allow sellers to offer digital downloads, too. They offer selling digital goods, but the options can be more limited.
• Gumroad provides a variety of features and you can sell lots of different types of files with no recurring fees. The catch is that they charge high transaction charges for each sale.
• Easy Digital Downloads is a WordPress plugin that lets you sell products directly on your website. While it's totally free to use, you'll likely require extensions or integrations.
• It is simple to setup and permits you to sell any type of document without restrictions. The platform has sophisticated marketing tools that are built into the platform and our support is superb - or that's what our customers say.

When I launched my first digital download, I thought that the toughest part would be turning my thoughts into a quality product that would actually be wanted by people who bought it.

We do not want this to happen to you.

There are many places where digital downloads can be sold these days, but deciding the right software to use for your products can be a timesink.

What are the reasons to sell digital downloads?

Digital downloads are files that are sold through the web. For creators digital downloads could be an attractive part of your product lineup.

There are a few reasons selling digital downloads might work for you:

There is no need to worry with inventory or shipping. If your daily trip for the post office sounds like your nightmare digital solutions are the best option to go.

Six aspects to consider when deciding where to sell digital downloads

However, some software platforms take things higher with more advanced features, so it's important to consider which software is most aligned with what you hope to create, both today and in the future.

Moving your tools from one to another can be the same as going to the dentist. Avoid your future self from pain by choosing an instrument that is easy to use and also allows you the an opportunity to grow.

To make deciding a little more simple, here are some things to consider:

Ease of Entry:First and most importantly, the site which you are selling digital downloads must be simple to use for you , as an author.

Functions:You're a multifaceted creator So you may like to sell different types of digital products down the road. Be on the lookout for platforms that do not limit what kind of file you're able to upload.

Helpline:If you're like more than two thirds of users  who are looking for answers to any support issues within ten minutes of asking them. Selecting a firm with excellent support can spare the customer from frustration later on.

Transaction fees:Transaction fees are a fraction of the purchase that the platform makes. They typically amount to 1-10% of the total amount of the transaction. Certain platforms may also charge listing fees and credit card processing fees, which can really grow with each transaction.

Price:Finally, we have to calculate the figures. But cheaper isn't always more effective since platforms with lower costs typically come with higher charges and extra costs.

Now that we know what features to look for, let's look at some top choices to determine what they have in common.

As an example, author Emily Connell uses her site to provide free digital downloads and sell live cohort programs, on-demand courses, and 1-on-1 coaching packages.

The best part is that it comes with an affordable plan. You can build your website and manage your community online and even offer one download digital and one coaching program for free.

Want to see for yourself? Sign up for a free account today.

Here are the pros to using :

The no-cost plan makes it easy to make your first sale of digital files without a huge upfront expenditure.

You are able to offer any type of digital download, with unlimited file sizes.

Even though we think is amazing, not every software is right for everyone. Here are some reasons why might not be the best selection for you.

The world is digital, so if you want to offer physical goods using a platform such as Shopify or Etsy could be the best choice.

features

Easy to enter: 5 out five. The creator-facing dashboard is clear and simple to navigate. Through our customizable onboarding procedure as well as step-by step instruction videos you'll be able to list your items in a matter of hours.

Function: 5/5. With it, you are able to sell files in virtually any formats, with no limitation on file sizes. You're free to bundle your products or offer them upsells, and price them according to your preferences.

Support: 5 out of 5. Have you spoken to our support staff yet? If not, it's time to do so! Pop into the chat box at the bottom of the page and say hello. We provide the best, friendly, and speedy chat support available.

Marketing 4.5 out of 5. Our goal was to create an all-in-one solution for the needs of your company and features for marketing constitute a crucial part of that. Prelaunch and presell products, issue coupons, or even create your own affiliate program right out of the box.

I've taken a half point off since we don't offer a marketplace feature although this isn't a requirement for every company, and we make it easy to build your own audience through our lead-capture tools.

Transaction fees: 4.5 out of 5. With , there are no transaction fees on paid plans. Users who are on a free plan pay an 8% transaction fee on product sales.

It keeps the costs down when you're just starting out. And you'll always have the option to upgrade and remove the transaction fee as your business grows.

In common with all platforms, there's payment processing fees that are not associated with . Stripe or PayPal charges a basic transaction cost of 2.9% + 30C+ 30C. Also, we offer immediate payouts for creators, so you are able to get your cash fast.

Cost: 's free plan includes a website, online community, one download and one coaching product. The paid plans start at $39.90 to $199.99/month.

Do you want to know more about how to run your business online using a platform like ? Join us for an interactive live demonstration to test it out:

Shopify

Shopify is an online retailer and is a well-known name in the world of creators. More than 1.7 million organizations utilize Shopify for their online stores and its creators on the platform have earned more than $200 billion in revenue.

Shopify is most popular in the world of selling physical products However, it's also possible to offer digital products. Since its inception, Shopify has also added several international features for e-commerce.

If you're a creator looking to sell digital as well as physical goods to clients across the globe, Shopify might be a good place to start.

Here are the Shopify benefits:

Shopify comes with powerful marketing tools and integrations with social media platforms.

Shopify is an in-house payment processing system that's called Shopify Payments. It's simple to use and it's included with all plans, so you do not have to join with third-party processors if you do not want to.

You can create beautiful web pages, storefronts that are customizable and beautiful.

These are the Shopify pros:

Shopify's focus is on physical sales of products. You can get premium features that will not require if your business is only selling digital goods.

If you don't utilize Shopify Payments, there are extra charges on top of the cost of your monthly subscription.

The fee structure generally is complex.

Shopify offers

Accessibility is 3/5. Since Shopify was originally designed to be a platform to sell physical goods, you'll need to take additional steps in order to offer digital downloads. The site has videos that will guide you through how to add your product using the Digital Downloads app, but it's not exactly the most user-friendly process.

Functionality 3.0 out of 5. Another time, Shopify loses points because a lot of the features are intended for the sale of physical items.

To sell digital downloads the maximum file size for sale is 5GB for each file. It is only possible to sell only one variant of a product however, it is possible to incorporate multiple variations, like diverse resolutions of images, and ebook formats. It is necessary to utilize a ZIP file if you want to incorporate multiple files into one product.

Support: 3 stars out of 5. Shopify offers 24/7 chat support, email support, and a community where you can get help from other users. But, many online reviews mention slow response times from Support.

Marketing Five out of five. Shopify excels in their marketing capabilities. They offer a robust web-based builder that lets you create your own storefront as well as manage your blog.

It's integrated email marketing using E-commerce templates. You are able to create coupon codes, create gift cards, and display real feedback from customers. They also integrate with social media platforms.

Transaction fees: 2.5 out of 5. The Shopify fee structure is a bit complicated. It's difficult to determine exactly what your transaction and credit card processing fees are on purchases.

There's no transaction fee for transactions made using the Shopify Payments system. But if you don't use Shopify Payments, there's a charge for transactions made through an external payment processor.

If you also accept major credit cards, you'll pay the credit card company a fee on each purchase. The amount of these percentages will change depending on the type of plan you pick.

Basic Shopify:

Processing fee for credit cards: 2.9% + $0.30

Fee for transactions if you do not use Shopify Payments: 2%

Shopify:

The processing cost for credit card transactions: 2.6% + $0.30

Transaction fee if not using Shopify Payments: 1%

Advanced Shopify:

Processing fee for credit cards: 2.4% + $0.30

Charge for transaction if you don't use Shopify Payments: 0.5%

Price: $29 -- $299/month. Shopify has three different plans. You'll pay the monthly rate plus the costs listed in the previous paragraphs.

Etsy

Millions of shoppers turn to Etsy to buy exclusive and unique products. Etsy has a reputation as the site to purchase custom, vintage, and quirky items created by individuals as well as small-scale businesses.

Etsy has more than 400 million visitors per month  this is an enormous amount of attention on your goods. They also have a robust marketplace that allows you to sell your items and be discovered by prospective customers.

The positive side is:

Etsy is an established brand that can instill trust in consumers.

Your shop's page is where it is possible to subdivide your merchandise in categories to facilitate organization and easier search.

Etsy provides a simple seller dashboard that lets you read reviews, send messages to customers, make coupons and even offer discounts.

It's an ideal location to market items such as art, templates, presets and vectors, fonts, and other creative works.

The other side is:

Etsy is designed for selling physical goods as well as digital items. Be sure to state clearly in your ads that your products are digital to prevent confusion.

While being listed in the Etsy marketplace can be a great benefit, it's not without competition, and products with a lot of popularity could be lost.

Etsy offers

Accessibility Easy to use: 4 out of 5. Etsy has adjusted to the online marketplace well. It is possible to set up your shop in an afternoon, and adding items can be as easy as filling in the description form by uploading images for your items and then adding them to the site clicking the publish button.

Functionality 3/5. On Etsy, you can sell many different file types, but you are only able to upload up to five files per item. The maximum file size is 20 MB per document, this may be limiting to some creators.

Support: 3 out of 5. However, Etsy is a wonderful creator community that allows you to get help with questions. Sellers also have access to detailed help documents as well as a handbook for sellers.

In contrast, Etsy support is only available through email. At present, they have an average turnaround of 1-2 days, which isn't great for requests that are urgent.

Marketing Rating: 4/5. Etsy has some attractive marketing features available to sellers. While other platforms may offer the ability to sell on a market, none of them have Etsy's presence. Etsy.

The competition can be fierce However, you can bring in serious customers towards your product. There are even third-party keyword research tools designed specifically for Etsy searches. Etsy also has optional advertising that sellers can avail.

Transaction costs 2.5. There are a number of charges to be aware of when selling on Etsy. The first is an $0.20 listing fee per item you list in your shop. The listing can be in use for four months or until it's sold.

When you offer a service that you sell, you'll be charged a five per cent transaction fee in addition to a 3 percentage plus $0.25 payment processing fee.

Price 10 dollars per month for free. Setting up the Etsy shop is completely free however it costs $0.20 for listing a product as well as extra transaction costs.

Easy Digital Downloads

It's specifically designed for selling digital goods, however it will require some work to achieve the same functions similar to different systems listed here.

On the upside:

EDD is an excellent choice if you have an WordPress website , and you want to maintain your products inside the WordPress community.

This can also be a perfect option for those who are looking for sophisticated customization, but bear in mind that you'll need to be comfortable writing code and working with.

To the negative:

For all the functions you need to sell digital downloads, you'll need add extensions or connections to other software.

These extra extension and integrations could be charged separately as well as technical problems.

Simple Digital Downloads comes with features

Easy to enter 3/5. If you're familiar in using WordPress and have already uploaded plugins previously the process of setting up EDD is as usual. If you've never worked with WordPress then this isn't the ideal tool, as you'd be required to learn two brand new interfaces.

Functionality Quality: 3 out of 5. With EDD, you can sell any file you can upload to WordPress. It gives you a broad choice, however, be aware of your hosting bandwidth when you plan to market large items.

Like we've said, EDD can be connected with other tools from third parties to provide more capabilities. EDD is highly customizable, however managing many systems can be complex.

Essentially, it's best for someone who wants to build and maintain their own sales setup. The building blocks are good; the question is, do you want to do the construction?

Support: 2 stars out 5. EDD gives customer support via the ticket system. Unfortunately, there's no live chat. Priority support is only available on higher-tiered plans.

Another thing to consider is that in the event that you experience an issue with an integration, you might need to reach out to their support team in addition. It can result in frustrating back-and-forth conversations.

Marketing: 2.5 out of 5. From the beginning, EDD offers coupons and discounts, as well as an excellent shopping cart function.

By utilizing extensions, you'll be able to expand your marketing tools by including affiliates, emails, star reviews Cross-selling, upselling and cross-selling, but some of these integrations will only be offered on premium plans.

In the beginning, you'll have to create a WordPress website. This comes with hosting costs and domain registration charges. There are also fees associated with the premium integrations that you intend to make use of.

Price: Free -- $999/year. The base EDD plugin is available for free. If you want more tools however, you'll need to purchase them separately and upgrade to a more expensive plan for full features.

Gumroad

Gumroad is a platform where creators are able to sell digital downloads of all shapes and sizes. Since its inception, Gumroad creators have collectively achieved over $500 million in revenue from online products.

It's simple to use and is a favorite choice for creators But is it your best option? Let's dive into the advantages and disadvantages.

Here's where Gumroad shines:

Gumroad is a simple way to start, and you can sell virtually any merchandise you could imagine, including physical items if you decide to.

The service is free to everyone to use; you'll only be charged transaction fees if you make a sale. This is great if still on the fence about selling digital items and wish to test before you commit to using a premium tool.

Creators are able to use Gumroad Discover which is a marketplace on which prospective customers can find your products.

Here are a few Gumroad cons:

There's a limited amount of customization options on your product pages as well as checkout pages. It's not easy to design an old-fashioned sales page and there's no website builder.

While it might be free to join, it is expensive to pay transaction charges for each transaction. This is fine when you're first starting out, however, as you grow, it could seriously eat away at your earnings.

Gumroad has

Accessibility Ease of entry: 4/5. The process of setting up your products for sale on Gumroad is easy and intuitive. It's possible to publish your first product in a matter of minutesand have everything you need to begin selling.

The functionality: 4.5 out of 5. Gumroad is a great platform for selling products. Gumroad it is possible to sell digital files, physical products, memberships, product variations as well as rentals. Additionally, you can choose when you will release your products, offer the keys to license if selling software, or offer subscriptions.

For paid products the file size limit of 16 GB. If you purchase free versions The limit on file sizes is 250MB. Each product can include as many files as you'd like.

Support: 2.5 five out of 5. Gumroad's library is filled that includes helpful videos and articles. The company has lost points due to the absence of live chat and phone support, so the best option to reach them for specific inquiries is through their contact form.

Marketing Four out of five. Marketing: 4 out of 5. Gumroad's affiliate marketing system is a savior. If you plan to use affiliate marketing to promote your products, Gumroad lets you set this up for free by using their straightforward system.

Gumroad is also able to provide a number of integrations that allow you to connect your email marketing tools along with a Zapier integration.

Transaction fees: 2.5 out of 5. There are transaction costs that range from 9.9% to 2.9%, this is the area where Gumroad is the worst off. It is true that the transaction fee rate goes down when you make more sales, however 9% is still quite high for the new creators. Additionally, you are required to pay an additional $0.30 charge for every transaction.

Gumroad has weekly payouts as long as you've met a $10 USD threshold.

Price: Free and fees. There's no recurring monthly price, but the fees for transactions will be determined by the amount of lifetime revenue.

What to look for when deciding where to sell digital downloads

Every creator is unique. That's why it's nice to have options when choosing the software that will run your business.

With a reliable digital download service on your partner, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy an expanded product range and endless earning potential.