Selling digital products is one of the most profitable and low-effort business models in 2025. With zero shipping, no physical inventory, and instant delivery, digital products allow creators to earn passive income while scaling globally. Whether you’re selling eBooks, online courses, design templates, music, or stock photography—Shopify gives you a solid foundation to sell directly to your audience.
And here’s the best part: You can start selling today, even if you’ve never shipped a product in your life.
What Are Digital Products?
Digital products are files or media that customers can download or access online. Here are common types:
- eBooks & PDFs – Guides, workbooks, cheat sheets
- Online Courses – Video lessons, webinars, coaching replays
- Software & Tools – Plugins, mobile apps, code snippets
- Digital Art – Fonts, illustrations, Procreate brushes
- Audio & Music – Beats, sound effects, meditation tracks
- Printables – Planners, calendars, checklists
- Photography – Presets, stock images, templates
With digital products, you create once and sell forever. There are no inventory headaches, and everything is instant and scalable.
Why Choose Shopify to Sell Digital Products?
Here’s why Shopify is the go-to platform for digital sellers:
✅ All-in-One Platform – Hosting, checkout, payment, and marketing tools are built-in.
✅ No Design Skills Needed – Use professional themes and drag-and-drop editors.
✅ Trusted by Millions – Your store is secure, fast, and backed by 24/7 support.
✅ App Ecosystem – Integrate powerful tools for downloads, subscriptions, licensing, and more.
✅ Global Reach – Sell worldwide in multiple languages and currencies.
If you’re serious about building a sustainable business selling digital products, Shopify is one of the most reliable and scalable options available.
Step-by-Step: How to Sell Digital Products on Shopify
Step 1: Create Your Shopify Store
Head to Shopify.com and start your 3-day free trial. Choose a plan that fits your needs:
- Starter ($5/month) – Perfect for selling via social media
- Basic ($39/month) – Best for full online stores with email marketing and customization
Step 2: Install a Digital Product App
Since Shopify doesn’t support digital downloads out of the box, you’ll need a third-party app to deliver files securely.
Top apps for digital delivery:
| App | Features | Free Plan? |
| Shopify Digital Downloads | Free, basic downloads | ✅ |
| SendOwl | License keys, streaming, subscriptions | ❌ |
| Sky Pilot | Secure video access, bundles | ✅ |
| FetchApp | File size up to 2GB, auto emails | ✅ |
You can find them in the Shopify App Store.
Step 3: Add Your Product
- Go to Products > Add product
- Title your digital product (e.g., “30-Day Meal Planner Template”)
- Add detailed description, benefits, and product visuals
- Set pricing and uncheck “This is a physical product”
- Attach the digital file through your chosen app
Step 4: Design a High-Converting Product Page
Use a clean theme like Dawn, Motion, or Impulse. Make sure your product page includes:
- Screenshots or video previews
- Clear feature list
- Customer testimonials
- Use-case examples
- FAQ section
Good design builds trust—and trust sells.
Step 5: Automate File Delivery & Emails
Once a customer pays, the digital product is delivered instantly via your app. You can customize:
- Download page appearance
- Email notifications with your branding
- Download limits or expiry dates
- License key distribution (via SendOwl or Sky Pilot)
Smart Marketing Strategies for Digital Products
You’ve created a product; now it’s time to sell it. Here are proven marketing methods:
1. SEO-Optimized Content
Create blog posts targeting search phrases like:
- “Best printable budget planners”
- “How to write an eBook in Canva”
- “Top Lightroom presets for mobile photographers”
Drive free, consistent traffic with evergreen content.
2. Lead Magnets + Email Funnels
Offer a free sample (e.g., a free chapter or mini-template) in exchange for email signups. Use tools like:
- Shopify Email – Free for first 10,000 emails/month
- Klaviyo – For advanced automation
Email is where the real money is made.
3. Promote on Social Media
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest work great for digital products. Share previews, tutorials, behind-the-scenes, and customer stories.
Use Shopify’s Starter Plan to sell directly via social posts with checkout links.
4. Run Paid Ads (Smartly)
Start with retargeting ads to warm audiences. Use Facebook Ads, TikTok Ads, or Pinterest Ads. Focus on video creatives, carousel visuals, and testimonials.
5. Offer Product Bundles
Increase your average order value with bundle apps like:
- Bundler – Product Bundles
- Selldone
- Discounted Upsells
Example: “Buy 2 eBooks, Get the 3rd Free” or “All-In-One Planner Pack.”
Real Shopify Stores Selling Digital Products
🎨 UX Kits
A design studio selling UX wireframe templates. They use bundles, tiered pricing, and simple navigation for conversions.
📚 The E-Book Coach
A one-person business selling self-help eBooks, templates, and worksheets using Digital Downloads and Instagram as their primary sales channel.
📸 Preset Factory
A Shopify store selling Lightroom presets. Their landing pages include before/after sliders and influencer testimonials—perfect for digital product credibility.
Kasey Bell’s Shake Up Learning – Educational Resources
An education-focused brand selling downloadable lesson plans, eBooks, and online courses for teachers using Google Workspace. It’s built for a niche (ed-tech) and uses Shopify as the checkout platform for multiple resources and licenses.
Product Type: Teacher resources, PDF guides, Google templates
Why it works: Deep niche expertise, strong authority, and repeat customer base.
Common FAQs About Selling Digital Products on Shopify
Q: Can I sell both physical and digital products in one Shopify store?
Yes. Just configure each product type separately. Shopify handles both with ease.
Q: Can I limit how many times a product can be downloaded?
Yes. Apps like SendOwl and Sky Pilot allow download limits, expiry, and even streaming-only access.
Q: What about taxes for digital goods?
Digital products may be taxable in places like the EU or some US states. Shopify lets you configure tax settings automatically based on customer location.
Q: Can I sell subscriptions or memberships?
Yes. Use apps like Bold Memberships, PayWhirl, or SendOwl for recurring billing or gated content access.
Q: Do I need a business license?
Depends on your country and local laws. Shopify doesn’t require one to get started, but always check local regulations.
Final Thoughts: Why Digital Products on Shopify Are a No-Brainer in 2025
Selling digital products on Shopify is one of the smartest moves you can make as an online entrepreneur. It’s scalable, low-cost, and automation-friendly. With Shopify’s ecosystem of themes, apps, and marketing tools, you can build a polished brand that generates revenue while you sleep.
Whether you’re just launching your first eBook or scaling a digital course business, Shopify gives you the foundation to grow fast and keep full control of your brand.
