Unveiling the 10 Best Platforms to Sell Digital Downloads

Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, Sellfy is a platform that will do wonders for your digital sell endeavours. This platform allows you to create your digital store within minutes and also aids in marketing your products. Happy selling! 😊
🥳 Pros
- Provides versatile customizations that allow sellers to create unique stores.
- Offers built-in marketing tools, including email marketing, discount codes, and upselling.
🥺 Cons
- Transaction fee of 2% on every purchase.
- Lack of live customer support might present challenges for first-time users.
Gumroad offers an amazingly user-friendly platform for selling digital products and memberships. This gem 💎 also goes above and beyond in ensuring a beautiful visual presentation of your digital products. Grab the opportunity to reach a wider audience by selling directly on your website or social network.
🥳 Pros
- Allows you to sell directly on your website or social network for enhanced reach.
- Appealing visual presentation of products.
🥺 Cons
- Charges applicable for product hosting.
- Insufficient search engine optimization.
Spruce up your business with Podia, an all-in-one platform that allows you to sell memberships, courses, and digital downloads. Enjoy unlimited file hosting and zero transaction fees. A one-stop shop for everything digital! 🚀
🥳 Pros
- Unlimited file hosting and zero transaction fees.
- Easy integration with email marketing providers.
🥺 Cons
- No free plan available.
- Limited customization options for storefronts.
Etsy provides you with a ready market place for selling digital products. 💼 Despite the transaction fees, the large customer base makes it a worthy venture. Get set for a broader audience and increased sales!
🥳 Pros
- Large customer base.
- Provides you a ready market for your digital products.
🥺 Cons
- Transaction fees can be expensive.
- Heavy competition may lower visibility and sales.
Shopify is a renowned e-commerce platform that also supports digital product sales. With Shopify, building your virtual store is a piece of cake, while its SEO tools will greatly assist in boosting your visibility 🔎 and augmenting your reach.
🥳 Pros
- Diverse customization due to a range of templates.
- E-commerce giant gives credibility to the store.
🥺 Cons
- Charges transaction fee unless you use Shopify Payments.
- Lack of e-mail hosting.
SendOwl is a platform tailored for selling digital products and subscriptions. The quick selling, easy-to-use interface and ability to sell from any website makes it a strong contender among online selling platforms! 🌐
🥳 Pros
- Offers brilliant support for selling subscription-based products.
- The intuitive interface is easy to navigate.
🥺 Cons
- Advanced features only available in higher-priced plans.
- No in-built marketing tools.
Easy Digital Downloads is an excellent👌 WordPress plugin specifically for selling digital products online. The simplicity, flexibility, and free core software make it a strong pick for WordPress users.
🥳 Pros
- The base program is free and designed specifically for WordPress.
- Integrates with other WordPress plugins and themes.
🥺 Cons
- Costly extensions and limited functionality in free version.
- Requires you to build and maintain your own website.
DigiStore24 stands out for its automation capabilities. From product delivery to invoicing and even affiliate management, everything is taken care of 🤗. Time to sit back and witness your businesses’ growth!
🥳 Pros
- Offers full automation from product delivery to invoicing and affiliate management.
- No monthly fees.
🥺 Cons
- Website only available in German and English.
- No built-in page builder.
PayLoadz allows you to sell practically any type of digital product, including software, ebooks, music, and photos, making it an incredibly versatile choice 📈. Stand up and make your mark in the digital space!
🥳 Pros
- Perfect for selling any type of digital product.
- Good affiliate system.
🥺 Cons
- Pricing plans can be a bit high.
- Limited capabilities for website integration.
E-junkie, a popular e-commerce platform, offers a simple, affordable way to sell different digital products online. Its security features are a real treasure. 💰 Enjoy a hassle-free digital selling experience!
🥳 Pros
- Superb security features including PDF stamping and secure download links.
- Flat rate pricing regardless of the volume of sales or size of inventory.
🥺 Cons
- Lacks advanced features found in competitive platforms.
- Does not offer a free trial or a free tier.
🏁🏁 Conclusion 🏁🏁
With so many excellent platforms, selling digital downloads has never been easier or more accessible. 💪The best platform for you depends on your specific needs, but each of these platforms provides a great starting point. By staying informed about updates to these platforms and the digital marketplace, you can empower yourself to make the best decisions for your business. Here’s to your success in the digital world! 🌐🥂
FAQ
What are digital downloads?
Digital downloads refer to products that are downloaded from the internet and used without a physical form. Examples include ebooks, music, movies, software, graphics, and digital art.
What are the 10 best platforms to sell digital downloads in 2021?
The answer would depend on your specific needs and the nature of your digital goods. That said, this article will review and compare 10 platforms that are widely considered to be the best for selling digital downloads in 2021.
Are these platforms free to use?
Most platforms do have costs associated with them, which can vary based on the type of plan you choose, the size of your product files, and other factors. Some platforms offer a basic free tier, but usually this comes with limitations.
How do these platforms handle payments?
Most of these platforms allow sellers to connect to a wide range of payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, Credit Cards, and more. Some also offer built-in payment processing.
Can I sell music on these platforms?
Yes, most of these platforms support selling music, given that it’s in a supported file format, usually mp3, wav, or similar.
Will these platforms protect my digital products from piracy?
While no system is 100% foolproof, these platforms generally have measures in place to help prevent piracy of your digital products.
Are these platforms available worldwide?
Most of these platforms are available worldwide, but payment methods accepted might vary by country.
Can I sell eBooks on these platforms?
Yes, eBooks are one of the most common types of digital downloads sold on these platforms. Ensure that they are in a commonly used format like PDF, epub or mobi.
Can I build my own branded store on these platforms?
Yes, many of these platforms allow you to customize your own storefront with your branding.
How do they handle taxes?
Some platforms handle VAT (Value Added Tax) automatically. Others require sellers to handle taxes themselves. It’s always recommended to consult with a tax professional for advice tailored to your situation.
Can I give away products for free on these platforms?
Most of these platforms do allow you to distribute free products, which can be a great way to attract customers and build up your email list.
Can I offer my customers a pay-what-you-want pricing model?
Some platforms support ‘pay-what-you-want’ pricing, letting your customers choose the price they’d like to pay for certain items.
Can I sell Graphics and Digital Art on these platforms?
Yes, you can sell any form of digital creations including digital art, graphics, printables etc.
Are there transaction fees with these platforms?
Most marketplace or eCommerce platforms charge transaction fees, commission or listing fees. Rates vary based on each respective platform.
Can I sell subscriptions or memberships on these platforms?
Yes, some platforms do support the selling of subscriptions and memberships. This is a great way to generate recurring revenue.
Can I offer discount codes on these platforms?
Most of the platforms allow you to offer discount codes, sales, and other promotional pricing.
Can I sell software or apps on these platforms?
Yes, you can sell software, apps and games on most of these platforms.
Can these platforms handle large file sizes?
The maximum file size that these platforms can handle varies, so you would need to check the specifications of each platform.
Can I integrate these platforms with my existing website?
Yes. Most of these platforms allow integrations with popular web platforms such as WordPress, Shopify, and more.
Can I sell courses or education material on these platforms?
Yes, some platforms are specifically designed or suitably tailored for selling courses, educational material, and similar content.