Have you ever thought about turning your knowledge, creativity, or skills into a product you can sell online? Maybe you’ve imagined creating ebooks, templates, courses, or printables—something people can download instantly and benefit from right away. But then, doubt creeps in: Where do I start? Will anyone actually buy this? Isn’t Shopify just for physical products?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re absolutely in the right place.
In this post, we’re going to walk you through how to sell digital products using Shopify, one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly platforms out there. Even if tech isn’t your thing, even if you’re not sure if your idea is “good enough,” even if you’ve never sold anything online before—this guide will help you take your first steps with confidence. When you’re finished reading this post make sure to grab a copy of my FREE guide that includes the exact steps that I use to make between $200-$500 a day!
Why Digital Products?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about the why.
Selling digital products is one of the best ways to earn passive income. Unlike physical items, digital products don’t require inventory, shipping, or a huge upfront investment. Once you create your product, you can sell it over and over again, 24/7, to customers all over the world.
Some popular digital products include:
- Ebooks or guides
- Workbooks or journals
- Stock photos
- Canva templates
- Spreadsheets or planners
- Online courses
- Digital art
- Music or audio files
- Website themes
And here’s the best part: you already have something valuable to share. Whether it’s a lesson you’ve learned, a design you’ve created, or a system you’ve built—there’s someone out there who needs exactly what you have to offer.
So, let’s talk about how to get that idea out of your head and into the world using Shopify.
Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store
First things first, you’ll need a Shopify account. Don’t worry—it’s super simple.
- Go to Shopify.com and sign up for a free trial.
- Follow the prompts to name your store and add some basic information.
- Choose a theme for your store (you can change this later).
Even if you’ve never built a website before, Shopify makes it easy with its drag-and-drop editor and customizable themes. You don’t need to be a tech wizard—just bring your vision and a little curiosity.
Step 2: Choose and Create Your Digital Product
This is where the magic happens: deciding what to sell!
If you’re not sure what kind of digital product to create, ask yourself:
- What do people ask me for help with?
- What tools or resources have I made for myself that others could use?
- What’s something I’ve learned that I could teach?
Here are a few examples:
- If you’re a teacher, you could create lesson plans or classroom decor templates.
- If you love budgeting, you could design a printable budgeting spreadsheet.
- If you’re into mindfulness, you could write a short ebook on stress relief techniques.
Start small. You don’t have to build a massive course or write a 100-page book. A beautifully designed one-page checklist can be incredibly valuable!
Once you’ve decided, create your product using tools like:
- Canva (for printables, templates, planners)
- Google Docs or Microsoft Word (for ebooks)
- Excel or Google Sheets (for spreadsheets)
- Audacity or GarageBand (for audio files)
Save your product as a PDF, PNG, MP3, or other digital format depending on what you’re selling.
Step 3: Upload Your Digital Product to Shopify
Shopify doesn’t allow digital file delivery by default, but there’s an easy fix!
Here’s what to do:
- Go to the Shopify App Store and search for “Digital Downloads” (this is a free app by Shopify).
- Install the app and follow the prompts.
- Create a new product in your store.
- Add a title, description, and price.
- Upload an image that represents your product (you can design one in Canva).
- Scroll down and under the “Digital Downloads” app section, upload your actual file.
Once customers purchase, Shopify will automatically send them the download link via email. No packaging. No shipping. Just happy customers getting instant access.
Step 4: Set Up Payment and Checkout
To get paid, you’ll need to connect a payment provider.
In Shopify:
- Go to Settings > Payments
- Choose Shopify Payments, PayPal, or another option
- Follow the instructions to connect your account
Once that’s done, your store is ready to accept payments from all over the world. Yes—it’s really that simple!
Step 5: Customize Your Store
While you don’t need a fancy design to start, it helps to create a welcoming space that reflects your brand and style.
You can:
- Upload a logo (design one in Canva for free)
- Write a friendly “About Me” page
- Add FAQs (like “How do I download my product?”)
- Create a homepage with a clear message
Keep it simple. Your goal is to help your visitors feel confident and excited about buying from you.
Step 6: Start Selling and Sharing
Your product is live, your checkout is working, and your store is looking great—now it’s time to share your creation with the world!
Here are a few ways to get your first sales:
- Post on social media – Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, or Facebook
- Email your friends or audience – even a short “Hey, I made this!” message can go far
- Join online communities – share your product in groups where it’s genuinely helpful
- Offer a launch discount – give early supporters a special deal
Remember, you don’t need thousands of followers. You just need the right people to find the right product—and Shopify helps you make that happen.
Encouragement for Beginners 💛
If you’re still feeling a little unsure, let me say this:
You don’t have to have it all figured out to start.
Starting is the bravest part. Grab a copy of my free guide to help you get started!
Every successful online seller once stood where you are—wondering if anyone would buy their product, worrying if it was good enough, feeling nervous about the tech. But they took the first step. And you can, too.
You don’t need a perfect product or a flawless store. You just need a clear, simple idea and a willingness to try. Shopify makes the rest easy. And every little action you take moves you forward.
Here’s what could happen next:
- Your first customer messages you to say your product helped them.
- You make a sale while you’re sleeping.
- You feel proud and inspired knowing your creativity made someone else’s life easier.
That’s the power of digital products—and you’re more than capable of tapping into it.
Selling digital products online with Shopify isn’t just for tech-savvy entrepreneurs or big influencers—it’s for everyday people like you. Whether you’re a teacher, a designer, a coach, a parent, or someone with a message to share, your ideas are valuable, and the world is waiting for them.
So take the leap. Set up your store. Create that digital product. Hit publish. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to begin.
And if you ever feel stuck, just come back to this post. You’ve got this. ✨
Want help brainstorming product ideas or designing your first printable? Leave a comment below or reach out—I’d love to cheer you on and help you get started!