How to create a digital product to sell

Six plain steps, from an idea to a product people can buy.

The short answer

To create a digital product, pick one problem your audience has, then make a file that fixes it with a tool you already know, like Canva or Google Docs. Test it, give it a clear name and a price, and save it somewhere you can share a link. Then put it in a store so people can buy it.

What digital product should you make first?

Make something small that fixes one problem people already ask you about. Start small. You can make a bigger one later.

To find your idea, write down:

  • Questions your followers ask you again and again.
  • Things you made for yourself, like a budget sheet, a meal plan or a set of photo edits.
  • Things people praise in your posts.

A digital product is anything you sell online with nothing to ship. Most are files, so see what is a digital download. Stuck for ideas? Try the free digital product ideas tool, then read how to know if your digital product will sell.

How do you make a digital product, step by step?

Follow these six steps to make digital products to sell:

  1. Pick one problem and one kind of buyer. "Busy parents who want quick dinners" is clearer than "everyone".
  2. Pick a format. A PDF guide, a template, a preset pack, a sample pack or a printable.
  3. Make the first version with a tool you know (see the list below).
  4. Test it. Open it on a phone and on a computer. Ask a friend to try it and tell you what was hard.
  5. Name it and price it. Use a name that says what it does, and add a clean cover image. The free ebook mockup generator can help.
  6. Get it ready to share. Save the file in Google Drive or Dropbox and copy a share link that opens for anyone.

What tools can you use to create digital products?

You can create digital products with tools you may already use. Canva, Google Docs and Notion all have free plans, so you can create digital products for free.

How do you sell a digital product once it is made?

Put it in a store and share one link where people can buy it. On Stakk, it works like this:

  1. Claim your store link, stakk.store/yourname, and put it in your bio.
  2. Add a product, paste your file's share link, and set a price from $1 to $999.
  3. The moment a buyer pays, Stakk emails them that link with a receipt.

Buyers pay into your own Stripe account, and Stakk never holds the money. It is free to start, with no monthly fee. From 10% + $0.50 per sale, card processing included.

Stakk does not upload, host, lock or protect your files. It sends a link, so check that yours opens for anyone. The Google Drive link generator can help. Next, read how to get your first digital product sale, or start free.

Questions people ask

Can you create digital products for free?

Yes. Canva, Google Docs and Notion all have free plans, and Stakk is free to start with no monthly fee. Stakk takes a fee only when you sell.

How long does it take to create a digital product?

It depends on the product. A one-page checklist can take an afternoon, and an ebook can take weeks. Start small so you finish.

What file type should a digital product be?

Use a file your buyer can open with ease. PDF works for guides, planners and printables, and ZIP packs many files into one. See common digital download file types.

More words to know

Your link in bio, ready to sell.

Add your product and go live. No pages to build.