What is a digital download?
A product you buy online and save to your phone or computer.
The short answer
A digital download is a product you get online as a file, such as an ebook, a template, a photo or a song. There is nothing to ship. After you pay, you get a link or a file to save on your phone or computer.
What are common digital download file types?
Most digital downloads come as one of a few common file types:
- PDF: ebooks, guides, planners, worksheets and printables.
- JPG and PNG: photos, digital art and phone wallpapers.
- SVG: cut files for craft machines, and art that stays sharp at any size.
- MP3 and WAV: songs, beats and sound samples.
- MP4 and MOV: videos and video lessons.
- ZIP: many files packed into one, like a set of presets or fonts.
Some downloads are not a file at all. A Canva or Notion template is often a link that copies the template into the buyer's own account.
See what people sell, from ebooks to PDFs and guides, on the what you can sell page.
How does a digital download reach the buyer?
Most often, the buyer pays and then gets an email with a link to the file. On Stakk, it works like this:
- You keep the file where you like, such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Notion.
- You paste its share link when you add the product.
- The moment a buyer pays, Stakk emails them that link with a receipt.
Buyers need no account. They give a name and an email, pay by card, and get the download by email.
Stakk does not upload, host or lock your files. It sends a link. So make sure your link opens for anyone who has it. The Google Drive link generator can help, and the help page has more.
How is a digital download different from a physical product?
A digital download has nothing to ship and nothing to run out of.
- No boxes, no postage and no waiting for the mail.
- No stock to count. You make the file once and can sell it again and again.
- The buyer gets it right away, day or night.
A free download given in return for an email address has its own name: a lead magnet.
How do you sell a digital download?
Make the file, set a price, and share one link where people can buy it.
On Stakk, you get one store link, stakk.store/yourname, to put in your bio. Add a product, paste your file's share link, and set a price from $1 to $999. Every sale is a one-off. 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. See how it all works on the features page, or start free.
Questions people ask
Is a digital download the same as a digital product?
Mostly. A digital product is anything you sell online with nothing to ship. A digital download is the most common kind: a file the buyer saves.
Can a digital download be free?
Yes. A free download given in return for an email address is called a lead magnet. Read what is a lead magnet to learn more.
What if a buyer loses their download?
On Stakk, the buyer can re-send it themselves at stakk.store/orders. They just need their email and order number.
Your link in bio, ready to sell.
Add your product and go live. No pages to build.