How to Sell Digital Products Without a Website 2025 | 7 Actionable Steps to Success

To sell digital products without a website:

1. Pick the right product
2. Research your market
3. Choose an online selling platform
4. Set up your digital storefront
5. Build your audience
6. Drive traffic consistently
7. Automate your sales system

Picking the right digital product is important, as some sell better than others without a website. These include ebooks, printables, downloadable templates, audio files, graphics, and online courses. These are easy to deliver and don’t need a fancy setup. You can sell them on popular platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, and Teachable. Make sure to research your market to find out what’s in demand.

After choosing your product and platform, set up your storefront, launch your product, and start promoting it through email, social media, or online communities. Focus on building your audience and driving traffic to your listing. For example, on Etsy, use SEO titles, run ads, and share listings on Pinterest for more visibility. Finally, automate your sales system so you have more time to sell new products and grow your business.

I earn $50,000 per month selling my own digital product (known as digital real estate). I rent out websites I build and rank, all without needing a dedicated website for myself. Jo, creator of Simply Whyte Design, made $1,128 in a month from one digital product. She doesn’t use a website. Instead, she gives away free PDFs to collect emails. She then follows up by promoting her full course on selling digital products.

Selling digital products without a website isn’t just about picking a platform. You need a clear, strategic plan. Here, I walk you through 7 actionable steps on how to sell digital products without a website. I also cover done-for-you digital products and the most sustainable type of product.

Step 1: Pick a Digital Product You Can Sell Without a Website

A digital product you can sell without a website needs to be:

• Easy to deliver. Something people can download or access right away.
• Allowed on trusted platforms. So there’s no need for your own website.
• In demand on popular platforms. People should be searching for it on places like Pinterest, Etsy, or Facebook.
• Simple to understand. It should be easy enough that it doesn’t need a full website to explain it.
• Easy to promote. You should be able to show it off with pictures, short videos, or a few sentences.
• A good fit for your current audience. It should make sense for your social media followers or email list.

Popular digital products that meet the criteria above include:

• Planners and templates (budget spreadsheets, meal planners, project management tools)
• Educational materials (worksheets, cheat sheets, study guides)
• Digital art and printables (wall art, greeting cards, stickers)
• Presets and filters (photo editing presets, video LUTs)
• Craft patterns and designs (sewing patterns, embroidery designs, SVG files)
• Mini-courses and tutorials (specific skill lessons under 60 minutes)
• Digital journals and workbooks (self-improvement, goal setting, habit tracking)
• Social media templates (Instagram stories, Pinterest pins, quote graphics)
• Ebooks and guides (step-by-step processes, niche how-tos, beginner handbooks)
• Kids’ activity packs (coloring pages, printable games, learning worksheets)
• Audio files (meditation tracks, sound effects, affirmations)
• Business tools (invoice templates, branding kits, client onboarding forms)

You can sell digital products without a website because people trust online marketplaces. It offers secure payments, refund policies, reviews, and often screens listings for quality. ChannelEngine’s 2025 Marketplace Shopping Behavior Report found that out of 4,5000 people, 63% would rather buy on an online marketplace than a brand-owned website.

Social media is also a trusted place to sell digital products. For example, Abigail Peugh earned $10,000/month selling a UGC starter kit using just Instagram. TIP! It’s best to stick with one niche to target a specific audience and grow faster.

Step 2: Research Your Digital Product’s Market

When researching your digital product’s market, you must look into:

• Done-for-you digital products vs your own. Decide whether to create a product from scratch or resell a ready-made one using resell rights or private label rights. DFY products are quicker to set up and sell. But make sure they are high-quality, allow rebranding, and meet people’s needs. Making your own takes more time. However, you get full control, originality, and better quality. You can also make it unique and tailor it to your audience.
• Best platforms to sell on. Find where similar digital products are already selling by using related keywords. Type in search terms like “meal planner,” “photo presets,” or “online course” on platforms like Etsy, Pinterest, or Instagram. Check which platforms show the most results, active sellers, and customer engagement. These are the places your products are more likely to sell well.

• Top sellers in your niche. Again, search your product on different platforms and look at the top 5-10 listings. Watch how top sellers are promoting similar digital products. Are they using reels with tips? Screenshots of customer reviews? What titles or thumbnails do they use? What content gets the most views, likes, and comments? With this, you learn a lot about what works and what doesn’t.
• Competitive pricing. Note the price range for similar products. Stick close to the average price when starting out, then adjust later based on feedback. If your product costs more than others, it might not sell well, especially since you don’t have a website to explain why it’s worth more.
• Customer reviews and feedback. Read reviews on marketplace listings. Look for repeated comments like “super easy to use” or “instructions were unclear”. These give you clues on what people love and what they’re frustrated by. Use your insights to improve your digital product and avoid common issues.
• Popular digital product formats. Different niches prefer different file types. For printable art, use PDF or JPG. Canva templates work best with shareable Canva links. Digital planners often use PDFs with clickable tabs. Audio files usually need to be in MP3 or WAV format. Always check what formats top listings use.
• Search terms and hashtags. Type your product into Etsy, TikTok, or Pinterest to see what autocomplete suggests. This shows what people are already searching for. Also, look at hashtags used in high-performing Instagram or TikTok posts. For example, #budgettemplate, #printableplanner, or #digitaldownload.

Many think selling digital products without a website is a ‘get-rich-quick’ method. While it’s quicker and cheaper than other types of businesses, it still takes real work. You can’t just post something and hope it sells. You need to do proper research first. Clayton Christensen of Harvard says 95% of new products fail due to poor market research and not understanding customer needs. This step saves you a lot of time, money, and frustration later on.

Tanner Planes suggests free tools to find profitable digital products. His favorite one is Facebook Ads Library. Here, search keywords like “digital planner” or “budget spreadsheet”. Filter to show only active ads in the United States. Products with ads that have been running for a long time indicates success. He says to check for inactive ads too, for ideas about failed or tested digital products.

Step 3: Choose an Online Platform to Sell Your Digital Product

The best online platforms to sell your digital products are:

1. Online Marketplaces.
Best For: Printables, templates, art, and digital downloads.
Popular Platforms: Etsy, Creative Market, Design Bundles, Redbubble, and Zazzle.
✅Pros:
• Easy to set up.
• Built-in shoppers.
❌Cons:
• High competition.
• Seller fees.
• Limited control over branding.

2. E-commerce Platforms with Storefronts.
Best For: Full control over branding, selling multiple digital product types, and scaling.
Popular Platforms: Gumroad, Sellfy, Payhip, and Stan Store.
✅Pros:
• Full control over your store.
• Great for all kinds of digital products.
• Can scale as you grow.
❌Cons:
• Setup takes a bit more time.
• Monthly fees.
• You need to drive your own traffic.

3. Online Course Platforms.
Best For: Tutorials, mini-courses, and teaching content.
Popular Platforms: Teachable, Thinkific, Podia, Kajabi, Udemy, and Skillshare.
✅Pros:
• Tools for lessons, quizzes, and student tracking.
• Built-in audiences (on Udemy and Skillshare).
❌Cons:
• Mostly for teaching products only.
• Some take a cut of your revenue.

4. Publishing Platforms.
Best For: Ebooks, journals, and writing guides.
Popular Platforms: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Apple Books, Lulu, and Blurb.
✅Pros:
• Huge book-buying audiences.
• Simple publishing tools.
❌Cons:
• Mostly for book-style formats.
• Lower royalty rates (Amazon takes a cut).

5. Social Media and Content Platforms.
Best For: Promoting and linking to your digital products. TIP! Use these platforms to send people to your Gumroad, Etsy, or Stan Store links.
Popular Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Link-in-bio tools like Linktree or Beacons.
✅Pros:
• Free traffic source.
• Great for building an audience.
❌Cons:
• ** ** Not a sales platform by itself (since the Shop features only support physical products).
• Algorithms limit your reach sometimes.

6. Email Platforms with Sales Features.
Best For: Building long-term buyers.
Popular Platforms: ConvertKit, Substack, Mailchimp, and MailerLite.
✅Pros:
• Direct contact with your customers.
• Great for promoting new products.
• Some allow selling directly via email.
❌Cons:
• You need to grow your own email list.
• Advanced features may cost money.

7. Niche and Specialized Platforms.
Best For: Specific digital product types.
Popular Platforms: Bandcamp (music, meditation, and audio files), Teachers Pay Teachers (worksheets and lesson plans), AudioJungle (stock music and sound effects), 99Designs (selling design work), and Ko-fi / Patreon (community support or ongoing digital content).
✅Pros:
• Tailored to your product niche.
• Easier to find the right buyers.
❌Cons:
• Smaller audiences.
•Not as flexible for general products.

TIP! Use more than one platform to get better results. Start with a marketplace or storefront to list your digital products. Good options for beginners are Etsy, Gumroad, or Stan Store. Next, pick one or two social media apps to promote your product. Try Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok. Add your product link to your bio so people can easily find it.

If you want repeat customers, ask for their emails after they buy. Later, send them emails with discounts, new product updates, or free tips. This keeps them engaged and encourages more sales.

Abigail Peugh uses Instagram, Stan Store, and a ManyChat tool for her sales funnel. She first posts reels and stories about how her UGC digital product changed her life. In each post, she asks people to comment if they’re interested. Peugh then uses ManyChat automation to DM these people and answer purchase questions. When they’re ready to buy, she sends them over to her Stan Store. This worked so well that she and her husband were able to quit their 9-5 jobs.

Step 4: Set Up Your Digital Storefront

To set up your digital storefront:

• Create an account on your chosen platform. Sign up with your email and follow the steps to open a seller account and verify it.
• Add your business name or display name. It should be easy to remember, so people can find you again and share your store with others. Put your contact information, too.
• Upload an image of yourself or your logo. The image must be high quality and fits well in the space provided. This lets people recognize your brand quickly. It also builds trust and makes you look more personal or professional.
• Write a short and friendly bio/about section. Tell visitors what you or your store is all about. Mention the types of digital products you offer and who they’re designed for. Let your personality show a little, so people feel connected and confident in buying from you.
• Customize your store layout (if available). Update the colors, fonts, and other sections to match your branding. Even basic tweaks make your store feel more professional or personal.
• Set up your payment information. Choose between a bank account, Stripe, or PayPal, depending on what the platform allows. To avoid delays, make sure your name and bank details match any government ID or tax info you may be asked to submit.
• Create a new digital product listing. On your account dashboard, look for either ‘Product’, ‘Listings’, ‘Courses’, or ‘Offers’. From there, there’s often a button that says ‘Create New Product’, ‘Add Product’, or ‘New Listing’. Here’s what it looks like in Gumroad:

• Write a clear product title and description. Use simple words and relevant keywords. Explain what the product is, who it’s for, and why it’s useful. Highlight any special features, formats, or benefits buyers get right away. Here’s an example:

• Set your price. Choose a fair price based on the value you’re offering. Many selling platforms let you offer discounts or bundles too.
• Upload a cover image or thumbnail. This is often the first thing people see, so give a quick preview of what your digital product looks like. Use free tools like Canva to design a clean, eye-catching image.
• Upload your digital product. Add the file or link that people will receive after purchase. Test the download or link yourself to see if it’s easy to access.
• Adjust your settings. Look through your store or product settings. Choose how your product will be delivered (download link, email, or direct access). Set up your refund policy if your platform allows it. Turn on any extras, like collecting customer emails, adding a thank-you message, or offering discount codes for future purchases.
• Publish your product. Once everything looks good, hit publish or go live. Your digital product is now ready to sell!
• Copy your product link. You’ll need this link to promote it on social media or through email.

Each platform works a bit differently, but most will ask you to do steps like these. It’s a good idea to have everything ready ahead of time, like names, descriptions, and images. This makes the setup faster without losing quality.

Most platforms that support digital products handle automatic delivery for you. You don’t need to worry about sending files to each buyer. But if you sell via social media, email, or online groups without an online store, you may need to send download links or access codes yourself.

Step 5: Build an Audience for Your Digital Product

To build an audience for your digital product:

• Choose 1-2 social media platforms to focus on. Pick the ones where your target audience hangs out the most. To give you an idea, Instagram and Pinterest are great for templates, planners, and aesthetic products. TikTok and YouTube Shorts are better for educational, demo-style viral content. Finally, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn are best for info products or B2B tools.
• Plan out your content. The ones that draw the most attention are stories, how-tos, behind-the-scenes, and reviews. For example, share your personal story - how the product helped you or why you created it.
• Post consistently (3-5x/week). Fresh content lets the algorithm show your posts to more interested people. It also builds trust, as people are more likely to follow and buy from those who show up regularly.
• Add a call-to-action (CTA) on every post. For example, “Link in bio to grab it!”, “Comment ’template’ if you’re interested!”, or “Check my story/highlights for a free version!”.
• Build an email list around your product. For this, offer a free sample, a PDF cheat sheet, or a discount code in exchange for their emails. Link the signup form on your social bios, posts, or product thank-you page.
• Send emails. The first email should deliver the freebie and personal intro. Make the second email teach something helpful related to your digital product. The third one should share the story behind your product. The final email can highlight customer success with a CTA to buy. Use tools like ConvertKit or MailerLite to schedule these.
• Find and join niche communities. This includes Reddit subs, Facebook groups, Discord servers, ProductHunt, or IndieHackers. Keep it relevant to your product and audience.
• Engage first, then share. Comment, ask or answer questions, send DMs, and engage with other creators’ posts. When people engage, you can then say something like “Hey, I made this [product] to solve this exact issue. Happy to share it here.” Just make sure to follow each community’s rules on self-promotion.

A 2024 Tidal Digital Report shows that people who already know your brand convert at 3.5% to 4.5%. That’s a 40% to 80% increase in sales potential compared to the 2.5% conversion average of cold leads. What’s more, a 2025 ECORN Agency Report found returning visitors convert 2 to 3x more than new ones. If you want big sales, be active and promote your product. Don’t rely on people finding your product listing through keyword searches.

One Reddit user says they sell a crypto digital product through Facebook friends. Since their target audience is males in the marketing or business industry, they add 5 to 10 people daily who fit this description. But instead of bothering them with DMs, they always post about Bitcoin and crypto. Once in a while, they remind people that they have a paid community. They say that this strategy gives them a few sales every week. When you post regularly and talk to the right people, you don’t need a website to sell your digital product. Plus, it’s easier to make sales as they already know and trust you.

Step 6: Drive Consistent Traffic to Your Digital Product Listing

To drive consistent traffic to your digital product listing:

• Rotate between soft and direct promotions. For example, soft posts sound like “Here’s how I used my digital planner to save 2 hours every week.” Direct posts are more like “My best-selling digital planner is live again. Link in bio!” This keeps your audience engaged without being pushy.
• Repackage old content that worked well. If it worked before, it will work again. Just make sure to give it a new angle or hook so it feels fresh.
• Always keep your product link in your bio. Anytime people are curious or ready to buy, your digital products are always one click away. You’re converting passive interest into consistent traffic, without needing to ask every time.
• Pin your best-performing product videos or posts. New followers often check these first, so make your top content point them to your product.
• Launch regular promos. Create limited-time offers like “48-Hour Flash Sale”, “Buy 1, Get 1 Free”, or “Bundle and Save”. Use back-to-school, holidays, or Monday motivation events for more urgency.
• Send emails to past buyers. Announce new drops, offer “return buyer” discounts, share helpful product tips or content, include bonus product previews, and provide early access to new products. According to Invespo, 56% of customers are likely to convert again through email marketing.
• Ask your audience what they want next. Run polls, Q&As, or “this or that” posts about digital product ideas. Keep them invested and bring them back when you release it.
• Run low-budget retargeting ads. You can show ads only to those who interacted with your Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok content. You know these people have already shown interest. So a message like “Still thinking about this planner? Get 20% off today only” will encourage them to buy it. Start with a $5 to $10/day budget, and monitor the results.

• Monitor and improve based on data. Use tools like Gumroad analytics, Stan Store dashboards, or Bitly links to see what’s working. Track which content drives the most clicks, which emails get opened, and which products convert. Double down on what performs. Tweak or remove what doesn’t.

Selling digital products isn’t truly passive income. One Reddit user explains that while you can earn money in your sleep, you still need to promote and update. With high competition, staying active and relevant is what keeps the sales coming.

Another Redditor shares how they drive traffic to their Etsy store using TikTok. They post videos and slideshows of their work 2-5x a week. They also share everything they list on Etsy once a week. To draw audience attention, they use hashtags, visually appealing images, and text on screen. With this approach, their Etsy drops sell out in minutes. However, they admit that traffic can still vary.

Step 7: Automate Your Digital Product Sales System

To automate your digital product sales system:

• Turn on email collection at checkout. Platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, and Stan Store allow you to collect emails when people buy. Usually, you have to enable it in the settings (Gumroad is automatic). Here’s how to do that in Payhip:

• Set up an automated email sequence. Mailchimp, MailerLite, and ConvertKit let you send a series of pre-written emails automatically. For example, you can set it to email someone when they join your list, download a freebie, or a few days after buying.
• Use a link hub to route traffic to one place. You don’t have to post different links all over your social media. Tools like Linktree, Beacons, or Stan Store let you create one simple page with buttons for your digital product, freebie, bundle, etc… Then just add one link to your bio, so people can easily pick where to go.
• Automate DMs with comment triggers. ManyChat and Stan Store send automatic messages to people who comment certain keywords on Instagram or TikTok. That’s why you see sellers say, “Comment ‘planner’ if you’re interested!” These tools reply to those comments with your product link or freebie.
• Schedule content in batches. Use free tools like Meta Business Suite (Facebook & Instagram), Metricool or Later (multi-platform), and TikTok Drafts for videos. Create and plan your content ahead of time, so you don’t have to post daily.

With automation tools, you save at least 24 hours per month on product advertising. A Reddit user even uses AI to automate his digital product creation. For example, he uses ChatGPT to outline and draft his ebooks. He then uses Canva to format it. Finally, he uploads it to Amazon KDP and Gumroad.

Are Done-For-You Digital Products With Resell Rights a Scam?

Done-for-you digital products with resell rights are not a scam . However, there are many low-quality ones that don’t give real value and still cost a lot. If you don’t want to create a digital product, pick a DFY product carefully. Remember, people will blame you if you resell something that looks bad or doesn’t work. This hurts your reputation, leads to refund requests, or gets your store flagged or banned. Here’s what to look for when selecting DFY products:

• The product includes clear licensing terms that allow resale or rebranding.
• The seller provides product previews, screenshots, or a demo before you buy.
• The creator has a good online presence or traceable reputation.
• The pricing makes sense — not suspiciously cheap or wildly overpriced.
• There’s no mandatory upsell or hidden subscription to access full rights.
• The sales page avoids fake urgency, unrealistic income claims, or shady testimonials.
• Other customers have shared positive reviews or feedback about the product.
• It solves a real problem or fills a clear niche demand.
• The files are editable and professionally designed (e.g., Canva, PDF, or PSD formats).
• The content is original or at least not mass-resold by thousands of other sellers.
• You receive full access to all assets immediately after purchase.
• The package includes support materials (e.g., instructions, marketing graphics, mockups).
• The product format matches what your target audience expects (e.g., mobile-friendly PDFs, Canva templates, or ZIP bundles).
• You’re not restricted to selling on one platform or under the original creator’s brand.

Conclusion: What Is the Most Sustainable Digital Product to Sell?

Local lead generation websites are the most sustainable digital products to sell. Small local businesses need websites to get more customers. However, according to Zippia, at least 27% don’t have a website, and 40% don’t want one. With local lead gen, you create a website, rank it with local SEO, get traffic to it, and rent it out to these businesses. Since it generates quality leads, they’ll be willing to pay around $500 to $3,000 a month to put their name, address, contact info, and service details on the site.

I’ve been doing local lead generation for almost 10 years now. I make $50,000 a month from 10+ rented-out websites. It took a bit of time to set up, but now I earn passive income with just a few small website updates. It works as it’s a unique digital product that’s unlike anything the masses are selling. If you want something long-term, digital real estate like local lead gen is worth looking into.