Six of the best platforms and features for selling digital downloads

Learn about the essential features you need to have for selling digital downloads on the internet. This guide explains the features you should find and the most popular platforms to sell digital downloads.

The most effective ways to sell digital downloads to various types of creators

In determining where to market digital downloads, be sure to choose tools that offer ease to use, functional customer support, marketing capabilities as well as low fees and affordable prices.

• Shopify and Etsy are designed for selling physical products, however they permit sellers to offer digital downloads as well. They offer selling digital goods, but the options may be less limiting.
• Gumroad offers robust features, it allows the sale of a wide range of types of data without annual fees. The catch is that they charge high transaction charges per sale.
• Easy Digital Downloads is a WordPress plugin that lets you sell your products directly from your website. Even though it's absolutely free to install however, you'll probably require additional extensions and integrations.
• It's easy to establish and permits you to sell any type of files without any limitations. It has advanced marketing capabilities that are built into the platform and we provide excellent support and fast - at least that's what our customers say.

Before launching my first digital download I thought the hardest aspect would be turning the contents of my brain into a quality product that customers actually wanted to purchase.

We wouldn't like that to happen to you.

There are numerous places you can offer digital downloads nowadays, however, deciding the best software for your product is a matter of a timesink.

Why would you want to market digital downloads?

Digital downloads include files that can be purchased online. For creators digital downloads could be a lucrative part of your product lineup.

Here are some reasons why selling digital downloads could work for you:

There is no need to worry the logistics of inventory and shipping. If making daily visits for the post office sounds like your own personal nightmare, digital solutions are the best option to go.

There are 6 things to be aware of when you are deciding where to market digital downloads online

Some platforms, however, take it up a notch with advanced options, which is why it's essential to consider which software best aligns with the goals you're hoping to achieve for the present and into the near future.

It's true that moving your tools from one to another is about as fun as a trip to the dentist. You can avoid from pain by choosing an instrument that is easy to use but also gives you room to grow.

For making the process a bit simpler, here are a few features you should look for:

Accessibility:First and most importantly, the site which you are selling digital downloads should be easy to use for you as the creator.

Functionality:You're a multifaceted creator So you may like to sell different types of digital items later on. Keep an eye out for platforms that do not limit the kinds of files you're able to upload.

Support:If you're in the same boat as the majority of customers , you expect responses to support queries within ten minutes of asking the question. Selecting a business with great support for customers can save you from frustrating delays further on.

Transaction charges:Transaction fees are a tiny percentage of every purchase that the platform makes. They typically amount to 1 and 10% of the total cost of the transaction. Certain platforms may also add listing charges and credit card processing fees and can quickly grow with each transaction.

Cost:Finally, we have to calculate the figures. However, cheaper doesn't mean more effective since platforms with lower costs typically come with higher charges and hidden costs.

Now that we know what qualities to search for, let's look at some popular options to see what they have in common.

For instance, the creator Emily Conners utilizes her website to provide free digital downloads and sell live cohort programs online courses, as well as 1:1 coaching packages.

Most importantly, it's an affordable plan. It allows you to build your own website, run your online community and also make a sale of one digital download as well as one coaching item for at no cost.

Are you ready to experience it for yourself? Create your free account today.

Here are the advantages to using :

The free plan makes it easy to offer your first digital download without having to make a massive upfront expenditure.

You can sell any type of digital download with unlimited file sizes.

Even though we think is pretty awesome, no software is right for everyone. There are a few reasons that could not be the ideal option for you.

The world is digital therefore, if you're trying to market physical items such as a website like Shopify or Etsy might be a better option.

features

Easy to enter: 5 out five. The creator-facing dashboard on is clean and easy to use. Thanks to our custom-designed onboarding process as well as step-by step instruction videos you'll be able to list your items within a few hours.

Functionality: 5/5. With , you can sell documents in almost any type of format and there's no limit on file size. You're free to bundle your products and offer them for additional products, and set the price according to your preferences.

Support Rating: 5/5. Have you met our support team yet? If not, then you must! Go to the chatbox on the bottom of our page to say hello. We provide the best fast, courteous, and quick chat support available.

Marketing: 4.5 from 5. We designed our site to serve as the one-stop-shop for all the needs of your company, and marketing features are an important part of that. It is possible to prelaunch and sell items, offer coupons or create an affiliate program from the box.

I've taken a half percent off as we don't provide a marketplace option, but this isn't necessary for all businesses as we allow you to easily create your own fan base using our lead-capture tools.

Transaction fees: 4.5 out of 5. With , there no transaction costs with paid plans. Users who are on a free plan pay an 8% transaction fee on sales.

This keeps costs low when beginning your business, but you'll have the ability to improve and reduce transaction fees as your business develops.

In common with all platforms, there are payment processing fees that are not associated with . Stripe or PayPal charges a basic transaction cost of 2.9 percent plus 30Cor. Additionally, we provide instant payments to creators so you can get your cash fast.

Cost: 's free plan includes a website, online community, one download and one coaching product. Paid plans range from $39.90 to $199.99/month.

Want to learn more about how to run your business online using a platform like ? Come along to an interactive live demonstration to test the software out:

Shopify

Shopify is an online retailer and a household name in the world of creators. Over 1.7 million companies utilize Shopify to run their online stores and its creators on the platform have generated over 200 billion dollars in sales.

The Shopify platform is well-known for selling physical goods However, it's also possible to sell digital items. Recently, Shopify has also added many international ecommerce features.

If you're a creative that wants to market digital and physical products to customers all over the world, Shopify might be a ideal place to begin.

Here are the Shopify pros:

Shopify comes with powerful marketing tools as well as integrations with social media platforms.

Shopify has an in-house payment processing system that's called Shopify Payments. It's user-friendly and comes with the entire plan so that it's not necessary to connect with third-party processors if you do not want to.

You can create beautiful website designs, with storefronts that can be customized and even storefronts.

And here are the Shopify pros:

Shopify's focus is on selling physical products. It has premium features that you will not require if your business is only providing digital items.

If you don't use Shopify Payments, there are additional fees on top of the month-long subscription cost.

The fee system generally is complicated.

Shopify features

Ease of entry: 3 out of 5. Because Shopify was initially designed for the purpose of selling physical items it is necessary to take more steps to market digital downloads. They have videos that walk you through the process of adding your product through the Digital Downloads app, but it's not exactly the most user-friendly method.

Functionality: 3 out of 5. This time around, Shopify loses points because much of its functions are designed to sell physical goods.

To sell digital downloads the maximum size of the file is 5 GB per file. It is only possible to sell one file per product variant however, it is possible to include multiple variants, such as various resolutions for images and ebook formats. You'll need to use an ZIP file in order to add many files to one product.

Support: 3 stars out of five. Shopify has 24/7 chat support, 24/7 email assistance, as well as a forum where you can get help from other users. There are many online reviews that mention slow response times by the support department.

Marketing 5/5/5. Shopify shines in their marketing capabilities. They offer a robust website builder where you can create your own storefront as well as create a blog.

The email marketing feature is built-in to E-commerce templates. You are able to create coupons, gift cards and vouchers, and display real customers' reviews. The software also connects with social media platforms.

Fees for transactions: 2.5 out of 5. The Shopify fee structure is a bit complicated. It's not easy to pinpoint what your transaction and the processing fee for credit cards are on purchases.

There are no transaction fees on payments using the Shopify Payments platform. If you don't utilize Shopify Payments, there's a transaction fee for using another third-party processor.

If you also accept large credit cards you'll be charged an additional fee for credit cards per purchase. These percentages change based on which plan you select.

Basic Shopify:

Credit card processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30

Fee for transactions if you do not use Shopify Payments 2 percent

Shopify:

The processing cost for credit card transactions: 2.6% + $0.30

Transaction fee if not using Shopify Payments: 1%

Advanced Shopify:

The processing cost for credit card transactions: 2.4% + $0.30

Charge for transaction if you don't use Shopify Payments: 0.5%

Price: $29 -- $299/month. Shopify offers three plans. The monthly cost is plus the costs that are listed below.

Etsy

Many shoppers use Etsy to buy unique and handmade merchandise. Etsy is known as the place to buy custom, vintage, and quirky items created by individuals as well as small-scale businesses.

Etsy has more than 400 million daily visitors , which is a lot of eyeballs on your products. Additionally, they have a strong marketplace that allows you to sell your items and be discovered by prospective buyers.

Plus side:

Etsy is an established brand name, which will instil trust among consumers.

On your shop page, it is possible to subdivide your merchandise into categories that will help you organize your products and discoverability.

Etsy has an intuitive seller dashboard that lets you read reviews, send messages to customers, create coupons, and also offer discount coupons.

It's an excellent platform to sell items like art, templates, presets as well as vectors, fonts and other creative works.

To the other hand:

Etsy is designed to allow sellers to sell physical items as well as digital items. Make sure to clearly state on your listing that the items are digital in order to avoid confusion.

Although listing your product on the Etsy marketplace can be a great perk, there's lots of competition, and products in popular categories could get lost.

Etsy has many features

Accessibility Easy to use: 4 out of 5. Etsy has adjusted to the world of digital products well. You can set up your shop in an afternoon, and adding products can be as easy as filling out the description form, uploading your product images and then adding them to the site and pushing the button to publish.

Functionality 3.0 out of 5. The good thing about Etsy the possibility of selling various file types, but you can only upload up to five files per item. The maximum file size is 20MB for each file, this might restrict some creators.

Support 3 stars out of 5. One thing is that Etsy has a great creator community that allows you to inquire about issues. Sellers can also access detailed help documents and a seller handbook.

However, Etsy support is only available through the email. Right now, there's an average turnaround of 1-2 days, which isn't great for urgent requests.

Marketing Rating: 4/5. Etsy has some appealing marketing options for sellers. Although other platforms might provide the ability to sell on a market, none of them have Etsy's presence. Etsy.

It can be a battle to the death However, you can bring in serious customers to your products. In fact, there are other third-party tools for keyword research designed specifically for Etsy search rankings. Etsy additionally offers the option of advertising that sellers can avail.

Transaction costs: 2 out of 5. There are a few fees to know about in selling items on Etsy. First, you'll pay the $0.20 cost for listing each product you sell in your shop. The listing can be in use for four months or until it sells.

When you sell a product that you sell, you'll be charged a five per cent transaction fee along with a percent plus $0.25 payment processing cost.

Price Free -- 10 bucks per month. Making an Etsy shop is free, but it costs $0.20 for listing a product as well as other transaction charges.

Simple Digital Downloads

It's specially designed to sell digital goods, however it needs some additional lifting to achieve the same functions as some of the different systems listed here.

On the upside:

EDD is an excellent choice if you have an existing WordPress site and want to continue to integrate your product inside the WordPress ecosystem.

It's also a great option for those who are looking for more advanced customizations. However, keep your eyes on the fact that you'll have to have a good understanding of writing code and working with.

The downside

To get all the features you need to sell digital downloads you'll have to make use of extensions as well as integrations with other applications.

Additional enhancements and integrations may have their own costs and technical issues.

Simple Digital Downloads comes with features

Accessibility 3.5% ease of entry. If you're comfortable with WordPress and have already uploaded plugins in the past the process of setting up EDD will go like normal. If you've never used WordPress it's not the most effective tool as you'll need to master two different interfaces.

Functionality: 3 out of five. In EDD, you can sell any file you can upload onto WordPress. This gives you a wide selection, however be aware of your bandwidth on your host when you plan to offer large-scale products.

Like we've said, EDD can be linked to other tools from third parties to provide more capabilities. It's extremely customizable, however, managing multiple systems is complicated.

It's typically best for those who want to build and maintain their own sales setup. The building blocks are good but the real question is: would you like to build the work?

Support: 2 stars out five. EDD offers customer support through a ticket system, and the live chat isn't available. Priority customer support is available for plans with higher tiers.

One thing to keep in mind is that in the event that you experience problems with the integration, it could be necessary to reach out to their support team also. It can result in frustrating back-and-forth conversations.

Marketing: 2.5 out of 5. Out of the box, EDD offers coupons and discounts, as well as a useful shopping cart feature.

With extensions, you are able to flesh out your marketing suite by including affiliates, emails, star reviews, cross-selling, and upselling Some of these integrations are only accessible on plans with higher tiers.

First, you'll need to set up an existing WordPress website, which comes with domain and hosting charges. You'll also have fees for any integrations with premium pricing you want to make use of.

Price is: $999/year for free. The base EDD plugin is free. If you'd like to add more features, you'll need to purchase them separately and upgrade to a premium package to get all the features.

Gumroad

Gumroad is an online platform on which creators can sell digital downloads of various dimensions and shapes. Over the past decade, Gumroad creators have collectively made more than $500 million from selling online-based products.

It's easy to use and a popular option for makers, but is it your best option? Let's dive into the pros and cons.

Here's where Gumroad excels:

Gumroad allows you to get started, and you can sell pretty much any kind of product imaginable, including physical items if you choose.

The platform is free for everyone to use; you'll be only charged for transaction costs in the event that you've made a sale. This is nice if you're not sure about selling digital items and wish to experiment before committing to using a premium tool.

Creators have access to Gumroad Discover which is a marketplace on which prospective buyers can search for the products you offer.

Here are a few Gumroad negatives:

The customization options aren't as extensive on your product pages as well as checkout pages. It's difficult to make an ordinary sales page and you don't have a website builder.

Even though it's not expensive to sign up, it is expensive to pay transaction charges on each sale. It's fine when you're first starting out, but as you scale, it could seriously take away your profits.

Gumroad has

Easy to use Ease of entry: 4/5. Setting up products on Gumroad is easy and intuitive. You can publish your first list in just a couple of minutes, and you'll be ready to start selling.

Function: 4.5 out of 5. Gumroad is a great platform for selling products. Gumroad, you can sell physical and digital products, as well as, memberships, product variations, and rentals. Additionally, you can choose when you will release your items, provide the keys to license if selling software and also sell subscriptions.

If you purchase paid-for products the file size limit of 16GB. If you purchase free versions the limit for file size is 250MB. Each product can include as many files as you want.

Customer Support 2.5 from 5. Gumroad has a resource library with helpful articles and videos. There's neither live chat nor phone support, so the most effective option to reach them to inquire about specific issues is via their contact email.

Marketing Rating: 4/5. In the marketing department, Gumroad's affiliate marketing system is a savior. If you plan to use affiliate marketing in conjunction with your product, Gumroad lets you set the affiliate marketing system for you at no cost with their easy-to-use system.

Gumroad is also able to provide a number of integrations, allowing you to connect your email marketing tools and also the Zapier integration.

Transaction charges: 2.5 out of 5. There are transaction costs that range between 9% and 2.9 percentage in this area, it is where Gumroad has the greatest loss of points. The fees for transactions decreases the more you sell, but it's an expensive price for younger creators. Additionally, you pay an additional $0.30 cost for each sale.

Gumroad offers weekly cash payouts so long as you've met a $10 USD threshold.

Price: Free and Charges. There's no recurring cost per month, however there are transaction charges based on your number of annual transactions.

What should you look out for when deciding where to sell digital downloads

Every creator is unique. This is why it's important to have choices when choosing the software that will run your company.

If you have a secure digital download platform by your side, you'll be on your way to an improved product lineup and endless earning potential.