Find Your Perfect Platform: Where to Sell Your Digital Products

Where to actually sell your digital products can feel SO overwhelming! There’s so much information online, not everything’s always clear and there’s just so many little odds and ends to think about.

As someone who’s been making digital products for a while now (and even made a course about it!) I wanted to give you my best advice on what’s really the best digital product platform for you.

Alot of finding the best platform has to do with you. There is absolutely no one best option for everyone! And the option you’ve heard about the most (like Etsy or Squarespace) might not really be the best option for you.

It really comes down to what exactly you’re looking for, plus how you wanna market and share your products.

So, let’s dive into eight popular platforms: Creative Market, Etsy, Gumroad, Podia, Squarespace, ThriveCart, Shopify, and Stan Store.

Creative Market

If you're looking for a large marketplace dedicated to digital assets and tools, Creative Market should be on your radar! It offers so many great opportunities to showcase your products to millions of customers. Additionally, they provide chances for one of your products to be given away for free, increasing your exposure.

Many customers specifically visit Creative Market for particular digital products, such as templates. So, it’s an amazing place to curate products for a specific audience that’s probably already looking for what you’re selling.

However, it's important to note that Creative Market has high commission fees, which can eat into your profits.

Plus, becoming a shop owner on Creative Market has become more challenging, especially if you don't already have an online shop with digital products. Applying to become a shop owner is necessary, and can definitely require some effort.

Etsy

Etsy is a popular worldwide marketplace known for its handmade and unique products. It can be an excellent platform for selling your digital products, too.

The potential to be featured on the front page or in Etsy's marketing channels for free is a major advantage. Such exposure can give your shop a tremendous boost and attract a large number of customers.

Additionally, Etsy offers advertising options to further promote your products.

It’s somewhere people are already browsing for downloads, which can be a big plus for you as you start out.

However, it's worth noting that Etsy has high fees, which can impact your profits. Plus, due to its popularity, the marketplace can be super saturated- which can mean a lot of copy cats.

Despite these challenges, Etsy might remain a good choice, especially if you have a strong brand and unique digital products to offer.

Gumroad

Gumroad stands out as a platform that allows you to sell your digital products both on their platform and embedded on your existing website. It offers versatile features such as simple memberships, subscriptions, and the "pay what you want" model, enabling you to cater to different customer preferences.

Gumroad imposes no monthly fees and allows unlimited product listings, giving you the freedom to sell various digital goods like courses, memberships, and more.

But, it's essential to note that Gumroad doesn't provide marketplace traffic, meaning you'll have to invest time and effort in your own marketing. While this might seem daunting, it also gives you the opportunity to build a strong brand presence and establish direct connections with your target audience.

Podia

Podia is a comprehensive platform that caters to digital product creators, particularly those looking to make online courses. It offers various features such as hosting unlimited files and videos, payment plans, upsells, quizzes, drip content, student comments, and more.

In addition to online courses, Podia allows you to sell digital downloads like eBooks, audiobooks, PDFs, and presets. The platform also provides community-building tools, webinars, email marketing features, messaging options, and even a custom website for your brand.

While Podia's sales page builder may not be as robust as some other platforms, it compensates by offering a comprehensive suite of marketing and engagement tools.

Similar to Gumroad, Podia does not provide marketplace traffic- so you’ll need to be your own greatest cheerleader. But, the platform's diverse features empower you to create a thriving online business and build a loyal customer base.

Squarespace

Squarespace, known for its user-friendly website builder, also offers an e-commerce solution for selling digital products. With Squarespace, organizing your shop is a breeze, thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop tool.

Plus, you can easily showcase and integrate your products into blog posts, enhancing their visibility. Setting up new digital products is a seamless process with Squarespace.

But, there’s a few limitations to consider. Squarespace lacks certain features such as adding an order bump or a thank you page after checkout. Product downloads expire after 24 hours, which might be an issue for some.

Plus, Squarespace does not provide a built-in affiliate management system, requiring you to handle affiliate programs independently.

It’s not inherently a storefront, and it’s not 100% what it’s built to do so it may look some tools you’re looking for. Squarespace is also another program that needs you to do your own marketing.

ThriveCart

ThriveCart is a platform designed to boost conversions and increase sales. With features like order bumps, upsells, and sales funnels, ThriveCart empowers you to create an optimized purchasing experience. You can easily implement one-click upsells, bump offers, trials, recurring payments, and more.

Eye-catching bump offers can increase your average order value, while high-converting funnels are designed to maximize conversions. ThriveCart also allows you to embed your cart anywhere to capture sales across different platforms.

On the downside, ThriveCart requires a strong commitment, as it doesn't offer a free trial and is best suited for those who plan to sell multiple products in the long run.

Plus, similar to Squarespace, ThriveCart doesn't provide marketplace traffic.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms, offering an amazing set of features for selling digital products. It provides an easy-to-use interface, making it accessible to beginners. With customizable templates and themes, you can create a unique store design that reflects your brand identity.

Shopify integrates seamlessly with so many third-party apps and services, allowing you to add additional functionality. The platform also boasts built-in fraud protection and provides powerful analytics to track sales and customer behavior.

While Shopify offers many advantages, it's important to consider the monthly subscription fees, which can add up for smaller businesses or those just starting out. Customization options may require coding knowledge or hiring a developer, depending on your desired level of customization.

Additionally, if you choose a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, you might get some additional transaction fees. But, this may be worth it compared to the commissions required by other platforms!

Stan Store

For creators looking for a simple and user-friendly platform, Stan Store may be the perfect choice. It offers a high level of customization and control over the look and feel of your store, allowing you to create a unique brand experience.

One major advantage of Stan Store is that it doesn’t charge any transaction fees, meaning you keep 100% of the revenue generated by your sales. The platform also allows you to offer both free and paid products and create memberships for recurring revenue. It’s also what I use currently!

As a newer platform, Stan Store may still have some bugs to work out and could benefit from further development. However, if you prioritize simplicity and revenue retention, Stan Store is worth exploring as it continues to evolve.

Choosing the right platform to sell your digital products is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business.

Squarespace, ThriveCart, Shopify, and Stan Store all offer distinct advantages and cater to different needs. Consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, fees, and marketing opportunities when making your decision.

Remember, finding the perfect platform is a journey. Take the time to explore each option, weigh the pros and cons, and align them with your specific goals and requirements.

Whichever platform you choose, with dedication and a sprinkle of creativity, you can effectively showcase and sell your digital products to a wide audience. Happy selling!

And if you’re looking for a quick way to see the best option for you, here’s a lil quiz I made to help you find the perfect place to sell!