A digital product is a great way to make some extra money on the side. But where do you start? What kind of product should you create? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll give you a few tips on how to create a digital product + a value-packed list of product ideas.
What is a Digital Product?
A digital product is a product that is delivered electronically. This could be anything from an e-book or an online course to software or a mobile app. Basically, if it can be delivered digitally, it counts as a digital product.
Why Create a Digital Product?
There are a few reasons you might want to create a digital product:
1. To make some extra money.
2. To build your brand or personal platform.
3. To help people solve a problem they have.
4. To share your knowledge and expertise with the world.
Selling digital products is the ultimate business model for work-at-home solopreneurs. By creating licensable digital assets, you can earn residual income while you sleep! Passive income requires massive action before it can become passive.
Digital products are often better than physical products because:
1. Low startup costs. There are no inventory or shipping costs.
2. They can be delivered instantly to customers all over the world.
3. They’re often less expensive to produce than physical products.
4. You can sell them over and over again with no additional production costs.
5. It’s easy to track and measure sales, customers, and other important data.
6. No need for storage space
7. Low ongoing costs = higher profits
What Kind of Digital Product Should You Create?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to digital products. But not all products are created equal. Some digital products are more likely to sell than others. When choosing what kind of product to create, consider these factors:
1. Your niche or target market. Create a buyer persona.
2. The needs of your target market.
3. Your own skills and expertise.
4. The time and effort required to create the product.
5. The potential profitability of the product.
6. Whether there is already a lot of competition in the market for the product.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of what kind of product you want to create.
Steps to Creating a Digital Product
While the internet has made it easier than ever to sell products, it can be hard to know where to start. With so many options available, it’s important to choose a digital product that is both unique and in demand. By following these steps, you’ll be creating digital products that people will actually want to buy.
1. Define your target audience.
Defining your ideal customer persona is key to creating successful digital products. You may have the best product in the world, but if you don’t know who your ideal audience is, you’ll never be successful. That’s because businesses only Thrive when they give people what they want—and people only want products that solve their specific problems.
As an entrepreneur, it’s tempting to think that everyone is your potential customer. But that’s just not realistic. There are billions of people in the world, and not all of them have the same needs or wants. Trying to appeal to everyone is a surefire way to fail.
Instead, you need to focus on a specific group of people—those who are most likely to buy your product or service. This process starts with identifying your ideal customer. Who are they? What do they need? Why would they need your product?
There are a few different ways to find your target customer. The first is through market research. This can be done by conducting surveys or interviews with potential customers.
You can also look at demographic data like age, gender, location, and income level. Once you have a good understanding of who you are trying to reach, you can start creating content and marketing messages that speak directly to them.
Another way to find your ideal customer is through social media listening. This involves using tools like Hootsuite or Brandwatch to track mentions of your brand or product online.
This can give you valuable insights into how people are talking about your business and what kinds of problems they’re trying to solve. You can use this information to adjust your marketing strategy accordingly.
Finally, and this one is my favorite, you can use website Analytics to track who’s visiting your website and what kinds of things they’re interested in. I use Clicky analytics.
This data can help you understand who your goal audience is and what kinds of products or services they’re looking for. By understanding more about them, you can create a digital product that they’ll love—and that will make you money.
2. Find a niche
After you’ve defined your target audience, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of product or service you can offer them. This is where niche markets come in.
A niche market is a group of people with specific needs or wants that are not being met by the mainstream market. When it comes to digital products, this could be anything from an eBook on a specific topic to a software program that solves a unique problem.
The key to finding a successful niche market is to identify a group of people who are passionate about a particular topic. This can be done by visiting forums, social media groups, or online communities related to your industry.
Once you’ve found a group of people who are passionate about a particular topic, you can start to assess what kinds of problems they’re trying to solve. This will give you some ideas for products or services that you can offer them.
For example, let’s say you’re in the fitness industry (broad niche). After some research, you find a group of people who are passionate about CrossFit (sub-niche).
3. Identify the problem you’re solving for your target audience.
You then take a look at the kinds of problems they’re trying to solve and find that many of them are struggling to stay fit while working full-time jobs.
This gives you an idea for a digital product that could help them—an eBook with tips on how to stay fit while working a full-time job. By finding a niche market and understanding the kinds of problems they’re trying to solve, you can create a digital product that meets their needs and that they’ll be willing to pay for.
Let’s look at another example. Let’s say you’re in the business coaching industry (broad niche). After some research, you find a group of people who are passionate about social media marketing (sub-niche).
You then take a look at the kinds of problems they’re trying to solve and find that many of them are struggling to get more followers on Instagram. This gives you an idea for a digital product that could help them—an eBook with tips on how to get more followers on Instagram.
4. Research what’s already out there.
Once you’ve identified a problem that your target audience is facing, it’s time to start researching what kind of solutions are already out there. To research what’s already out there, you can do a simple Google search or visit Amazon.com. You can also search for blog posts, articles, and tutorials on the topic.
If you find that there are already a lot of products out there that solve the problem you’ve identified, don’t be discouraged. This just means that you’ll need to make your product stand out in some way.
One way to do this is by offering a more comprehensive solution. For example, if there are already a lot of eBooks out there on social media marketing, you could create an eBook that includes templates, worksheets, and case studies in addition to tips and tricks.
Another way to make your product stand out is by offering it at a lower price point. If there are already a lot of expensive products out there that solve the problem you’ve identified, you could create a cheaper product that does the same thing.
The important thing is to research what’s already out there and to find a way to make your product unique.
5. Choose a format for your product.
Once you’ve decided on a product idea, it’s time to choose a format for your product. This will depend on the type of product you’re creating.
If you’re creating an eBook, you’ll need to decide whether you want to create a PDF or an Amazon Kindle book. If you’re creating a software program, you’ll need to decide whether you want to create a web-based application or a desktop application.
The format you choose should be based on your target audience’s needs and preferences. For example, if you’re targeting busy people who are always on the go, an eBook in PDF format would be more convenient for them than an Amazon Kindle book.
Choose a format for your product that will make it easy for your target audience to consume and that meets their needs.
6. Create your product.
Creating a digital product doesn’t need to be expensive. Using a platform like Canva, you can easily create an eBook, checklist, or video presentation for free. You may want to upgrade to Canva Pro for the extra features.
Take a look at the ideas below that can help inspire you to create your own digital product. Remember, the sky’s the limit—if you can dream it, you can create it!
26 Digital Product Ideas
While you may not automatically know the right format or product to create for your business, there are many ideas in digital product creation that can help get you started. But choosing profitable digital products is not always easy.
To help you on your journey, we’ve compiled a list of 26 digital product ideas, complete with an explanation of what they are, what format they come in, and how they can be used to make money online.
1. eBooks
eBooks are digital books that can be downloaded and read on electronic devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. They are typically shorter than traditional print books and are often used to teach a specific lesson or provide information on a particular topic.
Find the pain points of your customer and create an eBook that promises to solve their problems. For example, if you’re targeting new entrepreneurs, you could create an eBook on how to start and grow a successful business.
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2. Online Courses
Online courses are digital products that can be accessed online and typically include a series of video lessons, downloadable resources, and quizzes or assignments. They are often used to teach a specific skill or provide information on a particular topic.
For example, when I launched my digital marketing course on Teachable, I made $30,000 per month for the first couple of years before I started working on other projects. After that, I sold individual evergreen courses ranging from $99 to $995, as well as free courses to build my database.
3. Membership Sites
Membership sites are websites that offer exclusive content, resources, and/or access to a community of like-minded people for a monthly or annual fee. Creating a membership site is a great way to generate recurring revenue, build a tribe of loyal followers, and create valuable content that people are willing to pay for.
4. Software Programs
Software programs are computer programs that can be downloaded and installed on electronic devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. These are profitable digital products that can be created by independent developers and sold on online marketplaces like the App Store and Google Play.
5. Plugins
Plugins are software programs that can be installed on web-based platforms like WordPress and Shopify. They are used to add specific features or functionality to a website or online store.
6. Themes
Themes are digital products that can be installed on web-based platforms like WordPress and Shopify. They are used to change the appearance or design of a website or online store.
7. Graphics
Graphics are digital images that can be used on websites, social media platforms, and in email marketing campaigns. Different formats of graphics include PNG, JPG, GIF, and EPS for example.
8. Templates
Templates are digital products that can be used to create documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Take a look at your competitor’s products and see if you can improve on what they are offering or tap into a niche market.
9. Checklists
Checklists are digital products that can be used to track progress, measure results, and organize information. Often task-oriented, checklists can be used for personal or business purposes. For example, a wedding planner could create a digital checklist for couples to use as they plan their big day.
10. Printables
Printables are digital products that can be printed and used offline. They are often used to help people stay organized or to provide information on a particular topic.
11. Workbooks
Workbooks are digital products that can be used to track progress, measure results, and organize information. You can create high-quality products with canva or other free alternatives. You may need to upgrade your software for copyright-free stock photos and other quality content.
12. Resource Guides
Resource guides are digital products that can be used to find information on a particular topic. For example, a resource guide on starting a business could include a list of business resources, templates, and checklists.
13. Tip Sheets
Tip sheets are digital products that can be used to find information on a particular topic. For example, a tip sheet on social media marketing could include a list of social media platforms, tips for creating content, and templates.
14. Tutorial or Step by Step Guide
Tutorials are digital products that can be used to find information on a particular topic. For example, a tutorial on search engine optimization could include a list of SEO tips and resources. The tutorial could be a one-time video view or access to a playback presentation.
An excellent example of a step-by-step guide or tutorial is a recipe. People love to find new recipes online and will often pay for access to a digital cookbook or video tutorial.
You’ll often see these comprehensive guides titled “The ultimate guide to X”. They address specific challenges for a small audience and are packed with how-to instructions and resources.
I love Scribe How for creating a step-by-step tutorial with screenshots from a single computer recording.
15. Webinars
Webinars are digital products that can be used to find information on a particular topic. I once made $20,000 in a single day selling tickets to a 4-hour webinar.
If you have an existing audience and want to sell digital products, webinars are a great option. You can also use webinars to grow your email list or social media following.
16. Reports
Reports can be digital products that you sell through your online business. These could be research-based, or they could be based on your own observations and data.
17. Journals and Planners
Creating low-content books like journals, workbooks, and planners is a great way to break into the world of digital product creation. These are products that people use on a daily or weekly basis, which means they’re more likely to be used and appreciated.
Journals and planners are popular digital products to sell on Amazon. You can create a journal on any topic, from mindful living to pregnancy and new motherhood.
18. Subscription Content
One digital product idea I’m a fan of is subscription content. This could be a content-based membership site, where people pay to access your archives of blog posts, podcasts, or videos. Or it could be a service-based subscription, like a weekly or monthly coaching call.
I once launched a 6-week Keto challenge that brought in $10,000 per month for a year based on the subscription content that I sent out over drip email.
19. Photos
If you’re a photographer, you can sell your photos as digital products. This could be through an online marketplace like Etsy, or you could create your own website to sell your photos.
20. Youtube Membership
If you have a popular Youtube channel, you can charge people to become members and access exclusive content. This could be videos, live streams, or behind-the-scenes footage. You’ll need to join the Youtube Partner program.
21. Powerpoint Templates
People are willing to pay for high-quality, professional Powerpoint templates. If you have experience with design, this could be a great digital product to create. You can use Canva to create templates.
22. Lead Magnets
When I was first starting on Pinterest, I bought lead magnets from creators on Creative Market. These are digital products that you give away for free in exchange for an email address. They’re a great way to grow your email list quickly.
23. Newsletters
If you have a larger audience, you could start charging for access to your newsletter. This could be a weekly or monthly email that includes exclusive content, coupons, and behind-the-scenes information.
24. Audio Content
If you have a popular podcast, you can charge people to access your archives of audio content. This could be through a subscription service like Patreon, or you could sell access to individual episodes. You could sell narration versions of audiobooks on Audible, or make sounds to sell on platforms like Pond5. Audio digital content creation is a great way to make money as a creator that wants to sell online.
25. Video Courses
If you’re an expert on a particular topic, you can create a video course to sell online. This could be a series of videos that people can watch at their own pace. A personal trainer, for example, could create a video course on how to lose weight and get in shape.
You could create a gym space in your home, and commit to working out for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week with on-demand videos.
26. Sticker Designs
If you’re a designer or illustrator, you can sell your designs as stickers so that people can create a home using a printer like a Cricut. This is a great way to get your work out there, and it’s a low-cost product to produce. You can sell your stickers on Etsy or Redbubble.
The highest-earning Etsy Seller for a 30-day time period is AcornandCrowStudio which specialized in sticker sales. So if you want to eventually turn your digital product into a physical product, they would be an excellent business model to follow.
Launching a Digital Products eCommerce Store
If you want to sell digital products, you need to have a place to sell them. The best way to do this is to create your own digital products eCommerce store. This will give you complete control over your business, and it will allow you to build a relationship with your customers.
There are a few ideas that you can use to create a digital products eCommerce store:
1. Use an eCommerce platform like Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce.
2. Use a marketplace like Etsy, Creative Market, or Gumroad.
3. Create your own website using WordPress and an eCommerce plugin.
I recommend using an eCommerce platform like Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce depending on the niche where you create digital products.
These platforms are easy to use, and they’ll give you everything you need to sell digital products online. Plus, they have built-in features that will make it easy to accept payments and manage your business.
If you decide to use an eCommerce platform to sell products in a digital format, here are a few tips:
1. Choose a platform that’s easy to use. You don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to set up your store.
2. Make sure the platform has all the features you need. For example, if you want to offer subscriptions, make sure the platform you choose can handle that.
3. Compare pricing plans before you commit to one. You don’t want to overspend on your eCommerce store.
4. Read reviews from other users. This will give you a good idea of what to expect from the platform.
How to Create a Digital Product
In closing, creating digital products is a great way to make money online. And, as you can see, there are a number of different types of products that you can create. So, if you’re feeling stuck on what to create, I hope this list has given you some ideas.
