Selling digital products is one of the smartest ways to earn online income—no inventory, no shipping, and 24/7 availability. But for many creators and personal brands, there’s one big question that stops everything before it starts: “How do I actually set up a website to sell my digital products?”
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re a designer selling templates, a coach offering ebooks, or a musician launching sample packs, building a simple, clean, and trustworthy website is key to turning your digital product into a real revenue stream. And good news—you don’t need to hire an expensive developer or know how to code.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create a website that’s ready to start making sales—from choosing the right platform to integrating payment and email tools like MailDrip.io, so your store not only works but grows.
Why Selling Digital Products Online is Worth It
Before diving into the technical steps, let’s talk about why this matters.
Digital products are one of the most cost-effective ways to sell online. You create once and sell forever—no packaging, shipping, or physical logistics. That means higher profit margins and lower overhead.
Plus, your audience is already online. People are used to buying downloadable products, and they love the convenience. If you’re not offering something they can instantly buy or access, you’re likely leaving money on the table.
But none of that works without a good website.
Your website acts as your digital storefront. It’s where people land, browse your offerings, and decide to trust you with their payment info. If your website looks sketchy, slow, or confusing—no matter how great your product is—your sales will suffer.
How Do I Create a Website To Sell Digital Products?
Let’s break it down into manageable steps, whether you’re building from scratch or starting with a simple template.
1. Choose a Platform That Supports Digital Sales
There are a lot of website builders out there. For selling digital products, look for a platform that offers:
- Easy checkout for digital products
- File delivery automation (so customers get their download instantly)
- Integration with email marketing tools
- Custom branding options
Here are a few beginner-friendly options:
- Shopify (with digital download apps)
- Payhip
- Gumroad
- Squarespace (Commerce plan)
- WordPress + Easy Digital Downloads plugin
If you already have a following and want something quick and low-cost, Payhip or Gumroad are great starting points. For full control and scalability, go with WordPress + Easy Digital Downloads.
2. Buy a Domain Name
Even if you’re using Gumroad or Payhip, it helps to have your own domain name. Something like yourbrand.com builds trust and looks more professional than a subdomain.
You can buy one through:
Tip: Keep it short, clear, and brandable.
3. Set Up a Simple, Clear Website Layout
At the very least, your site should include:
- Home Page – Brief intro and highlight your top product(s)
- Product Page – Detailed info, previews, benefits, and pricing
- About Page – Share your story, why you created the product, and who it’s for
- Contact Page – So people can reach you if something goes wrong
Keep your design clean. Don’t overthink it. Use colors and fonts that reflect your personality or brand.
4. Add Payment Processing
You need a way to collect payments. Most platforms (like Shopify or Gumroad) already come with Stripe or PayPal integration. If you’re using WordPress, you can connect WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads to Stripe or PayPal.
Make sure your checkout is:
- Mobile-friendly
- Simple (no unnecessary fields)
- Trustworthy-looking (SSL certificate + clear refund policy)
5. Deliver the Digital Product Automatically
Once someone pays, they should get the product instantly—no waiting, no manual sending.
Most platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, or Shopify apps handle this for you automatically. For WordPress, plugins like Easy Digital Downloads or WooCommerce Digital Products will do the job.
Pro tip: Offer different formats (PDF, MP3, ZIP, etc.) and consider adding bonus files to increase value.
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6. Build an Email List From Day One
This is where MailDrip.io shines.
Getting traffic to your website is hard. But getting someone back after they’ve left? Even harder. That’s why email is key. When visitors subscribe to your email list, you get another chance to build trust and nudge them toward buying.
MailDrip.io makes it easy to:
- Collect emails from your website
- Set up automated welcome sequences
- Send product updates or launch announcements
- Stay top-of-mind without being spammy
Even better? You can schedule your emails to go out daily, weekly, or monthly with our Pay As You Go model. No bloated monthly fees. Just pay for what you send.
Need help writing those emails? MailDrip also offers templates you can tweak and send in minutes.
7. Use Drip Campaigns to Sell Without Being Pushy
Once you have someone on your email list, you don’t need to hard-sell. Instead, use a drip campaign—automated emails spaced over a few days or weeks—to guide them naturally from interest to purchase.
Here’s a sample sequence:
- Day 1: “Hey, I made this just for you” (introduce your product)
- Day 3: “Here’s what people are saying” (add social proof or testimonials)
- Day 5: “Behind the scenes” (share the creation process or your story)
- Day 7: “Special offer ending soon” (include a time-limited deal)
With MailDrip.io, you can build these sequences visually—no tech headaches.
8. Add Testimonials and Social Proof
People want to know your product works. Add:
- Reviews from early buyers
- Screenshots of happy customers
- Sales stats (if impressive)
- Trust badges (like “30-day refund guarantee”)
Even one or two quotes from real people can boost your conversion rate.
9. Track, Test, Improve
Once your site is live, keep an eye on how people interact with it.
Use tools like:
- Google Analytics – To track page views and bounce rates
- Hotjar – To see where people click or scroll
- MailDrip.io Reports – To see how your emails are performing
Improve what’s not working. Keep what is.
FAQs
1. Do I need to register a business to sell digital products?
Not always, but it depends on your country. It’s best to check local tax laws. For small creators, many platforms handle sales tax automatically.
2. Can I sell on Instagram or TikTok without a website?
Yes, but a website adds trust and lets you collect emails. You can link from your social profiles directly to your website or product page.
3. How does MailDrip.io help me sell more?
By letting you schedule automated drip campaigns, collect emails from your website, and send follow-ups—all without a full-blown marketing team.
4. What types of digital products sell best?
Templates, ebooks, online courses, printables, stock photos, music samples, and tools for other creators. Think about what you know that others might pay for.
Final Thoughts
Creating a website to sell digital products doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Start with what you have. Choose a simple platform. Add your product. Collect emails. Build relationships through helpful emails—and grow from there.
With tools like MailDrip.io, you’re not just building a website. You’re building a system that sells for you, even when you’re asleep.
Want help setting up your email funnel?
Get started with MailDrip.io today—no pressure, no commitment. Just simple email automation that works for creators.
So, what kind of digital product are you planning to sell first?
