Selling Digital Products on WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selling digital products is one of the best ways to monetize a WordPress site. Unlike physical products, digital products require no shipping, have lower overhead costs, and can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs. If you want to generate passive income, setting up a digital product store on WordPress is a great option.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best types of digital products to sell, how to set up a WordPress store, and tips for maximizing sales.

Why Sell Digital Products?

Digital products are an excellent source of income because:

• No inventory management – You don’t have to store or restock products.

• High-profit margins – There are minimal production and delivery costs.

• Scalability – Once created, a digital product can be sold to an unlimited number of customers.

• Automated sales – Customers can instantly download their purchases.

Best Digital Products to Sell on WordPress

Not sure what to sell? Here are some profitable digital product ideas:

1. E-books – Great for bloggers and content creators.

2. Online courses – Teach skills through video or text-based lessons.

3. Printables – Planners, worksheets, checklists, or templates.

4. Photography & stock images – High-quality visuals for designers and marketers.

5. Music & sound effects – Ideal for musicians or sound designers.

6. Graphic design assets – Logos, icons, fonts, and website themes.

7. Software & plugins – Custom-built WordPress plugins, themes, or scripts.

How to Set Up a WordPress Store for Digital Products

Step 1: Choose the Right Plugin

To sell digital products, you need an eCommerce plugin that allows instant downloads and secure payments. Here are the best options:

• Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) – Specifically built for selling digital products.

• WooCommerce – A versatile eCommerce plugin that supports both digital and physical products.

• MemberPress – Best for selling digital memberships or subscriptions.

Step 2: Install and Configure Your Plugin

Using Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)

1. Install Easy Digital Downloads from the WordPress plugin directory.

2. Go to Downloads > Settings to configure payment gateways.

3. Enable PayPal, Stripe, or other payment options.

4. Add a new product by going to Downloads > Add New.

5. Upload your digital file and set the price.

6. Publish your product and start selling!

Using WooCommerce

1. Install WooCommerce from the WordPress plugin directory.

2. Go to WooCommerce > Settings and enable digital product sales.

3. Configure payment methods (PayPal, Stripe, etc.).

4. Add a new product under Products > Add New.

5. Set the product type to Digital/Downloadable and upload your file.

6. Publish and share the product link with your audience.

Step 3: Secure Your Digital Products

To prevent unauthorized access or piracy, consider these security measures:

• Use expiring download links (available in EDD and WooCommerce).

• Add license keys for software products.

• Watermark PDFs or images to prevent unauthorized sharing.

• Limit the number of downloads per purchase.

Best Payment Gateways for Selling Digital Products

Your store needs a secure and reliable way to accept payments. The most common options are:

• PayPal – A widely used payment processor.

• Stripe – Allows customers to pay with credit or debit cards.

• Apple Pay & Google Pay – Good for mobile-friendly transactions.

• Cryptocurrency payments – Accept Bitcoin or Ethereum via plugins like CoinGate.

Marketing Tips to Increase Sales

Once your store is set up, use these strategies to attract buyers and boost revenue:

1. Optimize for SEO

• Use relevant keywords in product titles and descriptions.

• Write blog posts related to your digital products and link to your store.

• Optimize images and alt text for search engines.

2. Offer Discounts & Bundles

• Create limited-time offers to encourage urgency.

• Bundle multiple products together at a discounted price.

• Use promo codes to attract first-time buyers.

3. Leverage Email Marketing

• Build an email list and send exclusive product updates.

• Offer free lead magnets (e.g., a free guide or sample) in exchange for email subscriptions.

• Send automated follow-up emails to potential customers who abandoned their cart.

4. Promote on Social Media

• Share product previews, testimonials, and promotions.

• Use Facebook and Instagram ads to target potential buyers.

• Engage in niche forums or Facebook groups related to your product.

5. Use Affiliate Marketing

• Create an affiliate program to allow influencers to promote your products.

• Offer a commission for every sale they generate.

• Use a plugin like AffiliateWP to track affiliate sales.

Conclusion

Selling digital products on WordPress is an excellent way to generate passive income. With the right tools, secure payment options, and a strong marketing strategy, you can turn your WordPress site into a profitable online business. Start by choosing a niche, creating high-quality products, and using plugins like EDD or WooCommerce to streamline the sales process.