Ultimate Guide to Selling Etsy Digital Downloads
In recent years, there have been more opportunities to make money online, and many remote entrepreneurs have been flocking to Etsy to sell digital products.
If you are not familiar with Etsy, it is an eCommerce platform that focuses on vintage items, handmade crafts, and Etsy digital downloads.
Many creators have discovered that selling digital downloads on Etsy can help them generate new income streams and create content similar to Creative Market, 99Designs, and Fiverr.
Although Etsy is best known for handcrafted goods, you can still make a great income by offering Etsy digital downloads.
Blogging tools, worksheet templates, calendars, and other marketing materials are already sold on Etsy, which can only mean that there is a demand, and will allow you to confidently start selling digital downloads on Etsy.
If you’re ready to dive into creating digital products, we have provided more information below that will help you become successful on Etsy.
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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Table of Contents
The Benefits of Selling on Etsy
From logos to marketing graphics, Etsy is a great platform to offer and start creating digital products.
Many entrepreneurs and creators want to save time, so they are willing to spend on templates that will make their lives easier.
With millions of customers on the platform per year, you are bound to sell digital products that are in demand.
There is Potential to Earn Big Money
Like any other business, the money does not always come instantly – but if you do the right market research, then you will be able to offer Etsy digital downloads that sell.
It is important to understand that just because you have a great product idea, does not mean there will be customers lining up to buy.
In order to be successful with your Etsy digital products, you have to understand what type of items are selling.
One way that you can find out which digital products on Etsy are selling is to look for your biggest competitors and see which items are their best sellers.
This strategy will allow you to find out if there is a real demand and if there is potential for income.
Remember, you do not have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to put your own personal touch on products that are already doing well.
You Can Create Passive Income by Selling Digital Products on Etsy
The beauty of selling digital downloads on Etsy is that it can be almost completely hands-off.
Since your products are digital, you do not need to pack and ship. You can allow your customers to automatically download your content with no extra work from you!
This means, as long as you are offering the right digital products on Etsy, you will be selling and creating income passively!
In short, Etsy is the kind of marketplace that truly holds a lot of potential for creating passive income streams.
Best Practices When Selling Etsy Digital Downloads
Sell with a Goal in Mind
One of the most important questions to ask before you start selling is, what Etsy Digital products can I offer that will actually sell?
Remember, in order to become successful on this platform you have to do your market research and understand what people actually want to buy.
So, make sure to strategize and understand your ideal customers, know what is selling from your competitors and provide your own personal touch to the product to make yourself stand out.
Be part of the Etsy Community
Selling Etsy digital downloads on this platform can seem lonely and confusing, especially when you are just beginning.
Luckily, Etsy is a platform with a genuinely helpful and supportive community.
Etsy loves supporting its sellers and has even created the Etsy Community where sellers can connect with others and learn how to grow their businesses.
They offer forums for specific niches where you can join the conversation. This is where you can connect with newbies and seasoned sellers to learn and share expertise.
So make sure to take advantage of this opportunity and learn before and while you sell!
Familiarize Yourself with the Basics of Business
Creativity is one of the most critical aspects of being an Etsy seller, but it’s not the only factor determining your success. It would help if you were business-savvy too.
Being successful on Etsy is more than just finding the product and selling it on the platform.
You also have to take into account the different overhead costs, how to price your items accordingly, and how to market effectively.
Aside from the tasks above, you will also need to familiarize yourself with opening up your Etsy store and follow any laws that apply to you as a small business owner.
Although it may seem a bit overwhelming, do not let this stop you from selling digital downloads on Etsy and potentially earn passive income!
Learn to Market Your Etsy Digital Products
Think your amazing digital product will sell itself? Well, think again friend!
Unless you already have a ton of existing customers that will follow you on Etsy, you will have to learn how to get yourself out there.
Which means letting people know what you are selling and why they should buy your amazing products.
A few ways that you can market your Etsy digital products is by:
Sharing your Etsy digital downloads on social media.
Social media can be highly effective if you know how to market your products. And this doesn’t mean just sharing a link to your product. You have to be more clever!
Try doing contests, giveaways, or clever memes to make your store and items standout.
Pitching your shop to similar niched blogs.
One of the best ways to market your digital downloads on Etsy is by collaborating with bloggers whose audience would love your products.
In order to do this, you have to familiarize yourself with the top blogs in your niche and start pitching.
You can even provide them with incentives such as affiliate codes or links so they can also earn income from your products, which will make it a win-win for both parties!
Be part of an Etsy Team
Success can be a long and lonely road if you do not have the right support. Etsy has made it easy for its sellers to connect with each other through their Etsy teams, where the community can connect with one another.
Being a part of the community, you can find and share tips as well as attend local events and meetups with other sellers who can show you how to market effectively.
Top Selling Etsy Digital Downloads
Now that you are familiar with the Etsy platform, it is time to decide on the best digital products to sell.
Below are some of the best-selling digital products that could be perfect for you!
1. Printable Wall Art
The first item on our Etsy digital downloads list is printable wall art. Home decor is a popular niche for any Etsy seller, that is why selling printable wall art is one of the best selling digital products on Etsy.
Printable wall art is diverse, and you can design for different niches like nursery-themed art, bathroom wall décor, kitchen wall art, seasonal decors, party signs, wedding wall decors, photography, typographical works, illustrations, and even inspirational quotes.
With so many different options, you will always find new printable digital wall art to sell on Etsy.
2. Printable Planners
Think that printable planners are outdated? Think again!
There are still so many people who prefer writing down their plans and love seeing their calendars on the wall, instead of the screen.
Remember planners are not just calendars, you can create a wide variety of printable planners, such as chore organizers, meal plan trackers, fitness tracking journals, monthly planners, weekly planners, blogging calendars, brainstorming calendars, wedding planners, and so much more.
There is a great need for these organizers which makes printable planners a hot product on the Etsy marketplace.
3. Design Files and Clipart
Selling digital downloads on Etsy is more accessible with products like clipart and digital files that many entrepreneurs will be able to use.
Clipart are simple pictures and symbols that can be added to your documents and presentations. While design files can be used for print layouts and web designs.
We recommended creating specific and themed designs to attract the right buyers that will allow you to sell more digital downloads on Etsy.
4. Coloring Books/Coloring Pages
Coloring books are no longer just for kids, you can make a lot of income by selling coloring pages on Etsy.
Many adults have rediscovered the stress-relieving effects of coloring books.
Since not everyone knows how to sketch or create original art, they can instead buy coloring pages and print them out to have a healthy outlet from daily stress.
5. Creative Templates
The “fill in the blank” mentality has led people buying different templates on Etsy, including eBook templates, photo albums, PowerPoint slides, cover letters, forms, and resumes/CVs.
People who want to write ebooks, print books, and magazines are also interested in buying pre-made templates to make their work easier when their manuscripts are complete.
While these templates can be found using basic Google search, people who want their presentations or cover letters to stand out need more than just freebies online, so they look for experts selling digital downloads on Etsy.
This is where you come in! You can either provide them a unique and customizable template or you can personalize a design that will be based on your customers needs.
6. Digital Guides & eBooks
Despite having iTunes and Amazon, people still buy guides from Etsy. The ebooks on Etsy cover a wide range of topics such as psychology, fiction, business, food and health, skincare, DIY instructions and photography.
eBooks are also one of the best selling digital products on Etsy because people are always looking for ways to solve their problems with the help of experts and when google search is not enough.
So if you are an expert in a specific niche, why not share your knowledge and sell a digital product on Etsy?
7. Website Design Templates
Since more businesses are creating websites to market their content and products, many are flocking to marketplaces like Etsy to get inspiration for their sites.
WordPress and Squarespace templates are some of the bestselling digital products on Etsy for a reason.
While professional web design is still essential, design templates can help business owners save on costs as they begin their journey to creating their website.
Do you have a knack for creating website templates for dentists? How about pet grooming services? As a creative, you have complete freedom to choose the right niche for your templates.
Focus on the markets that you know best, and you will realize that there are many paying customers just waiting for website design templates in their markets.
There are countless success stories from Etsy members, so it is possible to make money from selling digital downloads on Etsy.
Etsy has proven to be a robust and evergreen eCommerce platform, and it just keeps getting better.
So if you are ready to start selling digital products on Etsy, go ahead and get started because your future customer is waiting for you.
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