Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission when you make a purchase through my links at no extra cost to you!

Creating your digital product is only step one. The real game-changer? Knowing exactly where to sell it.

Whether you're starting with one offer or building out a full digital shop, this guide breaks down the top platforms in an easy-to-follow format — so you can pick what works for your goals, niche, and budget.

If you’re new to selling digital products, don’t worry — this isn’t just another overwhelming list. Think of this as your beginner-friendly guide to understanding where your product can live, get noticed, and actually make sales. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the most popular platforms used by everyday people building their first digital income stream. Whether you're selling a planner, a guide, or something simple you made on Canva, you’ll learn what each platform offers, how it works, and which one might be the easiest and most profitable for you to start with.

💡 First, Let’s Break Down How Digital Products Are Usually Sold

Before we explore all the platforms, it’s important to understand the three main ways people sell digital products online. This will help you figure out which type of setup works best for you — whether you're starting with just one product or building out a full side hustle.

Understand the 3 Core Selling Models

1. Self-Hosted Platforms (Your Own Online Shop)

   This simply means you’re selling your product from your own website instead of using someone else’s platform. You choose the layout, upload your product, set the price, and connect a way for people to pay you.

   It’s kind of like having your own mini store online that’s fully yours — no rules from other platforms, no random account shutdowns, and no competing listings next to yours.

   ✅ You’re in full control of your pricing, design, and customer experience

   ✅ You can build your brand and even grow an email list

   ⚠️ You have to bring your own traffic (people won’t just “find” it unless you promote it)

   ⚠️ You'll also responsible for customer experience.

   This option is great if you’re thinking long-term, want more freedom, and like the idea of building something that's fully yours from day one.

📝 Ask Yourself:

• Do I want full control?

• Am I okay promoting my product myself?

• Do I plan to sell more than one thing later?

2. Marketplace Platforms (Sell on Sites That Already Have Shoppers)

   This means you're listing your digital product on a big, public website that already has lots of visitors looking to buy — kind of like setting up a booth inside a busy mall.

   Platforms like this help your product get discovered more easily, but in exchange, they take a small cut of your sales and have their own rules you have to follow.

   ✅ Built-in traffic — people are already browsing
   ✅ Great for beginners who don’t want to set up a full website yet
   ⚠️ You’ll pay fees for each sale (and sometimes for listing)
   ⚠️ Limited control over how your shop looks or functions
   ⚠️ Competing listings are shown right next to yours

   This option is helpful if you're just getting started and want to get your first sales without needing to promote everything yourself.

   📝 Ask Yourself:

   • Do I want to test my product with a ready-to-buy audience?

   • Am I okay paying fees in exchange for exposure?

   • Can I stand out even if other people sell similar products?

3. Link-in-Bio Shops (Simple Selling Without a Website)

   This option is perfect if you're sharing your product on social media and want a quick, easy way for people to buy — without setting up a full website.

   You simply use a tool that gives you a mini online shop you can link in your Instagram, TikTok, or Threads bio. People click, browse, and buy — all from one simple page.

   ✅ Super easy to set up — great for beginners
   ✅ Looks clean and works well on mobile
   ✅ Lets you sell digital products, services, or even book calls
   ⚠️ Limited design/customization options
   ⚠️ Still need to bring your own traffic through content or followers

   This option is great if you're building an audience on social media and want a no-fuss way to start making sales right away.

📝 Ask Yourself:

• Do I want something super simple and fast to set up?

• Am I promoting my product on Instagram, TikTok, or Threads?

• Do I need a mini-shop I can link in my bio without the tech stress?

Now let’s explore the platforms.

🧱 Self-Hosted Stores (Build Your Brand Foundation)

Perfect if you're building a brand, collecting emails, or aiming for long-term growth.

• Your Own Website (e.g. Shopify, WooCommerce, Thrivecart)

  • ✅ Full branding freedom

  • ✅ Collect emails + upsell other offers

  • 💸 Hosting and/or platform fees apply

  • ⚙️ Requires some setup or tech help

• Payhip

  • ✅ Free plan available

  • ✅ Built-in EU VAT + affiliate system

  • 💸 5% fee on free plan

  • 🔗 Good for creators testing the waters

• Podia

  • ✅ Sell courses, downloads, webinars

  • ✅ Includes email marketing

  • 💸 Monthly fee (starts with a free plan, but very limited)

• SendOwl

  • ✅ Advanced checkout, upsells, affiliates

  • 💸 Monthly pricing only (no free plan)

  • ⚙️ More suited for funnel-based selling

🛒 Digital Marketplaces (Pre-Built Traffic, Less Control)

These platforms bring buyers to you — great for visibility but with platform rules and competition.

• Etsy

  • ✅ Great for visual or lifestyle products (planners, templates)

  • 💸 Listing + transaction + processing fees

  • 🚨 Risk of copycats or shop suspension

• Creative Market

  • ✅ Premium audience for branding/design

  • 💸 Takes 40%+ commission depending on exclusivity

  • 📥 Curation process (must apply)

• Design Bundles / Font Bundles

  • ✅ Ideal for SVGs, fonts, and templates

  • 💸 Revenue share model

  • 🔗 Built-in audience for creatives

• TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers)

  • ✅ Ideal for educational or homeschooling products

  • 💸 Free + paid memberships with commission cuts

  • 🧑‍🏫 Trusted by educators worldwide

• Creative Fabrica

  • ✅ Monthly royalties from memberships

  • ✅ For crafters, designers, font creators

  • 💸 Commission split + product approval needed

📲 Creator Shops & Link-in-Bio Tools

Built for social-first creators who don’t want to set up a full shop yet.

• Stan Store

  • ✅ Sell downloads, courses, and services

  • ✅ Integrated with Calendly, Stripe, email

  • 💸 Monthly fee, but beginner-friendly

• Ko-fi

  • ✅ Accept donations, sell products, or run memberships

  • ✅ No fees on one-off sales

  • 🔗 Great for low-pressure, low-maintenance selling

• Lemon Squeezy

  • ✅ Modern design, tax handling included

  • ✅ Good for tech, SaaS, or productized tools

  • 💸 5% fee per transaction

🎯 Niche Marketplaces

Focused platforms where the audience is already searching for what you offer.

• Notion Marketplaces (Notion Everything, Notionery, etc.)

  • ✅ Perfect for Notion templates, dashboards

  • 💸 Revenue share or listing fee may apply

  • 🔎 Targeted buyer base, but some require approval

• Itch.io

  • ✅ Sell games, zines, experimental digital content

  • ✅ Pay-what-you-want pricing options

  • 🔗 More creative freedom than traditional stores

🛠 Bonus: Freelance Platforms with Passive Potential

• Fiverr or Upwork

  • ✅ Sell custom digital products (like templates or ebooks)

  • ✅ Upsell downloadable add-ons

  • 💸 Competitive pricing — but great for visibility

✅ Platform Comparison Quick View

PlatformIdeal ForMonthly CostFeesNotesShopify/WooCommerceFull brand stores$5–$39+VariesBest for scaling and controlPayhipStarter creatorsFree/$29/$990–5%Simple and beginner-friendlyEtsyPrintables, plannersFree to list~6.5%+High traffic but saturatedStan StoreInstagram creators$29/month0%Great for service + digital mixPodiaCoaches, educatorsFree/$39+0%Courses + productsNotion MarketplacesNotion template sellersFree / % splitVariesNiche but high-intent buyersLemon SqueezySaaS tools, tech creatorsFree5%Stripe alternative

Final Thought: Don’t Wait for Perfect — Start Where You Are

There’s no “right” first platform — only what works for your stage, your product, and your capacity. The best part?

You don’t need a million products or followers to start making sales.
You just need a clear offer + the right place to show up.

👀 Want Done-for-You Digital Products to Start Selling Today?

Don’t build everything from scratch. At Hello Uniques, we’ve created plug-and-play templates, planners, and ebooks that you can brand, sell, or bundle into your own product shop.

🎁 Grab Free Resources
🛍️ Check Out the Resell Library

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission when you make a purchase through my links at no extra cost to you!​