logo

What is the Best Platform to Sell Digital Downloads? [By an Expert]

Modern technology has made it easy to create and sell digital products on platforms that cater to like-minded business owners. These digital platforms make selling different digital downloads almost seamless. Now, brands can connect with their customers to find out what they need and deliver these needs with never-before-seen efficiency.

What are Digital Products?

Digital products are digital or online products that do not have a physical presence and, therefore, cannot be shipped. Digital products range from PDF documents to beats, videos, and many more. Read more in-depth about digital products.

Learn how digital downloads work.

The best platform to sell digital downloads

The platform on which you decide to advertise and sell your digital downloads could make or break your business, and this is why it is essential to do in-depth research to find the platform that suits you best. If you just want to deliver digital files without selling them, check out our file transfer app.

Shopify is the best

We have researched and compared the most prominent digital platforms, such as Shopify, Sellfy, Esty, WordPress and many more. We’ve found that although they all have pros and cons, Shopify is the best platform to sell digital downloads.

Shopify trial page to sell digital products and physical product

Why is Shopify the best out of all the big platforms?

Own your domain

Shopify allows you to own your Shopify store’s domain, and if you have an existing domain name, you can connect it to your store. Imagine it like digital real estate, you own that domain space, and you can build extensions, traffic, SEO and branding, then the domain will be more valuable. If you use a profile on a marketplace, all you own is rented space on the marketplace’s domain.

Learn how to set up a custom domain on Shopify.

Integrations

Shopify is the most secure and integrated ecommerce system in the world. You can pretty much integrate any third-party application. Plus, Shopify has a strong review team to ensure these apps are secure.

There is a lot of transparency with apps, and it’s getting better by the day.

Most profitable

What we have found over the years of creating stores is that Shopify has always been the most profitable way to sell digital downloads.

With the quick set up time and everything in place within hours, you can begin selling super fast. This saves time and money.

Also, there are no commissions taken from Shopify, only card processing fees which happen on every platform. But with marketplaces such as Etsy, Amazon and Envato, they all take large commissions.

All-in-one solution

Shopify is an all-in-one content management system. Unlike WordPress and similar, you don’t need to go finding your own reliable servers, managing security, finding fast CDNs and more. It’s literally all built there, ready for you.

Security

To keep merchants safe, security is a huge factor. Especially when dealing with money. Shopify has some of the strongest security systems in place to ensure your store cannot be compromised.

Shopify is certified according to the Level 1 PCI DSS standard. Learn more about how Shopify is secure here.

How to sell digital downloads on Shopify

Now that you know how much of an advantage Shopify has over other digital platforms and marketplaces that cater to business owners, you should know what to do if you want to sell digital products on Shopify.

Step 1: Make a digital product

The first step in selling digital products is making a digital product; you could make a video, an eBook, or a collection of photographs. Ensure that you have created the digital product before you sign up on Shopify if you don’t have a Shopify store.

Step 2: Create a Shopify account

Shopify offers a 14-day trial when you sign up for the first time.

Step 3: Install the Fileflare app

Shopify has an app store that provides value to store owners looking to optimize their stores. Many of the apps on Shopify’s app store provide services and systems that Shopify lacks.

Shopify app store

For example, Shopify does not provide store owners with the necessary system to sell digital products. Store owners have to rely on apps that offer robust services and features. Only with digital downloads apps can you sell and deliver digital downloads to your customers.

Fileflare is an app on Shopify’s app store that Shopify developers develop, and it is the best app for selling digital products on Shopify.

dda digital assets

All you have to do to get started with Fileflare is to:

  1. log in to your Shopify dashboard
  2. Go to “Settings
  3. Navigate to the “Apps and Sales Channels” section
  4. Click the “Customize your store” button
  5. Search for and add “Downloadable Digital Assets”. The app has a free plan and a 7-day trial for people who want to check out the features available in the paid plans

Step 4: Set up the app to sell digital downloads

Here’s a video to walk you through how to set the app up. It’s super easy, and you can do it fast. Remember to read the Checklist to ensure your store is set up for digital downloads.

Final words

Shopify is head and shoulders above all other digital platforms that offer similar services. It has many features and benefits that make it stand out as the best platform for any sized company.