How to Create Digital Products in 7 Steps

Five billion internet users, endless digital needs, and a growing demand for solutions that work!

People aren’t just buying products; they’re investing in knowledge, tools, and experiences that save time, teach skills, or make life easier. From online courses to coaching programs to ready-to-use templates, digital products are changing how we create, sell, and share value.

And the best part? They don’t run out of stock. You create it once and sell it forever.

But let’s be real. Not every digital product takes off. The right idea, real value, and smart marketing make the difference between a best-seller and a forgotten file.

Thinking about making your own? Let’s break it down step by step.

Digital Products: What Are They?

A digital product is an intangible item that exists entirely online, making it accessible anytime through devices like laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. Typical examples are PDFs, eBooks, podcasts, and online courses.

Digital products don’t require manufacturing or shipping, making them cost-effective to create and easy to scale. With no physical limitations, you can update and improve them anytime. But does all this still translate to profit in a crowded market? A recent Reddit discussion says yes.

That said, with a low barrier to entry, launching a digital product business is more effortless. However, the growing demand has also led to intense competition, requiring strategic positioning to succeed.

💡Thinking about creating a digital product? Course creation is your best bet as it is the most sold digital product in 2024, making up 35.7% of total sales, followed by ebooks, which make up 7.3% of sales.

Top Digital Products to Sell

Here are some popular digital product options that are currently in high demand

• Online courses
• Templates
• Memberships and subscriptions
• eBooks
• Digital art
• Video content
• Software
• Podcasts 

Check out our article to know more about creating profitable digital products to sell.

How to Create Digital Products?

Whether it’s an online course, an ebook, or a membership site, the digital product creation process comes down to the following key steps:

i. Find a profitable idea

A great digital product starts with the right idea, one that people are willing to pay for. The key is to align your expertise with a real need, ensuring your product provides tangible value. You can narrow down the ideas through the following ways:

a. Identify your strengths and interests

Not sure where to start? Think about what you’re naturally good at. Do people often come to you for advice on a specific topic? Maybe you’ve mastered a skill that others struggle with. From teaching graphic design to simplifying personal finance, there’s an opportunity to turn your knowledge into a digital product.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What topics do you enjoy teaching or explaining?
• What skills have helped you succeed in your career or hobbies?
• What problems have you solved that others might face, too?

Writing down your strengths can reveal product ideas you may not have considered.

b. Capitalize on your existing audience

Ask your audience if you already have a social media following, blog, or email list. What challenges are they facing? What kind of content would help them the most?

For example, if you're a graphic designer, you could ask your audience what design skills they struggle with the most. If many mention difficulties in creating social media graphics, you might create a course on designing eye-catching Instagram posts. Engaging with your audience helps you refine your niche and build digital products that meet their needs.

Note: While brainstorming your niche, focus on what genuinely helps your audience. Whether it’s a course that simplifies a complex skill or a digital tool that saves time, the best ideas solve problems and offer clear benefits.

Profitable digital product = Your expertise + Real-world problem-solving + High perceived value.

ii. Analyze market demand

Once you have a solid idea, it’s time to see if there’s an actual demand for it. Conduct market research to ensure you’re not just creating a product but building something people actively want to buy.

a. Study what’s already selling

Competitor research helps you understand what’s working and where gaps exist. Browse digital product platforms like:

• FreshLearn for online courses
• Etsy for digital planners, templates, and printables
• Amazon Kindle for ebooks in various niches

If your idea is already selling well, that’s a great sign of demand. But don’t stop there; find ways to improve or differentiate your offering.

b. Measure interest with search trends

Before committing to an idea, check its popularity using search tools like Google Trends and AnswerThePublic. These platforms help track what people are searching for, how interest fluctuates over time, and whether your chosen topic has staying power.   

For instance, if you plan to create a language learning course, compare search trends for different languages. Are more people looking for Spanish lessons, or is there rising interest in Korean? Spotting these trends early gives you an edge.

c. Identify undeserved niches

Not every profitable niche is overcrowded. The key is finding areas with high demand but limited supply.

For example, general social media marketing courses are everywhere. But what about an ‘ Online business growth course specifically for real estate agents?’ Or a ‘Canva design course tailored for small business owners?’ Specific demands like these allow you to stand out while serving a specific audience.

Ask yourself:

1. What subtopics aren’t being covered well?
2. Are there any emerging trends within your niche?
3. What customer pain points aren’t being fully addressed?

d. Analyze customer feedback & reviews

Customer reviews are a great place to find useful insights. Check 2-star and 3-star ratings on competitor products to see common complaints. Are people frustrated with outdated content? Lack of depth? Too much theory, not enough practical steps?

Engage in online communities, Facebook groups, or Reddit discussions related to your niche. If people frequently ask the same questions, that’s a clear signal for a product opportunity.  

Is online course creation your digital product? FreshLearn lets you validate your course ideas easily with the AI course idea validator. This feature lets you create an on-demand course by answering 5 strategic questions, choosing a title, and creating a sales page.

Based on the audience waitlist, create a course that your learners are excited to buy before you even launch.

iii. Identify your target audience

When creating a digital product, you need to know exactly who you're making it for. A well-defined audience helps you create content that resonates and sells.  

If you already have a following, pinpointing your target audience means understanding who engages with your content the most. If you're starting from scratch, research groups that align with your expertise and find gaps where existing products fall short.  

Questions to define your audience:

• Who are they? Consider age, interests, profession, lifestyle, and buying habits.
• What challenges do they face? Identify the biggest struggles related to your topic.
• What do they want to achieve? Understand their goals and what success looks like for them.
• Where do they seek information? Are they active on Instagram? Do they prefer podcasts or written guides?  What’s missing? Identify gaps where existing products fall short. Maybe they’re too generic, overly complicated, or missing actionable steps your audience needs.

a. Create a positioning statement

Once you understand your audience, define how your product uniquely serves them. A positioning statement helps you stay on track as you develop your content.

Template for your positioning statement can be:

“My digital product helps [specific audience] achieve [goal] by providing [solution]. Unlike [competitor/product], it offers [unique value].”  

Example:

“My course helps new freelancers build a standout portfolio without spending months figuring it out. Unlike generic tutorials, it offers ready-made templates and real-world project breakdowns.”

b. Define your ideal customer profile

Your content, product, and marketing should speak directly to your audience’s needs. A customer profile, sometimes called a ‘buyer persona,’ helps you visualize who you’re serving.  

A typical buyer persona will look like this:

Besides the general information, it is advisable to include the following details in your buyer persona:

• Pain points (e.g., “Lisa knows design but has no idea how to create a compelling portfolio.”)
• Preferred content style (e.g., “Lisa prefers step-by-step tutorials over prolonged ebooks.”)  

This profile keeps your digital product focused and relevant.

iv. Develop your digital product

Creating a digital product isn’t just about pulling together information. It’s about designing an experience that’s useful, engaging, and easy to consume. You want your audience to walk away with something valuable. To ensure that happens, break your development process into two stages:

• Structuring the work
• Developing the actual product

a. Structuring the work

Think of this as the base of your digital product. Without a clear structure, you risk running into delays, missing key details, or creating something that feels scattered. This step helps you define exactly what you’re building and how to execute it smoothly.  Here’s how you do it:

b. Break down the content

Before you start creating, outline your product. This helps you avoid unnecessary revisions later and ensures that everything flows logically. Ask yourself:  

• What’s the core message or purpose of this product?
• How will the content be divided into sections or steps?
• Will additional resources like templates, worksheets, or checklists improve the experience?  

For example, if you’re building a productivity planner, decide whether it will include daily, weekly, or monthly planning pages. If you’re creating a video course, outline the lesson topics and determine whether you need slides, transcripts, or additional PDFs.

c. Assign tasks and deadlines

You can benefit from listing out all the tasks involved. A detailed plan helps you stay on track and ensures you don’t overlook any steps. Include:

• The key steps involved in bringing your product to life (content creation, design, formatting, testing, and finalizing).
• Which tasks can you handle yourself, and which ones might require outsourcing (e.g., hiring an editor for an eBook or a video editor for a course)?
• A realistic timeline for each stage to avoid last-minute rushes.

d. Developing the actual product

Once you have a structured plan, it’s time to develop your digital product. In this stage, your vision takes shape, combining compelling content with polished design to create a high-quality digital product that people love.  

Here’s what you should consider:

• Frame sentences that capture attention: Strong writing makes your product feel natural and inviting. Skip the dry explanations and write as if you're speaking to a friend. Instead of “Track your spending daily,” say, “Write down every expense—yes, even the small ones. You’ll be surprised how fast they add up!”  
• Design a professional and engaging look: A well-designed product improves usability and keeps users engaged. Keep layouts clean, branding consistent, and navigation effortless, whether it's a digital planner or an online course.  
• Refine and test before launch: After creating your digital product, test it thoroughly to ensure it is flawless. Check for typos, unclear instructions, or technical issues. Navigate your course, download files, and fill out workbooks to spot usability gaps.
• Improve with multimedia: Include interactive elements. Add audio guides for step-by-step help, quizzes for engagement, or animations to simplify complex ideas. Even small touches, like clickable PDFs, can make a big difference.

Want to make your courses more engaging? Utilize the AI Quiz Generator in FreshLearn to include quizzes as part of your online course. Once you choose the topic, FreshLearn generates quizzes automatically, which you can modify or delete as you prefer.

💡Before a full-scale launch, consider releasing a mini-course or providing free resources as a minimum viable product (MVP) to determine audience interest and gather feedback. A condensed version of your course, perhaps a short module or a downloadable guide, lets you see what works and what needs improvement before making a huge commitment.

v. Select the right tools and platforms

The tools and platforms can make or break your digital product. The right setup makes launching effortless, while the wrong one adds unnecessary frustration. The key here is to focus on what works best for you.

a. Product’s needs

Not all digital products require the same setup. Before committing to a platform, consider what your product actually needs:

• Courses: A structured course builder, video hosting, interactive quizzes, and personal branding.
• eBooks & Templates: Instant downloads, licensing options, and easy payment processing.Memberships: Subscription management, gated content, community features, and payment flexibility.

b. Payment options

Your platform should make selling effortless. Some key considerations include:

• Flexible pricing: Can you offer subscriptions, one-time purchases, or installment plans?
• Transaction fees: Are you losing a percentage of every sale? Some platforms take a cut.
• Multiple payment options: Credit cards, PayPal, and international payments mean more buyers.

At FreshLearn, you can create and sell digital products at your chosen price (one time, monthly or yearly) — with 0% commission. Generate single-use or bulk-use coupons for any or all of your digital products. You can also leverage affiliate marketing by letting your customers become your sales team, allowing them to refer your products and earn commissions on each sale.

c. Built-in marketing and automation

A great digital product won’t sell itself. Without built-in marketing tools, you’ll have to juggle multiple platforms, which means extra time and cost. The best platforms should include:

• Sales pages optimized for conversions (No need to hire a designer)
• Upsells and affiliate marketing (Increase revenue without additional work)
• Email automation (Follow up with potential buyers and nurture leads)

How does FreshLearn help with your digital product marketing?

i. Email automation

Convert your leads into customers with FreshLearn’s automated nurturing. Build a tailored experience for every subscriber using our intuitive drag-and-drop workflow builder. Design automated sequences like welcome emails, sales follow-ups, post-purchase messages, and freebie deliveries with ease.

You can also gain valuable insights with detailed analytics, tracking opens, clicks, bounces, and engagement to see what resonates best with your audience.

ii. Sales page creation

By answering a few questions about your online course, we help you build a personalized sales page with a course outline. You can connect these mobile-friendly sales pages to Google Analytics or any other systems upon adding a script.

vi. Pricing your digital product

Your pricing strategy greatly affects how much effort you’ll need to put into your digital product. Selling a $10 resource guide is very different from managing a $500 membership program or a $5,000 coaching package.  

Some topics naturally support higher price points, while others may struggle to justify premium pricing. For example, a $1,500 stock trading course might attract serious investors, but a $1,500 beginner knitting course? That could be a tough sell.  

The best way to set your price is through competitor research. Look at others in your niche offering similar digital products. What are they charging?  

Pricing varies based on:

• The depth and quality of the content
• The way your product is structured and delivered
• Extra value like community access, live sessions, or exclusive bonuses  

Just because a coding course on a random learning platform costs $50 doesn’t mean you can charge $3,000 for something similar unless you offer something significantly more valuable. Higher-priced courses are often sold independently rather than on major course platforms, so check personal websites, industry forums, or communities to get a better sense of premium pricing in your niche.

vi. Launch and promote your product

Creating your digital product is just the beginning. The real challenge is getting it in front of the right audience. A successful launch requires strategic marketing, audience engagement, and continuous refinement.

a. Spread the word

Your digital product requires visibility. Build a dedicated landing page highlighting its value, benefits, and features. Use social media to generate buzz, share behind-the-scenes content, and engage with potential buyers. A strong email list can also help nurture subscribers with exclusive offers, sneak peeks, and compelling content to drive sales.

b. Encourage engagement

As already said, customers don’t just buy a product; they buy an experience. So, create a community around your product; host live Q&As, share user success stories, or offer exclusive content for early buyers. If you’re selling an online course, consider offering a bonus webinar or a private group where learners can connect.

c. Gather and implement feedback

The best creators don’t just launch and disappear. Keep the conversation going by actively collecting feedback. Check out:

• Customer surveys for direct insights.
• Social media interactions to determine audience interest
• Reviews and testimonials to highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

Negative feedback helps refine your product, while positive feedback becomes powerful social proof to attract new customers.

d. Optimize and scale

Once your product gains traction, look for ways to improve and expand. Can you bundle it with another offer? Create an advanced version? Offer a membership model? Keep evolving based on customer needs to turn your digital product into a long-term, scalable business.

Wrapping Up

Digital products aren’t just trends; they change how people learn, work, and grow. One great digital product idea can turn into something that reaches thousands, creating an impact beyond what you imagined. But bringing that idea to life takes the right tools, a smooth process, and a platform that supports your growth.

That’s where FreshLearn comes in. Whether you're launching a digital product or expanding as a digital marketer, we make it simple. No coding requirements, no commission cuts, just a streamlined way to create, sell, and scale.

Want to turn your expertise into an actual product? Register with us today!

FAQ

1. How do I create my own digital product?

Create your digital product using the following 7 steps:

• Discover a Profitable Idea
• Analyze Market Demand
• Define Your Ideal Audience
• Develop Your Digital Product
• Select the Right Tools and Platforms
• Pricing Your Digital Product
• Launch and Promote Your Product

2. What is an example of a digital product?

Digital products are non-physical items that people access or use online. They include ebooks, music, software, online courses, apps, video games, and movies. Unlike physical products, they don’t need storage, shipping, or restocking, and they’re available instantly through downloads, streaming, or direct access.

3. Can I sell my digital product?

Yes. Entrepreneurs can create profitable businesses by selling digital products such as ebooks, online courses, and templates. With minimal overhead costs and high-profit margins, these products offer a scalable way to earn. Since you don’t need inventory, you can sell them repeatedly, creating a reliable source of passive income. Also, promoting them through digital marketing channels ensures they reach the right audience effectively.

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