How to sell digital products in India: The complete guide

(Last Updated On: March 10, 2024)

Imagine, if you could sell products hassle-free and make money from home. 

Selling digital products online is a great way to monetize those skills and diversify your income streams without having to worry about manufacturing costs, supply chain and more. 

Whether your superpower is cooking delicious meals, building fitness routines, starting businesses, or creating designs – you can teach others and benefit from it.

All you need to do is share your wealth of experience and knowledge with the world!

You save on storage space, shipping fees, and hefty production costs!

What is a digital product?

Simply put, a digital product is any item that does not have a physical form. It is sold between a seller and buyer in the form of e-files via online stores and websites. For example, eBooks are digital books that are sold on the internet in PDF format. Ither examples of digital products include courses, templates, audiobooks, and podcasts.

By this time, you must be wondering, What digital products can you sell?

We have curated a list of the most common and profitable digital products that you can sell in India. But before that, where can you sell these products?

How to sell digital products in India?

The internet has revolutionised the way we do business, opening up endless opportunities for entrepreneurs to sell digital products online. If you’ve made the mind to sell only easily, then the major concern is “HOW?” Let’s find out with these simple steps:

Identify your digital product

The first step in selling digital products is to identify what you want to sell. Digital products can range in many options (we’ll discuss latter). Choose a product that aligns with your expertise and has demand in the market.

Determine your target audience

Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective digital product sales. Research and identify the demographics, interests, and needs of your potential customers. This knowledge will help you tailor your marketing strategies and product offerings accordingly.

Set up a website or online store

To sell digital products online, you need a platform to showcase and sell your products. Set up a website or an online store with Instamojo with ZERO cost where customers can browse, purchase, and download your digital products. It will be reliable eCommerce platform that offers secure payment gateways and a user-friendly interface.

Build your online store FREE

Create compelling product descriptions

Your product descriptions should be engaging and highlight the key features, benefits, and unique selling points of your digital products. Use persuasive language, visuals, and customer testimonials to have a grip on the potential buyers.

Price your products strategically

Pricing your digital products correctly is crucial for maximising sales and profits. Consider factors such as production costs, market demand, and value proposition while determining the price. You can also experiment with different pricing models like one-time purchases, subscriptions, or bundle offers.

Secure your digital products

Protecting your digital products from unauthorised sharing or piracy is essential. Implement security measures like watermarking, password protection, or digital rights management (DRM) to ensure that only paying customers can access the products.

Set up secure payment gateways

Offering secure payment options is crucial for building trust with customers. Integrate reputable payment gateways with Instamojo to facilitate smooth and secure transactions.

Implement a seamless shipping system

After a customer makes a purchase, you need to provide a smooth shipping experience for your digital products. Set up an automated system that allows customers to instantly download the purchased products or sends them via email.

Invest in marketing and promotion

To generate sales and increase your digital product’s visibility, allocate a budget for marketing and promotion. Utilise social media platforms, content marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimisation (SEO) to reach a wider audience. Collaborate with influencers or affiliates to expand your reach.

Related read: SEO trends to look out for in 2024

Provide exceptional customer support

Offering excellent customer support can greatly impact your reputation and customer satisfaction. Provide prompt responses to queries, address customer concerns, and offer after-sales support to build customer loyalty and positive reviews.

5 profitable digital products you can sell online

Here comes the perfect time to discuss the most profitable digital products that can help you earn more. Let’s have a look at them!

1. eBooks

Do you wish you could share your knowledge in the form of a book but you do not have the resources to publish hard copies? Opt to sell eBooks — one of the most popular digital products sold in India!

An electronic book (eBook) is a digital publication that consists of text, images, or a combination of both. In simple terms, it is a book composed in or converted to digital format for display on a computer screen or any mobile device.

Experts also believe that eBooks may take over physical books in terms of sales, eventually. All you need to do is decide upon a topic, length, and content. 

Instamojo also has its own online store with over 50 free ebooks that can help you manage and scale your eCommerce business. Check it out here.

Selling eBooks on the Instamojo premium store

If you want to start selling eBooks online, you are already in the right place. Instamojo offers a free and premium online store.

All you need to do is –

1. Sign up with your business email ID
2. Enable payments and head to dashboard
3. Click on digital products and upload your eBook

How GC Mouli sells eBooks?

Mouli prefers selling eBooks since it reaches a much wider audience and remains accessible to several of his followers. Also, his readers need only to download the pdf file and read the book with ease.

2. Online courses

If there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it is that learning and teaching can happen anywhere and anytime.

During the period of 2022 to 2027, the online education market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 22.26%. This growth is expected to result in a market size of INR 299.18 Bn by 2027.

Lessons can be split into smaller modules based on the length of your course and its value. It allows your customers to take your online course in their own time without having to worry about deadlines. The best way to get started on selling courses online is to find the right platform. 

For example, Deepak Kanakaraju is a digital marketing expert who trains executives and marketing aspirants with online courses which he uploads on the Instamojo online store. Below is an example of his online store. Once customers click on the course and buy it, they receive study material, videos, and other resources to complete the course.

3. Photography and videography

Miss shooting videos and photos due to the lockdown? Now, easily sell your older photograph prints and videos online.

Did you know that 91% of businesses use videos as a marketing tool to enhance their visibility? There’s a growing demand for affordable solutions from the business forefront which needs to be met. Read more about how video commerce is the future! 

There are two ways you can sell your photographs and videos as digital products – 

Websites such as Fotolia, Pixlr and iStockphoto

Several photographers sell prints or upload videos on independent websites that have an online platform. You can sell them as:

1. Digital files 
2. Small prints
3. Large canvases
4. Novelty products

Related read: eCommerce product photography: 7 cost-effective hacks + examples

4. Podcasts 

A podcast is a series of audio-based episodes. The content is exclusively audio and it can be used to promote brands, products, or even services.

As of 2024, the podcasting landscape boasts an impressive number of over 5 million podcasts, collectively offering more than 70 million episodes.

Related read: Hustle ki baat: 5 Hindi podcast for business owners

mojoMakers – a podcast by Instamojo for all small businesses

Have you ever wanted to hear the story of your local businesses – the shopkeeper setting up his own store, the homemaker starting her own fashion business?

We bring these stories to you now, on our exclusive business podcast platform – mojoMakers! Give it a listen on Spotify and Apple iTunes.

Click to listen to a small teaser!

 

If you liked listening to mojoMakers, subscribe to our podcast here.

5. Audiobooks

Have you ever ‘heard’ a book?

Audiobooks are voice recordings of the text of a book that you listen to rather than read. It may be in cassette tape, CD, or MP3 format.

By 2024, it is anticipated that the revenue of the audiobooks market will reach ₹28.82bn, with a projected annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 11.70%. This growth trajectory is expected to culminate in a market volume of ₹50.11bn by 2029.

And the most popular audiobook genre is Mysteries/Thrillers/Suspense.

Where to sell digital products for free?

Once you decide what digital product you want to sell, you need to choose a platform to sell online. But for many new sellers, the best way to get started with selling digital products online is through a free platform.

2 Free platforms to sell digital products online:

1. Social media

Instagram and Facebook are ideal social media platforms to start selling digital products, irrespective of the type of digital product you are selling. You can sell on social media for free!

For example – simply add your eBook landing page link to your Instagram bio, share the link with WhatsApp contacts or add a Pinterest board – and redirect them to your eBook.

You can also add payment links for your digital products and customers can make a purchase once they buy the product!

77% of people prefer buying products that their friends recommend – so social media is a great place to start selling online products to get the ball rolling.

It is free, it is easy to use, and a great place to find your ideal audience.

2. The Instamojo online store

Instamojo platform is the best eCommerce platform for selling digital products online.

When you are just starting out with a digital product, you can sell using the Instamojo free online store.

All you need to do is sign up, upload digital files and collect payments online!

5 Benefits of selling digital products 

Digital products offer almost limitless opportunities to everyone to market their skills and talents. If you are still on the fence about selling digital products then these benefits will surely change your mind!

1. Cost saving

Selling digital products doesn’t require nearly as much capital as physical products. You don’t need a physical place to store your products and Inventory never becomes an issue. The cost of manufacturing, transportation, or logistics is almost negligible.

The Instamojo online store offers one of the most affordable eCommerce plans. It also comes with a forever free plan.

Get an online store

2. No cap on selling

One of the greatest advantages of digital products is that once you create the product, you can sell it to as many people as you want with minimum effort.

It is available for everyone to watch, learn and purchase. Additionally, you can also build on your existing products to create new ones or segregate materials for beginners, intermediate and advanced consumers.

Customers can, in most cases, receive the product immediately upon purchase.

3. Tracking metrics

It is easier to track your sales records with digital products than with physical ones. Online tools to track metrics such as sales, revenue, conversion rates, bounce rates, etc are available easily to help understand your customer base better.

With Instamojo’s in-built analytics features, you can have access to all these tools, analytics, and more under one roof! 

4. Access to a larger market

Selling digital products online allows you to reach a global audience without having to spend money on a lot of marketing and promotion.

Anyone with access to the internet will be able to find your products and make them accessible. Digital product stores allow you to do business anywhere in the world!

5. Diversify revenue streams

Selling digital products takes less effort and builds multiple revenue streams.

There’s greater stability for your online business and more importantly, you can leverage your skills and talents in new ways as an online entrepreneur.

As the customers can experience your digital product easily, the chances of purchases become high. 

6. Higher shelf life

Unlike physical products, digital products can be easily updated to be more relevant in time. They are not subject to wear, tear, or deterioration.

Digital products can be used multiple times, and they remain in the same condition as they were the day of purchase.

2 strategies to sell digital products online

Now, here comes the major parameter of selling digital products. What do you need to sell them efficiently to the target audience. Well, it’s a strategy. So, we’ve curtaed 2 best strategies that will help you sell more.

1. Networking with business communities

Ask your friends and followers for feedback on the loop. When you just set up a business to sell digital products, they make half your audience. Expand your online network and keep them informed before a new product is launched before the rest of the world knows.

Join communities with other entrepreneurs to understand the different tricks of the trade and find out the ideal platform where you can sell your digital product.

Want to be part of a business community? Join our online Facebook community here

2. Influencer marketing

As we mentioned before, reviews matter! Find out influencers who can review your products and add website and landing page links on their channels.

When these influencers talk about their experiences with your brand, it helps potential customers to sign up for what you have to offer them.

Related read: How to create an influencer marketing campaign

A common myth that most businesses have is that these influencers are often inaccessible and sometimes overly priced as well. But, this isn’t always the case. If an honest influencer believes in your product, it’s easy to approach them and boost sales for your product.

Start selling your digital products online with Instamojo

If you want to stay away from the hassle of dealing with physical products, then digital ones are your best pals! All you have to do is identify your skills and present them to the world confidently and in the most creative, fun way. We are here to help you set up effortlessly.

Start selling digital products with Instamojo today!

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Start selling digital products online