Best Digital Products to Sell Online: 10 Best Marketplaces for Digital Products
What are the best marketplaces for digital goods?
As an online seller or entrepreneur looking to expand your business, it’s worth considering selling digital goods.
The global marketplace is rapidly evolving, and many more customers are turning to digital products like eBooks, music, pictures, eDesign, and software. They’re available instantly and don’t take up any physical space. As a result, the market for digital goods is booming.
But what exactly are digital goods, and how can you take advantage of them as an online seller?
What are digital goods?
Digital goods can be downloaded and used on electronic devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets. They include everything from eBooks and music files to software programs and online courses. Unlike physical products, digital goods can be easily stored, accessed, and distributed online, making them an attractive option for sellers and customers. In addition, you don’t need to worry about inventory because these goods have a virtually unlimited supply.
At Payoneer, we understand the unique needs of online sellers and entrepreneurs.
That’s why we offer a range of bundled payment solutions to help you sell your digital goods worldwide.
With our secure and seamless payment processing, you can pick an online marketplace for the best digital products to sell online.
Tell me more about Payoneer's services for online sellers
Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 marketplaces for selling digital goods.
#1 – Amazon
Source: Statista Global Net Revenue of Amazon.com from Q4 2017 – Q4 2022
Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace, with over 300 million+ active users in 2021.
As an online seller, you can leverage Amazon’s massive audience and robust tools to reach a wider audience and grow your business.
You can sell a wide range of digital products on Amazon, including eBooks, music, games, apps, and more.
One of the key advantages of selling on Amazon is its suite of tools and services that can help you manage your business more effectively.
- For instance, Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program allows you to store and ship your products directly from Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
- Another powerful option is Amazon Advantage, which provides publishers with additional support and marketing services.
- Creative entrepreneurs can benefit tremendously from Merch by Amazon and Amazon Handmade as they cater to artists and designers looking to sell unique and creative products.
Amazon has also introduced a range of new features for digital sellers in recent years, such as the ability to offer subscriptions and recurring payments and expanded support for video and audio content.
Beyond the basics, Amazon offers a range of payment solutions, including Payoneer, to help you get paid quickly and securely.
Who is this marketplace best tailored to?
Amazon is a great choice for any online seller looking to tap into a massive audience and use the platform’s powerful tools and services.
While it is particularly popular for authors selling eBooks, it’s also a great option for anyone looking to sell digital products like music, apps, and games.
Amazon Key Facts
- In 2021, Amazon generated a revenue of $470B, making it the third-largest company in the world.
- Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud computing division, was responsible for 13% of that revenue.
- In 2021, Amazon Prime Video had 175M+ users, and Amazon Prime Music reached 68M+ users.
- Amazon’s net income in 2021 was $33.3B, around 50% of that generated from Amazon Web Services (AWS).
- Now, over 200M+ customers worldwide are subscribed to Amazon Prime, with 147 million in the US alone.
#2 – Walmart
Worldwide visits to Walmart.com from December 2021 to May 2022 (in million visits)
Source: Statista Worldwide Visits to Walmart.com from Dec 21 – May 22
Looking for another popular marketplace to sell your digital products? Look no further than Walmart.com.
Walmart.com offers the opportunity to sell a range of digital products, from tax software to music downloads and more.
With a referral fee per sale and a growing international seller base, Walmart.com may be the perfect choice for your digital product sales.
Please keep reading to learn more about the platform and whether it’s the right fit for you.
Walmart.com boasts an average of over 400M+ visitors per month, making it a significant player in eCommerce.
With a user-friendly platform, Walmart.com allows sellers to list various digital products, such as tax software, music downloads, and more.
The platform has also expanded beyond the US and is now open to sellers from other countries such as China, Canada, and the UK.
Sellers at Walmart pay a referral fee per sale, which varies based on the product category.
While Walmart is selective about the sellers it chooses to work with, it provides an excellent opportunity for those who have a unique product assortment and competitive pricing, aligning with Walmart’s customer service track record.
Walmart.com’s vast audience can help online sellers expand their potential customer base and reach new audiences, making it an excellent platform for those interested in selling digital goods. In addition, with a competitive referral fee structure and a focus on customer service, Walmart.com can be a great choice for digital product sellers looking to tap into a large and diverse online marketplace.
#3 – Gumroad
Source: SEMRush.com Gumroad Usage Stats 2022/2023
Are you an artist or musician looking for a marketplace for the best digital products to sell online? Gumroad is a popular marketplace that lets you sell audio clips, eBooks, and videos with the click of a button. With its clean and simple seller interface, Gumroad makes it easy for you to sell your digital products to a wide audience.
Simple Seller Interface with Advanced Analytics
Source: SimilarWeb.com Gumroad.com Audience Interests
One of the coolest parts of Gumroad is the seller interface. It’s straightforward and easy to navigate, and you can quickly upload your digital products and start selling.
Gumroad also provides advanced analytics, so you can track your sales, see which products are the most popular, and project your future earnings.
Gumroad offers flexible sharing options
One of the coolest parts of Gumroad is the seller interface. It’s straightforward to navigate, and you can quickly upload your digital products and start selling. Gumroad also provides advanced analytics to track your sales, see which products are the most popular, and project your future earnings.
Gumroad offers flexible sharing options
Gumroad allows you to share your digital content quickly and easily through email, social media, your website, and more. This feature makes it a great option for artists and musicians who want to connect with their audiences through various channels.
Keep a lid on transaction fees
Gumroad offers affordable transaction fees, with payments set at just 3.5% plus 30 cents per transaction. This low fee makes Gumroad an excellent option for artists and musicians who are just starting and want to keep their costs low.
Who is gumroad best for?
In summary, Gumroad is a user-friendly marketplace that offers affordable transaction fees and flexible sharing options. Whether you’re a big-name artist or an independent creator, Gumroad can help you sell your digital content to a wide audience.
#4 – AliExpress
Worldwide visits to AliExpress from December 2021 to May 2022 (In million visits)
Source: Statista.com AliExpress Global Visits from Dec 21 – May 22
As part of the Alibaba group, AliExpress is a huge online retail service comprising small businesses based in China and Asia.
With over 400M+ monthly visitors, it’s available in 230 different countries and regions, making it a great option for those looking to sell their digital products internationally.
If you’re an online seller or entrepreneur, Payoneer offers a convenient payment solution for receiving your earnings from AliExpress.
The marketplace offers various digital products, such as graphic and digital designs, computer software, e-learning courses, and web-based apps.
What sets AliExpress apart is the low commission fee charged on actual store transactions, usually 5-8%, depending on the item and category.
However, only sellers and suppliers from Mainland China can currently sell on the platform.
It’s mainly aimed at international buyers in the Americas and Europe, making it an excellent opportunity for sellers looking to expand their customer base to these regions.
AliExpress also offers a feature called AliExpress Affiliate, which allows you to earn commission by promoting their products on your website or blog.
This can be a great way to supplement your income or earn extra revenue as you sell your digital products on the platform.
Who is AliExpress best for?
AliExpress is an excellent marketplace for anyone looking to expand their reach to international customers in the Americas and Europe.
It’s ideal for small businesses and independent sellers looking to sell digital products, such as graphic and digital designs, computer software, e-learning courses, web-based apps, and more.
#5 – Themeforest
Source: Themeforest.net Homepage
Looking for a marketplace for digital products where you can sell website templates and plugins? Look no further than Themeforest.
It features a vast array of marketing themes, PSDs, and HTML codes. All of this makes it an excellent platform for selling your digital products.
In addition, the store management area is ideal for showcasing your products, interacting with customers, and receiving feedback to improve your offerings.
Sellers on Themeforest can charge for their products and make over $1 million annually, with an author fee charged based on your exclusivity agreement and aggregate product sales.
With features like product demos, customer communication tools, and a rating system to increase sales, Themeforest is the ideal marketplace for website developers looking to sell their products online.
Who is Themeforest.net best For?
While Themeforest is largely geared toward web development, it’s also an excellent option for creative folks who specialize in marketing & graphic design.
If you’re looking for a platform to sell your website templates, PSDs, and plugins, Themeforest should be at the top of your list. And with Payoneer’s payment solutions, getting paid for your sales is simple and hassle-free.
#6 – Lazada
Source: SimilarWeb Lazada Stats for Last Quarter 2022
Lazada is a popular online marketplace in Southeast Asia, with an average of 100M+ monthly active users.
It is a potential platform for Payoneer online sellers looking to expand their digital goods business in the region.
The platform allows sellers to manage and post their items easily through an admin panel, and buyers can access the files on their Lazada dashboard once purchased. Furthermore, Lazada does not charge any commission fees.
However, as with any online marketplace, it is recommended that sellers conduct their research and due diligence before joining the platform to ensure it meets their specific business needs.
Who is the Lazada marketplace best for?
Lazada has several features and tools to facilitate the process for Payoneer online sellers looking to sell digital goods.
Through a dedicated digital goods portal, the platform allows sellers to easily upload and manage their digital products, including e-books, music, digital artwork, and videos.
Customers can access the files they purchase through their Lazada account and download them directly from the platform.
Lazada does not charge any commission fees on digital goods, making it an attractive option for Payoneer online sellers who want to expand their business in Southeast Asia.
Remember, it is important to note that Lazada has specific guidelines for listing & selling digital products, so sellers should carefully review these policies.
#7 – Apple iTunes Store – Apple Music
The Apple iTunes Store is a digital marketplace that offers books, music, apps, and videos.
iTunes Connect program can guide sellers through the free application process. No listing fees exist, but commission fees vary by product type and region.
For example, musicians typically earn around $0.57 for each $0.99 single sold.
Apple Music is dedicated to music, and the iTunes Store is a digital marketplace that includes a wide range of digital content, such as music, movies, TV shows, books, and apps.
The App Store is a section within the iTunes Store where users can download apps for their iOS devices.
While the platforms are interconnected and accessible through the same iTunes software, they serve different purposes and have distinct features and tools for users and developers. Nevertheless, the information on the commission fees and earnings for musicians selling a single on Apple Music remains accurate.
On the Apple iTunes Store, music is sold through the Apple Music section, while books are sold through the Apple Books section.
Apps are sold through the App Store section of iTunes. TV shows and movies are sold through the TV & Movies section, and podcasts are sold through the Podcasts section.
Sellers need to choose the appropriate section for their products when listing on iTunes to ensure that they are reaching the right audience and complying with the platform’s guidelines. Click this link for detailed info on ‘Rights and Pricing Basics‘ and Music Provider FAQs.
Who is the iTunes marketplace best for?
The iTunes Marketplace is best suited to a variety of digital content creators and sellers, including musicians, authors, app developers, and filmmakers.
The platform provides many tools and resources to help sellers distribute and promote their digital content to millions of users worldwide.
The platform is especially popular among musicians and authors looking to sell their music and books, as it allows them to easily reach a global audience.
App developers also benefit from the iTunes Marketplace, as it provides access to a massive user base and robust tools to help create and distribute the best digital products to sell online to wider audience.
As a budding filmmaker, you can leverage the platform to distribute your movies and TV shows to a global audience.
#8 – eBay
eBay is a popular e-commerce platform that enables sellers to offer various digital products to millions of active buyers worldwide.
So whether you’re an artist, musician, software developer, or author, eBay provides a platform for you to showcase your work and reach a global audience.
eBay Recent Financial Performance Q4 2022
- eBay reported Q4 2022 revenue of $2.5 billion, down 4% on an as-reported basis.
- Gross Merchandise Volume was $18.2 billion, down 12% on an as-reported basis.
- GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS per diluted share were $1.23 and $1.07, respectively, on a continuing operations basis.
- eBay returned over $419 million to shareholders in Q4, including $300 million of share repurchases and $119 million in cash dividends.
- The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, reflecting a 14% increase from the previous quarter.
Who is the eBay marketplace best for?
To sell digital products on eBay, sellers can use the “List as a Digital Item” option when creating a product page. This option lets sellers offer digital products like software, eBooks, music, and videos on the platform.
It is essential to ensure that digital products comply with eBay’s policies and guidelines for selling digital goods and any relevant copyright laws or other regulations. Many customers agree that eBay features the best digital products to sell online.
Before selling digital products, it is recommended that sellers establish an eBay store to build a brand and accumulate ratings from buyers. eBay is an ideal marketplace for anyone with digital files to sell, as there are no specific restrictions on the type of digital content that can be sold.
Source – ebay presentation 2022
#9 – Udemy
Source: Udemy
As of 2023, Udemy has over 204,000 courses in more than 75 languages, with over 40 million students worldwide.
Over 70,000 instructors teach on Udemy, with the top 10 instructors earning over $17 million in 2021 alone.
In terms of course categories, the most popular topics on Udemy include business, technology, and personal development.
Udemy’s payment system remains the same, with instructors receiving 97% of the revenue if students use their coupon code and 50% if they arrive via organic search.
However, Udemy now offers a revenue share option for course bundling, where instructors can partner with other instructors to create a bundle of courses for sale.
Who is the Udemy online marketplace best for?
Udemy is best for professionals, experts, and educators looking to create and sell video courses in their areas of expertise.
It’s a great platform to share knowledge and make a passive income while helping others learn and grow. As a digital content professional, Udemy dovetails as the best marketplace for digital products.
#10 –TemplateMonster
TemplateMonster is a one-stop shop for everything you need to create a stunning website.
With over 50,000 ready-made templates, including WordPress themes and eCommerce templates, you can easily find the perfect solution to fit your needs. Professionals design their templates, so you can rest assured that your website will look and function beautifully.
Plus, TemplateMonster offers 24/7 customer support to help you with any questions or issues you may have.
It is a top-tier marketplace for digital products for creative entrepreneurs with a flair for website design.
Who is the TemplateMonster marketplace best for?
Whether you’re a business owner looking to create a website, a web designer searching for a template to customize, or anyone in between, TemplateMonster is the marketplace for you. Their wide selection of templates caters to all levels of expertise, making it easy for anyone to create a unique and professional-looking website.
Summary
These ten marketplaces for digital products offer a wide range of options for online sellers to expand their reach and increase their sales.
Each platform caters to different niches, providing an excellent opportunity for those with unique products to find their ideal audience.
So, whether you’re an author, musician, filmmaker, or web developer, there’s a platform that can fit your needs.
And with the help of Payoneer’s all-in-one solution for global payments, you can seamlessly receive and send payments across these marketplaces without any hassle.
With the right tools and platform, you can take your digital products to the next level and unlock your full potential as an online seller.