There’s something magical about making a digital product. You create it once, and it can keep working for you in the background like a tiny shop assistant that never takes a break. But if you’re just starting out, the idea of creating one might feel a little… overwhelming.
The good news? You don’t need to be techy, design-savvy, or super experienced to make something valuable. There are beginner-friendly digital products that are simple to create, fun to make, and actually sell. Some take just a few hours. Others you can finish in a weekend with coffee and a good playlist.
This post is here to gently guide you through the easiest types of digital products you can create, even if you’ve never sold anything online before. These are low-pressure, low-cost ideas that don’t require fancy tools or massive time commitments.
Think of this as your cozy starter guide to building digital income. No stress. Just possibility.
Contents
1. Printable Planners and Trackers
If you love organizing, making lists, or planning out your week, printables are the perfect place to start. You can create simple planners, checklists, habit trackers, meal planning sheets, budgeting templates, all the things people love to download and print at home.
The best part? You can make them in Canva (free version works!) using drag-and-drop templates. Choose a cute color palette, add some easy-to-read fonts, and start designing.
What makes these work:
- They’re useful. People buy them to stay organized or feel more in control of their day.
- They’re customizable. You can make seasonal, themed, or niche-specific planners (like “wedding planning checklist” or “minimalist meal tracker”).
- They’re super low-maintenance. Upload the PDF to Etsy or Gumroad, and once someone buys it, they download it instantly.
Tip: Create a small bundle (like 3–5 pages) instead of a single sheet. It feels more valuable, and buyers love getting a little set.
2. Social Media Templates
This is another easy win for beginners, especially if you enjoy visual design or playing around in Canva. Social media templates help small business owners, influencers, and content creators make their feeds look pretty without having to design from scratch.
You can create:
- Instagram post and story templates
- Pinterest pin templates
- Quote graphics or promo banners
- Carousel post layouts
They don’t have to be flashy. Clean, minimalist templates actually sell really well because they’re versatile and easy to customize.
Bundle a few together (like 10–20 templates) and sell them as a kit. Once you make them, they’re done no revisions, no printing, just sweet, simple downloads.
And yes, you can design these totally faceless. Just stick to type, color, and layout. No camera needed.
3. Phone Wallpapers and Desktop Backgrounds
Yes, these totally count as digital products — and they’re surprisingly popular. People love personalizing their screens with cute quotes, calming patterns, seasonal designs, or minimalist affirmations. And you don’t need to be an illustrator to create them.
You can use Canva, Procreate, or even Photoshop, but simple still works best. Think:
- A calming pastel gradient with an encouraging quote
- A tidy weekly calendar layout for a desktop background
- A playful pattern that brings joy every time someone picks up their phone
You can sell them as a pack (like 5–10 designs) or offer seasonal bundles. The file sizes are small, they’re fun to make, and they’re perfect for Etsy or your own website.
Bonus: You can also offer these as freebies to grow your email list if you’re planning to sell more down the line.
4. Notion Templates
If you’re a Notion lover or even just like tinkering with digital organization this is a great low-effort, high-value digital product. Notion templates can help people plan their week, organize their content calendar, budget their finances, or track their goals.
The beauty is that Notion is free to use, and once you create a template, you just share a link. No design software, no downloads, no tech headaches.
What sells well:
- Daily or weekly planners
- Small business dashboards
- Student organizers
- Content creation hubs
- Goal-setting or self-care trackers
You can list your template on Gumroad, Payhip, or even just post it in communities that use Notion (like Reddit or Facebook groups).
If you enjoy building things that make life feel smoother, this is your sweet spot.
5. Simple Ebooks or Guides
You do not need to write a novel. You just need to know a little more than someone else and turn it into something helpful. Ebooks and digital guides are perfect for beginners who love sharing tips, how-tos, or curated advice.
Some easy ideas:
- “How to Start a Morning Routine That Sticks”
- “Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Plants”
- “Simple SEO Tips for Etsy Sellers”
- “30 Days of Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery”
Write in Google Docs or Canva, export it as a PDF, and upload it to sell.
Keep it short and sweet (5–20 pages is totally fine). Add headers, a cute cover, and maybe a few icons or visuals to make it feel polished. People are buying your insight, not your layout skills.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a designer, tech expert, or full-time content creator to sell digital products. All you need is a starting point and the permission to begin.
Think about what you already enjoy: organizing, writing, designing, planning. That’s your clue. Start small, keep it simple, and don’t worry about making it perfect. The goal isn’t to go viral, it’s to take that first little step toward building something of your own.
And hey, if it feels like play, you’re probably doing it right.
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