Learning how to sell digital products on Amazon can be a lucrative opportunity alongside physical products.
Why is this the case? Selling digital products on Amazon offers a unique opportunity for creators to reach a massive audience and make money on Amazon. Digital products do not require storage, handling, or shipping. And they can be sold an unlimited number of times without the need for replenishment. So, no inventory or shipping issues may arise while you sell digital downloads, regardless of the marketplace. Not having to deal with inventory is a flexing for a new seller!
Let’s keep you waiting no longer. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on how to sell digital products on Amazon, including:
- Step 1: Research the opportunities and ideas;
- Step 2: Make Amazon digital downloads;
- Step 3: Create Amazon listings for digital products;
- Step 4: Upload your Amazon digital download listings;
- Step 5: Promote your listings.
Now, let’s get the ball rolling and get straight to the point—how can you sell digital products on Amazon?
What digital products can you sell on Amazon?
Selling digital products doesn’t require inventory or manufacture. But what are the top high-demand and profitable products to sell on Amazon? Below are the best-selling digital products on Amazon regarding digital assets. Read through and find the one that you can invest in.
1. Ebooks
Ebooks have always been one of the most popular digital products to sell on Amazon. This digital product is relatively simple to produce and distribute via a large marketplace like Amazon.
Through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), a program offered by Amazon, you can self-publish print and digital books in more than ten countries and over 45 languages. This platform provides flexible formatting options, making it easy to create visually appealing ebooks that can be enjoyed on Kindle devices or Kindle apps on smartphones and tablets. To publish your book, you only need to make your ebook, upload it to KDP, and watch the sales roll in.
Selling ebooks on Amazon only takes a few steps and offers a unique opportunity for creators to reach a massive audience and earn passive income. Some authors reportedly make over $40,000 monthly. Even earning a few hundred bucks is a win, as it’s a great way to generate Amazon passive income.
Wanna selling Ebooks on Amazon? Check this step-by-step guide on How to Sell Ebooks on Amazon
2. Digital art
Next, one of the best-selling digital products on Amazon is digital art. Amazon launched Amazon Art Merch, providing an excellent platform for artists, photographers, and graphic designers seeking to sell digital art on Amazon. On this site, creators can upload their artwork, and Amazon Merch on Demand automatically prints it on items like t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs. This print-on-demand model eliminates inventory management and allows artists to focus on their creative process.
When a customer buys a product with a seller’s design, Amazon deducts production and distribution costs from the sale price and pays the remaining amount to the seller as royalties. Royalty rates were offered between 12% and 37%. These rates depend on the product you choose and its selling price. Generally, higher-priced items will earn you a higher royalty percentage. You can find a detailed breakdown of royalty rates for each product on Amazon’s Royalties resource page.
These Amazon digital products make it an excellent option for artists who are just starting out or don’t have much money to invest. Because there are no upfront costs to use Amazon Merch, Amazon will handle the rest after you upload your artwork.
3. Music
If you wish to sell your song or any music digitally, Amazon offers a fantastic solution called TuneCore, a part of Amazon Music. With TuneCore, musicians can upload their songs and immediately distribute them to Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and over 150 other stores worldwide. To start with TuneCore, create an account, upload your music, and await approval within one to three business days.
Amazon Music reportedly pays artists $0.00402 per stream, meaning an artist would need to reach around 370,000 to make a living only from Amazon Music streams in the U.S. On the journey of finding out how to sell digital products on Amazon, we finally go through the top 3 Amazon digital products that are worth selling.
4. Software and apps
Whether you’re a skilled game app developer or an ambitious entrepreneur with business-related software, your app or game will be available on Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire tablets, and the Amazon App Store on Windows 11.
Amazon Appstore allows the submission of software and applications falling under the following categories: Web/HTML5, android devices, PCs, and Mac devices
The exciting part is that even if you’ve already uploaded your app to Google Play on Mac devices, you can also quickly sell it on Amazon. Moreover, you have several options for monetizing the apps that you list in the Amazon Appstore:
- Download fees: Charge a fee for users to download the app.
- In-App Purchasing: Offer items for sale within your app.
- Merch by Amazon: Offer branded merchandise from within your app, such as t-shirts, for purchase to your app’s users.
- Mobile Advertising: Monetize your app with Amazon Publisher Services (APS), where Amazon and other advertisers compete for your ad space
5. Online courses
On the journey of finding the answer to the question “how to sell digital products on Amazon,” it is you must partner directly with the platform to sell an online course through Amazon. As a small business owner, Amazon classifies you as a third-party seller; thus, selling your online course directly on their website is not permissible.
However, despite the restrictions on selling digital assets on Amazon regarding online courses, there are alternative ways to share your valuable content. Some viable options include:
- Transforming your course into an eBook and selling through Kindle Direct Publishing;
- Making course videos on Amazon Video Direct;
- Create an audiobook version of your course and make it available for purchase on Audible.
6. Audiobooks
Among the digital products worth selling, audiobooks deserve special mention. Digital audiobooks are in high demand and can be sold on Amazon under the Audible category. The global audiobook market is projected to reach $35 billion by 2030, growing at over 26% annually. The newly released 2024 APA consumer survey reveals an increase in US audiobook revenues, with 63% saying they use a subscription.
The most common platform for creating and selling audiobooks on Amazon is the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), which Amazon’s Audible owns. If you have experience publishing eBooks, you’ll find that ACX operates similarly to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in many aspects. Before your audiobook is approved and sent to retail, ACX conducts a quality check to ensure it meets specific audio and cover art guidelines. It might take ten business days.
7. Podcasts
Podcasts are the final candidate on Amazon digital products list! You can now sell your podcasts on Amazon and start earning money. They will fall into the category of either Amazon Music or Audible.
To start, navigate to Amazon Music for Podcasters and click the “Add or Claim Your Podcast” option. Submit your podcast to Amazon Music, and don’t forget to include your email address in your RSS feed for ownership verification.
Here are some ways that you can monetize your podcast episode:
- Sell premium episodes
- Create paid membership tiers
- Earning commissions through Amazon’s affiliate program by promoting relevant product
Reviewing Amazon’s digital product lists but still can’t find any product to sell. Read the most profitable products to sell on Amazon.
How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon in 5 Steps?
If you’re looking to sell digital products like eBooks or audiobooks, here’s how to sell digital products on Amazon:
1. Research the opportunities and ideas
2. Make Amazon digital downloads
3. Create Amazon listings for digital products
4. Upload your Amazon digital download listings
5. Promote your listings
Let’s go to the detail!
Step 1: Research the opportunities and ideas
During the exploration phase of selling digital downloads on Amazon, defining your niche is crucial. It might be tempting to align your digital product with your interests or hobbies. For example, if you are interested in photography, you might consider creating a digital photography book to share your expertise.
However, remembering that your initial niche doesn’t have to correlate with your interests directly is worth it. You can:
- Use some product Opportunity Explorer tools of Amazon or Jungle Scout, Google Search, etc, which are filtered by sales rank to identify high-demand products currently performing well on Amazon. This tool will show you tailored niche recommendations based on any products you currently sell. But if you’re looking for new product ideas, you can type keywords into the search bar to start your research. Below are Amazon product opportunity explorer headers:
- Check out the top-performing listings and read reviews to find gaps that could be improved.
If you haven’t chosen the most suitable product to start investing in, check out these Top 9 products to sell on Amazon FBA!
Step 2: Make Amazon digital downloads
Having thoroughly researched product demand and competition, you have started creating your digital product.
Step 2.1: Choose the format for your digital product, such as eBooks, templates, or courses. EBooks are a simple entry point for beginners.
- Printables: These include downloadable products such as planners, worksheets, and educational materials. They can be created using design tools like Canva and sold through platforms like Amazon Merch on Demand.
- Courses: Online courses can be developed around any skill or knowledge area, such as photography, cooking, or business. These can be offered as video courses or written content.
- Digital downloads: This category encompasses a wide range of products, including eBooks, music, graphics, and software
Step 2.2: Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and let as many people see your digital product as possible.
- Draft a few chapters or sections to test the concept if you’re creating an eBook.
- For printables, tools like Canva and Illustrator can help you design visually appealing products. Choose templates that suit your product type and customize them to align with your branding.
Step 2.3: Collect feedback from people’s experience after releasing your MVP (Minimum viable product).
Step 2.4: Improve your products
Step 3: Create Amazon listings
Now, you are at the most exciting step in selling digital products on Amazon. However, before you start selling Amazon digital products, you should first create a seller account.
Then, depending on the specific type of digital item you’ve created, you’ll be directed to various pages and tools designed for uploading your content. For instance, if you’ve authored books, Kindle Direct Publishing is the platform to upload and distribute them, while Amazon Appstore is the designated space for apps.
Although each digital product may be sold on different platforms, there are some essential elements that you must consider and optimize when listing your products.
Amazon listing elements:
- Product description: As a seller, you should write a clear and engaging description highlighting their digital products’ unique features and benefits. A well-crafted description helps customers understand what they will be getting and why they should consider purchasing it.
- Backend keywords: Utilize Amazon’s backend keyword fields to include additional relevant keywords that may not fit in the visible product listing. These hidden keywords can further boost your product’s search rankings.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Optimizing Amazon listings with SEO techniques like incorporating keywords naturally in product titles, bullet points, and product descriptions can help improve visibility in Amazon’s search results.
- High-quality images: Visual appeal is crucial for selling digital products on Amazon. To upload successfully, you should ensure your digital product listings comply with these platform standards.
Image requirements
Here are some requirements for high-quality photography to make sure your product uploaded on Amazon are align with Amazon policies and get highest quality:
- Images must be at least 1000 pixels wide or tall and 1600 pixels on the longest side for the zoom feature.
- Images cannot exceed 10,000 pixels on the longest side.
- The product must fill at least 85% of the image frame
- Main images must have a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255).
- Accepted file formats are JPEG, PNG, non-animated GIF, or TIFF, with JPEG preferred.
- File names must include the product identifier (ASIN, JAN, EAN, ISBN, or UPC) followed by a period and file extension.
Step 4: Upload your Amazon digital download listings
With your listings ready, you can now upload your digital products on Amazon with the necessary product attributes. Select the right platform to upload your items, such as Amazon Merch for digital art or Amazon KDP for eBooks. Don’t forget to double-check the accuracy of all details before submitting your listings for review and approval.
Amazon’s team will review your submission to ensure it complies with their policies. This process involves verifying that you have the rights to any images or content used and that your product does not contain offensive or controversial material.
You’ll receive an approval notification if your product meets Amazon’s standards. If it’s rejected, Amazon will provide the reasons for the rejection, allowing you to make the necessary edits and resubmit.
Step 5: Promote your listings
To promote your digital products successfully, take advantage of Amazon’s PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising system to increase visibility on the platform. You can also extend your efforts beyond Amazon by leveraging other platforms like Facebook, email marketing, and social media.
What to Notice When Selling Digital Products on Amazon?
Selling digital products on Amazon presents an opportunity to reach a worldwide audience with low risk. Amazon offers 6 primary categories for selling digital products, namely:
1. Eligible digital product categories
Selling digital products on Amazon presents an opportunity to reach a worldwide audience with low risk. Amazon offers 6 primary categories for selling digital products, namely:
- eBooks
- Music
- Art
- Apps, Software, and Games
- Audible
To sell digital downloads on Amazon, you must review Amazon’s guidelines to confirm that your products fall within these eligible categories.
2. Restrictions and prohibited content
Amazon upholds stringent guidelines regarding content that is not permissible for sale. This includes materials:
Offensive content
Any material deemed inappropriate or offensive is strictly prohibited. Certain types of content are not allowed for sale on Amazon, including:
- Hate speech;
- Content promoting the abuse or sexual exploitation of children;
- Pornography;
- Glorification of rape or pedophilia;
- And, content advocating terrorism.
Misleading content
Amazon expects digital for sale to provide a positive customer experience. Misleading descriptive content or content that inaccurately represents the products is not allowed.
3. Intellectual property rights considerations
Respecting intellectual property rights is of utmost importance when selling digital products on Amazon. Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials can lead to legal consequences and damage your reputation as a seller. Therefore, as an Amazon digital seller, you should ensure that your content does not violate copyright, trademark, publicity, or any other rights. Content freely available on the web under copyright is also not accepted unless authorized by the copyright owner.
The Dos and Don’ts When Selling Digital Products on Amazon
Selling digital content on Amazon involves following specific rules and guidelines, just like on any other platform. Hence, understanding the dos and don’ts of selling digital items on Amazon is a must when selling digital assets on Amazon.
Dos for Amazon
- DO keep track of your selling activities through the Amazon dashboard to stay informed about updates.
- DO obtain express permission from Amazon before selling any restricted products.
- DO provide honest and accurate descriptions of your products.
- DO respond promptly to customer inquiries and address any issues or concerns with professionalism and empathy.
- DO stay updated with Amazon’s platform changes, new features, and marketing opportunities to maximize your sales potential.
Don’ts for Amazon
- DON’T break Amazon’s seller guidelines and rules
- DON’T provide forged or fake legal documentation or identity to Amazon
- DON’T sell digital products that violate others’ copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights.
- DON’T attempt to manipulate customer reviews or engage in any form of review manipulation.
Here are the dos and don’ts for selling on specific Amazon services. This guide on how to sell digital downloads on Amazon explains each one in detail.
Do’s and dont’s when selling on KDP
Dos:
- Identify and fix errors in the book before uploading it.
- Create a high-quality cover to engage customers.
- Format the book correctly to provide the best reading experience.
Don’ts:
- Post Kindle-inappropriate content like coloring books and journals
- Include affiliate links inside your ebooks
Do’s and dont’s when selling on TuneCore
Dos:
- Upload cover art as PNG, JPG, or GIF.
- Keep the image art square and at least 1600 x 1600 pixels.
- Use RGB color mode for all images.
Don’ts:
- Submit blurry or cut-off artwork.
- Include email addresses or contact information in the cover art.
Do’s and dont’s when selling on Amazon Merch on Demand
Dos:
- Use your original artwork to avoid copyright issues.
- Create age-appropriate artwork if selling youth sizes.
Don’ts:
- Promote violence, racism, or hate in your designs.
- Add irrelevant content that is unrelated to your design or show contact details
- Use low-resolution images with watermarks.
How to Sell Digital Products on Amazon – FAQs
To sell digital content on Amazon, you can follow these steps: Previously, Amazon offered a platform known as Amazon Ignite, which served as a valuable resource for sellers to offer educational printables. However, Amazon has made the decision to discontinue the Amazon Ignite program. As a result, selling printables on Amazon is no longer available for sellers. Yes, you can sell a PDF on Amazon, especially if it contains valuable content. Through platforms like Amazon KDP, you can easily upload your PDFs and make them available for purchase to Amazon customers. Selling digital products on Amazon can be profitable if you understand Amazon seller fees and know how to price your products accordingly. The platform’s vast customer base and global reach provide ample opportunities for exposure and sales. How you can start an Amazon digital store:
Can You Sell Digital Products on Amazon?
In the fast-paced digital world, creating a masterpiece of digital content is undoubtedly an impressive feat, but the true challenge lies in successfully selling it. However, the challenge of selling digital content on Amazon becomes more manageable with the marketplace. So, what are you waiting for? Check this guide on how to sell digital products on Amazon and kick start today thoroughly!
With LitCommerce, you can learn more about not only Amazon but also other marketplaces that offer you a chance to sell your products. If you’re interested, feel free to contact us. Additionally, to stay informed about eCommerce trends, gain valuable insights, and access helpful guides, you can follow our retailer blog.
