One of the biggest questions beginners have when starting an online business is simple:
What should I actually sell?
Digital products come in many different forms, from ebooks and templates to planners, courses, and downloadable tools. The variety can be exciting, but it can also make it difficult to decide where to start.
The good news is that you don’t need dozens of products or complicated systems to begin. Many successful digital entrepreneurs start with just one useful resource that solves a specific problem for their audience.
Once that first product is created, it becomes much easier to expand your catalog with additional guides, tools, and resources over time. Businesses like this become invaluable to those that are searching for solutions to their problems.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are ten digital products that beginners can start creating and selling today.
Ebooks and Digital Guides
Ebooks are one of the most common digital products because they are relatively easy to create and can cover almost any topic. A well-written guide that explains a process, teaches a skill, or helps someone solve a problem can provide real value to readers.
Many creators start with short guides that focus on a specific topic rather than trying to write a long book right away.
Examples might include:
- beginner tutorials
- niche hobby guides
- step-by-step business instructions
- educational resources
When I first started out in this business, I worked on quick, easy content in the form of PLR Articles. They’re still great today, making for easy content for a blog or email list. But I soon got calls for more. For full ebooks covering a huge variety of topics. Now? PLR Ebooks is my biggest and best selling category, even decades later.
Printable Planners and Trackers
Printable planners have become extremely popular, especially in niches like productivity, budgeting, fitness, and personal development.
These products help people organize their goals, track habits, or plan their daily routines.
Examples include:
- daily planners
- budget trackers
- meal planning sheets
- fitness trackers
- goal-setting worksheets
Many creators sell these as simple downloadable PDFs that customers can print at home.
These products have exploded in popularity recently, with an even further shift toward digital products overall. People aren’t just reading on devices nowadays, they’re actually filling out planners, tracking weight loss and budgets, and even journaling from the comfort of a device. And who doesn’t have a phone these days? Digital products are easier than ever.
Templates
Templates are incredibly useful because they save people time. Instead of starting from scratch, customers can simply customize a pre-made template to fit their needs.
Some popular template ideas include:
- resume templates
- business document templates
- social media templates
- website content templates
- email marketing templates
Templates are especially appealing to beginners because they are often quick to create and easy for customers to use.
Having ready-made tools and templates at your disposal is not only a huge weight off your shoulders, but also streamlines nearly any kind of process. People are constantly looking for guides and templates they can simply fill in with the info they want and complete it. No complications here.
Checklists and Workbooks
Sometimes the most valuable resources are the simplest ones.
Checklists and workbooks break down a complex process into manageable steps. They help people stay organized and make progress toward their goals. And in this increasingly busy day and age where we’re distracted left and right, something like checklists can keep us on track.
Examples include:
- business startup checklists
- project planning worksheets
- productivity workbooks
- skill-building exercises
These products are often short but extremely practical.
Online Courses
Online courses are another popular digital product, especially for people who enjoy teaching or explaining concepts.
Courses can be delivered through video lessons, written modules, or downloadable materials.
Topics can range widely, including:
- creative skills
- business training
- personal development
- technical tutorials
Even a short course that teaches a specific skill can become a valuable resource for learners.
And I don’t think I need to tell you that the age of the internet, and particularly recent events, more people than ever are turning to online learning for just about any topic you can imagine. From general education topics to learning to launch a business to wanting knowledge on a hobby. There’s space for everyone in the online courses realm.
Resource Toolkits
A resource toolkit combines multiple useful files into one product. Instead of selling a single item, creators bundle related materials together.
For example, a toolkit might include:
- guides
- templates
- checklists
- worksheets
This approach increases the perceived value of the product and often makes it easier to sell.
Many of our MRR Ebooks and Videos packages come with a huge variety of useful files, including ebooks, sales pages, checklists, email responses and tons more. They’re all-in-one packages that contain everything you need to get started and off the ground quickly.
Now more than ever, people are looking for these bundled solutions. It’s much easier to create or push a business when the tools needed are right at hand. Trying to pull them together yourself is time-consuming and tedious. Clients really want that simple, easy solution.
Educational Worksheets
Worksheets are especially popular in niches related to learning and personal improvement. They help people actively engage with information rather than just reading it.
Examples include:
- study guides
- reflection exercises
- goal planning worksheets
- journaling prompts
These products can be used individually or combined into larger workbooks.
Digital Art or Graphics
If you enjoy design or creative work, digital art and graphics can be a great digital product.
Common examples include:
- printable wall art
- design elements
- social media graphics
- icons and illustrations
Many digital artists sell their work as downloadable files that customers can use for personal projects. There are lots of other options out there these days as well that can be great resources for ready-made graphics you can use anywhere. Our PLR Graphics offer a ton of non-copyrighted content that anyone can use.
Audio Resources
Audio products are another interesting option for digital entrepreneurs. These might include instructional recordings, guided sessions, or educational content that people can listen to on the go.
Examples include:
- guided meditations
- language learning audio
- motivational recordings
- educational audio lessons
Audio products work well for audiences who prefer listening instead of reading. And with the increasing number of people who enjoy listening to something besides the radio on their commute to work, this niche has expanded massively over the past couple of years.
Content Packs and Business Resources
Another beginner-friendly option is selling content resources designed to help other entrepreneurs.
These products might include:
- article packs
- marketing materials
- business guides
- niche content collections
Many online businesses rely on ready-to-use content that they can customize for their own websites, blogs, or marketing campaigns.
Starting Small Is the Key
Many people assume they need a large catalog of products before launching a digital business. In reality, many successful creators begin with just one or two useful resources.
Once those products are available, they gradually expand their offerings by creating additional guides, tools, or bundles that serve the same audience.
Over time, this can grow into a full digital product library that generates consistent income.
When I started out, I just had a small handful of products. In the Private Label Rights scene specifically, they were still very helpful for that ready-made content other entrepreneurs were looking for. Slowly and steadily, I built it up into a catalog of thousands of products now. Not all at once. Not quickly. But steadily, as I gained traction and made a name for myself and this business.
Final Thoughts
Digital products offer a flexible and accessible way to start an online business. With so many different formats available, beginners have plenty of opportunities to create resources that help people solve problems, learn new skills, and/or improve their lives.
The most important step is simply choosing a product idea and getting started. Your first digital product doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to provide value to your audience.
From there, you can continue improving your products, expanding your catalog, and building a digital business that grows over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are digital products?
Digital products are items that can be downloaded or accessed online rather than shipped physically. Examples include ebooks, templates, planners, courses, and other digital resources.
What is the easiest digital product for beginners to create?
Short guides, checklists, and templates are often the easiest digital products for beginners because they can be created quickly and still provide useful value.
Where can beginners sell digital products?
Digital products can be sold on personal websites, digital marketplaces, or ecommerce platforms designed for downloadable products.
Do digital products really generate passive income?
Digital products can create passive income once they are created and available for sale. While they often require effort upfront, they can continue generating revenue over time.
Continue Learning
If you’re interested in building a digital product business, you need to check out our other informational guides:
- Passive Income Businesses You Can Start with Digital Products
- How to Start a Digital Product Business
- Beginner’s Guide to PLR & MRR