Let’s cut the fluff: not everyone’s a tech whiz or graphic designer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sell digital products online and make a decent side income. Truth is, if you’ve got a bit of patience, some common sense, and a willingness to learn a few simple tools, you can absolutely get into the digital game—no artsy background needed.
I’ve messed around with all sorts of side hustles over the years. Some hands-on. Some online. Selling digital products? It’s one of the few gigs where you can build something once and keep earning from it long after smoko’s over. No postage, no packing, no customer returns clogging up your day. Just passive(ish) income ticking away in the background.
Here’s a solid list of digital products you can sell—even if your design skills are about as polished as a brick.
1. Printable Planners, Checklists, and Trackers
Why it works:
People love getting organized—or at least feeling like they’re organized. Whether it’s a meal planner, budget tracker, cleaning schedule, or weekly to-do list, there’s a market for it.
Tools you’ll need:
Canva is the go-to here. It’s free to start, drag-and-drop easy, and comes loaded with ready-made templates you can tweak. You don’t need to design from scratch—just change the colors, text, and maybe toss in a few icons.
Where to sell:
Etsy is king for printables. You can also try Gumroad or Shopify if you want more control.
Tip:
Niche down. A “Daily Planner” is too broad. But a “Single Dad Weekly Meal Prep Checklist”? Now you’re talking.
2. Digital Journals and Notebooks
Why it works:
iPads and tablets are everywhere now, and folks are using them to journal, study, plan… you name it. Digital notebooks are PDFs designed for apps like GoodNotes or Notability.
What to include:
You’ll want clickable tabs and blank or lined pages. Again—Canva can handle most of this, especially with their grid and table features.
Tip:
Stick with neutral tones or minimal styles—simple sells. No need to get fancy.
3. Email Templates and Swipe Files
Who buys these:
Small business owners, coaches, freelancers—basically anyone who sends emails for a living and wants to sound more professional or persuasive without starting from scratch.
What it looks like:
“10 Cold Outreach Emails That Actually Get Replies” or “Welcome Email Sequence for New Subscribers.” You can write these in Google Docs and package them up as PDFs or zip folders.
No design needed:
You’re selling the words, not the look.
4. Digital Stickers
Wait, what?
Yep—people buy digital stickers for their digital planners. Think cute icons, motivational quotes, or themed packs for things like fitness or budgeting.
Can you draw? No? No worries.
Use Canva elements, purchase commercial-use clipart, or hire a cheap designer once and reuse the graphics across multiple packs.
Where to sell:
Etsy, Design Bundles, or your own website.
5. Ebooks or Guides
Doesn’t have to be a novel.
An ebook can be as short as 10–15 pages if it’s useful. Think how-to guides, niche advice, or step-by-step breakdowns of something you know well — could be “How to Start a Car Detailing Side Hustle” or “Scrap Gold Basics for Beginners.”
Write it in Google Docs or Word, convert it to PDF, and upload it.
Marketing tip:
Add a lead magnet version—a free 2-page sample in exchange for someone’s email. Build a list. That’s how the pros play it.
6. Budget Spreadsheets
Who’s buying spreadsheets?
More people than you’d think. Especially ones that help track bills, savings goals, debt payoff, or side hustle income.
Use:
Google Sheets or Excel. Keep it clean. Use drop-downs or color-coded boxes if you’re feeling brave.
Best sellers:
Monthly budget planners, wedding budgets, small business income trackers.
Extra idea:
Sell matching printable versions too—more bang for your buck.
7. Social Media Content Packs
Good if you’re decent with words.
You can create Instagram captions, post ideas, or quote graphics. Use Canva’s templates and batch-create 30 posts at a time.
No design flair?
Use plain white backgrounds and bold text. Simplicity works, especially if you’re targeting minimalist brands or professionals.
Bundle themes:
“30 Quotes for Fitness Coaches” or “Week of Instagram Posts for Real Estate Agents.”
8. Resume or Cover Letter Templates
Who’s this for?
Job seekers who want something better than Word’s stock template.
Created with:
Canva or Google Docs. Make it look clean and easy to customize.
Pro move:
Offer a package: Resume + Cover Letter + LinkedIn Profile Tips—sell as a bundle.
9. Kids’ Activity Sheets
Perfect if you’re a parent or carer.
Parents want screen-free activities. Teachers need class fillers. These sell like hotcakes on Etsy.
Ideas:
Coloring pages, matching games, dot-to-dots, “Spot the Difference,” tracing letters.
Tools:
Canva, or hire someone to sketch the illustrations for cheap on Fiverr.
Legal heads-up:
If you use stock images or fonts, double-check the license for resale.
10. Motivational Wall Art (Printables)
Sell quotes; people want to hang up.
“Good Vibes Only,” “Hustle Hard,” “But First, Coffee”—you’ve seen them. People love buying and printing these at home.
Easy setup:
Create a few versions—black & white, color, portrait/landscape—and you’ve got a whole listing.
Bonus tip:
Offer bundles of 5 or 10 designs to boost the price.
Real Talk: How Much Can You Make?
This isn’t a “get rich by Friday” game. But here’s the upside:
You build once
You sell forever (pretty much)
You can scale it slowly, without quitting your job
Some folks pull in a few hundred a month after a few decent listings. Others treat it like a full-on business and rake in thousands. Most of us fall somewhere in between—and that’s still bloody helpful.
Where to Sell Digital Products
- Etsy: Easiest for beginners. Traffic’s built-in.
- Gumroad: Great for simple sales pages and freebie offers.
- Payhip: Nice option for low-fee selling.
- Shopify: If you want to go big and build a brand.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a designer to sell digital stuff. You just need a bit of grit, some basic tools, and a willingness to try. Most of the hard part is just starting. Pick one idea, get it made, and chuck it up online. You’ll learn faster by doing than by overthinking.
Keep it simple. Keep it useful. And don’t worry if it isn’t perfect—perfect doesn’t pay the bills. Done does.
Now go build something. You’ve got this.
— Kim
SideHustleQuest.com
