How to Make Money Selling Digital Products on Etsy: A Proven Method to Copy Best-Sellers and Win Big
Etsy: A Goldmine for Digital Products
Think Etsy is just for handmade crafts? Think again! It’s one of the best places to sell digital products-where you can make money around the clock without ever worrying about inventory, shipping, or endless customer service headaches.
Here’s the catch: some digital products bring in thousands every month, while others barely get noticed. So, how do you pick the winners, create your own, and build a shop that actually makes sales?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a simple, beginner-friendly process to:
✅ Find best-selling digital products
✅ Make them unique so they stand out
✅ Launch a thriving Etsy shop that keeps bringing in sales
Step 1: Spotting Profitable Digital Products on Etsy
The secret to selling digital products successfully? Offer what’s already in demand-but with your own twist. Here’s how to find high-demand, low-competition products that buyers love:
1.1 Use Etsy Search & Filters
Etsy’s search bar is your best friend. Here’s what to do:
- Type in keywords like “digital planner,” “printable,” “template,” or “SVG files.”
- Look at the autocomplete suggestions-Etsy is literally telling you what people are searching for!
- Hit enter and filter by “Best Seller” or “Top Customer Reviews.” These are the money-makers.
1.2 Spy on Competitors Using Tools like Marmalead, ERank, Alura and Sale Samurai
Some of this spy/analytic tools are having a free version of their tools, you can use that for start, but there are also the paid versions for advanced features. Among revealing how many sales a shop makes and which products are bringing in the most revenue, there are other insights like SEO-optimization tips. You’ll want to make use of that.
- Search for top-performing shops in the digital space.
- Identify their best-selling products and note patterns: pricing, descriptions, styles.
However, while these tools can be very helpful, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Etsy’s best practices for running a shop and listing items, here you can find the official Etsy Seller Handbook, give it a good read!
Another good read is The Ultimate Guide to Etsy Search – That page holds a collection of articles holding many gems related to how Etsy rank items, and what you can do to rank yours.
1.3 Check Demand with Google Trends & Pinterest Trends
Before you create a product, ensure it has consistent or growing demand.
- Search your product idea in Google Trends to see search popularity over time.
- Use Pinterest Trends to gauge interest levels-Pinterest is HUGE for Etsy buyers.
1.4 Explore Real Best-Selling Digital Products (Examples)
Here are hot-selling digital products right now:
| Category | Example Products |
|---|---|
| Printables | Budget planners, wedding invites, meal planners |
| Templates | Canva social media templates, business card designs, resume templates |
| SVG & Clipart | Stickers, T-shirt graphics, monograms |
| Digital Planners | ADHD planners, student planners, bullet journals |
| Course & Coaching Tools | Ebooks, Notion templates, coaching workbooks |
Step 2: Creating Your Digital Product (Without Being a Copycat)
Now that you’ve identified best-selling products, it’s time to make them better and add value. Here’s how:
2.1 Reverse-Engineer What Works
- Look at the top listings in your niche.
- Identify what they do well-design, keywords, unique features.
- Read their reviews. Find common complaints or suggestions and improve upon them.
2.2 Add Unique Touches
- Bundle multiple related products together.
- Add extra pages, color options, or bonus templates.
- Offer a version editable in Canva, Notion, or Google Docs.
- Include a personalized video tutorial-this alone can 10X perceived value.
2.3 Easy Tools to Create Digital Products
No design skills? No problem! Here are beginner-friendly tools:
- Canva (Free & Pro) – Best for social media templates, planners, and workbooks.
- Adobe Illustrator – Perfect for SVGs, clipart, and advanced designs.
- Affinity Designer – Affordable alternative to Illustrator.
- Notion – Ideal for digital planners and business tools.
- Google Docs/Sheets – Great for business planners and templates.
2.4 Ensure Your Files Are Download-Ready
Etsy customers expect instant access. Save your files in formats like PDF, PNG, SVG, or ZIP and test the download process before listing.
Step 3: Setting Up Your Etsy Shop for Success
3.1 Optimize Your Shop Name & Branding
Pick a shop name that’s:
- Short, memorable, and easy to spell
- Relevant to your niche (e.g., “PlannersByEmma” for digital planners)
3.2 Create High-Converting Listings
Your listing page should be impossible to scroll past.
- Title: Include main keywords (e.g., “Aesthetic Digital Planner | 2025 Life Planner | PDF + Canva Editable”)
- Photos: Use mockups from Placeit or Canva to show your product in action.
- Description: Make it engaging. Highlight benefits, not just features.
- Tags: Use all 13 Etsy tags with long-tail keywords (e.g., “printable planner for students”).
3.3 Price Your Digital Products for Maximum Sales
- Low price ($2-$5): Great for impulse buys but needs high volume.
- Mid-range ($7-$15): Balances value and affordability.
- Premium ($20+): Best for bundles, coaching templates, or exclusive designs.
Step 4: Marketing & Scaling for Passive Income
4.1 Drive Free Traffic with Pinterest & SEO
Pinterest is Etsy’s secret weapon. Create 5-10 eye-catching pins per product and post consistently.
4.2 Offer Limited-Time Discounts
Etsy promotes shops with discounts, and customers love deals! Try:
- 10% off for new customers
- BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free)
- Holiday sales (Black Friday, New Year, etc.)
4.3 Grow with Digital Bundles
Customers LOVE bundles. Example:
- Sell a 2025 Budget Planner for $5.
- Bundle it with a Meal Planner & Habit Tracker for $15.
Take Action & Start Earning!
Selling digital products on Etsy is one of the easiest ways to build passive income. Follow this method:
✅ Find best-selling products with Etsy search & tools like eRank.
✅ Improve upon them-add value, bundles, and unique features.
✅ Create a high-converting Etsy shop with optimized listings.
✅ Market your products with Pinterest, SEO, and discounts.
Don’t just read-take action today! 🚀