Selling digital products online is an increasingly popular way to build a business, but the success of a digital business often hinges on the platform used to sell these products.
Choosing the right platform can make the difference between a thriving online store and a struggling one.
In this article, you will learn:
- Key features to look for in a digital product selling platform.
- Pros and cons of Payhip, Podia, New Zenler, Systeme.io, and Freshlearn.
- Recommendations to choose the best platform based on your needs.
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, you’ll be better equipped to select the one that aligns best with your business objectives.
Key Features to Look for in a Digital Product Selling Platform
When selecting a platform for selling digital products, there are several key features that can significantly impact your business’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Understanding these features will help you make a more informed decision about which platform is best suited to your needs.
Ease of Use and User Interface
The platform’s user interface should be intuitive and easy to navigate for both you as a seller and for your customers.
A good user interface can reduce the learning curve and help you manage your products and sales with minimal hassle. Ideally you should be able to get up and running within a few hours.
It should allow you to set up a store quickly, upload products easily, and track sales without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Payment Processing Options and Fees
Different platforms offer different payment gateways and fee structures. It’s crucial to consider how these factors align with your sales volume and target market.
Most platforms will allow you to connect your Stripe account and PayPal, however some may not let you connect both options on their free account.
Additionally, compare transaction fees as these can add up and affect your profitability. This is a huge factor in platform selection because what may seem reasonable at first can soon add up as you get more sales.
For instance one platform may take 10% while another 5%. If you sell a lot of low priced products this can feel a bit too much. Especially when your payment processor will be taking fees from that payment as well.
Advanced Marketing Tools: Sales Pages, Bump Offers, and Upsells
Effective sales strategies often depend on the ability to create compelling sales pages, along with offering bump offers and upsells.
A platform that provides flexible and customizable sales page templates, along with easy options for adding bump offers and upsells during the checkout process, can significantly increase your average order value.
Product Versatility and Bundling
As a multi-passionate entrepreneur I find that having the capability to host various types of digital products—including courses, downloads, and memberships—is crucial for a versatile digital business.
Additionally, the ability to bundle different products to create new offers can attract more customers and increase sales.
Ensure the platform can support all the product types you plan to offer and allows for creative bundling strategies.
Customer Support and Community Engagement
Robust customer support is essential, especially when you encounter technical issues or need help optimising your store.
Check what types of support are offered—such as live chat, email, or phone support—and the availability of these services.
A strong user community can also be invaluable, providing tips, advice, and feedback based on real-world usage of the platform.
These key features are fundamental when choosing a digital product selling platform.
In the following section, we will delve into the specifics of Payhip, Podia, New Zenler, Systeme.io, and Freshlearn, comparing their offerings in detail.
Why these four platforms? Because I’ve used each of these platforms and they all have great options for new sellers.
Detailed Comparison of my Top 5 Platforms
When it comes to selling digital products, the platform you choose can greatly influence your business dynamics.
Here’s a detailed look at the pros and cons of Payhip, Podia, New Zenler, Systeme.io, and Freshlearn to help you decide which is best suited for your needs.
Payhip
Overview: Payhip is an e-commerce platform designed for selling digital products, online courses, coaching and memberships. It is known for its simplicity and affordability, especially for beginners.
Pricing: Offers a free plan with a 5% transaction fee, and paid plans that reduce transaction fees.
- Free Forever Plan: $0/month with a 5% transaction fee.
- Plus Plan: $29/month with a 2% transaction fee.
- Pro Plan: $99/month with no transaction fees
Features: Includes affiliate marketing tools, coupon codes, and social discounts. However, it is limited in SEO tools and payment gateways, supporting only PayPal and Stripe.
Pros: Easy to use, good for digital products, and offers a free account with full features.
- User-friendly interface, making it easy to create and manage products.
- No feature-gating; all features are available on every plan, including the free plan.
- Unlimited products and revenue on all plans.
- Supports flexible pricing options, including discounts and subscriptions.
- Offers an affiliate program and integrates with email marketing tools
Cons: Limited payment options and SEO tools, and some users report issues with account management and customer support.
- Limited customization options for storefronts.
- Limited payment options, only supporting PayPal and Stripe.
- Basic analytics and reporting features.
- Transaction fees on lower-tier plans
- Can’t import customers onto the platform
Podia
Overview: Podia is a platform for selling online courses, memberships, and digital downloads. It is popular among creators for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features.
Pricing: Typically offers multiple pricing tiers with different levels of features and support.
- Free Plan: $0/month with a 10% transaction fee.
- Starter Plan: $9/month with an 8% transaction fee.
- Mover Plan: $39/month with a 5% transaction fee.
- Shaker Plan: $89/month with no transaction fees.
Features: Includes email marketing, membership management, and the ability to host webinars.
Pros: All-in-one platform with no transaction fees on highest plan, and strong community support.
- User-friendly and intuitive interface.
- All-in-one platform for courses, memberships, and digital downloads.
- No transaction fees on the highest-tier plan.
- Strong community support and access to Podia Pros for assistance.
Cons: May lack some advanced customization options compared to competitors.
- Transaction fees on most tiers.
- May lack advanced customization options compared to competitors.
New Zenler
Overview: New Zenler is an all-in-one course creation and marketing platform. It is designed for educators looking to create and sell online courses.
Pricing: Offers competitive pricing with various plans.
- Basic Plan: Approximately $37/month.
- Pro Plan: Approximately $67/month.
- Premium Plan: Approximately $97/month.
- Annual Discounts: Available for all plans.
Features: Includes course creation tools, marketing automation, and community building features.
Pros: Comprehensive feature set for course creators, including live classes and webinars.
- Comprehensive feature set for course creation and marketing.
- Supports live classes and webinars.
- Competitive pricing with various plans.
Cons: Some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to other platforms.
Systeme.io
Overview: Systeme.io is a marketing platform that combines sales funnels, email marketing, and membership site management.
Pricing: Known for its affordable pricing plans.
- Free Plan: $0/month with limited features.
- Startup Plan: €27/month (approximately $30) with a 0% transaction fee.
- Webinar Plan: €47/month (approximately $52) with a 0% transaction fee.
- Enterprise Plan: €97/month (approximately $110) with a 0% transaction fee.
Features: Includes sales funnel builder, email marketing, and affiliate program management.
Pros: Cost-effective and integrates multiple marketing tools in one platform.
- Affordable pricing plans.
- Combines sales funnels, email marketing, and membership site management.
- Cost-effective solution for integrating multiple marketing tools.
Cons: May have a steeper learning curve for users new to marketing automation.
Freshlearn
Overview: Freshlearn is a platform for creating and selling online courses. It focuses on ease of use and affordability.
Pricing: Offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs.
- Basic Plan: $29/month.
- Pro Plan: $59/month.
- Business Plan: $99/month.
- Annual Discounts: Available for all plans.
Features: Provides course creation tools, quizzes, and certifications.
Pros: User-friendly interface and good support for course creators.
- User-friendly interface.
- Good support for course creators with tools like quizzes and certifications.
- Affordable pricing plans.
Cons: May lack some advanced features found in more established platforms.
- Ease of Moving Chapters: Freshlearn lacks the ability to easily move chapters from one module to another, which can hinder the course creation process.
- Email Tool Limitations: The built-in email tool is currently in Beta and restricts campaigns to a maximum of 100 recipients, which can be limiting for larger email campaigns.
- Complicated Assessment Setup: Setting up assessments can be slow and complicated, requiring several steps and drop-down menus to create questions and assessments.
Each of these platforms has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your specific needs, such as the type of products you are selling, your technical proficiency, and your budget.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Platform
Choosing the right platform for selling digital products involves more than just comparing features and prices. Here are some crucial factors to consider that will help you align a platform’s capabilities with your specific business goals.
Business Goals and Product Type
Different platforms cater to different types of digital products and business models.
For instance, if you plan to sell mainly video content and courses, a platform like Podia or New Zenler might be more suitable due to their strong support for such formats.
On the other hand, if you’re focused on selling ebooks or software, Payhip or Systeme.io could be more appropriate.
Consider your long-term business goals and ensure the platform can support not only your current needs but also future expansion.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your business grows, your platform needs to grow with you. Check if the platform can handle increasing traffic and sales without compromising performance.
Also, consider how flexible the platform is in terms of integrating with other tools like CRM systems, email marketing software, and analytics tools. Platforms that offer extensive APIs and integration capabilities like Systeme.io can provide more flexibility as your business evolves.
Costs and Revenue Sharing
Finally, consider the overall cost of using the platform, including any transaction fees, monthly fees, and charges for additional features or support.
Some platforms may offer a lower initial cost but higher transaction fees, which could become significant as sales volume increases.
Conversely, platforms with higher monthly fees but lower transaction fees might be more economical as your sales grow.
It’s crucial to model these costs against your expected sales to understand which pricing structure aligns best with your financial goals.
By carefully considering these factors in light of your business needs, you can choose a platform that not only meets your current requirements but also supports your growth over time.
Conclusion
Selecting the right platform for selling digital products is a pivotal decision that can greatly impact the success of your online business.
From the ease of use and integration capabilities to the cost implications and scalability, each factor plays a significant role in shaping your business’s future.
- Key features to look for: It’s important to prioritise platforms that offer user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive payment options, and reliable customer support.
- Pros and cons of each platform: Payhip, Podia, New Zenler, Systeme.io, and Freshlearn each have unique strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for different types of digital product sellers.
- Choosing the right platform: The best platform for you depends on your specific needs, such as the type of products you plan to sell, your technical skills, and your growth aspirations.
As you consider your options, think about which platform aligns best with your business model and can provide the tools you need to thrive.
For a deeper dive into setting up and optimising your digital store, you might explore a detailed guide on creating compelling digital content that resonates with your audience and drives sales.
