Digital Product Business Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Tell me if you’ve heard this before:
A digital downloads business is the fastest way to make money! No need to keep stock, you just make the products ones, hence- no ceiling on your earnings!
Did it work for you? If yes- skip this article, you’re golden.
But if it didn’t- perhaps this article is just what you need to realize what’s holding you back from generating revenue from this lucrative business structure!
Selling digital downloads can be an exciting way to earn income—but for many beginners, enthusiasm often collides with a few common missteps. Whether you're selling eBooks, templates, printables, PNG files, or stock photos, avoiding these pitfalls will save you time, frustration, and lost sales.
Reason #1 - Poor Product Quality
If your product is rushed, sloppy, or full of errors, it will hurt your reputation instantly. Digital buyers expect professional design and a polished user experience.
Poor quality could be providing a PNG clipart with a transparent background - but there are some mistakes in the graphics (happens a lot with AI…)
OR- providing a seamless pattern- that isn’t actually seamless.
This could also be promising a Procreate brush-set filled with unique animal stamps- while delivering something super basic that people can find for free.
Reason #2 - Weak Product Descriptions
Many sellers treat descriptions like an afterthought, simply stating what the product is instead of why it matters. A bland description won’t inspire anyone to click “Buy.”
A good digital product description should include EXACTLY what the buyer will get (for example: a zipped file with 2 PDFs inside, one in A4 size, and one in US letter), as well as an explanation of WHY they need it, who’s it’s for.
Reason #3 - Weak Product Mockups
Physical products are “easier” in that sense, as you can simply take photos of the item, and/or provide mockups. But while they are important with physical items- they are sometimes more crucial for digital files.
Selling a printable coloring book? Make sure to provide mockups of several of the pages- sharing with your potential buyers what they’s be downloading. You can also add photos of some of the pages as they were colored- providing coloring ideas.
Selling an e-Book guide to explore Italy? Make sure your “mockup” images include photos of some of the recommended places- along with a photo of you, and explanations on why YOU should be their e-book guide.
Reason #4 - Inconsistency within the item
I would love to blame AI for this, but this has been a “thing” for many years now, pretty much every since people decided to resell items they found on Creative Fabrica in a weird bundle, or use Canva templates like they were socks- changing them at every step.
No one wants a graphics bundle for Kawaii fruit in which every fruit is painted in a different style, some with strong comic lines, others with Watercolor.
The same can be said for selling a printable planner bundle- including actual useful materials- but every page is in a totally different style, with clashing fonts, and no actual feel of a PRODUCT.
Reason #5 - Lack of Promotion
Some beginners assume “if you build it, they will come.” Unfortunately, digital downloads don’t sell themselves. Even when you’re selling on a Marketplace - no marketplace will send traffic your way before YOU make sales.
Unless you’re the only “answer” to a buyer’s search on that marketplace- the marketplace will simply suggest the listings that sold FIRST.
Promoting your own digital products is a must, no matter where you’re selling them.
Reason #6 - Pricing Too High
Yes, we know you want to make money, but other people want to get a good deal.
I am not saying that everything should be priced to the bare minimum- but the price you charge would lead to expectations, and it needs to be explained in the listing.
If all you did was create a simple layout planner that people can get themselves on Canva- don’t expect them to spend their hard earned money on it. This becomes even more crucial when you’re new and have no reviews or brand recognition.
Reason #7 - Pricing Too LOW
On the flip-side, trying to compete on price alone often backfires. Rock-bottom pricing suggests your product might not have much value, and it leaves you with razor-thin margins. I remember when people started selling 50 page printable workbooks on Etsy for 3 dollars… Almost no one bought them. I mean- how much value can your kid get from a person charging $3 ??
Reason #8 - Product Doesn’t Solve a Real Problem
Some creators fall in love with an idea without confirming if anyone actually needs it. If your product isn’t solving a pain point or fulfilling a desire, it won’t sell.
The best example I can give here would be selling printable wall art. Something that used to be at the top of “money making ideas with Etsy”. But the truth is- the items that were selling solved a decorating need.
Randomly designing wall art printables that wouldn’t look good on a wall, or have too many clashing elements- will create more problems than they solve.
The bigger the problem- the bigger the reward for fixing it.
Having detailed printable worksheets for wedding planning, coming from research, from experience, will solve a problem.
Coming up with a workbook on how to budget based on actual market knowledge- will solve a problem.
Now, you don’t always have to solve the BIGGEST issue in people’s lives, Sometimes- a printable calendar for 2026 for people who love cats- would solve their yearly inspiration problem.
Reason #9 - You Have No Marketing Plan
I’ll just post some photos on Instagram- who cares about hashtag research, attaching a trending song, or even having a proper link in bio.
Or maybe I will spend a day or two pinning my heart out on a random Pinterest account. Who cares about consistency or platform engagement.
Marketing needs to be done with a plan, with structure.
You need to think- where is my audience ‘hanging out” online?
What would they love to see?
How can I show up in that platform consistently ?
How can I make it easy for them to find my offers- without being too pushy?
Reason #10 - You Have No Brand
Yes, you can sell random items here and there… But that’s not the goal.
The goal is to have buyers come back for more. The goal is for them to want to follow you and see what comes next.
And for that- you can be just a random “download this” kinda shop. You have to be a seller, with a brand, a logo that shares who you are and what you’re about- a VOICE that speaks to your audience in a language they want or need to hear.
How to Fix These Mistakes
Start by investing time in product research and validation: talk to your audience (or to friends, if you have no existing audience), test ideas, and only create products that fill a clear need. be a bigger critic of your work- ask- would I pay for this?
Make sure your product looks and feels professional by using affordable tools or hiring freelance designers if needed. Write descriptions that speak to benefits, not just features—show buyers how their lives improve after purchasing.
Develop a simple marketing strategy (email list, social media content, SEO) and stick to it consistently. Remember to visit these “efforts” from time to time, check what worked- what didn’t- and pivot accordingly.
When setting prices, research competitors and test different tiers to find your sweet spot. Above all, remember -
Selling digital downloads is a business, not a quick fix!
It takes refinement, persistence, and a focus on providing real value.
Feel free to check out THIS PLAYLIST on my YouTube Channel filled with over 90 videos relating to making and selling digital products!
And do let me know in the comments- what is the biggest pain-point for you when it comes to your digital download business? perhaps one of these “reasons” should be a video of it’s own? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Happy selling,
Mey :)
PS - the most requested marketing video, How to market using Facebook groups for FREE, would be on the channel tomorrow night! so stay tuned, loads of examples on selling digital downloads on that one!