Have an e-book, template, worksheet, preset, online course, or another digital product?

You no longer need to build a website from scratch just to start selling online.

Today, there are many platforms that can help you showcase products, accept payments, deliver digital files, and manage sales. The options range from local platforms to global services, each with different strengths.

So, which platform should you choose? Let’s take a look at some of the options.

What Should You Consider Before Choosing a Platform?

Before choosing a platform, don’t just look at how popular it is.

Consider these factors:

1. Your Product Type

What are you selling?

An e-book, template, preset, online course, software, membership, or something else?

Not every platform offers the same features for every type of digital product.

2. Your Target Audience

Are most of your customers in Indonesia or overseas?

If you mainly target Indonesian customers, support for local payment methods can be an important consideration.

3. Fees and Costs

Look at monthly subscription fees, transaction fees, payment processing fees, and other potential charges.

A small fee can make a significant difference once your sales volume grows.

4. Ease of Use

If you're not technically experienced, look for a platform that allows you to start selling without coding or dealing with complicated technical setups.

5. Product Delivery

For digital products, make sure the platform offers a simple and secure way to deliver your files so you don't have to send them manually after every purchase.

1. s.id Shop — For Creators and Digital Sellers in Indonesia

If your primary audience is in Indonesia, s.id Shop can be one option worth considering.

s.id Shop allows users to create a digital store and sell products such as e-books, templates, presets, online courses, and other digital downloads.

It also supports local payment methods and digital product delivery, making the buying process more convenient for both sellers and customers.

One of its advantages is that you don't need to build a separate e-commerce website from scratch.

Simply create your store, upload your products, and share your store link with your audience.

Best for:

• Indonesian creators

• Teachers and educators

• Writers

• Designers

• Photographers

• Content creators

• Template sellers

• Digital product businesses

More than just a digital store

s.id also has a Microsite feature that lets you bring your profile, social media, portfolio, products, and other important links together in one place.

This can be useful for creators who want to build a simple digital presence while selling their products.

If your audience is mainly in Indonesia and you want a simple way to start selling without building your own website, s.id Shop is worth exploring.

2. Gumroad — A Popular Choice for Global Creators

If you want to sell to an international audience, Gumroad is one of the platforms that has become well known among digital creators.

Gumroad allows creators to sell products such as e-books, digital downloads, courses, memberships, and other digital products. One of its main attractions is its relatively straightforward approach to setting up a product page and starting to sell. You can share your product link directly through social media, newsletters, communities, or other channels where you already have an audience.

Best for:

• Writers

• Content creators

• Illustrators

• Designers

• Developers

• Creators with international audiences

However, make sure you understand Gumroad's current fee structure and payment availability in your region before choosing it.

It can be a good option if you already have an audience and want to sell digital products globally.

3. Payhip — A Simple Way to Start a Digital Store

Payhip is another platform designed for selling digital products online.

It offers storefront functionality for products such as e-books, digital downloads, online courses, and memberships.

One of its advantages is that you can start selling without having to build a complete e-commerce website yourself.

Best for:

• New creators

• E-book sellers

• Template sellers

• Course creators

• Digital product businesses

Payhip can be a practical option if you want your own digital storefront but don't need a highly customized website yet.

4. Lemon Squeezy — For Software and Global Digital Products

If your product is more technical, such as software, applications, plugins, or subscription-based products, Lemon Squeezy can be an interesting option.

The platform is designed around selling software, digital products, and subscriptions to customers globally.

One of its key advantages is its focus on handling parts of the operational side of global digital sales, including tax-related processes through its Merchant of Record model.

Best for:

• Developers

• Software creators

• SaaS businesses

• Plugin creators

• Global digital businesses

• Subscription-based products

If you're selling software or digital services internationally, a platform like this can simplify some of the operational challenges.

5. Shopify — For Businesses Ready to Build a Full Online Store

If you're not just selling one or two digital products but want to build a more complete online brand and store, Shopify can be a strong option.

Shopify offers greater control over your store, including its design, product catalog, customer journey, marketing, and integrations.

It can be particularly useful for businesses that sell both physical and digital products.

Best for:

• Growing brands

• Businesses with multiple products

• Businesses selling physical and digital products

• Brands that need a more customizable online store

The trade-off is that Shopify generally requires more setup than a simple digital-product platform.

If you're serious about building a larger e-commerce business, Shopify can be worth considering as a long-term option.

6. Etsy — Great for Discoverable Digital Products

Unlike platforms such as Gumroad and Payhip, Etsy operates more like a marketplace.

This means you can bring your own audience while also having the opportunity to be discovered by people who are already searching for products on Etsy.

Etsy can be particularly interesting for products such as:

• Printable products

• Templates

• Digital planners

• Wall art

• Invitations

• Craft designs

• Digital assets

Best for:

• Illustrators

• Designers

• Printable sellers

• Template creators

• Digital artists

The downside is that you're competing with many other sellers on the same marketplace.

7. Ko-fi — More Than Just a Support Platform

If you're an independent creator with an existing community, Ko-fi can also be an option.

The platform allows creators to receive support from their audience while also selling digital products. Because of its creator-focused approach, Ko-fi can be useful for people who want to combine audience support and product sales in one place.

Best for:

• Artists

• Illustrators

• Content creators

• Writers

• Independent creators

Don't Just Think About Where to Sell

Choosing the right platform is important.

But there's another question you shouldn't overlook:

How will people find your products?

You might already have a store on one of the platforms above. But if your audience doesn't know where to find it, your products can still struggle to get sales. That's why distribution is just as important as the store itself.

Use channels such as:

• Instagram

• TikTok

• YouTube

• WhatsApp

• Email

• Online communities

• Blogs

• QR Codes

to bring people to your products. And don't rely entirely on a single social media platform.

Build Your Own Digital Identity

Selling platforms can help you get started.

But as your business grows, it's also worth thinking about building a digital identity that you can own.

For example, you could have:

yourbrand.id as your brand's digital address.

From there, you can direct visitors to your store, portfolio, social media accounts, products, or other services. This matters because platforms can change. Algorithms change. Trends change. But having your own digital address gives you a consistent place to connect all your online activities.

You Don't Have to Choose Just One Platform

You don't necessarily have to choose one platform and abandon everything else.

For example:

.id → Your brand's digital identity

s.id → Your link hub and digital store

Instagram/TikTok → Audience and content

Gumroad/Payhip → Global customers

Shopify → A more comprehensive online store as your business grows

Each platform can have a different role. The key is making sure they are connected and easy for your audience to navigate.

So, Which Platform Should You Choose?

If you're just getting started, don't spend too much time searching for the “perfect” platform.

Choose one that is:

Easy to use → Suitable for your product → Suitable for your audience → Affordable → Able to grow with your business.

For Indonesian creators and digital sellers, s.id Shop can be one option to consider, especially if you want to sell digital products and connect your store with other parts of your digital presence.

For global audiences, you can explore platforms such as Gumroad, Payhip, or Lemon Squeezy.

For businesses that need a more comprehensive online store, Shopify may be a better fit.

Meanwhile, Etsy can be worth considering if your products are suitable for marketplace discovery.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best platform is the one that fits your digital journey.

Start with Your Product, Build Your Identity, Expand Your Market

Selling digital products is more accessible than ever. You don't need to start with a complicated website. You can start with one product, one store, and one link.

As your business grows, you can build your own website and strengthen your digital identity with a .id domain.

Because ultimately, building a digital business isn't only about where you sell your products.

It's also about how people discover, recognize, and remember your brand. Have a digital product? Don't just leave it on your laptop. Bring your work into the digital space and start reaching your customers.

👉 Build your brand's digital identity with a .id domain and connect your online channels and stores in one digital ecosystem.