top of page

10 Lessons I Learned After Reselling Digital Products (So You Don’t Make My Mistakes)

Updated: Sep 12

Entrepreneur standing next to whiteboard with text 10 Lessons Learned and icons of books, money, and education, representing reselling digital products lessons
lessons every digital product reseller must learn

When I first started reselling digital products, I thought it would be a straightforward process. Buy a license, set up a store, and wait for the sales to roll in. That was the dream. But reality hit fast. I made mistakes—lots of them. Some were small. Others cost me time, money, and peace of mind.


Now, after months of trial and error, I’ve learned a lot. If you’re thinking of reselling digital products, this guide will help you avoid my mistakes and achieve success faster.


Digital Products Use Is Rising


The world is rapidly moving toward a digital future. This trend isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s advancing faster than ever. More people now work, study, and start businesses online. As a result, the need for digital resources is growing quickly. 


One report predicts that the global e-learning market alone will exceed $457 billion by next year. Digital products such as templates, e-books, and design tools are becoming very popular. 


Business owners are purchasing templates to save time. Freelancers and creators are investing in design tools that improve their workflow. Teachers are selling lesson plans.


Coaches are offering downloadable workbooks. Students are downloading e-books to help them study.  Many sellers use platforms like Gumroad and Payhip to offer these items.


Unlike physical products, digital items don’t need inventory. They don’t require packaging or shipping. Once created or licensed, they can be sold over and over with very little overhead. Little wonder more people are exploring reselling digital products as a business model. The profit margins are high. The barriers to entry are low. It is a powerful business model—if done right.


10 Lessons I Learned After Reselling Digital Products


Smiling entrepreneur holding laptop while climbing glowing stairs labeled 10 Lessons, surrounded by digital product icons, symbolizing growth in reselling business
“Step by step: 10 lessons that transformed my reselling journey 🚀”

1. Learn Basic Digital Marketing Skills


This lesson is crucial. I focused on finding products. But I forgot how to sell them. That was a mistake. Copywriting helped. Email marketing helped. Building funnels helped. They are essential for profitability.


Learn every day. Watch videos. Read books. Take a course. Marketing drives sales. Don't neglect it because your product is solid.


2. Focus on Quality, In-Demand Digital Products


When I started, I bought bundles of eBooks, templates, and online courses. I thought the more I had, the better. But not all digital products sell well. Some were outdated. Others even had zero demand. Just because you can resell it doesn’t mean you should.


Research before you invest. Check marketplaces. Look for current trends. Choose quality products that people are actively searching for.


3. Understand the License Terms Fully


One of my biggest mistakes was assuming all resale licenses were the same. They’re not. There’s a big difference between "resell rights", "master resell rights", and "private label rights". I learned this after accidentally violating a license agreement.


Read the fine print. Make sure you know exactly what you’re allowed to do with the product. If you're unsure, ask the creator directly.


4. Presentation Matters More Than You Think


When I uploaded my first product, I didn’t bother changing the sales page. It looked like a copy of ten other sites selling the same item. My conversion rate was terrible.


Customize the sales page. Rewrite the copy. Add better graphics. If you're reselling digital products, your brand and presentation should set you apart.


5. Build Trust Before You Sell


I tried selling to a cold audience with no warm-up. No emails, no introductions, just a sales pitch. It didn’t work. People don’t buy from strangers, especially when the internet is full of scams.


Offer value first. Build an email list. Give away a freebie related to your product. Establish trust before you pitch.


6. Customer Support Is Important


I thought reselling wouldn’t involve much. Sell it, send the file, done. But customers had questions. Some couldn’t download their files. Others wanted help using the product. Ignoring them would’ve hurt my brand.


Be ready to offer basic support. Even if it’s a simple FAQ or an email address for help. It matters.


7. Pricing Can Make or Break You


I priced my products too low at first. I thought lower prices would lead to more sales. But it actually did the opposite. It made my offers look low-quality. People wrongly assumed they weren’t valuable. 


Research what others are charging. Match or slightly exceed it if your offering is better. People will pay for value if they see it.


8. Automate

 

In the beginning, I manually sent every product after a sale. I also tracked orders in a spreadsheet. It was slow and messy. One small mistake and I’d miss a delivery or refund someone twice.


Use effective tools. Platforms like Gumroad and Payhip boast quality digital delivery mechanisms. They make reselling digital products easier and more reliable.


9. Don’t Depend on a Particular Source of Traffic


I leaned heavily on Facebook groups for my first sales. Then one group banned promotional posts. Overnight, my traffic vanished. I had no backup.


Diversify your traffic. Use various social media, email lists, content marketing, and paid ads. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.


10. Keep Improving Your Offers


The first time I made a sale, I expected a lot more to follow. But within weeks, sales slowed. I hadn’t updated anything. The world kept moving, but my store stayed the same.


Refresh your product listings. Bundle items. Add bonuses. When reselling digital products, always be looking for ways to add more value.

Futuristic digital store with glowing shelves of eBooks and courses, sign above reading Reselling Smart, symbolizing organized reselling business
Reselling smart: building a digital storefront the right way

Conclusion


Reselling digital products works. It can be a side hustle or a full-time gig. But it’s not easy. It takes work, planning, and learning from mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes. I rushed in, skipped research, neglected marketing, and underpriced my offers.


Take your time to do it right. The rewards are real. You can build something sustainable. Something that grows. Something you are proud of.


Learn from my journey so you don’t make my mistakes. Avoid the common pitfalls. And remember to treat reselling digital products like a real business—not a shortcut to quick money.


FAQ Section


Q1. What are the most important lessons from reselling digital products?


The biggest lessons include understanding licenses, focusing on quality products, building trust before selling, automating delivery, and diversifying traffic sources.


Q2. How do I avoid mistakes when reselling digital products?


Research demand before buying, check license terms carefully, rebrand sales pages, and treat reselling like a business instead of a quick side hustle.


Q3. Can beginners succeed at reselling digital products?


Yes. Beginners can succeed by starting small, learning marketing basics, choosing the right PLR or MRR products, and using platforms like Gumroad or Payhip.


Q4. Why are licenses important in reselling digital products?


Licenses define what you can and cannot do. Resell Rights, Master Resell Rights (MRR), and Private Label Rights (PLR) all have different permissions.


Q5. How do I choose the best digital products to resell?


Focus on in-demand, high-quality items like eBooks, templates, or online courses. Research marketplaces and trending niches before purchasing.


Comments


bottom of page