Traditionally, it has never been easier for retailers to shift the brick-and-mortar stores online. However, with global eCommerce sales estimated to hit $6 trillion by 2024, retailers can now have their own eCommerce site to sell their products online, receive the payments and take their business to new heights and that too from the comfort of their homes. 

What is more exciting about eCommerce is that you can sell anything online - be it a physical product or a digital product. However, if you are new to this field, you might be wondering whether you should start selling physical products or digital products online. So, to help you make an informed decision, we will share the difference between physical and digital products.

What are digital products?

A digital product is an intangible good that can be delivered electronically. The most common type of digital product is information, which can be in the form of text, audio, video, or image files. Once these files are created, they can be distributed online countless times through email, social media, or a website.

What are physical products?

A physical product is a material object that you can touch, see, and feel. It is a three-dimensional object that you can hold in your hand. Unlike digital products, physical products are not services or intangible items. They are the actual product that a company produces and sells.

Physical products can be either finished goods or raw materials. Raw materials are the building blocks that are used to create a finished product. For example, steel is a raw material that is used to create cars, bridges, and buildings.

Physical Products V/S Digital Products

There are several key differences between digital and physical products. Perhaps the most obvious is that digital products can be delivered instantly. On the other hand, in order to sell physical products online, you have to ship them and bear the shipping cost. This can be a significant advantage for digital products, as customers do not have to wait to receive their purchase.

Another key difference is that digital products are often less expensive to produce than physical products. This is because there are no costs associated with manufacturing and shipping physical products. Additionally, digital products can be duplicated at a very low cost, while physical products can only be manufactured once.

Finally, digital products can be distributed to a global audience quickly and easily, while physical products are limited by geography. This makes it easier for digital products to reach a larger audience, which can translate into more sales.

What digital products can you sell online?

• Online courses educational products: One of the most popular types of digital products are online courses and educational products. These can be in the form of eBooks, video courses, audio courses, or even printables. The great thing about online courses and educational products is that they can be evergreen, meaning you can sell them for years to come. They're also relatively easy to create, especially if you're already an expert on the topic.
• Licenses for digital assets: If you create digital products like graphics, fonts, or stock photos, you can sell licenses for these products online. This allows customers to use your digital products in their own projects.
• Music and art: If you're a musician or artist, you can sell your music and art online in the form of digital files. Customers can then download these files and use them however they like, whether it's for personal or commercial use.
• Digital Tools and Templates: There's a growing market for digital tools and templates, especially those that help with productivity or creative projects. For example, you could create a guided journal, a social media planner, or an Excel spreadsheet template.
• E-books: E-books are one of the most popular types of digital products because they're relatively easy to create, and there's a huge demand for them. If you have expertise on a particular topic, you can write an e-book and sell it online.

The bottom line

Now that you know the difference between digital and physical products and what digital products you can sell online, what are you waiting for? Start selling digital products – all you need to do is build an eCommerce site to sell your products. 

However, if you already have a website, you can turn your existing website into an eCommerce site with the help of an online site builder tool like Shoprocket. For more information, visit the website here: https://shoprocket.io.