Digital Products app setup
Shopify's free app installed, your files or links attached to each variant, and delivery set the way you choose.
The Problem
Your Buyers Paid for a File, Then Waited for an Email
It starts when you sell files, courses, or software from a store built for shipped boxes. Delivery, sharing, licenses, and tax all work differently for digital goods, and the default setup handles none of it for you.
01 · Manual sending
You email files by hand after every order.
The app emails a download link after payment and marks the order fulfilled.
02 · Checkout
Checkout asks for a shipping address on a PDF.
Digital variants have shipping turned off, so checkout skips the address step.
03 · Shared links
One posted link keeps downloading long after the sale.
Download limits on each variant cap how many times a buyer opens the file.
04 · Courses
Course buyers get a receipt but no way in.
The product carries a link to your course platform, sent with the delivery email.
A customer buys your template pack late at night, then emails asking where the file is, because you've been sending files by hand. Your checkout still asks for a shipping address on a PDF. One buyer posts the link in a forum, and downloads keep coming. Your course lives on another platform, so buyers get a receipt but no way in. And nobody has set VAT for European buyers of digital goods.
We start with what you sell and how buyers should get it: a file, a link to a course or booking, or a license key. Then we set up Shopify's free Digital Products app, turn off shipping on digital variants, brand the delivery email, and set download limits. Where the app stops, we connect the right third-party app or build custom delivery. Files arrive after payment, not after you check your inbox.
Shopify's own app first
Shopify's free Digital Products app delivers files up to 5 GB each, so your store may need nothing else.
License keys when needed
Software sellers get a key app connected, since Shopify's own app delivers files and links only.
VAT for digital goods
EU buyers pay VAT at their own country's rate on digital goods, so taxes get set before launch.
Our Digital Product Store Setup Process
From Catalog Review to First Download in Five Steps
You approve the delivery rules for each product and test-buy the store yourself before a single customer sees it, so the first real download works.
We review the digital products Shopify stores like yours sell: file types and sizes, licenses, courses, and who should get access. You get a plain answer on whether Shopify's free app covers it, and a fixed quote.
What's Included
What You Get When Selling Digital Products on Shopify
App setup, shipping-free digital variants, branded delivery emails, download limits and fraud rules, license keys or course access, tax for digital goods, and test purchases you can repeat.
Compare Options
DeveloperLook vs DIY Setup vs a Creator Platform
Setting up the free app yourself works for a few simple files, and a creator platform gets you selling fastest. Here's where each one fits once your store grows past the basics.
| Feature | DeveloperLookBest fit | DIY setup | Creator platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | From $550, fixed | Free, plus your time | Free to start |
| Fees per sale | Your Shopify plan only | Your Shopify plan only | Often a fee per sale |
| Setup time | 3 days to 5 weeks | An afternoon for basics | Same day |
| Files and physical products | One cart, tested | Possible if set right | Usually digital only |
| Delivery rules | Set per product | App defaults | Platform defaults |
| License keys | Key app connected | Find and set up an app | Built in on some |
| Brand and checkout | Your theme and domain | Your theme and domain | Platform branding |
| Tax for digital goods | EU VAT checked | Easy to miss | Varies by platform |
DeveloperLook
DIY setup
- Upfront cost
- DeveloperLook: From $550, fixedDIY setup: Free, plus your time
- Fees per sale
- DeveloperLook: Your Shopify plan onlyDIY setup: Your Shopify plan only
- Setup time
- DeveloperLook: 3 days to 5 weeksDIY setup: An afternoon for basics
- Files and physical products
- DeveloperLook: One cart, testedDIY setup: Possible if set right
- Delivery rules
- DeveloperLook: Set per productDIY setup: App defaults
- License keys
- DeveloperLook: Key app connectedDIY setup: Find and set up an app
- Brand and checkout
- DeveloperLook: Your theme and domainDIY setup: Your theme and domain
- Tax for digital goods
- DeveloperLook: EU VAT checkedDIY setup: Easy to miss
Projects We've Built
Ecommerce and E-Learning Projects We Have Built
Art stores, e-learning sites, and online shops our team designed and built. They show the kinds of products and buyers we work with, not Shopify download setups.
Sir Kenneth Riley Artwork Ecommerce Website
- Art
- E-commerce
- Website
Growmaker NFT Digital Art Marketplace Website
- Art
- Crypto & NFT
- Dashboard
Edutech E-Learning Web Design & Development
- Education
- Dashboard
- E-commerce
Modeverse Ecommerce Web Design & Development
- Fashion
- Retail
- E-commerce
What Our Clients Say
What Clients Say After Launch
Feedback from teams we have built online stores and digital storefronts for.
We had a pretty specific idea of what we wanted our website to become, but I wasn’t sure how easily we could explain all of it to a development team. There were quite a few moving parts, and we were working toward a deadline, so I expected a few things to get lost along the way. That never really happened. They understood what we were trying to achieve, kept us updated throughout the process, and got everything ready within the agreed timeline. The final site feels much easier to navigate, works beautifully on mobile, and is noticeably smoother for our customers. It was a huge relief seeing the original idea actually turn into the website we had in mind.
The mobile experience is probably my favourite part of the new site. We had spent a lot of time making sure the desktop version looked right, and the team kept pushing us to think about how everything would actually feel on a phone too. They were right. The navigation is clean, the interactions feel natural, and everything we’ve tested so far works exactly as it should. They also went through the links, forms, integrations, and other details more than once before launch, which I really appreciated. And even after going live, we could still reach out when something came up. The whole process felt friendly, organised, and surprisingly straightforward.
What I appreciate most is that the website is actually easy for us to manage now. We can update content ourselves instead of sending a developer a message every time we need to change something small. They also paid attention to the technical SEO side, which mattered to us because we didn’t want a new website to create problems for the traffic we already had. I’ve probably asked more questions than I should have since launch, but every question has been handled patiently and without any fuss. The team is easy to work with, they explain things clearly, and when we need something changed, they focus on getting it done rather than making the process complicated.
1,250+
Projects shipped
10+
Years of experience
Top 3%
Upwork Top Rated Plus
5 stars
Average review score
Want results like these?
Tell us what you are building. You get a reply within 24 hours on business days, then a written estimate.
Work Culture
Why Creators Trust Us With Their Digital Store
Selling files looks simple until a link leaks or a buyer can't download. These habits keep your digital store calm long after launch day.
Free app before paid apps
Shopify's own Digital Products app is free on every plan and handles files and links. If it fits your catalog, we'll tell you before suggesting a paid app.
Every inbox tested
We send test orders to Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail accounts and click every link. Your buyers' first download is one we've already tried ourselves.
Fraud checked before files
A downloaded file can't be sent back. For high-value products we switch to manual delivery, so you review risky orders before the link goes out.
Licenses in plain words
Buyers need to know what they may do with a font, preset, or template. We put your license terms on the product page and in the delivery email.
Tax set before launch
Digital goods follow their own VAT rules in the EU. We set your store's taxes before launch and point you to your accountant for registrations.
Your files, your store
Files sit in your Shopify admin, and any custom code goes into your repository. You can add products and change limits without calling us.
Overview
How does Shopify for digital products work?
DeveloperLook sets up Shopify for digital products, from ebooks and templates to software, courses, and digital art. We configure Shopify's Digital Products app, shipping-free variants, download limits, delivery emails, and EU VAT, and connect license key or course apps. Projects start at $550 and take 3 business days to 5 weeks.
DEVELOPERLOOK
Project facts · Shopify for Digital Products
- Service
- Shopify for Digital Products (app setup, delivery rules, license keys, digital goods tax)
- Typical timeline
- 3 to 5 business days for app setups, up to 5 weeks for custom delivery
- Platforms
- Shopify and Shopify Plus, with Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi course links
- Built with
- Shopify Digital Products app, license key apps, Liquid, Shopify GraphQL Admin API
- Experience
- 10+ years of development experience and 1,250+ shipped projects
- Post-launch support
- 30 to 90 days, depending on plan
- Communication
- Calls in US, UK, and AU business hours
- Starting price
- From $550 USD, fixed scope after a free catalog review
Reviewed 7 Oct 2026 by Saimul Islam
Good fit
Creators selling templates and ebooks
You sell templates, ebooks, or presets from a link in your bio and want a real store that delivers each file after payment.
Product brands adding digital items
Your Shopify store sells physical products, and you want guides, patterns, or printables in the same cart and the same checkout.
Software and font developers
You sell software, plugins, or fonts, and each buyer needs a download plus a license key that your team doesn't issue by hand.
Artists selling digital art
You sell digital art and printable files, and you want full-resolution downloads for buyers while the previews on your site stay small.
Course creators on another platform
Your course lives on Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi, and you want Shopify for digital products to handle checkout while buyers get their course link automatically.
Not a fit
Memberships and subscriptions
You need recurring billing for a membership or monthly content. Our Shopify Recharge Subscription Setup page covers subscription apps on Shopify.
No Shopify store yet
You don't have a Shopify store yet and need the whole store built first. Our Shopify Store Setup Services page covers that before digital products go in.
Selling from another site
You want to sell files from a WordPress or Squarespace site without moving it. Our Shopify Buy Button and Site Embeds page covers that setup.
Budget under $550
Your budget is under $550 and you sell a handful of files. Shopify's free Digital Products app and its help pages will get you started alone.
Not sure we're the right fit?
Book a free call or message us. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right team.
Pricing
Transparent Starting Prices for a Digital Product Store
These are starting points in USD. Your final price depends on your catalog size, delivery rules, and license needs, and you get a fixed proposal after a free catalog review.
For stores selling up to 25 files or links through Shopify's free app.
$550one-time, USD
- Free catalog review
- Digital Products app configured
- Up to 25 products set up
- Branded delivery email
- Download limits and test orders
- 30 days post-launch support
Recommended
For larger or mixed catalogs that need license keys, course access, fraud rules, and tax.
$1,450one-time, USD
- Everything in Digital Downloads Setup
- Up to 150 products, digital and physical
- License key or course app connected
- Manual delivery for high-value files
- EU VAT for digital goods set
- 60 days post-launch support
For stores whose files, keys, or access rules need delivery built to fit.
$3,600one-time, USD
- Everything in Full Digital Store
- Custom delivery app with signed links
- Download page in customer accounts
- Theme sections for digital products
- Unlimited product setup
- 90 days post-launch support
For Agencies
White-Label Digital Product Setups for Agencies and Studios
You own the client relationship. We supply the digital product setup behind your Shopify builds: app configuration, delivery rules, license keys, and test purchases. Your client sees your team, and every file and setting stays in their own store.
How the partnership works
White label: your client only ever sees your brand
- Your client
- You, the agency
- DeveloperLook
Share the catalog
Send the client's store, files, and how buyers should receive them.
- Client needs
- You share the details
- Details received
We plan and quote
You get delivery rules for each product and a fixed quote.
- Scope and plan
- Proposal to resell
- Your quoteYOUR LOGO
Configure and hand off
We configure, test-buy every product, and hand over under your brand.
- Done by our team
- Your brand on it
- Handed to your clientDone
Partner with DeveloperLookDelivered under your brand
Stay client-facing
You handle the client while we set up delivery behind you.
Quick turnaround
Most app setups finish in 3 to 5 business days.
Handover guides
A short guide your client's team can follow for new files.
Flexible capacity
Shopify developers for client work without another hire.
The Right Technology for Your Project
Technology Stack
Shopify's own Digital Products app first, a license key or course connection when your products need one, and custom delivery only where nothing else fits your store.
Shopify- Digital Products app
- Liquid
- Shopify Checkout
- License key apps
- Signed download links
AWS- Dropbox
- Teachable
- Thinkific
- Kajabi
- Vimeo
- Test orders
- Gmail
- Outlook
Google Sheets
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on what you can sell, setting up downloads, limits, software and art, cost, and timelines.
Saimul IslamFounder & CEO, DeveloperLookStill have questions?
Send a message or book a call with the team.
A digital product setup on Shopify starts at $550 for Shopify's free app on up to 25 products, with emails, limits, and test orders. A full digital store with license keys or course access, fraud rules, and EU VAT costs $1,450. Custom delivery starts at $3,600, each at a fixed price you approve first.
Most app setups take 3 to 5 business days, including test purchases of every product type. Full digital stores with license keys, fraud rules, and tax settings take 1 to 2 weeks, and custom delivery builds take 3 to 5 weeks. Having your files, prices, and license terms ready keeps it at the short end.
Yes. Shopify names ebooks, templates, courses, music, digital art, fonts, and printables among the digital products you can sell. Files go out through Shopify's free Digital Products app, which also sends links to hosted content such as a course, a booking page, or a shared document.
Yes. Shopify's Digital Products app is free with every Shopify plan, so you don't need Shopify Plus to sell files. What changes with your catalog is the setup work: license keys, course access, and tax rules for digital goods each add steps the basic app doesn't cover.
Yes, in the same cart. Each variant has its own physical product setting, so digital items skip shipping while physical ones keep it. Checkout only skips the shipping address step when nothing in the cart needs shipping, which we test with mixed orders before launch.
Install Shopify's free Digital Products app (formerly the Digital Downloads Shopify app), create the product, and turn off the physical product setting. Then attach files or links to each variant and choose automatic or manual delivery. To sell digital files on Shopify safely, set download limits and place a test order before launch.
Yes. Downloads are unlimited by default, and you can switch any variant to a set number of downloads per customer, where each opened link counts once. Shopify's share links don't expire by time, so download limits are your main control against a link passed around online.
Yes. Software can be sold as a downloadable file of up to 5 GB, or as a zip holding several files. Shopify's own app doesn't generate license keys, so we connect a third-party key app, or build key delivery, when each buyer needs a unique code.
Yes. Digital art and printables are among the products Shopify names for digital sales. We attach the full-resolution file or zip to each variant and keep the preview images on your product page smaller. Your license terms (personal or commercial use) go in the delivery email.
Every plan includes 30 to 90 days of post-launch support for delivery issues, limits, and new products. Your files stay in your Shopify admin, and any custom code goes into your repository. We also leave a short guide, so your team can add new digital products without us.
Saimul IslamFounder & CEO, DeveloperLookStill have questions?
Send a message or book a call with the team.
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