Is Shopify a Good Platform for Selling Digital Products?

You currently run a small digital store where you manually send license keys after each purchase, and you have probably started looking for a more automated option.

You are considering Shopify because you plan to sell online and also make in person sales at events. The big question is whether Shopify is a good fit for digital only products.

Here is a clear breakdown of what Shopify can and cannot do for a digital first business.

Shopify Supports Digital Products

Shopify works for both physical and digital items, so you can sell products that require license keys, downloads, or access codes.

When creating a product, you can turn off the physical product setting inside the shipping section. This tells Shopify that no delivery or shipping charges apply.

Once this toggle is off, Shopify treats the item as a digital product and saves it correctly.

Where Shopify Falls Short for Digital Sellers

Shopify does not send license keys or digital files by itself. It also does not generate download links or email them automatically after an order.

For these features you must use a third party digital product app from the Shopify App Store. Shopify keeps the core product simple, so the automation depends on apps.

Your digital products will require sending unique license keys or instant download files, so you will need one of these apps from day one.

If you want something that works without extra setup, platforms made for digital creators such as Gumroad offer built in digital delivery. They automatically send files, access links, and keys right after purchase.

Since they are designed only for digital sellers, their pricing and features often match this use case better than Shopify.

If all your sales happen online and you never need a physical POS, these alternatives might offer more convenience.

Shopify Becomes Extremely Valuable for In Person Sales

If you plan to sell at events, workshops, or community meetups, Shopify becomes very attractive.

Its POS system lets you record offline sales and online sales inside one unified dashboard. Everything stays synced, your taxes stay clean, and your inventory stays accurate.

For businesses that blend online and offline selling, this peace of mind is a major advantage.

App to Use for Selling Digital Downloads on Shopify

Digital buyers expect immediate access. If the file or license key is delayed, your conversion rate can drop and refund requests may increase.

This is why you should use an app that displays the download or license key instantly on the checkout page. The buyer should also receive an immediate email with their digital product.

This instant access experience is essential for improving the performance of downloadable items.

One strong option is the BIG Digital Downloads Products app from the Shopify App Store. It is highly rated and built to handle everything digital sellers need.

Your customers can download files directly from the checkout page without waiting. They also receive an email with their license key or download link right away.

You can view purchased licenses, files, and order details inside the app, and creating digital products is simple.

Final Thoughts

Shopify is a great platform if you want a single system for both online digital sales and in person event sales.

If you sell only digital goods and do not need POS features, you can compare Shopify with platforms like Gumroad that specialize in digital delivery.

But with the right app installed, Shopify can automate your license keys and downloads while giving you the long term flexibility to sell both online and offline.