Selling digital products to customers abroad

Selling digital products to customers abroad is one of the most reliable ways to earn passively in foreign currency. Once you have built your digital product, it can be sold repeatedly without the worry of inventory, shipping, or location barriers. For freelancers, creators, and entrepreneurs, selling internationally opens the door to stable, passive long-term income, especially when you do it right.

Also read: Best ways to receive payments from international clients

Why you should consider selling digital products to customers abroad

You can increase your earning potential by creating digital products and selling to international clients. Here are some reasons you should consider selling digital products to customers abroad.

• Wider reach: You gain access to millions of potential customers outside your home country, which significantly increases your sales potential.
• Income diversification: Selling digital products to customers abroad reduces your reliance on a single income stream or market. This provides a more stable income amid local economic challenges.
• Increased brand awareness: Having a global presence enhances your visibility and strengthens your international reputation.
• Round-the-clock sales: Your digital products are always available. This allows you to make sales across different time zones and make money without interruption, even in your sleep.
• Lower costs: Selling digital products bypasses physical shipping and logistics costs associated with physical goods.
• Faster growth: If you can tap into the global market, you can boost your business growth faster than if you remain local.

Digital products you can sell to international customers

Here are some of the best-performing digital products you can package and sell to international customers.

• Educational content: ebooks, online courses, workshops, webinars, travel guides.
• Productivity tools: Digital planners, Notion templates, spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets), resume templates, website themes.
• Creative products: Digital art, illustrations, photography, stock videos, music, sound effects, fonts, brand kits.
• Software and tools: Mobile apps, WordPress themes/plugins, AI tools, SaaS (Software as a Service).
• Entertainment: Games, podcasts, digital magazines.

How to sell digital products to customers abroad

Before you begin selling digital products internationally, here are some steps to take.

Choose a product with global relevance

The most successful digital products are built around problems that exist everywhere. Templates, courses, ebooks, design assets, software tools, Notion dashboards, and educational resources work well because they are not tied to local markets. Before building a digital product, confirm that the product is in demand. Look at what people are already paying for, read reviews, and identify gaps you can improve on. Global customers care less about where you are based and more about whether your product delivers value.

Price for an international audience

Pricing is critical when selling abroad. Most digital products are priced in USD because it is familiar and trusted globally. Pricing in a stable currency also protects your earnings from local currency fluctuations. Keep your pricing simple and transparent. Consider offering tiered pricing or bundles to accommodate different budgets without compromising on value.

Pick the right platform

Choosing platforms that handle hosting, delivery, and checkout simplifies your sales process. However, platform fees can eat into your earnings, and there might be limited payout methods. Some sellers eventually move to their own websites for better control over branding, pricing, and customer service. This can be more overwhelming for beginners. However, whichever option you choose, make sure it supports international payments and ensures smooth service delivery.

• Etsy: The go-to for creative products like planners, templates, and printables. While it has a massive audience, it charges listing fees ($0.20/item) and transaction fees (6.5%).
• Shopify: This is a top-tier choice for selling digital products, offering high profit margins (often around 90%) and extensive automation. While it was originally built for physical goods, it has become a leader for digital-only storefronts due to its stability and vast Shopify App Store ecosystem.
• Amazon KDP: The global leader for self-published ebooks and audiobooks, providing access to millions of Prime customers.
• Gumroad: Extremely easy to set up for independent creators. It supports "pay-what-you-want" pricing and has a flat 10% transaction fee model. The platform features basic email marketing (Workflows), license key generation for software, and recurring payments for subscriptions.
• Thinkific and Teachable: These are dedicated platforms for online courses with quizzes, student communities, and certifications.
• Lemon Squeezy: Popular with software developers and SaaS founders because it acts as a "Merchant of Record," handling global taxes and VAT compliance automatically.

Also read: How to pay for online courses and certifications with Grey

Handle payments and foreign currency smartly

Getting paid is as important as making the sale. International customers expect to pay by card or via local bank transfers in familiar currencies. Using a setup that allows you to receive and hold foreign currency helps you avoid unnecessary conversion losses. Instead of converting everything immediately to your local currency, you can manage your income more efficiently.

Multi-currency accounts make this easier by providing you with foreign bank details to manage payments in USD, EUR, and GBP at competitive exchange rates when withdrawing to your local bank account.

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Understand taxes and compliance

Digital product sales can involve tax considerations, especially when selling internationally. Some countries require VAT or digital services tax, depending on where your customers are located. While platforms may handle some of this automatically, it is important to understand your local tax obligations and keep proper records of sales and income. Consulting a tax professional early can save time and prevent issues later.

Market to a global audience

Selling abroad requires visibility. Content marketing, email lists, social media, SEO, and partnerships are effective ways to reach international audiences. Your message should clearly explain who the product is for and what problem it solves. Customer support also matters. Promptly responding to enquiries and clear documentation improve your reviews and increase repeat purchases.

Also read: How to plan your taxes across multiple income sources

Selling digital products internationally with Grey

Selling digital products to customers abroad requires having the right product, platform, pricing, payment setup, and marketing strategy. If you are worried about how to manage your international payments, Grey’s got your back. With USD, EUR, and GBP accounts from Grey, you can easily withdraw your earnings without any other third-party apps taking a cut. You can maximise your earnings by leveraging the platform’s low transaction fees and competitive exchange rate when withdrawing to your local bank. Here’s how to link Grey to your store.

• Sign up on Grey’s website or download the mobile app.
• Complete your KYC verification and request your banking details.
• Proceed to your desired marketplace and find the payment settings.
• Enter your Grey details to link your account, and you're home and dry.

Sign up on Grey’s website or download the mobile app to manage your international payments efficiently.

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