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Sell an ebook with ConvertKit Commerce
Sell an ebook with ConvertKit Commerce

A guide on creating and sharing ebook products using ConvertKit Commerce.

Updated over a week ago

You’re here because you’ve thought about creating an online income through your writing. We’d like to help you do that!

The best part? It’s easy.

Follow our simple guide to create and sell your own ebook on your website. No third parties necessary.

Let’s do it.

First things first

If you haven’t done so yet, make sure you have a landing page so your audience can opt in for more information! This will make it easier to share your product page once your ebook is ready to sell.

Steps to create an ebook product in ConvertKit Commerce

1. Connect Stripe to accept payments

Click the button to create a new product from the Products page in your account.

If this is your first product and you haven't set up payments yet, you'll see the button here on the left:

If this is your first product and you have set up payments already, it'll look like the following:

If you've already created other product(s), regardless of whether you've set up payments also, the button will be located near the top left of the page and will say "New Product."

Now you'll be entered into the new product creation flow.

2. Add your ebook title and details

This first step is where you’ll add a few additional, basic details about your ebook.

First, give your product a name. For an ebook, this could be its title!

Next comes the pricing method selection. For a one-time payment ebook select the ‘Standard’ option, and then enter its price:

Once these details are filled in, click the 'Next' button.

Click.

3. Select your product type

Under 'I'm selling:' is where you select your product type. Since you’re going to be selling an ebook, you’ll want to select ‘A Digital Download’. From here, upload your ebook file into the space provided, under ‘Product File’:

NOTE: The file you upload here is what we will automatically deliver to the purchasers of this product!

This is the direct link to your ebook! If you have a custom domain name set up in your account, you'll be able to select that from the 'Custom Domain' dropdown; alternatively, you can use your account's ck.page domain.

(Unsure about the difference? Check out our article here.)

NOTE: You can change your product's link later, but please note that once a link has been associated for a product, that same link will not be re-usable for future products (even if you change the original product's link first).

When you're done, click that 'Create Product' button, and...

You've just created your ebook product in ConvertKit!

(Don't stop here, though; there's more to come before it's ready to sell.)

5. Fill in the details

At this step, you are ready to add your ebook’s image, a brief description, and a CTA (Call To Action) button using the product builder!

After clicking the 'Create Product' button above, you'll be led to the builder page, which will initially look something like this:

Most of our product builder's functionality is very similar to our landing page builder.

Add your ebook details here, and make it sound like you. Here is where you show your audience your work with a little teaser of what’s to come if they purchase!

TIP: Having that crisp image can help to create more of a ‘real life’ feel for your ebook. Even in the digital space, having something that actually looks like a book is a selling point!

6. Complete the purchase setup

Now you’re going to configure a few things to complete the purchase setup: the checkout page, confirmation page, and finally, the receipt email that will be sent to your purchasers.

First, click 'Checkout' at the top left of the builder:

After that, you'll be shown a preview of what the checkout page will look like for your customers:

We'll auto-populate the necessities, such as the payment fields, but that’s it. You can adjust the look & feel of this step to your liking.

Next, click ‘Confirmation’ in the middle of the builder:

You'll be shown a preview of how the confirmation page will look, which is where someone will be taken once they’ve purchased your ebook:

The amount paid, order date, and payment method sections are not editable, but you can modify the content above & below it.

NOTE: If you selected 'A Digital Download' and uploaded your ebook file in step 3, a download link will also be displayed to purchasers at this step.

Finally, click ‘Receipt Email’ at the upper right of the builder:

You'll be shown a preview of how the receipt email sent to your purchasers' inboxes will look:

You can modify the copy indicated by the arrow above (the lower section contains their purchase details, which aren't editable).

NOTE: The 'Download' button will only be displayed if you selected 'A Digital Download' and uploaded your ebook file in step 3.

Click the red ‘Save’ button near the top right of the page, because you’re done!

You’ve just created your ebook product, and it’s ready to be sold.

Want to test your purchase? You have two options:

  1. Complete the purchase like usual, and then issue a refund. Note that there are still processing fees associated with a fully refunded purchase.

  2. Use a 100% discount! Create a discount code and use the link to ‘purchase’ your product for $0. You will still need to enter a credit card, but won’t be charged.

Looking for more on ConvertKit Commerce?

Check out our general product tutorial here, or our tutorial on setting up a paid newsletter here!

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