Selling videos online is one of the most lucrative methods to share your expertise and establish a sustainable business.
Whether you are a fitness trainer, educator, or consultant, your knowledge holds significant value that people are eager to pay for.
The key challenge is selecting the right platform that maximizes your profits and maintains your control. This is where WordPress excels.
With WordPress, you can build a professional video sales website that empowers you while providing an outstanding experience for your customers. Its flexibility and control make it an ideal choice for dedicated content creators.
In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up your video sales platform using WordPress. You will learn everything from selecting the right tools to securely processing payments, enabling you to convert your expertise into income.
Why Should You Sell Videos Online?
If you create high-quality videos, there are numerous opportunities to sell your work online.
The significance of video content on the internet continues to grow annually, with 86% of businesses utilizing video as a marketing tool, and the average person spending 100 minutes per day watching videos.
Selling your video content online allows you to earn money while providing value to others.
You can offer video assets for download that other creators can utilize in their projects. This includes stock footage, drone shots, motion graphics, logos, intros, and more.
Alternatively, you may want to sell your own completed videos, such as educational content, music videos, product reviews, or gameplay footage.
One effective way to monetize your videos is by creating a membership site similar to our WordPress 101. Members can subscribe or create free accounts to access your content directly from your website.
Our guide on creating a video membership site in WordPress provides step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this.
You can also sell your videos as digital downloads, and this article will guide you through the process.
Which Platform Should You Choose for Selling Videos?
It’s essential to select your eCommerce platform wisely.
Some platforms are more suitable for physical products rather than digital downloads like video files. Transitioning to a different platform later can be challenging and time-consuming.
We recommend using WordPress combined with Easy Digital Downloads.
WordPress is the leading website builder available, powering over 43% of all websites on the internet.
It’s crucial to understand that there are two versions of WordPress software, and selecting the incorrect one can lead to issues.
First, let’s discuss WordPress.com, which serves as a blog hosting platform. In contrast, WordPress.org, also known as self-hosted WordPress, offers more flexibility. For a comprehensive comparison, refer to our guide on the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
It’s essential to use the self-hosted WordPress.org platform because it grants you complete control over your website. This platform allows you the freedom to sell any type of digital product using plugins like Easy Digital Downloads.
Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the top WordPress eCommerce plugin designed specifically for selling digital products. It includes all the necessary features to effectively promote, sell, and distribute video files online.
This means you won’t waste time configuring unnecessary features for selling digital products, such as shipping and inventory management settings.
To gain insights from our experience with this tool, check out our detailed Easy Digital Downloads review.
Now, let’s explore how to effortlessly sell video files on WordPress. You can use the quick links below to navigate to different sections of the tutorial:
- Setting Up Your WordPress Website
- Creating an Online Store Using Easy Digital Downloads
- Adding Downloadable Video Products to Your Online Store
- Evaluating Your Digital Download Options
- Choosing and Personalizing Your WordPress Theme
- Marketing Your Digital Downloads Effectively
- Bonus: Essential Tools for Increasing Video Sales Online
- Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Videos Online
Step 1: Establishing Your WordPress Website
To begin selling digital downloads with WordPress, you will need a domain name, web hosting, and an SSL certificate.
- A domain name is the web address for your site. This is what users will enter in their browsers to access your website, such as ‘CanadaCreate.com’.
- Web hosting is a service that stores your website files and digital downloads. We have curated a list of the best WordPress hosting options available for you.
- An SSL certificate ensures a secure connection between your website and its users, allowing you to accept online payments safely.
One of our top recommended hosting providers, SiteGround, offers managed WordPress hosting specifically for Easy Digital Downloads. Their plans include a free SSL certificate, preinstalled EDD, and optimization features, plus you can save 73%!
In fact, you can operate your website for under $5 per month.
Let’s go through the steps to purchase your domain, web hosting, and SSL certificate.
Open the SiteGround website in a new tab to follow along. Start by clicking the ‘Get Plan’ button.
Next, SiteGround will prompt you to enter a domain name for your website. If you need help, check out our guide on selecting the perfect domain name.
Now, you will need to provide your account information.
You will have the option to purchase additional features. You can always add these later if necessary; if you’re unsure, it’s best to skip this step.
After entering your payment information, SiteGround will send you an email with instructions on how to access your hosting account. This control panel allows you to manage your new website.
Log in to your SiteGround account, and you’ll see that WordPress has already been installed for you, along with Easy Digital Downloads.
Click the ‘WordPress Admin’ button to access your WordPress site’s dashboard.
If you choose not to use SiteGround, you can install WordPress on other hosting providers such as Bluehost, Hostinger, and WP Engine by following a similar procedure.
You can also check out our comprehensive beginner’s guide on how to create a WordPress website.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Online Store Using Easy Digital Downloads
By default, WordPress does not come with eCommerce capabilities, so you will need a plugin to sell downloadable products.
Plugins for WordPress sites function like apps for your smartphone, adding various features and functionalities to your website.
If you took advantage of our SiteGround EDD hosting offer in the previous step, Easy Digital Downloads is already installed on your website. You can proceed to the ‘Entering Your Business and Location Information’ section below.
However, if you are using a different hosting provider, you will first need to install and activate the free Easy Digital Downloads plugin. For more information, refer to our detailed guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Note:In this tutorial, we will utilize the free version of Easy Digital Downloads (EDD). However, consider upgrading to Easy Digital Downloads Pro for access to premium features such as Dropbox File Store and Amazon S3, which are ideal for managing large file storage online.
Input Your Business and Location Details
After activation, navigate to theDownloads » Settingssection in your WordPress admin dashboard. This will initiate the Easy Digital Downloads setup wizard.
On the first page of the setup wizard, you will need to provide your business name and location.
You may be curious about the necessity of your location when selling online. This information is important because when a customer makes a purchase, Easy Digital Downloads will use the country and state details to automatically fill in certain fields. Additionally, your location may be used to calculate applicable sales tax.
To specify your location, open the ‘Business Country’ dropdown menu and select the country where your business operates.
Next, locate the ‘Business Region’ field where you can enter the state or province from which your store is managed.
Depending on your location, you may want to customize the currency displayed on your website. By default, Easy Digital Downloads shows all prices in US dollars, with the dollar sign placed before the amount, so five dollars appears as ‘$5’.
To modify the default currency settings, scroll down to the Currency section and open the ‘Currency’ dropdown menu. You can then select your preferred currency.
Keep in mind that some payment gateways may not support every currency. If you’re uncertain, it’s advisable to check the website of your chosen payment gateway, as most provide a list of supported currencies.
After making your selections, click the ‘Save & Continue’ button. This will take you to the next page, where you can configure your payment methods.
Configuring Your Payment Methods
Next, you need to establish a method for collecting online payments.
Stripe is a leading payment processor that simplifies the process of signing up for a merchant account. They enable any legitimate business to accept credit card payments online without lengthy procedures.
To quickly get started with Stripe, just click the ‘Connect with Stripe’ button.
This will launch a setup wizard to assist you in connecting your website to Stripe.
You can easily add more payment gateways later by visiting the Easy Digital Downloads extensions page, where you’ll find options like PayPal, Braintree, and Authorize.net.
Once you have completed your setup, simply click the ‘Save & Continue’ button located at the bottom of the screen.
Setting Up Your Receipts
Each time a customer purchases a video file, Easy Digital Downloads will automatically send them a confirmation email.
This email includes a link that allows the customer to download the video file they have just purchased.
You can customize this email by adding your own text and branding. Strong branding enhances your business’s professionalism and fosters customer loyalty.
To include a logo in your emails, click the ‘Attach File’ button and upload a new image or select one from your WordPress media library.
You can also specify a ‘From Name’ that will appear in the customer’s inbox. Choose a name that clearly identifies your business, such as your website’s name.
Additionally, you need to provide a ‘From Email’. This email will serve as both the ‘from’ and ‘reply-to’ address. It’s important to use a professional email address that you monitor regularly, as customers may respond to your messages.
After finalizing your email branding, you may want to customize the content of the email receipt. Remember, the default message is suitable for most marketplaces.
Don’t forget to click the ‘Save & Continue’ button to proceed.
Choosing Conversion and Optimization Tools
The setup wizard will now suggest installing several free tools designed to enhance conversions and optimize your online store.
These tools include:
- WP Mail SMTP: A plugin that guarantees reliable email delivery to your customers, ensuring your messages don’t get lost or end up in the spam folder.
- MonsterInsights: The premier analytics solution for WordPress, allowing you to track where your visitors originate from and how they interact with your website.
- All in One SEO: The top SEO plugin for WordPress, assisting you in optimizing your site for search engines to increase traffic and sales.
We recommend keeping all options selected. However, you can deselect any tools you choose not to install.
You’ll also find a toggle button that allows you to contribute to the improvement of Easy Digital Downloads by sharing anonymous usage data with the developers. For more information, refer to our guide on granting permission for WordPress plugins to collect data.
After making your selections, click the ‘Save & Continue’ button located at the bottom of the page.
Introducing Your First Product
You are now on the final page of the Easy Digital Downloads setup wizard. Here, you can add your first product to your website.
If you are ready to add a new product now, enter its details in the form and then click the ‘Save & Continue’ button.
If not, you can click the ‘Skip this step’ button to complete the Easy Digital Downloads setup wizard. We will guide you on how to add your videos to your online store in the next section.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the initial setup of your online store.
Step 3: Adding Downloadable Video Products to Your Online Store
Once your online store is set up, you can start adding video files as products. Easy Digital Downloads refers to digital products as ‘downloads’.
To add a product to your store, select Downloads from the WordPress admin menu. Then, click the ‘Add New’ button to create a new video.
This will open a page where you can enter a title, description, pricing, and other details for your video.
Entering a Title and Description
Utilize the WordPress content editor to easily enter a title and description for your video. This process is similar to creating a new blog post.
Provide potential buyers with all necessary details to help them make an informed decision about the video. This may include licensing information, video length, resolution, file size, frame rate, and whether the video is loopable.
Consider showcasing customer reviews and a star rating to demonstrate the positive experiences of previous buyers.
Setting a Price or Offering Variable Pricing
In this section, you’ll find pricing options. To set a fixed price for your video, simply enter the amount in the designated field. For free downloads, you can leave the price as ‘0.00’.
Easy Digital Downloads also allows for variable pricing, enabling you to charge different amounts based on video resolution or other factors.
To offer variations of your video, check the ‘Enable variable pricing’ box. This will create a new section for you to define your variations.
You can enter a name and price for each variation. To add additional variations, click the ‘Add New Price’ button.
Once that is complete, set the default variation that will be automatically selected when visitors first arrive on the product page. Simply click the ‘Default’ radio button next to your chosen variation.
Adding Categories and Tags
Categories and tags assist shoppers in easily locating their desired items.
For instance, you can utilize categories to categorize the various types of videos in your store, while tags can detail aspects like locations, subjects, and more, functioning like an index.
You can create new categories and tags in the Download Categories and Download Tags sections. For further guidance, refer to our comprehensive step-by-step guide on adding categories and tags for WordPress pages.
Adding a Thumbnail Image
A well-chosen thumbnail image provides your customers with a clear preview of your video content and can significantly boost sales.
Scroll down until you reach the Download Image section on the right. Clicking on ‘Set Download Image’ will open the WordPress media library, allowing you to select an image or upload a new file from your computer.
Uploading Your Video File or Files
You are now prepared to upload your video files, which your customers will receive upon purchasing the product.
Before uploading your files, we recommend compressing them into a zip format. This will reduce storage space, speed up downloads, and is suitable for both individual videos and bundles.
To compress a single video, right-click the file. On Windows, select ‘Compress to ZIP file’, and on Mac, choose the ‘Compress’ option. To zip a bundle of videos, select all the files in the bundle, then right-click.
Important Note:To enable zip file uploads on your WordPress site, please refer to our guide on adding additional file types for upload in WordPress. If your zip files exceed your hosting provider’s upload limit, consult our guide on increasing the maximum upload size in WordPress.
When your zip files are ready to upload, scroll down to the Download Files section at the bottom of the page.
If you are selling the product at a fixed price, click the link icon under File URL. This will open the WordPress Media Library, allowing you to upload your zip file or select it if it has already been uploaded.
The file name field serves as the clickable link text displayed on the confirmation page and in the confirmation email. It will automatically populate with the file name, but you can change it to a more descriptive title if desired.
For instance, you might enter ‘Download my video’ or ‘Download the HD version’.
If you are implementing variable pricing, the process is similar; you need to upload the file by clicking the link icon located under File URL.
Next, select the appropriate pricing option under Price Assignment. For example, if you’re uploading the high-definition file, you would choose the ‘Coba Pyramid High Def’ option shown below.
You can click the ‘Add New File’ button to include additional uploads as needed.
There is also a Bundle option that allows you to select multiple files, but we recommend compressing multiple files into a single zip file and using the Single Product option instead.
After completing the purchase, the customer will receive an auto-expiring link on their purchase confirmation page and in the confirmation email. This link will also be safeguarded against search bots and unauthorized users to help prevent piracy.
Establishing a Refund Policy
It’s important to ensure that all customers who purchase your videos are satisfied. However, you should also plan for how to manage refund requests.
In the ‘Refunds’ section of the left-hand menu, you’ll find that Easy Digital Downloads provides a standard 30-day refund policy for your customers.
You can adjust the settings here to modify the refund duration or to set the product as non-refundable.
We advise offering refunds whenever feasible. This practice enhances customer service and a straightforward refund process can lead to increased sales.
Step 4: Testing Your Digital Download
It’s wise to test the digital download to identify any issues or changes you might want to implement.
Activating Test Purchases
First, enable test mode in Easy Digital Downloads so you can make purchases without entering payment details.
In the WordPress dashboard, navigate toDownloads » Settingsand then click on ‘Payments.’
On this page, check the box labeled ‘Test Mode.’
Then, select ‘Store Gateway’ to allow purchases without needing to input any credit or debit card information.
Next, click on ‘Save Changes’ to save your settings.
Perform a Test Purchase
At this point, you are in test mode, so navigate toDownloads » Downloadsand hover your cursor over the product you wish to test.
When the option appears, click on the ‘View’ link.
This will open the product page for the item in your online store.
To proceed with a test purchase, click the ‘Purchase’ button.
Easy Digital Downloads will now add this item to your shopping cart.
To continue, click the ‘Checkout’ button.
On the checkout page, enter your name and email address. Easy Digital Downloads will send the purchase receipt to this email, so ensure you use a valid email address that you can access.
Under ‘Select payment method’, ensure ‘Store Gateway’ is chosen. Then, click the ‘Purchase’ button at the bottom of the page.
After a short wait, you will see the purchase confirmation page and receive a confirmation email. Both will include download links.
Click the link to verify that the file downloads correctly.
Once everything is functioning correctly, you can exit test mode in Easy Digital Downloads and begin processing payments from actual customers.
Simply return to Downloads » Settings and click on the ‘Payments’ tab. Here, deselect the ‘Test Mode’ option and the ‘Store Gateway’ option.
After that, click ‘Save Changes’ to apply your settings. You are now set up to accept credit card payments through WordPress.
Step 5: Choosing and Personalizing Your WordPress Theme
A WordPress theme determines the look of your online store, including its layout, fonts, colors, and other design features.
Consider using the Vendd theme for your digital products marketplace, as it is specifically designed for digital downloads. This free theme integrates seamlessly with Easy Digital Downloads, providing numerous options and features for your online store.
If you opted for SiteGround EDD hosting as suggested earlier, Vendd was automatically installed and activated when you set up WordPress.
If not, you will need to manually install and customize the theme. For further details, refer to our beginner’s guide on how to install a WordPress theme.
There are numerous WordPress themes to choose from. Notably, the Astra theme and Coaching Pro theme both work seamlessly with Easy Digital Downloads (EDD).
Alternatively, you can design your own custom theme from the ground up. For this, SeedProd is a great tool to consider.
SeedProd is the leading website builder plugin available, utilized by over 1 million websites. It allows you to create stunning website layouts that are professionally crafted and optimized for conversions and sales.
SeedProd offers a variety of pre-designed templates, including layouts specifically tailored for promoting digital downloads such as eBooks and videos.
For further information, refer to our comprehensive guide on creating a custom WordPress theme without any coding skills.
Step 6: Marketing Your Digital Downloads
Now that you have developed one or more digital video products, it’s essential to attract potential customers to your product pages so they can purchase your videos.
Promotion can include creating a dedicated sales page to showcase your latest video files, adding a specific product page to your website’s navigation menu, or featuring your top video on a customized homepage.
Consider starting a WordPress blog where you share insights on how other creatives can incorporate your video products into their own projects.
Regardless of your promotional strategy, it’s essential to know the URL of your product.
To locate this link, navigate toDownloads » Downloads. Hover over a product and click the ‘Edit’ link.
The URL will be displayed under ‘Summary’ in the right-hand menu.
You can easily link to this product page from any section of your website by using its URL. For detailed instructions, check our step-by-step guide on how to add a link in WordPress.
Easy Digital Downloads generates a ‘Purchase’ button for each digital download, allowing visitors to add your video to their shopping cart with a single click.
You can place this button on any page, post, or widget-ready area, enabling visitors to begin the purchasing process without needing to visit the product page.
To obtain the button’s shortcode, scroll to the product’s Download Settings section and copy the text found in the ‘Purchase Shortcode’ field.
For further details on how to use the shortcode, refer to our guide on how to add a shortcode in WordPress.
Bonus: Essential Tools for Boosting Your Video Sales Online
To successfully sell your videos online, you need to attract more visitors to your WordPress website and persuade them to purchase your video downloads.
This is where WordPress plugins come into play.
Here are some effective WordPress plugins that can help you increase website traffic and convert visitors into paying customers:
- All in One SEO: The top WordPress SEO plugin designed to optimize your website for better search engine visibility and increased traffic.
- MonsterInsights: The leading WordPress analytics plugin that provides insights into where your customers come from and their behavior on your site.
- OptinMonster: This plugin enables you to create engaging popups and opt-in forms to grow your email list and convert visitors into customers, while also helping to minimize shopping cart abandonment.
- PushEngage: The premier push notifications plugin that allows you to reconnect with visitors after they leave your site, encouraging them to return to your online store.
- TrustPulse: This social proof plugin enhances customer trust, which can lead to increased video sales.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Videos Online
In this guide, we demonstrated how to sell videos online using Easy Digital Downloads. If you have further questions, these FAQs may provide clarity.
Where can I sell my videos online?
There are numerous platforms, online stores, and digital marketplaces available for uploading and selling your digital art. Popular options include Sellfy, Vimeo, and Uscreen.
Many of these platforms already have established audiences. By uploading your files to these sites, you can showcase your work to a ready-made audience.
However, many of these marketplaces and websites take a commission on each sale, and some may charge upfront fees. To maximize your profits, we suggest creating your own website.
This approach allows you to have full control over your brand and retain all the earnings from each digital sale.
What are the costs involved in creating a website to sell my videos?
We always advise starting with a small business model. This way, you can invest more as your audience grows and you begin to sell more digital art and graphics.
The great news is that setting up a digital store is significantly easier and more affordable than opening a physical shop. You can start with SiteGround EDD Hosting for approximately $5 per month and utilize free plugins and themes to keep your expenses low.
Selling your artwork with Easy Digital Downloads allows you to bypass many of the initial costs and intermediary fees typically associated with online marketplaces like Sellfy. You’ll only need to cover standard credit card transaction fees.
For additional details, check out our article on the costs involved in building a WordPress website.
Is it possible to sell physical products using Easy Digital Downloads?
If you decide to sell physical items, such as DVDs or other storage mediums for your video content, Easy Digital Downloads can accommodate that as well, despite its name suggesting otherwise.
There’s a Simple Shipping addon available that enhances the Easy Digital Downloads plugin with shipping capabilities. This feature enables you to send your branded merchandise, framed prints, or other physical items to customers using familiar tools.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to sell videos online using WordPress. You might also be interested in a guest post sharing insights from over a decade of selling digital downloads or our expert recommendations for the best tools to create and market digital products.
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