Selling Digital Items
Let's first clarify what a digital item is. A digital item is a sales item that can usually be fulfilled automatically via the system without any need for production or delivery of a physical item. No shipping costs are charged and the order is usually fulfilled almost immediately both onscreen and via system-generated confirmation emails. There are no cost-of-goods when selling digital items so the profit margins are often higher.
Previously the options of digital sales items were Digital Downloads of image files (JPG, MP4, PDF files etc), and if the file was an image it could be automatically downsized to 3200px, 2000px, 1600px, 1200px, 800px, and 400px, with the additional option of selling the 1200px, 800px and 400px with a custom watermark for sold downloads. There is also the additional option where you can sell miscellaneous virtual items, which you can define and fulfil yourself.
We have added the new Gift Voucher sales workflow with options where the Buyer could input Voucher Amount, and the Fixed amount Gift Voucher both automatically fulfilled.
The main benefits of the new Gift voucher system were that the voucher code could be input into any shopping cart within your site, meaning the gift certificate owner could use the balance as currency on your site at any time. Also, the customer can now retain any balance for a future purchase.
So now we have added new tools to help income generation. We have very briefly given examples of how they could be used and added a brief description of their purpose, so let your creativity flow.
Now you can also:
Generate Promo Code, Unlimited Use - On the purchase of the digital item a promo code is generated on a predefined discount in the price plan and emailed to the purchaser. As the promo code is unlimited use it can be used as many times as the purchaser wants within the price plan.
Example. You run a Baby's First Year Club. Your clients can view and order online. Or they pay a fee to join your Baby's First Year Club and receive a promo code that offers them 30% off all orders. Encourages repeat business and loyalty.
Generate Promo Code, Single Use - On the purchase of the digital item a promo code is generated on a predefined discount in the price plan and emailed to the purchaser. As the promo code is single-use it can be used once, and then will not work any more.
Example. You cover dance school events. Your clients can view and order online. Whilst ordering from today's event, the customer can purchase a voucher discounting sales on the next month session photos.
Grant Verified Email Access - On the purchase of the digital item the purchaser's email address will be added to the user list of a predefined Email Access collection and details emailed to the purchaser. This gives the purchaser access to the private collection and any sales options or download priveledges within Email Access collection.
Example. You run a small photography online training academy. Using this option as a subscription to your service the purchaser can access a collection containing the videos, PDF tutorials etc.
Share Custom Access Code Link - On the purchase of the digital item, the purchaser gains access to a predefined collection with a Custom Access Code and emailed to the purchaser. This gives the visitor any different, or additional options set within the collection on the custom access code (different price plan, download options, sharing, etc.
Share Admin Link - On the purchase of this digital item, the purchaser gains access to a predefined collection Admin Link. This gives the visitor any options set up within the Admin link (usually file upload).
Example. You photograph an event. The delegates want to be able to upload and share their own images as well as yours through your site. You can sell an admin link that allows file uploads for a limited time into the collection.
Secret Message (in Private Description) - On the purchase of this digital item the purchaser is shown the secret message you have added into the private description.
Example: This could be to give access to a sneak peek URL or any other message you want to add.
Donation, Buyer Chooses Amount - Your visitor can make a donation of their own value.
Donation, Fixed Amount - Your visitor can make a donation of your set value.
So how do you set these items up for sale?
Go to My Sales > Price Plans. Click to edit any existing self fulfil or shop price plan, or create a new one. In the "Sale Items" tab, create a sale item and select the "Product type" to use in the dropdown selector.
If the product type requires you to select a collection, or price plan or discount you will be prompted in the "Linked Object" and private text can be added to the Private Description field.