Which Sellzw Product Type Should I Choose?
Quick answer: Pick the type that matches how the buyer uses what they bought. A single thing to download (ebook, template, beat) is a Digital File. Something that already lives elsewhere (a group, a Drive folder) is an External Link. Lessons someone works through are an Online Course. A live session on a date is an Event Ticket.
Key points
- The product type decides how your buyer receives and uses what they paid for.
- Selling video lessons? Use Online Course, not a video file.
- Running something live? Use Event Ticket, even if it's online.
- You can change the type later on the product's Basics tab.
Answer three questions to find your type
Work through these in order and stop at the first "yes":
- Is it happening live, on a date? → Event Ticket Workshops, webinars, conferences, live classes.
- Will the buyer learn in steps, lesson by lesson? → Online Course Video tutorials, training programmes, masterclasses.
- Does it already live on another platform you control? → External Link A WhatsApp or Telegram group, a Google Drive folder, a Notion page.
None of the above? → Digital File. If it's a finished thing to download (an ebook, template, spreadsheet, beat pack or preset), this is your type.
How do the four types compare?
| Digital File | External Link | Online Course | Event Ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer gets | A download (and a copy in their library) | Your link | A course player with lessons | A personalised ticket PDF |
| Best for | Ebooks, templates, audio | Groups, folders, hosted tools | Teaching step by step | Live events, online or in person |
| Uses your storage | Yes (the file) | No | Only for downloadable resources | No |
| Extras | Read-online option for PDFs (Pro) | None | Free preview lessons, progress tracking, certificates | QR code, add-to-calendar links, check-in |
| Effort to set up | Low | Very low | Medium | Low |
When should I choose a Digital File?
Choose a Digital File when the product is finished and the buyer just needs a copy. It's the fastest to set up and the easiest to explain: "Pay $5 and get the PDF".
Great for: ebooks, study notes, CV templates, budget spreadsheets, Canva templates, beat packs, presets, printable planners.
Worried about sharing? On Pro and Turbo you can set PDFs to read online only, which makes casual copying harder. See Can buyers read my ebook online without downloading the PDF?
When should I choose an External Link?
Choose an External Link when you already host the product somewhere and just need to charge for access. The buyer pays on Sellzw and then sees your link.
Great for: paid WhatsApp or Telegram groups, Google Drive resource folders, Notion templates, a private YouTube playlist.
Watch out: anyone with a link can pass it on. This type works best when you control who gets in, for example a group where you approve every new member.
When should I choose an Online Course?
Choose an Online Course whenever you're teaching something in steps, especially with video. You build it from modules and lessons. Each lesson can have a YouTube or Vimeo video, notes and downloadable resources.
Why it beats uploading video files:
- No storage used for videos. They stay on YouTube or Vimeo.
- A better experience. Buyers see a proper course with lessons in order and their progress tracked.
- Free preview lessons. Let people watch a lesson or two before they buy.
- Certificates. Optionally, each student gets a personalised certificate when they finish.
Full guide: How do I build an online course with lessons on Sellzw?
When should I choose an Event Ticket?
Choose an Event Ticket for anything live with a date, whether it's in a hall in Harare or on Zoom. Every buyer automatically gets a personalised ticket PDF with their name, a unique code, a QR code and add-to-calendar links.
Why it beats selling a Zoom link as an External Link:
- Each ticket is personal and can be verified by scanning the QR code.
- You can check people in, so a ticket can't be used twice.
- Buyers get calendar reminders, so fewer people forget to show up.
Full guide: How do I sell tickets to my event, workshop or webinar?
Which type fits these common products?
| I want to sell… | Choose |
|---|---|
| A 40-page ebook on poultry farming | Digital File |
| 10 recorded Excel lessons | Online Course |
| Entry to my paid Forex signals Telegram group | External Link |
| A Saturday baking workshop in Bulawayo | Event Ticket |
| A Zoom masterclass next Friday | Event Ticket |
| A pack of 20 Canva flyer templates | Digital File (or External Link to the Canva template) |
| O-Level Maths video lessons plus PDF worksheets | Online Course (worksheets as lesson resources) |
| A beat pack (ZIP of WAV files) | Digital File |
What mistakes do beginners make?
These three come up most:
- Uploading videos as a Digital File. Video files are big, fill your storage fast and are awkward to watch. Put the videos on YouTube (unlisted) or Vimeo and build an Online Course.
- Selling a live webinar as an External Link. You lose personalised tickets, check-in and calendar reminders. Use an Event Ticket.
- Building a full course first. Start with a short PDF to test demand, then turn it into a course once people are buying.
Can I change the type later?
Yes. Open the product and change the type on the Basics tab. Then add the delivery details the new type needs, such as the file, link, lessons or event information, and save.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change a product's type after creating it?
Yes. Open the product and change the type on the Basics tab. You'll then need to add the delivery details for the new type, such as the file, the link, the lessons or the event information.
Should I sell video lessons as a Digital File or an Online Course?
Use an Online Course. Your videos stay on YouTube or Vimeo, so they don't use your Sellzw storage, and buyers get a proper course player with progress tracking and an optional certificate.
What's the best product type for a Zoom webinar?
An Event Ticket. Each buyer gets a personalised ticket with a QR code and add-to-calendar links, and you can put the Zoom join link in the location field. You can also check people in.
Can one product include both videos and downloadable files?
Yes. An Online Course can have video lessons plus downloadable resources such as PDFs, worksheets and templates on each lesson or for the whole course.
Pick your type and publish
The right type makes the buyer's experience smooth, and a smooth experience means fewer questions and more repeat buyers.
Create your free Sellzw store →
Read next
- How do I upload and publish my first digital product?
- What kinds of digital products can I sell on Sellzw?
- How do I build an online course with lessons on Sellzw?