How to Sell Templates Online
Templates are one of the most profitable digital products you can sell. People will always pay for shortcuts that save them time. Here is everything you need to know about building a thriving template business.
Why Templates Are a Goldmine
Templates sit at the intersection of low effort and high demand. You create a template once, and it can sell hundreds or thousands of times without any additional work. Unlike coaching or freelance services, there is no limit on how many copies you can deliver.
- 1.People pay for shortcuts. Nobody wants to spend four hours building a spreadsheet from scratch when they can buy a polished one for $15. Templates let customers skip the hard part and get straight to work.
- 2.Recurring demand. New freelancers need invoice templates every single day. Students need study planners every semester. Small businesses need social media calendars every quarter. The demand never dries up.
- 3.Low creation cost. You do not need expensive equipment or software. A laptop, the right tool (Notion, Canva, Google Sheets), and your expertise are all it takes.
- 4.Infinite scalability. Whether you sell 10 copies or 10,000 copies, your effort stays the same. Every additional sale is pure profit.
Types of Templates That Sell
Not all templates are created equal. Some categories consistently outperform others. Here are the template types with the strongest market demand right now:
Notion Templates
$5 - $150+The hottest template category. Productivity dashboards, habit trackers, content calendars, CRM systems, and second brain setups. Notion has over 50 million users hungry for pre-built systems.
Canva Templates
$10 - $49Social media post templates, Instagram story kits, presentation decks, media kits, and brand identity packages. Canva users love buying ready-made designs they can customize in minutes.
Spreadsheet Templates
$5 - $39Budget planners, project trackers, inventory managers, financial models, and business dashboards. Google Sheets and Excel templates are evergreen sellers because everyone needs them.
Resume & CV Templates
$5 - $25Clean, modern resume layouts with matching cover letters. Job seekers constantly search for professional templates that make them stand out. This market refreshes every graduation season.
Social Media Templates
$10 - $39Carousel templates, Reel covers, Pinterest pin designs, YouTube thumbnails, and content calendar spreadsheets. Creators and small businesses buy these in bulk.
Website Themes & UI Kits
$19 - $99+WordPress themes, Shopify templates, Framer templates, and component libraries. Higher price point because they solve a more complex problem and save significant development time.
Creating Professional Templates
The template market is competitive. Low-quality templates get buried. To stand out you need to treat every template like a product launch. Here is what separates templates that sell from templates that collect dust:
- --Quality over quantity. One polished, well-designed template will outsell ten rushed ones. Spend extra time on clean layouts, consistent spacing, and thoughtful typography. First impressions matter.
- --Solve a specific problem. The best-selling templates are not generic. A "Content Calendar for Solo YouTubers" will outsell a "General Planner" every time. Get specific about who your template is for and what it helps them accomplish.
- --Include clear instructions. Add a setup guide, a quick-start PDF, or a short video walkthrough. Customers who can actually use your template will leave positive reviews and recommend it to others. Confused customers request refunds.
- --Make it customizable. People buy templates because they want a head start, not a straitjacket. Use clear labels, editable colors, and modular sections so buyers can adapt the template to their needs.
- --Test before you publish. Use your own template for at least a week. Have a friend test it too. Fix every rough edge before a customer finds it.
Pricing Your Templates
Pricing is where most template creators get stuck. Price too low and you devalue your work. Price too high and nobody buys. Here are the sweet spots based on what actually converts:
Template Pricing Sweet Spots
Simple Templates
Single-purpose: one resume, one tracker, one planner
Mid-Range Templates
Multi-feature: dashboards, systems with automations
Template Bundles
3-10 templates packaged together at a discount
Premium / Business Templates
Complex systems, CRMs, all-in-one suites
Pro tip: Bundles are your best friend. A single Canva template might sell for $12, but a pack of 50 social media templates sells for $39 and feels like an incredible deal. Bundling increases your average order value without increasing your workload proportionally.
Setting Up Your Template Store on PengDrop
Once your templates are ready, you need a platform that delivers them instantly and does not eat into your profits. PengDrop charges 0% platform fees, so every dollar your customer pays goes to you (minus standard Stripe processing). Here is how to set up:
Package Your Files
Bundle your template files into a ZIP. Include the main template file (the .xlsx, Canva link, Notion duplicate link, or design file) plus a PDF setup guide with screenshots. Customers should never feel lost after purchasing.
Create Mockup Images
Your product images are your storefront. Use clean mockups showing the template in action. Show the template filled with realistic sample data, not empty fields. Aim for 3-5 images that highlight key features.
Write a Compelling Description
Lead with the problem your template solves. List exactly what is included. Mention who the template is for. Add a "What you will get" section with bullet points. Specificity sells better than vague promises.
Publish and Share
Hit publish, grab your product link, and start sharing. PengDrop handles payment processing and instant file delivery automatically. Your customers get their templates immediately after purchase.
Marketing Your Templates
A great template with no marketing is invisible. The good news is that templates are one of the easiest digital products to market because they are inherently visual. Here are the channels that drive the most template sales:
Pinterest (Huge for Templates)
Pinterest is the number one traffic source for template sellers. Users go to Pinterest specifically looking for templates, planners, and organizational tools. Create clean pins showing your template with a direct link to your PengDrop product page. Pin consistently and use keyword-rich descriptions.
TikTok and Reels Demos
Short videos showing your template in action perform incredibly well. Record a 30-second screen recording of you clicking through the template, filling in sample data, and showing the final result. Before-and-after content (messy planning vs. clean template) drives engagement and shares.
Before-and-After Screenshots
Show the problem (cluttered spreadsheet, ugly resume, chaotic workflow) next to your template solution. This format works on every platform: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even Reddit. The visual contrast makes the value immediately obvious.
Free Template as a Lead Magnet
Give away a simpler version of your paid template for free in exchange for an email address. This builds your list and gives customers a taste of your quality. When you launch your premium template or bundle, you already have an audience ready to buy.
Building a Template Business
Selling one template is a side hustle. Selling a catalog of templates is a business. Here is how to think long-term:
- --Niche down. Become the go-to creator for one category. "The Notion finance person" or "The Canva social media template designer" will always beat "someone who makes random templates." Specialization builds trust and makes marketing easier.
- --Create template packs. Once you have 3-5 individual templates in a niche, bundle them into a discounted pack. Bundles increase your average order value and give customers a reason to spend more. A $39 pack of 5 templates feels like a better deal than buying each one separately for $12.
- --Seasonal updates. Refresh your templates for the new year, back-to-school season, or quarterly planning cycles. A "2026 Content Calendar" will outsell a dateless version because it signals freshness. Update once, re-market to your entire audience.
- --Build a product ladder. Start with a free template to build your email list. Sell individual templates at $10-$25. Offer bundles at $39-$79. Create a premium all-in-one system at $99+. Each step moves customers up in value.
- --Listen to your customers. Pay attention to what buyers ask for in emails and reviews. Their requests are your product roadmap. If three customers ask for a meal planning template, that is your next product.
The creators who earn the most from templates are not necessarily the best designers. They are the ones who pick a niche, show up consistently, and keep creating what their audience actually wants. Templates are a compounding business: every new template you add to your store increases your total earning potential without expiring.