How to Sell Digital Downloads on Squarespace in 2026
A note on pricing: all prices mentioned in this post are accurate as of the date this article was written, but can change at any time. This includes Squarespace plans, third-party tools, plugins, templates, and any other services referenced. Always check directly with the provider for the most current pricing before committing.
This post contains affiliate links. for Squarespace. If you purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This article was researched and fact-checked for all information provided from primary sources (Squarespace Help Docs) and is up to date as of May 2026. AI was not used as a source.
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How do you sell digital downloads on Squarespace?
Quick Answer: To sell digital downloads on Squarespace, you add a product in your store, choose "Download" as the product type, upload your file (up to 300MB total), set your price, and publish. Buyers get an automatic download link after checkout. You'll want at least the Core plan since digital products require Squarespace's commerce features. The whole setup takes about 15 minutes once you know where everything lives.
KEY FACTS ABOUT SELLING DIGITAL DOWNLOADS ON SQUARESPACE:
Digital product files can be up to 300MB each on Squarespace
You can attach only ONE file per download product listing. To sell multiple files together, that’s fine; you’ll just need to zip them first.
Squarespace charges a 0% transaction fee on Core and above (the Basic plan charges a 2% online store transaction fee on top of payment processor fees)
Supported file types include PDF, ZIP, MP3, MP4, JPEG, PNG… and lots more
Customers receive an automatic email with their download link after purchase
Download links expire 24 hours after purchase. If a customer clicks an expired link, Squarespace will automatically send a new one to the email used at checkout.
Why Sell Digital Downloads on Squarespace?
If you've been thinking about selling digital products (templates, ebooks, presets, Claude Skills, guides, printables, music, fonts, design assets… the list goes on), you've probably looked at platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, or Etsy. And those can work. But if you already have a Squarespace website or are thinking about getting one, selling directly from your own website means you keep your branding consistent, you own the customer relationship, and you're not paying extra platform fees on top of what you're already paying for your site.
That said, Squarespace's digital download setup does have some limitations worth knowing about before you dive in. So let's walk through the whole thing: what you can sell, which plan you'll want to be on, how to set it up, and things that are easy to miss.
What You Can Sell as a Digital Download on Squarespace
Squarespace supports a pretty wide range of file types for digital products. We're talking PDFs, ZIPs, MP3s, MP4s, JPEGs, PNGs, AI files, PSD files, EPUBs, and more. Basically, if you can upload it, you can sell it.
Some common digital products people sell on Squarespace:
Ebooks and guides (PDF)
Printables and worksheets (PDF, PNG)
Photo presets and Lightroom presets (ZIP, DNG)
Design templates (AI, PSD, ZIP)
Claude Skills (ZIP)
Vibe coded tools and mini apps (ZIP)
Music and audio files (MP3, WAV)
Video content (MP4)
Fonts (OTF, TTF, typically zipped)
Stock photos or illustration packs (ZIP)
Each individual file can be up to 300MB, and you can only attach one file per download product. If you're selling a bundle, just zip everything together into one file before uploading.
If your files are larger than 300MB per file (like long-form video), Squarespace probably isn't the right delivery method. You'd want to host those on a platform like Vimeo or Google Drive and deliver the access link instead.
Which Squarespace Plan Do You Need for Digital Downloads?
Here's the breakdown:
Basic plan ($19/month billed annually): You CAN technically add products, but Squarespace charges a 2% transaction fee on every sale on top of your payment processor's fees. For a few sales a month this might be fine, but it’ll add up fast.
Core plan ($35/month billed annually): 0% online store transaction fee. This is the plan most people selling digital downloads will probably want to start with. You get full commerce features and customer accounts.
Plus plan ($62/month billed annually): Everything in Core, plus lower payment processing rates and a significantly lower Digital Content and Memberships transaction fee (1% vs 5% on Core). If you're planning to sell recurring digital content (like a monthly template drop or membership), you'd want this one.
Advanced plan ($119/month billed annually): The lowest payment processing rates of all plans and 0% on Digital Content and Memberships fees. Most digital product sellers won't need this unless you're running a high-volume shop.
For most people selling digital downloads, the Core plan hits the sweet spot. You avoid the transaction fees, you get everything you need for a clean digital storefront, and you're not paying for features you don't use yet.
(If you want to try Squarespace out first, you can start a free 14-day trial and build out your whole shop before committing to a plan.)
How to Set Up Digital Downloads on Squarespace: A Verified Step by Step Guide
Alright, here's the actual setup, updated real time June 2026. This assumes you already have a Squarespace site up and running. If you don't, start your free trial here and get your basic site set up first.
Step 1: Connect a Payment Processor
Before you can sell anything, you need to connect a payment processor. Squarespace gives you three options: Squarespace Payments, Stripe, and PayPal.
Squarespace Payments is their native option and the most seamless since everything lives in one dashboard. It accepts credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Afterpay, Klarna, ACH Direct Debit, and more. That said, I'd recommend comparing the fees across all three options before you commit, since the total cost can vary depending on how and where you sell.
Stripe is a solid alternative if you're already using it for other tools outside of Squarespace.
PayPal can be connected separately so customers have the option to pay with PayPal or Venmo at checkout.
To connect a payment processor in Squarespace for digital downloads:
Open the Payments Settings panel
Click Connect beneath your chosen payment processor
Follow the prompts to connect your account
Two important things to know:
If you're already using Stripe, connecting Squarespace Payments will replace it as your payment processor for your Squarespace site. Your Stripe account stays active and you can still use it for other tools, but it won't process your Squarespace transactions anymore. You can run Squarespace Payments alongside PayPal, but not alongside Stripe.
And if you go with Squarespace Payments: if you weren't previously on Stripe, there's an 8-12 day holding period before you receive your first payout. It kicks in after you connect your bank account, so factor that in if you're planning a launch.
Step 2: Add a Digital Product
Once you have a store page set up, you can add your product.
Open the Pages panel
Click your store page, then click the + icon
Select Download as the product type
Note: you can't change the product type after creating it, so make sure you select Download before moving on.
Step 3: Fill in Your Product Details
This is where you make your product listing look good and do the selling for you.
Product name: Be specific and descriptive. "Social Media Template Bundle for Canva" is better than "Template Pack."
Description: Explain what's included, who it's for, and what they'll get after purchase. Include file formats and any software requirements.
Price: Set your price. You can also add a Sale price if you want to show a sale/discount.
Images: Upload product mockups or preview images. This matters a LOT for digital products because people can't "see" the product otherwise. Flat lays, mockups, screenshots of the product in use… all good.
Step 4: Upload Your Digital File
In the product editor, click Upload file
Select your file from your computer
One file only per download product. If you're selling a bundle, zip everything together into one clean file before uploading, as long as the total is under 300MB. It also makes the download experience smoother for your customer.
Step 5: Configure Your Product Settings
A few things to double-check before you publish:
SEO: Click into the SEO section of your product page and write a custom meta title and description. This helps your product show up in search results.
Social sharing image: Upload an image that'll appear when someone shares your product link on social media.
Product URL slug: Make it clean and descriptive (e.g., `/shop/canva-social-media-templates` not `/shop/product-47`).
Step 6: Create a Shop Page (If You Don't Have One)
If this is your first product, you'll want to add a Store page to your site navigation.
Open the Pages panel
Click the + icon
In version 7.1: click Products, Services, or Group Events, then click Store at the top of the window. In version 7.0: select Store or Products from the page menu.
Drag it into your main navigation where you want it to appear
Your download products will automatically populate on this page.
Step 7: Publish and Test
Before you announce anything, place a test order. You want to make sure:
The checkout process works smoothly
The download email actually arrives
The download link works and delivers the right file(s)
Your product images and descriptions look right on both desktop and mobile
You can process a test order through Squarespace's test mode.
What Happens After Someone Buys?
Once a customer completes their purchase, Squarespace automatically sends them an email with a download link. You don't have to do anything manually; it just works.
A few things to know about those download links:
They expire 24 hours after purchase
The email comes from Squarespace's system (not your custom email address)
That 24-hour expiry is one of the more common complaints about Squarespace's digital download system. If a customer has trouble downloading (slow internet, they forgot, life happened), they'll probably reach out to you. You can resend it manually by going to the Products & services panel, clicking Orders, opening the order, clicking the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then clicking Re-send email notifications and Resend and Refresh digital goods.
And worth knowing: Squarespace's order confirmation email is functional but not super customizable. You can edit the text to some extent, but you're not getting the same level of email design control you'd have with a dedicated platform like Kit or Mailchimp. For most people selling digital downloads, this is totally fine. But if branded post-purchase emails are a big part of your customer experience, it's something to be aware of.
Tips for Selling Digital Downloads on Squarespace Successfully
Setting up the tech is one thing. Actually getting people to buy? That's the other half.
Write good and accurate product descriptions
Don't just list what's in the file. Explain who it's for, what problem it solves, and what the result looks like. "50 Instagram story templates designed for wellness brands, fully editable in Canva, optimized for engagement" tells someone way more than "Instagram templates."
Invest in good product mockups
This is IMO the single biggest thing that separates digital products that sell from ones that just… sit there. Since people can't hold or preview a digital file before buying, your product images ARE the product experience. Use mockups, screenshots, before-and-afters; whatever helps someone visualize what they're getting.
Use product categories to organize your shop
If you're selling more than a handful of products, categories help people browse. Squarespace lets you create product categories and filter by them on your shop page. "Templates," "Presets," "Guides," etc.
Add a FAQ section to your shop or product pages
Anticipate the questions people will have: What software do I need? Can I get a refund on a digital product? How do I access my files? What if my download link expires? Answering these upfront reduces support emails and builds trust.
Consider your pricing carefully
Look at what similar products sell for in your niche. Price too low and people question the quality. Price too high without demonstrating value and they'll bounce. If you're just starting out, it's okay to start lower and raise prices as you build reviews and credibility.
Best Squarespace Templates for Selling Digital Downloads
Not every Squarespace template is set up with a shop in mind. If you're building a digital product storefront, you'll probably want a template that already has e-commerce pages and a layout that puts your products front and center. You CAN add a shop to any template, or to a blank starting page, but if you want the easiest, quickest way to get online, a pre-built template with a shop built in is a shortcut.
A few of Squarespace’s built-in templates to consider:
Best for: Sellers with a curated collection of digital downloads like templates, presets, or fonts.
Wesley is a clean, shop-forward template with pages for Home, Shop, About, Contact, and Cart. The homepage features product grids and the layout puts your products front and center right away. If you're selling a curated collection of digital downloads, Wesley would be a great starting point for you. Read my Wesley template review.
Best for: Makers and creators selling digital goods alongside blog content.
Altaloma has a handmade, artisanal feel with pages for Home, Shop, Journal (Blog), About, and Contact. The blog integration is nice if you want to create content around your digital products (tutorials, use cases, behind-the-scenes posts). If you're a maker or creator who wants your blog and your shop to live together, Altaloma would be a good template to start with. Read my Altaloma template review.
Best for: Sellers who want a simple, no-fuss, EASY digital storefront.
Maru is built for shops and is straightforward with pages for Home, Shop, About, and Contact. If you want a clean storefront, Maru could be a great template to get started with.
Best for: Digital product sellers who want a more robust shop setup with a built-in FAQ page.
Camdez includes pages for Home, Shop, About, Contact, FAQ, and Cart. That built-in FAQ page is a nice touch for digital products since you'll inevitably get questions about file formats, software requirements, and download access. Camdez would be a great starting point for sellers who want everything in one place from the jump. Read my Camdez review.
And if the built-in free Squarespace templates feel too generic for your brand (which; they're used by thousands of people, so fair), third-party template shops like Big Cat Creative, Kseniia Design, or Studio Mesa offer more distinctive designs that you can customize to feel truly yours.
Squarespace Digital Downloads vs. Other Platforms
Squarespace isn't the only option for selling digital downloads, and depending on your situation, it might not be the best one. Here's a quick comparison:
Squarespace works best if you already have a Squarespace site and you want everything in one place. The setup is simple, the design is polished, and you're not paying additional platform fees (on Core and above). The limitations: 300MB file size cap, basic download delivery, limited post-purchase email customization, and the 24-hour download window.
Gumroad is popular with creators selling ebooks, templates, and courses. It handles larger files, offers more flexible pricing (pay-what-you-want, tiered pricing), and has built-in affiliate and email features. But Gumroad takes a 10% cut of every sale on the free plan.
Payhip is similar to Gumroad with a more generous free tier (5% transaction fee, dropping to 2% on paid plans). Good for digital downloads, memberships, and courses.
Etsy gives you access to a massive built-in audience but charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. You also don't control the branding or customer experience the way you do on your own site.
So if you're selling a handful of digital products and you want a beautiful, branded storefront that lives on your own website? Squarespace handles that well. If you're running a high-volume digital product business with complex pricing, large files, and affiliate programs, a dedicated platform might serve you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sell digital downloads on Squarespace's Basic plan?
Technically yes, but Squarespace charges a 2% transaction fee on every sale on the Basic plan, on top of your payment processor's fees. Most people selling digital products will want the Core plan or higher to avoid that extra fee.
What is the file size limit for Squarespace digital downloads?
Each file can be up to 300MB, and you can only attach one file per download product. Zip multiple files together if you're selling a bundle. If your files are larger than 300MB (like long-form video), you'd want to host them elsewhere (Vimeo, Google Drive) and deliver the access link to customers instead.
How do customers receive their digital download after purchase on Squarespace?
After checkout, Squarespace automatically sends buyers an email with a download link. The link expires 24 hours after purchase. If a customer clicks an expired link, Squarespace automatically sends a new one to the email used at checkout. You can also resend it manually from the Products & services panel under Orders.
Is Squarespace better than Gumroad for selling digital downloads?
It really depends on what you're prioritizing. Squarespace is a great fit if you want a branded storefront that lives on your own website and you're already using the platform. Gumroad offers more flexibility with pricing models (pay-what-you-want, tiered), handles larger files, and has built-in affiliate features, but takes a 10% cut on the free plan. If design control and brand consistency are your priorities, Squarespace could be the better fit. If you're optimizing for volume and flexible pricing, Gumroad might edge it out.
What types of digital products can you sell on Squarespace?
Pretty much any downloadable file type: PDFs, ZIPs, MP3s, MP4s, JPEGs, PNGs, AI files, PSD files, EPUBs, fonts (OTF, TTF), and more. Common digital products include ebooks, printables, design templates, photo presets, stock photos, music files, and illustration packs.
Can I sell digital downloads on my Squarespace website?
Yep! Squarespace has built-in support for digital products. You add a product to your store, choose "Download" as the product type, upload your file, set your price, and publish. After someone buys, Squarespace automatically sends them an email with a download link. You'll need at least the Core plan ($35/month billed annually) to avoid transaction fees, but the setup itself is pretty simple once you know where everything lives.
Can I sell digital downloads on Square?
Square and Squarespace are two completely different companies, and it's one of the most common mix-ups out there. (I see it a lot on Reddit, especially.) Square is a payment and point-of-sale platform. Squarespace is a website builder. If you landed here looking for Square, you're in the wrong place. If you meant Squarespace, you're in exactly the right place.
Can I make money with digital downloads?
You can, and a lot of people do. The appeal is that you create the product once and sell it as many times as you want with no inventory, no shipping, and no restocking. That said, "can you make money" and "will you make money" are two different questions, and honestly the landscape has shifted. Anything AI can just answer for free isn't a great product anymore. Ebooks full of general advice, basic how-to guides, generic checklists... those are a harder sell than they used to be. What's working better right now are done-for-you things: templates people can drop straight into their workflow, tools they can use immediately, systems that save them real time. The potential for monthly recurring revenue (it’s never ‘passive’) is still real, but the bar for what people will actually pay for has gone up.
Which digital downloads are most popular to sell?
The ones that do something for people rather than just tell them something. With AI able to answer most general questions for free, information-only products are a tougher sell than they used to be. What tends to sell well right now: Canva templates, social media templates, Notion systems, spreadsheet trackers, Claude or ChatGPT prompt packs, custom GPTs or Claude skills, vibe-coded tools and mini apps, photo presets, fonts, and stock photography. Anything that saves someone real time or does a job they don't want to figure out themselves.
