Need some proof that your idea can become a successful online product?
If you used our guide to creating an online course, it might surprise you how many ideas you can actually come up with.
But… are your ideas viable? Have other people created products on similar topics and been successful?
As we believe you’ll see from this list of creators on Podia selling online courses and digital downloads, any expertise can be turned into an online product.
From hobbies to professional skills you use in your job, every example below has been purchased, subscribed to, or downloaded at least dozens of times.
Some of them have been purchased, subscribed to, or downloaded many thousands of times.
They range from niche offerings to leaders in highly competitive subject areas for online courses and other digital products.
Nearly all of the most common creator monetization options are represented below.
If these creators can do it, why not you?
Table of contents
In this article, you’ll find examples of online products across several different categories:
Business ideas
Do you run a business? Creating a product based on your knowledge can enable others learn from your experience.
Design, programming, and art
Creative hobbyists and professionals working in design, art, and programming continually looking for ways to develop their skills.
Home, health, & faith
From gardening to home organization, many creators have found success by teaching on topics completely unrelated to business.
Marketing
Business owners and marketing professionals are constantly looking to acquire new customers and clients for their business.
Personal development
Everyone wants to improve. That’s why there are countless opportunities to create products based on personal development.
Business product examples
Our first group of examples comes from the world of business.
These are people who have expertise in founding, growing, or operating a company. Each found a unique way to turn their expertise into an online product.
1. Topic idea: Foundations
Real-life example: The Basics of Building a Business
2. Topic idea: Audio business
Real-life example: Audio for Profit — Core Content
3. Topic idea: Building an MVP
Real-life example: No-Code MVP
4. Topic idea: Blogging
Real-life example: Blog Biz School
5. Topic idea: Business purpose
Real-life example: Finding Purpose
6. Topic idea: Course creation
Real-life example: Behind the Scenes of a Six-Figure Email Course
7. Topic idea: Design thinking
Real-life example: Service Design: Designing for Experience Over Time
8. Topic idea: Evernote
Real-life example: Getting Started on Evernote
9. Topic idea: Freelancing
Real-life example: The Freelance Foundation
10. Topic idea: Legal services
Real-life example: Building & Managing A Business: A Legal Perspective
11. Topic idea: Masterminds
Real-life example: Do I Need a Mastermind?
12. Topic idea: Podcasting
Real-life example: Irresistible Podcasting
13. Topic idea: Product creation
Real-life example: The Tiny Product Manual
14. Topic idea: Project licensing starter kit
Real-life example: Licensing Starter Kit
15. Topic idea: Proposals
Real-life example: 7 Fatal Proposal Mistakes Costing You Sales
16. Topic idea: Pinterest for business
Real-life example: Pinterest
17. Topic idea: Solopreneurship
Real-life example: Solopreneur Business Tracker
18. Topic idea: Startup ideas
Real-life example: Idea to Launch
19. Topic Idea: Systems
Real-life example: The Passive Income Success System
20. Topic idea: Video selling
Real-life example: Video Selling Formula
21. Topic idea: WordPress development
Real-life example: How to make a living as a WordPress Developer
22. Topic idea: Writing
Real-life example: Author Success Blueprint
Design, programming, and art product examples
The product examples in this section include artists, animators, and programmers.
Each has taken their skill and turned it into a product to help others.
There’s even a course on emojis 😉
23. Topic idea: Designer training
Real-life example: Become a UI/UX Designer
24. Topic idea: Action scene animation
Real-life example: Action Scene Animation MADE EASY
25. Topic idea: Adobe Illustrator
Real-life example: Adobe Illustrator Essentials
26. Topic idea: Character design for children’s books
Real-life example: Character Design and Story Development for Children's Books
27. Topic Idea: Construct 2
Real-life example: Construct 2 - From Beginner to Advanced
28. Topic idea: Data analysis
Real-life example: Data Analysis the Lazy Way
29. Topic Idea: Data Strategy
Real-life example: Data Strategy for Entrepreneurs
30. Topic idea: Drawing for animation
Real-life example: Handy Drawing Tool Guide (Beginner)
31. Topic idea: Painting guides
Real-life example: Painters Guide To Design & Composition
32. Topic idea: Emoji
Real-life example: Chicomojis for Slack
33. Topic idea: Instructional design
Real-life example: Go Design Something: Building Your Job-Winning Portfolio
34. Topic idea: Machine learning
Real-life example: Machine Learning Flashcards
35. Topic idea: Payments
Real-life example: Payments with Stripe and Rails Master Class
36. Topic idea: Programming logic
Real-life example: Programming Logic MADE EASY with Construct 2!
37. Topic idea: Python
Real-life example: Python Tricks Toolkit
38. Topic idea: User experience design
Real-life example: Design for Developers
39. Topic idea: Website design
Real-life example: Getting Started with Blocs
40. Topic idea: Website personalization
Real-life example: The Personalization Masterclass
41. Topic idea: Wireframing
Real-life example: Blocks Wireframing Kit for Sketch
Home, health, and faith product examples
Not all products are related to business or a profession.
From wellness to home organization, many creators have found success with products that help people live a better life.
42. Topic idea: Family bible study
Real-life example: The Godly Family Ebook Bundle
43. Topic idea: Telehealth
Real-life examples: Telehealth Treasure Chest
44. Topic idea: Choir Directing
Real-life example: Directing a Church Children's Choir 101 (Premium)
45. Topic idea: Daily bible study journal
Real-life example: 6-Month Bible Study Journal
Marketing product examples
Marketing is how businesses create awareness and interest, then convert that interest into paying customers and clients.
It’s one of the biggest challenges for businesses of all kinds, which is why business and marketing professionals are always looking for new marketing techniques.
46. Topic idea: Branding
Real-life example: Brand Your Business One Story At a Time
47. Topic idea: Building a following
Real-life example: Cracking the Instagram Algorithm
48. Topic idea: Directory marketing
Real-life example: LAUNCHiT! for Directory Marketers, Growth Gurus, Brand Builders and Online Agencies
49. Topic idea: Facebook advertising
Real-life example: The Science of Facebook Ads
50. Topic idea: Marketing for product people
Real-life example: Marketing for Product People
51. Topic idea: Marketing plans
Real-life example: Sanity Systems: How To Create Your 2018 Marketing Plan
52. Topic idea: Online branding
Real-life example: Branding Guide for Beginners
53. Topic idea: Personal branding
Real-life example: Personal Branding 101: How to Get Unstuck
Personal development product examples
Finally, in our personal development examples, you’ll see products on relationships, personal finances, motivation and many more.
Broadly defined as“self-help,”this category has endless opportunities for online products.
54. Topic idea: ADHD
Real-life example: The One Page Daily Planner
55. Topic idea: Acting
Real-life example: True Acting
56. Topic idea: Clean living
Real-life example: The 30 Day Reset eBook
57. Topic idea: Communication
Real-life example: My Communication Goals
58. Topic idea: Conversation
Real-life example: Conversation Superstar: The Fast Lane to Conversation Success
59. Topic idea: Dating
Real-life example: Find love now
60. Topic idea: Decluttering
Real-life example: The Swap
61. Topic Idea: Divorce
Real-life example: How to Prepare for Divorce
62. Topic idea: Frugal living
Real-life example: Ebook: Frugal Tips & Recipes for the Wise Homemaker
63. Topic idea: Language
Real-life example: Sound More Natural in Just Five Days
64. Topic idea: Life planning
Real-life example: Free Life Planning Resources
65. Topic idea: Wild food foraging
Real-life example: Seaweed Notebook
66. Topic idea: Minimalism
Real-life example: The Minimalism Challenge
67. Topic idea: Motivation
Real-life example: The Big Shift
68. Topic idea: Relationships
Real-life example: Great Marriages Start Here
69. Topic idea: Remote employment
Real-life example: Remotive Bootcamp
70. Topic idea: Sketchnote
Real-life example: Sketchnote Starter Course
71. Topic idea: Style
Real-life example: Streamline Your Style e-Course
72. Topic idea: Whole foods
Real-life example: Going Whole
With so many examples, there's only one thing missing from this list: you.
Ready to get started with your online product?
Inspired and ready to get started creating your own online product? Or maybe your example itch hasn't been quite scratched yet -- if that's the case, here are 19 more examples of profitable digital downloads for you to check out. These 10 online business ideas that actually make money may be beneficial, as well.
Otherwise, here’s a simple resource to help you get started on your first course:
How to create an online course in 2019: The complete guide.
Just sign up for your free 30-day trial from Podia and get to work. We’ll be here to help you every step along the way.
Good luck, and happy building.