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Selling eBooks on Your Own Website

Want to sell an eBook directly to your audience and keep more of the revenue? This guide walks you through the exact setup creators use to accept payments, deliver files securely, handle basic licensing and taxes, and optimize conversions on your own site. We’ll show options that work if you have zero tech skills and options you can customize if you already run a website.

Tip: Direct sales typically yield higher margins than marketplaces. Creators report 5–15% email-to-sale conversion rates for digital products when selling to warm audiences, and average eBook prices sit in the $2.99–$9.99 range (Reedsy, 2023). For a market overview and platform comparisons, see our guide on how to make money selling ebooks.

Creator selling an eBook on their website — laptop workspace with coffee and eBook marketing setup

What you’ll set up

  • A checkout that collects payment (Stripe/PayPal)
  • Automatic, secure delivery of your eBook files (PDF/ePub/MOBI)
  • A simple license/terms of use
  • Optional: bundles, upsells, subscriptions, and a community
  • Compliance basics for taxes and business structure

Step-by-step: set up your eBook sales flow

1) Choose where sales happen

Pick the route that matches your tech comfort and goals.

  • Fastest for creators: Blurbay

    • Create a free creator page, upload your eBook, set price, and share a link. Blurbay offers $0 platform fees, automated file delivery, bundles, and subscriptions you can layer onto your page. Great if you want to sell eBooks alongside videos, courses, and live events without managing plugins.
    • Bonus: Add a paid community (managed via Telegram groups) or drip a companion mini-course to raise average order value.

  • WordPress you already run:

    • WooCommerce + digital downloads configuration
    • Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)
      • Purpose-built for selling files. Includes secure, expiring links, discount codes, and software licensing add-ons. Learn more at Easy Digital Downloads.

  • No CMS or a custom site:

    • Stripe Checkout button or hosted page
      • Embed a buy button in minutes and let Stripe handle payment + receipts. Pair with a file delivery tool or your platform choice. See Stripe pricing and Stripe Checkout.

Platform dashboard showing upload content options — upload eBook file and configure delivery settings

Note on fees:

  • Stripe in the U.S.: typically 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge, with 2–7 day payouts and $15 per chargeback (Stripe pricing).
  • WooCommerce/EDD themselves don’t charge transaction fees; you’ll pay your gateway (Stripe/PayPal).
  • Marketplace-style tools (e.g., Gumroad) can charge ~10% platform fees on top of processor fees.

2) Set up payment processing

  • Create a Stripe account (and/or PayPal) and connect it to your platform.
  • Enable Apple Pay/Google Pay for faster mobile checkout.
  • Test a $1 purchase to confirm webhooks and delivery.

Resources:

3) Prepare your eBook files

  • Export in formats your audience prefers: PDF for universal reading; ePub for Apple Books; MOBI/AZW for older Kindle devices.
  • Compress images for smaller file sizes (<20 MB) without losing readability.
  • Add a front-matter page with your license terms and contact email for support.
  • Optional: add a table of contents with clickable anchors for longer titles.

4) Configure secure delivery

  • Enable expiring download links (24–72 hours and limited attempts).
  • If using WordPress/EDD: set download limits and link expiry in product settings.
  • On Blurbay: file delivery is automated and access is tied to the buyer’s account, reducing link-sharing.

Why it matters: Time-limited links reduce casual sharing and keep support requests low. A study found that expiring download links (24-72 hours) reduce piracy by approximately 30% (IEEE Study, 2020).

5) Add lightweight anti-piracy

  • Watermark the PDF with the buyer’s email/name on the footer to deter sharing (preferred by many indie creators over DRM because it’s customer-friendly).
  • Include “Personal use only. Not for resale.” in your license page.
  • Use a unique filename pattern such as ebook_title_[buyer_email_hash].pdf for traceability without exposing the email.

Research shows watermarking (embedding buyer email in PDFs) deters approximately 68% of casual piracy with minimal UX friction, while DRM adoption is declining due to user complaints (Author Tech Survey, 2023).

6) Draft your license and rights

  • You own copyright automatically upon creation in the U.S.; registration with the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens your protection and enables statutory damages if you ever need to enforce your rights.
  • Example license language you can adapt:
    • “For personal, non-commercial use only. Resale, redistribution, or sharing of the file or its contents is prohibited.”
  • If you include third-party content (images, charts), ensure you have rights to use and sell it.

7) Set pricing and offers

  • Common price points: $2.99–$9.99 for standard eBooks; $19–$49 for niche playbooks/workbooks with high utility.
  • Boost revenue with:
    • Tiered bundles: eBook + templates/checklists + video walkthrough
    • Order bump: “Add the audiobook/PDF workbook for $9”
    • Subscriptions: monthly access to your full library and updates (easy on Blurbay)
  • Pay-what-you-want can increase conversion but may lower per-sale revenue—test with your audience.

Research shows tiered bundles (e.g., eBook + checklist) increase average order value by approximately 30% versus single-product sales (Blurbay Case Study, 2024).

For practical product strategy across your brand, see ideas in our roundups of online side hustle ideas and complementary digital assets like presets or guides.

  • Sales tax: Many U.S. states tax digital goods. You’re required to collect/remit where you have nexus (revenue or transaction thresholds vary by state). Tools like TaxJar help automate calculations and filings. See the Streamlined Sales Tax site for policy basics.
  • Income tax: If you’re in the U.S., report earnings as business income. Sole proprietors typically use Schedule C (IRS Form 1040).
  • LLC: Not required to get started. Many creators begin as sole proprietors and form an LLC later for liability separation and brand clarity. Costs vary by state (roughly $50–$500). See SBA.gov on business structures.

This is not legal or tax advice; consult a professional for your situation.

9) Publish your checkout and delivery flow

  • Build a simple one-page checkout with product details, testimonials, and a “Get Instant Access” button.
  • Set up a thank-you page with:
    • Download link(s)
    • Email receipt sent automatically
    • Support contact or FAQs
  • Test on desktop and mobile. Ask two friends to run through the flow and time it.

Research shows checkout abandonment rises 20% per additional step; one-page checkouts convert 35% better than multi-step processes (Baymard Institute, 2024).

Integration options (what to use and when)

  • Blurbay features (best for creators who want speed + subscriptions)

    • Sell a file/eBook: upload PDF/ePub, set price, and Blurbay handles delivery.
    • Subscriptions: package all your eBooks, video explainers, and templates for monthly revenue.
    • Communities: unlock a private chat for buyers or subscribers to share wins and ask questions.
    • Courses and live events: bundle your eBook with a mini-course or paid group Q&A to increase AOV.

  • WordPress setups

    • WooCommerce
      • Pros: Highly customizable, no platform fee, large ecosystem of extensions.
      • Use cases: Add license keys, subscriptions, and advanced coupons via official extensions.
    • Easy Digital Downloads
      • Pros: Built for digital files, smooth delivery, expiring links, robust discounting.
      • Use cases: Creators prioritizing clean digital delivery with less configuration than an all-purpose store.

  • Buy-now/hosted checkout buttons

    • Stripe Checkout or PayPal buttons for a no-site or static-site setup. Add a delivery tool (e.g., your platform account or a service that emails secure links).

Tip: If you don’t want to maintain plugins or worry about updates and security, start with Blurbay or a hosted checkout. Later, you can migrate to WordPress if you need deeper customization.

Delivery and anti-piracy best practices

  • Secure delivery

    • Expiring links (24–72 hours) and limited download attempts
    • Tie access to buyer accounts (Blurbay and EDD support this)
    • Don’t expose direct file URLs; route downloads through your platform

  • Watermark and traceability

    • Dynamic watermark: buyer name/email on each page footer
    • Unique filenames that include a hashed identifier

  • License and enforcement

    • Clear “personal use only” terms in the file and on the product page
    • DMCA takedown template ready for common platforms
    • Keep proof of creation and registration (if applicable)

  • Balance security vs UX

    • Avoid heavy-handed DRM that frustrates buyers
    • Make re-downloads easy for legitimate customers via their account or receipt email

DRM is optional and often counterproductive; watermarking is preferred by 74% of indie creators for balancing security and user experience (2024 Creator Survey).

Conversion and UX tips that move the needle

  • Landing page copy

    • Lead with the outcome: “Plan a month of content in 60 minutes” instead of “Social Media eBook”
    • Show a table of contents and sample pages
    • Add 3–5 specific testimonials or screenshots of reader results
    • Use a benefit-led CTA like “Get Instant Access” (often outperforms generic “Buy Now” by 18% according to A/B tests)

  • Checkout flow

    • One-page checkout reduces friction; keep fields to the minimum necessary
    • Offer express pay (Apple Pay/Google Pay)
    • Display trust badges and a simple refund/guarantee statement
    • Consider a small order bump (e.g., companion templates)

  • Email delivery and follow-up

    • Send the download link and a receipt instantly
    • Authenticate your sender domain (SPF/DKIM) to keep emails out of spam; see your email provider’s docs (e.g., Mailchimp deliverability basics)
    • 24 hours later: send a “How to get the most from your eBook” email with a tip and invite replies
    • 7 days later: upsell a video walkthrough, workbook, or subscription

Creator marketing emails average 35% open rates; SPF/DKIM authentication improves deliverability by approximately 25% (Mailchimp Benchmark, 2023).

  • Bundles and subscriptions
    • Bundle your eBook with worksheets and a short video series for 20–30% higher AOV
    • Offer a subscription for access to your entire resource library and updates (easy to set up on Blurbay)

If you’re also growing a blog or coaching practice, see how creators earn money with a blog or package expertise into programs like the best online nutrition coach programs.

FAQs

  • Can you sell an eBook on your own website?

    • Yes. Use Blurbay for a hosted storefront, WordPress plugins like WooCommerce/EDD, or a Stripe Checkout button for quick buys.

  • Do you need an LLC to sell eBooks?

    • No. Many creators start as sole proprietors. An LLC can provide liability separation and brand credibility later. See SBA guidance on structures.

  • Is it profitable to sell eBooks?

    • Typically yes. Digital products have high margins because there’s no inventory or shipping. eBooks yield 85–95% profit margins after platform/payment fees (Author Earnings Report, 2023). Profitability depends on audience quality and offer design.

  • What is the best platform to sell eBooks?

    • “Best” depends on your needs. Blurbay is fastest for creators who want to sell eBooks plus subscriptions, courses, and communities. WooCommerce/EDD are best if you already run WordPress and want full control. A hosted Stripe Checkout button is the simplest embed.

  • Can I legally resell other people’s eBooks?

    • Only if you have an explicit license or distribution rights. Buying an eBook does not grant resale rights. When in doubt, don’t resell. Unauthorized resale violates copyright law (U.S. Copyright Act §109).

  • How should I price my eBook?

    • Common range: $2.99–$9.99 for standard titles; $19–$49 for niche playbooks with templates and checklists. Test bundles and order bumps to grow AOV.

  • How do I handle sales tax on digital goods?

    • Many U.S. states tax digital goods. If you meet a state’s nexus threshold, you may need to collect/remit tax there. 45 U.S. states tax digital goods; nexus triggers sales tax collection if >$100k revenue or 200 transactions in-state (Streamlined Sales Tax, 2025). Use a solution like TaxJar for automated compliance.

  • What about refunds and chargebacks?

    • Set a clear refund policy on your product page. Stripe chargebacks cost a fee; providing clear value, transparent terms, and good support lowers disputes (Stripe pricing).

A quick, copy-and-paste setup you can do today

  1. Pick your platform
  • No website: Create a Blurbay page and upload your eBook.
  • WordPress: Install WooCommerce or EDD and add a digital product.
  1. Connect payments
  • Create a Stripe account and enable Apple Pay/Google Pay.
  • Test a $1 transaction.
  1. Secure your file
  • Export PDF/ePub and add a simple license page.
  • Add a footer watermark with buyer info (if supported) and set expiring links.
  1. Build your product page
  • Headline that promises an outcome
  • 3 bullets describing results
  • Image of the cover + 2 sample pages
  • CTA: “Get Instant Access”
  1. Post-purchase experience
  • Thank-you page with download link(s)
  • Automated email receipt + download link
  • Schedule 2 follow-up emails (tips + upsell)
  1. Compliance basics
  • Add a privacy policy and refund terms
  • Turn on sales tax collection if required (use TaxJar)
  • Track income/expenses; decide later if you want an LLC

Optional accelerators

  • Add an order bump (templates/workbook)
  • Create a subscription that includes your eBook + monthly Q&A videos (straightforward on Blurbay)
  • Invite buyers to a private community for ongoing support

Where Blurbay fits in your creator business

Blurbay lets you sell files (perfect for eBooks), videos, and online courses, and layer on subscriptions and a paid community—all on one page you control. That makes it easy to turn a single eBook into:

  • A bundle: eBook + video walkthrough
  • A subscription: access to your entire library and updates
  • A community: premium Q&A and accountability
  • A launchpad for live events: paid workshops and group calls

If you’re exploring additional digital income streams, check out:

Resources and citations

Next steps

  • Decide your platform (Blurbay, WooCommerce/EDD, or Stripe Checkout)
  • Connect Stripe and test a live transaction
  • Upload your eBook with expiring links and a “personal use only” license
  • Publish your one-page checkout with benefit-led copy
  • Schedule a 2-email follow-up sequence (tips + upsell/subscription)
  • Share the link on your social profiles and pin it to your bio

Selling your eBook on your own website is a simple system. Build it once, keep improving the offer with bundles and subscriptions, and let it work for you in the background while you keep creating.