Selling Digital & Physical Products Together on Shopify: A How-To Guide

Why Sell Digital & Physical Products Together?

• Broader Reach: More product types mean a wider audience. Different products appeal to various customer segments.
• Increased Revenue: Combining sales streams allows shop owners to increase their profits.
• Brand Loyalty: When customers can find everything they need in one place, they’re more likely to return.
• Upsell Opportunities: Selling physical products might lead to upselling digital products (e.g., selling eBooks related to a book or course).

Setting Up Your Shopify Store

Step 1: Create Your Shopify Store

Step 2: Add Your Products

Adding Physical Products

1. Navigate to Products: From your Shopify admin, click on “Products” then “Add Product.”
2. Enter Details: You’ll need to enter the product title, description, and relevant images. It’s important to create unique, engaging content, so don’t copy-paste! Some SEO-friendly tips can come in handy here.
3. Inventory and Shipping Info: Under the 'Inventory' section, ensure you've checked the box indicating that this product requires shipping. Set your SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) for better inventory management.

Adding Digital Products

1. Digital Products Upload: When adding a digital product, upload the digital file directly in the product listing. You may use apps like Digital Downloads from the Shopify App Store.
2. Choose Digital Settings: Specify that this product does not require shipping, and turn on digital downloads if prompted by the app. This helps ensure your customers receive their digital goods instantly.
3. Product Variants: If you have a product with multiple digital variations (like different file formats or versions), ensure you set up variants correctly.

Step 3: Managing Inventory

• Use Shopify’s inventory management tools to sync both product types effectively.
• Regularly perform physical inventory counts to ensure your stock levels match your records. This will help maintain a smooth operation.
• Set up alerts for low stock both on physical and digital products to avoid running out of inventory.

Promoting Your Store

Step 4: Marketing Strategy

• Social Media: Leverage platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to promote your products. Use engaging content like videos showcasing your products in action or customer testimonials.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list, send out newsletters showcasing new products, discounts, or special offers. Services like Mailchimp can be handy.
• Content Marketing: Consider creating blog content that provides value to your audience—think of guides, how-tos, etc., that relate to your products.

Step 5: Optimize for SEO

• Research relevant keywords tied to both your digital & physical products.
• Integrate these keywords organically into product descriptions, titles, and meta tags. Remember, keywords should match what your customers are searching for!
• Use an app like SEO Manager to help keep on top of SEO best practices.

Handling Customer Service

Step 6: Addressing Inquiries & Issues

• FAQ Section: Create a comprehensive FAQ page addressing common concerns about digital downloads, shipping for physical items, return policies, etc.
• Live Chat: Integrating a live chat function can help answer customer queries in real time. Check out Arsturn, a fantastic option for creating chatbots on your website Arsturn.com which can automate responses, assist customers instantly, and boost engagement.
• Follow-Up: Always follow up after purchases. Sending an email thanking them or asking for feedback shows you value your customers.

Measuring Success

Step 7: Analytics & Optimization

• Use Shopify Analytics to track sales, customer behavior, and website traffic. This data can inform your marketing strategy and show which products are performing well.
• Adjust your strategy based on analytics data. Track metrics like conversion rates, click-through rates, and bounce rates to continually refine your store’s approach.

Challenges You Might Face

Common Pitfalls

• Inventory Discrepancies: Mixing digital & physical products can sometimes lead to confusion in inventory management. Always keep your systems updated.
• Customer Expectations: Make it clear when delivery times differ for your physical items vs. digital downloads. No one wants to face long waits after making a purchase!
• Technology Issues: Sometimes tech can be annoying. Always keep a tech support or developer's contact handy in case issues arise with your store.

Conclusion