10 Profitable Digital Products To Sell Online in Your 50s Without Creating Anything From Scratch
Digital products to sell online in your 50s don’t require creating anything from scratch. These products can include using PLR content, Canva templates, products with resell rights, and done-for-you bundles that are legally resellable. Sell your digital products on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Payhip.
It is possible to create your own digital products and sell them. However, going that route is often time consuming. There is another oprtion and that is to sell digital products that you don’t have to create from scratch.
These can include PLR content, Canva templates, resell rights products, and more. Reserving time and energy is important in our 50s. These products only need light customization before you start selling them.
I’ll share 10 digital product options you can consider, where to source them from, where you can sell them, and realistic earning potential for each of them.
Digital products are one of the income streams I recommend most and they pair naturally with what I share at digitalsystemslab.com. Take a look when you’re done here; there’s a free training that covers the bigger income picture.
What does “without creating from scratch” actually mean?
PLR (Private Label Rights) explained
Private label rights (PLR) content has been around for a long time. It is pre-made content like ebooks, articles, templates, and courses that you purchase the right to edit and rebrand so you can sell them as your own.
It is important to customize PLR content by adding your brand and making them your own. Once you do that, your product is legal to sell. You can source PLR content from places such as:
Resell rights vs. PLR and knowing the difference
With PLR content, you’re allowed to edit, rebrand, and claim the product as your own. Another option is Master Resell Rights (MRR) in which you can resell the product as-is. Sometimes you can include selling the resell rights as well. It’s important to read the license before buying because rights can vary by product and seller.
Template-based products
Templates like Canva templates, spreadsheet templates, and document templates can be resold with light customization. Change the colors, fonts, and branding and you’re set. You can use Canva elements to build sellable products legally.
Where to sell digital products
- Etsy – great for printables and templates
- Gumroad – simple setup and no monthly fee
- Payhip – beginner-friendly
- Your own blog – highest margins, pairs with affiliate content
Also read: Side Hustles for People in Their 50s
1. Rebrand and resell PLR ebooks
Earning Potential: $9–$47/sale – $500–$3,000+/mo with a focused niche catalog
What it is
Private label rights content is one of the fastest ways to create your own digital product. You choose a PLR ebook in a specific niche like health, finance, relationships, or productivity. Add your brand or name, update the ebook cover, and make edits to the intro and conclusion. Your customers can download instantly and it is fully automated.
Why it works in your 50s
You can easily create your digital product with a few minor tweaks. Once you create your listing for sale, you can sell your ebook repeatedly.
Where to source PLR eBooks
Here are some resources for PLR ebooks:
- IDPLR.com
- PLR.me
- BuyQualityPLR.com
- Resell Rights Weekly
2. Canva template bundles
Earning Potential: $7–$29/sale – High-volume Etsy shops earn $2,000–$8,000+/mo
What it is
Canva template bundles can be made up of planners, resume templates, presentation slides, business cards, and social media graphics. Canva users can buy and edit the templates within their account. No extra software is needed. You can get started with Canva’s free plan.
Why it works in your 50s
Canva is easy to learn and use, no design skills necessary. The templates you create are evergreen and can sell for years.
Can I sell Canva templates without any design experience?
Yes. Canva is actually designed for non-designers. It’s simple to drag-and-drop elements and you can view other templates for inspiration.
Related: 8 Side Hustles You Can Do From Your Phone in Your 40s and 50s
3. Done-for-you social media content packs
Earning Potential: $15–$49/pack – Bundle packs sell for $97–$197+
What it is
This is another PLR option in which you buy PLR social media caption packs and lightly customize them for your niche. Sell them as done-for-you content to small business owners. Good niches to consider include real estate, fitness coaches, and life coaches.
Why it works in your 50s
You have a built-in audience with small business owners. It’s easy to pair with Pinterest management services as an upsell.
Content packs are a smart digital product, especially when paired with an affiliate strategy. I cover how these pieces fit together at digitalsystemslab.com, including a free training that shows the full income picture.
4. Printable planners and trackers
Earning Potential: $3–$15/sale – Volume-driven as top Etsy sellers earn $3,000–$10,000+/mo
What it is
Printable planners are some of the easiest digital products to sell online in your 50s. It involves designing or customizing printable planners, habit trackers, budget worksheets, meal planners, or journal pages in Canva. They are instant digital downloads that customers buy and print at home.
Why it works in your 50s
Printables can provide passive income after listing them for sale. The low price point can equate to high volume potential.
Top-selling printable niches on Etsy
Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for selling printables. Good niches to consider include:
- Budget planners
- Meal planners
- Fitness trackers
- Gratitude journals
- Homeschool resources
- Home organization checklists
- Wedding planning
See also: 5 Realistic Side Hustles for Middle-Aged Women That Actually Pay Consistently
5. PLR online mini-courses
Earning Potential: $27–$197/sale – $1,000–$5,000+/mo with an engaged audience
What it is
You buy a mini-course that has private label rights. It may include video scripts, slide decks, and workbooks. You’ll be able to rebrand it and sell it as our own. Topics good for mini-courses include productivity, mindset, health, business, parenting, and finance.
Why it works in your 50s
Courses can have a high price point with a perceived high value. PLR makes it simple to create your own branded course. Promote your course with an email list or Printerest to make sales.
Where to source PLR mini-courses
You can find resources for PLR mini-courses at PLR.me, Coach Glue, Tools For Motivation, and Piggy Makes Bank. Search for products with full PLR licensing.
6. Spreadsheet templates
Earning Potential: $10–$35/sale – Functional templates in finance niches sell for $47–$97+
What it is
You build or customize spreadsheet templates used for budgeting, business, tracking, project planning, or content scheduling. Sell these spreadsheets as Google Sheets or Excel files. You can utilize PLR spreadsheet templates if you don’t want to build from scratch.
Why it works in your 50s
Your own personal experience with organizing finances, projects, or household budgets gives you insight into what your buyers need. Functional templates can be priced higher and there is less competition in comparison to printables.
Spreadsheet templates are an underrated digital product, functional tools sell at a premium. If you want to see how digital products fit into a broader income strategy, I cover that at digitalsystemslab.com alongside a free training.
Keep reading: 7 Legitimate Ways to Earn From Home in Your 50s
7. Stock photo or graphic bundles
Earning Potential: $7–$29/bundle – Niche collections sell for $47–$97+
What it is
Stock photos are low-energy digital products to sell online in your 50s. It consists of curating and selling themed collections of stock photos for commercial resale. This can also include creating graphics. Many people buy stock photos for their websites, social media, or marketing materials.
Why it works in your 50s
You can start simply by taking photos with your smartphone. Take evergreen photos such as nature, home settings, cooking, etc.
Worth a read: Best Side Hustles for People Over 50 Who Are Too Tired
8. MRR (Master Resell Rights) digital bundles
Earning Potential: $97–$497/sale – Single sales can cover weeks of other income
What it is
A MRR digital bundle can consist of an ebook collection, a course, or template pack. Master resell rights enables you to sell the bundle at the price you want keeping 100% of the profit. With master resell rights, your customers also receive the right to resell the product.
Why it works in your 50s
You save time by not having to create content for a digital product. Set your price point higher and you’ll need fewer sales for a decent income.
Important note: Verify the MRR license you’ve purchased covers resale rights. There may be gray areas so it’s important to buy from reputable sellers with clear licenses.
9. Swipe files and done-for-you copy templates
Earning Potential: $17–$67/sale – Niche-specific copy packs sell for $97–$197+
What it is
Swipe files are collections of fill-in-the-blank email sequences, sales page copy, or social media captions. People that buy these swipe files usually need marketing materials and don’t want to hire a copywriter.
Why it works in your 50s
They are low-energy digital products to sell online in your 50s. Once created, you can sell your swipe files over and over.
Don’t miss: Middle-Aged People Earning Extra Income Online
10. Affiliate marketing resource guides (lead to your affiliate offer)
Earning Potential: Affiliate commissions of $500–$2,000+ per referral
What it is
You create a free or low-cost PDF guide in a specific niche. These guide can be a checklist or a resource list. Within the content of your guide, you can add your affiliate links recommending products you’re an affiliate of. Give away your free guide on your blog, social media, or Pinterest.
Why it works in your 50s
It requires minimal time creating it. By giving it away for free, you can increase the chances of making affiliate commissions when people click and buy from your affiliate link.
This last one is where digital products and affiliate marketing intersect, and it’s exactly the model I highlight at digitalsystemslab.com. If you want to see how a free guide can lead to $500–$2,000 affiliate commissions, the free training there walks through the whole thing.
Related reading: How to Build Online Income With a Full-Time Job in Your 40s and 50s
All 10 digital products at a glance
| Digital Product | Creation Level | Earning Potential | Best Platform | Passive? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLR eBooks | Minimal (rebrand only) | $9–$47/sale | Etsy, Gumroad | Yes |
| Canva Templates | Low (customize) | $7–$29/sale | Etsy, Creative Market | Yes |
| Social Media Packs | Minimal (niche focus) | $15–$197/pack | Etsy, Gumroad | Yes |
| Printable Planners | Low–Medium | $3–$15/sale | Etsy, Payhip | Yes |
| PLR Mini-Courses | Minimal (rebrand) | $27–$197/sale | Teachable, Gumroad | Yes |
| Spreadsheet Templates | Medium | $10–$97/sale | Etsy, Gumroad | Yes |
| Stock Photo Bundles | Medium (curate/create) | $7–$97/bundle | Etsy, Creative Market | Yes |
| MRR Bundles | None (resell as-is) | $97–$497/sale | Gumroad, Payhip | Yes |
| Swipe Files / Copy Templates | Low–Medium | $17–$197/sale | Gumroad, Etsy | Yes |
| Affiliate Resource Guide | Minimal (curate) | $500–$2,000+ per referral | Blog, Gumroad | Yes |
Common questions about selling digital products in your 50s
What digital products can I sell without creating anything from scratch?
The easiest products you can sell without creating from scratch would be PLR ebooks, Master Resell Rights bundles, Canva based templates, and printable planners. Be sure to buy from legit PLR marketplaces with clear licensing.
Can I sell Canva templates without any design experience?
Yes. Canva is designed for people who aren’t designers. The key is focusing on a specific niche versus going broad. For example, budget planners, resume templates, etc.
Is PLR content legal to resell?
It is legal to resell PLR content as long as you’ve purchased a product with a valid PLR license that also includes resale rights. Always read the license terms thoroughly before buying.
What is the most profitable digital product to sell online?
A PLR mini-course or MRR bundle tend to have the highest per-sale earnings. They can be priced from $97 to $497. High-volume printables can also sell very well with conistent salese volume on a platform like Etsy.
Where is the best place to sell digital products for beginners?
Etsy is one of the most popular platforms to sell digital products because of the built-in traffic. Gumroad and Payhip are also great for selling directly from your website or social media when you have traffic from both.
You might also enjoy: Earn From Home in Your 50s Without Any Tech Skills
The products are already built for you to sell
Digital products to sell online in your 50s is made easy with PLR and Master Resell Rights products. Often times, the hardest part about selling digital products is deciding to start and choosing a niche.
The products on this list are quick and easy to set up. Digital products can be sold indefinitely as they don’t expire and or ever run out of stock. If you are ready to get started, begin with one product, one niche, and one platform. Stay consistent and keep on learning.
Before you go: Highest Paying Remote Jobs for Middle-Aged People With No Tech Skills
If you want to see how digital products fit into a complete income strategy, one that combines passive product sales with affiliate commissions, I’d invite you to check out what I share at digitalsystemslab.com. There’s a free training there that ties it all together, and it’s the model I recommend most for people in their 50s who want income that works while they sleep.
