Create a digital product
A digital product in Filemonk is the link between a Shopify product and the files it delivers. Until you make that link, uploaded files sit in your library and customers get nothing. The setup runs as a four-step wizard: Product, Variants, Content type, and Files. A summary of your choices builds up in the sidebar as you go.
Before you begin
- The Shopify product must exist first. Filemonk links to products, it does not create them. If you have not made one yet, the wizard walks you through creating it in Shopify and coming back.
- Uploading files first is easier, though you can also upload from inside the wizard. See Upload files.
Set it up
- Click Filemonk in the left menu of your Shopify admin.
- Click Digital products in the app's menu, then start a new digital product.
- Product. Choose Link files to an existing product, the common case, then pick the product. If you are creating your first listing, choose the other option and follow the steps to create it in Shopify first.
- Variants. This step only appears when the product has more than one variant. Decide between:
- When any option is purchased, so the files go to every variant.
- Only when a specific option is purchased, then pick the variant.
- Content type. Choose Downloadable files so customers download immediately after purchase, or Custom product if you prepare each order by hand. See Sell customized or personalized digital products.
- Files. Use Upload files, Select from library for something already uploaded, Add external file for a hosted link, or Add licence key. Then save.
The product now appears in your Digital products list with its file count.
What customers will see
After buying, the customer gets an email with a download link, and the Thank you page button if you have set one up. Both lead to a download page listing the files you linked.
Check your setup
Place a test order for the product and follow it through to the downloaded file. Buy the exact variant you configured, since a product can have files on one variant and none on another. See Create a test order.
Troubleshooting
Customers bought but received no files
Usually the variant. Check whether the files are linked to all variants or only one, and confirm which variant they actually bought. Open the order to see. See Troubleshoot a single order.
This variant is already configured
That variant has files or a custom-product setup already. Edit the existing setup rather than creating a second one, or pick a different variant.
The product I want isn't in the picker
It does not exist in Shopify yet, or it is unpublished. Create or publish it in Shopify, then return to the wizard.
I linked the wrong file
Open the product and edit its files. Changes apply to future orders; existing orders keep what they were given unless you re-sync them.
Some of your files are PDFs
That is a prompt, not an error. Filemonk is suggesting watermarking so each download carries the buyer's details. See Protect PDFs with a watermark.
FAQ
Can one product deliver several files?
Yes, as many as you like, and customers see them all on their download page. Group them into folders if the list gets long. See Organize files with folders.
Can the same file go on several products?
Yes. One copy of the file, linked wherever you need it.
What if each variant should deliver something different?
Configure each variant separately. See Sell different files for each variant.
Do I need to do this for every product one at a time?
No. For a large catalogue, import the links from a CSV. See Bulk add digital products and files.
Can I sell a physical and digital product together?
Yes. Filemonk delivers the digital items and leaves the physical ones for you to ship.
Related guides
- Upload files, the step before this one.
- Sell different files for each variant, for per-variant delivery.
- Bulk add digital products and files, for many products at once.
- Create a test order, to prove it works.
