Is there an estimated timeframe for round 2 of Webflow that will include the ability to sell digital and downloadable products? If not, is there a workaround to set up a store in the meantime, such as treating the digital product as physical and manually sending it via email with a customized message? Please advise.
TL;DR
- Webflow doesn’t support digital products natively, but you can list them as physical items and disable shipping.
- Deliver files manually via email or automate using tools like Zapier with Dropbox, Google Drive, SendOwl, or use external platforms like Gumroad or Shopify.
Webflow does not currently offer a release date for Round 2 of Ecommerce, which is expected to include support for digital/downloadable products. Here's what you can do in the meantime with workarounds.
1. Current Limitations for Digital Product Sales
- Webflow does not natively support selling digital or downloadable products.
- Its built-in Ecommerce platform only handles physical goods, with features like shipping, inventory tracking, and physical product fields.
2. Workaround: Sell Digital Products as “Physical” Items
- You can treat digital products as physical by setting up standard product pages.
- In Webflow's Ecommerce settings, disable shipping requirements by unchecking “Requires Shipping” under the product settings.
- After purchase, you can manually email the digital file (like a PDF or ZIP) along with any licensing or download instructions.
- You can also send a custom “Thank You” email using Webflow’s built-in email notifications with follow-up instructions or links.
3. Automation Workaround Using Third-Party Tools
To streamline delivery:
- Use Zapier or Make (Integromat) to connect Webflow with a file delivery service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or SendOwl.
- When a customer places an order, automate:
- Trigger the event through Webflow Ecommerce > “New Order”
- Send download link automatically via email
- Consider using EmailOctopus or Mailchimp for branded email delivery if Zapier/Make triggers a sequence.
4. Use Alternative Platforms for Downloadables
For a better digital delivery experience, you can:
- Use Shopify (with digital products app) or Gumroad, and embed purchase buttons or carts in Webflow using embed components.
- Alternatively, use SendOwl (fully compatible with digital delivery and integrates via embeds).
Summary
Webflow currently does not support digital/downloadable products, and there’s no official ETA for Round 2 updates. In the meantime, you can treat digital products as physical ones and manually or automatically deliver files via email or third-party tools like Zapier, SendOwl, or Gumroad.