10 Digital Products Teens Can Sell Without Any Startup Costs

With 75% of teens considering entrepreneurship, choosing the right business idea can feel overwhelming. It needs to be simple to start, require little to no money upfront, and actually have the potential to make a profit. 

A great way to do that is by creating and selling digital products online. There’s no physical inventory to manage, and you can build something based on your own interests, skills, and experiences. In this article, we’ll walk through 10 digital product ideas you can sell with $0 upfront.

1. College Application Templates

If you’re in your final year of high school and have already applied to college or submitted scholarships, that experience is valuable. Other students are in the same position you were not long ago and are often confused by where to start. You can turn what you’ve already done into a fill-in-the-blank digital template that helps students organize things like college personal statements or scholarship essays.

To create this, start in Google Docs and break the application process into clear sections with prompts and examples. Once it’s finished, you can share it as a PDF or a link that others can easily copy and use.

2. Google Sheets “Student Life” Tracker

If you’re great at staying organized, you can build a Google Sheet that helps other students keep track of important parts of their daily lives, such as:

• Assignment deadlines and grades
• Hours worked at a part-time job
• Savings goals (college, a car, trips, etc.)
• Extracurricular activities and commitments

Once your Google Sheet is set up, add simple instructions on the first tab explaining how to use it. From there, you can share a view-only version and sell copies online through platforms like Etsy or Gumroad.

3. A Short E-Book Solving One Very Specific Problem

If you’ve overcome a challenge, you can turn that experience into a short e-book. Focus on one clear topic, like how you got an A in AP Biology without studying all night or how you balanced school, sports, and a part-time job.

4. Art or Music Skill Tutorials for Beginners.0

If you’re an artist or play an instrument, there are plenty of beginners who want to learn but don’t know where to start. You can create a digital guide that teaches the basics in a clear, beginner-friendly way, such as digital drawing fundamentals, guitar chords for students who don’t read music, or how to make beats using free software.

5. A Mini-Course on a School or Life Skill

A mini-course can be a series of short, interactive videos that allow you to teach in a more engaging way. This format works well for topics where students benefit from seeing examples and steps in action, such as:

• How to take better notes in high school
• How to study for tests more effectively
• Cleaning and organization tips while staying focused on academics

6. Digital Resume for Teens

If you’ve successfully landed a job, you can share a resume template or outline that others can use as inspiration, along with tips on how to customize it. You can even create different versions based on experience, such as:

• Babysitting or tutoring
• Volunteering experience
• School clubs or extracurriculars

Include guidance on what to list for each section and how to adjust the resume for different roles.

7. Exam Prep Packs for One Specific Class

If you did well in a standardized course, you can create an exam prep pack with resources like cheat sheets, math formula flashcards, or history timelines to help other students feel more confident.

8. Social Media Content Planner for Students

You can use the free version of Canva to create social media planners and templates for students and small teams. These can help other small businesses stay consistent online. Your digital planner could include:

• Reusable social media post templates
• Posting prompts for different platforms
• Simple scheduling and planning suggestions

9. “First Job Survival Guide” Digital Toolkit

First jobs can be tough, especially if you’ve never worked before. You can create a simple digital toolkit with checklists and advice based on your own experience, such as what to do before starting, how to talk to managers, and how to handle scheduling issues. Keep it practical and sell it as a PDF that other students can easily use.

10. Digital Goal-Setting Workbook for Teens

Setting goals for the school year helps students stay focused in school, personal life, and even business. You can create a digital workbook that guides teens through goal-setting with reflection questions and monthly check-ins. Design it in Google Docs or Canva, then sell it as a printable or digital workbook.

Start Small, Start Now

You don’t need years of experience to create a digital product that genuinely helps others. Instead of trying to do everything on this list, choose one idea, build it as well as you can, and share it online. Promote it, tell people in your life about it, and learn as you go. 

And if you’re thinking about growing your creativity and business skills through a college degree, the Kantner Foundation can help — learn more here.