Which Online Selling Tool Is Right for You?

Which Online Selling Tool
Is Right for You?
Let’s Break It Down

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to choose the right platform to sell your digital products, courses, or services… you’re not alone.

With options like Podia, GoHighLevel, Gumroad, Shopify, Payhip, Stan Store, ClickFunnels, Etsy and your own website, it’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis.

So in this post, I’ll help you understand the pros and cons of each popular tool so you can confidently pick the one that suits your business.

The Tools We’re Comparing

Podia
GoHighLevel
Gumroad
Shopify
Payhip
Stan Store
ClickFunnels
Your Own Website
Etsy

1. Podia

A user-friendly, all-in-one platform to sell digital products, memberships, and online courses.

Pros:

Simple interface, no coding needed
Course + email marketing + landing pages in one place
Built-in video hosting and webinars
Great for creators and educators

Cons:

Limited design flexibility
Less customizable checkout
Can be expensive as you grow

Best for: Creators, coaches, and educators wanting a simple all-in-one setup

2. GoHighLevel (GHL)

A powerhouse CRM and automation tool with landing pages, funnels, membership areas, online store and more. You can sell digital and physical

Pros:

Powerful automations and pipelines
Replace 5+ tools in one system
White-labeled for agencies and pros
Sell memberships, courses, and services

Cons:

Steeper learning curve
Overkill for beginners or hobbyists
Better when customized or supported by a tech expert

Best for: Coaches, service providers, and agencies ready to scale and automate

3. Gumroad

A lightweight platform to sell digital products like ebooks, presets, and art.

Pros:

Super quick setup
Free plan available
Great for creators and indie sellers
Simple checkout experience

Cons:

Limited customization
Transaction fees on sales
Not ideal for course creators or complex funnels

Best for: Artists, writers, and creators selling downloads or simple offers

4. Shopify

A robust e-commerce platform built for physical and digital product stores.

Pros:

Beautiful, professional storefronts
Huge app ecosystem
Good SEO features
Scalable as your store grows

Cons:

Monthly costs + app add-ons can stack up
Requires some tech skills to customize
Not course-focused

Best for: Sellers with multiple physical or digital products

5. Payhip

A no-fuss platform to sell digital downloads, memberships, and courses.

Pros:

Free plan with pay-as-you-go model
Instant delivery of products
VAT handling built-in
Course features available

Cons:

Design is very basic
Not many integrations or fancy features
Transaction fees on free plans

Best for: Beginners or low-volume sellers wanting to test the waters

6. Stan Store

A link-in-bio selling tool optimized for content creators. Sell Digital products.

Pros:

Beautiful mobile-first storefront
Built-in scheduling + digital products
Great for influencers and TikTok users
Very beginner-friendly

Cons:

Limited customization
Not ideal for long-term growth
Not robust for course hosting

Best for: Social media influencers and TikTok creators selling simple offers

ClickFunnels

A high-converting funnel builder focused on sales and upsells. Sell digital and physical products.

Pros:

Drag-and-drop funnel creation
Optimized for conversions
Supports upsells, order bumps, memberships
Great marketing features

Cons:

Expensive monthly pricing
Design feels outdated
Not intuitive for non-techies

Best for: Marketers and sellers running advanced sales funnels

8. Your Own Website (WordPress etc.)

Build your digital empire on your own terms. Sell digital or physical products.

Pros:

Full control over branding and design
Can grow with your business
Add any tool or integration
Great for SEO and long-term presence

Cons:

Can get technical
Requires setup and maintenance
Needs plugins or tools to sell products

Best for: Business owners ready to invest in their long-term brand

Etsy

A well-known online marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items, and digital downloads.

Pros:

Massive built-in audience
Easy setup for digital and physical products
Trustworthy platform with global reach
SEO and search within Etsy helps with discovery

Cons:

Highly competitive and saturated
Transaction + listing + commission fees
Limited branding and customization
Etsy can shut down shops without warning

Best for: Crafters, designers, and digital creators looking to tap into a marketplace of ready-to-buy shoppers

cropped view of businesswoman typing on laptop at workplace with multimedia icons

Treatment or savings. Cost of health, Compare of healthcare price and healthy life. Many pills pack

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Female Entrepreneur Managing Online Selling Business from Home Office with Shipping Boxes and Laptop

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The owner of an online store is counting parcels to be sent to customers.

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” My Online career would not have been the same without FAB Consultancy’s amazing help! I highly recommended for everyone starting their business online “

Lulu Smithson

So… Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s the truth:
There’s no one-size-fits-all platform.
What works for your biz bestie might waste your time and money.

The right choice depends on:

Your tech skills
Your offer (course, coaching, products?)
Your budget
Your growth stage

Let Me Help You Choose the Right Tool for YOU

Don’t waste another month testing the wrong platform.

💡 I’ll help you get clarity, set it up, and start selling confidently.

📲 Book a Tech Clarity Call with me today
🌐 Visit: https://biz.fabconsultancy.co.za/meetwithfiona

Let’s simplify your tech and amplify your sales!