Choosing the Right Tools and Software

for digital goods.

Creating digital goods requires the right tools and software. Without the proper resources, it can be challenging to create high-quality, marketable digital products that customers will want to buy.

Software for Creating Digital Goods

In this article, we'll explore how to choose the right tools and software for creating digital goods.

Determine Your Needs

The first step in choosing the right tools and software for creating digital goods is to determine your needs. Consider the type of digital product you want to create and the features and functionality required to create it. For example, if you're creating a digital illustration, you'll need software that allows you to draw and paint digitally. On the other hand, if you're creating a digital product with text, you'll need software that supports typography and text formatting.

Research Your Options

Once you've determined your needs, research the options available. Look for software that has the features and functionality you require and is within your budget. Consider both paid and free software options, and read reviews from other users to get a sense of their experience with the software.

There are many tools available for creating digital goods, and the best tools will depend on the specific type of digital product you're creating. Here are some popular tools for creating digital goods across various categories:

  1. Graphic Design: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Figma, Sketch

  2. Video Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, DaVinci Resolve

  3. Animation: Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom, Synfig Studio

  4. 3D Modeling: Blender, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush

  5. Audio Editing: Adobe Audition, Audacity, Logic Pro

  6. Writing and Text Editing: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Scrivener

  7. Programming: Visual Studio Code, Atom, Sublime Text

  8. Photography: Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, GIMP

  9. E-Commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Squarespace.

Remember, these are just a few examples, and there are many other tools available for creating digital goods. The best tool for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, as well as your budget and level of expertise. It's always a good idea to do your research, read reviews, and try out different tools before committing to one. By using the right tools, you can create high-quality, marketable digital products that customers will love.

The most common need for digital goods is graphic design, and we will cover the best software for beginners and the best for creating high-quality goods.

Graphic Design Software for Creating Digital Goods

There are many graphic design software options available for creating digital goods. Each software has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and level of expertise. Here's a comparison of some of the most popular graphic design software options for creating digital goods:

Graphic Design Software for Beginners

For beginners and those creating digital goods, a user-friendly graphic design software with a relatively low learning curve is recommended. Here are some of the best graphic design software options for beginners creating digital goods:

  1. Canva*: Canva is a free popular cloud-based graphic design software that is perfect for beginners. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of pre-designed templates and graphics, and is available at an affordable price. Canva is particularly well-suited for creating simple digital products such as social media posts, flyers, and presentations. Also, the ability to provide templates for other Canva users.

  2. Adobe Express: Adobe Express is another user-friendly graphic design software that is perfect for beginners. It offers a range of pre-designed templates and graphics, as well as easy-to-use editing tools. Formerly, Adobe Spark, Adobe Express is particularly well-suited for creating social media posts, graphics, and short videos.

  3. Corel Vector Designer: Corel Vector is a free, cross-platform graphic design software that offers a range of tools and features for creating digital products. It has a relatively low learning curve and is well-suited for creating vector graphics such as logos, icons, and illustrations.

  4. Inkscape: Inkscape is another free, open-source graphic design software that is great for beginners. It offers a range of vector editing tools and features, making it well-suited for creating digital products such as logos, icons, and illustrations.

  5. Affinity Designer: Affinity Designer is a relatively affordable graphic design software that offers a wide range of tools and features for creating digital products. It has a user-friendly interface and is particularly well-suited for creating vector graphics such as logos, icons, and illustrations.

  1. Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is a powerful, industry-standard graphic design software that offers a wide range of tools and features. It's great for creating digital products that require advanced image editing, such as photo manipulation and digital painting. It has a steep learning curve, and it's also one of the more expensive software options.

  2. Adobe Illustrator: Adobe Illustrator is another industry-standard graphic design software that is particularly well-suited for creating vector graphics, such as logos and icons. It has a similar interface to Photoshop, making it easy for users to switch between the two. It's also a bit more affordable than Photoshop.

  3. Canva: Canva is a popular, user-friendly graphic design software that is perfect for creating simple, yet professional-looking digital products, such as social media posts, presentations, and flyers. It offers a range of templates and pre-designed graphics that make it easy for users to get started, and it's available at an affordable price.

  4. Figma: Figma is a cloud-based graphic design software that's great for collaborating with others on digital products, such as user interfaces and web designs. It's particularly well-suited for creating interactive designs and prototypes, and it offers a free version that's great for getting started.

  5. Sketch: Sketch is a Mac-only graphic design software that's popular for creating digital products that require user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. It's particularly well-suited for designing mobile and web applications and offers a range of plugins and integrations to help users work more efficiently.

Canva UX Example Open File

Canva and Adobe Express are particularly well-suited for beginners looking to create simple digital products such as social media posts and graphics. Corel Vector and Inkscape are free, open-source options for creating vector graphics, and Affinity Designer is a relatively affordable option with advanced features for vector graphic design.

The Best Graphic Design Software

Adobe Illustrator Example Open File

The best graphic design software for creating digital goods will depend on your specific needs, budget, and level of expertise. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are industry-standard options with advanced features, while Canva is a more user-friendly and affordable option. Figma and Sketch are great for collaborating with others and designing interactive products. It's always a good idea to research and test different software options to find the one that's right for you.

Try Before You Buy

Before committing to a paid software option, try it out first. Many software companies offer free trials, demos, or free versions of their software that allow you to test out the features and functionality. This is a great way to get a sense of whether the software is right for you before investing in it.

Consider Compatibility

When choosing software for creating digital goods, consider its compatibility with other software and tools you use. For example, if you use Adobe Creative Suite for graphic design work, you'll want to choose software that integrates well with this software.

Keep Learning

Finally, remember that technology is constantly changing and evolving. Keep learning about new software and tools that can help you create better digital products. Join online communities and forums, attend workshops and webinars, and stay up-to-date with industry news and trends.

Choosing the right tools and software for creating digital goods is essential to creating high-quality, marketable products. Determine your needs, research your options, try before you buy, consider compatibility, and keep learning. By following these tips, you can find the right tools and software to bring your digital creations to life.

*Dashleigh is an affiliate of Canva and receives a small commission on all Canva Pro sign-ups.