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Choose your book-sales channel based on discovery, customer experience and the work you are willing to own. A direct storefront and a marketplace can play different roles in a publishing business.
Understand where readers will come from
A Shopify store gives you control over its product pages and purchase journey, but it does not bring a ready-made audience. Plan the source of demand: an existing newsletter, search traffic, partnerships or paid acquisition. Marketplace discovery also requires work and is not a guaranteed sale.
Compare proceeds with like-for-like costs
Use the actual royalty or fee terms for your format, territory and price. On a direct store, subtract payment processing, Shopify, your delivery app and acquisition costs. Do not describe the remaining revenue as pure profit while leaving editing and marketing out.
Check exclusivity before selling direct
Amazon’s KDP Select programme requires digital exclusivity during its enrolment period. That is different from simply publishing through KDP. Check your title’s enrolment status before offering the same ebook on your own store.
Build a reader-friendly package
Offer a clearly described PDF or EPUB, plus a short guide to opening it on common devices. Show a sample chapter and list the included formats before purchase. If you add PDF stamping, test that it does not cover diagrams or make the text difficult to read.
Your practical action plan
- Prepare the deliverable. Keep an original backup and publish a clear version. List the formats, compatibility and licence scope before the customer purchases.
- Connect and test in Shopify. Map the file, link or key to the right product and variant. Use the appropriate standard, custom or scheduled delivery mode. Check a controlled purchase on desktop and mobile.
- Choose capacity and monitor it. Use catalogue size and expected monthly transfer to choose a plan. Track actual usage and support questions after launch, especially before a promotion.
Before you publish
- The product page matches the actual files, access and timing.
- A sample or preview reflects the product customers receive.
- The purchase, email and mobile access route have been tested.
- Compatibility, licence terms and support contact are easy to find.
- Capacity and costs have been checked against the current plan.
Where BIG fits
BIG connects Shopify products with digital files, links and licence keys. It supports standard, custom and scheduled products. Paid plans include unlimited order counts, with plan-specific storage and bandwidth; API access and outgoing webhooks require Growth or Enterprise.
Explore the features, check the plans or prepare your next launch with the free tools.
Sources & review
Updated 22 Sept 2026 by The BIG team. Product capabilities and prices can change; check the official source before choosing a subscription. Examples are illustrative, not customer results or income guarantees.
