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Today, I’m going to walk you through the Equipment I use to run my 6 figure digital product business. It’s a question I get asked a lot, and an area of my life I am happy to share.
One note to make before I begin, is that my setup is by no means a beginner setup. In fact, almost everything I show you today is an added luxury purchased over the 5 or more years of selling digital products across Etsy and Shopify.
To start a digital product store on Etsy, Shopify or Gumroad, there are really only one or two necessities.
However, I look at it this way. The more my income continues to increase – the more valuable my time becomes. Every tool and piece of equipment I purchase will save me time and speed up my processes. Every minute saved, offers the opportunity to build more, and earn a greater income.
Note: This article covers physical equipment only. To see the software I use, check out the article below.
SOFTWARE I USE TO RUN A DIGITAL PRODUCT BUSINESSThe Essential Equipment Needed To Run A Digital Product Business
To sell digital products, you only need two pieces of hardware. A computer, and an external hard drive to backup your files. These are almost non-negotiable, however you may in some cases swap a computer to an iPad (which I DO NOT recommend, but it should suffice in most cases).
A Computer
A computer of some sort is an absolute necessity. I’m sure there are some people out there who have figured out how to run a business using only a mobile – but it is inefficient, and limits your potential to truly build a successful business. Reasons for this include:
- Most platforms will require uploading through a desktop, rather than through mobile.
- Most design applications to create your digital products will be accessible by computer only
- File organization and handling is much more simple on a computer than a mobile device
- And to put it simply – it will make your life 100x easier. Seriously.
What Computer Do I Use To Run My Digital Product Stores
I actually use two computers. A 2014 MacBook pro (Laptop) and a 2019 iMac (Desktop). Both are apple products which I strongly recommend. Why?
- They last years and years – My 2014 MacBook pro is about to turn 10!
- Quickly airdrop files between Mobile, iPad, Desktop and Laptop
- Design programs (I’m looking at you Adobe) work SO much better on Apple than on Windows. It is one of the first things we were made to do at university for graphic design – buy, rent or source an Apple laptop.
My laptop is generally only used when I am in non-focus mode. That is, sending an email while watching TV in the evening, or checking my stats quickly while I have my morning coffee.
My MacBook Pro is still the same device from when I started my business years ago. It still works as quickly and efficiently as the day I bought it, even though I purchased it second hand.
If a brand new Apple laptop is too pricey, you can buy the latest MacBook Pro models refurbished on Amazon. I have written a guide on the best laptops for Etsy sellers if you need some help choosing the right one.
My main computer is my 27 Inch 2019 iMac – which I can’t live without. The screen size, quality and speed increased my workflow exponentially and I have never looked back. I spend 95% of my time on it.
I use the Adobe programs which take up a lot of computing power, record my screen, develop programs and scripts and edit video, all without any impact on performance.
Again, they are quite pricey and are not a beginner model at all. A laptop will do. But if you are willing to bet big on your business, this is my definite pick. You can check the price of the latest refurbished Apple iMac computers on Amazon.
An External Hard Drive
An external hard drive may not seem like a necessity. But trust me on this one – it is.
As someone who lost a whole semester’s worth on university projects due to a computer issue, I vowed never to go through that again. Spend 10 minutes in any seller forum, and you’ll hear horror stories of people losing thousands of hours of work, in an instant.
If you loose your business overnight – you will never forgive yourself. The cost is well worth the upfront investment.
Any hard drive will do, but I recommend having at Least 1TB worth of storage space. I use hard drives from Western digital and have never had a problem. You can find 4TB Western Digital Hard Drives on Amazon.
Although you can also back up a cloud service such as google drive (which I also do), any damage to their servers could spell disaster. It is a good rule of practice to have at least one physical and one cloud backup.
Make it a rule to back up your work AT LEAST once a week. I backup every Monday and Thursday no matter what, and have thousands of products stored should anything happen to my computer, or to my Google drive.
Other Equipment I Use In My Business
A computer and a hard drive are the real winners in any digital product business – and with them you can make a healthy income almost anywhere in the world. However, as you continue to grow – there are tools and Equipment that will help you fly high as a seller.
A Printer
As a business, it is always a good idea to have a working printer. You should be printing your business receipts and business documents as you go to make tax time a whole lot easier.
As someone who has made over 6 figures selling printables, I rigorously test each design I produce – which ALWAYS involves a test print. If you sell printables, it would be silly NOT to perform a test print.
I have written a full guide for selecting a suitable printer for your Etsy store if you need something more versatile.
Me personally – I have owned the same printer since my university degree (8 Years ago!). The printer in question is an Epson Workforce WF-7610. It has been reliable and great on ink.
The bad news – they don’t sell them anymore. The good news – They have a range of updated, Epson Workforce printers with extended capabilities on Amazon and in the Epson Store.
Extra Computer Monitors
Just like how the upgrade from a Laptop to an iMac changed my life, so did the addition of extra monitors. I think anyone who has added a second screen to their setup has experienced this rush of Euphoria and boost in productivity.
Even if you are still working off a laptop, an extra monitor will go a long way. Monitors are cheap. You do not need to buy the top of the line models to experience the benefits.
I find it best to create a program layout that works for you and stick to it. My layout is as such:
- Middle (iMac): All the main work – Designing, writing articles, uploading to websites, writing code for my website.
- Left: Researching & googling, design references, tutorials for when I am trying to work something out
- Right: Spotify, Finder (files on my computer), email, spreadsheets, Etsy messages
Right now I have two odd monitors, so have no recommendations for brands or exact models. Again, any external monitors should do. With that being said, my Samsung screen is much clearer and my favorite out of the two. You can check the price of the 27 Inch Samsung Monitor I use, on Amazon.
Beats Noise Cancelling Headphones
I’m the kind of person who needs music to focus.
I have never looked back after purchasing my noise canceling, Beats by Dre Headphones. They fit comfortably, have great sound and a long battery life.
They still work after years of use and a run-in with a mischievous puppy, who snapped them in half and tore off all the leather coating. They do not however, look so great after the ‘incident’.
You can find these headphones on Amazon. There are multiple models that do pretty much the same thing. The more you spend, the higher quality the audio.
An iPad
I purchased an iPad when I introduced digital planners into my store. At the time, I didn’t realize I would be using it as much as I do.
I have since made back the value of the iPad 40x by creating and selling graphics and stickers from procreate. Unfortunately for you, I do not share this particular Etsy store – but let me tell you it is one of the quickest growing stores I have ever created and a still very-untapped digital product niche.
I went with the iPad Pro (11-Inc) and couldn’t be happier with the size. As always, look for the iPad Pro on Amazon refurbished to save some money.
Not only are iPads a great tool for creating digital products to be sold, they are also a great tool that will help you run your business. I use a Pomodoro Timing app, a to-do-list, my calendar and use my own digital planners (pictured).
Wacom Pro Graphics Tablet
Coming from a graphic design background, there is nothing that will help you become a better designer than a graphics tablet. For me it is the Wacom Pro – Medium size.
Anytime I open Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, my tablet isn’t far behind.
I got the opportunity to use multiple sizes in university, and medium was always the perfect fit. Enough space to get into the nitty-gritty of your work, but small enough to fit on your desk and travel with you if need be.
You can find the Wacom Pro on Amazon, as well as any accessories you need to keep it running (Pen Nibs!).
Keyboard
Although the Apple Keyboard that came with my iMac worked just fine, it wasn’t good for my wrists. I took WAY to long to make the upgrade. I spend up to 8 or 9 hours each day at my computer – which is enough to do some irreversible damage to your wrists over time.
The Keyboard I use is a Keycrhon Mechanical Keyboard (60% Layout). It has been an absolute lifesaver.
As a bonus feature, the sounds it makes with each stroke is super soothing. If you have not yet heard the sounds a Mechanical Keyboard make, do yourself a favour and have a look on youtube after this.
My Desk Setup
Every business needs a desk. I am fortunate enough to have a spare room for my office, but I understand not everyone has the luxury. The desk you go with should suit your environment and style.
The Desk
As you can imagine, using 3 monitors requires a bit of space. There were no desks out there that I loved, or that were big enough – so I created a makeshift one which I adore.
The desk uses two sets of IKEA Drawer Units (ALEX) and a free standing slab of timber. The timber is not attached in any way, so it is highly customisable and easy to transport. If I ever need a smaller desk, it simply involves replacing the timber and moving the drawer units the correct space apart.
You can buy these draws directly from Ikea or Check the Price on Amazon to see what the best current deal is.
I got the wooden slab from a local timber yard so cannot make any recommendations – but any timber yard or hardware store should carry them.
The timber slab I use is 6.5 foot in length, and almost exactly the depth of the IKEA drawers. Most commercial slabs will be similar to this depth, which is great.
Chair
There is nothing special about this chair. In fact, this photo almost makes it look quite sad. I think it’s time for an upgrade. If you are building out your office, you will need a chair. You can get office chairs at a great price on Amazon or look for a sad, matching one like mine.
Desk Pad
If you have a wooden Desktop, you will need a mouse pad to ensure your mouse is working correctly. You can see it below my keyboard in the previous section. I use an Extended Leather Desk Pad from Amazon, that fits not only my mouse and keyboard, but also my Wacom Tablet or iPad when they are being used.
Power and Cords
On to the boring (but necessary) stuff. It may not be riveting content, but my article wouldn’t feel complete without getting into the nitty-gritty.
Belkin Surge Protected Power-board
Never in my wildest dream did I think I would be blogging about a power-board. But here we are.
Any power board should do – however I use a Belkin with a built in surge protector. It was the best on the market when I did my research years ago and has had no troubles since.
A surge protector isn’t necessary, and any old power board should do. However, my iMac alone is worth thousands and the surge protector is there to stop any (highly unlikely) power surges that may cause damage. If you want a small peace of mind or have equipment that is worth anything, it is a good idea to consider.
You can buy Belkin Power Boards here on Amazon. Remember to make sure you are buying the power board compatible with you countries power sockets!
Other Cords
Last but not least, a few cords that help me keep everything connected. I didn’t bother taking photos for them as even the image above was boring enough.
- 2 x USBC – HDMI Cables to connect my iMac to my Extra Monitors
- Extra Long Charging Cables for both my iPhone & iPad (Game changers if you are yet to experience them)
- Multi USB Charging Port – Even Better than Mine!
Wrapping Up
If you have got to the end of this article – I applaud you! I get asked all the time about the equipment I use to run my digital product businesses. Again, you do not need even half of the equipment here – but every minute you save is a minute you can spend working on something that really matters. Etsy can make you millions – just take a look at any of the top 10 digital download sellers on Etsy. A little investment can go a long way.