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Selling digital products on Etsy is a great source of passive income, and easily one of the best platforms for selling digital products, especially as a beginner. As I constantly mention, selling digital products is almost always profitable on Etsy due to Etsy’s fee structure. However, new sellers are often stuck wondering how to upload large files to Etsy. The fix is quick and simple.
I have also written a guide on how to upload more than 5 files to Etsy – however you should be able to achieve the same results by following this current article.
Thus is due to the file size limits imposed by Etsy when listing a digital download. With a maximum file size of 20MB and a number of files being limited to 5, it can be difficult to upload large files, especially when uploading digital products such as high-resolution printables, lengthy e-books, or bigger packs of your designs.
It seems strange that even in 2023, Etsy would impose these limits given what customers are currently buying. Luckily, there are a number of ways to get around these file size limits if your Etsy digital file is too large, or if you need to upload more than 5 files to your Etsy listing.
How To Upload Large Files To Etsy – Compressing Your Files
It is always in your best interest to keep things simple for your buyers. Before looking into alternatives, it may be a good idea to experiment with file compression. Sometimes you only need to knock off 1-2mb, and compressing your files may help you cross the file size limit on Etsy.
If you are selling jpegs or pngs, there are dozens of online tools such as Tinyjpg, that will compress your images for free, without sacrificing quality. Every uploaded image is analyzed to apply the and automatically given the best possible encoding.
Similarly if you are selling PDF files, you can use Adobe Acrobat online for reducing the size of PDF files.
Keep in mind that compressing files may not always be suitable, especially if it significantly compromises the quality of your digital product or if your files are still too big.
If you find that compression isn’t an option that works for you and your shop, continue to the next steps.
Split Your Files Into Smaller Sections
If compressing your files isn’t a viable option, you may be able to split them into smaller sections. For example, in my Planprintland Etsy store, I break my planner packs up according to color. This way, I can still provide my entire planner packs to my customers, while staying under Etsy’s file size limit.
Doing it this way may however, raise another issue: staying under the maximum number of files allowed per listing, which is currently set to 5. There is a much simpler solution to this problem: Creating a zipped folder. This also compresses your files (without damaging quality) and again may help with beating the 20mb limit.
As a side note, this technique can also be used if your product isn’t one of Etsy’s supported file types.
Zipping Folders on Mac:
- Create a folder your listing files. You may split them in up to 5 folders if you need.
- Right-click (or Ctrl-click) the folder to open the contextual menu.
- Select “Compress [folder name].” Your Mac will then create a zipped version of the folder with the “.zip” extension.
Zipping Folders on Windows:
- Create a folder your listing files. You may split them in up to 5 folders if you need.
- Right-click the folder to open the contextual menu.
- Hover over “Send to” in the menu and select “Compressed (zipped) folder.” Windows will create a zipped version of the folder with the “.zip” extension.
Final resort: Use a Third-Party File Hosting Service
If your file is still too big for Etsy, you will have to upload your files to a third-party service such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
These platforms allow you to upload and store large files, and you can then provide your customers with a download link to access the files. This method should be used as a last resort:
Not only does it add more steps for the customer, it also increases the chance of your files being downloaded by non-customers, should the link get leaked.
To upload your large files to a third-party service:
Step 1: Upload your large file(s) to your chosen file hosting service. The files should be in their own folder, so that customers can only access the files they purchased. I recommend Google Drive, as more customers are familiar with Google than with dropbox.
Step 2: Create a shareable link for the file(s). In Google drive, you can do this by:
- Clicking on your folder name [Large Listing] up the top of the page.
- Selecting ‘Get Link’
- Changing the ‘General Access’ from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Anyone with the link’
Step 3: In the ‘Digital files’ section of your listing, upload a text file (.txt) or a PDF containing the download link for your large file(s), where you would normally upload your files.
Make sure to clearly label the file and provide instructions for your customers on how to access the content. Complete the rest of your Etsy listing as usual and publish it once it’s ready.
Providing customer service and support
Using a third-party file hosting service may lead to occasional confusion among your customers, especially if they are not familiar with the process. Ensure that you provide clear instructions in your listing and the downloadable file.
You should also include a brief how-to in your automatic message to buyers, which customers will be redirected to upon purchasing your listing.
For some customers, this still may not be enough (trust me). Be prepared to offer prompt and helpful customer support in case they have any questions or difficulties accessing the files.
Remember, the key to success on Etsy is providing a seamless and experience for your customers. By taking the time to properly upload your large files and offer clear instructions, you’ll be well on a happier customer, and a better change for reviews.
So there you have it – a step-by-step guide on how to upload large files to Etsy and get around the 20MB file limit. By following these steps, you’ll be able to offer your customers the best possible experience for any file too big for Etsy.