In 2024, more than $135 billion of digital products have been sold online, and this number will soar to $12.93 trillion by 2029. Fascinating, right? But how do people sell their items? The first thing that comes to mind is a well-designed website or through Facebook Marketplace; however, there is one other platform that has changed the game, and that is Telegram. In the following essay, you will learn how to sell digital products on Telegram, what bots are best to do so, what are the downsides of selling files on Telegram, and many more.
What Is a Telegram Shop Bot After All?
You probably know many Telegram bots for downloading music, finding IMDB movies, playing games, getting crypto signals, managing large groups, and receiving reminders for your tasks and meetings. But store bots are something new on Telegram. Some of these bots work within the Telegram and do simple tasks, like showing the features and price of a product. However, some others are more professional and customizable. They open as a web app (or mini app) and have an advanced look that amazes everyone.
Look at the picture below! It’s a store bot by the SmartBotsLand group that has been designed by the shop owner. The store has been opened in the web app format, so the customers can explore it -just like they do on a website.
Sell Digital Products on Telegram: Pros and Cons
Now that we know how a Telegram shop bot works, let’s see what its pros and cons are.
Pros of Using Telegram Store Bot
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They automate the sales process.
A functional shop bot is like an assistant who is awake 24/7 and handles everything at a low fee. So, your customers will find the files they need, purchase them, and choose their preferred delivery mode without you even noticing.
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They send the files right after the purchase.
When the customer finishes purchasing, the bot will automatically send the file to them. This will increase your customers’ satisfaction, as they shouldn’t wait long hours to get what they have paid for. Moreover, you (as the shop owner) make sure that only paid customers receive the file.
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Telegram bots have secure payment gateways.
Telegram shop bots are connected to secure payment gateways (see the best payment gateways on Telegram) that support both cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin and Etherum) and digital money. Therefore, you can sell digital products on Telegram, no matter where your customers are located. It’s worth mentioning that SmartBotsLand store bots allow you to define discounts and coupon codes that can be used one or more times.
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They can be used instead of websites.
When you want to create a website to sell things, you need a host, domain, UI/UX designer, lots of time and money to design its structure, and many more things. However, Telegram bots are easy to create and operate. They don’t need a host and domain, and their maintenance costs are significantly low.
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They don’t have transaction fees.
If you want to sell your items on Amazon, Udemy, or Gumroad, they ask for 10% to 40% transaction fees, while Telegram bots don’t receive any commission. This feature allows you to offer a more competitive price for your products and outpace your rivals in the market. Note that the payment gateways will get a 2-5% transaction fee that’s not related to the bots.
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They can send files based on users’ information.
In some store bots, you can set a number of questions for users to answer. Then, the bot will send files based on the information they entered (of course the customers pay in advance). For example, the bot asks users what their favorite genre is (let’s say romance), then sends e-books (like Pride and Prejudice) based on that answer.
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They can use Telegram’s cloud.
You can store and manage files inside Telegram’s cloud or connect the bot to external services (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). It means that you shouldn’t upload files every time and you have access to all products in one place. Bear in mind that your digital products are secure on Telegram and no unauthorized user can download them.
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They improve your relationship with your customers.
Telegram bots can send notifications and reminders to both past and potential customers. They let the users know when the discounts start and end, what your promotions are, what products you have restocked, and many more. This will increase your user engagement and help you sell digital products on Telegram more and more.
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You will have full control over your online shop.
If you have a unique brand identity and logo, you might want to use it in your online shop. The Telegram lets you customize your shopbot and add your logo, slogan, designs, and necessary information. Many SmartBotsLand’s users have added a custom welcome message, tutorial videos, and free trials in their store bot. So, their customers know that they are buying from a professional shop that values its customers.
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They support multiple languages.
Telegram bots can support multiple languages, so shop owners can sell digital products to people living across the world. Note that usually the AI-powered bots offer such services, so don’t expect instant translation from all providers.
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They are not bound to a specific region.
Fortunately, Telegram bots are available to people all over the world, from New Zealand to Portugal.
Cons of Using Telegram Store Bot
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There are safety concerns.
Some users are reluctant to insert their bank and personal info in the bots. They believe that the bots can be easily hacked by a person or another robot. However, the risk of identity theft in Telegram bots is near 0% because they run within the platform itself. Telegram uses two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance the security of your account. It also stores user data in its cloud servers, so no one can reach them.
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People have not trusted the bots yet.
Some people are skeptical about buying from a Telegram bot, as there is always the risk of scams. If you want to sell digital products on Telegram, you should pay attention to the following points to gain your customers’ trust:
– Use your brand’s name in the bot’s username. For example, if the store’s name is ABC, your username should be like this: @ABCstorebot or @ABCshop.
– Share testimonials, positive reviews, and success stories every now and then. Such social proof increases your credibility.
– Show a preview or sample of your digital product to gain the customers’ trust. For instance, send a free chapter of your handout to new customers who doubt your credibility and integrity.
– Place a “support” button in the bot to connect the customers to a human being.
– Hold live chats or online Q&A sessions where people can directly speak with you.
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There are payment restrictions.
Some payment gateways, like PayPal and Stripe, are not available in all countries. Also, Telegram’s built-in payment system may not be available in some regions (such as China and Iran). If you sell digital products on Telegram and have customers from all over the world, you should add multiple payment options in your bot, including:
– Bank transfer
– Cryptocurrencies (BTC, USDT, Ethereum)
– Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, and local gateways for credit/debit cards
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Telegram has file size limitations.
You can only upload files that are less than 2 GB. This size may not be enough for large courses or software packages. Moreover, storing too many files inside Telegram might lead to lags or freezes. To overcome such problems, compress large files or use cloud storage to store your files. Premium users can set expiration dates for files, so the Telegram deletes the file automatically. In general, you’d better have the premium version when you want to sell digital products on Telegram.
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Telegram might ban your bot.
If users report your bot for spam or violating Telegram’s regulations, Telegram itself bans or restricts your bot without hesitation. Therefore, don’t promote illegal content and be careful when sending mass messages to your customers.
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They still need to be advertised.
Even if your bot is well-developed, people won’t automatically find and use it. So, you need to introduce your bot on social media, Telegram groups, and forums. If you are not tight on marketing budget, use paid ads on Telegram, Instagram, and Google Ads to grow faster.
What Digital Products Can You Sell on Telegram?
You have read the article to this point. It means that you already know what to sell on Telegram and probably have created your bot in your mind.
Create Your Own Store Bot On Telegram
Now, let’s see what people put up for sale on Telegram.
- E-books, audiobooks, and pamphlets
- Podcasts
- Photoshop and Canva templates
- Designs, illustration packs, and sketches
- Coding scripts
- Lesson plans
- Education materials
- Crypto signals
- Diet plans
- Stock market analysis
- Trading strategies
- AI prompts
- Print-ready documents
- Digital membership
- Video games (and their cheat codes)
- Digital marketing tools and templates
- Research report/summary
- Music, mashups and sound effects
How to Create a Telegram Store Bot?
Creating a store bot is super easy. Our team has prepared two types of tutorials for you:
Note that all types of bots in SmartBotsLand have a 7-day free trial. It means that you can work with the bots (store, subscription, group management, and crypto) for a week and then, decide whether you want to purchase them or not. Plus, our team is ready to answer your questions regarding the pricing, tutorials, and customization options.
Want to see a demo of the Telegram shop bot? Click here.
The Last Words
People with extensive experience in sales and marketing never bound themselves to one place to sell things. Think of great brands, like Nike or Adidas. They have multiple branches in one city or country. Why do you think they do so? Because they want their customers to find them through every possible channel.
If you’ve been selling files on your website or through social media, now it’s time to sell your digital products on Telegram too. Besides channels and groups, you can have store bots that automate tasks, meet the customers needs, and lower your fixed costs. Start creating your Telegram store bot now and stay ahead of your competitors.
FAQs about Sell Digital Products on Telegram
1. Do I need to know Python to create a Telegram store bot?
Not necessarily. If you don’t have coding knowledge, use bot-making panels like SmartBotsLand and ManyBot. These platforms have whatever you need to sell digital products on Telegram.
2. How can I set up a payment gateway in Telegram?
If you are creating a store bot from scratch, read this article by the Telegram Group to learn how to set up a payment gateway.
3. Can I insert links in my shopbot?
Sure. You can add the link to your products, social media, email, etc. in your shopbot.
4. What should I do to increase my customers on Telegram?
To increase your Telegram subscribers, you should focus on the following points:.
- Write a compelling bio and introduce your field of work clearly.
- Use hashtags in your posts and bio.
- Gain customers’ trust by sharing testimonials and reviews.
- Create high-quality content and post it regularly.
For more detailed info, read this essay.
Other Articles You Should Read
Make Extra Bucks with Telegram Bots
10 Ways to Increase Telegram Members
What Is a Telegram Web App or Mini App?
Comparing Telegram, Instagram, and Website for Starting an Online Shop
