Digital planner
Digital planners have exploded in popularity due to the rise of tablets and productivity apps like GoodNotes and Notability. If you love organization, design, or simply want to start an online business with low overhead, this is a fantastic idea.
Why This Idea Works
- Low Startup Cost: You can start with free tools like Canva and upgrade as you grow.
- High Demand: More people are moving to digital journaling and productivity tools.
- Scalable: Create once, sell infinitely with no inventory or shipping.
- Flexible: You can design for niches—students, moms, entrepreneurs, etc.
Steps to Start
Step 1: Research Your Niche
Explore what’s trending in digital planners:
- Productivity planners
- Budget planners
- Wellness journals
- Student planners
- Content calendars
Check platforms like Etsy, Pinterest, and TikTok to see what’s popular. Look at reviews to find what buyers love or wish was better.
Step 2: Plan Your Products
Start with 1–3 planners in a specific niche. For example:
- A daily productivity planner for busy moms
- A budget tracker for freelancers
- A content calendar for social media creators
Sketch out the pages: calendar, to-do lists, goal tracking, etc.
Step 3: Design the Planners
Use Canva or Adobe InDesign to design your pages. Canva is beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop features.
Pro Tips:
- Use pastel or neutral tones for a modern look.
- Keep layouts clean and functional.
- Export as PDFs compatible with apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or Xodo.
Step 4: Package Your Product
Create:
- A main planner PDF
- Instructions PDF (how to use it)
- Bonus items (stickers, covers, goal pages)
Zip them into a single downloadable file for customers.
Step 5: Set Up an Etsy Store
- Open a free Etsy seller account
- Add a brand logo and banner
- Write a compelling shop description
Step 6: Create Your Listings
For each planner:
- Write a benefit-driven title (e.g., “Minimalist Digital Planner for Students – GoodNotes Compatible”)
- Add beautiful mockups (use Smartmockups or Canva)
- List features, page count, and usage instructions
Price: Start between $5–$15 per planner.
Step 7: Promote Your Shop
- Pinterest: Share pins linking back to your Etsy store
- Instagram or TikTok: Show how to use the planners
- SEO: Use keywords in your titles and descriptions like “digital planner for iPad,” “GoodNotes daily planner,” etc.
Tools You’ll Need
- Canva Pro – for design and templates
- Etsy Seller Account – free to set up
- Mockup Generator – like Smart mockups or Place it
- Digital Note App (optional) – to test your planners
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Canva Pro (monthly) | $12.99 (or free plan) |
| Etsy Listing Fee | $0.20 per listing |
| Smart mockups (optional) | $0–$9/month |
Estimated Startup Cost: Under $25
Earning Potential
- Sell one planner per day at $10 = $300/month
- With 5+ planners and some promotion, many Etsy shops earn $1,000–$5,000/month passively
Success Tip
Bundle planners for higher sales value. Offer a “Productivity Pack” with a calendar, habit tracker, and to-do list for $25+.
Real-Life Example
Jade, a stay-at-home mom, started selling aesthetic student planners on Etsy. She made her first $100 in 2 weeks and now earns over $2,000/month with 10 products—without managing inventory or handling customer shipping.
Monetize Further
- Sell on your own Shopify site later
- Build a YouTube or Pinterest channel around productivity
- Create courses or tutorials on planner design
If you’ve been searching for a creative and low-cost online business idea, starting a digital planner business could be your perfect match. With the rise of apps like GoodNotes and Notability, digital organization is here to stay — and people are eager to pay for beautifully designed, functional planners. Whether you’re passionate about design, productivity, or passive income, this is your opportunity to turn that passion into profit.
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