How to Add Different Product Types - Physical, Virtual, or Downloadable
Your store may offer various types of products, such as physical items, downloadable files, expert services, online courses, memberships, etc. SiteGround Ecommerce lets you define the product type so you can easily manage your inventory and availability.
Products are divided into the following three product types.
- Physical Product – These are the typical physical items, such as clothes, shoes, or electronics, that require delivery or pickup.
- Virtual Product (Non-deliverable) – These are non-physical products and services that don’t require conventional delivery or stock management. Typically, they are expert services, online courses, reservations, memberships, etc.
- Downloadable Product – These are digital content products that are not limited by physical quantities and can be redistributed. They can be easily downloaded as files by your clients once a purchase is made. Commonly, these are audio files, video, images, e-books, PDF files, and all sorts of software.
You can define the type in the product’s settings page. This page is available once you create a new product or edit an existing product.
The following steps outline the process.
- Navigate to Site Admin > Store Manager > Products.
- Click on the New Product button to create a new product, which will open the product’s settings. Alternatively, click on an existing product’s name or open its Actions menu > Edit.
- You will enter the Details tab of the product settings page. Scroll down to the “What Are You Selling?” drop-down menu.
- Choose the product type and confirm your choice with the Save button.
Extra Steps for Downloadable Products
If you’ve selected Downloadable Product, you must upload the product file. Scroll down to the Pricing & Inventory section and click the Upload button.
In the following pop-up window, browse your computer files and select the product file. Confirm with Save.
Once customers make payments for such a downloadable product, they will be able to download it via the Download button on the order summary page.
In addition, every customer will receive an order confirmation email containing a download link for the purchased product.
