Most developers have half-finished side projects sitting on GitHub — internal tools, prototypes, admin dashboards, onboarding flows. What many people don’t realise is that these projects can be turned into real digital products and sold on Gumroad. You don’t need a full SaaS or a marketing team. If your app has screens, logic, or a useful architecture, it’s already valuable.
Packaging your project for sale is surprisingly simple. First, make it generic. Remove brand-specific assets and replace names with placeholders like “YourCompany.” Add a clean folder structure, include a .env.template, and provide mock data so buyers can plug in their own backend. Next, generate a set of assets: a short documentation file, a demo video, and a quick-start guide. These matter more than fancy UI — good documentation makes your project look professional.
Packaging Checklist
- Zipped project files
- Setup instructions
- Rebranding guide (how to change colours, logos, app name)
- Architecture overview
- Mock API or sample data
- Demo video (30–60 seconds)
Once packaged, choose your pricing. Most creators price in USD because it’s the standard for digital products globally.
Pricing Guideline (USD)
- Lite Template (UI only): $29–$49
- Pro Template (UI + logic + mock API): $79–$129
- Starter Kit (docs + flows + branding guide): $149–$249
Even simple internal tools sell well — employee apps, shift rosters, POS helpers, HR dashboards, onboarding flows, or delivery driver UI. Developers buy them to save time; companies buy them to reduce development costs.
Your Income vs Gumroad Fees
- Sell for $39 → You receive about $33
- Sell for $99 → You receive about $86
- Sell for $149 → You receive about $130
For non-US creators (like NZ, AU, EU, Asia):
- You do not pay US tax (just submit a W-8BEN form)
- You do pay normal income tax in your own country
- GST is not required in NZ until you earn over $60k/year
- Gumroad handles VAT/GST for overseas buyers automatically.
Selling even one template instantly positions you as a credible developer — someone who can document, package, and ship a product. Many developers find their old GitHub experiments become their first real digital income. It’s easier — and more possible — than most expect.
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