How can I sell DRM protected digital books on a non-Shopify platform?

Technical Q&A
1

Hi. I’m setting us a storefront to sell digital books but do not want to use the Shopify digital download feature. The books are being hosted in an eBook platform that DRM protects the content and allows readers to view the books on-line, in a proprietary app on mobile, and in an app on Mac and PC. The ebook platform has API’s available to allow eCommerce sites to request license codes. I am curious if anyone has built a store with this workflow on Shopify?

  1. User buys eBook(s)

  2. Shopify store retrieves license codes from 3rd party hosting platform (digital books in this case)

  3. Shopify presents license codes to buyer along with redemption instructions.

  4. Shopify also generates email to buyer containing license codes and code redemption instructions as part of the order placement confirmation.

One other possible complexity is providing a feature that would allow the shopper to assign license codes purchased to a group of people (email addresses) and the system would email each of the recipients one of the purchased codes along with redemption instructions.

If anyone has any ideas on if/how this can be accomplished or built (for a fee) please let me know.

Thanks,

Matt

2

Hi @OttawaMatt ,

I can’t say I know of a Shopify store that accomplishes this same workflow, but you might find some value in reading this guide on the topic of selling ebooks on Shopify in general.

Best of luck to you!