Matthew Choo

Honest reviews and real opinions — no sponsored fluff. I test gadgets, smart home tech, and apps so you know exactly what you’re buying. 20 years in market research means I read the data, not the marketing copy.

3 minute read

Chatgpt also got this wrong

How to Sell on Gumroad Without Delay: Key Mistakes & Tips

Even ChatGPT Got This Wrong — Here’s What Actually Works

Created via ChatGPT

I Had A Slow Start

I have successfully made my way through listing my digital product (app) to sell on Gumroad. This is a simple summary of tips and learnings for those starting with Gumroad, so you don’t have to go through what I did.

1. Account Setup Error Faced

Created by Author

Profile Name

must be the same as your official name (if individual) or company name (if business)

Created by Author

Payment Company Tax ID

This might not be asking for the real tax number in your country. For Malaysia, it asks for the Company Registration No. on the SSM certificate that you need to upload.

SWIFT / BIC code

Download or refer to your bank statement; it should be at the top of the statement header.

Troubleshooting — If you encounter issues, try reaching out to Gumroad using the support chat. Generally, they will reply the next day, depending on your time zone. There is no need to visit the Stripe homepage, even though you may be forwarded to the Stripe website; Gumroad is the main owner of this process.

2. Set up as a Business Account (Malaysia)

If you decide to set up a Business account for tax filing purposes later, it is quite easy to register a sole proprietorship business on https://ezbiz.ssm.com.my/https://ezbiz.ssm.com.my/

It may take a few days as there may be feedback to revise the “Company Name” proposed.

Tips:

  1. Do early — Main information needed is Business Name and Business Description.
  2. You will get 3 forms, the SSM certificate is the certificate you need to upload.
  3. Currently, the SSM registration number has 2 sets in this format “123455555 (678900-P)” = the left part is the new registration number format in the government system, whilst the bracketed code is the old format code.
  4. If you need to add business information to your tax filing, you can do it on https://mytax.hasil.gov.my/https://mytax.hasil.gov.my/. There is no need to go LHDN office. This part is optional for the Gumroad payment validation process.

3. Digital Product Listing Tips

While it’s generally simple, some may need help with a few matters below:

Created by Author

Product > Thumbnail

This asks specifically for a PERFECT SQUARE with zero pixel tolerance. Compose your image in PowerPoint > Put full screen > Print screen > Exit full screen > Paste back on the same slide > Select image Crop > Select Crop sub-menu Aspect ratio 1:1 > Right click image to save as PNG.

License Key

If you wish to add a license key, select Insert > License Key on the Content page. Click the drop-down menu > copy Product ID

Here are two pieces of code to build it into your app’s Gumroad license check script:

  1. Product ID above &
  2. The last part of the product URL (Product > URL field)

License Key Code Testing

To test if the license key code is working.

  1. Save and publish the product.
  2. Purchase the product (you will see notes that this is a test purchase, no charges as you are the owner)
  3. You will receive an email receipt with the license key.
  4. Open your local exe app, and enter your license code. It should work

Antivirus may pop up with untrusted developer warnings; signing the app at both the exe and installer levels is recommended.

This is another process you should start early for SSL certificate purchases

Tips:

  1. If you register as a business, make sure to create an entity on Google Maps (MUST — validation can only call a phone number listed online)
  2. SSL signing fee is split into two parts:
    • Annual license
    • Signing rights (first month is free) or buy a hardware token
  3. When signing the app, use the Command Prompt (CMD) to sign & make sure the digital signature is “signed on xxx” and not “signed for xxx to yyy period”.

If in Property > Digital signature shows date range = it means if you stop renewing your SSL annual license, the app signature will expire. You may see a pop-up with an untrusted developer warning. Worst case — Antivirus e.g. Bitdefender may delete your app and all corresponding data directly

5. Purchase invoice

The business registration number is not shown on the invoice.

There are no customisation options found on Gumroad.

End note

Hope this is useful for anyone starting their product listing on Gumroad. Let me know if you find this useful.

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