--- title: Protect and sell downloadable files description: "Sell PDFs, videos, templates and other files to members: put them on members-only pages, protect the download links with Download Monitor, set download limits per Membership and sell single files with Pay Per Post." url: "https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/protect-and-sell-files/" updated: "2026-10-22" category: Content Restriction --- # Protect and sell downloadable files 7 minBeginnerUltimate Membership Pro 14.2+ PDF guides, templates, video lessons, presets and software are some of the most popular membership perks. Ultimate Membership Pro lets you **sell digital downloads to members**: the files sit on pages only members can open, the download links work only for members, and you can set how many files each Membership may download. This guide puts three pieces together: a members-only page, the free [Download Monitor](https://wordpress.org/plugins/download-monitor/) plugin for the links, and the Download Monitor Integration module for limits. ## Choose how you sell the files Files included in a Membership **Example** : A library of templates for Pro members **Use** : A members-only page Bonus files on a public page **Example** : A free article with a members-only workbook **Use** : An Inside Locker A single file for sale **Example** : One e-book for $19 **Use** : Pay Per Post Limited downloads **Example** : 10 files a member for the Basic plan **Use** : Download Monitor Integration ## Add your files to Download Monitor 1. Install and activate [Download Monitor](https://wordpress.org/plugins/download-monitor/). 2. Go to Downloads*›*Add New, give the download a title and upload the file. 3. Turn on **Members only** for the download, so the link works only for logged-in users. 4. Publish the download and copy the shortcode Download Monitor shows for it. Download Monitor serves each file through its own link, so the file's real address stays hidden and visitors can't pass it around. ## Put the downloads on a members-only page 1. Create a page, for example Member Library, and paste the download shortcodes into it. Add a short description next to each file. 2. In the **Locker** box of the page, choose **Show Page Only** and add the Memberships that include the files. 3. Under **If access is not allowed**, choose Redirect the Page and pick your pricing page, so visitors see what they need to buy. 4. Update the page. The full Locker options are in [Restrict your first page](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/step-3-restrict-pagescontent/). To lock a whole group of pages at once, use [Access Rules](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/how-to-restrict-any-page-or-group-of-pages/). Bonus files on a public page To keep the page public and lock only the download, wrap the shortcode in an Inside Locker. Visitors see a message and a login form in its place. See [Hide part of a page (Inside Locker)](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/how-to-set-an-inside-locker/). ## Set download limits per Membership Use limits when Memberships include a different number of files, or to keep members from downloading your whole library in one go. 1. Go to Ultimate Membership Pro*›*Modules*›*Download Monitor Integration and turn the module on. 2. Choose the **Limit Type**: **Downloaded Files** counts different files, **Total Downloads** counts every download. 3. Under **Memberships limits**, enter a number for each Membership, for example 10 for Basic and 1000 for Pro. 4. For **Users with no active Membership**, enter 0, so registered users who haven't bought a Membership can't download. 5. Click Save Changes. Members whose Membership expires stop downloading until they renew. More details are in [Limit downloads with Download Monitor](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/download-monitor-integration/). ## Sell a single file To sell one e-book or template on its own, put its download on a page and sell that page with the [Pay Per Post](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/pay-per-post/) add-on. Buyers pay once for that page and don't need a Membership. ## Test it 1. In a private window, open the member library page. You should land on your pricing page. 2. Log in as a test member with the right Membership and download a file. 3. If you set download limits, log in as a registered user without a Membership and try the download link. It shouldn't download. Admins see everything Administrators can open every page and download every file. Test as a visitor and as a test member. ## Troubleshooting How do I sell digital downloads to members? Add the files to Download Monitor with Members only turned on, put their shortcodes on a page, and restrict that page to the Memberships that include them with the Locker box. Can visitors download a file if they copy the link? With Members only turned on in Download Monitor, the link asks for a login. With the Download Monitor Integration module, only members with an active Membership and downloads left in their limit can download. Can each Membership include a different number of downloads? Yes. In the Download Monitor Integration module, enter a limit for each Membership under Memberships limits. Can I sell one file without a Membership? Yes. Put the file on a page and sell that page with the Pay Per Post add-on. What file types can I offer? Any file Download Monitor accepts, such as PDF, ZIP, MP3, MP4, DOCX and images. ## What's next [**Limit downloads with Download Monitor**All options of the integration.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/download-monitor-integration/)[**Restrict your first page**The Locker box step by step.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/step-3-restrict-pagescontent/)[**Sell a single post or page (Pay Per Post)**One-time access to one page.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/pay-per-post/)[**Hide part of a page (Inside Locker)**Lock only the download.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/how-to-set-an-inside-locker/)