8 Best Things To Sell Online To Make Money In 2023

There are several advantages to producing items for online selling, which include:

• You’ll have much lower setup and running costs than businesses that outsource their products. 
• Your business can be operated from anywhere… even from home!
• You have no opening time restrictions, nor are you reliant on the opening times and availability of factories or suppliers. 
• The scalability is huge. 
• The cash flow and profit margins are potentially extensive, especially if you manage to keep your material costs low. 

When considering the process of selling things online, it is important to acknowledge that there are a few drawbacks. To begin with, it is necessary to acquire all the required materials, which could potentially be a significant quantity depending on the item being produced. Consequently, adequate storage space is needed for these materials, along with an initial investment to procure them.

You will need to take into consideration the amount of time it will require as you will be producing the items on your own.

Before beginning to make things to sell online, there are certain factors that you should take into account. We suggest that you ask yourself the subsequent questions as a first step.

What do you have experience in making

Prioritize knowing how to make the item you’re planning to create. Ideally, you should already possess experience in doing so. Assess your existing knowledge and if necessary, thoroughly research the required information to enhance your skills before commencing.

What are you knowledgeable about

In order to create a sellable product, it is insufficient to only possess the skills of producing it. You will also require in-depth understanding of the components involved. For instance, having the knowledge of making soap is not adequate; you must also comprehend the appropriate combination of ingredients and fragrances that complement each other, as well as the advantages offered by specific components. Failing to possess this comprehensive knowledge will result in difficulties while attempting to develop a successful product.

What can easily be posted

If you are considering selling your handmade products online, you should think about how you will ship them to customers. For instance, it will be simpler to ship smaller wooden ornaments and toys for those selling woodwork compared to larger dining tables or cabinets.

What is in demand

To successfully run an ecommerce business, it is essential to have a market demand for your products. While it’s great to be skilled at creating amazing products, it will be futile if there is no demand for them, resulting in a surplus of unsold items occupying your spare bedroom. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct market research beforehand to comprehend the level of demand for the products you intend to produce.

Best things to sell online to make money

1. Printed T-shirts

Making printed t-shirts for online sale is an ideal choice as it is a straightforward process. Initially, you must choose a design, which is the enjoyable aspect. Your design options can range from trendy graphics to slogans, motivational quotes, or personalized designs.

Once you have completed your designs, there are two options available to you. You can either familiarize yourself with screen printing and personally print the t-shirts, or you can opt for a print-on-demand company such as Printful to fulfill the orders, without anyone knowing (we promise not to disclose).

If you have an established brand, making and selling printed t-shirts online is a simple task. For instance, if you have a gym or fitness brand, creating and selling printed t-shirts could be the natural progression to expand your ecommerce business. By adding your logos or straplines to the t-shirts, you can also benefit from free marketing.

2. Candles

Candle making is considered one of the simplest craft techniques to try when selling products online. Even without prior knowledge, there exist numerous online tutorials available, and mastering the basic melt-and-pour methods is incredibly easy.

Candles comprise a thriving industry with various niches to delve into, including scented candles, holistic candles, celebration candles, holiday candles, and more. If you opt to create candles for online sales, consider ways to differentiate yourself from other candle vendors. Select captivating fragrance mixtures or guarantee distinctive packaging to make a mark amongst competitors.

3. Computer accessories

Many of us still have a vivid memory of working from home and the constant flow of Zoom meetings. Even though we are slowly transitioning back to offices in the ‘new normal’, there is still a growing demand for computer and laptop improvements.

Currently, to enhance work efficiency, people are increasingly acquiring keyboards, monitors, and metal holders, which are among the most popular items.

4. Phone accessories

The number of smartphone owners is increasing, and it is now common to see almost everyone with a smartphone. This has resulted in a high demand for various smartphone-related products such as cases, screen protectors, camera protectors, and more. Smartphone accessories are consistently regarded as one of the top items for dropshipping.

5. Home decors

When considering items to sell online, decorations are a profitable option to consider. Whether it’s for birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations, fancy ribbons and wreaths will always be in demand. Therefore, selling these products during holiday seasons might be a highly lucrative venture.

In addition, there is a growing desire among individuals to enhance the liveliness and photogenic appeal of their homes through the addition of various decorations. At present, ornaments, pottery, and picture frames are among the most lucrative household decor items available in the market.

6. Arts and crafts

If you have DIY skills and enjoy being handy, then these items are ideal for starting your business! Crocheting and embroidery have been popular crafts in recent years, and there is also an increasing trend towards artistic creations overall. This makes them among the top things to sell online and earn money.

One can make arts and crafts goods according to individual preferences, which makes them unique and easily adaptable. The customer will surely value having exclusive items either for personal use or as presents.

In addition, there is a growing desire among many individuals to enhance the vibrancy and aesthetic appeal of their homes by incorporating various decorations. Presently, ornaments, pottery, and picture frames are some of the most lucrative options available in the household decor industry.

7. Kitchen gadgets

As a result of the lockdown periods, people have developed a habit of cooking at home, leading to an increase in the popularity of kitchen gadgets. The majority of consumers express their intention to continue eating at home even after the pandemic, thus providing a substantial market for the success of kitchen gadgets.

In addition to offering basic items like pots and pans, you have the option to broaden your range by including more unique products, which can attract the interest of buyers. Air fryers and touchscreen toasters are among the high-tech gadgets that are highly popular and discussed by people.

8. Pet accessories

Due to the ongoing pandemic, there has been a growing trend of individuals welcoming pets into their homes. At present, over 90 million households in the US, which accounts for about 70 percent, have become pet owners. As a result, the pet industry presents a highly favorable opportunity for businesses due to this undeniable fact.

In addition to pet essentials like food, treats, and toys, you have the option to sell distinctive accessories, beds, and carriers that will undoubtedly attract the interest of pet enthusiasts. After all, who doesn’t enjoy seeing their beloved furry companions looking irresistibly adorable?

Best eCommerce platforms to sell physical products

Let’s examine the compiled list of recommended platforms that are most appropriate for you to sell items online.

Shopify

If your intention is to establish your own brand with a distinct brand identity, eCommerce platforms would be a more suitable choice. This is because you will have a dedicated website solely for your store and more advanced customization options. Consequently, you will have the freedom to design your store’s appearance and overall experience for customers.

According to a report from BuiltWith, Shopify is currently empowering over 4 million live websites, making it the top choice for beginners in online selling who prefer a hosted eCommerce platform.

To get started with selling right away, all you need to do is begin a free trial, purchase the paid plan from Shopify, and list your products. Simply concentrate on establishing your brand, as Shopify will handle everything else.

LitExtension’s Shopify review states that Shopify now offers a discounted rate of $1 per month for the first 3 months after upgrading to their paid plan. The review also highlights that Shopify has an excellent sales report system and analytics.

Amazon

Currently, Amazon holds the position of being the largest online marketplace globally.

When individuals are looking to make a purchase, their initial thought is to consider Amazon. Consequently, selling your products on this platform is a foolproof strategy. By taking advantage of its substantial monthly traffic of 2.45 billion visits, you can ensure that your product will be visible to a multitude of potential customers.

Amazon offers a wide range of services to sellers, including shipping and fulfillment, marketing, and generating reports. Clear data on store performance is provided to assist merchants in optimizing their Amazon listing and boosting sales.

Etsy

Etsy, another marketplace that is highly popular, is frequently visited by many customers to discover the products they desire. In contrast to Amazon, it puts more emphasis on handicrafts and effectively serves the needs of small business owners.

For individuals with limited online selling experience, this platform presents an excellent opportunity to begin. It is user-friendly and direct, enabling immediate product listing following account registration.

Additionally, Etsy offers merchants with all the essential sales and marketing tools required for devising an optimum marketing strategy for their stores. Furthermore, shipping labels can be conveniently printed directly from your Etsy store, adding further convenience to the shipping process for sellers.

eBay

eBay is the top choice for individuals looking to sell used items or valuable antiques and generate income. The platform stands out from others due to its auction feature, which allows sellers to maximize their earnings by enabling buyers to bid on the items.

Over the years, eBay has developed its sales functions and become a strong competitor to other online marketplaces. Additionally, merchants enjoy increased flexibility, being able to determine their own shipping rates and return policy.