The success of an e-commerce activity obviously depends on the choice of products that are offered for sale: the nature of the product, its price, the competitive offer, and of course demand.
You may invest in a stylish and efficient e-commerce store, or in advertising campaigns, if the products you have decided to sell are not wise and they do not meet demand: all your efforts will be ruined.
This article follows other articles on this central theme of choosing products to sell online, such as 8 Strategies for Finding Your First Product, and, 10 Places Entrepreneurs Go to Find Product Ideas .
Keep in mind that before selling anything online, it is recommended to check the market demand and the potential of the product that interests you.
10 product ideas to sell online
Selecting the best products to sell online is not done at random, it is a question of evaluating the demand for these products, as well as the competitive offer. Tools such as keyword research, but also the Google Trends tool allow you to know the evolution of search trends corresponding to a word. It is from this latest research that we have identified 10 ideas for products to sell online.
1. Cereal bars
The nutrition and health industry is constantly evolving, and there are always opportunities to launch new products related to well-being such as cereal bars.
The “healthy”, “sugar-free”, “high-protein” or “healthy” cereal bar are keywords searched for in all seasons. In addition, it is a niche market, therefore very interesting to target and potentially more profitable.
The process of manufacturing a food product can be quite tricky due to food laws and regulations. After doing some research, we discovered the Bülher company. As a cereal bar manufacturer, Bülher offers a wide selection of options for those interested in wholesaling and creating a private label of cereal or nutrition bars, and will thus take care of the all manufacturing and labeling processes required by law.
2. Bow ties
The fashion industry is based on trends that are constantly evolving. For entrepreneurs, this is an advantage: new opportunities arise to create a profitable business.
Bow ties for men are certainly not new, but they have become fashionable again in recent years. You will have no trouble finding them in the posters in the windows of men’s fashion stores.
The interesting thing about men’s fashion is that there are also more and more men purchasing items online, in general.
According to the IFM Panel, the French Fashion Institute, in 2020 online sales in the clothing and textile sector jumped by 22.2%. If this increase is explained by the health crisis and confinements, it will still continue in 2021.
3. Dog beds
In the category of products which are both part of a niche market, and which reveal a constant search trend, we recommend the dog basket!
Indeed, the search for a dog basket is constant, and corresponds to a useful purchase as much as a “pleasure” purchase! The pet market is important in France.
According to the Promojardin association, this market would represent more than 5 million euros in France for the year 2020. You should know that the French have more and more pets: there are 75 million in the ‘Hexagon.
4. Sunglasses
There is no doubt that the sunglasses market is not a passing trend but repeats itself every year! Of course, it is a market that is seasonal, searches for sunglasses are done more on sunny days and from spring onwards, although there is also a search for sunglasses in winter for stays at home. mountain.
Therefore, we advise you to use Google Trends tools and keyword research via Google Keyword Planner or Ûbersuggest to find out which types of glasses are most searched for by season.
You can also play on more specific niches, to give you ideas for products to sell and differentiate yourself from the competition. You will be surprised to see that certain styles are very sought after, such as the terms “wooden sunglasses”.
5. Watches
The watchmaking and watch sector is truly a French asset, which has an international reputation. The Francessentiel Observatory and Panel 5 demonstrate the solidity of the French market and watch sales. Watches are also one of the best-selling jewelry products. They represent 31.6% of sales in Jewelry, just after gold jewelry which represents 38.2%.
Studies also show that connected watches are becoming more and more trendy, and are experiencing increased demand. Watches also have the advantage of being aimed at all customers, both female and male, and of being popular jewelry all year round, and particularly during holiday periods. We also invite you to read our guide on How to sell jewelry online after manufacturing.
6. Sports Leggings
We’ve looked at a lot of men’s products and accessories, but we’ve also spotted a women’s product that has seen huge growth and a lot of interest over the past few years.
These are leggings and in particular sports leggings for women. The range of sports activities has expanded considerably in recent years, sports courses and sports coaches have never been so numerous. Leggings have the advantage of being suitable for many practices: running, fitness, yoga, pilates, etc.
Many brands have specialized in this niche, like Gymshark.
7. Electronic cigarettes
The electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette) is a market that has exploded over the last decade, with specialized stores developing in large numbers in cities. The e-cigarette is an electronic “vaping” device that operates using a battery. It can be considered as a personal vaporizer, which generates artificial vapor or smoke intended to be inhaled and to simulate the act of smoking.
Nowadays, electronic cigarettes can be found almost everywhere. And there is no doubt that it is one of the best products to sell online! However, competition is tough, it is very important to find out about the legislation, carry out a niche market study… In France, there are around 3 million vapers.
Although the e-cigarette is an interesting product, it is still a very new market, which is also starting to attract the attention of regulatory bodies. A market like this may become more difficult to access and subject to more restrictions in the coming years.
8. Macrame
If DIY were a kingdom, macramé would be king! For what ? Because macramé is an ancient technique based on the art of making knots: a relatively simple technique to learn, with many creative possibilities, as well as a simple budget to start with!
In terms of economic opportunities and potential profitability, everything will depend on your talent of course, but also on your ability to target one or more niche applications: are you going to design bracelet-type jewelry with macramé, or rather decorative objects or even accessories like bags or dream catchers?
Study the competition, observe trends on Instagram, Pinterest or even the Etsy marketplace specializing in DIY. You can also read our guide to selling DIY products online.
9. Soaps
France is the 3rd largest soap producer in the world behind the United Kingdom and Germany. Rich in a tradition inherited in particular from Savon de Marseille, the French appreciate soap, in particular to “get back to basics”, with more natural products, respectful of the environment and artisanal know-how. Especially since soap can be available in different forms and for different uses: solid soap, liquid soap, shampoo, for hygiene uses, but also cosmetic or for the home.
Plus, making soap is within everyone’s reach, and you won’t run out of resources, such as tutorials on it. Focus on the naturalness of the ingredients and the ecological issue, for example with recyclable packaging that sets you apart.
10. Matcha Powder
Matcha is a very fine powder of finely ground green tea, which has become increasingly popular in the general tea category. Over the past few years, you have certainly seen the supermarket shelves dedicated to teas filling up with more and more brands and varieties of teas. Since 2009, matcha powder has shown a trend that has increased year after year, and recorded peaks in searches which clearly illustrate the growing interest in this product.
How to sell products online?
Once you have determined the most interesting product to sell online, you need to source your products by finding suppliers according to your niche. Your business model depends on it, as does the calculation of delivery costs and your commercial margin.
You will then need to create your online store, along with a brand identity that makes you unique.
Social networks such as Instagram are essential promotional showcases for making sales through social selling and making yourself known. Likewise, don’t neglect word of mouth, Facebook groups, the use of influencers and advertising campaigns to promote your brand and its product!
Finally, specialized marketplaces such as Etsy will allow you to gain visibility to get started, because the ideal is to put your eggs in different baskets and multiply promotional channels!
And the next step?
Based on trends detected on Google Trends and numerous studies, we have defined 10 ideas that we believe reveal the best products to sell online. Do not hesitate to test your product beforehand with a panel of relatives and consumers, for example by launching a crowdfunding campaign…
Have you noticed any interesting products or particular trends lately? What would you like to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ about product ideas to sell online
What are some ideas for products to sell online?
The starting point for any e-commerce project, your product idea must be in line with the activity you wish to develop, but also with the evolution of the market in which you wish to operate. Product ideas include: energy bars, bow ties, dog beds, sunglasses, watches, electronic cigarettes, sports leggings, macramé, soaps, matcha powder, etc.
What is Google Trends?
Google Trends is a free tool developed by Google and made available to Internet users looking for the latest market trends. This tool allows you to know the most searched keywords on the search engine by region, by language and from 2004.
How do you know if you have chosen the right product idea?
Once your idea has been identified, it is important to verify the potential of your product by carrying out market research in which you will interview future buyers to ensure that your product responds to current demand.