20 Proven Ecommerce Business Ideas to Get Started

Starting an ecommerce business is an exciting journey. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just testing the waters, finding the right niche can make all the difference. In this blog, I’ll share 20 top ecommerce business ideas to inspire you, along with practical tips to help you kickstart your dream.

If you’re exploring profitable opportunities, these ecommerce business ideas can set you on the path to success. This guide covers 20 of the best ideas for starting your ecommerce journey

If you’ve been searching for ecommerce business ideas, let’s dive right in!

Why Consider These Ecommerce Business Ideas?

Diving into ecommerce business ideas can open doors to financial independence and flexibility.

Now that you’re clear on the stakes of starting an ecommerce business, here are some business ideas to get you inspired.

Do your research to find out what products are in high demand. Google Trends shows search engine queries customers use when shopping online. Another way to find profitable ecommerce business ideas is to follow influencers and bloggers who work with your competitors.

Our team did some research and cross-checked different online business ideas based on:

• Demand.
• Market saturation.
• Execution difficulty.
• Growth prospects.

And then we grouped all of them into the following categories:

• Apparel.
• Health and beauty.
• Dropshipping.
• Reselling products.
• Digital downloads.
• CBD and more.

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1. Niche Apparel Store

Sell unique, customized clothing that caters to a specific audience. Whether it’s fitness wear, vintage collections, or quirky t-shirts, the apparel industry offers endless opportunities. You can also explore print-on-demand services to avoid inventory hassles.

When it comes to selling apparel, you have several options:

• Buy products from wholesalers.
• Design your own apparel and have them manufactured, then sell your clothing line wholesale to other retailers or via your website.
• Design and sew your own items in-house.
• Design repeating patterns or graphics to print on blank t-shirts and other clothing items using a print-on-demand model.

2. Health and Beauty Products

The health and beauty market is booming. Think skincare, organic cosmetics, or niche products like beard grooming kits. Focus on clean ingredients and detailed product descriptions to win customer trust.

However, some entrepreneurs have done this with clothing or wellness items that require the touch of a knowledgeable curator or stylist.

Subscription boxes provide predictable, recurring revenue. You can offer tiered pricing for versions of each box with varying levels of value. This business model is all about product kitting, so you must have a penchant for curation.

Though it varies greatly by industry, most subscription boxes have a profit margin of 40-60%.

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3. Dropshipping

Want a low-risk option? Try dropshipping. Partner with suppliers to sell products without managing inventory. It’s one of the easiest ways to start an ecommerce business without a hefty investment.

You can find dropshipping suppliers through a supplier database like Alibaba or AliExpress, or through an integrated supplier directory in your ecommerce software.

While startup costs are low (your only expenses are incorporation fees and the cost of registering a domain for your website), you will face intense competition from businesses selling a similar product at the same price.

According to the latest data, the global dropshipping market is forecast to reach $196.78 billion in 2022, a whopping 23.7 percent year-over-year increase from 2021.

4. Digital Products

Sell eBooks, online courses, stock photos, or templates. Digital products have zero shipping costs and can generate a steady passive income.

5. CBD Products

CBD oils, edibles, and skincare products are in demand. Make sure to research legal regulations in your target market before launching.

For example, drops and sprays, pills and capsules, vapes and cartridges, tinctures, edibles and topicals. Start by finding your ecommerce niche, such as CBD-infused food or CBD pet products. Be prepared to educate consumers about the general benefits of CBD and the specific compositions of each product.

Write detailed product descriptions, tell a story that addresses the consumer’s pain point, and offer instant messaging or web chat so customers can ask product questions directly. However, beware of regulations in certain regions that may throw up additional hurdles.

CBD stores can be highly profitable, with data showing that retailers see net profit margins of above 40%. The industry is expected to reach $20 billion market value by 2024.

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6. Eco-Friendly Products

Go green by selling sustainable products like reusable bags, bamboo toothbrushes, or biodegradable packaging materials. This niche attracts environmentally conscious buyers.

For example, you might focus on eco-friendly kitchen appliances such as induction stoves, which consume less electricity than an electric stove. Other examples include clothes made from recycled fabric, cloth shopping bags, cleaning products free from harmful chemicals, solar-powered electronic devices and products designed to curb water use.

A recent study showed that 85% of consumers have become “greener” in their purchase behavior in recent years. In fact, 61% of U.S. consumers say sustainability is an important purchase criterion.

7. Fitness Equipment

The pandemic has driven a surge in home workouts. Sell yoga mats, resistance bands, or portable gym equipment. Bonus points if you can pair products with free workout guides.

You can also sell wellness products such as supplements, exercise equipment and digital products such as workout routines and meal plans. Another option is to offer a mix of online and offline services if you have the capital to purchase a physical space and a larger enough total addressable market (TAM) in your local area.

The pandemic overhauled the fitness industry, increasing reliance on online fitness. In 2021, the market size of the gym, health and fitness club industry in the United States was estimated at over $35 billion U.S. dollars. The sector was forecast to reach almost $36.6 billion in 2022.

8. Subscription Boxes

Offer curated subscription boxes tailored to specific audiences, such as beauty products, snacks, or book lovers. This model ensures recurring revenue.

9. Handmade Goods

From candles to jewelry, customers appreciate the charm of handmade items. Showcase your creativity and tell your brand story to stand out.

Customers value handmade goods because no two are exactly alike. This type of business lets you exercise your creativity. However, beware that it may be difficult to outsource this type of work if/when you want to scale your business unless you can work with skilled artisans you trust.

Ideas for handmade goods include greeting cards, clothing and accessories, beaded jewelry, ceramics, scented candles, organic toiletries, paintings or prints, cross-stitch or knitted items and plush toys.

The global handicrafts market reached $680 billion in 2021. Looking forward, this market is expected to reach $1,252 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.41% from 2022-2027.

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10. Pet Products

People love to pamper their pets. Sell organic pet treats, personalized accessories, or even pet furniture.

From organic pet treats to handmade toys, custom clothing and accessories, there is no shortage of pet products you can sell profitably.

If you can acquire physical premises or cater to people in your local area, you can provide services like doggy daycare, dog walking, pet massage therapy, animal boarding, pet sitting and grooming services.

Pet foods and treats takes the largest share of the pet industry, valued at $50 billion, closely followed by vet care and product sales at $34.3 billion.

11. Smart Home Devices

The demand for smart home technology is on the rise. Sell smart locks, thermostats, or voice-controlled speakers.

You can sell products such as smart speakers, doorbells and thermostats while providing installation services to help people connect different smart devices in their homes. Smart home devices automate mundane tasks and empower users to control appliances remotely.

According to MediaPost, 69% of households in the U.S. have at least one smart device, while 12% of those (about 22 million homes) have several.

12. Toys and Games

Offer toys that appeal to kids and collectors alike. Educational toys, puzzles, and vintage board games are popular choices.

For example, you can tout traditional toys, action figures, video games, board games, hobby kits, LEGOs and craft supplies.

Toy sales mostly entail marketing to parents, so keep this in mind when you’re designing your own website and writing product descriptions. Use lots of HD images on your website and be sure to answer parent’s questions in your product descriptions, such as:

• What ages is the toy safe for? Are there any smaller parts that could be a choking haard?
• What parts are included?
• What materials is the toy made from?
• Are batteries included?

Finally, keep an eye on regulations and product recalls for defective or dangerous toys. Toy brands must pay attention to government regulations that designate safety standards for the industry.

The global toys market size is projected to reach $230.64 billion by 2028, exhibiting a 7.30% CAGR during the forecast period. Rising demand for toys that boost mental training such as Rubik cubes, educational boards, wordplay games, and others is expected to boost demand.

Also Read: 12 Proven Steps to Make Money from Home with Freelance Work

13. Wedding Accessories

Help couples celebrate their big day with unique wedding goods. Think customizable invites, handmade centerpieces, or bridal accessories.

Help couples prepare for their big day by selling customizable, handwritten wedding invitations or custom WordPress templates for wedding websites and email invitations. You can also provide day-of services such as wedding and engagement photography and officiation (if you are a certified officiant).

Or, you can refurbish and rent out a vacant barn or gazebo on your property as a wedding venue if you are fortunate enough to have spacious grounds.

With inflation eroding spending power, many couples are taking a low-budget approach to wedding planning. This creates opportunities for businesses to offer one-off services or low-budget venue options as an affordable alternative to hiring a big-budget wedding planner.

14. Resale/Second-Hand Goods

Thrift shopping is trending! Curate a collection of pre-loved clothing, furniture, or vintage items and resell them online.

Choose a niche you’re passionate about. Maybe you love collecting antiques, finding and rehabilitating incredible furniture pieces on Facebook Marketplace or repurposing recyclables into new products. You can also source items from thrift stores or other online marketplaces and resell them for a profit.

Second-hand products appeal to thrift shoppers and eco-conscious shoppers who wish to promote a circular economy, so tailor your marketing accordingly. 

According to ThredUp’s 2020 Fashion Resale Market Analysis, the recommerce market is expected to hit $64 billion by 2024 up from $28 billion in 2020.

15. Online Grocery

Create a grocery delivery service focusing on niche markets, like organic produce or local farm goods.

Running an online grocery business means setting up a marketplace for food vendors to sell their items. You have several business models to choose from:

• Site-to-store pickup: If you run a physical storefront, you can encourage your customers to order online and pick up in-store or through curbside pickup.
• Direct delivery: Work with a shipping and logistics provider to delivery grocery items directly to customers’ doors.
• Local food delivery services: Partner with local businesses to deliver fresh items to customers.
• Micro-fulfillment centers: Run a small, automated warehouse center to fulfill grocery orders on-demand.

A study from Mercatus predicts that grocery ecommerce sales will surpass 20% of the total U.S. grocery market in 2026.

Also Read: Boost Your Corporate Sector Success with Top 10 Productivity Tools

16. Beauty Tech Gadgets

Offer high-tech beauty tools like facial cleansing brushes, LED face masks, or hair styling devices.

However, some entrepreneurs have done this with clothing or wellness items that require the touch of a knowledgeable curator or stylist.

Subscription boxes provide predictable, recurring revenue. You can offer tiered pricing for versions of each box with varying levels of value. This business model is all about product kitting, so you must have a penchant for curation.

17. Home Office Products

Remote work is here to stay. Sell ergonomic office chairs, standing desks, or desk organizers.

You can sell products such as smart speakers, doorbells and thermostats while providing installation services to help people connect different smart devices in their homes. Smart home devices automate mundane tasks and empower users to control appliances remotely.

According to MediaPost, 69% of households in the U.S. have at least one smart device, while 12% of those (about 22 million homes) have several.

18. Personalized Gifts

Customized products like engraved jewelry, photo books, or monogrammed mugs are always a hit for special occasions.

19. AR/VR Products

If you’re tech-savvy, venture into selling or renting AR/VR equipment. This niche is growing thanks to gaming and corporate demand.

If you can acquire physical premises in a high-traffic location, you can also rent it out for VR events for public fundraisers or private parties. If you’re a skilled programmer versed in 3D animation, you can even start a VR content creation business to help brands design and implement immersive AR/VR experiences.

The booming gaming industry and the advent of the Metaverse are fueling the growth of the VR/AR market, which was valued at $14.84 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $454.73 billion by 2030.

20. Affiliate Marketing Store

Build an ecommerce platform promoting affiliate products. You don’t need to handle inventory—just earn commissions on every sale through your affiliate links.

You can generate income by promoting an affiliate’s product within your content. When someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission (a percentage of the order value or a fixed amount). This can be a wonderful source of passive income.

To become an affiliate marketer, you need to have a certain amount of traffic or subscribers/followers. Sign up to an affiliate network to review offers from affiliates and select the ones in your niche. Carefully review the program overview, which includes the types of products and services, payment methods, and commissions.

Affiliate programs are the top customer acquisition channel for 40% of U.S. merchants. Affiliate marketing is estimated to be worth $12 billion globally.

Key Takeaways

1. Choose a niche that aligns with your passion or expertise.
2. Research market demand and competition.
3. Start small, then scale as you grow.
4. Build a user-friendly website optimized for SEO to attract organic traffic.

Conclusion

With these ecommerce business ideas, you have a variety of paths to choose from. Identify your niche and take the first steps toward building a thriving online business.

FAQs

1. What are some profitable ecommerce business ideas?

Profitable niches include health and beauty, fitness equipment, eco-friendly products, and digital downloads.

2. How much does it cost to start an ecommerce business?

Startup costs vary, but you can begin with as little as $500 if you choose a low-investment model like dropshipping or digital products.

3. What is the best platform for ecommerce businesses?

Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are user-friendly and ideal for starting your ecommerce business.

4. How do I market my ecommerce business?

Use SEO, social media marketing, email campaigns, and influencer collaborations to promote your store.

5. How do I find winning products for my ecommerce store?

Research Google Trends, analyze competitors, and follow industry influencers for product ideas.

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