18 Best Things To Sell To Make Money Online

Key highlights

• Online selling offers more reach, scalability and customer insights than traditional selling.  
• Choosing the right product is key to building a profitable online business.  
• Physical products like pet accessories and kitchen gadgets are always in growing demand.  
• Digital products like eBooks, AI tools and online courses generate great passive income.  
• Subscription-based services provide consistent revenue through recurring payments.  

Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution makes it easy to set up and manage your online store. 

Introduction

It’s easier than ever to start a successful online business and a lot of people are capitalizing on it. An online business alleviates some of the difficulties associated with traditional businesses.  

While starting a traditional business requires time and money to hire staff and rent premises, starting an online business can take a few hours or days. That makes it a great profitable online business idea for a side hustle to earn extra cash and supplement your income. 

The road to launching an online store starts with figuring out what are the best items to sell online to make money and creating a sustainable business plan. Here, we’ll list the most popular items and services where you can find your niche and corner your online space.  

Traditional selling vs. online selling

The growth of eCommerce has been steady and has experienced significant growth. The global retail eCommerce sales market is projected to reach $11 trillion by 2028.  

The initial investment required to start a traditional business is a huge differentiator between traditional and online selling. Traditional businesses need a bigger upfront investment to cover overheads like rent and staff.  

Online selling doesn’t require much because you can start with $0 on websites like eBay, Amazon, Decluttr, Craigslist, Etsy, Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace.  

You can make money reselling second-hand items from thrift stores and garage sales. Consider selling old clothes, phones, board games, handbags, sports memorabilia, collectibles, toys and musical instruments in good condition. 

one important thing to remember is that online selling is not a replacement for traditional selling; it can be an extension of it. Below are other areas in which online selling is more accessible than traditional selling: 

Scaling

Ease of scaling is inherent to online selling. With business models like dropshipping, scaling an online business becomes significantly effortless compared to a traditional business.  

You don’t need to spend cash on products to expand your catalog. Instead, you only need excellent photos and product descriptions. Orders to suppliers are made when customers order from you and pay upfront.  

Wider reach

Selling online removes geographical boundaries; it gives you a global audience. This is particularly beneficial if you’re offering niche products that may not have as wide an appeal in a local area. With the internet, your potential customer base can span continents, opening new avenues for growth and expanding your market reach.

Customer insights

With a traditional shop, you don’t have the privilege of looking at a dashboard for a summary of your customer’s purchase behavior. Selling online gives you deeper insights into customer preferences.  

You can use this data to refine your marketing campaigns and grow your revenue significantly and even determine which products to add to start selling.  

How to choose the right products to sell online?

Finding out what to sell online to make money becomes much easier when you approach it strategically. Here’s a simplified breakdown to help you get started:  

Find your niche 

A vast understanding of a specific field or product helps you develop unique perspectives and strategies to set your business as an industry leader. Expertise also enables you to predict trends that secure your company’s future.  

If you are the best software as a service (SaaS) writer in town, you should spearhead your online selling with your expertise as the product. But if your expertise is in a physical product like collectibles consider selling that instead.  

Analyze market demand  

You’re better off finding a niche audience with less competition and high demand to succeed faster. And even though finding the perfect niche may be daunting, it’s not impossible.  

With a smaller market, you can offer better customer service and foster stronger relationships with customers, enabling you to secure a loyal customer base.  

Dedicate some of your time and resources during market research to finding a market with a healthy balance between demand and competition.  

Sell products with low shipping fees  

If you opt for the physical product route, the smaller the product, the better. Smaller products tend to have lower shipping fees because they are light and easier to transport. You can find many such things to sell to make money.   

Low shipping costs can be absorbed into the product’s price, allowing you to offer “free shipping”.  

Trending physical products to sell 

The demand for physical products keeps evolving as consumer interests shift. Whether it’s pet accessories, eco-friendly fashion items or unique lifestyle profitable items, selling trending products can be a great way to tap into growing markets. Here are some in-demand physical products that people are actively buying online.  

1. Pet accessories  

Pet accessories are a booming market, with pet owners constantly looking for stylish and functional products for their furry companions. Items like personalized collars, interactive toys, pet grooming kits and cozy beds are the best things to sell to make money due to their high demand.  

Selling pet accessories online is relatively easy since they come in various sizes and price points. You can source products from suppliers or create your own unique designs. Platforms like Etsy, Amazon and Shopify make it simple to set up an online pet store.  

The pet industry is growing rapidly. This makes it a lucrative niche for aspiring eCommerce entrepreneurs.  

Also read: Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Pet Grooming Company Website  

2. Eco-friendly and sustainable products  

Sustainability has become more than just a trend now! From reusable shopping bags and bamboo toothbrushes to biodegradable packaging and solar-powered gadgets, people are seeking eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products.   

Many sustainable products have high-profit margins and attract conscious consumers willing to pay a premium for quality and environmental impact.  

The global sustainable products market is projected to grow significantly, with eco-conscious shopping habits becoming the norm. Now is the perfect time to enter this thriving industry.  

3. Stickers  

Stickers are tiny, easy-to-ship physical products. They are cool decorations for things like phones, laptops, fridges and children’s rooms. They have low production costs and are inexpensive to buy.  

The best part is that your role in a sticker-selling online business revolves around design and marketing. Companies like Printful, ShipMonk, Printify, PrintSeekers and Redbubble fulfill your orders for a small fee.  

The sticker market was valued at $151.8 million in 2022 and is expected to reach $191.9 million by 2029. So, there’s plenty of room for another small online sticker business there.  

4. Kitchen gadgets  

Kitchen gadgets are accessories that help with food storage or preparation. The kitchen gadgets market will be worth an estimated $45.15 billion by 2033. 

The kitchen gadgets niche is wide and may be difficult to target holistically. A great approach is to target a specific sub-niche, like baking gadgets. You can create a blog on your own website to provide baking tips that attract customers and help you increase online sales.  

Websites that sell kitchen gadgets and other kitchen accessories include Everything Kitchens and IKEA.  

5. Sport goods  

Sports goods range from expensive equipment for working out in commercial gyms like treadmills to smaller items like water bottles. It’s a wide niche and the best way to make the most out of it is by niching down and serving a target audience.  

Sub-niches you can serve in this niche include athleisure, bags, water bottles and jerseys. Popular websites serving the sports goods category include GymShark, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Modell’s Sporting Goods.  

6. Custom t-shirts and mugs  

The print-on-demand business model lets you sell custom mugs and t-shirts. A website enables the flexibility that comes with taking custom orders from all your customers.  

If, for instance, someone wants to get their dad a mug with their face on it, they can upload the photo to your website. The website automatically forwards the image to the print-on-demand company that fulfills your orders.  

Zazzle, The T-shirt Co., Tshirt Studio and T-shirt Elephant are great websites in this niche.  

Also read: How to Create a Print on Demand Store 2024 | The Ultimate Guide for Beginners 

Best digital products for passive income  

Digital products are a game-changer for passive income. With no inventory to manage and high-profit margins, they offer a low-risk way to make extra money online. From eBooks to online courses, these products can generate revenue long after they’re created. The following are some of the best digital products to sell.  

7. Printables  

Printables can be any artwork or drawings you can buy, download and print yourself. Great examples of printables are planners and gift cards.  

Printables are great because you only need a computer, design software and a website. Nearly 100% of your earnings are pure profit. Examples of online shops selling printables include Etsy, Homemade Gifts Made Easy and Greetings Island.  

8. eBooks  

An eBook is a digital book that only exists in soft copy. If you choose the ebook path, capitalizing on your expertise would be the ideal way to go.  

For instance, if you are in the blogging niche, you could write an eBook on how to start a blog and write engaging blog posts that attract traffic and drive-up engagement. You can also sell eBooks on websites like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Sellfy or Podia.  

9. AI-powered tools (Chatbots, AI content generators)  

AI-powered tools, like chatbots and content generators, are transforming online businesses. Chatbots can handle customer inquiries 24/7, offering instant support while reducing operational costs.  

AI content generators, on the other hand, are a game-changer for creating high-quality content quickly. These tools help businesses scale their content production, from blog posts to social media captions, saving hours of work. The AI content market is expected to surpass $826.70 billion by 2030. This shows just how much potential this area holds.  

Many AI tool providers, such as chatbot and content generation software, offer affiliate programs. You can promote these tools on your website or social media and earn commissions on sales generated through your affiliate links.   

If you have expertise in AI or automation, offer consulting services to businesses looking to integrate chatbots or AI content generators into their operations. Charge for your expertise in setting up these tools and optimizing their use for clients.  

10. Online courses or tutorials  

Online education was worth an estimated $198.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $279.30 billion by 2029.  

Websites like Udemy, Skillshare and Coursera provide a platform for users to upload their courses and reach a big audience.  

You can also bundle your courses with other media like eBooks to incentivize customers to buy them. For instance, in your course pre-sales pitch, you can mention that users can get a free eBook on social media marketing if they buy your course on how to start a t-shirt business.  

Also read: How to Sell Online Courses: The Complete Setup and Marketing Guide – Bluehost Blog  

11. Stock videos and photos  

You can take photos or record videos and license them to people who pay a fee to use your work. If you love wildlife or nature, travel and take amazing photos of natural scenery.  

You can sell stock photos on your website or upload them to websites like Shutterstock, iStock, Pexels or Pixabay that license on your behalf. These platforms don’t need active management and earn you passive income from your work.  

Subscription-based business models  

Subscription-based businesses are everywhere. Whether it’s a monthly treat, self-care products or even digital services, this business model makes life easier for customers and provides steady, recurring income for you.   

12. Subscription boxes  

In the subscription box business model, customers agree to be charged a fixed amount periodically in exchange for a product or service.  

A box of one or more products is sent out for product subscriptions. Products can be anything from groceries to cosmetic products.  

The subscription box market was valued at $38.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $139.2 billion by 2033, so it’s a good time to dive into it.  

You may derive inspiration from subscription box websites like Cratejoy, FabFitFun and Lootcrate.  

13. Writing and editing  

Writing and editing are excellent services to offer if you can articulate your thoughts proficiently in a given language. You can provide various forms of writing services like technical writing, copywriting or ghostwriting.  

As a professional writer and editor, a website is a great tool to get more gigs. You can set up a portfolio to showcase your work. You can also use a blog to showcase your writing prowess while attracting new clients by ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).  

As with any other small online business, niching down is a key factor in your success. To kickstart your writing career, consider working on websites like Fiverr, Upwork or ProBlogger.  

14. Tutoring  

The market research estimates the online tutoring service market value will rise to $24.8 billion by 2032. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best services you can sell online.  

Tutoring is a form of learning where a teacher offers students a bespoke one-on-one experience through the Internet. A website can help teachers create a portfolio and showcase their skills through videos.  

Parents can place orders for specific services directly on the website, skipping the need for a pre-sales pitch.  

Websites where you can start offering your tutoring services include Preply, TeacherOn and Tutor.com.  

15. Virtual assistance  

Virtual assistance is a type of job where individuals provide administrative services like office management to other individuals or companies remotely. Virtual assistants can work on an ad-hoc or contract basis.  

Some virtual assistant jobs pay by the hour and others have an agreed recurring rate. Whatever the case is, it’s a lucrative field. Besides building your website, you can sell your services on websites like Remote.co and PeoplePerHour.  

16. Accounting  

The pandemic changed the way people conduct business. Many businesses were forced to operate remotely, making people realize they could provide services previously thought to require a physical presence online.  

The best part? You can offer your accounting services to several companies simultaneously, earning more than you would work for one company. You can start on websites like Fiverr, Upwork and Remote.co to find gigs.  

17. Video editing  

Videos are one of the most engaging forms of content. So naturally, more businesses are spending more on videos, which means a lot of video editing work.  

As a video editor, you can sell your services online to different organizations. You can charge hourly, per video edited or work on a contract. Having a website to showcase and sell your services can help grow your small business.  

Platforms like Upwork, Workana and Guru have tons of video editing jobs to help you get started.  

18. Search engine optimization (SEO)  

SEO is the process of increasing organic website traffic by optimizing content, so it ranks higher on SERPs. An SEO is a person with the knowledge and skills to optimize web content pages so they can rank higher.  

If you have the skillset to optimize websites for better ranking, you should productize your services and sell them through your website. SEOs are actively sought out by companies to improve their ranking and increase sales.  

One of the best ways to get business fast is by ranking your content for terms people looking for SEOs will be searching for. You’ll have their attention right off the bat because they’ll have confidence in your ability to rank their content, too.  

Besides a personal website, gig sites like Fiverr, PeoplePerHour and Upwork are great places to kick off your career.  

These gig sites provide a fantastic way to establish yourself as a freelancer or service provider. But once you’ve gained some experience and want to scale your business or sell your own products, setting up your own online store gives you even more control and opportunities. This is where Bluehost steps in with the Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution. This one stop platform is designed to help you succeed at every stage of your online business journey.  

How to set up your online store with Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution  

Starting your own online store doesn’t have to be complicated. With Bluehost’s WordPress Commerce Solution, you can create your eCommerce website in just a few steps! Let’s find out how you can easily set up and launch your eCommerce store:  

1. Choose a niche and products 
2. Set up an eCommerce website 
3. Add products and optimize for SEO 
4. Set up payment gateways & shipping 
5. Launch & market your store 

Step 1: Choose a niche and products  

First things first, pick your niche. Think about what you’re passionate about or what’s in demand. Whether it’s cool custom t-shirts, handmade jewelry or digital products like eBooks, finding the right products for your audience is key. Focus on what excites you and fits into a specific market.  

Step 2: Set up an eCommerce website with Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution   

Once you’ve chosen your niche and products, the next crucial step is setting up your eCommerce website. Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution service is specifically designed to make the process of building and managing an online store as seamless as possible. With a focus on eCommerce functionality, it provides you with everything you need to turn your website idea into a fully operational online store.  

Here’s how Bluehost helps you with setting up your eCommerce website:  

Staging 

Bluehost provides a duplicate environment of your live website, allowing you to test updates and changes before deploying them. This ensures you can make sure everything works perfectly without affecting the performance or user experience of your live site. 

AI-Powered website creation  

Bluehost simplifies website creation with AI-driven site-building tools. Whether you’re new to eCommerce or an experienced seller, AI assistance ensures a smooth setup process by guiding you to launch a store that looks professional from day one. 

WonderBlocks for seamless customization 

Bluehost’s WonderBlocks helps you create and customize your website effortlessly using a drag-and-drop interface. This feature allows you to build beautiful, high-performing web pages without coding which makes it easy to personalize your store according to your brand identity. 

InstaWP Migration Tool 

Bluehost’s InstaWP Migration Tool automates the transfer of your WordPress site to a new host without requiring technical expertise. This tool ensures that your site’s layout, content and functionality remain intact during migration. 

Jetpack Forms (Free) 

Bluehost integrates Jetpack Forms to help you capture leads, contacts and customer inquiries directly from your posts and pages. It makes building a contact list and managing subscriber relationships simple and efficient, which enhances your marketing efforts. 

PayPal/Stripe Integration 

With seamless integration of PayPal and Stripe, Bluehost makes it easy to set up secure payment processing. These trusted payment gateways provide customers with a smooth and reliable transaction experience. 

YITH Subscription Tools 

• YITH WooCommerce Subscriptions: Offer subscription-based products or services to generate recurring revenue and retain customers. 

• YITH One-Click Checkout: Simplify checkout with a one-click option, reducing cart abandonment and boosting conversions. 

• YITH WooCommerce Affiliates: Set up an affiliate program to drive traffic, expand reach, and increase sales. 

• YITH WooCommerce Gift Cards: Allow customers to purchase and redeem gift cards, boosting sales and providing flexible payment options. 

• YITH Request a Quote: Enable customers to request quotes, streamlining the sales process and increasing conversions. 

• YITH Booking & Appointment for WooCommerce: Set up a booking system for services and appointments, reducing no-shows and optimizing schedules. 

• WonderCart: Manage sales, discounts, and promotions to drive sales and attract more customers. 

CreativeMail for email marketing & customer engagement 

With CreativeMail included in Bluehost, you can send automated emails, create targeted campaigns, and manage customer communications effectively. This tool helps recover abandoned carts, promote discounts, and engage customers to increase sales 

Built-in SEO tools 

With Bluehost, you get built-in SEO tools to help your website rank higher on search engines. From optimizing product pages with relevant keywords to customizing meta descriptions, these features are essential for attracting organic traffic to your store.  

24/7 support 

One of the standout features of Bluehost is its excellent customer support. If you run into any issues, the support team is available around the clock to assist you via live chat, phone or email. 

By using Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution, you’re getting an entire eCommerce ecosystem that can help streamline and optimize every aspect of running an online store. Bluehost provides all the essential tools and support to ensure your business is set up for success from the get-go.  

Step 3: Add products and optimize for SEO  

Now that your store is set up, it’s time to fill it with products! Upload your items with crisp images and detailed descriptions. Don’t forget to optimize your content creation for SEO using Yoast SEO to help your products rank higher. It’s all about getting noticed by the right people when they search for products like yours.  

Step 4: Set up payment gateways & shipping  

With products ready to roll, make sure your customers can pay with ease. Integrate reliable payment options like PayPal or Stripe to accept payments securely. Then, set up shipping, whether you offer flat-rate shipping, free delivery or calculated rates. This step ensures that once the orders start coming in, you’re ready to deliver!  

Step 5: Launch & market your store  

It’s time to hit the go button! Launching isn’t just about making the site live, it’s about time to make some noise. Promote your store on social media, run targeted ads and use email marketing to create buzz. Consider special discounts for first-time buyers or collaborations with influencers.

Also read: Seasonal Affiliate Marketing: Valentine’s Day Campaign Ideas     

Final thoughts  

With a great business idea, commitment and deciding on what to sell online to make money, you can build an eCommerce business today and start working towards making your dream a reality. Remember, there isn’t a magic product that will make you a lot of money overnight. It’ll take consistency, commitment and hard work to build a successful business.  

Starting an online business requires a small upfront investment to buy a domain and a web hosting plan. The good news is that Bluehost simplifies the process of building and launching your website.  

Want to launch your online store today? Check out Bluehost WordPress Commerce for easy setup! We help you create a unique and engaging website packed with useful plugins like the latest version of WooCommerce and other certified plugins to help you offer a smooth and secure experience to customers. Build your website with Bluehost WordPress Commerce Solution today and turn your online store idea into a successful business!  

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