48 Best Things to Sell Online to Make Money

Looking to start your online selling journey? You’ve made a great choice! The digital marketplace is booming, and there’s never been a better time to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. In this guide, I’ll walk you through 51 proven items that can help you build a profitable online business, complete with practical insights from successful sellers and tips for conducting smart market research.

Home and Living

The home goods market continues to grow as more people invest in making their living spaces comfortable and stylish. Here are some promising items to consider:

1. Vintage Home Decor
   One of the most exciting niches right now is vintage home decor. Sarah, a seller I interviewed, started by selling restored mid-century modern vases she found at estate sales. “The key,” she says, “was researching which eras and styles were trending on Pinterest and Instagram.” She now makes $3,000-4,000 monthly by carefully selecting pieces that align with current interior design trends.
2. Handmade Candles
   The artisanal candle market is far from saturated if you do your homework. Tom, who started his candle business in his kitchen, shares: “I spent weeks testing different scent combinations and researching eco-friendly materials before launching. Now I know exactly what my customers want – unique fragrances with sustainable packaging.” His research-backed approach helped him build a loyal customer base willing to pay premium prices.
3. Custom Throw Pillows
   Print-on-demand throw pillows can be incredibly profitable when you target specific niches. Research shows that customers are particularly interested in personalized designs for special occasions and seasonal themes. One successful seller focuses exclusively on zodiac-themed pillows, earning steady income by marketing to astrology enthusiasts.

Fashion and Accessories

The fashion market is competitive but offers excellent opportunities for those who find their unique angle:

4. Vintage Designer Accessories
   Maria turned her passion for vintage designer bags into a thriving business by becoming an expert in authentication. “I spent months studying how to spot genuine items and understanding price trends before making my first purchase to resell,” she explains. Her dedication to research now helps her consistently find undervalued pieces at thrift stores and estate sales.
5. Handcrafted Jewelry
   The key to success in handmade jewelry isn’t just creating beautiful pieces – it’s understanding your market. Lisa researched trending materials and styles for three months before launching her minimalist silver jewelry line. She now earns a comfortable living by focusing on sustainable practices and transparent sourcing, which her research showed was important to her target demographic.

Health and Wellness

6. Essential Oil Blends The aromatherapy market is booming, but success requires careful research into sourcing and safety regulations. Amy built her essential oil business by first becoming certified in aromatherapy. “Understanding the science behind essential oils helped me create unique blends that actually solve people’s problems,” she shares. Her careful attention to quality and education-first approach has earned her a devoted following.
7. Natural Skincare Products Homemade skincare products can be highly profitable, but proper research is crucial. Jennifer spent six months studying formulation and preservation methods before launching her line. “I learned that customers want natural products that are both effective and shelf-stable,” she explains. Her thorough research into ingredients and packaging helps her maintain a 40% profit margin.
8. Yoga and Fitness Accessories The key to standing out in the fitness market is identifying underserved niches. Research showed that eco-friendly yoga mats with unique designs were in high demand. Mark created a line of recyclable yoga mats with artistic prints, targeting environmentally conscious yoga enthusiasts.

Crafts and DIY

9. Craft Supply Kits Curated craft kits are increasingly popular, especially when targeted to specific skill levels. Rachel packages premium supplies with detailed instructions, after researching common frustrations with existing kits. “I found that beginners wanted more guidance, while experienced crafters wanted higher-quality materials,” she notes.
10. Digital Craft Patterns Sarah creates downloadable patterns for quilting and embroidery. “I studied which patterns were most searched for but had few quality options available,” she explains. Her detailed research helps her create patterns that fill market gaps.

Technology and Digital Products

11. Online Courses While the online course market is competitive, there’s always room for well-researched, niche topics. David created a course on urban gardening after noticing frequent questions in gardening forums that weren’t being adequately addressed elsewhere.
12. Digital Templates From resume templates to social media graphics, digital templates sell well when they solve specific problems. Lisa researched industries with unique documentation needs and now creates specialized templates for healthcare professionals.

Vintage and Collectibles

13. Vintage Books First editions and rare books can be highly profitable with proper research. Tom learned to identify valuable editions and now makes a living finding undervalued books at estate sales.
14. Comic Books and Trading Cards Success in collectibles requires deep market knowledge. Mike studies price trends and condition grading standards to find undervalued items that can be resold for profit.

Pet Products

15. Handmade Pet Accessories Quality pet accessories can command premium prices. Research showed that pet owners particularly value durable, washable materials in unique designs.
16. Custom Pet Portraits Pet portraits are popular gifts, especially when offered in unique styles. Emma researched popular pet photography trends before launching her digital pet portrait service.

Kitchen and Culinary

17. Specialty Spice Blends The gourmet cooking trend has created high demand for unique spice blends. Carlos started by researching traditional family recipes and testing different combinations. “I discovered that people were looking for authentic international flavors they couldn’t find in stores,” he says. His Middle Eastern spice blends now generate consistent monthly sales.
18. Artisanal Hot Sauces Hot sauce enthusiasts are always looking for new flavors. Research shows that unique ingredient combinations and attractive packaging command premium prices. Jane’s fermented hot sauce line succeeded by filling a gap in the market for probiotic-rich condiments.
19. Custom Cutting Boards Personalized kitchen items make popular gifts. Market research revealed that customers value both functionality and aesthetics in cutting boards. Mark’s business thrives by offering customized designs with food-safe finishes.

Art and Photography

20. Digital Art Prints Print-on-demand artwork can be highly profitable with the right targeting. Research shows that abstract and minimalist designs are particularly popular for home offices.
21. Custom Family Portraits Digital family portraits in unique styles have a strong market. Research indicated that customers especially value quick turnaround times and various style options.
22. Photography Prints Landscape and urban photography sell well when properly researched. Success often comes from identifying underrepresented locations or unique perspectives.

Educational Materials

23. Educational Printables Teachers and parents constantly seek new learning materials. Research shows high demand for interactive worksheets and activities aligned with current curriculum standards.
24. Language Learning Resources Specialized language learning materials, especially for less commonly taught languages, can be very profitable. Market research helps identify underserved language pairs.
25. STEM Learning Kits Science and math learning kits with clear instructions and quality materials are in high demand. Research shows parents value kits that combine education with hands-on fun.

Handmade Clothing

26. Custom T-Shirt Designs Successful t-shirt sellers research trending phrases and niche interests. Brian found success by targeting specific professional groups with inside jokes and references.
27. Hand-Knitted Items Quality handmade knitwear commands premium prices. Research shows customers particularly value natural fibers and unique patterns.
28. Custom Baby Clothes The baby clothing market remains strong, especially for unique, personalized items. Research indicates parents value both style and comfort.

Beauty and Personal Care

29. Natural Hair Products The natural hair care market continues to grow. Successful sellers research specific hair types and concerns to create targeted solutions.
30. Handmade Soaps Artisanal soaps sell well when differentiated through unique ingredients or designs. Market research helps identify popular scent combinations and ingredient preferences.
31. Men’s Grooming Products The men’s grooming market is expanding rapidly. Research shows growing interest in natural and organic products specifically formulated for men.

Office and Productivity

32. Desk Organization Products With more people working from home, desk organizers are in demand. Research shows preference for sustainable materials and modular designs.
33. Custom Planners Specialized planners for specific professions or goals sell well. Research helps identify underserved planning needs.
34. Ergonomic Accessories The market for ergonomic office accessories continues to grow. Successful sellers research common pain points and design solutions.

Garden and Outdoor

35. Succulent Arrangements Living decor remains popular, especially low-maintenance options. Research shows customers value unique containers and care instructions.
36. Garden Tool Sets Curated gardening kits for beginners show strong sales. Market research helps identify common beginner challenges to address.
37. Indoor Plant Accessories With the rise of indoor gardening, specialized plant care tools are in demand. Research indicates growing interest in aesthetic yet functional items.

Jewelry and Accessories

38. Personalized Jewelry Custom name and initial jewelry maintains strong sales. Research helps identify popular styles and personalization options.
39. Spiritual and Crystal Jewelry The metaphysical jewelry market is growing. Successful sellers research crystal meanings and spiritual significance.
40. Men’s Accessories The market for men’s jewelry and accessories is expanding. Research shows increasing interest in subtle, sophisticated designs.

Home Organization

41. Custom Storage Solutions Specialized storage products for specific items sell well. Research helps identify common organization challenges.
42. Closet Organization Systems Modular closet organization products are in demand. Market research shows preference for adaptable, aesthetic solutions.
43. Bathroom Storage Innovative bathroom storage solutions command good prices. Research indicates strong interest in space-saving designs.

Special Occasions

44. Wedding Accessories Personalized wedding items maintain strong sales. Research helps identify trending wedding themes and colors.
45. Party Supplies Unique party decorations and kits sell well. Market research shows preference for eco-friendly options.
46. Custom Event Signage Personalized event signage commands premium prices. Research indicates growing demand for both digital and physical options.

Tech and Gadgets

47. Refurbished Electronics
    With proper research into repair techniques and sourcing channels, refurbished electronics can offer excellent margins. James started by learning everything he could about iPhone repairs and warranty policies. He now runs a successful store specializing in certified refurbished smartphones.
48. Tech Accessories
    The key to success in the saturated tech accessories market is finding underserved niches. Research showed that eco-friendly phone cases were in high demand but short supply, leading to several successful brands in this space.

Tips for Success

Before jumping in, remember these essential research steps:

1. Study your competition thoroughly using tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10
2. Analyze seasonal trends using Google Trends
3. Join relevant social media groups to understand customer pain points
4. Test small quantities before making major investments
5. Keep track of your competitors’ pricing strategies

Final Thoughts

Success in online selling isn’t about jumping on the latest trend – it’s about finding your perfect niche through careful research and dedication. Start with one or two items that genuinely interest you, conduct thorough market research, and scale up gradually as you learn what works for your specific market.

Remember, every successful seller started exactly where you are now. With patience, research, and persistence, you can build a thriving online business selling items you’re passionate about. The key is to never stop learning about your market and always put your customers’ needs first.

Happy selling!