You can make and sell your own products from anywhere in the world. Turning a business idea into an online business has never been easier!
When it comes to things to sell to start a business, the options are seemingly endless. Depending on how you look at it, this can either seem fantastic or overwhelming, but the good news is that we’re here to guide you through the process.
How do I find things to sell to start a small business?
Finding the right products to sell on your website or online marketplace is the most important part of starting an eCommerce store.
The thrill of making money from a successful business is your reward.
In addition to our product suggestions, you should also:
- Find your niche. Start by considering business ideas, your target audience, and what products or services they want to buy. For example, customized backpacks for the back-to-school season or bucket hats for fishing enthusiasts.
- Research competitors. Once you’ve narrowed down on a business niche, check to see what products other businesses are selling to your future customers.
- Find trending products. Check Google Trends or Think With Google to get a better understanding of what the current hype is all about.
- Use product research tools. We have a handy comparison of product research tools prepared just for you.
If you find yourself stuck, consider checking out stock photography websites to help jumpstart your creativity. Once you set your mind to it, getting the right products and listing them on your website will be easy.
Make it happen today!
20 best things to sell to start a business
There is a growing list of items people buy and sell online, like custom-printed tote bags, t-shirts, mugs, and more. Your task is to find the best products for your customers and the best business model for you.
We’ve created a list of product categories that can turn any casual business venture into a profitable home business.
1. T-shirts
No other product has had the gall to knock this custom attire king off its throne. T-shirts come in a large variety of sizes and colors. It might seem difficult to decide between the different types of shirts, but choosing the wrong shirt is nearly impossible.
Go for comfortable shirts and offer your preferred printing method. The print quality is the most important part.
![Best things to sell to start a business in [bp_year] 1](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/How-to-Start-a-T-Shirt-Business-That-Makes-Money-Teaser-300x169.jpg "How to Start a T Shirt Business That Makes Money Teaser")
2. Art and other digital products
Art is for more than just local craft fairs. You don’t even need to leave your house to buy or sell it. Consider selling digital printables of your art, stock photos, or even music.
With the help of Print on Demand, you can also sell physical copies of your digital art as posters, canvases, mugs, and more.
Check in with the community and favorite artists to see how they’re making money from selling their creations.
![Best things to sell to start a business in [bp_year] 2](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-to-Sell-Digital-Art-Online-in-2024-Printify-300x169.jpg "How to Sell Digital Art Online in 2024 Printify")
3. Stickers and magnets
Every fridge needs at least one – but preferably dozens – of magnets, and every laptop is a canvas for stickers. The main point here is that people love these items, and they buy them a lot, in large quantities. Stickers and magnets can be a solid way to get extra money at local markets or through your online store.
Offer both stickers and magnets in your store because there’s a significant customer overlap.
![Best things to sell to start a business in [bp_year] 3](https://printify.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/How-to-Start-a-Sticker-Business-Complete-Guide-300x169.jpg "How to Start a Sticker Business Complete Guide")
4. Cosmetics and beauty products
Print-on-demand cosmetics and beauty products sell well because many people use them frequently and run out quickly. Natural cosmetics are the keyword of the century, so keep that in mind when working on your line of products.
Note that cosmetics need storage, so include makeup bags in this product category.
Remember that not all people look the same. To broaden your customer base, offer a selection that caters to various skin types.
5. Wall art
It keeps up with the times and is always fresh since it’s practically just a white canvas for you to make and sell your ideas. Popular products in this category are framed and unframed posters and canvases that you can hang on every wall of your house. Some are even made to be placed outside.
Create a thematic set of related prints, so your customers would be inclined to purchase more than one art piece.
6. Gift baskets
In this fast-paced world, no one really has time to assemble a thoughtful gift basket for their friends and family, but everyone wants to both give and receive a gift basket. Gift baskets can include any set of products, from perishables to collectible items.
Pay equal attention to both the content and the gift basket itself because you’ll present the full package as a purchasable item.
7. Selling online courses
Watching DIY tutorials and learning new crafts online has picked up recently. Figure out what you’re good at, take additional classes to refine your skills, and then sell online – it’s about as easy as it sounds.
Even if you don’t choose it as your main source of income, sell online courses to earn some extra cash on the side.
Make sure you have a webcam with a good-quality microphone. You can also use a good smartphone.
8. Phone cases and accessories
Most people always have a phone on them, which makes phone cases a good product category to make and sell, along with other phone accessories. Print your own phone case designs in various styles – clear, tough, biodegradable, soft, flip cases, and more.
Add a wide range of phone case models to your selection to increase your customer base.
9. Subscription boxes
Some of the hottest new products in the eCommerce industry are masterfully assorted boxes of goods. It can be a box of gourmet cheeses, a box of dog treats and toys, or even a box of books. All of your customer interests can be turned into subscription boxes.
Use the same size box every month. Consider basing your subscription box business on collectibles or consumables so your customers find a use for them, and it doesn’t become overwhelming.
10. Pet supplies
Pet owners always look for pet supplies for their furry friends and lizards. In your own craft business, you can make and sell homemade dog treats or bags of felt balls – the best toys and treats really depend on your target pets and pet owners.
Offer a variety of flavors and types of toys because pets are about as picky as their humans.
11. Bath bombs
A classic that never goes out of style is the bath bomb. Of course, this is only true if you have a bathtub for bath bombs to go in. They come in all sorts of fun shapes, colors, scents, and types of foam, and they’re great for kids, adults, and – yes, even pets.
Offer alternative but equally engaging products for those customers who don’t have a bathtub at home or just don’t like bath bombs.
12. Ceramics
Ceramic items come with an air of quality and are almost a necessity for any crafts business. You can make and sell ceramic dishes, mugs, vases, bracelets, or earrings. Take part in bringing back ceramic figurines to the common consciousness to spice up any home interior.
13. Jewelry
Handmade items sell, but you can also make and sell jewelry with the help of POD services – jewelry options range from colorful prints to classy engravings. Jewelry comes in various style options and materials.
14. Socks
Maybe a sock business doesn’t immediately strike you as a solid business idea, but it’s definitely a viable business opportunity. Socks are the first comfy fabric layer for your feet. Socks also come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Don’t be afraid to add your craziest and most vivid designs to socks. People love colors just about as much as they love socks.
15. Blankets
Blankets are a great product to make and sell online throughout the year – they’re as great for chilly summer afternoons as they are necessary on cold winter nights. They’re soft, cuddly, and offer absolutely stunning all-over prints.
Don’t use tiny details in your blanket designs because the print will look fuzzy.
16. Enamel pins
People love enamel pins just about as much as they love stickers. It’s a truly unique product to make and sell because your options are limitless – you’ll be creating tiny wearable designs for people to put on their clothing and bags.
Make thematic sets so your customers are inclined to order more than one.
17. Candles and essential oils
You can make and sell candles along with t-shirts and bath bombs at local fairs or from your couch through online marketplaces. Essential oils are still a niche craft idea perfect for craft fairs and your DIY craft business.
Offer a wide range of scents to cater to a much larger customer base.
18. Kitchen accessories
Just like any perishable item, kitchen accessories are always in high demand because they’re frequently used. Make and sell your handmade products, or turn to POD to sell aprons, mittens, custom-printed pint glasses, cutting boards, bento boxes, and more.
Look at what your potential customers are cooking to understand which handmade items or customizable products would make money online.
19. Handcrafted products
There’s a niche market for everything, so you can create and sell your artsy goods through your store or seller account. Your shop could be the go-to place to find unusual gifts and other handmade products.
Open an Etsy shop or equal alternative. It’s where people go to find truly unique, handmade, and vintage items.
20. Tote bags
Totes are wearable works of art. Some would argue that they top digital printables in usability and are better than bags since they can fold up to go inside your pocket and be spacious enough to hold all your groceries on your way home. They also function as a great surface for enamel pins.
Design your totes to match other pieces of clothing you’re selling.
Make it happen today!
How to start a business by selling custom products
The convenience of print-on-demand services is used by big and small businesses worldwide, making time-consuming business management a sign of the past.
With Printify, create custom products and run a profitable business from home on your own working hours and terms.
On top of that, you can set it up in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Sign up
Register a free Printify account. It only takes a few minutes and will give you access to all our products and services.
Step 2: Find your products
Explore the growing collection of products on the Printify Catalog, where you’ll find everything from pajama pants to party balloons.
Step 3: Connect your store
Connect to one or many eCommerce sales channels through Printify’s automated integrations.
Sell your merch on Etsy, Shopify, Walmart, eBay, Squarespace, Wix, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, PrestaShop, or use the Printify API to connect to your business website.
Things to sell to start your own business: FAQ
The easiest products to sell from home are POD products. You can be your own boss, set up a store, and start selling products within minutes.
Your products will only get printed after an order is placed, which results in minimal upfront investment as you won’t be spending any money on keeping inventory. You also won’t need to manage the fulfillment or shipping process – we’ll do all of that for you.
All you’ll need to keep an eye on is the sales tax and other related payments.
Our current top three bestsellers between multiple product categories are the following:
According to a survey among small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon, Home and Kitchen was the leading product category, followed closely by Beauty and Personal Care.
We recommend checking Google Trends, Pinterest Trends, and sales channels like Amazon Homemade and Etsy to see what items you could make and sell from home.
Statistics are a great source of information, but they won’t guarantee sales for your store. You’ll be the one to make and sell these products by adding your skill and imagination to every product listing. Once you find your target market, you’ll know what sells best.
