Don't sleep on these 19 profitable eCommerce business ideas
This post was last updated on September 2, 2022.
There’s nothing quite like being your own boss. And thanks to the growing ease of starting a business, launching your own online store has never been more accessible.
The first step in entrepreneurship is choosing which products you want to sell and who you want to sell them to. If you already have a specific industry or niche in mind, great.
If not, that’s okay too. There’s no shortage of eCommerce business ideas to pursue.
To help you out, we’ve put together this list of 19 profitable eCommerce business ideas with high profit potential. Learn why each category is trending and draw inspiration from some real-world examples of companies that are doing it right.
When you’re ready, create your online store with the Wix online store builder.
19 profitable eCommerce business ideas
01. Fashion products
The opportunity: Global market value for the online fashion business reached $759.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to hit $1 trillion by 2025. That translates to an annual growth rate of 7.2%, according to data from Statista.
The possibilities: Fashion is a hyper-competitive industry but with so many niches and personal styles out there, there are still plenty of ways to start your own clothing line or start a t-shirt business. Alternatively, you could start an online boutique featuring handmade items and/or items curated from brands and designers that you love.
A dropshipping or print-on-demand company can help you get started quickly. Under this model, you can outsource manufacturing and fulfillment to a trusted partner, and focus your energy on designing a diverse range of products.
If you have a flair for creativity, an eye for fashion, or even just a geeky love for funny slogan t-shirts, a fashion business could be the way to go.
Businesses to learn from:
Celia B - Sells high-quality garments with colorful textiles and patterns inspired by cultures around the world
Owl Kitty - Sells t-shirts and merch featuring their Insta-famous black cat
Find the best look for your clothing business with our fashion website templates.
02. Sustainability-focused brands
The opportunity: The demand for sustainable eCommerce practices continues to rise. Nearly half (49%) of consumers paid a premium—an average of 59% or more—for sustainable goods, IBM research shows. Fashion resale in particular is expected to grow three times faster than the global apparel market overall, according to ThredUP.
The possibilities: Sustainability isn’t a product as much as it is a classification of business. It includes reusable, biodegradable, and sustainable products. Incorporating a sustainable ethos into your branding and operations can help consumers reduce their eco-footprint.
If you’re looking to create an eco-friendly brand, consider selling garments sourced exclusively from fairtrade manufacturers or dipping your toe into fashion resale. You could sell vintage clothing online, sourcing clothes from thrift stores, wholesalers, flea markets, and elsewhere. Just like any other fashion boutique, your vintage store could appeal to a specific audience—bet it people who are searching for fits from a specific decade, occasionwear, or rentable designer clothes.
Businesses to learn from:
By the Moon Vintage - Sells premium romantic vintage fashions
Mananalu - Aims to “unplastic our planet” by selling water in recyclable aluminum bottles
Shampoo with a Purpose - Aims to reduce plastic waste by selling shampoo and conditioners in solid bars
03. Car parts
The opportunity: The average car has roughly 30,000 parts including all the nuts and bolts that keep it in one piece. And across both B2C and B2B segments, finding car parts online is becoming increasingly popular. Having already risen 11% from 2020 to 2021, light-duty automotive aftermarket sales are predicted to jump another 8.5% in 2022, reaching $356.5 billion, according to two automotive associations.
The possibilities: To differentiate your business, consider selling car parts from specific categories, such as service parts, electrical parts, and interior or exterior parts. You could sell more complex components to mechanics, or sell hydraulic lift kits, neon light kits, and other accessories for DIY auto-enthusiasts.
Businesses to learn from:
I-5 Autohaus - Offers aftermarket Mustang, Explorer, and Camaro parts
CarbonTastic - Sells bespoke custom carbon fiber steering wheels
Smyth Performance - Sells kits that can turn a VW beetle into a pickup truck
04. Furniture and home decor
The opportunity: You don’t have to binge home shows on Discovery+ to cash in on the surging furniture market. Home decor sales are expected to hit $662.45 billion by the end of the year and potentially grow to $805.75 billion by 2026, according to ResearchandMarkets data.
The possibilities: Whether you’re a carpenter, interior designer, or reseller, turn your passion into a profitable business idea by learning how to sell furniture online. You could design, source, and manufacture your own products. Or, partner with a dropshipper to sell an array of ceramics, linens, and other home decor from around the world—without having to take care of storage of shipping yourself.
Artists, photographers, and graphic designers can tap into this segment too. Partner with a print-on-demand company to reproduce your work into stylish home goods.
Businesses to learn from:
Kaekoo - Sells a variety of thoughtfully sourced and handcrafted home goods
05. Groceries and foods
The opportunity: During the pandemic, online grocery experienced five years of growth in just five months, according to McKinsey & Company. In 2021, the surge continued, with e-grocery sales approaching the $100 billion mark, reports Supermarket News.
The possibilities: Convenience largely drives online grocery shopping. Be it to find a greater variety of foods, or to avoid hopping in a car to pick up groceries, consumers are increasingly turning to online stores to restock their pantries.
When you choose to start a food business, it’s important to define a specific niche to reach out to. Offer vegetarian or vegan products, locally harvested, or organic foods. Or, sell foods that tailor to specific dietary needs (sugar-free, gluten-free, soy-free, etc.). Another option: sell gourmet items—like handcrafted chocolates, unique jams,or infused oils—that consumers can’t find in their local stores.
You may choose to manufacture your own food products from scratch, but doing so can be difficult if you’re not familiar with how to develop, brand, and get the right approvals for consumable goods. Dropshipping is another good alternative. Just keep in mind that delivery times may be slower if you’re working with overseas suppliers.
Businesses to learn from:
The Spice Suite - Sells gourmet spice boxes for home cooks
La Tapatia Tortilleria - Offers a range of non-GMO tortillas
I Love Caviar - Provides a touch of gourmet at affordable prices
06. Shoes
The opportunity: The global footwear market is expected to reach $133.2 billion by the end of 2022 and grow more than 10% annually through 2025, according to Statista data.
The possibilities: Shoes are a staple of everyone’s wardrobe, and while particular styles may rise or wane in popularity depending on trends or the time of year, footwear is always in demand. That’s why choosing to sell shoes online can be a lucrative endeavor.
If you’re thinking about jumping into this industry, consider starting off by selling shoes geared towards a specific buyer segment, e.g., women’s shoes, men’s shoes, sneakerheads, or children’s shoes. Alternatively, you could offer specialty footwear designed for ballroom dancers, ballerinas, or construction workers.
Businesses to learn from:
Evolve clothing gallery - Features a thoughtfully curated collection of men’s footwear to complement their apparel collection
b.c.e. Shoes - Offers bespoke athletic, boardroom, and casual shoes targeted at colleges and greek organizations
07. Jewelry
The opportunity: The jewelry industry is worth $229.3 billion in the U.S., according to Capital Counselor, and the online jewelry industry makes up a solid portion of that. Statista additionally reports that the global jewelry market is expected to reach $307 billion by 2026.
The possibilities: If you have the skills to create your own standout jewelry, or have a great eye for spotting trendy pieces, an eCommerce jewelry business may be right for you.
There are plenty of niches to pursue when starting a jewelry business, whether you decide to target a high-value or low-value market. You could handcraft diamond engagement rings or striking costume pieces that help consumers refine their look. Or, source fashion jewelry that mimics what’s on the catwalk, and dropship pieces from international suppliers or wholesalers.
Businesses to learn from:
Darby Pritchards - Sells a wide range of jewelry, fit for various occasions, at affordable prices
08. CBD products
The opportunity: Driven by expanding regulatory approvals, the CBD products market is expected to grow by an enormous 25.53% over the next five years, reaching $12.64 billion by 2026, according to ResearchAndMarkets data.
The possibilities: CBD has been making waves in the health and wellness industry over the past few years. CBD can be found in everything from skincare products to pet treats—and it’s not uncommon to find CBD products in grocery stores across the country. Popular CBD products today include teas, lotions, salves, and drops.
If you want to sell CBD online, you’ll need to do plenty of research before you source, create, or dropship any products. You’ll need to comply with federal, state, and local laws, and FDA guidelines in the U.S., along with strict marketing and copywriting restrictions. Furthermore, you’ll need to identify a payment provider that works with CBD merchants. For more information, check out the FDA’s guidelines or consult a lawyer.
Businesses to learn from:
Physicians' Preferred - Sells U.S.-grown CBD products that are non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free
Go Green Hemp - Offers a wide range of CBD products online, plus uses their website to educate shoppers about CBD and share lab test results that show the purity and potency of their products
09. Beauty products
The opportunity: While online cosmetic sales recently showed a decline, according to 1010Data, they’re still above pre-pandemic levels, and overall sales for prestige beauty merchants are up 36.7% over the last two years.
The possibilities: The beauty industry keeps undergoing its own makeover, with niche markets finally getting the attention and support they’ve long deserved. Products for people of different ethnicities, organic beauty products for users with sensitive skin, and sustainable beauty products are among the top sub-markets.
If you’re ready to start a makeup line in a space dominated by major players, you’ll need to focus on creating distinctive products. Stand out by offering high-quality products and white-glove customer service. Focus on what customers want: easy application, long-lasting and vibrant colors, and/or eco-friendly ingredients.
Businesses to learn from:
House of Suppliez - Sells monthly nail and lash beauty box subscriptions at affordable prices
10. Subscription boxes
The opportunity: Subscription customers spend up to 2.5 times more than regular customers, according to McKinsey & Company. Sales from subscription eCommerce are expected to grow by another 65% by 2023, says Insider Intelligence.
The possibilities: If you have great products that are ideal for repeat purchases, then subscription boxes may be a good core offering or extension of your existing business.
You could start a subscription box for just about anything: clothes, socks, pet toys, chocolate, coffee, children’s educational toys, luxury goods, makeup, home decor, meals, produce, and even puzzles. The great thing about a subscription business is that it offers you regular recurring revenue.
A helpful hint: consider targeting younger generations. More than one-third of millennials (34%) and one-fifth of Gen Z shoppers (22%) are currently trying and are likely to continue to use subscription services, according to GFK.
Businesses to learn from:
Napa Wild - Offers weekly shipments of fresh produce boxes
Beacon Book Box - Offers monthly subscriptions for fans of young adult fiction
Divinia Water - Offers subscriptions for cases of premium pure bottled water
11. Crafts and handmade products
The opportunity: Sales in arts and crafting grew by 133% during the pandemic, according to a Wix eCommerce analysis. And specific craft categories keep trending upwards. For example, the global candle industry hit $6.8 billion in 2021 and is on track to reaching $9.9 billion by 2028, says Vantage Market Research.
The possibilities: Turn a personal hobby into a business by selling crafts online. Sell custom art or handmade jewelry. Or sell custom metalwork, pottery, and hand-knitted mittens. You could even learn to start a candle business, which offers low startup costs and high profits.
Whatever it may be, make sure you choose a craft that’s sustainable and scalable.
There are multiple places where you can cash in on your crafts, including marketplaces like Etsy, an online store, or niche alternatives to Etsy. It’s recommended that you don’t solely rely on marketplaces where you lack control of the user experience and branding. Instead, create an online store that serves as the flagship destination for your brand, and expand to marketplaces for additional exposure.
Businesses to learn from:
Coal & Canary Candle Company - Offers cheeky candles for playful personalities.
Sena Runa - Sells delicate paper art products
Handlebend - Offers custom copper works and mugs
12. Plants and garden products
The opportunity: One out of every three people surveyed by researchers from the University of Georgia said they began gardening during the pandemic because they were home more. That trend is still going strong: searches for “buy plants online” continue to drive steady demand post-pandemic, according to Google Trends. Searches for “best places to buy houseplants online” are up 50% YoY from August 2021 to August 2022.
The possibilities: Turn your green thumb into profits by selling plants online. You could sell a variety of houseplants, tropicals, or succulents—three categories that accounted for the biggest growth in garden center sales in 2021, according to Garden Center Magazine.
If you’re targeting plant sales to specific age groups, don’t leave out millennials. Seven in 10 millennials reportedly call themselves “plant parents,” and 40% of them say they’re looking to buy new houseplants (or should we say “plant babies”),
Businesses to learn from:
Robert Plante Greenhouses - This Ottawa-based garden center made a spectacular pivot from brick-and-mortar sales to eCommerce during the pandemic, and their online store remains strong today
13. Electronics and IoT devices
The opportunity: Nearly 130 million households own one smart speaker, and as many as 335 million households will own one over the next five years, according to Statista. Smart speakers are just one type of popular Internet of Things (IoT) device, and global spending on IoT products is forecast to reach $1.1 trillion in 2023.
The possibilities: Smart devices and advanced electronics add convenience to our on-the-go lives. That makes selling IoT products a top eCommerce business opportunity. Sell doorbell cameras, Wi-Fi controlled thermostats or other popular smart home devices. Alternatively, sell drones and drone accessories to real estate agents, wedding photographers, videographers, and Instagram influencers who now use them regularly.
If you’re technically savvy, you can design and manufacture your own IoT device. But if you’re not a techie, you can hire people to bring your idea to life or choose a dropshipper who will supply a range of low-cost electronics that you can sell.
Businesses to learn from:
Beagle Drones - Offers drones and drone accessories, using its online store to feature impressive footage shot with its products
14. Mental health and wellbeing products
The opportunity: With more people making self-care a priority post-pandemic, the “wellness economy” has hit $4.4 trillion globally, with a growth rate of between 5% to 10% in recent years, says Selazar. Interest in mindfulness and meditation alone has grown by 25%.
The possibilities: Between weighted blankets, calming teas, and natural oil diffusers, there’s a large variety of products that you can consider selling in the wellness category. Products like acupressure mats, light therapy lamps, and meditation apps are growing in popularity as younger generations look to enhance their mental health and wellbeing.
If you choose to enter this field, be sure to emphasize any credentials or professional endorsements that can build trust. Thoroughly explain how your products work and how they benefit the body in your product descriptions, and back up all claims with scientific evidence.
Businesses to learn from:
Sootheze - Sells an array of microwave-safe weighted and aromatherapy products (including stuffed teddy bears, blankets and wraps) that reduce anxiety