When you know there is money to be made online and you just need a simple plan to get started – try my list of the best things to sell online.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve seen all the “influencers” online and in social media claiming to rake it in every day wondering if any part of it is true.
Am I missing something in my midlife brain that these people know that I don’t? Do they really only work two hours and make 5k a day?
Maybe they do, maybe they don’t – all I know is that for the vast majority of us tip tapping on our computers every day, it is a constant commitment day in and day out to figure things out and make the money come in.
The one thing I think I’ve figured out is that you can’t go wrong if you simply make the commitment to sell something, preferably online.
There are a gazillion and a half things you can sell online you say… so what are the best things to sell?
Are there things that are easier/more profitable/better for women/midlifers/etc…?
In all of my super scientific online research (sarcasm inserted here), I would say yes to all of the above.
Below are the things I have sold or would venture into selling online. Hopefully some of this will help and we can all be the next Kardashian…
Well, maybe not a Kardashian, or at least maybe an older, not so exposed, etc… version of a Kardashian. You get the point…
This post may contain affiliate links. This means I could earn a commission if you purchase through my links, however, there is no cost to you. Rest assured, I only promote products that I use or think are great. Thanks for reading!!
The Basics of Selling Things Online
Figuring Out the Online Marketplace
Before you start selling online, it’s essential to understand the virtual marketplace. Online selling is much like the Wild West of commerce. It’s vast, it’s untamed, and there are countless opportunities to strike gold. There are also countless ways you can get scammed out of your 10-gallon hat from someone who found a better deal on Alibaba.
No freak out mode please. There is a strategy for all of us. It may just take a minute to figure out yours.
Niche Down
We’ve talked about niches a lot on this site. You are going to want to go ahead and pick a niche (category) that is as narrowed down as possible, but still has a decent amount of people wanting to buy. Don’t reinvent the wheel here, think logically and try to incorporate your own interests.
With that in mind, let’s figure out the best things to sell online.
My Top 10 Best Things to Sell Online.
1. Handmade Crafts
Crafty is your name? If you possess a pair of nimble fingers and a knack for creating beautiful things, the online world is your oyster.
From crocheted scarves to handcrafted jewelry, homemade soaps to bespoke pottery – the charm and allure of handmade items are undeniable and not going anywhere. In a world where mass production rules, your unique creations are a breath of fresh air from all the junk that is out there.
Online marketplaces like Etsy are where you are going to want to look first, or you can start off selling on your own website. I always recommend Shopify for that.
2. Vintage Items
Do you have an attic full of what you thought was junk? Well, one person’s junk is another’s treasure. Vintage clothes, antique furniture, old records, retro toys – all these items carry a nostalgic charm that’s a hot sell in the online market. So, don your archaeologist hat and start digging through your attic for those hidden treasures.
Grandma’s old figurines will make someone super happy.
Check out my article Unleash Your Inner Mogul: Start an eBay Side Hustle – No Skiing Involved or Impulse Purchases Be Gone: Apps For Selling Stuff Online. Or, if you just want to start going, head on over to eBay. They are the number one place to sell all-the-things online.
3. Digital Products
Welcome to the realm of passive income, where you work once and earn repeatedly. Ebooks, printables, digital art, software, music – the list of digital products you can sell online is endless. The best part? Zero inventory, no shipping hassles, and the potential to reach a global market. So, put on your digital thinking cap and start creating.
Check out my posts Master The Magical World of Passive Income: eBook Writing for Beginners and Couch Cash: How to Sell Printables Online Without Leaving Your Netflix Zone for more info. I always recommend Julie and Cody’s course to learn how to sell printables as well.
4. Online Courses
Are you the person your friends turn to for advice on keto diets? Or the office guru for all things Excel? You should turn your expertise into a money-making venture. Online courses are a brilliant way to share your knowledge with the world and earn money in return. Whether you’re a whiz at coding, a master baker, or a yoga enthusiast, there’s an audience out there waiting to learn from you. Yes, really – even you.
Read my post How to Create Online Course Income: 5 Side Hustles That’ll Make You Say, “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” for more information or head over to Teachable to get started.
5. Print-on-Demand Products
Are you the creative type with a knack for eye-catching designs? Then print-on-demand products could be your golden goose. T-shirts, mugs, posters, books, you name it. You create the design, and a print-on-demand company prints your design on the product when it sells. It’s a low-risk way to unleash your creativity and make money in the process.
Sites like Society6, Fine Art America, Red Bubble, etc… are great places to explore.
6. Freelance Services
Sell your services…no, not that way. Sell your professional skills. Ugh, I know how it sounds, but seriously, are you a wordsmith? A Picasso of the digital world? Or a numbers guru? Whatever your skill set, there’s a high chance someone out there is willing to pay for it. Writing, graphic design, consulting, programming – the freelance market is booming with opportunities.
Read my post Life-Changing Online Jobs That Pay Well for more ideas on freelance services or head on over to Flexjobs to look for opportunities.
7. Affiliate Marketing
If selling isn’t your thing, how about promoting? With affiliate marketing, you promote other people’s products and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral link. It’s like being a digital salesperson, but with the freedom to work in your PJs.
Read my post Not A Pyramid: How To Make Passive Income With Affiliate Marketing for more info or I always recommend the Affiliate Marketing Course by Michelle for a super detailed guide.
8. Dropshipping Products
Welcome to the world of e-commerce, minus the hassle of inventory and shipping. With dropshipping, you sell products online, but a third party handles the inventory and shipping. Your role? Picking the products, marketing them, and raking in the profits.
9. Reselling Items
Flea markets, thrift stores, and even online marketplaces can be treasure troves of items ripe for reselling. With a keen eye for value and a knack for haggling, you can buy low, sell high, and pocket the difference. Done and done..
Check out my article Unleash Your Inner Mogul: Start an eBay Side Hustle – No Skiing Involved. Or, if you just want to start going, head on over to eBay. They are the number one place to sell all-the-things online.
10. Stock Photography
Have a ton of great vacation shots in your camera roll? Love messing around with Photoshop filters and different angles? I would suggest you start selling those babies. They can actually make you money. Stylized shots of stuff in your house, travel destinations, landscapes, whatever you can think of, there is probably a buyer for it.
Make your images clean and interesting and you just might have a new side hustle on your hands.
Online sites like Shutterstock and iStock are great places to get started.
Selling Stuff Full-Time?
Now that you’ve gotten a little whisper of the best things to sell online, let’s talk about turning one of these little side hustles into a full-time gigeroo.
Set Yourself Up Online
The first step to turning your side hustle into a full-time gig is figuring out how you are going to be found/seen online. This means having a professional-looking website, being active on social media, and building an email list. Think of it as your online storefront – the more inviting it is, the more customers you’ll attract.
Read my post Make the Dream Real: How to Start Your Own Online Store for more info on getting this going. Or, if you just want to start, head on over to Shopify.
Brand-O and Marketing
Ya gatta have branding and marketing. Figure out who you’re selling to (target audience), what your brand image is going to look like (logo, colors, etc…) and how you’re going to get the word out in a way that aligns with both of these things.
This Customer is Always Right (Mostly)
Finally, remember that you need customers and you will have to devise a way to handle them and their needs/questions/and everything in between. People who are happy with your products will come back, and they will usually bring friends.
Best Things To Sell Online Now
So, these are the things that I would sell online if I were just getting going.
Some of them are easier than others, but they are all extremely doable.
You just have to want to do it.
And, trust me, you do.
Because selling things online for yourself is way better than selling Joe Schmo Corporate’s stuff – making him rich and you sitting there with a $25 gift certificate to the grocery store for a frozen turkey on Thanksgiving. (true story).
Get out there and sell something. Make a few bucks and then keep on going.
When your wallet calls again, you want to have something good to say.
(If you’re looking to make a few more ideas on how to make some side cash, check out my post: From Ramen to Rich Enough for This Week: How to Make $1,000 in a Week.)
