It’s no secret that e-commerce opportunities are more abundant than ever before. In fact, U.S. e-commerce revenue is about $423.3 billion and steadily climbing. There are virtually countless digital resources available to help individuals get their e-commerce product ideas and operations up and running, which is lowering the barrier of entry for entrepreneurs worldwide.
And it makes sense — The number of devices that connect to the internet is expected to rise from about 13 billion to 50 billion by 2020, giving consumers multiple channels through which to browse and purchase your products online. Not just that, but e-commerce business owners often get the chance to work from home and set their own hours, which 67% of professionals agree is a productive way to work.
But before you invest your savings, time, and passion into your e-commerce startup, it’s critical to understand the market demand for what you’re going to sell. If you dream of being your own boss but are still struggling to figure out this major detail, you’ve come to the right place. Here are just a few expert-approved e-commerce startup ideas.
Handbags/Backpacks
Experts say the backpack ‘niche’ has continued to grow steadily over the years, making it ideal for a startup e-commerce operation. There are countless people who use backpacks on a regular basis: college students, employees, campers, and hikers, just to name a few. You’ll have the option to design the backpacks in a way that both expresses your artistic creativity and is aesthetically pleasing to potential customers. It may be a challenge to find the right balance, but there’s huge demand for handcrafted, one of a kind products.
Keep in mind that this business idea also has the potential to expand into other areas and niches, such as luggage, which is also growing in popularity. But for an extra edge over other backpack distributors, try to maximize your store’s selections when it comes to materials, styles, and sizes.
Bamboo Toothbrushes
If you haven’t heard, the bamboo toothbrush movement has been taking the Internet by storm. It’s a small step toward sustainability, but customers are quickly jumping on the bamboo bandwagon and perpetuating this eco-friendly trend. Since toothbrushes need to be replaced every few months, you’ll have an influx of not just one-time but repeat customers. Not just that, but you’ll be doing your part to reduce the amount of plastic being used and left to sit in landfills for thousands of years. An international study by Unilever revealed that one-third of consumers are now buying from brands based on their social and environmental impact, so anything you can do to promote sustainability through your business’s products or personal mission will be an effective tactic for customer acquisition.
Air Sofa Beds
It may sound surprising, but air sofa beds and other inflatable furniture is quickly increasing in popularity as an affordable and versatile alternative to children’s furniture, guest room furniture, and even backyard or camping furniture.
“As a popular business idea, they work well alongside other products in an outdoor or home store. This startup idea has been trending upwards for a while now with slight peaks in the summer,” writes Nicole Martins Ferreira on Oberlo.
Furthermore, this idea seems to have enhanced potential for multimedia content marketing.
“You can create video content showing people lounging by a campfire or relaxing under the sun. Using those videos for your ads can prove to be profitable by encouraging people to buy your products by highlighting the experience around your products,” writes Ferreira.
Accessories
Every lady knows that the term ‘accessories’ encompasses a wide range of products, but we’re specifically talking about fabrics. Think women’s scarves, pocket squares, beanies, men’s ties, and even bow ties. Many men are always searching for affordable and unique ties, and the hipster demographic just can’t get enough eccentric bow ties, beanies, and even smartphone cases. Then there are scarves, a unisex fashion accessory that’s in demand wherever cold winds blow. Even better, these accessories are relatively cheap to produce. You just need the know-how, fabrics, and a platform to sell your products online.
Ultimately, figuring out what your e-commerce business is going to sell may not be easy, but taking the time you need to analyze today’s trends and customers’ values is the key to making a decision that will result in ongoing business success.
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