What if the best products to sell for profit aren't what you've been told? Many think you need high-risk investments to make money. But tools like 1688Order's AI image recommendations show other paths.
Imagine finding trending items with 97.3% accuracy across 10 million products. And you can start with costs under $50.
Third-party data shows surprising winners in today's market. DIY bath bombs, for example, start with a $3 material cost but sell for $20. Gaming chairs sell for $15 wholesale but can make 500%-800% margins online.
This guide looks at 15 vetted ideas. It uses criteria from top e-commerce sources. You'll learn how to find high-demand items and avoid common mistakes.
Whether you're into printables or home decor, the right strategy can turn small investments into steady income.
Key Takeaways
- Discover low-investment opportunities like DIY bath bombs and digital printables
- Leverage AI tools with 10M+ product matches for smarter inventory choices
- Identify trending items with profit margins exceeding 500%
- Learn which household goods and tech accessories dominate 2024 markets
- Understand how $15 wholesale products become $120 retail bestsellers
Digital Products With Zero Inventory
Imagine selling trending items without storage worries or shipping delays. Digital products open up high-margin markets with almost no costs. This is great for entrepreneurs who want to grow their online businesses easily.
Printable Artwork & Templates
Digital planners, wall art, and templates are in high demand. Sellers like Leslie Braginsky make over 85% profit by offering instant downloads on Etsy. Since customers print items themselves, you save on production and shipping costs.
Here’s how it works: Design once, sell many times. For example, a wedding invitation template priced at $25 can make $2,500 monthly with just 100 sales. Platforms like Printify let you sell physical versions later – like posters or calendars – without buying inventory upfront.
| Feature |
Digital Products |
Physical Products |
| Startup Costs |
$0-$50 (design tools) |
$500+ (inventory + shipping) |
| Profit Margin |
70-95% |
30-50% |
| Scalability |
Unlimited automated sales |
Limited by production capacity |
The single-unit wholesale model is perfect here. A competitor’s $80 wall art set can be made for $12-$18 per unit using suppliers from 1688Order. Upload your design to print-on-demand services, and you can sell premium products without bulk orders.
Seasonal updates keep your offerings fresh. Summer vacation planners in June become Halloween decorations by October. This makes digital goods some of the most profitable items to sell online all year.
Home & Lifestyle Essentials
Looking for quick cash? Home and wellness products are in demand. The luxury bath market grew 22% last year. People want to pamper themselves.
Let's see how to make high-end products from simple materials.
Luxury Bath Products
High-end bath items can sell for $18-$35. They cost less than $7 to make. Bath bombs and milk bath kits are popular.
They look good on Instagram and feel nice. A bath bomb recipe costs $1.20 to make but sells for $12-$15.
Bath Bombs and Milk Bath Kits
Smart sellers buy in bulk to save money. They use sites like AliExpress. This cuts costs by 85%.
| Material |
Retail Cost |
Bulk Cost (1688Order) |
| Citric Acid (1kg) |
$14 |
$2.10 |
| Shea Butter (500g) |
$18 |
$3.40 |
| Epsom Salt (5kg) |
$25 |
$4.75 |
Use eco-friendly packaging to stand out. Reusable muslin bags or biodegradable wraps are good choices. A $6 milk bath kit can become a $25 gift set with bamboo containers.
Save on shipping by buying from different suppliers together. This cuts down on costs.
Pro Tip: Offer “spa night” digital recipe cards for free. This can make customers pay 31% more, according to Shopify.
Pet Industry Opportunities
The $60 billion pet industry is full of chances for sellers. With 70% of U.S. homes having pets (APPA), special products often do better than general ones. Sites like 1688Order let you try new items without taking risks, thanks to their no-minimum-order policy.
They're great for testing out things like GPS collars or self-cleaning litter boxes.
Custom Chew Toys
Durable, custom chew toys are big hits in the pet world. They're made to fit a dog's size and chewing style. Etsy and Shopify stores love them, especially when they have names or safe materials.
Now, making these unique toys is cheaper, so sellers can compete with big brands.
Cat Adventure Tents
Play tents for cats have seen a 140% sales jump since 2022. Brands like Tinker Trading Co are in high demand for their cool, portable tents. Their $49 cat tents sell out fast.
These tents are easy to ship because they fold up. This saves money and can make sellers 300% more profit. Adding feather wands or organic catnip can also increase sales.
When trying out pet products, pick ones that solve real problems. Use partnerships with suppliers to make changes based on what customers say, without having to buy a lot upfront.
Sustainable Fashion Solutions
As people become more aware of the environment, sustainable fashion is becoming very popular. Gen Z shoppers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly items. These items are among the top selling products for online business in 2024.
The key is to mix ethical appeal with good profit margins. Some sellers make a 90% markup while also reducing waste.
Upcycled Tote Bags
Turn old materials into money with customizable tote bags. Starting with $2 in upcycled fabric, you can make a $22 product. This is thanks to platforms like Printful.
With Printful, you can:
- Test designs risk-free through trusted suppliers
- Offer 50+ color combinations
- Add custom artwork in 3 clicks
Resin Jewelry
Get into the $12.8 billion accessories market with eco-friendly resin jewelry. These pieces are light and combine:
- $3.50 material cost per item
- $35 average selling price
- 45-minute production time
| Product |
Production Cost |
Market Price |
Customization Level |
| Upcycled Totes |
$2.00-$4.00 |
$18-$26 |
High (Full artwork control) |
| Resin Jewelry |
$3.50-$7.00 |
$25-$45 |
Medium (Color/shape variations) |
| Concrete Planters* |
$5.80 |
$39 |
Low (Size options only) |
*Data from third-party supplier trials. New sellers often start with tote bags due to lower upfront costs and easier design experimentation.
Tech-Driven Creations
Technology is changing how we make and sell things. Now, we can make custom 3D designs or use ready-made apps. These new ways are cheap to start and can grow a lot. Let's look at two tech-based ways to make money selling products that meet today's needs.
3D Printed Accessories
3D printing lets you make real products from digital designs. You can sell unique phone cases, jewelry, or home decor. Sites like Etsy and Shopify help you show off your designs. Print-on-demand services take care of making them.
This is great for special items, like custom pet tags or ergonomic tools. Starting costs are under $500, and you can make a lot of money. If you don't want to buy a printer, you can work with electronic components suppliers.
White-Label Apps
With 505 million podcast listeners worldwide, audio apps are a big chance. BuildFire's white-label program lets you change apps for $3,000 less than making one from scratch. You can make apps for meditation, learning languages, or building communities with templates.
| Feature |
Custom App |
White-Label Solution |
| Development Time |
6-9 months |
2-4 weeks |
| Average Cost |
$50,000+ |
$15,000-$25,000 |
| Update Frequency |
Manual |
Automatic |
Instead of focusing on tech, add special content or features. Subscription models are popular, with 72% of app businesses using them, says Statista.
Seasonal & Holiday Favorites
Timing is everything when selling seasonal goods. Holiday decor sales jump by 425% in Q4. This makes these items great for quick sales. Let's look at two items that are big hits from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
Custom Ornaments: Personalization Pays Off
Custom Christmas baubles with names or pet pictures sell more than regular ones. A guide shows sellers spend $2.50 to $4 on materials. They then sell them for $18 to $25. Use 1688Order's 30-day storage to save on storage costs. Ship big orders there until Black Friday.
Themed Dinner Napkins: Beyond Christmas Cheer
Don't just sell for winter holidays. Parties like graduations and baby showers also need special paper goods. Napkins with fancy designs can make 65% profit when sold in 50-counts. A tip: Sell them with matching plates for a complete gift set.
| Product |
Production Cost |
Avg. Retail Price |
Peak Sales Window |
| Custom Ornaments |
$3.20/unit |
$21.99 |
Nov 15 – Dec 20 |
| Themed Napkins |
$0.85/set |
$14.50 |
Year-round (seasonal designs) |
| Holiday Centerpieces |
$8.75 |
$39.95 |
Dec 1 – Dec 31 |
These items need little money upfront. Most suppliers take orders of just 50 units. Make holiday bundles or special napkin sets to earn more. Clear out your stock by January 10th when sales drop.
Kitchen & Dining Innovators
The home goods market is huge, worth $862 billion. It's full of chances for sellers who are creative and practical. Kitchen and dining items are especially good, especially when you add digital experiences that today's shoppers love. Let's look at two great options that are affordable to make but seem very valuable.
Virtual Cooking Classes
After the pandemic, people wanted to cook more, up 140% according to Google Trends. You can teach cooking online with just a phone. You can charge $25 to $75 per class or sell packages with:
– Printable recipe cards ($2 to make, $15 to sell)
– Custom spice kits (can make 200% profit)
– Branded aprons (use print-on-demand services)
Platforms like Teachable make it easy to sell classes. They handle payments and host your content. A seller in Utah saw repeat sales go up 65% by adding free knife skills videos with every cookware sale.
Artisan Coasters
These items can make 85% profit if made right. Ceramic coasters cost $1.50 to $4 each on 1688Order, but sell for $15 to $30. The secret is to let customers personalize them:
Pro Tip: Use 1688Order’s photo confirmation to check batches before shipping. This cut breakage claims by 42% for a seller in Florida who made pet portrait coasters.
| Product |
Production Cost |
Retail Price |
Scalability |
| Virtual Classes |
$5/hr (hosting) |
$25-$150 |
Unlimited seats |
| Coasters |
$2.80/unit |
$19.99 |
Bulk discounts |
Link physical items to QR codes with video tutorials. Customers who watch these videos spend 23% more. This mix turns simple coasters into something special while keeping your stock low.
Kids & Learning Markets
Parents spend about $300 a year on educational products for each child, Statista says. This demand makes kids' learning tools very profitable items to sell online. Smart customization helps a lot. For example, AI shows that geometric patterns and pastel colors can increase sales by 40% for DIY dollhouse pillows.
Educational Toys That Teach Through Play
STEM toys are very popular, with coding robots and interactive globes growing 65% each year. Sellers do well by making things personal. Think alphabet blocks with a child's name or math games with favorite characters.
Products that are both fun and educational keep customers interested for 3 times longer than simple toys.
DIY Science Kits for Curious Minds
Home science kits are a big hit, making up 1 in 4 science purchases for kids 6-12. The best sellers are:
- Crystal-growing sets with eco-friendly materials
- Volcano eruption kits using safe compounds
- Weather station bundles with real tools
Parents want products that match school lessons. So, solar system models and microscope slides are always in demand. Kits for special events, like solar eclipses, bring in 22% more profit than usual items.
Beauty & Wellness Products
The $500 billion global wellness market is full of hidden gems. Sellers who know how to choose profitable products to sell can find great opportunities. Beauty items like organic lip balms and gemstone soap bars are in high demand. They offer both beauty and a chance for ongoing sales.
Organic Lip Balms: Skin-Friendly Margins
Lip care products are growing fast, with organic ones getting 40% more money. When you buy from places like 1688Order:
| Factor |
Private-Label |
DIY Production |
| Startup Cost |
$300-$500 |
$1,200+ |
| FDA Compliance |
Supplier's Responsibility |
Your Responsibility |
| Customization |
Limited to Stock Designs |
Full Creative Control |
Private-label options are safer but don't let you brand as much. Make sure the ingredients meet FDA rules. Non-compliant products are removed from Amazon 12% of the time.
Gemstone Soap Bars: Visual Merchandising Wins
These soaps get 3x more Pinterest saves than regular ones. Making them yourself costs $2.50 each, but pre-made ones are $4.80. The catch? You need 6-8 hours a week to make them, but you can make them unique.
When picking beauty products, look for:
- Clear compliance pathways
- Visual differentiation potential
- At least 60% profit margins
Using 1688Order's filters helps find suppliers with pre-certified ingredients. This saves time for new sellers learning how to choose profitable products to sell in regulated markets.
Sourcing & Scaling Strategies
To grow your product business, make smart choices about where to get your products. Whether you sell handmade goods or curated items, finding the right balance is key. Let’s look at two strategies to help you run your business better and make more money.
Using AI Product Recommendations
Tools like 1688Order use artificial intelligence to help find products. Just upload a photo of what you want, and they show you suppliers. Prices are between $12-$18 per unit. This saves you hours of searching, so you can focus on marketing and talking to customers.
The platform also shows you shipping costs upfront. This helps avoid surprise fees. Sellers say they save 40% on shipping costs compared to old ways. Plus, there's a 7-day return policy. This helps new sellers feel safer when they start selling products online.
Logistics Cost Reduction
Shipping costs can eat into your profits, especially for small businesses. Here's how better shipping can help:
| Factor |
Traditional Model |
AI-Optimized Model |
| Shipping Cost/Unit |
$8.50 |
$5.10 |
| Delivery Time |
18-25 days |
12-15 days |
| Customs Handling |
Self-managed |
Platform-assisted |
By shipping more items together, you can save money. Some sellers team up with other businesses to fill containers. This is especially good for lightweight items like jewelry or tech gadgets.
Conclusion
Finding items to sell for extra money means looking at what people want and how easy it is to sell. Right now, three big areas stand out: quick digital products, bath items for self-care, and pet solutions. These areas meet constant needs and are easy to start with for new sellers.
Core Principles for Quick Market Entry
Digital items like Canva templates or Etsy art need no stock, perfect for testing. Luxury bath goods, like Lush's bath bombs, tap into the $47B wellness market. Custom pet items, inspired by Chewy, fit into the $261B pet market, where 67% of owners buy monthly.
From Planning to First Sales
Start by looking at Google Trends for seasonal highs in your area. Work with trusted suppliers through 1688Order for bath salts or pet chew toys. For digital sales, use Creative Market to see if your art is wanted before making more.
1688Order's AI tool makes finding trending items easy. It suggests items based on sales and your budget. This helps you find profitable items and plan for costs, keeping your profits up.
Ready to make money from these tips? Try 1688Order's free tool to find products that match your goals and what customers are searching for. Start with digital downloads or small batches of bath products to gain confidence before growing your business.
FAQ
Q: What are the best low-investment products to sell online?
A: Digital products like printable wall art and planners need no inventory. Tools like 1688Order's AI help find high-margin physical goods. For example, gaming chairs can be sold for -0 after buying them for .
Q: How can I eliminate shipping costs for physical products?
A: Use print-on-demand services like Printify for items like custom ornaments. For self-fulfilled goods, 1688Order's bundled shipping cuts costs by 85%. Materials costing can become products with eco-friendly packaging.
Q: What's the safest way to test new product ideas?
A: 1688Order's MOQ-free model lets you try niche items like GPS pet collars without risk. Their 30-day warehousing is great for seasonal products. Holiday decor sales can spike by 425% in Q4.
Q: How do profit margins compare between product types?
A: Concrete planters can be sold for after costing . Luxury bath products achieve 75%+ margins with 1688Order's shipping. White-label apps save ,000+ in development costs, tapping into 505M podcast listeners' markets.
Q: What compliance issues should I watch for?
A: Skincare products need FDA compliance, while children's items require safety certifications. 1688Order's filters help find pre-certified goods. Their 7-day return policy ensures quality control for items like resin jewelry components.
Q: How does AI product sourcing work?
A: Upload a competitor's product image to 1688Order's platform to find similar options for -. Their system analyzes 10M+ products, suggesting trending colors/patterns using consumer data.
Q: Should I pair physical products with digital offerings?
A: Yes – artisan coasters sell better with virtual cooking class access. 1688Order's logistics network saves 40% on shipping when bundling physical/digital goods. Their 30-day warehousing helps manage seasonal spikes without overstocking.
Q: What kitchen products have growth potential?
A: Custom dinner napkins can have a 220% holiday markup. DIY science kits using materials can be sold as educational bundles. 1688Order's AI recommends kitchen organizers with 65% faster turnover rates.
Q: How can I reduce material costs for beauty products?
A: Source organic lip balm ingredients through 1688Order's bulk cosmetic suppliers. Q: What are the best low-investment products to sell online?A: Digital products like printable wall art and planners need no inventory. Tools like 1688Order's AI help find high-margin physical goods. For example, gaming chairs can be sold for -0 after buying them for .Q: How can I eliminate shipping costs for physical products?A: Use print-on-demand services like Printify for items like custom ornaments. For self-fulfilled goods, 1688Order's bundled shipping cuts costs by 85%. Materials costing can become products with eco-friendly packaging.Q: What's the safest way to test new product ideas?A: 1688Order's MOQ-free model lets you try niche items like GPS pet collars without risk. Their 30-day warehousing is great for seasonal products. Holiday decor sales can spike by 425% in Q4.Q: How do profit margins compare between product types?A: Concrete planters can be sold for after costing . Luxury bath products achieve 75%+ margins with 1688Order's shipping. White-label apps save ,000+ in development costs, tapping into 505M podcast listeners' markets.Q: What compliance issues should I watch for?A: Skincare products need FDA compliance, while children's items require safety certifications. 1688Order's filters help find pre-certified goods. Their 7-day return policy ensures quality control for items like resin jewelry components.Q: How does AI product sourcing work?A: Upload a competitor's product image to 1688Order's platform to find similar options for -. Their system analyzes 10M+ products, suggesting trending colors/patterns using consumer data.Q: Should I pair physical products with digital offerings?A: Yes – artisan coasters sell better with virtual cooking class access. 1688Order's logistics network saves 40% on shipping when bundling physical/digital goods. Their 30-day warehousing helps manage seasonal spikes without overstocking.Q: What kitchen products have growth potential?A: Custom dinner napkins can have a 220% holiday markup. DIY science kits using materials can be sold as educational bundles. 1688Order's AI recommends kitchen organizers with 65% faster turnover rates.Q: How can I reduce material costs for beauty products?A: Source organic lip balm ingredients through 1688Order's bulk cosmetic suppliers.
FAQ
Q: What are the best low-investment products to sell online?
A: Digital products like printable wall art and planners need no inventory. Tools like 1688Order's AI help find high-margin physical goods. For example, gaming chairs can be sold for -0 after buying them for .
Q: How can I eliminate shipping costs for physical products?
A: Use print-on-demand services like Printify for items like custom ornaments. For self-fulfilled goods, 1688Order's bundled shipping cuts costs by 85%. Materials costing can become products with eco-friendly packaging.
Q: What's the safest way to test new product ideas?
A: 1688Order's MOQ-free model lets you try niche items like GPS pet collars without risk. Their 30-day warehousing is great for seasonal products. Holiday decor sales can spike by 425% in Q4.
Q: How do profit margins compare between product types?
A: Concrete planters can be sold for after costing . Luxury bath products achieve 75%+ margins with 1688Order's shipping. White-label apps save ,000+ in development costs, tapping into 505M podcast listeners' markets.
Q: What compliance issues should I watch for?
A: Skincare products need FDA compliance, while children's items require safety certifications. 1688Order's filters help find pre-certified goods. Their 7-day return policy ensures quality control for items like resin jewelry components.
Q: How does AI product sourcing work?
A: Upload a competitor's product image to 1688Order's platform to find similar options for -. Their system analyzes 10M+ products, suggesting trending colors/patterns using consumer data.
Q: Should I pair physical products with digital offerings?
A: Yes – artisan coasters sell better with virtual cooking class access. 1688Order's logistics network saves 40% on shipping when bundling physical/digital goods. Their 30-day warehousing helps manage seasonal spikes without overstocking.
Q: What kitchen products have growth potential?
A: Custom dinner napkins can have a 220% holiday markup. DIY science kits using materials can be sold as educational bundles. 1688Order's AI recommends kitchen organizers with 65% faster turnover rates.
Q: How can I reduce material costs for beauty products?
A: Source organic lip balm ingredients through 1688Order's bulk cosmetic suppliers.
FAQ
Q: What are the best low-investment products to sell online?
A: Digital products like printable wall art and planners need no inventory. Tools like 1688Order's AI help find high-margin physical goods. For example, gaming chairs can be sold for $90-$120 after buying them for $15.
Q: How can I eliminate shipping costs for physical products?
A: Use print-on-demand services like Printify for items like custom ornaments. For self-fulfilled goods, 1688Order's bundled shipping cuts costs by 85%. Materials costing $6 can become $25 products with eco-friendly packaging.
Q: What's the safest way to test new product ideas?
A: 1688Order's MOQ-free model lets you try niche items like GPS pet collars without risk. Their 30-day warehousing is great for seasonal products. Holiday decor sales can spike by 425% in Q4.
Q: How do profit margins compare between product types?
A: Concrete planters can be sold for $22 after costing $2. Luxury bath products achieve 75%+ margins with 1688Order's shipping. White-label apps save $3,000+ in development costs, tapping into 505M podcast listeners' markets.
Q: What compliance issues should I watch for?
A: Skincare products need FDA compliance, while children's items require safety certifications. 1688Order's filters help find pre-certified goods. Their 7-day return policy ensures quality control for items like resin jewelry components.
Q: How does AI product sourcing work?
A: Upload a competitor's $80 product image to 1688Order's platform to find similar options for $12-$18. Their system analyzes 10M+ products, suggesting trending colors/patterns using consumer data.
Q: Should I pair physical products with digital offerings?
A: Yes – artisan coasters sell better with virtual cooking class access. 1688Order's logistics network saves 40% on shipping when bundling physical/digital goods. Their 30-day warehousing helps manage seasonal spikes without overstocking.
Q: What kitchen products have growth potential?
A: Custom dinner napkins can have a 220% holiday markup. DIY science kits using $6 materials can be sold as $25 educational bundles. 1688Order's AI recommends kitchen organizers with 65% faster turnover rates.
Q: How can I reduce material costs for beauty products?
A: Source organic lip balm ingredients through 1688Order's bulk cosmetic suppliers. $1.20/components become $18 retail kits. Gemstone soap bars using their fragrance blends cut R&D costs by 70%.
Q: What's the best entry point for new sellers?
A: Start with digital planners or 3D-printed phone cases using 1688Order's $12 sourcing. Test designs risk-free through their return program. 92% of new sellers recoup initial costs within 45 days when following AI-recommended product tiers.
.20/components become retail kits. Gemstone soap bars using their fragrance blends cut R&D costs by 70%.
Q: What's the best entry point for new sellers?
A: Start with digital planners or 3D-printed phone cases using 1688Order's sourcing. Test designs risk-free through their return program. 92% of new sellers recoup initial costs within 45 days when following AI-recommended product tiers.
.20/components become retail kits. Gemstone soap bars using their fragrance blends cut R&D costs by 70%.Q: What's the best entry point for new sellers?A: Start with digital planners or 3D-printed phone cases using 1688Order's sourcing. Test designs risk-free through their return program. 92% of new sellers recoup initial costs within 45 days when following AI-recommended product tiers..20/components become retail kits. Gemstone soap bars using their fragrance blends cut R&D costs by 70%.
Q: What's the best entry point for new sellers?
A: Start with digital planners or 3D-printed phone cases using 1688Order's sourcing. Test designs risk-free through their return program. 92% of new sellers recoup initial costs within 45 days when following AI-recommended product tiers.
