Oh man, if I had a dollar for every time I froze at the “What should I sell online?” stage… I’d probably never have needed to sell anything.
Seriously though, choosing the right products is everything.
Pick wrong and it’s crickets. Pick right, and suddenly you’re getting PayPal pings while you’re in line at Starbucks.
When I started, I made every mistake possible: chasing shiny trends, selling stuff I didn’t even like, copying what big stores were doing (bad idea). It wasn’t until I actually got strategic that I finally saw real profits.
Here are the five methods that changed the game for me — no fluff, just real talk.
1. Solve a Specific Problem
Ever hear the phrase, “People don’t buy products — they buy solutions”?
That’s gold right there.
Instead of thinking “what’s cool,” start thinking “what’s annoying?”
Like, I once sold a silicone keyboard cover that stopped dust and crumbs from getting in. Super boring, right? But guess what — it solved a real problem. And it sold like crazy.
How to find problems to solve:
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Browse Amazon 1-star reviews — what are people complaining about?
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Stalk Reddit forums — people love ranting about little frustrations.
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Ask yourself: “What annoying thing do I wish someone would fix?”
Products that kill pain points = $$$.
To make your solution stand out, your listing matters. Here’s how to create a high-converting product page that actually sells the problem-solver you’ve found.
2. Tap Into Trends (But Don’t Marry Them)
One of my first wins came from hopping on a trend early, custom phone grips blew up in 2017, and I was there for it. Made a few hundred bucks before the market got crowded.
But here’s the catch: trends die.
If you want to surf a trend wave:
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Use Google Trends to see if interest is growing.
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Check TikTok for new products before they hit Amazon.
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Watch Kickstarter for future tech trends.
Red flag: If everyone’s already selling it on Amazon for $9.99 with free shipping… it’s probably too late.
Before going full speed, try launching a test preorder or digital product page using Payhip. It’s low-risk and beginner-friendly.
3. Leverage Your Personal Interests
Selling stuff you actually care about makes everything easier.
Trust me, promoting products you’re meh about feels fake — and people can tell.
I love journaling, so selling premium notebooks felt natural. I could talk about them all day without sounding like a robot.
Here’s a trick:
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List your hobbies and skills.
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Find sub-niches inside them.
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Combine passion + underserved market = sweet spot.
Example: Instead of just “fitness,” niche down to “resistance bands for senior citizens” if that’s something you’re into.
If you’re selling niche physical goods, don’t skip setting up a branded online store that reflects your personality and builds trust with your target audience.
4. Research Proven Markets with Low Competition
You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel.
Some products already sell like hotcakes, you just gotta find a less crowded pocket.
How I do it:
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Check Amazon Best Sellers in weird categories (hello, fly fishing gear)
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Spy on smaller Etsy shops with consistent reviews.
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Use the 80/20 rule: 20% of products make 80% of sales.
Look for:
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High demand
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Lower number of sellers
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Products that aren’t easily found at Walmart or Target
Low competition = better profit margins and less fighting for scraps.
Just make sure you’ve got the right pricing strategy for physical products — otherwise, even a winning product can flop.
5. Test with Preorders or MVPs
This is a life-saver if you don’t wanna blow hundreds of dollars on stock nobody wants.
Instead of guessing, I started using preorders:
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Make a simple product page on Payhip.
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Collect orders (or interest) before buying inventory.
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Adjust based on real feedback.
One time I thought a “motivational T-shirt” would sell like crazy. Only got 2 orders. Dodged a major bullet by testing first.
Another low-risk way to test an idea? Try offering custom and print-on-demand products. It’s perfect if you’re not ready to carry stock yet.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best products to sell online isn’t about being a genius.
It’s about doing a little research, trusting your gut, and being willing to tweak your ideas as you go.
Solve real problems. Ride smart trends. Sell what you love. Spy on proven winners. And always test before going all-in.
You don’t have to get it perfect, you just have to get started.
(And hey, if you ever need someone to cheer you on? I’m your person.)
Now go find your next winning product, your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
