How to figure out what product to sell online
Experienced professionals trying to break into e-commerce often find that choosing a niche or product is the hardest part of starting. This decision paralysis stops them from launching because without a clear product to sell, the rest of the business cannot move forward.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1buying an existing e-commerce company
- 2picking a niche based on personal hobbies
- 3looking into SaaS gaps instead of physical products
- 4trying to learn new skills or physical jobs to broaden horizons
- 5looking for relevant clubs or networking in local areas
- 6hoping from one project or idea to the next
- 7Using Instagram or other social media platforms to post pictures for interest
- 8Putting a shop on vacation mode
- 9Deactivating a listing
- 10validating demand before ordering inventory
- 11sourcing through manufacturers, wholesalers, trade marketplaces, or private label suppliers
- 12finding 3-5 potential suppliers, comparing MOQ and pricing, checking samples, and verifying certifications
- 13Testing multiple products sequentially
- 14Increasing daily ad spend
- 15Building professional-looking websites
- 16Reading about different businesses online to find gaps
- 17Focusing narrowly on specific niches like performance marketing or SEO instead of offering everything
- 18Sticking to the industry where one already has prior work and sales experience
- 19Experimenting with different designs and products independently
- 20Asking online communities for direct opinions and product ideas
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“The hardest part of starting my entrepreneurial journey is that I have limited skills and zero connections. I'm a software developer, and that's the only thing I know, so I have a hard time coming up with good ideas”source ↗
“Hell, I don't where I can learn how to properly clean gutters and power wash, and but confident enough to not damage other people's homes. Do you have any tips?”source ↗
“Do you know what youre going to sell?”source ↗
“20+ products deep and still no sustainable winner. Honestly getting burnt out.”source ↗
“I’ve tested 20+ products now and I’ve gotten a few purchases here and there but nothing consistent or sustainable enough to build a business around.”source ↗
“Honestly….at this point I’m wondering if I’m approaching product testing completely wrong, if I’m missing something on the websites, or if I’m just not giving products enough time.”source ↗
“not that much to learn, main issue is what you're gonna sell.”source ↗
“Still i am trying to figure out which industry would be best to fit in. I have 7 years of experience of sales”source ↗
“I have read about every business on reddit and google and everyone is saying that it is overcrowded. Be it fmcg, digital marketing, or any other business. Suggest some business that still has potential in this market!”source ↗
“Can we do that on Etsy? Can i post some of my jacket and have people like them or put them in their lists but make it impossible for them to just buy it (because i can't sell them obviously)?”source ↗
“Right now, I literally have **0 views**, so I’m trying to figure out what I should improve and how new sellers actually get their first visitors and customers.”source ↗
“Because I’m Japanese and live in Japan, I’m not always sure what people outside Japan actually find interesting, cute, funny, or special about Japan.”source ↗
“Die sich am besten verkaufen”source ↗
“HELLO everyone i hope i get some interactions and help i just bought my 3d printer and what are the businesses i can be on , and what are your advices to help me out by the future!”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3How to find a product online when you don't know the name
- 4What to do before launching a product when you are scared
- 3How to buy a small e-commerce business for under 20k
- 6How do technical founders actually sell their product?
- 2Why is it so hard to figure out what a website does?
- 3How to get new sales when referral networks dry up