19 online business ideas and 5 ways to get started
Check out these profitable online business ideas, plus success stories to inspire you.
Get started with over
$50,000 in incentives
$50,000 in incentives
Is online business a good idea?
In 2025, starting or growing an online business can be a great idea. Independent sellers in the US averaged more than $290,000 in annual sales in the Amazon store in 2024. And more than 55,000 independent sellers generated over $1 million in sales in 2024.
Starting an online business opens up many opportunities. Whether you want to sell products through an ecommerce store, create content that can help others, or offer digital products and services, you can choose a path that fits your interests and skills. You’ll also have the freedom to be your own boss and work from anywhere, while using ecommerce tools to help reach customers worldwide.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to start an online business
- 20 online businesses to start your journey
- 21 product ideas you can sell online
- 5 selling strategies for how to start a business online
- Which online business ideas are most profitable
How to start an online business
Starting an online business could be easier than you think. Here’s how to begin:
- Pick your business idea: Choose something you love or know well. Think about what people need and want to buy.
- Learn about your customers: Find out who will buy from you. Look at other businesses like yours to see what works.
- Make a simple plan: Write down your goals and how you’ll reach them. Include how much money you need and expect to make.
- Take care of business basics: Register your business name and get any licenses you need. Open a business bank account to keep your money separate.
- Get online: Build a website or start selling in stores like Amazon’s. Take great photos of your products and write clear descriptions.
- Set up payments: Choose safe ways for customers to pay you. Most selling sites make this easy.
- Figure out shipping: Decide how you’ll store and send your products. Amazon can handle this for you with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
- Launch your business: Start small to test everything first. Then tell people about your business through social media and online ads.
Remember, every successful business starts with just one sale. Focus on making your customers happy, and your business will grow over time.
19 online businesses you can start today
People often find success online by choosing a business that matches their interests and skills. Whether you want to sell products, create content, or offer digital services, there are many ways to get started.
Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Ecommerce and physical products
1. Print-on-demand merchandise like T-shirts or mugs
2. Online reselling of thrift store or auction finds
3. Niche dropshipping store
4. Online store for handmade or craft goods
5. Curated subscription box service
6. Private label brand or bespoke product line
7. Traditional ecommerce store selling your own physical products or clothing line
8. Sustainable, eco-friendly, or direct-to-customer brand
Content and media
9. Video channel monetized with ads and sponsorships
10. Niche blog or content site that earns through affiliate links or with display advertising
11. Podcast that sells ads, sponsorships, or premium episodes
12. Influencer brand on social media with sponsored posts
13. Paid newsletter or membership community
Digital products and services
14. Digital product shop for ebooks, templates, or guides
15. Self-published books or ebooks
16. Stock photo or video library sold on websites
17. Pre-recorded online courses
18. Ready-made AI chatbots or automation tools sold to businesses
19. Mobile app monetized with ads or subscriptions
“I’m a non-profit but also a social business, so if you have a way that you can do something you love while helping others, it’s a win-win situation.”
Suzy Benson Gillies
Founder, African Promise Foundation
21 things you can sell online
1. Clothes
2. Books
3. Electronics
4. Art
5. Jewelry
6. Fitness equipment
7. Kitchen goods
8. Tools and home improvement supplies
9. Beauty and personal care products
10. Outdoor recreation equipment
11. Pet supplies
12. Adventure and travel gear
13. Sporting goods
14. Office supplies s
15. Cleaning product
16. Food and beverages
17. Screen-printed merch
18. Gifts and collectibles
19. Baby and children’s products
20. Health and wellness aids
21. Home goods
1. Clothes
Clothing is one of the top-selling categories online. You can sell accessories, start your own clothing line, or focus on a specific style.
2. Books
Books remain popular despite digital entertainment. If you want to sell books online, consider focusing on a specific type, like textbooks or cookbooks.
“We bought all these books and put them all online. It was much more successful than we had been anticipating, so we kept buying more books.”
Francesca DeMeo
Co-Founder, Cambridge Select
Pro Tip
Write and sell your own book
If you have writing skills, you can self-publish paperbacks, ebooks, and audiobooks.
Scott Nicholson used to build a successful writing career beyond his journalism job after receiving rejection letters from traditional publishers.
“I think Amazon is amazing,” Scott says. “Not just for what they’ve given us writers, but it’s just refreshing, after feeling like I was being ground through the system, to then see Amazon’s creativity.”
Scott Nicholson used to build a successful writing career beyond his journalism job after receiving rejection letters from traditional publishers.
“I think Amazon is amazing,” Scott says. “Not just for what they’ve given us writers, but it’s just refreshing, after feeling like I was being ground through the system, to then see Amazon’s creativity.”
3. Electronics
Sell electronic gadgets that solve everyday problems. Cozyphones made a profit with the idea to sell headphones with super-comfortable headbands for kids and adults.
4. Art
The online art market is worth an estimated $10.8 billion market. Or curate pieces for art lovers.
5. Jewelry
The industry could be worth more than $266 billion by 2027. Choose from fine jewelry, costume jewelry, or specialty products like bridal pieces or precious gems.
6. Fitness equipment
Sell fitness equipment to gym-goers, trainers, and fitness businesses. Popular products may include yoga mats, weights, and exercise machines.
7. Kitchen goods
Sell kitchen tools and appliances that can make cooking easier, from coffee makers to utensils.
8. Tools and home improvement supplies
Home improvement products are growing fast online. Top sellers may include air filters, LED lights, and smart doorbells.
9. Beauty and personal care products
Sell beauty products like makeup, hair accessories, and skincare to both salons and individual customers.
Pro Tip
Sell handcrafted and artisanal products
Customers value handmade products created from raw materials. Amazon Handmade connects makers with customers worldwide across categories like beauty, clothing, and jewelry.
10. Outdoor recreation equipment
Help people enjoy outdoor activities with camping gear, patio furniture, or sports equipment.
11. Pet supplies
Pet owners regularly buy food, toys, and treats. Consider offering subscriptions for repeat customers.
12. Adventure and travel gear
Sell gear for hiking, camping, swimming, and other adventure activities. Each sport needs specific equipment.
13. Sporting goods
Athletic equipment improves performance and safety for all sports, from running shoes to soccer gear.
14. Office supplies
Business customers, students, and home offices need supplies like pens, paper, and furniture. Consider bulk sales to businesses.
15. Cleaning products
Cleaning products solve everyday household problems. Eco-friendly options are especially popular.
16. Food and beverages
Sell groceries, healthy foods, and specialty drinks online. Meal kits and frozen foods are popular choices.By offering over 130 unique blends and accessories, Fusion Teas won over loyal customers in the tea space.
Pro Tip
Offer specialty foods and world flavors
Restaurant owners can expand local customers through online sales. Thanh Nguyen used Amazon Global Selling to share her family’s pho recipes with customers worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic affected her restaurant.
“COVID-19 forced me to close my restaurant. But Amazon Global Selling opened my business to a much bigger world of customers, sending my special recipes all over the globe.”
Thanh Nguyen
Hai Thien
“COVID-19 forced me to close my restaurant. But Amazon Global Selling opened my business to a much bigger world of customers, sending my special recipes all over the globe.”
Thanh Nguyen
Hai Thien
“COVID-19 forced me to close my restaurant. But Amazon Global Selling opened my business to a much bigger world of customers, sending my special recipes all over the globe.”
Thanh Nguyen
Hai Thien
17. Screen-printed merch
Create merch on demand like T-shirts, mugs, and posters with screen printing. Sell to fans, businesses, and event organizers.
18. Gifts and collectibles
Sell unique gifts and other products like signed sports goods and rare or autographed books. These often have high profit margins.
19. Baby and children’s products
Parents need clothes, toys, and safety products for their children at every age and stage.
20. Health and wellness aids
Help customers feel better with supplements, wellness devices, or relaxation products like bath salts.
21. Home goods
Household products like batteries, towels, soap, and toilet paper sell consistently. Holiday decorations are seasonal favorites.
5 selling strategies to start a business online
These five strategies can help you choose an online business to start:
1. Resell
Buy products at low prices and sell them for a profit. Find quality products that people want to buy.
2. Dropship
Sell products without storing inventory. Your supplier handles storage and shipping directly to customers.
3. Print-on-demand
Create custom products only when customers order them. You design products like T-shirts or books, and suppliers like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) print and ship them for you.
4. Wholesale
Buy products in bulk at discounted prices, then sell them individually for higher profits. This can work better when you’re confident you can sell large quantities.
5. Build your own brand
Create and sell your own unique products. This takes more work upfront but can help build stronger customer loyalty and higher profits.
What kind of online business is most profitable?
When starting an online business, it can help to understand where customers spend their money. Looking at successful online stores like Amazon can show us which categories attract customer interest.
According to Amazon’s 2023 Small Business Empowerment Report, the five most-shopped categories for US independent sellers in the Amazon store were:
According to Amazon’s 2023 Small Business Empowerment Report, the five most-shopped categories for US independent sellers in the Amazon store were:
- Health & Personal Care
- Beauty
- Home
- Grocery
- Apparel
High-demand and trending products in 2025 include surge protectors, shoes, acne patches, and insulated tumblers.
These popular categories offer opportunities across different types of online businesses. You might create content about beauty products, develop digital courses about home organization, or open an ecommerce store selling health products. The key is finding where your interests and skills align with what customers want.
To explore specific opportunities in these categories, consider using tools like Amazon’s Product Opportunity Explorer. This free tool can help sellers understand market trends and customer demand.
These popular categories offer opportunities across different types of online businesses. You might create content about beauty products, develop digital courses about home organization, or open an ecommerce store selling health products. The key is finding where your interests and skills align with what customers want.
To explore specific opportunities in these categories, consider using tools like Amazon’s Product Opportunity Explorer. This free tool can help sellers understand market trends and customer demand.
Ready to start your online business?
You now know 21 profitable product ideas and 5 proven selling strategies. The next step is simple: Choose your ecommerce business approach and start selling.
You can resell products, try dropshipping, or build your own brand. Success comes from taking action.
You can resell products, try dropshipping, or build your own brand. Success comes from taking action.
Start selling today
Get 10% back on your first
$50,000 in branded sales
$50,000 in branded sales
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