If you have always wanted to sell online in 2019, then the time to start your online business is now. Because social media and its use has grown exponentially in the past few years, the chances of online success have almost tripled. This is because everyone is connected nowadays, which means that they can explore your products/services and purchase them regardless of where in the country or the world your customers are located.

So, if you are looking to start an online business, the only thing you would need to get started is a domain name and a hosting service that will house your website. Alternatively, you can sell your wares primarily on social sites like Facebook and Instagram, just as long as you target your audience wisely.

So which products should you sell online in 2019?

If you are going to sell online, you are going to have to pick between two different types of products to sell, regardless of the industry that you settle on. These are:

• Commoditized products
• Niche products

Commoditized products are products that are needed in day to day life and they are the most popular types of products to sell online. Examples of commoditized products include toys, clothes, food, and so on.

Niche products, on the other hand, are products that are targeted to a specific audience or market. Niche products are designed to fulfill a particular demand such as specialty foods, plus size clothes, handmade or organic products, or anything one of a kind. So how do you decide the type of products to sell online?

How to find products to sell online in 2019

The best products to sell online are those that solve a problem

When generating ideas for your online business, try and think of a product or service that can solve an existing problem. To do this, you can work on improving an already existing product or try tapping a market that is yet untapped by your competitors.

Usually, the best business ideas are those that pinpoint a problem and attempt to solve it; those small life’s annoyances can end up being a brilliant idea. For example, you could try finding a handy solution for getting rid of fruit flies. Or selling nanny cams to solve the problem of people wandering whats going on at home when they are at work.

Sell a product or service that you are passionate about

Starting your own business is not going to be easy. As a matter of fact, you are likely to be met with numerous challenges, especially when you are just starting out. That is why it is so important to pick a service or product that you are passionate about.

Being passionate about your business or product will not only help you to push through when the going gets tough, but it will also help you create a brand story that people find engaging and meaningful.

Products that can be branded are great too!

Branding is important. Creating a brand is even more important if you are thinking of pursuing your business in a competitive industry. To succeed, you will need to create a memorable brand, which will consist of finding and targeting your audience.

The best brands are those that build loyalty so it is essential that you take the branding process seriously. Often, branding works best when a professional is involved.

To sell online, try capitalizing on a long-time trend

It is true that trends come and go, but there are those that are mainstays such as healthy living, fitness, technology, and so on. Before you decide to start a business based on a trend, try and weigh your decision very carefully because this business angle can be slippery.

The upside of starting a small online business based on a trend is that if you have a full handle on your SEO and digital marketing, you can establish yourself easily as a leader within your niche from the beginning.

Sell products that fulfill your customer’s guilty pleasures

Products that are designed to satisfy guilty pleasures tend to sell fast. The best thing about such products is that they breed loyalty from customers because these products or services are kinds of obsessions.

Examples of guilty pleasures include online shopping for boots or high heels, high-end quality make up, as well as comfort food and snacks such as fancy ice-creams and chocolates.

Start listening and observing

Sometimes finding an idea for a product to sell online is as easy as stopping, listening and observing. If the above business ideas are not a great fit for you, try:

Taking people seriously when they give you compliments or comment on your work

If people comment regularly about something that you are great at, then that might make a great business idea. Are you a great stylist or fashionista? Are your make up skills out of this world? Do you always know what is happening in tech? These are all potential small online business ideas that can be started affordably.

Taking a look at what other popular online stores like eBay and Amazon are selling

You will be amazed by the number of things that people can sell online. So, if you are running low on ideas, snooping around some of these successful websites can give you an idea of where to start or which direction you should take with your new online business.

Final thoughts

As an upcoming online entrepreneur, do not be in a rush to make a decision. There is quite a bit of homework that you will have to do before you can finally start making motet online. But figuring out the products that you are interested in is a great place to start.

If you are interested in selling products online, we suggest doing a great deal of market research before you finalize on the products to sell. It takes a lot of work both pre and post- launch to be successful so take your time.

When you do find a product and it is finally time to ship it to Kenya, talk to us to see how we can help. Get in touch with us today!