eCommerce has become a force to reckon with in today’s economy. But you wouldn’t want to set up your eCommerce store only to realize that your niche is saturated or a competitor has a near-monopoly. That’s why every budding entrepreneur has to get clear on the perfect eCommerce business ideas from the get-go.
So, take the time to set the right foundation for your business. This will ensure that your eCommerce business ideas translate into profitability and scalability.
eCommerce stores increased from 9.2 million in 2019 to 26.5 million in 2023. It’s the single largest growing channel of the past decade. Experts expect the global eCommerce market to surpass $1 trillion in sales revenue by 2025. That’s roughly half of the total goods sold in the global economy!
eCommerce is a safe bet in 2024 if you’re looking for a way to earn money online while keeping your day job, having low overhead costs, and reaching global shoppers.
We’ve curated a handy guide of trending eCommerce business ideas, including niche and technology-driven business ideas, and food & beverage ones to help you lay a firm foundation.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, health and beauty products, online learning platforms, and subscription boxes will be the top trending eCommerce business ideas.
- Lucrative niche eCommerce business ideas include selling sustainable and eco-friendly products, vintage and resale goods, and handmade and artisan goods.
- Technology-driven initiatives likely to take off in 2024 are selling smart home products, AR/VR-powered devices, selfie drones, and tech gadgets.
- The specialty food and beverage sector is also on the rise, with eCommerce business ideas like online grocery and specialty food stores and specialty tea and coffee stores leading in demand.
- Our picks for profitable eCommerce business ideas in 2024 include selling specialty pet products, fitness and wellness products, and fashion reselling.
- Remember that customer tastes and preferences in the eCommerce industry are ever-evolving. So, research the latest customer demand trends to fully leverage the benefits of starting your own eCommerce business store.
Trending eCommerce Business Ideas for 2024
Let’s look at some of the top trending eCommerce business ideas for 2024. eCommerce is a rapidly evolving industry, and these ideas are likely to translate to profitability.
Personalized health and beauty products
Health, wellness, beauty, and personal care products are important sectors in eCommerce. By 2027, the health and beauty industry is expected to grow to $580 billion! eCommerce will make up over 20% of the market share.
So, expect high competition and a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on the growing trend. Here are some high-demand products in the healthy and beauty eCommerce industry to consider:
- Perfumes
- Natural skincare
- Natural cosmetics
- Consumable wellness supplements and herbs
- Wellness-infused beauty products (like skincare infused with adaptogens or CBD)
- Personalized beauty regimen building and personalized products
Sustainability and clean beauty are also in demand and are no longer merely buzzwords. A recent survey found that 62% of beauty industry shoppers say sustainability is more important now than just two years ago. So, be transparent about sourcing the right ingredients, cruelty-free testing, and how you plan to recycle your packaging.
Here’s a great example of current wellness-infused skincare product categories in demand. Fresh is a brand that serves long-term skin care goals like hydration, firming, radiance, pollution protection, and nourishment.
Another trend that’s catching on in 2024 is personalized beauty and personal care regimens. With AI-driven insights, you can give a tailor-made shopping experience to diverse customers.
It’s also a way of building up inclusivity. A recent McKinsey study showed that black consumers are 5.7 times more likely to be dissatisfied with the shades of products in the beauty and skincare industry than white consumers.
Top brands are leveraging personalization and technology to bridge this gap. For example, Arbelle launched a virtual foundation shade finder solution to cater to diverse customers.
Create a course on online learning platforms
With the labor market evolving at a break-neck pace, people are increasingly interested in unconventional and flexible modes of learning to upskill and reskill. A McKinsey survey shows that university enrolments have dropped by 3%, while online university enrolment has increased by 11% in the past year.
But there’s increasing demand for learning new professional skills and hobbies apart from academic tutoring as well. So even if you’re not a seasoned educator but have a strong skillset you could teach, this is worth considering.
If you can leverage your skills to offer quality courses and build a differentiated online brand, launching an online learning platform has never looked more profitable.
There’s increasing demand for online courses across niches. For example, if you’re a chef, you can offer an online course catering to sustainable or health-conscious cooking tailored to student needs.
Here are trending online learning niches in 2024:
- Digital marketing
- Cooking
- Personal finance and investing
- Soft skills training
- Cybersecurity
- Leadership development
- Stress management
- Personal organization
- Fitness and healthy living
- Entrepreneurship
Create and sell subscription boxes
Subscription boxes are worth considering especially to gain from a recurring revenue model. This revenue model guarantees a consistent, predictable monthly income and reduces financial uncertainty for eCommerce startups.
It also helps build brand loyalty and enhances customer experience. Additionally, customers are spared the hassle of choosing products they would need regularly and getting them delivered to their doorstep.
Ideally, you should tweak and personalize your monthly product curation for the best results. This is known as “reward uncertainty.” Dr. Livingstone, a gambling researcher, remarks, “If someone is given a predictable set of rewards, they lose interest quickly. But if it is unpredictable, they tend to establish behavior that is hard to extinguish.”
Besides, who doesn’t love getting personalized products based on their interests and tastes?
Some highly profitable subscription box niches in 2024 are as follows.
- Beauty & grooming: Monthly makeup, shaving, grooming products
- Food & Beverage: Gourmet snacks, meals, ingredients, wine, coffee products
- Hobbies & Crafts: Monthly arts and crafts supplies, DIY kits, knitting and crochet materials
- Health & wellness: Vitamins, supplements, fitness gear, wellness gummies
- Pet Products: Curated toys, treats, and pet grooming supplies
- Kids & Babies: Educational toys, books, activities, and clothes
- Books & Literature: Monthly book clubs, themed book sets, children’s books
Read more: CRM in eCommerce — The Perfect Partners for Personalization
Niche eCommerce Business Ideas for Specialized Stores
Here are our top picks for niche eCommerce business ideas for those of you looking for specialized ideas.
Sell sustainable and eco-friendly products
Despite ambitious plans to move humanity to Mars, data shows that consumers continue to remain huge fans of planet Earth. Recent studies by Statista have observed that roughly 89% of consumers have shifted their shopping behavior to buying more sustainable products across industries.
This trend is only expected to rise as younger shoppers have shown a marked preference for sustainable and eco-friendly products.
The message is clear — sustainability is a trend that’s here to stay in the coming decade. Eco-friendly and sustainable products are those that enforce and meet stringent standards for sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, delivery, usage, and disposal.
There is a push to shift from a consumer economy to a circular economy to make better use of materials already available to us. Patagonia is a great example of an eCommerce company that plans to go carbon-neutral by 2050 and sells sustainable clothing.
You’ll need to get your process vetted by third-party companies and get certifications to prove your commitment and avoid issues of “greenwashing.” Consider certifications like Fair Trade and USDA certifications for sourcing. There’s the B Corp and Cradle to Cradle certification for sustainable manufacturing practices.
In all honesty, consumers are increasingly aware of greenwashing tactics, which would destroy your credibility in the long run. Here are some high-demand sustainable products to consider in 2024:
- Sustainable fashion
- Compostable electronic accessories
- Recycled furniture
- Solar energy devices
- Organic personal care products
- Natural, chemical-free toys
- Creative eco-kits and gardening kits
- Essential oils and supplements
Vintage and resale items are in demand
If you have some nostalgia and a love for antiques, collectibles, and vintage items, then this is emerging as a lucrative area for eCommerce businesses worldwide. Additionally, you’re also contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly practices in this sector.
Although there is increasing demand in this sector, it is also competitive. So, first, get clear on your niche and do your market research before jumping in. The key strategy for vintage and resale items is to highlight your authenticity and how you source the antiques.
An advantage is that there is a huge number of niches and a wide variety of vintage goods for you to choose from. Platforms like Etsy and Amazon have a dedicated marketplace for vintage items. Social media platforms are also a great avenue to boost sales.
Chairish is a brand that sells vintage and secondhand furniture, rugs, and decor online.
Right branding is crucial, as is good storytelling in this niche. Over time, you’ll be able to attract dedicated and loyal customers who are collectors or vintage enthusiasts. Ensure to evaluate your items appropriately, price them just right, and verify their authenticity before taking them to the market.
Some niches to consider include:
- Vintage clothing
- Thrift shops for clothing
- Vintage collectibles
- Resale or vintage furniture
- Rugs
- Decor
- Vintage jewelry
- Vintage home furnishings like lights or taps
Read also: How to Start an Online Clothing Store in 2025
Start a handmade and artisan goods store
This eCommerce business idea lets you turn your hobbies into a lucrative business opportunity. Sounds good. Ensure that the handmade goods you plan to sell can be created without taking days and days for just one item.
It has to be economically feasible, too.
The handicrafts market in the US is expected to grow to $1,115 billion by 2030! You can start by selling them on popular platforms like Etsy and eBay.
Alternatively, you can join an online marketplace like Society6, which specializes in selling original handmade products by artists. This will lower your overhead costs. Here are some handmade products to consider selling:
- Jewelry
- Candles
- Enamel pins
- Art prints and original art
- Sharpie mugs
- Soaps and bath bombs
- Stationery
- Tote bags
- Scarves and mittens
Another option is selling artisan goods. What better way to give back to your community than by featuring local or international artisans? You can directly collaborate with them and offer specialty goods and exclusive collections unavailable to competitors.
You can also feature artisan stories and highlight their contributions to the economy.
Here’s a great example from Ten Thousand Villages.
Cutting Edge Technology-driven eCommerce Ventures
So, what if eco-friendly and handmade products aren’t your cup of tea? No worries, we’ve got you covered. If you’re passion lies in tech and technology-driven products, then we have some ideas for you too.
Let’s dive in.
Smart home products
First on our list is smart home products. In the next few years, nearly 30 million homes in the USA will add smart home technology! The independent living trend among millennials and Gen-Z is expected to create a surge in demand for smart home products that promise seamless integration.
Here’s a great example from Ecobee, where you’ll find smart cameras and security systems that integrate with Apple HomeKit and iOS devices.
The market for smart home products is booming worldwide, not just in the USA. So, it’s a great time to get on the bandwagon. But not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spare for smart devices.
Another lucrative option is to sell refurbished smart home products at an affordable cost. All you have to do is find old or faulty smart products and give them a fresh lease of life using your skills.
Some smart home products that are going to be lucrative are:
- Smart security systems
- Smart thermostats
- Smart curtains and blinds
- Video doorbells
- Smart lighting, doors, and plugs
- Smart irrigation systems
- Smart air purifiers
Cutting-edge AR/VR and 3D products and accessories
Everyone from gamers to leading brands is interested in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) products. The industry is expected to grow rapidly and is already generating a revenue of over $40 billion in 2024 from just B2C sales.
As this is still a burgeoning industry, there’s less market saturation regarding eCommerce stores selling AR/VR and 3D products. So, there’s a lot of possibility for scaling the business and entering new niches within the industry shortly.
Collaborate with the right stakeholders and experts to glean insights and market the products appropriately for the best results. Here are some niches within the AR/VR and 3D products to consider:
- AR/VR headsets
- 3D printed items
- Controllers and gadgets for gaming and virtual experiences
- AR/VR-driven fitness devices and trackers
- AR/VR-powered devices for education
Sell selfie drones and tech gadgets
Third on our list is the sale of selfie drones and tech gadgets. Selfie drones allow users to capture pictures and videos from angles they cannot usually capture, especially aerial shots. They have become quite popular lately, and they offer a wide variety of features and pricing.
Tech gadgets are another lucrative option. From your average smartwatch to handheld medical diagnostic devices, this sector expects rapid growth in the coming decade.
Here are some profitable tech gadgets you can sell on your eCommerce store:
- Selfie drones
- Delivery drones
- Outdoor tech like binoculars and screen-based telescopes
- Smart indoor smokers for grilling food
- Wireless chargers
- Portable power stations and solar generators
- Audio systems
Read more: Winning in a Competitive World — eCommerce Marketing 101
Deliciously Unique Food & Beverage eCommerce Ideas
If there’s an inner chef within you who’s ready to come out and play, then this segment is for you. Here are our top eCommerce business ideas in the food and beverage industry.
Start an online grocery and specialty foods store
Launching an online grocery store is hardly a brand-new idea. However, this eCommerce business has gained a lot of traction since the pandemic and is expected to keep growing due to convenience. You can stand out in the saturated market by offering specialty foods and gourmet items.
For instance, The Mala Market specializes in delivering gourmet Asian spices, sauces, chilies, and pickles.
But, as with any online business, you must fine-tune the details and logistics to maintain profitability. Here are some logistical factors to consider.
Business model
You have a few options here. First, you could tie up with local vendors and create a marketplace listing of vendors and items in stock. Customers can choose the vendor and then get deliveries at their doorstep.
Second, you could create an online grocery listing without including vendor details and supply the orders when they arise from the right vendor.
Third, you could choose to stock all listed items in your warehouse and sell directly without vendors. The business model depends on your budget, warehousing, and logistical and delivery capability.
Revenue model
You can offer vendors a commission-based or subscription-based revenue model. This entirely depends on the number of orders and the number of vendors you have on board.
Finally, you could also consider on-site promotion, where vendors directly display their ads on your platform.
Delivery route optimization and fleet management
You’ll need to create a system where your delivery partners take the most optimal route to save on fuel costs. Otherwise, fuel costs are going to add up and eat through your budget.
Several variables include traffic congestion, vehicle load capacity, and driver availability. Another way to lower your fuel costs is through fleet management analytics. This data helps you create an optimal delivery schedule.
Sell specialty coffee and tea products
Who doesn’t love beginning their day with a cup of their favorite beverage? You can tantalize the tastebuds of coffee and tea connoisseurs by creating unique blends they’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
Recently, gourmet and single-origin coffee has been growing in demand in the eCommerce industry.
Coffee Bros is an award-winning brand offering a wide range of coffee flavors. They highlight the ethical sourcing of all their products, which has struck a chord with their loyal customers.
Whether you’re selling tea or coffee, remember to offer a variety of brewing equipment and accessories for customers to add on. Consider launching a monthly subscription program where customers get coffee and tea delivered to their doorstep each month.
Read more: How To Build an eCommerce Website: A Complete Guide
Bonus Lucrative eCommerce Ventures to Consider
We’re not done yet! Here are three bonus eCommerce ventures to consider if you’re looking for high-profit margins from the get-go.
Start a specialty pet products store
If you’re an animal lover and can’t resist those furry and winged companions, it’s time you turn it into a business venture by launching a specialty pet products store.
After all, you’re in good company. Over 70% of Americans own a pet, spending an average of $123.6 billion on pet food and products yearly! And by 2025, 25% of these sales are expected to happen online.
There’s a variety of pet products and services in demand, ranging from pet-sitting apps to premium pet food. Remember that pet owners have a special bond with their cuddly companions, and selling customized pet products is sure to be a hit.
Consider a subscription model where you deliver pet products each month without customers having to place another order. Here are some pet niches to consider:
- Gourmet pet food
- Print-on-demand store for pet clothing and accessories
- Premium pet toys
- Pet accessories
- Pet training aids
- Grooming aids
- Custom pet portraits and keepsakes
If you were surprised by the last one, Cuddle Clones is a popular eCommerce brand selling custom pet keepsakes.
Whatever your niche, encourage and build a community of pet lovers to boost visibility, engagement, and sales. Pet owners can also showcase their pets and your products—a win-win for all!
Read also: How to Start an Online Boutique in 9 Easy Steps (2024)
Sell fitness and wellness products
Fitness is a trend that’s never going out of style. Whether you want to sell quality fitness apparel or an online fitness coaching business, it’s likely to take off in 2024. Along with staying fit, wellness products are also on the rise, especially among the younger generations.
A study by the International Food Information Council found that 80% of millennials consider health benefits while buying foods. Gen-Z, too, prioritizes health, fitness, and stress management.
Here are some fitness and wellness products that are lucrative for an online eCommerce store:
- Workout and diet plans
- Fitness equipment and apparel
- Natural wellness supplements
- Yoga mats and accessories
- Fitness trackers and watches
- Workout accessories
- Meal prep containers
- Online nutrition coaching
To enhance credibility and brand loyalty, include plenty of expert health and fitness advice, gather user reviews, and create use and dosage guides. You can also consider monthly rewards and loyalty programs for long-time customers.
Holland & Barrett is an eCommerce store offering a range of wellness supplements in the UK.
Venture into fashion reselling
This is for the fashionistas who nurture entrepreneurs within them. Fashion reselling is fast emerging as one of the most lucrative eCommerce options. According to estimates, 33 million shoppers bought resold apparel for the first time in 2020, and over 76% plan to increase their spending on secondhand apparel in the coming years.
After the pandemic, shoppers have an increased focus on sustainability and a disdain for waste. This is fuelled largely by millennials and Gen Z. Over 40% of consumers from these generations have thrift clothes or made a second-hand purchase in the last year.
Recent studies also suggest that over 42% of retail executives say reselling will become a major part of their brand in the next five years.
Young consumers are also driven by the thrill of unique finds. They expect fashion to become more wallet-friendly and offer a greater variety of styles and sizes. Brands like Poshmark and Depop are growing in popularity.
You can put up your clothes for resale and shop for unique buys offered by other resellers, too.
Read more: Unlocking Retail’s Next Chapter — D2C eCommerce Trends to Watch
Conclusion
Today’s eCommerce industry offers incredible promise and potential—more so than ever in human history!
Even though there is high competition in the industry, over 73% of customers say they are open to trying a new brand even after purchasing from a particular brand. This means online shoppers are increasingly open to trying out new brands from across the globe.
As with any new and worthwhile endeavor, you may run into roadblocks. However, the game changers always aspire for more and never let roadblocks define their story.
We hope our eCommerce business ideas have inspired you to explore and take actionable steps toward making your dream business venture a reality.
Let us know which idea resonated with you in the comments below!
FAQ
What are some profitable eCommerce business ideas for 2024?
Some profitable eCommerce business ideas for 2024 are:
- Health and beauty products
- Online learning platforms
- Subscription boxes
- Sustainable and eco-friendly products
- Vintage and resale items
- Handmade and artisan goods
- Smart home products
- AR/VR and 3D products
- Selfie drones and tech gadgets
- Online grocery and specialty foods
- Coffee and tea
- Specialty pet products
- Fitness and wellness products
- Fashion reselling
How do I choose the right niche for my eCommerce business?
Finding the perfect niche for your eCommerce business doesn’t have to be a painful task. Here are some tips to get you started.
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- First assess your own areas of interest, talents, and skills. Your eCommerce business has to be sustainable in the long run, so pick areas that you’re passionate about.
- Identify some areas that you can contribute to, and that also have a relatively higher demand in the current market.
- Do your research diligently. This includes aspects like finding out your main competition, how many players there already are, what people are searching for online, and whether you’ll be able to practically cater to their interests.
- Identify your target audience and create several buyer personas. For each category, you’ll need to identify their demographic data, and what their motivations and needs might be. You can use buyer persona templates to get guidelines.
- Then, develop a minimum viable product (MVP) and launch a test landing page. Roll out your MVP to segments of your target audience and collect extensive feedback. Without feedback, you’re just shooting in the dark.
What are the current trends in eCommerce?
Some of the top eCommerce trends in 2024 you should know are:
- Use of AI for personalization of shopping experience and personalized product recommendations
- Rise of social commerce
- Hybrid commerce models (online and offline models)
- AR/VR-assisted shopping experience
- Flexible payment options
- Rise of subscription models
- Customer support and customer relationship management as a top priority
- Sustainable online shopping
How can I start an online learning platform?
Here are some easy steps to launching your online learning platform:
- First, you need to be clear on your ideal learner. Ask questions like the age, location and demographics of learners. Why and how would they benefit from your course?
- Then, begin creating your course outline and learning outcomes. Collaborate with experts in your niche and get creative here. Do the learner outcomes really match the demand in your niche? What testing practices would work the best?
- Once you have your course structures ready, the next step is to flesh out your lectures and decide on the mode of classes. Will your course be self-paced or do students log in at a specific time? Are you delivering video classes or live classes?
- Find the right eLearning platform to launch your course based on your budget and profitability analysis. Consider platforms like OpenEdX.
- Decide on a pricing strategy. Ensure that your courses aren’t priced too high or too low, and offer a variety of flexible payment options. Offer limited-time discounts to boost enrolment.
What are the benefits of subscription box services?
There are numerous benefits of a subscription box service for eCommerce companies:
- Predictable, recurring revenue
- Increase in brand loyalty and superior customer experience
- Inventory management becomes easier and more predictable
- Enhanced product discovery and upselling or cross-selling opportunities
- More cash in hand due to upfront payments
- Reduced customer churn and enhanced customer retention
- Increased exposure through word-of-mouth and social channels
- Enhanced personalization and catering to niche interests and hobbies
How do I market sustainable and eco-friendly products?
Sustainability and eco-friendly products are trending right now, and this trend is here to stay. Here’s how you can successfully market your products:
- First, get clear on the why. Why are you focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly products? Incorporate your why into the very heart of your brand narrative.
- The next step is to ensure that you have the right certifications, labels, and badges from the right sources. Remember that customers are increasingly wary of greenwashing techniques used by large companies. Get this step wrong, and you’ve set yourself up for failure.
- Incorporate relatability and transparency as you launch your brand. This means that you openly talk about the process you’ve used to source the raw materials or ingredients, how you’ve tested your products, and your policies of payment for workers, especially if they’re from different parts of the world.
- Your packaging should be attractive. Use eco-friendly or compostible materials. Don’t forget to add those eco-friendly labels to all your packaging materials.
- Then, build your website around these company values. Most companies collaborate with other eco-friendly organizations and socially-conscious members of society, and influencers to get the word out. You are now ready to start launching targeted marketing campaigns.
What are the challenges of selling vintage and resale items online?
If you plan to sell vintage and resale items online, you’ll likely face some challenges. These are:
- Ensuring and verifying the authenticity of each product. This can become difficult once you start scaling your business.
- Keeping the price tags objective rather than subjective. Even if you think you’ve been objective, customers could feel differently. So, create a consistent pricing policy based on the current market demand, how rare your products are, and how many items you have left in stock.
- Avoiding disappointing customers by finding rare items in your niche and recreating that “aha” moment when shoppers find something new and exciting.
- Writing interesting and engaging product descriptions that rely on storytelling and emotional value of the products.
How can I enter the smart home products market?
Here’s how you can break into the smart home products market without being daunted or overwhelmed:
- Determine the usability and value of your smart products. Customers no longer want “connected” devices unless they add value quickly and conveniently.
- Ensure your products comply with regulatory standards like CE and RoHS. Obtain the necessary certifications.
- Create a cohesive and comprehensive system for sale and installation. The aim is to minimize customers’ hassle and enhance ease of installation and use.
- Consider entering into strategic partnerships to fill critical gaps in your company’s knowledge and capabilities.
- Start small before scaling your business and launching new product lines.
- Regularly collect feedback and iterate your manufacturing, sales, and customer service processes.
What are the best platforms for selling handmade goods?
If you’re launching your online handmade goods store, then you can begin selling at larger platforms like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. It’ll give you advantages like a large pre-existing audience, and good shipping options. But, you’re likely to have less control over aspects like SEO. Or, you can also search for smaller platforms featuring local artists like yourself.
How do I manage logistics for an online grocery store?
An online grocery store comes with a unique set of logistical challenges. Here’s how you can optimize it to ensure that deliveries happen on time and minimize waste:
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- Data analytics and real-time insights are two things that will save you in the online grocery store business. Once you get your goods from reliable suppliers, you can implement the First-In, First-Out method to ensure that perishable products are shipped out at the right time. Here, predicting trends using data analytics is important.
- You have to select spots for your warehouses very strategically. They should ideally help you keep costs down and also facilitate quick deliveries.
- The next step is fleet management. You’ll need to use a good route optimization software so that products reach customers on time and based on priority. Remember that traffic and routes will have to be monitored in real time to get the best process in place.
- You’ll also need to keep customers informed about the status of their orders. Some aspects will need to be automated so that customers get timely updates. Implement an easy return policy for those who are dissatisfied.
