53+ Ecommerce Business Ideas To Try in 2022

Planning to venture out as an entrepreneur? With the internet being the biggest marketplace today, here are the most popular eCommerce business ideas to get started. Let’s dive in!

Over the past decade, the business landscape, especially for marketing and trade, has changed drastically. And with the number of internet and smartphone users growing exponentially, the potential of marketing through these ever-developing technologies has sky-rocketed.

Statista records the number of internet users as of 2021 to be around 4,901 million, a huge leap as compared to the 1,981 million back in 2010. These developments in turn have opened up a massive opportunity for eCommerce business owners.

eCommerce is much more than a buzzword, owing to the various avenues it opens up, like easier accessibility, wider reach, better security, the list goes on…

This article will look to elaborate more on the eCommerce business model and also share insights on some of the business ideas that have and will continue to push the bar of eCommerce ever so high.

Read on to find out some amazing ideas for your eCommerce business!

Best eCommerce Business Ideas 2022

Let’s look at some promising eCommerce business ideas to help you venture out!

1. Selling digital products

Digital products are intangible pieces of media products that can be sold repeatedly without the need to top up the inventory. Digital products can be mp3 or audio files, photos, videos, software, and software plug-ins.

Selling digital goods has always been a brilliant online business venture due to the ease of distribution and popularity. Many now-established companies like Sellfy and Sellwire began with building their business around these digital products.

The other reason why it is one of the good ideas for online stores is due to the growing need among the people. As the global population continues to transform towards a fully digitized world, the demand for digital products will only increase.

2. Dropshipping store

Dropshipping is one of the most popular online eCommerce business models today, and with good reason.

This is such an easy way to start your online business that anyone can do it!

You can start any business with dropshipping, all you have to do is find reliable suppliers and great ideas that you’re interested in. luckily, this article is filled with such ideas.

For example, if you want to start an online bookstore, you can easily dropship those books by finding suppliers for those books, set up your online store with the books listed in your catalogue (no need to keep an actual inventory), and as and when you get orders, share them with your suppliers and they will ship those books to your customers!

Here’s a list of amazing books that can teach you dropshipping, and if you are looking for product ideas to start your dropshipping business with, here are best dropshipping products to sell!

3. Reselling business

The other most popular business model in the eCommerce industry is reselling.

In the US alone, the online resale industry is set to grow to around $195.7 billion by 2030.

Being a subset of dropshipping, it is very similar to it, but the major difference is that resellers usually hold inventory of their own, and buy products in large quantities, so their profit margin is high. The risk involved is higher as compared to dropshipping, too.

Anyways, you can add as many products from as many suppliers as you want, and start any online business you want.

The only task to do is find reliable suppliers who can be trusted with the quality of the products and delivery. With platforms like Dukaan Plus, this has also been made easy, because you can find credible suppliers on the platform itself.

4. Electronic items

One of the world’s fastest-growing industries is the electronic products industry.

As more and more people buy electronic smart items into their homes, businesses can see the benefits of launching their very own online electronics store.

During the pandemic, the online computer equipment store became a massive hit. With people under lockdown and in need of computer systems and upgrades that would enable them to work or study from home, this eCommerce store segment began to see an increase in demand.

5. Online marketplace

An online marketplace is an online hub that connects sellers to buyers. A simple example is that of Amazon or Flipkart. It is a portal that allows companies to showcase their products or services and ultimately sell them to potential buyers.

In this model, multiple sellers offer their goods on a single storefront.

Owing to the development of artificial intelligence, building and running an online marketplace has become a lot easier.

Coupled with online shopping becoming the new normal, platforms like this and also product exchange websites give consumers a much wider range of products to go through and select as compared to physical stores.

6. Online bakery

Now, getting into more specific segments – the online baking store.

While the demand for baked products, especially cakes and cupcakes, have always been high due to the need and demand for easily accessible foods that comply with the fast-paced lifestyle, providing this service online simplifies things.

The cake shop online ordering system has become a popular go-to for people as it not only saves time and fuel but also allows you to send festive and surprise cakes and cupcakes to your friends and family far off.

Moreover, it is these highly lucrative business ventures that offer new entrepreneurs a brilliant learning experience as you can start off small with a very limited budget and look to slowly make a name for yourself.

7. Online clothing store

The fashion segment of the eCommerce industry is set to reach US $983,240 million in 2022, and is expected to rise to US $1,349,748 million by 2025.

This is one of the most in-demand and lucrative industries of all time, and you can’t go wrong with this business.

This is the reason why this business is the most popular among all entrepreneurs. So, make sure that you stand out of the crowd and prepare yourself for some cut-throat competition.

Nevertheless, the online clothing marketplace opens up a brilliant eCommerce business for starters. You can try it out to test the waters before you jump in.

Learn more about starting an online clothing store here.

8. Online gift cards store

Gift cards, as of recently, have become a unique way of sharing presents with people. Gift cards are basically prepaid cards that come with a specific amount of money that can be used for purchases.

Gift cards are a go-to for a last-minute solution for a present with 33% of customers spending more money on a gift card than a traditional gift.

The demand is slowly on the rise and the business is currently a $619 billion industry with many online stores seeing them as a very powerful growth engine.

9. Online learning platforms

When the pandemic hit, it changed a lot of things permanently, teaching mediums being one of them.

Online teaching platforms took centre stage with online classes and staying at home to do everything became the new normal.

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, etc., became popular for many reasons.

• They have courses from top professionals and elite universities.
• They teach courses that are not necessarily available traditionally.
• Students can choose any combination and number of courses that they want.
• They get certificates for the courses they complete, so they have something to show for the effort they put.

And Five, students get a flexible timeline to complete their courses, so that they can be comfortable with the pace of their learning and fit it into their schedule.

Even now when things are a little better, people want to use online learning platforms to study for these main reasons.

With a few players, in the market that is new, you have an opportunity to grab your share and earn profits.

11. Online grocery & packaged food

With people busier lives, having lesser time for chores, and everything becoming available online, essentials like groceries and food are an obvious business idea to take online.

One thing to take into consideration in this business is the time taken to deliver your products.

Instant delivery is a must for these businesses because people generally order food items when they need them.

12. Personal safety equipment store

Personal safety has become more important during the past years, and the pandemic added another aspect to safety that we weren’t paying a lot of attention to.

Yes, personal safety has extended from swiss knives and pepper sprays to include masks, sanitisers, gloves, face shields and disinfectants, among others.

You can start a personal safety online store, which caters to all these needs and expand into other niches as well.

You don’t need to sell boring old masks, you can get creative with them and sell interesting new designs (that work, of course) and attract your customers with your ingenuity.

With people being more conscious about their safety, this is a good business venture to try out.

13. Online fitness training

Another effect of the pandemic has been that people started focusing more on fitness.

With the world being shut down, gyms weren’t an option. Let alone gyms, people couldn’t even go out for runs.

This is where at-home workouts gained popularity.

Once people started, they couldn’t stop. They can do yoga, pilates, meditation, rigorous workout, and everything that they want at home.

You can start a business where you offer coaching by experts, in different types of exercise routines.

14. Beauty & health products

Beauty never takes a break, right?

And with new trends emerging every day, the demand for beauty products has increased multifold.

Nowadays, there are more steps to a makeup routine than a food recipe. And every step requires a separate product.
This is a huge industry, and you can have a piece for yourself with a little knowledge and even little investment.

Self-care has been front and centre for a while now and this will surely turn out to be a very profitable business.

15. Smart devices (for home & office)

Ten years ago, we only had landlines and phones without internet, and now we have more smart devices than people in our houses.

Phones, iPads, smart TVs, Alexa, smart speakers, plugs, lights, Google nest hub, and even smart locks, there are so many things in this club now, and increasing every day.

They’re slowly becoming more necessary for every home, owing to their ease of use and range of features.

It is a pretty lucrative business idea. All you need to do is create a catalogue with all the devices and start a dropshipping business with them!

16. Online thrift store

Thrift stores are amazing. We think so, and most people agree with us. They’re gaining immense popularity and now these stores are not just present along the streets, but also have a presence on the mighty internet.

Thrift stores stand for everything that the youth today is obsessed with- a unique, one-of-a-kind, vintage apparel collection, which is sustainable too!

Affordable, cute clothes, books, and accessories, you can sell it all through online thrift stores!

There already are some of these stores on platforms like Instagram, but you can make a legit business of it by setting up your store on an eCommerce website.

17. Online content services

Content is becoming more and more important for all online businesses, and people are realising how essential it is for the running of their business.

Now content is a broad range of services.

You can provide copywriting services, blog content, social media content, and others like editing and proofreading services as well.

With content marketing becoming mainstream and competitive, people have realised that they can’t just do it themselves by shelling out random pieces of content on their websites and social media.

Now, it takes a properly planned and executed set of well-written content pieces across different platforms, catering to different audiences.

Master the content game and help other businesses boost their visibility and sales through the magic of content!

18. Online collectables store

Collectables are and have always been, people’s favourite things to own!

If you ever went to anybody’s house, they’d show you, with extreme pride, their collection of valuables.

Online auctions are the new place they go to, to get their valuable artefacts and rare objects.

You can open up an online auction site, or a store that carries valuable items that are one-of-a-kind.

The newest member of this family is NFT. You can try out dealing in those too!

People will be able to buy and sell through your store and it can prove to be a highly profitable business venture.

19. Online custom jewelry

Custom jewelry is a hot trend right now, and we are all for these cute pieces of accessories that can spruce up any look!

Unique, personalized jewelry for individuals, couples, friends and family, make them irresistible for one and all.

Although, for this business, you’ll need a sense of style and a knack for making jewelry from all kinds of materials.

If you feel this is the right fit for you, get creative and start your own custom jewelry business.

20. Online one-off products

One-of-a-kind things usually make people feel special, exclusive and you can use that to create a lush, elite, one-off online store.

The best part about this is that you’re not limited by the type of products.

Pick any niche, list the products in your store, and get started with it.

You can work with any kind of products that you’re comfortable with, and can also pick and club any kind of goods together.

Be in designer clothes, one-off art pieces, jewellery, rare products or your own creation, you can be sure that it will be a hit with your customers.

22. DIY online-store builder

Ever heard the saying “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime”?

People today want to be their own bosses, they want to become an entrepreneur and start their own online businesses, but the problem arises when they don’t know what to do.

You can help them by starting a new business to teach them the skills and knowledge required for their online venture.

If you help them navigate their online store, they will be able to realise their dreams and as the saying goes “feed them for a lifetime”.

23. Photo copyright & selling business

You can start a business online where photographers can submit their original pictures, get them copyrighted and sell them for use to others who need those pictures.

Copyright is a serious issue and most people illegally use others’ work without knowing that they’re doing something wrong.

Your platform can get the photographers their due and get people good quality pictures, so, win-win for all!

24. Travel arrangements website

A travel arrangement website is a perfect way for travellers to plan out their trips, vacations, staycations, or even work-cations!

When people plan to travel, there are a lot of things to consider.

Finding proper hotels, or places to stay, eateries, sights to see, and local guides, all can be a huge task for even the most experienced wanderers.

You can help them out by having an online travel arrangement business, which takes care of all these tasks, and suggests them new things to try according to their interests.

You can also start a niche business for solo women travellers, keeping in mind their extended need for safety and other needs.

25. Mentor-finding platform

A platform where skilled people can find guidance to help them make the most of their talent is a necessity in today’s age when you can monetize any of your skills if you know how to market it properly.

A mentor finding platform can get people to get in touch with experts in their field of interest, who can teach them how to make money from the skillset and how to hone their skills.

A lack of teachers leaves so much potential untapped, and you can remedy this with your platform.

Bridge the gap between talent and success with your business idea!

26. Crowdfunding platform

Another matchmaking platform that can actually be a success is a crowdfunding website.

A place where investors and startups can meet, pitch and invest is something that is every start-up founder’s dream come true.

This can be a pretty lucrative business idea.

27. Social networking platform + online store

Solve the main problem of every entrepreneur who sells their products on social media, by coming up with a platform that is social media and an online store all wrapped up in a nice little package.

Let’s be honest. Social media is amazing for marketing but it sucks when you have to set up a store and manage orders.

On the other hand, an eComm site where you set up your store is great for your business operations but isn’t as scroll-worthy as a social media platform either.

So, just bring them together and enjoy the best of both worlds!

28. Online platform for freelancers

Online platforms for freelancers are plenty, but those where you can find reliable talent, or employers, are few and far between.

If you create an online platform where employers can find what they’re looking for and freelancers get fair compensation for their efforts as well.

29. Online library

Where would all the book lovers go when the world is closed and so are all the libraries?

To your online bookstore!

When everything else is online, why not a library?

It can function just like a regular library, but with pdf versions of books that readers can check out, rent and return.

You can create little clubs of readers who share an interest in the same genre, writer, or book titles.

30. All-in-one online wedding store

Weddings are one of the most important days of our lives, right?

We need everything to go just right for them, but let’s be honest. It gets a little too much handle and we’re always afraid that we might miss something.

You can create an online all-in-one wedding store, which takes care of everything, from the bride’s dress to the cake and the decorations, invitations, task-lists to keep track of everything and you can even include event planning services if you want.

These are some interesting ideas that you can consider when you decide to start your online business journey.

31. Selling handmade goods

If you’re a crafty person, a great way to monetize your skills is to start selling handmade goods online.

People love buying handmade products. Be it clothes, furniture, bags, picture frames, or anything else.

The reason is— Consumers want to buy products having some form of historical representation and profound stories to tell. With a pinch of uniqueness with limited availability.

You can use platforms like Etsy and Craigslist to sell your handmade products online. However, having your own online store will make things easier for you.

32. Selling unique artwork

Are you an artist? If yes, then plenty of options are available to start your own online business.

Whether you’re a photographer, musician, or painter. You can sell your masterpieces and generate a revenue source.

Let’s say if music is your thing, you can sell your songs, beats, and tunes as digital downloads. Just like The Drum Broker, the world’s largest online drum sample business.

Or, if you love photography, you can sell canvases, prints, and framed posters. You can use Printful or Printify for the same.

33. AR/VR headsets, apps, and accessories store

The demand for AR/VR is increasing exponentially because of initial user adoption.

This indicates that companies will aggressively invest in it and develop AR/VR apps. It’s also expected that AR/VR will hit $108 billion in sales by the end of 2022.

This technology is going to become an important eCommerce business soon. If you understand this technology, you can become its early advocate.

34. Kitchen and dining mats

Everyone loves decorating and organizing their homes. This is why kitchen and dining mats are in high demand.

Also, there’s no shortage of designs. From simple plastic mats to textured fabric mats, you can start with the one you can afford.

And once you gain a loyal following, you can even expand your product base.

35. Video doorbells

With the rise of security demand, video doorbells are gaining popularity. And they’re also becoming a trending business idea.

The trendiest video doorbells are those that provide high-quality night vision.

People want to see who’s at their door to avoid unfavorable situations. So this is a profitable business venture to try out.

36. Selfie drones

Selfie drones are in huge demand. From videographers who want to capture amazing aerial shots to the farmers who use them to keep an eye on their crops to drones that are used to deliver packages.

The usage and possibilities are insane.

For that reason, the market size of selfie drones is increasing exponentially. And, it is expected that the global selfie drones market will record a modest CAGR during the forecast period, i.e., 2020-2028.

37. Smartwatches

Research shows the global smartwatches market was valued at $20.64 billion in 2019. It is now expected to reach $96.31 billion by the end of 2027, registering a CAGR of 19.6%.

The stats themselves show this product is going to be a winning product. This makes sense, given that it’s a beneficial device.

Whether you want to track your footsteps or receive a phone call, it makes them easier for you.

38. Face masks

With the increase in Covid-19 impact, the need for face masks is also increasing.

More people look for trendy and fashionable face masks, so don’t miss out on this growing industry.

But, face masks are meant for protection— so don’t compromise on the quality and safety of the same.

39. Natural products

The global market value for natural products is expected to increase to $54.5 billion by 2027.

The reason is— people are becoming more conscious about their health and life choices. And you can take this as an advantage by starting selling natural products online.

You can opt to sell daily usage items such as personal hygiene, cleaning, and beauty items.

40. Pet care items

The pet care industry grew to $103.6 billion in 2021. And surprisingly, the pet food industry alone is projected to reach $127.21 billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 4.60%.

No doubt, if done right, this can be a highly profitable online business.

From selling toys, cushy beds, and training hops to creating new products by targeting the underserved niches. You have many opportunities available.

41. Pre-packaged gluten-free food

Gluten-free food is not new, but celebrities talking about it are increasing craze for it.

Those who only take gluten-free food are careful about their diet. And they try to buy only food items that hold the tag of “gluten-free” on them.

As almost every food and snack contains gluten in it. So, you have time to start selling gluten-free products and tap into this emerging market.

42. Diabetic socks

Diabetes causes nerve damage, especially in the feet. This causes severe pain, so people with diabetes must wear socks. Even when their blood sugar level is controlled.

You can consider selling diabetic socks as there’s a rise in diabetic neuropathy cases worldwide. These socks are made of moisture-wicking fabric to keep the feet dry.

The global diabetic socks market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2020 to 2027.

43. Bamboo toothbrushes

Since the interest in eco-friendly and minimalism is rising daily, people are becoming more interested in sustainable products.

And that has given the bamboo toothbrushes a significant boost.

Now, here’s the thing— don’t make the mistake of packaging your sustainable product in plastic bags. This will damage the whole point of sustainability.

Once you position yourself in the market, you can start selling additional products.

44. Bluelight glasses

Bluelight glasses market size might reach a value of $38.6 Million in 2027, growing with a CAGR of 8.4%.

These glasses are made with special lenses that block the blue light emitted from electronic devices such as laptops and phones.

This also makes it easier to focus and makes the brain calm down.

That’s why there’s an increasing demand for blue light glass

45. Private label men’s bags

Although the female bag niche is saturated, the men’s bag niche still has much room.

The reason is— that you have a diverse target audience. Such as students, employees, and retirees.

Start with targeting one segment. This will help you in marketing your products more effectively. And once you build up an audience, start leveraging all other available options.

46. Kitchen gadgets

Ovens, air fryers, portable blenders, griddles, mandoline slicers, electric kettles, grape cutters, and the list goes on and on.

You’ve plenty of options for kitchen gadgets that you can start selling online.

As more people love cooking at home, this business industry will not let you down any time soon.

47. Gardening supplies and furniture

Gardening is more of a hobby than a profession. And, note this down— people love spending on their hobbies.

American adults spend $48 billion on lawn and gardening equipment each year.

So, it’s an excellent option to get started with. You can sell flower pots, seeds and bulbs, soil fertilizers, gardening tools, watering cans, and other helpful equipment.

48. Notebooks and stationery

Even in the era of digital notepads, many people still prefer notebooks to write on.

Although it’s a crowded market, the key to succeeding here is to target a niche segment.

So first, choose your target audience. Parents of school-aged kids, teenagers, college students, employees, etc.

Then add some relatable items to it, such as pens, pencils, sticky notepads, sharpeners, etc., and start selling online.

As these items contain beautiful designs and paintings on them, social media marketing can do wonders for you.

49. Essential oils

The Covid pandemic forced the closing of salons and spas. So, consumers started looking for ways to get self-care treatments at home.

And this gave a massive boost to the essential oils industry.

You can consider selling essential oils Such as lavender, peppermint, lemon, cedarwood, and lemongrass essential oils.

You can even add products made from essential oils such as foot soaks and bath bombs to your list.

50. Selling ebooks

There was a time when you needed a publisher to publish and sell your books. But, in this digital era, you can publish your books yourself in the form of ebooks.

In 2020, almost 23% of the US population purchased an ebook, making up for 191 million ebooks sold throughout the year.

Not only this, but statistics suggest the US ebooks market will generate $7.78 billion in revenue in 2025.

Clearly, it’s a booming industry that you still have time to leverage.

If you don’t want to write the book yourself, you can hire a ghostwriter to write for you.

51. Start a freelancing business

Do you have a skill— content writing, copywriting, graphic designing, web development, etc.?

If yes, you’re missing out on a lot if you’re not selling your services online.

Companies are looking to hire freelancers even if they have an in-house team.

Why? Because freelancers work on a project basis while maintaining a deadline. This helps companies to get their work done in lesser time and cost.

Even if you don’t have any of these skills, there are so many educational platforms where you can learn any skill you want for either free or at a minimal cost.

52. Subscription models

The subscription management market was valued at $3.8 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $10.5 billion by 2025.

Subscription models are ideal for products or services needed on an ongoing basis—for example, personal care products, music, movies, and online communities.

The possibility is endless. You need to identify the niche and target audience that you can serve the best.

53. Meal delivery

With the increase in the busyness of working professionals, the meal delivery service is benefiting.

Because people are happy to pay for their convenience. And if you find a devoted audience in a particular niche such as vegan, gluten-free, paleo, etc., this business idea will work as a cash injection for you.

This is why the global meal delivery service market expects a tremendous CAGR of 17.4% from 2022 to 2030.

54. Affiliate marketing

Do you know affiliate marketing is responsible for 16% of global ecommerce sales?

That means one out of ten eCommerce sales worldwide happen because of affiliate marketers only.

Suppose you have an excellent social media following or a blogger with a decent traffic rate. In that case, you have a great chance to tap into affiliate marketing.

Because research shows that nearly 65% of affiliate marketers generate traffic by blogging. And 68% of affiliate marketers connect with customers on social media.

55. Beauty subscription box for men

More than 54% of online shoppers say they subscribe to a subscription box service.

Because the subscription box industry appeals to consumers’ desire for convenient, personalized experiences.

However, the women’s beauty subscription box is available everywhere, and the men’s niche is not so saturated.

You can consider selling face wash, face moisturizer, cologne, acne wash, shave balm, beard oil, shower gel, and so on.

Conclusion

The idea and concept of eCommerce are simple to understand, but the main effort goes into strategizing ways to push your business into the online business world and making yourself known. While most of it depends on how you adapt to the demands and trends around the world, the other most important factor is the platform you choose to do your eCommerce business on.

One such platform that has been consistently and effectively helping thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs to go online is Dukaan.

Dukaan aims to make eCommerce incredibly easy and we achieve this by offering everything – from setting up your online store, advertising and promotion, managing inventories to tracking sales and even marketing campaigns – in a very user-friendly and accessible way.

The platform is built to make the various tools and features easy to understand and implement. Features include design templates and themes to make your online store stand out, pre-built plug-ins to enhance the store, pre-built customer lists to help connect with your specific target audience and many other tools that assist you to easily run, market, manage, and grow your eCommerce business.

So if you are planning to start your own eCommerce business, wait no more. With Dukaan, you can start and run one easily and profitably!