What To Sell On Shopify To Make Money [5 To Sell, 5 To Avoid]

If you’re considering starting an online eCommerce store with Shopify, one of your first challenges is to find out what you should sell to make some serious cash. 

As someone who’s been in the eCommerce game for a while, I’ve learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t. 

So, let’s dive in and explore the best products to make that income online you’ve always dreamed about.

Best Products To Sell On Shopify To Make Money

When it comes to making money on Shopify, a few products reign supreme.

These products have high demand, great profit margins, and can be easily sourced or produced.

Equally, when choosing which products to sell on Shopify, it’s essential to consider your interests and passions.

Selling products you are passionate about can make it easier to market and promote your store and help you stand out in a crowded market.

Additionally, consider products with a high perceived value or a unique angle.

For example, if you sell jewelry, try focusing on handmade or unique pieces that customers cannot find elsewhere.

With all this in mind, here are some of my top picks:

Accessories

Accessories like jewelry, sunglasses, hats, and scarves are always in style and have a broad appeal.

They are relatively affordable, easy to ship, and have a high markup, making them an excellent choice for online sellers.

Beauty Products

Skincare, makeup, and hair care products are another hot seller on Shopify.

People love to pamper themselves, and these items make great gifts.

Additionally, these products often have high-profit margins and are easy to source from manufacturers or wholesalers.

At the same time, they are perishable goods; meaning they run out and people need to rebuy!

So, if your product is good, you can generate a lot of loyal customers and repeat buyers.

Home Goods

Shopify is an excellent platform for selling home goods such as candles, blankets, and wall decor.

These products are easy to source and have a high perceived value, which means you can price them competitively and still make a good profit.

Fitness and Health Products

With a growing focus on wellness, fitness, and health products have become increasingly popular on Shopify.

These products can range from workout equipment to supplements, and they often have high-profit margins due to their specialized nature.

Pet Products

Pet owners are known to be passionate about their furry friends and are willing to spend money on quality pet products.

This category includes items such as pet food, toys, and accessories, and can be a great niche to focus on if you are passionate about animals.

Products That Don’t Make Much Money On Shopify

Now, let’s talk about products that don’t do so well on Shopify.

These are products that have low demand, low-profit margins, or are too difficult or expensive to source or produce. Here are a few examples:

Electronics

While electronics can be a big moneymaker, they are highly competitive and require a significant upfront investment.

It can be challenging to compete with established sellers, making it challenging for new sellers to break into the market.

Clothing

Clothing can be a tough sell on Shopify, as customers cannot try on the items before purchasing.

As a result, returns can be high, and it can be challenging to maintain high-profit margins.

If you choose to sell clothing, offer detailed sizing information and a good return policy.

Perishable Goods

Unless you have a reliable way to ship perishable goods, it’s best to avoid selling them on Shopify.

These items can spoil during shipping, leading to unhappy customers and lost profits.

Moreover, you need to ensure you have proper storage and shipping facilities, which can add additional costs.

High-End Luxury Items

Selling luxury items like expensive watches and jewelry on Shopify can be challenging as customers often prefer to purchase these items in person.

These products require high trust and credibility in the seller, making it difficult for new sellers to establish a reputation.

Customized Products

Customized products like personalized gifts and customized clothing can be difficult to sell on Shopify.

While they can have high-profit margins, the production process can be time-consuming and difficult to scale.

Things To Consider When Selling On Shopify To Maximize Earnings

Now that you know what to sell (and what not to sell) on Shopify, let’s talk about how to maximize your earnings. 

There are a few key factors to consider, including profit margins, marketing costs, and the cost of sourcing or production.

Profit Margins

Profit margins are among the most important factors to consider.

Choosing products with high-profit margins is essential to ensure that you are making a good profit on each sale.

Look for products that have a low cost of goods sold and a high markup. This will allow you to price your products competitively while still making a profit.

Marketing Costs

Marketing is essential for any eCommerce business but can also be expensive.

When choosing products to sell on Shopify, consider the marketing costs associated with each product.

Look for products that have a strong demand and can capitalize on organic traffic and social media marketing.

You can also consider running paid ads to help promote your products, but make sure to factor in the costs.

Costs of Sourcing/Production

When choosing products to sell on Shopify, it’s important to consider the costs of sourcing or production.

Look for products that are easy to source or produce, so you can keep your costs low.

If you do need to source products from overseas, make sure to factor in shipping costs and import duties.

Similarly, if you are producing the products yourself, make sure to factor in the cost of materials and production time.

Product Quality

Providing high-quality products can help to boost your sales by generating repeat customers.

Equally, products not fit for purpose will likely result in more returns and refunds, which will, in effect, have a massive impact on your take-home profit. 

Upselling and Cross-Selling

Finally, consider implementing upselling and cross-selling strategies to boost your sales.

This can include suggesting related products at checkout or offering bundled products at a discounted price.

This can work great on loss-leaders or products where the margins are slim. For instance, some products may not make much money alone but can be serious earners if you bundle a few together.

Lastly 

Selling on Shopify can be a great way to make money online.

You can maximize your earnings and build a successful eCommerce business by choosing the right products and considering factors like profit margins, marketing, and sourcing costs.

Over to you!

Other related Shopify guides you may want to read:

• What Do People Sell on Shopify?
• Can I Use Shopify To Sell My Own Products?
• Can I Sell On Shopify Without A Plan?
• Are Shopify Stores Profitable?
• How Much Can You Make On Shopify In A Month?