18 Best High-Margin Products to Sell Online
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A high-margin product is a golden goose for online businesses: a product that is low cost to secure and store but high profit when it comes to selling. With inflation on the rise in many global markets, you don’t want to be stuck surviving from sale to sale as running costs increase. Instead, wouldn’t it be better to have that significant profit overhead so you can relax and keep your online business afloat through these choppy waters? That extra money can go back into your business, pay for faster shipping, or afford that much-needed website builder or hosting upgrade to allow more traffic to your site. The possibilites are endless!
With this guide, we’ll help you identify and eventually take advantage of the best high profit margin products to sell online, and more importantly which platforms to sell them on. Shopify is fantastic for online stores selling more than 20 products thanks to its powerful inventory, while Squarespace is great for building online stores with lots of product images.
Wix is more suited to smaller stores with limited or homemade inventories. There are also third-party apps like Amazon and Etsy to sell on, but wherever you do sell remember it’s the profit margin that will keep you high and dry in these uncertain times. So let’s explore 15 of the best high-margin products for you to sell online!
What Are the Attributes of High-Margin Products?
- High quality
- High demand
- Limited competition
- Potential for repeat custom
- Easy to ship
- Durable and sustainable
- Sellable all year round
- A high enough price point to make a profit (but not too high that it makes it hard to sell)
- Easily marketable
Now you’ve got a clearer idea about what high-margin products are, it’s time to check out our list of the best high-margin products to sell online, to help you boost conversions, sales, and profits.
#1 Jewelry
If you’re wondering what product has the best profit margin – jewelry remains one of the most popular products on the market. The average profit margin for jewelry is between 43% and 47%. Depending on your supplier you could look to markup your prices by up to 100%, making jewelry one of the best high profit margin products.
It’s easily one of the most appealing products, with a target market that spans all ages and income types. Selling jewelry online offers merchants a great chance to boost their profit margins and appeal to a wide range of customers.
It also benefits from year-round interest, since there’s always someone to buy jewelry for, or an event that needs a special piece.
Jewelry is a great product for merchants because it’s often easy to store and ship, helping you to keep your overheads low and boost your profit margins even further.
Of course, for these reasons, it’s also a popular product to sell. That means competition is high, so it might be worthwhile selling niche products like artisan or healing crystals so the competition isn’t so fierce.
How to Sell Jewelry Online
Start your online jewelry journey by sourcing reputable suppliers, either locally or internationally. Balance pricing with costs, market rates, and value perception. Then advertise on platforms like Instagram and Etsy, using compelling product descriptions. Engage influencers, too, for more reach.
#2 Beauty Products
Beauty products such as makeup, skincare, fragrance, nail supplies, and wellness products are some of the highest margin products available.
According to some studies, profit margins can be as high as 58%. And with so many suppliers and manufacturers, you’ll be sure to find a great wholesale price and the items themselves are often easy to display and market to customers.
The target market ranges, although it typically appeals to women aged 18 and up. However, the reality is that people of all ages and different sexes spend money on cosmetics.
The beauty industry also provides you with various niches to choose from (hair, skin, natural products, etc) allowing you to create a defined niche that stands out from the competition.
These items aren’t impacted by seasonality, and annual beauty sales online hit an estimated $25.73 billion – making it one of the most profitable products to sell online.
With such great value, however, comes great competition. There are already multiple popular online merchants selling beauty products online so you’ll need to carve out your own niche in order to succeed.
How to Sell Beauty Products Online
Look into private label cosmetic suppliers or visit beauty trade shows to source products. For pricing, review competitors and other beauty website examples to gauge average rates that others are selling similar products for, and then market them across social media platforms and your website for increased visibility.
#3 Bamboo Toothbrushes
It’s never been a better time to go green. Eco-conscious shoppers are looking for items that come with good green credentials.
One of the best high-margin sustainable products you could decide to sell are bamboo toothbrushes. It’s not uncommon to see profit margins of 30% for these products.
Plus, sustainability isn’t a trend that’s going to disappear so you can rest assured that there will always be a market for wooden brushes, especially with customers who believe in green standards and want to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable (their key selling point) and are flying off the shelves. They’re easy to source, lightweight to store and ship, and need to be replaced throughout the year, all but guaranteeing you return custom.
The bamboo toothbrush market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2021 to 2031, with a market size of $81.1 million (USD) by 2031. It’s safe to say that it’s a fairly competitive market.
How To Sell Bamboo Toothbrushes Online
Source from suppliers with credible sustainability practices, ensuring a consistent quality that matches the products. Price competitively while still ensuring a good margin. Marketing is all about promoting those green standards – spotlight the biodegradable features and eco-responsibility across social media and your website. Make your venture not just profitable, but also a step towards a greener planet.
#4 Sunglasses
The sun is always shining somewhere, even if it may not feel like it in the deep depths of winter.
Sunglasses, therefore, are a great high-margin product option. Whether it’s someone living in a sunny clime or a customer about to go on vacation, there is always demand for stylish sunglasses, and it’s not uncommon to see profit margins higher than 50%.
If you find a good supplier you’ll be able to get your hands on a stock of sunglasses for a great price, and you can even consider using a dropshipping supplier to remove the hassle of storage and shipping.
Just be aware that competition is high, and the target market for sunglasses includes everyone who doesn’t like the sun in their or eyes or just think that eyewear makes them look cool.
How To Sell Sunglasses Online
Dive into the ever-trendy sunglasses market, which is a perennial favorite by sourcing from local wholesalers for unique designs. Alternatively, try global suppliers like Alibaba for competitive pricing.
Price your shades by considering cost, competitor pricing, and perceived value. Market them by showcasing their style and UV protection features on social media, especially Instagram. Collaborate with influencers to drive sales or run seasonal campaigns to keep the demand high.
Find Out More
Read our interview with Valley Rays co-founder Anthony Devito, for unique insights into selling sunglasses, including current challenges in the industry, thoughts on sustainability, and more.
#5 Watches
Watches make a great high-margin product, mainly because there are so many options available.
Analog watches, smartwatches, designer watches, or outdoor watches; there are multiple categories and sub-niches for you to explore.
Watches are no longer just about telling the time, and customers want attractive timepieces that are an accessory in their own right. There are no seasonality limits but you’ll likely see a boost around major holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
It’s not uncommon to see a profit margin of 40% and upwards for watches, although it’s a competitve market. Therefore, you should consider the type of watch and customer you’d like to appeal to–high-end, cheap and cheerful, or technology lovers who want the latest smart watch.
How To Sell Watches Online
Step into the timeless market of watches, where elegance meets punctuality. Source from suppliers aligning within your market niche. Again, local manufacturers or wholesalers are usually the way to go.
Price according to your market; premium for high-end, competitive for the budget-friendly. Market them through platforms that resonate with your audience’s lifestyle, using high-quality images and showcasing their features.
Highlight luxury and precision for high-end, or affordability and style for a cheerful range. With a keen understanding of your target market and a strategic approach, your watch venture can tick around profitably.
#6 Women’s Apparel
There is always a high demand for women’s apparel – in fact, it’s one of the most popular online sales niches. In the US alone the industry hit revenue of over $160,000 million in 2021, with a profitability margin of 50% once you’ve established the brand.
Whether you decide to create your own line or source from other suppliers, you can usually keep your overheads low with bulk orders, allowing you to further boost your profit margins.
There’s already a ton of competition out there so you need to find a niche, such as designer coats or plus-size fashion, in order to get your ecommerce store in front of the right eyes.
How To Sell Women’s Apparel Online
Design an exclusive line or align with reputable vendors to kickstart your venture. When pricing retail products, prices should mirror your market stance, be it luxe or economical.
On social media, platforms like Instagram are your stage to spotlight the allure or finesse of your apparel. Consider a “Fashion Friday” or something similar to spotlight different attire ensembles. Team up with style influencers to extend your reach and add a dash of authority.
Not being dependent on developers was the #1 reason I chose Shopify, and it saved me money. I find Shopify easy to use, both front end and back end. It accommodated selling footwear in multiple sizes and widths without extra coding.
Shopify 2.0 was not released when I launched, and I have not updated to it yet. I wished I had known it was about to be released. I think the feature of removing and re-arranging sections throughout the site is a good one. I am using Shogun to build landing pages. It would be nice to have a feature like that built into all themes.
#7 Fitness Equipment
More and more people are looking to stay fit and active from the comfort of their own homes. Thanks in a large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking for fitness equipment to implement into their routines.
While there are many suppliers already online, the popularity of the items makes sourcing available stock tricky, providing you with a gap in the market to fill.
The active market means you can considerably markup your products and still appeal to customers – it’s not uncommon to see profit margins of 15%.
Take a look at the competition and see what sells out quickly from their sites when choosing which products to stock. You could even go one step further and offer fitness training sessions alongside the equipment for sale.
How To Sell Fitness Equipment Online
From local wholesalers to online marketplaces and from manufacturers directly, source wisely and vet suppliers beforehand to ensure quality.
Pricing-wise, you’ll want to cover costs at the very minimum. Keep an eye on the market to see what the competition is doing and mark up smartly.
Social media and your website are the grand stage for marketing. Think about using fitness influencers to do a YouTube video showcasing your equipment, since this can get more eyes on your products.
#8 Yoga Leggings
If you can combine a high-quality pair of yoga leggings with unique designs then you’ll have a great high-margin product on your hands.
While the initial cost of yoga leggings is often higher than that of other product options, they continue to be an item that’s popular all year round.
You can earn up to a 30% profit if you manage to cater to specific interests and niches, for example, “HIIT Yoga Leggings” or “Yoga Leggings for Running”.
While you will need considerable storage space if you choose to fulfill orders yourself, the items are so lightweight that shipping will be a breeze.
There’s a strong target market for yoga leggings, with men and women aged between 15-35 a key demographic.
How To Sell Yoga Leggings Online
Source smart with local manufacturers for uniqueness or places like Alibaba for better deals. Or you can visit textile trade shows to broaden your supplier networks.
Price to cover costs, and eye that 30% profit margin. For marketing, create some magic across social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, encouraging user-generated content where people can flaunt their leggings during HIIT and running workouts.
#9 Kids’ Toys
There is always going to be a demand for kids’ toys. With birthdays and special achievements spread right through the year, parents have a reason to add yet another piece of bright plastic to their homes.
Of course, you should expect a seasonal boost in December when Christmas shopping begins, but if you manage to source the very best toy options, you’ll be able to ramp up your profit margins all year round. When done right, you can expect profit margins of 50% plus.
Keep in mind that there’s already a lot of competition out there. The best thing to do is to ensure your products meet the highest quality standards, giving parents a reason to pick you above the competition.
How To Sell Kids’ Toys Online
When sourcing toys, consider both local and overseas suppliers, and always request samples for quality assessment. For pricing, use a blend of cost-plus, competitive, and value-based strategies to ensure profitability while remaining competitive.
Utilize online advertising, social media, and email marketing to reach and engage with your audience for marketing. SEO and community involvement can also further enhance your brand’s visibility and credibility in the online toy market. For even more tips, check out our full guide on how to start an online toy store!
#10 Pet Care
Pet care supplies are a great high-margin product thanks to the fact that the profit margin on pet supplies is estimated to be around 60%.
We all know how much we love our pets, and pet owners worldwide are willing to spend a fortune on everything from crates to leads to bowls and toys to keep their furry friends happy.
The great thing about selling pet supplies online is that there are no seasonal trends you need to be aware of. People are taking care of their pets all year round and that won’t be changing any time soon.
How To Sell Pet Care Products Online
Navigating the pet care world requires a blend of passion and savvy. When sourcing products, ensure a combination of quality and affordability, perhaps seeking partnerships with local artisans for a unique inventory.
Pricing is an art and requires careful balancing of your costs with current market rates and the perceived value of your offerings.
Engage in storytelling marketing, crafting a narrative around the wellbeing of furry companions to resonate with your audience. Utilize social media to share pet care tips, spotlighting your products in action, while fostering a community of pet aficionados. Your journey in pet care ecommerce is not merely about transactions, but fostering a pet-loving tribe.
#11 Candles
The cost of making candles is pretty low, even if you use the most high-quality oils and wax scents. You can see profit margins of 50% and higher.
Candles are always a popular item, so whether people are buying one for themselves or as a gift, you’ll never run out of opportunities to market your products to your target audience.
Generally speaking, customers are willing to pay extra for a high-quality candle that offers a strong scent pay-off, which if you manage to keep your overheads low, will result in a healthy profit margin for you.
How To Sell Candles Online
When sourcing candles, seek suppliers known for quality, eco-friendly materials. Local artisans or overseas suppliers with a transparent supply chain can be good partners.
Pricing is a balance between cost recovery, market competition, and perceived value: consider the uniqueness of your candles and the story they tell.
Captivating marketing tactics include engaging narratives about how the candle was made and include stunning visuals – give people the essence of the candle. Social media, especially visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, can fan the flame of your brand’s visibility.
#12 Aromatherapy Purifiers
Aromatherapy purifiers are a great high-margin product to sell online thanks to their increased popularity with customers.
Despite an increase in demand, there’s still a relatively low amount of brand names selling them, which is something you can cash in on.
For a quality version customers are willing to pay anywhere from $30 all the way up to $100 for the best of the best. These prices can provide you with healthy profit margins of around 60%. Not to be sniffed at!
How To Sell Aromatherapy Purifiers Online
When sourcing, try online platforms like ThomasNet, or put the word out on social media to expand your contacts. LinkedIn is a good place to start due to its business nature.
Pricing should balance cost, competitive rates, and the perceived wellness value your purifiers offer. Next, it’s all about holistic marketing for products like these: narrate the tranquility and health benefits your purifiers usher into living spaces.
Utilize social media for showcasing testimonials and serene settings enhanced by your products, fostering a community bound by the pursuit of well-being. Your online storefront shouldn’t just sell purifiers but the promise of a rejuvenated living ambience.
#13 Phone Accessories
Our relationships with our smartphones won’t be ending anytime soon and with manufacturers releasing new models every month, there are plenty of opportunities to sell phone accessories.
These could be anything from earphones, cases, charms, cleaning equipment, and trackers.
With people regularly updating their devices there’s always a steady stream of demand. And thanks to the generally small size of smartphone accessories, storage and shipping are easy and low-cost. Expect profit margins up to 70%, depending on the item.
How To Sell Phone Accessories Online
Look to buy phone accessories from wholesalers, as the low price point encourages bulk buying. You can also source manufactures that specialize in phone accessories.
Pricing can be tricky, but the reality is that these products are on the cheaper end of the market. Searching platforms like Amazon and eBay will give you an indication of what the going rates are.
There’s no need to go all out with marketing for these products. People don’t think long and hard before buying phone accessories, so some snaps of the products with a handy description across your website and social media platforms should do the trick.
#14 Home Office Products
Ahh, the humble home office. Once a rarity on real estate listings, almost every home now has a home office of some description (even if it’s just your kitchen table!)
Flexible working looks like it’s here to stay, meaning more and more people are choosing to work from the comfort of their own homes.
Demand for office supplies, covering everything from ergonomic chairs to printer paper, is through the roof.
Many companies are also offering their staff subsidiaries on any supplies they buy meaning you can raise your prices without risking losing custom.
You can earn around 60% in terms of profit margin, and just about anyone working for a company with a remote or hybrid policy will be a key customer.
How To Sell Home Office Products Online
Again, wholesalers are a great choice for home office products, as are trade shows. Prices will vary depending on the quality of products. If, for example, you’re opting for high-end leather office chairs, you should price higher than standard seats.
LinkedIn is a good place to advertise your products, and it’s worth exploring websites that specialize in office furniture, with the aim of highlighting your items on these websites.
#15 Information Products
You don’t just have to sell physical items from your online store. Informational products such as online courses, fitness programs, or photo filters are all examples of high-margin intangible products.
If you have a skill that people would be willing to pay for then providing an information product can be a great way of making money. The ease of the transactions – there are no shipping costs to contend with – makes these kinds of items incredibly popular in the digital age.
Customers have access to the product in seconds, all they have to do is pay and download, meaning they’ll only continue to grow in popularity. Even better, the profit margin can be 100% if you create and design the course yourself.
Some 57 million people are expected to take an online course by 2027, meaning there’s a strong market for educating people online.
How To Sell Informational Products Online
When it comes to sourcing, it really depends on what you need. If you’re creating a course, you may need to find a writer and designer to put it together for you. Alternatively, you might be comfortable doing it yourself.
As for pricing, it’s worth looking at platforms like Udemy and Ted which are good reference points to get an idea of how much an online course or presentation should cost. You can also read our guide on how long does it take to develop an online course, to get an idea of how much time investment you’re looking at.
You’ll also want to market your offering, and social media platforms like YouTube are great to give people a taster of what they can expect.
#16 Sustainable Products
Sustainable products have surged in popularity over the years, with more and more people getting on the eco-friendly bandwagon. You can see it with our earlier entry, bamboo toothbrushes. But there’s so much more you can sell.
Profit margins can vary depending on the products, but they’re often favorable due to the perceived value of eco-friendly items. Many of these products, like reusable water bottles, are fairly cost effective but have a high end feel.
The target market for sustainable products is diverse and includes everyone from environmentally-conscious people to families and businesses. With such a broad demographic, there are plenty of opportunities to see items fly off your digital shelves.
How To Sell Sustainable Products Online
Source from ethical suppliers and manufacturers to keep in line with the products you sell. Look at suppliers that sell with certifications like Fair Trade.
Pricing should balance production costs with market rates, keeping in mind that some consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainability.
There’s plenty of competition for sustainable products, so marketing takes on even more importance. Other than having your own website, consider selling on platforms like Amazon and eBay. Ensure as much of your business is as sustainable as possible, from making your website eco-friendly to using sustainable packaging.
Do some research of green marketing examples and see if there’s anything you could emulate with your own business. Use storytelling to connect with consumers emotionally and emphasize the positive impact of choosing sustainable options. Collaborate with environmental influencers to expand your reach and credibility.
#17 Smart Home Devices
Everything is connected these days, and it’s usually done via a smart device. From speakers to TVs and thermostats, these products are high in popularity due to their convenience, energy efficiency, and security enhancements.
Ecommerce platforms selling smart devices can see profit margins of around 30%, which is highly appealing.
Target markets tend to be tech-savvy people — the type who want the latest gadgets first. These early adopters are often willing to pay a little more to have the luxury of saying they have the latest smart gadget.
Competition is fierce, however. The market has grown at pace, so try to find your niche — perhaps offer smart home installation — to gain a competitive edge.
How To Sell Smart Home Devices Online
Source products from reliable suppliers, as the last thing you want is out-of-date tech or unreliable gadgets. Pricing should strike a balance between covering costs and staying competitive.
Consider engaging with influencers to do online reviews on platforms like YouTube, showcasing your tech in action. User reviews are also great for building trust once you’ve sold a few products.
#18 Personalized Gifts
Selling personalized gifts online is a flourishing niche, driven by the desire for unique and meaningful gifts in a sea of generic options.
These items are popular because they convey thoughtfulness and emotional connection — they’re the perfect gift for various occasions, from Valentines to birthdays, or just because. Profit margins can be substantial, too, particularly for custom-made or handcrafted items. It’s not uncommon to get a markup of 20% to 40%.
The target market for personalized gifts is vast, and it depends on the item itself. Engraved cutting boards or embroidered cushions make for ideal home-warming presents, while personalized phone cases or laptop sleeves are thoughtful for someone just starting school or university.
How To Sell Personalized Gifts Online
Partner with skilled artisans or suppliers offering customization services, either by using social media to increase your network or going on a search engine to find stockists that make these gifts.
Pricing should account for production costs, personalization expenses, and market rates. Meanwhile, effective marketing involves showcasing the emotional significance of personalized gifts, emphasizing their uniqueness and thoughtfulness.
Utilize social media, email marketing, and partnerships with event planners or wedding websites to expand your reach.
Where to Find Inspiration for High-Margin Products?
The trick to choosing the best high-margin products to sell online is to do your research. Customer demand and consumer trends are two of the most crucial factors to consider. After all, why sell a product nobody actually wants to buy?
We’ve listed some of the best places below where you can find inspiration for high-margin ecommerce products.
Google Trends
Google Trends is a free tool that allows merchants to better understand what products their customers are interested in. The tool offers invaluable data and insights into the most popular products on the market.
Social Media
Social media is a great place to find inspiration for almost anything, including high-margin products. People love to share product information, hacks, and wish lists so be sure to monitor relevant hashtags and groups. Identify your target audience and undertake research to discover what products they’re talking about online.
Ecommerce Platforms
Major ecommerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay usually feature a “trending products” section featuring the most popular items. Although this is used as a prompt to encourage visitors to buy more, you can use it for inspiration on what is currently popular online.
Competitors
Closely monitor your competition to see what products are selling well for them – do they have items that are regularly out of stock creating a gap for you to fill?
Make sure that there isn’t already more than enough opportunity to buy your chosen product online. Too many merchants offering the same item will make it harder for you to price competitively, causing a hit to your profit margins.
Where to Sell Your Products
You’ve done your research, worked out your potential profit margins, and chosen the high-margin products you want to sell. Now you just need somewhere to sell them!
Selling Through an Ecommerce Builder
All that work finding your high-margin product, and you’re going to trust a third party to sell it? For those of us who like to keep everything on track, an ecommerce builder is the way to go.
Compared to a marketplace, it is more of a time investment but the amount of control you get in the long run can’t be ignored. Additionally, builders like Shopify and Wix make the process more accessible than ever. Wix has the best website features out of all the builders we’ve tested, with a features score of 4.5 out of 5. It’s also great value, making it perfect for beginners starting a small online business. Shopify meanwhile is the king of sales features with an impressive 4.7 out of 5 for its sales tools, and has all the scalability and inventory you need for running a big store with many products.
Shopify and Wix are great options for building an online store rather than just on a marketplace. In our research Wix got an overall score of 4.8 out of 5 due to its ease of use, great features, ecommerce capabilities, and good help and support. Shopify got a score of 4.8 out of 5, because it’s a fantastic all-round ecommerce builder that has great sales features and offers lots of payment options, but is a little trickier to use than Wix.
Remember, there’s no rule that says you can’t sell on both your own website and a marketplace! Multichannel ecommerce made an estimated $350 billion in 2021, so it’s even in your best interest to find multiple platforms.
Make sure you check out our guide to ecommerce website builders to find the one that’s right for you.
BEST IN TEST | ||
Shopify | Wix | Squarespace |
Overall rating 4.8 | Overall rating 4.8 | Overall rating 4.4 |
Starting Price $29 | Starting Price | Starting Price |
Free plan or free trial | Free plan or free trial Free plan | Free plan or free trial 14-day free trial |
Sales features 4.8 | Sales features 4.2 | Sales features 3.7 |
Visit Shopify | Visit Wix | View Squarespace |
Selling on a Third Party Marketplace
The other way to sell your high-margin products is to use a third-party marketplace such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay. These are well-known and well-trusted platforms where millions of people make online purchases. Competition is fierce, and you’ll have to pay a fee to the marketplace provider – but you get an instant audience ready to buy.
Best High-Margin Products: Summary
Now you know what the best high-margin products are to sell from your online store you can begin planning, purchasing, and updating your online catalog.
It’s always important to remember that having the right products alone won’t make your online store a success. A reliable customer base is also crucial. Marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay already give you a massive audience to sell to, but also incur fees. If you’d rather go on your own, you’ll need to invest time creating a great shopfront, a digital marketing strategy, and customer retention tactics.
If you’re a beginner, Wix is better for opening a smaller store and has all the best marketing features and designs to really make your store your own. If you want some incredible templates that focus more on the images of your products then we recommend trying Squarespace, since it scores best for design in our research.
If you’re wanting to operate a bigger store and need more robust sales and business tools, Shopify is our choice.
If you do all this, combined with a great selection of high-margin products, then your ecommerce business is destined for success.
FAQs
- Jewelry
- Beauty Products
- Bamboo Toothbrushes
- Sunglasses
- Watches
- Women’s Apparel
- Fitness Equipment
- Yoga Leggings
- Kids’ Toys
- Pet Care
To work out the product margin, that is the gross profit divided by the selling price. So $50/£200 is 0.25 or 25%.
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