19 promising e-commerce business ideas in 2025

Best 19 e-commerce business ideas

Sell or dropship mattresses

Since the early 2000’s, the online mattress industry has exploded. The emergence of the mattress in a box opened the floodgates to companies packaging and selling mattresses online. While there is now a significant level of competition in the space, it is still a viable product to try to sell online.

Any market is going to have competition, it’s all about how you carve out your own corner of the market. You can either purchase inventory, which is a heavier investment, or you can find a brand that is willing to drop ship mattresses you sell on your platform. with the cost of mattresses being quite significant, even an affiliate relationship can prove to be financially viable.

How much you can make: $20-40k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k inventory & supplies (if dropshipping)
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to drive traffic

Sell homemade treats to pet owners

For animal lovers, an online shop selling homemade pet treats could be an ideal business. Dog treats in particular are in demand, satisfying pets and owners. Some baked goods even address common challenges, like anxiety-easing cannabidiol (CBD) treats that comfort nervous pups while pleasing their tastebuds. This niche allows creative expression through recipe development while serving furry clients and their human companions.

How much you can make: $20-40k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k for ingredients & supplies
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to optimize & market

Sell handmade toys

Crafters who knit, sew or crochet can find opportunities selling handmade toys online. Research popular toys then create similar items using your skills. Custom toys based on children’s likes or nursery themes allow premium pricing. Taking custom orders ensures demand. Consider pairing classic toys with current trends. Playing to your strengths while responding to the market can yield success.

How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k for materials
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Flip and sell thrifted goods

Upcycling secondhand finds into stylish wares has grown popular lately. Many shoppers seek out these creatively transformed goods, from sweaters unraveled and re-crocheted into upscale apparel to furniture refreshed with new paint and hardware for a vintage look. Multiple opportunities exist for the crafty to source discarded items, reimagine them, and sell to eco-conscious consumers.

How much you can make: $40-80k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k inventory to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to optimize

Sell plants online

Houseplants promote wellness through natural air purification and calming mental effects. Online plant shops can attract diverse consumers seeking living decor to enhance their spaces, from urban dwellers in small apartments to suburban families wanting to surround themselves with greenery. As interest grows in improving indoor air quality and holistic health, selling hardy, helpful varieties allows eager green thumbs to pursue this purpose-driven passion.

How much you can make: $60-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $2-5k inventory & supplies
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to optimize

Make natural cosmetic products for selling

Consumers prioritize wellness and sustainability in their purchasing, seeking out natural products for self-care and home use. This presents opportunities for creatives to handcraft their own lines of cosmetics using organic ingredients. Surprisingly lenient FDA regulations allow small producers to explore making soaps, scrubs, and lotions safely at home, as long as products include clear usage instructions. With some recipes, supplies, and charming packaging, hobbyists can share their earth-conscious creations.

How much you can make: $50-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $5-10k for ingredients & packaging
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Sell professional services

Offering professional services online can be a lucrative eCommerce venture if you have an expertise to market. As an example, accountants can monetize their skills by providing paid offerings like bookkeeping, financial planning sessions, and virtual consultations. With the right abilities, building a business around skilled services takes advantage of expertise while leveraging the convenience and reach of the internet.

How much you can make: $100k+ as solo consultant
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k start up costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to gain clients

Selling second-hand products

Selling second-hand goods online is a creative business concept. By sourcing quality used items and making them available at affordable prices, this model provides value to budget-conscious shoppers. Success depends on having a keen eye for products likely to sell, and efficiently processing, pricing and shipping diverse inventory. It leverages the internet to give pre-owned goods a second life.

How much you can make: $50-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k inventory to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to optimize

Drop-shipping business

Operating an online store without maintaining product inventory can be an excellent business approach. This retail model involves selling merchandise that is shipped directly from wholesalers to customers when orders are placed, enabling remote management of transactions. By avoiding warehousing overhead yet still connecting buyers and suppliers, e-commerce owners can minimize costs while focusing on sales and marketing.

How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $500 start up costs
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to optimize

Sell cute phone cases

For an accessible e-commerce venture, peddling phone cases can be a smart play. As smartphones prevail and folks seek shields for their prized gadgets, there’s already a vast customer base. Just utilize compelling promotion and online marketing to seize their interest. Meet their needs for protection and self-expression through creative, durable cases, and sales can promptly take off.

How much you can make: $40-80k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k inventory & supplies
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to drive traffic

Affiliate marketing

If selling products or leveraging particular talents doesn’t appeal, affiliate marketing presents an alternative e-commerce avenue. This model allows partnering with existing brands sans needing your own offerings. Simply promote others’ goods and services across desired channels. Each confirmed sale originating from your promotional efforts earns a handsome commission. No inventory, fulfillment, or even product development required. Just drive valuable traffic and sales to brand partners and watch revenues accumulate through referral rewards, no entrepreneurial heavy lifting necessary.

How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Less than $100 start up
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to see results

Niche subscription boxes

This eCommerce model involves curating and shipping subscription boxes tailored to particular passions. Customers receive specialized, handpicked items periodically, direct to their homes. Cater subscription packages to any niche hobby, interest or lifestyle. Research popular items, products and gear to feature. Assemble creative assortments in visually appealing boxes for delivery on routine schedule. Create convenience while fostering community around shared enthusiasms.

How much you can make: $50-150k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $2-5k upfront costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to gain subscribers

Print-on-demand business

Print-on-demand business models are popular because they simplify ecommerce. Sellers upload designs to websites that produce products only when ordered, eliminating inventory and shipping responsibilities. This hassle-free fulfillment from production through delivery enables more people to profit from their creative ideas online.

How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $100 start up
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to drive traffic

Tech gadgets and accessories

Online retail presents a major opportunity for sellers targeting tech-savvy consumers. Gadgets, accessories, headphones, smartwatches, and tech gifts are consistently in demand. By focusing an ecommerce store on these technology niches, new sellers can capitalize on people’s desire for the latest devices and innovations.

How much you can make: $100k+ profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $5-10k inventory
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Online plant nursery

For green thumbs with online savvy, an ecommerce store selling gardening products can be a promising business idea. Offer an array of seeds, tools, gloves, and other accessories loved by hobbyist gardeners and landscapers. To stand out, also sell live plants, herbs, vegetables, or flowers raised on your own small urban farm.

How much you can make: $40-80k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $2-5k inventory & supplies
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to optimize

Wedding supplies and attire

Those dreaming of an ideal wedding day seek products and services to fulfill their vision. An online business catering to this demand can thrive in various niches. For instance, fashion designers could craft custom bridal gowns, playing to creative strengths while tapping the lucrative wedding market. Or a graphic artist may offer personalized favors and decorations, allowing couples to express their style on their special day. 

How much you can make: $50-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $5-10k inventory
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Online marketing outsourcing

If you have skills in online marketing, consider launching your own website to offer these services to companies seeking to outsource their digital marketing needs. Providing services like search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, email marketing and more can enable you to start a lucrative web-based business helping other organizations expand their online presence and visibility.

How much you can make: $100k+ as solo consultant
How much does it cost to start: Under $500 start up costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to gain clients

Customized 3d-printed products store

Operate an online shop specializing in unique 3D-printed products. Allow customers to customize items like jewelry, home accessories, and phone cases by uploading designs or using interactive templates on your platform. Then efficiently manufacture designs on demand using a network of 3D printers and ship final products to delight customers with innovative tailored creations.

How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $2-5k printer & materials
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to drive traffic

Tech rental service

Tech rental service is an online marketplace facilitating short-term rentals of the newest gadgets, electronics, and pro gear. By enabling temporary access versus outright buys, it meets sporadic tech and equipment needs while reducing waste from underutilized inventory gathering dust in closets. The rental model promotes sustainable consumption by maximizing product use-cycles.

How much you can make: $50-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $10-20k equipment
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Conclusion

Having an awesome ecommerce business idea is just the start – turning that idea into a successful business is the key. This means you need to be good at solving problems, keeping your customers happy, knowing how to get people to notice your business and maybe most importantly, always be ready to try new things and learn from what doesn’t work.