How to Figure Out What to Sell Online (Even If You’re Stuck on the Hamster Wheel)

 

If you’ve ever thought, “I have so many interests but I’m not sure what I can actually sell…” — you’re not alone. One of my readers recently shared that this is her #1 challenge. She hasn’t sold online before, but her dream is to get out of debt and finally feel financially secure.

Sound familiar? Let’s break down a simple plan for getting unstuck and testing what will work for you.

Start Small: Try eBay and Etsy

The fastest and lowest-cost way to dip your toes into selling online is to use the big platforms that already have millions of buyers looking for products.

• eBay: Free to start and great for physical products. I recommend beginning with things you already have around your house — clothing, toys, collectibles, or household items. This way you don’t spend money upfront.

• Etsy: Perfect for selling services, digital products, or handmade goods. You can also start small by offering a service (like design, writing, or tutoring) and do a couple of jobs free for friends and family to gather reviews. Then, transition into charging customers on a platform like Etsy.

These platforms take care of payments, customer trust, and visibility, which makes them ideal for beginners.

Experiment with Print-on-Demand (POD)

If you’d like to try something more passive (where you don’t handle shipping or inventory), print-on-demand is a great option.

• Redbubble: A fantastic testing ground. Upload a design and they’ll automatically put it on mugs, shirts, stickers, tote bags, and more. It lets you see what people actually want without spending a dime. Redbubble doesn't pay out much so you have to sell a huge volume to make any money but it's great for experimentation.

• Printify: My personal favorite when it comes to POD. Once you see what sells on Redbubble, you can use Printify to sell similar products on eBay and Etsy where you control the branding and profits better. Printify is also free to start. Other free POD sites are Printful and Gelato, but neither of those can sell on eBay unless you have a paid plan.

In my experience, political designs, career-specific items, or products tied to nationality/culture sell especially well.

Don’t Forget Digital Products & Books

Another zero-cost way to get started is digital products. These can be as simple as:

• Printable checklists, templates, or guides (Etsy is great for this).

• Ebooks or workbooks you write once and sell forever.

• Printed books using Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) — totally free to set up.

Digital products are amazing because you create them once and they sell on autopilot.

Build Long-Form Content You Enjoy

Here’s a key truth: whatever you choose to sell, you’ll need to be passionate enough about the topic to talk about it regularly.

• If you love writing → start a blog.

• If you prefer speaking → try a podcast.

• If you’re comfortable on camera → record videos (YouTube or a vlog).

This is content you own — unlike social media, which can change or de-platform you. Personally, my blog and Pinterest have been the biggest drivers of my sales. Social media helps, but long-form content is what creates staying power.

Grow an Email List From Day One

Selling on platforms like eBay or Etsy is great, but ultimately you want customers on your list so you can connect with them directly.

Here’s how I do it:

• When I sell doll repair supplies, I offer a free tutorial. To get it, buyers enter their email address.

• For fun products like fashion or toys, I use a personality quiz or a coupon code as the incentive.

I use Flodesk, which makes beautiful email forms and newsletters (you can start free and get a discount on your first year if you try it out with this link ~ no credit card required!).

Listen to Your Customers

Once you start selling, pay close attention to what your buyers are saying:

• Which products get compliments, reviews, or repeat sales?

• What do people wish you had more of?

• What questions or comments do they leave in your messages or reviews?

For example, I often have people say they wish I had multiples of certain vintage items. Since I sell one-of-a-kind vintage goods, I can’t usually get more— but it tells me what styles and categories are worth hunting for.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be “proficient” in one perfect skill to start an online business. The real secret is to test small, listen to the market, and build on what works.

Start with what’s free: sell things from your house, try Redbubble, offer a service for reviews. Then expand into POD, digital products, or books. As you layer in content and an email list, you’ll naturally discover your product, your consumer, and your path to financial security.

Remember — clarity comes from action, not from waiting until you feel ready.