What should I sell online?

January 1, 2009 11:02 PM

Help me find something to sell online. My current site was de-indexed and while I'm working on getting that back in the rankings I'm looking for something else to sell and would like to experiment with sourcing a product myself versus going the affiliate route.

I've dabbled in affiliate marketing and had a halfway successful eBay Partner Network based site that was bringing in about $400-$600/mo on average and growing. Unfortunately Google de-indexed it for reasons I'm still uncertain of. I'm working on relaunching the site with new content and hopefully that will help but this has made me realize I can't put all my eggs in one basket.

This is where you guys come in. I'm trying to think of unique product ideas to sell online. I know how to get a site designed and rather than a site that sells MANY products, I'm looking for a site that can sell just one or two specific ones. I'd love to be able to source my own products to make them unique but I really have no clue where to even begin with that. Aside from shady dropshipping scammers, can you guys recommend some good resources for determining how to source a product (preferably within the US), find suppliers, etc.?

Also, any suggestions on where I can get inspiration for a product to sell in my store would be appreciated.

I'm not looking for THE idea...just some resources to gain inspiration. Are there any matchmaking sites for people who want to sell their products online and are looking for partners (NOT affiliates)?

I have an idea for a unique information product but it is based on World of Warcraft and I don't have much hardcore knowledge of the details of that game so I don't know how to go about finding a writer for that sort of thing...

posted by Elminster24 to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Best answer: IIRC, The 4-Hour Workweek includes specific recommendations for drop-shippers and other related services.
posted by Jacqueline at 11:41 PM on January 1, 2009

Something like one of these? Some are okay, others less so...
posted by gonzo_ID at 3:14 AM on January 2, 2009

Someone needs to sell a package of three timers for use in playing board games - one, two, and three minutes. Hourglass or mechanical does not matter, but something that gives players some choice, and can replace a broken item.

Let me know if you decide to do it.
posted by yclipse at 4:08 AM on January 2, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestion yclipse...just a thought though, wouldn't an egg timer work for that? You sound like you've had multiple frustrating experiences due to a missing or broken timer...I feel your pain.
posted by Elminster24 at 3:56 PM on January 2, 2009