There are two types of products you can sell: commoditized products and niche products. Commoditized products are essential, high demand, or popular goods or services that can be physical or digital, these are products that everybody needs. Commoditized products are what make up the majority of online sales, things you buy at Walmart or Amazon that have a big brand supporting them — food, golf clubs, clothes, kids’ toys, etc. Niche products are goods, or services that serve a specific customer base and product category. Niche products are often made in small batch runs or on demand, think of a unique beaded necklace, handmade frozen yogurt, or leather iPad case.
How to Choose What Products to Sell
Identify or create products that solve a problem
When you’re brainstorming ideas for a product or service, reflect on problems you understand, problems you can relate to will drive you while keeping you focused and motivated.
“If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find a solution for a problem in your own life.”
— Brian Chesky, Co-founder of Airbnb
Your product or service doesn’t necessarily need to be a huge, complicated endeavour — it can be quite simple, yet exceptionally effective.
Product opportunities can also exist in a few other areas:
- Improved product features
- A new market unrealized by your competitors
- Unique product positioning and marketing.
Beauty and skincare brand Bliss took a trending product and improved its features while tapping into an unrealized market opportunity. They introduced their products to the market with unique positioning. Bliss was founded in 1996, they started their business as a modern spa in NYC. They sought out to revolutionize skincare by introducing ingenious products to the market through cultivating a sense of community with their customers.
When I lived in New York I went to the Equinox gym where Bliss products were attached to the walls of the showers. I was hooked on the lovely smell of their bath wash.
Bliss continues to improve with new technologies and global ingredients, introducing new PETA-certified, cruelty-free, clean beauty and skincare products that work for every budget.
“We want everyone to put their best face forward.”
– Bliss
When the foundation of your brainstorming is based form the eyes of a consumer, you will be able to identify ways a product or service can bring value to your customer’s life.
Find products you and other people are passionate about
Starting your own business is not the glitz and glam that’s shown in the movies. The reality looks a lot more like long hours, likely some rocky terrain, and the occasional, if not frequent, sacrifice.
Being passionate about what you do will not only help carry you through hard times, but it will also aid in crafting a brand message that speaks to people in a way that’s meaningful, authentic, and engaging.
Be real – without passion, what’s the driver behind your online business?
By emotionally investing in your product, you can better deliver its value and mission to the market.
Find products with branding potential
Creating a resounding brand message can make a splash in the competitive ecommerce space. Crafting a recognizable and memorable brand means you’ll need to put in the time to research and truly understand your target audience. (Read the post about launching a product)
Some great questions to start with here are:
- How does your target audience like to be addressed?
- How will you position your product?
- How will you design your website to communicate your brand and appeal to your potential customers through layout, colour scheme, and calls to action?
Here are some example products:
boAt Airdopes 381 with ASAP charge Bluetooth Headset (Black, True Wireless)
- With Mic: Yes
- Bluetooth version: 5
- Wireless range: 10 m
- Battery life: 20 hrs | Charging time: 1.5 hours
- ASAP Charge: 5 mins= 60 mins playtime| Type-c Charging
- IWP Technology(Earbuds power on automatically as one opens the case)
- IPX5: Water and Sweat Resistant
Specifications
General
| Model Name | Airdopes 381 / Airdopes 383 |
| Color | Black |
| Headphone Type | True Wireless |
| Inline Remote | No |
| Sales Package | 1 Pair of Earbuds, Charging Case, USB Type-C Charging Cable, User Manual, Warranty Card |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Headphone Design | Earbud |
Product Details
| Sweat Proof | Yes |
| Deep Bass | Yes |
| Water Resistant | Yes |
| Designed For | iOS, Android, Windows |
| Series | Airdopes |
| With Microphone | Yes |
Connectivity Features
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
| Wireless Range | 10 m |
| Bluetooth Profiles | HSP, HPF, A2DP, AVRCP |
| Bluetooth Version | 5 |
| Bluetooth Range | 10 m |
| Battery Life | 20 hrs |
| Battery Capacity | 50 mAh |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Play Time | 20 hrs |
Tune into the true wireless vibe with the all new boAt Airdopes 381 TWS earbuds, where it’s all about style and sound! The earbuds have been crafted ergonomically, keeping the earbuds securely in place whenever in use. These earbuds measure IPX5 rated to offer resistance against sweat and water scares. It offers a playback time of up to 20 hours with the case, including up to 4 hours of playtime per charge. With our ASAP Fast Charge technology, the earbuds fetch a playback time of up to 60 min in just 5 min of charge. It also comes with IWP technology and Bluetooth v5.0 for instant connectivity. The unbeatable boAt signature sound shines through by offering an immersive experience. Its smooth touch controls lets one command playback, hands-free and activate voice assistant with ease.
Wireless Charger,2 in1 Dual Wireless Charger Phone Stand, Adjustable Desk Phone Holder 10W Qi Fast Charger Compatible with iPhone 11/Max/Xs/Xr/X/8P,AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy S20/S10/S9/S8(Black)
The wireless charging stand, top and bottom respectively built in with 10W charging chip, Qi-Certified support fast charge, can simultaneously charge 2 devices: mobile phones and Airpods.
- Input: 5V-2A; 9V-1.67A; Output:10W/7.5W/5W
- Compatibility List:
- 7.5W Charging Mode (Using QC 2.0/3.0 adapter)
- Compatible with iPhone11/11 Pro/Max/XS Max/XR/XS/X/8/Plus/SE 2020(only for iPhone 8 and later models)
- 10W Fast Charging Mode(Using QC 2.0/3.0 adapter)
- Compatible with Samsung Note 10/Note 9/Note 8,S20/S20+/S10/S10+/S9/S9+/S8+/S7edge/S7
- 5W Standard Charging Mode(Using 5V/2A adapter)
- Compatible with Air Pods 2/Pro, Pixel 4/3/XL,LG V50 ThinQ,V50,V40 ThinQ,V35 and all other Qi-enabled phones
Upgraded Dual Wireless Charger Phone Stand
Dual 10W Fast Wireless Charging Station for Apple Products
With 2 in 1 Dual 10W Wireless charging stand, you can choose the angle and the height you like to do a face time, watch video when you charging your mobile phone, at the same time, you can also charge your Air pods. lf you want take it along, don’t worry, It can be folded.
More than just a wireless charger
As a charger and a stand dock, you can use your phone while it charges. Set at the perfect angle and able to charge in both portrait and landscape so you can video chat, check messages, or catch up on the latest shows, all while keeping your phone powered up. Fit your bedroom, study, hall, office desk.
The best Bluetooth speakers of 2021 are must-have devices for music lovers, thanks to their portability, durability, fantastic audio quality, and it’s not hard to see why they’ve become the go-to sound solution for music fans looking to take their tunes with them wherever they go.
Specifications
- Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg)
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2
- Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers
- NFC: No
- Aux-in: No
- USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock)
Reasons to buy
- Integrates with a home Sonos speaker network+On-the-go tunes
- On-the-go tunes
Think before selling
Before you begin to brainstorm the design and experience of an online store, or even your company’s name, you’ll need to choose what products to sell.
This decision is part of your strategy, what you sell will impact every other business decision you make, such as:
- Brand name,
- Website design,
- Marketing,
- Loyalty programs, and
- Shipping and fulfilment.
While each of these components is essential to a successful online strategy, they are worthless without a great product to support them.
Ideas are great, but it’s the execution that makes all the difference.
Choose a fantastic product, build a brand that excited your customer and then provide excellent service. It won’t be overnight success, but in time when done properly you will build a reputation that will continue to bring you business. Subscribe to read more business, sales and investing posts.
