Dropshipping is a profitable business model for new entrepreneurs to make money on the side.
It isn’t free tostart a dropshipping business(there are non-inventory costs), but it's much lower risk and less complex, since you don’t need to stock products or handle order fulfillment.
Finding adropshippingbusiness idea is as simple as finding a product to sell. Yet with so many dropshipping businesses out there, the hardest part is finding the right product—one that’ll set you apart.
Here’s how to find and validate a dropshipping business idea, with 100+ trending products to look into. We’ll cover:
- How to find a dropshipping idea
- 100+ dropshipping ideas for 2023
- How to choose a dropshipping business idea
How to find a dropshipping idea
TikTok
TikTok’s social media platform is a major shopping channel of Gen Z consumers—55% of whomhave bought something after seeing it on the platform.
Discover your next dropshipping idea by scanning the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt hashtag, which actively encourages users to take part in social shopping experiences. Regularly engage with consumers in an industry you’re interested in and check the Explore page to discovertrending products on TikTok.
Take the TikTok-famous sunlight lamps, for example. Videos on the topic have amassed almost 200 million views. Source comparable products from dropshipping suppliers, sell at a profit, and capture social shoppers looking to get in on the trend.
Marketplace bestsellers
The biggest online marketplaces sell millions of SKUs from thousands of brands. By 2027, they’ll play a role in59% of purchasing journeys, making them a great source of data to uncover trending products and dropshipping ideas.
Start by looking at “top product” pages on Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart. Pay close attention to top products in any given category, or those with a “selling fast” icon.
Continue your search onwholesale marketplaceslike AliExpress, Alibaba, andSaleHoo. Because most of these marketplaces double up as a dropshipping website, top products are also available for dropshipping (versus something you find on eBay that may not be dropshipable).
Pinterest Trends
Pinterest is a social media/search engine hybrid that allows users to save pins to a virtual moodboard. UsePinterest Trendsto see what users have saved the most during the previous week/month, and dropship similar products through your own online store.
Trendhunter
Trendhunteruses page view data, artificial intelligence, and research teams to discover trending products. Recent examples include compostable menswear and muted pink sneakers, though you can browse its website to find online business ideas before they become saturated.
100+ dropshipping ideas for 2023
- Beauty and skin care
- Clothing and accessories
- Jewelry
- Books
- Art
- Coffee
- CBD products
- Baby products
- Fitness products
- Pet products
- Car accessories
- Home tools
- Furniture
- Electronics
Beauty and skin care
The global beauty and personal care industry is set to beworth $679.79 billionby 2025. People spend big bucks managing their appearance and solving cosmetic-related health issues. Claim your stake by working with a dropshipping supplier to source cosmetics, skin care, and beauty products. Sell them at a higher price through your own online store.
Popular dropshipping business ideas in the beauty and skin care industry include:
- Moisturizer
- Cleanser
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Fragrances
- Nail clippers
- Makeup bags
- Cooling eye masks
- Facial rollers
- 痤疮治疗
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
Clothing and accessories
The global apparel industry is one of the biggest markets in the world, valued at1.5万亿美元. Fashion niche markets come within the clothing and accessories umbrella—products you can dropship and make money from online.
Since a few years ago, tank tops, sports bras, and leggings have all become popular athleisure items. Even among those who simply want a comfy suit for sitting and are hoping to participate in a little more leisure than athleticism. The wildly popular and TikTok-approved scrunch legging is one of the most notable trendy products in this category.
Popular items to dropship in this category include:
- Hats
- Socks
- T-shirts
- Sports bras
- Hoodies
- Swimming trunks
- Cargo pants
- 伴娘礼服
- Fashion accessories
- Fancy dress costumes
Read more:The 19 Best Dropshipping Clothing Suppliers to Grow Your Business in 2022
Jewelry
Consumers spend$28.68 billionon jewelry each year. If you want tostart a jewelry businessbut don’t have the time or skill to handcraft your own products, consider dropshipping those another manufacturer has already made.
Thechunky gold jewelry trend, in particular, is one worth considering if you’re looking to use this online business idea. Block gold rings, necklaces, and earrings are back in fashion, with searches for “gold hoop earrings” steadily increasing.
Other notable jewelry products to dropship include:
- Rings
- Necklaces
- Fine jewelry
- Costume jewelry
- Anniversary jewelry
- Wedding rings
- Gemstones
- Bracelets
Books
Reading is still one of the most popular activities, with almosttwo-thirds of US consumershaving read at least one print book in the past year, spending an annual total of $25.71 billion
Instead of dropshipping any book you can find, the key is to specialize in one specific type of book. Take academic course materials, for example. Consumers spend$339 per yearon higher education books (compared to the global population’s$113.87average).
Other types ofbooks to dropshipinclude:
- Fiction
- Non-fiction
- Language books
- Religious books
- Large-print books
- Autobiographies
- Pre-K books
Art
Online sales in the art market top $13.3 billion each year. The industry experienced a7.3% annual growth ratein 2021.
The best thing about dropshipping art is that it’s accessible to anyone, regardless of how knowledgeable you are of the field. You’ve got the option to dropship fine art, which can fetch thousands of dollars per piece, orhandcrafted drawingsthat are printed and sold at scale for a lower cost.
Find your next dropshipping business idea with products like:
- Prints
- Art pencils
- 3D statues
- Wall decor
- Coloring books
- Enamel pins
- Phone cases
- Greeting cards
- Children’s art kits
Coffee
Did you know that the average American drinks almosttwo cups of coffeeeach day? This daily habit contributes to a huge coffee industry tipped to reach a$155 billion valuation by 2026.
Dropshipping coffeeis a great way to take your slice of this spend. Find a coffee dropshipping supplier likeDripshipperorAroma Ridge. Add custom labels to coffee-related products and list them on your ecommerce website for a higher price.
Popular items to sell on yourcoffee business’s online storeinclude:
- Coffee beans
- Sachets
- Coffee pods
- Coffee machines
- Coffee bags
- Coffee grinders
- Flavored syrups
CBD products
Cannabidiol products contain hemp-derived ingredients. An estimated64 million Americanshave tried CBD products within the past two years, with 44% spending between $20 and $80 on CBD-related products each month.
Although CBD products don’t include THC (the compound that gets you high), it’s still a highly regulated industry. Check that your state doesn’t prohibit you fromdropshipping CBD products, whether there’s an age limit your customers need to pass before accessing your online store, and that shortlisted suppliers’ products pass FDA regulation.
- CBD oils
- Supplements
- CBD tinctures
- Lotions and creams
- Pet CBD oils
- Bath bombs
- CBD sprays
Baby products
Parents and caregivers spend$67.35 billionon baby care products each year—a figure set to hit $88.72 billion by 2026.
Niche marketsare emerging in the baby space. Take the gender reveal industry as an example. An increasing number of soon-to-be parents are hosting parties to announce the gender of their baby. According to Google Trends, searches for “gender reveal balloons” have steadily been increasing since 2016.
这里有一些其他婴儿产品可以使用park a dropshipping business idea:
- Kids’ toys
- Diapers
- Strollers
- Stair gates
- Breast milk pumps
- Organic baby food
- Baby monitors
- Changing mats
- Baby carriers
- Booster seats
Fitness products
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced employees to work from home,exercise levels increased. House-bound consumers had no choice but to exercise at home. To do that, they needed fitness equipment.
Fitness trackers are onedropshipping nichethat’s exploded in popularity. Some553.6 millionfitness trackers were shipped last year, with global consumers predicted to spend$93.86 billionon wrist-wearing activity trackers in 2022.
Aside from fitness technology, consider dropshipping the following exercise products:
- Yoga mats
- Foam rollers
- Gym gloves
- Jump ropes
- Protein powders
- Fitness trackers
- Trampolines
- Step blocks
- Resistance bands
Pet products
More than halfof American households own a pet, contributing to a $123.6 billion industry.
To capitalize on our love for furry friends, find a lucrativebusiness idea in the pet industry. Dog vitamins, for example, are just one huge area of spend. Owners splash $81 per year on supplements to keep their dogs healthy.
Other pet-related items to dropship include:
- Food
- Leashes
- Collars
- Cat litter
- 生骨头
- Bird seeds
- Cage water bottles
- Drying coats
- Pet ID tags
- 慢食碗
- Grass patches
Car accessories
More than65 million carsare sold each year. Give the millions of consumers who own one the chance to make their driving experiences more enjoyable by dropshipping car accessories.
TikTok is a great source of inspiration for dropshipping business ideas in this niche. A quick search for “car accessories” retrieves a handful of popular videos—some with millions of views—in which users share the favorite car accessories they’ve found on Amazon. Use them as inspiration when sourcing products for your dropshipping store. That could be:
- Air fresheners
- Car mats
- Car cleaning kits
- Cup holders
- Steering wheel covers
- Dash cams
- Car hoovers
- Neck pillows
- Tablet holders
- Trunk organizers
- Wiper blades
Home tools
Home improvement sales are predicted to reach$621.3 billionby 2025, making it one of the largest consumer markets. Dropship home gadgets, hardware, and decorating accessories to build a profitable business in this niche.
I believe the best dropshipping products in 2023 will be anything in the off-the-grid living and homesteading space. These niches are continuing their upward trajectory trend and there are a ton of different supplies in these niches that can be targeted with high or low-ticket dropshipping.
Popular home-related items to dropship include:
- Extension leads
- 门铃
- Step ladders
- Security cameras
- Lint removers
- Wine fridges
- Handheld vacuums
- Carpet cleaners
- Lights
Furniture
If you’re looking for a high-ticket dropshipping business idea in the home improvement market, consider dropshipping furniture. Products are often priced higher than small home improvement gadgets. The average hybrid queen size mattress, for example,sells for $2,050.
The hardest thing aboutdropshipping furnitureis the fact customers can’t always see the product they’re thinking of buying. Solve any pre-purchase anxiety andbuild consumer trustwith extensive product photography, reviews from happy customers, and size charts to scale.
Furniture-related items to dropship include:
- Mirrors
- Bean bags
- Bookshelves
- Rugs
- Lamps
- Bedside tables
- Dining chairs
- Shelving units
- Home office chairs
- Standing desks
Electronics
From computers to cameras, global consumers spend$376 billionon electronics each year. This type of product isn’t in short supply—you’ll find manufacturers offering dropship electronics across all major dropshipping platforms.
However, the electronics industry is another highly regulated niche. Reputable suppliers will be happy to supply a portable appliance test (PAT) certificate that confirms their electronics have been rigorously tested and meet safety standards.
To turn this niche into a profitable dropshipping business, source trending products like:
- Chargers
- Cameras
- Headphones
- Sat navs
- Printer ink
- Screen cleaners
- TV remote controls
- Memory cards
- Smart speakers
- Phone cases
- Kettles
How to choose a dropshipping business idea
Dropshipping is notoriously known for being a low-risk business model. However, you can increase the odds of ecommerce success by validating an idea before running with it.
Evaluate demand
性能试验ore running with your next idea, see whether people are already talking about the product you’re thinking of selling.
Do your own research with online tools likeGoogle Trends. The platform shows historical data for how many people search for that dropshipping business idea. Pay especially close attention to keywords on an upward trend. This indicates the product is becoming more popular and demand is increasing. Try to get there before competitors cotton on.
I always use Google Trends to see how the product is trending in various countries over the last five years and then use a keyword tool to check the monthly search volume.
If you’re torn between two dropshipping business ideas, use Google Trends’ comparison tool to evaluate demand for each term. Knowing one keyword is much more popular than the other can sway you in that direction.
Check your competition
If you go into a niche that’s already popular, it’s going to be super competitive. Dropshipping requires a successful marketing strategy—and paid ads will cost more and keywords will be more competitive for top products.
Yet go the other way and there’s a risk of nobody wanting to buy the products you’re dropshipping. It’ll be an uphill struggle to build a profitable business.
Ultimately, there is no “ideal” demand when selecting thebest dropshipping product. There are pros and cons when going niche versus hyper-competitive. The ideal competition level depends on the type of business you want to build.
Low competition
If you’re struggling to find retailers selling similar products to the one you want to dropship, it’s not a bad sign. Going after a niche market can be a smart business move.
Pros
- It’s easier to stand out.
- Build customer loyalty by being known as the go-to brand for a specific product.
- You’re not at the mercy of competitors—many of whom are able to sway consumers with lower prices.
Cons
- Demand might not be as high.
- You often need to take the quality-over-quantity approach.
- It can be more expensive to find and acquire customers in a niche market.
High competition
Hundreds of other dropshippers selling comparable products might make it harder to stand out, but it proves demand is there. Look at their product pricing strategy and see whether it’s worth competing.
Pros
- Proven demand from customers.
- Wider variety of suppliers to choose from.
- A strong brand personality can help you charge a premium for comparable products.
Cons
- It’s harder to stand out from established competitors.
- Most often, you compete on price—even when profit margins are already tight.
- 你需要定义unique selling propositionupfront (and heavily market it).
Find dropshipping suppliers
Dropshipping suppliersmake or break your new business. They’re the ones responsible for manufacturing, packing, and shipping orders to your customers. Check that for whatever dropshipping business idea you choose there are suppliers to work with.
Use platforms like:
Most importantly, recruit a reliable supplier you can trust. Any customer complaints will fall in your hands since the dropshipping supplier acts as a silent partner. Ask for their order accuracy rate, previous customer reviews, and minimum order quantity upfront. It’ll minimize the chances of a supplier’s problems ruining your own brand’s reputation.
Order a sample
Dropshipping isn’t a business you can start with no money—people pay a premium for higher quality products. Figure out whether it’s worth paying more for quality from your suppliers by ordering samples.
Let’s say your supplier stocks three different varieties of the resistance bands you want to dropship:
- Product A:$2.49 cost price and made from low-quality rubber.
- Product B:$3.69 cost price and made from high-quality rubber.
- Product C:$6.29 cost price and made from recycled and sustainable materials.
If you’re looking for a dropshipping business idea that’ll make the most money, you might think Product A stands you in better ground to do that. Lower cost price means higher margins, right?
However, people paypremiums for sustainability. After ordering all three products to sample, you survey your target market and discover they’d pay $28 for Product C—a 79.68% profit margin (compared to 25% for A and 43% for B).
Ordering samples in advance also gives you first-hand experience dealing with a supplier before your customers are involved. You’ll have the delivery communication emails, unboxing experience, and first impressions your customers get.
Survey your target market
Your target market is the group of people who will buy your products. Instead of finding a dropshipping product idea and hoping there’s a market for it,survey your target audienceto see:
- Whether they’d buy the product
- How they’d discover it (i.e., your best marketing channels)
- How much they’d pay
There are two ways this process tends to go AWOL. First, people are notoriously awful at telling you what they would do or would buy. It’s difficult to get honest opinions when no real money is at stake.
Secondly, small business owners often turn toward their family and friends for market research. They ask if they'd buy a product, only to hear everyone say yes because they didn't want to hurt a budding entrepreneurs’ feelings.
解决这些问题,问强硬的问题that allow you to verify whether what you think is a great business idea would make money. That includes:
- How would this product impact your life or daily routine?
- What products are you currently using to solve this problem?
- Which features do you find the most/least useful?
Calculate your profit margin
Once you subtract the wholesale price of a product and your overheads, are you left with any profit? Good business ideas are those whereproducts are sourcedat a low price and resold higher.
Use Shopify’sfree profit margin calculatorto see how much money you’re left with after buying the product from a supplier and paying their fee forpicking, packing, and shipping.
One route is to find the absolute cheapest product and sell it at as high of a price possible. But that strategy comes with risk. You often have to sell as many products as you can, rather than focusing on high-quality customers and building sustainable business.
Invest in brand-building ifincreasing your profit marginis the ultimate goal. Consumers pay a premium to shop with brands that:
- Are sustainable
- Have a community
- Have strong brand values
Even if cost prices and competitor RRPs are low, make your dropshipping brand the go-to ecommerce website for consumers who want more than the ordinary.
Start a dropshipping business today
The success of your dropshipping store depends on the product you choose.
Build a small, low maintenance (and low cost)online store with Shopifyto validate your dropshipping business idea and test a marketing strategy. Choose three to five products in the same niche. Invest more time and effort into products proven to sell for the best chance of success.
Dropshipping business idea FAQ
What are the best dropshipping ideas?
- Not too high in competition
- High-quality products
- Room for healthy profit margins
- Reliable suppliers available
- Good product-market fit
What products are successful for dropshipping?
- Coffee
- Jewelry
- Clothing
- Books
- Accessories
What items will be popular in 2023?
- Pet carriers
- Household cleaning products
- False eyelash accessories
- Standing desks
- Treadmill walking pads
What are the most searched products on Google?
- Dunks
- Square bathroom mirrors
- School shoes
- Walking pad treadmill
- Water bottles for school
Data fromGoogle Trends’ Shopping Report Aug 14 - Aug 21.