Based on data collected over the past few years, Filipinos are expected to spend up to USD 12 billion on e-commerce by 2025. That’s definitely a LOT of money, which is something you might want to cash in on through online selling.

Before you start applying for a loan online to help fund your business, however, you need to decide on what you want to sell in the first place. This requires careful consideration. While there is no “wrong” product per se, there’s a “right” product based on factors like market trends, consumer needs, and your professional experience.

There’s also the matter of deciding whether to resell products or make your own. In addition, you need to plan whether you want online selling to become your main source of income or just a way to supplement your salary.

All that being considered, here are some ideas about which products you can sell online so you can start a small but successful business:

Skincare Products

It’s safe to say that Filipinos are quite obsessed with skincare, and not just in terms of lightening their skin tone. For example, thanks to pop culture, there are those who want to achieve Korean “glass skin.” Meanwhile, some are more focused on dealing with individual skin problems like oiliness and pimple marks.

All of this is to say that there will always be a market for skincare products in the Philippines. Even better is that skincare products are not a one-off purchase. If customers want to maintain their nice complexion, then they have to keep up with their regimen. The wide range of skin concerns also means you can either go wide or narrow when homing in on your ideal target market.

The primary thing you have to keep in mind is that this is a highly competitive category. If you want to succeed, you have to work on your online store’s marketing campaigns to increase visibility and attract customers.

Organic Cosmetics

When it comes to skincare, another high-performing category in consumer goods is cosmetics. Everyone wants to look good and feel great about themselves, after all. This gives you a bigger potential market, although you may have to put in more work to stand out in such a large and active space.

If you want to bring something unique to the table, consider going for organic products. These are not only appealing to those looking for healthier, more hypoallergenic cosmetics, but also to those who want to patronize eco-friendly, sustainable products.

You also have the option to either be a reseller of more established brands, or make your own products. Do note that the latter requires you to invest more time, money, and energy into your online selling business. If you want, you can look for small-scale manufacturers that make their own “brandless” organic cosmetics that are meant for reselling. You can then purchase these in bulk and develop your own brand.

Handcrafted Jewelry

If you have an eye for fashion and crafting, you may want to consider getting into making your own handcrafted jewelry. What’s good about these products is that they can be entirely made to order. You can also limit the production of each style so you can create a sense of exclusivity for your customers. As such, this is a great option for a side gig.

One of the keys to a successful handcrafted jewelry business is finding the right suppliers. There are a wide variety of materials involved in this trade, such as gems, crystals, settings, and wires, all of them in different tones and colors. You also need tools like pliers, cutters, a jeweler’s saw, and disc punchers. Make sure to invest in these so you can keep on making quality accessories.

Fitness Equipment and Apparel

Because of the COVID pandemic, establishments like gyms and health clubs were forced to close down temporarily. As such, those who wanted to exercise and keep up with their fitness regimen had to make do with working out at home. This, in part, drove the rise in demand for fitness equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, stability balls, resistance bands, and yoga mats; exercise apparel also enjoyed a tangential surge.

Even now that most fitness centers have reopened, there are still people who prefer working out at home due to convenience and cost savings. What’s more, there are also those who are shy or hesitant to go to a gym for various reasons (e.g, they prefer to use their own gear). These individuals are your primary market.

Footwear

Whether it’s slides, sneakers, boots, oxfords, loafers, high heels, flats, or slip-ons, you can count on Filipino consumers to be always looking for stylish footwear. The key segment you want to pay attention to would be the “hype” sneakers, where resellers can make up 50% of their initial investment. Of course, you have to build up a reliable name so buyers will trust that you aren’t scamming them with “class A” goods.

You can also go into making affordable but quality leather footwear, especially for the ladies. If you have the funds for it, you can work with shoemakers to design your own shoe line. If not, you can find companies that offer reselling or franchising as an option. Much like unbranded cosmetics, there are also shoe companies nowadays that openly encourage would-be entrepreneurs to buy their products and start a new brand.

Mobile Accessories

First, the Philippines was dubbed “the Text Capital of the World.” Then, two cities in Metro Manila were dubbed the “Selfiest Cities” because of the sheer number of selfies taken in these locations. In addition, Filipinos have been found to spend an average of 4 to 5 hours on social media daily. That’s why it’s not such a surprise for mobile accessories to be quite a strong e-commerce category.

Some of the things you can sell include smartphone stands, wireless charging pads, earphones or headphones, cases, and camera attachments like ring lights or lenses. You can also expand your product line to include computer accessories, like webcams, customizable keyboards, gaming mice, and mouse pads/mats.

Home Improvement Products

As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. Indeed, Filipinos are always looking for ways to make their living spaces more comfortable, safe, and organized. This is where you can come in as an online seller, providing customers with a variety of products. You can concentrate on a couple of categories first, if you want, say, living room and bedroom accessories. Then, you can slowly expand your inventory to cover other parts of the house.

Keep in mind that home improvement is also not exclusive to decor. You can also sell products like gardening tools and supplies, especially considering the market of the so-called plantitos and plantitas. Other categories you can look into include small power tools, kitchen storage solutions, and rechargeable appliances.

Food

Last but certainly not least, you can always count on food products to be best sellers. This is yet another competitive category, however, so you need to be strategic when it comes to promoting your products. You should also think carefully about the types of food products you want to sell. For example, if you don’t have the culinary skills, you can opt to resell pasalubong favorites from different provinces. The main concern and expense here would be the logistics and where to find quality products.

Meanwhile, if you want to flex your cooking or baking talents, you can start a mini food business through online selling. Sweet treats like cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and brownies are always great options, as well as candies, chocolates, and ice cream. For ulam and other non-dessert dishes, you can start with small batches of orders catering to nearby neighborhoods to prevent the food from spoiling. Whichever you choose, you need to find a reliable delivery partner to ensure that the goods will stay in good shape upon receipt of the customer.

 

Of course, deciding which product or products you want to sell is only the first step. You then have to decide on a store name, the platform you want to sell on, and how you’re going to advertise your online store. You also have to think about the details of sourcing materials or ingredients, payment methods, and delivery solutions, among others. Finally, you should always aim to provide good customer service.

When you put it in this perspective, online selling can feel a lot more challenging. However, once you’ve gotten the hang of it after a few months or so, you’ll find that the difficult parts at the beginning have become second nature to you.

Keep in mind as well that e-commerce is a highly competitive space. Thus, you should always try to improve so you can stay relevant. In addition, don’t feel bad if you don’t succeed at first. Listen to your customers, do your research, and most of all, be patient. Pretty soon, you’ll be reaping the rewards of your hard work as an online seller.

Good luck on your next endeavor!