What to Sell on Shopify in 2026 | 9 Steps to Find Profitable Products

Figuring out what to sell on Shopify is the first real decision you’ll make as a store owner—and it’s the one that keeps most people stuck.

You want to start an online store. You can see how it could change things—extra income, more flexibility, maybe even a full-time business down the road. But every time you sit down to actually begin, the same question stops you cold: what do you actually sell?

I get it. This question keeps more people stuck than any other part of starting an online business. You’ve probably spent hours scrolling through product ideas, second-guessing every option, and wondering if the market is already too crowded.

Here’s what I want you to know: finding what to sell on Shopify isn’t about waiting for the perfect idea to appear. It’s about following a simple process that anyone can learn.

After building over 800 online stores in my 14+ years in ecommerce, I’ve worked with countless store owners who started exactly where you are now. The ones who succeeded didn’t have better ideas. They had better methods.

Let me show you exactly what works.

Table of Contents

Why Most People Get Stuck on Product Selection

Before we dive in, let’s address something important.

Most beginners make product selection way harder than it needs to be. They think they need to invent something revolutionary or find some secret product nobody else knows about.

That’s not how this works.

The best products to sell aren’t necessarily unique. They solve real problems for real people. They’re products with proven demand where you can add your own angle—better branding, better customer service, or targeting an underserved audience.

Your job isn’t to reinvent the wheel. Your job is to find a wheel that people want to buy and make it easier for them to get it.

Method 1: Solve a Problem You Actually Have

This is my favorite starting point because it’s the most genuine.

Think about the last time you searched for something online and couldn’t find exactly what you wanted. Maybe the options were too expensive. Maybe the quality was poor. Maybe nothing fit your specific situation.

That frustration? That’s a business opportunity.

Grab a notebook and answer these questions:

What products have you bought recently that disappointed you?
What do you wish existed but doesn’t?
What problems do you face in your daily life, hobbies, or work?

Some of the most successful stores I’ve helped build started exactly this way. One client couldn’t find quality pet accessories for large dogs. Another was frustrated by the lack of stylish options for nursing mothers. Both turned their frustrations into six-figure businesses.

Method 2: Follow Your Existing Interests

Here’s something that might surprise you: passion matters more than most gurus admit.

Yes, you need market demand. But if you’re building a business you’ll be working on for years, selling products you genuinely care about makes everything easier.

When you know your niche well, you:

Understand your customers intuitively
Create better content because you actually know the subject
Stay motivated when progress feels slow
Spot opportunities others miss

Make a list of your hobbies, interests, and areas of expertise. Then we’ll validate whether there’s a market for products in those spaces.

Method 3: Use Google Trends (It’s Free and Powerful)

Google Trends is one of the best free tools for figuring out what to sell on Shopify.

Here’s my simple process:

Step 1: Go to trends.google.com

Step 2: Enter a product idea or niche keyword

Step 3: Set the timeframe to “Past 5 years” to see the bigger picture

Step 4: Look for patterns

What you want to see is steady or growing interest over time. Avoid products that spiked briefly and then crashed—those are fads, not sustainable businesses.

For example, right now in 2025, searches for items like portable projectors, weighted blankets, and pet wellness products show consistent upward trends. That signals sustained demand, not a passing moment.

Method 4: Mine Amazon for Validated Ideas

Amazon has already done billions of dollars’ worth of product research. Why not use it?

Here’s how to mine Amazon for profitable niches for ecommerce:

Browse the Best Sellers: Amazon’s Best Sellers page shows you exactly what people are buying right now, organized by category. This is real sales data, not guesswork.

Check “Customers Also Bought”: When you find an interesting product, scroll down to see related products. This reveals entire ecosystems of products you might not have considered.

Read the Reviews: This is gold. Look for 3-star reviews especially. These customers liked the product enough to buy it, but had complaints. Their complaints are your product opportunities.

Explore “New Releases”: This section shows products that are gaining traction. Spotting trends early gives you a competitive advantage.

Method 5: Scroll Social Media With Purpose

I know, I know. “Scroll social media” sounds like an excuse to waste time. But when you do it strategically, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest become powerful product research tools.

On TikTok: Search hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt or #AmazonFinds. These reveal products that are going viral right now. The key is catching them early enough to ride the wave.

On Pinterest: Pinterest users plan purchases weeks or even months in advance. Products trending on Pinterest in January often peak in mainstream searches by February or March. It’s like seeing what’s coming next.

On Instagram: Follow accounts in niches you’re interested in. Pay attention to what products influencers feature and what their audiences engage with most.

Method 6: Explore Wholesale Marketplaces

Websites like Alibaba and AliExpress aren’t just for sourcing products—they’re useful research tools for discovering what to sell on Shopify.

Browse categories that interest you and pay attention to:

Products with high order volumes
Items with lots of supplier competition (indicate demand)
Products with room for branding and customization

One approach I recommend: Find products selling well in their basic form, then add value through better branding, bundling, or targeting a specific audience.

Method 7: Listen to Online Communities

Reddit, Facebook Groups, Quora, and niche forums are where your future customers hang out. They’re telling you exactly what they want—you just have to listen.

Search for phrases like:

“I wish there was…”
“Why can’t I find…”
“Does anyone know where to buy…”
“I’m looking for…”

These conversations reveal unmet needs in real-time. Better yet, they come directly from potential customers in their own words.

Method 8: Study Local Retail Trends

Don’t overlook the physical world. Brick-and-mortar stores still account for a huge portion of retail sales, and they’ve done extensive research on what sells.

Visit local boutiques, specialty stores, and even big-box retailers. Notice what’s prominently displayed. Ask employees what’s been selling well lately.

The question to ask yourself: Could any of these products work better online? Could you serve a specific audience that local stores can’t reach?

Method 9: Look at What’s Working (Then Do It Better)

Here’s a truth that might feel uncomfortable: You don’t need a completely original idea.

Some of the most successful Shopify stores sell products that hundreds of other stores also sell. They win by doing it better—better branding, better customer experience, better marketing, better targeting.

Look at successful stores in niches you’re interested in. Study their:

Product selection
Pricing strategy
Brand positioning
Customer reviews

Then ask: How could I serve a specific segment of this market better than they do?

Trending Product Categories for 2025

Based on current market data, here are categories showing strong, sustained growth:

Health & Wellness: Products like supplements, sleep aids, and fitness accessories continue growing as people prioritize their well-being.

Pet Products: The pet industry keeps expanding. Pet owners increasingly treat their animals like family members and spend accordingly.

Sustainable Products: Eco-friendly alternatives to everyday items attract a growing segment of conscious consumers.

Home Office & Tech Accessories: Remote work isn’t going anywhere. Products that improve the work-from-home experience remain in high demand.

Skincare & Personal Care: This category continues to grow, especially for targeted solutions and natural ingredients.

Personalized Products: Items that can be customized—from jewelry to drinkware—connect emotionally with buyers.

How to Validate Your Product Idea

Finding potential products is only half the work. Before you invest time and money, validate your idea with these quick checks:

Search Volume Check: Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to see if people are actually searching for your product. No searches means no organic demand.

Competition Check: Some competition is good—it proves the market exists. Too much competition from established players makes it harder to break in. Look for a balance.

Profit Margin Check: Can you sell this product at a price point that leaves room for profit after all costs? Factor in product cost, shipping, marketing, and platform fees.

Long-Term Check: Be honest with yourself. Can you see yourself working on this for the next few years? Building a business takes time.

Your Next Steps

You’ve made it this far, which tells me you’re serious about this. That already puts you ahead of most people who just think about starting an online store.

Here’s what I’d suggest doing next:

Block out 30 minutes on your calendar this week for product research
Pick 2-3 methods from this guide that feel right for you
Create a list of 10-15 product ideas without judging them yet
Validate your top 3 favorites using the checks above

Finding what to sell on Shopify isn’t a one-time decision; you need to get it perfect. It’s an ongoing process of research, testing, and refinement. Many successful store owners changed their product selection multiple times before finding what worked.

The most important thing is to start. Take action, even if it’s imperfect. Learn as you go.

Your future customers are out there right now, searching for products. Let’s help them find you.

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With 14+ years in ecommerce and over 800 stores built, I help people turn their online business ideas into reality. Have questions about finding your first product? Drop a comment below.

What to Sell on Shopify in 2026: 9 Proven Methods to Find Profitable Products