Today, consumers’ desire to shop without time or location constraints, the rapid development of technology, increased internet access, and widespread mobile device use are making online product sales more common and increasing the appeal of e-commerce. Low operating costs, the ability to reach a large customer base, and the effectiveness of digital marketing strategies are key factors driving businesses toward this space. All of these contribute to the rapid spread of online product sales.
If you are looking to enter the ever-growing world of e-commerce and decide what to sell online, this article can help you.
Remember, the key to successful online sales is bringing the right product to the right target audience at the right time and place.
What should be considered when deciding on a product to sell online?
There are some critical criteria you need to consider when deciding on the product you want to sell online. You should research these thoroughly before making your decision on the product you plan to sell online.
- Market demand: Research whether there is sufficient demand for the product you’ve chosen. Use tools like Google Trends and Amazon Best Sellers to analyze popular products and trends.
- Competition: Evaluate the level of competition for your product. Entering a highly competitive market can be challenging, so choosing niche products with less competition may be preferable.
- Profit margin: Calculate the cost and selling price of the product to determine the profit margin. Selling products with insufficient profit may not be sustainable.
- Target audience: Identify the demographic groups your product appeals to and understand their shopping habits. Choose products that meet the needs and expectations of your target audience.
- Supply chain and logistics: Find a reliable source to supply your product. Also, plan logistics processes like storage, packaging, and shipping.
- Product pricing: When setting your product’s price, consider competitor prices and customer expectations. It’s important to set competitive and attractive prices.
- Legal requirements: Research the legal requirements and regulations for selling the product. Some products may require specific legal permissions or certifications.
- Product features and quality: The quality and features of your product are crucial for customer satisfaction. High-quality products lead to long-term customer loyalty.
- Marketing potential: Evaluate how you can promote your product using online marketing strategies. Ensure you can effectively promote it through social media, SEO, content marketing, etc.
- Customer feedback: Examine customer feedback and reviews to understand what potential customers think about the product. This information helps predict how the product will be received in the market.
Best-selling products online
It has been observed that e-commerce volume in Turkey has rapidly grown in recent years. Especially since 2020, consumer habits shifting towards digital shopping due to the pandemic have led to a significant increase in the e-commerce sector.
According to the “Overview of E-Commerce in Turkey Report” prepared by the Ministry of Trade, Turkey’s e-commerce volume in 2023 increased by 115.15% compared to the previous year, reaching 1.85 trillion Turkish lira (77.89 billion dollars). The number of transactions increased by 22.25% compared to the previous year, totaling 5.87 billion.
The Ministry of Trade predicts that the e-commerce volume in 2024 will reach 3.4 trillion Turkish lira, with 6.67 billion transactions.
The growth has been driven by increased access to technology, widespread internet use among the younger population, and the development of digital payment systems. Additionally, government e-commerce incentives and the success of local platforms have also accelerated this growth.
The top-selling products online may vary by category. However, the most popular product categories and the top-selling items in these categories are as follows:
- Electronics and Technology Products:
- Smartphones and accessories
- Laptops and tablets
- Game consoles and games
- Headphones and speakers
- Clothing and Fashion:
- Women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing
- Shoes
- Bags and accessories
- Sportswear
- Beauty and Personal Care:
- Makeup products
- Skincare products
- Perfumes
- Hair care products
- Home and Kitchen Goods:
- Kitchen appliances and utensils
- Decorative items
- Furniture
- Cleaning products
- Health and Fitness Products:
- Exercise equipment
- Vitamins and supplements
- Health tracking devices (e.g., fitness bracelets)
- Yoga mats and accessories
- Books and Media:
- Printed books
- e-Books
- Movies and music albums
- Toys and Baby Products:
- Educational toys
- Baby clothes and accessories
- Baby care products
- Food and Beverages:
- Snacks and drinks
Special diet products
Organic and healthy food
- Hobbies and Crafts:
- Art and craft supplies
- Model kits and miniatures
- Musical instruments
- Sports and Outdoors:
- Sports equipment
- Camping and hiking gear
- Bicycles and accessories
Products in these categories generally attract consumer interest and achieve high sales figures.
What are the advantages of selling products online?
In a world where e-commerce is becoming widespread, there are many advantages to selling products online. Some of these advantages include:
You can reach a large customer base.
Thanks to the internet, you can reach millions of potential customers worldwide without geographical limitations.
You can start your business with lower costs.
Expenses like rent, electricity, and water that come with opening a physical store are minimized in e-commerce. Additionally, personnel costs can also be lower.
Your store is open 24/7
Since e-commerce sites are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, customers can shop whenever they want.
You can track inventory easily with simple management
Digital platforms offer software that simplifies stock management and order tracking, making business processes more efficient.
With targeted marketing, you can easily reach your target audience
Thanks to internet advertising, it’s easier to reach customers with specific demographic characteristics who are interested in your products.
You need less physical space
The need for storage and office space is much less compared to physical stores.
You have the ability to gather feedback and conduct analysis
You have access to extensive data and feedback to analyze customer behavior, sales trends, and product performance.
You can offer various payment options
E-commerce sites accept a variety of payment methods, such as credit cards, bank transfers, and digital wallets, increasing customer satisfaction.
You can offer personalized experiences
By offering personalized recommendations, you can enhance the shopping experience and increase customer loyalty.
Flexible and fast management
Updating products, running promotions, and quickly responding to customer feedback are easier.
These advantages make e-commerce increasingly important in today’s business world.
