Increasingly, people want to earn money without leaving their homes. Some are full-time parents. Others are students or individuals seeking additional income. The good news is, there are now many ways to do that. If you’ve ever searched “what to sell from home,” you’re not alone. Many are asking the same thing—what’s easy to sell from home? What works even if I have no business experience? What can I try without spending a lot of money?
This guide will help answer those questions. Whether you’re into crafting, creating digital products, or offering a service, this article will guide you through your options. You don’t need a huge budget or special training to begin. You need an idea that fits you.
Let’s begin!
I. Why Sell From Home? (A Great Income Idea)
Making money from home is one of the easiest ways to start earning without pressure. You can begin with what you already have and work at your own pace. Many people start small and slowly grow their income over time. Let’s examine why this setup works well for many.
1. Low-cost and low-risk
Starting a business from home does not require renting a shop or purchasing expensive equipment. In fact, most people start with items they already own, such as a phone, a laptop, or even extra items they want to resell. Since you don’t need to pay for a store or hire staff, you spend less money. And because you spend less, the risk is also negligible. If something doesn’t sell, you can adjust your plan without incurring significant losses.
2. Control your time and pace
Working from home gives you complete control of your time. You can decide when to work, how much time to spend, and how many orders to accept. This is ideal for busy individuals, such as parents caring for children or students who need to study. You don’t have to follow a fixed schedule. Instead, you build your routine around what works best for you.
3. A market for almost everything online
Many people think they need to sell something super special to earn online. But that’s not true. People purchase a wide range of items online. Some want custom gifts. Others need simple tools or daily-use items. There are even buyers for secondhand things and homemade snacks. If you’ve ever wondered what to sell from home, the answer could be something you already know or use yourself.
Now, let’s discuss which products might work well for you in the following sections.
II. Best Physical Products To Sell From Home
If you enjoy working with your hands or have items around the house that you no longer use, physical products can be a great way to start. Many people begin by wondering what to sell from home and start by selling simple items, then gradually expand their offerings.
Below are some of the most common things people choose when deciding what to sell from home:
1. Handmade crafts and decor
Do you enjoy creating items such as keychains, candles, or wall art? Handmade items are always popular because they feel personal and one-of-a-kind. You can start by making a few pieces and sharing them with friends or posting them on social media. If people like your style, they may begin placing orders. These kinds of items are great for birthdays, holidays, or special events.
2. Baked goods or specialty food (local laws may apply)
If you’re good at baking cookies, making local snacks, or cooking something tasty, this can be a fun way to earn money from home. Many people love ordering from local sellers because the food tastes fresh. Be sure to check your area’s rules regarding food sales. Once you’re set, you can start taking orders through marketplaces or group chats and offer delivery or pickup.
You may also read our article about “Same-Day Wholesale Delivery: How To Tell If It’s Right For Your Business.”
3. Secondhand items or thrift flips
You might be surprised how many people are looking for secondhand clothes, books, or gadgets. If you have extra items at home, consider selling them instead of letting them collect dust. Some sellers even purchase inexpensive items from thrift stores, refurbish them, and resell them for a higher price. It’s a smart way to turn “junk” into cash.
4. Private label products (small batches)
Private labeling means purchasing a product from a supplier and selling it under your name or brand. For example, you can buy soap bars or hair oil in bulk, add your sticker or name to them, and then resell them. It’s a bit more advanced, but still doable from home. You don’t need to start big—test a few items and see what works.
5. Print-on-demand merch (shirts, mugs, etc.)
Print-on-demand is a method of selling items, such as shirts, tote bags, or mugs, with your design printed on them. You don’t need to buy many items in advance. Instead, you upload your design to a website, and they print and ship each order only when a purchase is made. This makes it easy to try selling without stocking inventory.
You may also read about “Effective Inventory Management: 5 Strategies To Avoid Overstocks and Understocks.”
III. Best Digital Products To Sell From Home
Another thing that can help answer your question about what to sell from home is considering digital products. Digital products are great because you only need to create them once, and you can sell them repeatedly, potentially generating recurring revenue. You don’t need to worry about shipping or running out of stock.
If you’re still figuring out what to sell from home, digital items can be a smart option, especially if you enjoy using a computer or making designs.
1. Ebooks or guides
If you know something really well, like how to cook simple meals, care for plants, or save money, you can write an ebook or short guide. These don’t need to be long. Just make sure your ideas are clear and helpful. Once done, you can sell them on platforms like Gumroad or Etsy. You can even share the link with friends or on social media.
2. Templates (social media, resumes, planners)
Many people want to make their social media pages look appealing or submit more impressive resumes. You can help by making easy-to-use templates. These can be made using free tools like Canva. Then, you can sell the files online. It’s also a fun way to use your creativity while helping others stay organized or get noticed.
3. Online courses or workshops
If you can teach something, such as drawing, playing the guitar, or even basic math, you can record short videos and turn them into a course. Some people use Zoom for live lessons, while others upload their videos to course websites for students to access. Many parents also seek lessons for their children, making this a good opportunity to enter.
4. Stock photos or digital art
If you like taking pictures or drawing, you can turn your work into digital products. Bloggers, small businesses, and content creators often look for photos or illustrations they can use. There are websites where you can upload your images and get paid each time someone downloads them.
5. Printables (budget sheets, trackers, kids’ worksheets)
Printables are files people can print and use at home. Examples include savings trackers, meal planners, or worksheets for kids. These are simple to make but very helpful to others. You can create a collection of printables and sell them as a bundle. It’s a quick way to turn your ideas into something useful.
IV. Services You Can Sell From Home
Not everyone wants to sell physical or digital products. Some people prefer offering their time and skills instead. If you’ve ever wondered what to sell from home and enjoy helping others, selling a service might be the right choice.
These ideas are flexible and don’t need any physical space or storage:
1. Freelance writing, design, or social media
If you enjoy writing, making graphics, or posting on social media, you can turn that into a service. Many small businesses require assistance with writing captions, editing photos, or managing their online presence. You can start by offering your help to friends or small brands. As you gain experience, you’ll be able to charge more and work with bigger clients.
2. Online tutoring or virtual assistance
Do you enjoy teaching or helping others stay organized? You can offer online tutoring to students who require assistance with their school subjects. Or, you can become a virtual assistant and help small business owners with tasks like answering emails or setting appointments. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and loads of patience.
3. Custom commissions (portraits, art, music, etc.)
If you’re artistic, people might pay you to make something special for them. This could be a drawing of their pet, a song for their birthday, or a name logo for their business. Custom commissions make people feel special because they are made just for them. You can start small and grow your list of happy customers through word of mouth or social media.
4. Pet-related services (grooming kits, baked treats)
Some people love pets more than anything. If that sounds like you, then pet services can be fun to try. You can bake pet treats using safe recipes or sell grooming kits that include basic tools. You don’t have to offer pet sitting or walking. Focus on items you can make or pack from home and sell to other pet lovers in your area.
V. How To Choose What To Sell From Home
With numerous choices available, it can be overwhelming to select just one. But don’t worry. You don’t need to get everything perfect on the first try. When thinking about what to sell from home, the best place to start is with what you already know and enjoy doing.
Consider your skills and hobbies
To have a jump start on your ideas on what to sell from home, ask yourself, “What do I like doing in my free time?” or “What am I already good at?” You don’t have to be an expert. If you enjoy drawing, writing, baking, or organizing, you can turn those skills into a product or service. Many people earn money from hobbies that once seemed insignificant, such as painting, sewing, or creating playlists. Start with something you like. It makes the work easier and more fun.
Check if there’s a demand
It’s also important to know if other people want what you plan to sell. You can ask friends, join online groups, or check what others are selling on sites like Facebook Marketplace. If many people are buying similar items or services, that’s a good sign. If no one’s buying, consider trying a different idea or adjusting your offer to make it more appealing.
Start small and test the market
You don’t need to spend a lot of money right away. Start with just one or two items or services. Share them online or with people you know. Pay attention to how they respond. If you receive positive feedback, continue with your approach. If not, don’t be afraid to make adjustments. The best part about working from home is that you can try, learn, and adjust without feeling stuck.
VI. Tools To Help You Start Selling From Home
Once you decide what to sell from home, the next step is setting up your tools. You don’t need expensive software or gadgets to get started. Most of the tools are easy to use and made for beginners. These will help you sell, collect payments, and deliver orders without leaving your house.
Online Platforms
To reach buyers, you need a platform where people can see and buy your products. Websites like Amazon and Etsy are popular because many people shop there. But if you want more control over how you sell and how your store looks, there are better options, especially if you’re using WooCommerce.
Leveraging Wholesale Suite
Wholesale Suite is a powerful tool that helps you turn your WooCommerce store into a complete wholesale system. It’s made for sellers who want to offer special prices to wholesale buyers. You can set different prices based on who’s buying and how much they order. This is perfect if you want to serve both regular and bulk customers from home.
What makes it even better is how easy it is to manage everything. You can hide wholesale products from regular shoppers, set minimum order rules, and send custom invoices—all without needing tech skills. If you’re serious about the products you want or are still thinking about going down a path on what to sell from home and want to start strong, Wholesale Suite gives you the control you need to grow your home-based business.
Integration with WC Vendors
If you want to open your store to other sellers too, then WC Vendors is a good choice. This plugin enables you to create a multi-vendor marketplace directly within your WooCommerce store. You can invite other people to sell in your shop, and they will get their own vendor dashboard to manage orders and products.
The best part? WC Vendors works really well with Wholesale Suite. This means you can run a wholesale marketplace from home, where many sellers can offer their products at wholesale prices. You stay in control while giving others the opportunity to sell as well. It’s a smart way to expand your store while still working from your own space.
You may also read: WC Vendors Integration With Wholesale Prices.
Payment gateways
After you make a sale, you’ll need a way to collect money. Some customers prefer to use credit cards or e-wallets, while others prefer to pay via their bank account. Stripe and PayPal are popular and easy to set up. If you’re using Wholesale Suite, it also has Wholesale Payments, which helps you accept payments directly from your WooCommerce store. It supports multiple options, making things easier for your customers.
Delivery or courier apps
If you’re selling physical products, you’ll need a way to deliver them. Fortunately, numerous delivery apps are available for use. You can book them from your phone, and they can pick up and drop off your orders on the same day. This lets you focus on selling while they handle the travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing to sell at home?
The best thing to sell at home is something that you enjoy doing and that other people are already buying. For example, if you enjoy baking, then baked goods like cookies or banana bread can be a great starting point. If you enjoy creating designs, printables, or custom shirts, you can work on that, too. The key is to pick something you already know a little about. That way, you don’t feel lost while learning how to sell it.
What is the easiest product to sell?
The easiest product to sell is one that you can create or source quickly and that addresses a small, specific need. Items like secondhand clothes, digital downloads (such as planners), or homemade snacks are simple to offer and don’t require a large setup. They’re also things people often buy without overthinking.
What is easy to make and sell?
What’s easy depends on your skills, but try this: write a list of five things you know how to make. Then check if people are buying those things online. If yes, that’s a good starting point. Keep your first products simple. It helps you stay confident and ready to grow.
What homemade item sells the most?
Some of the most popular homemade items include candles, soap, baked goods, beaded jewelry, and knitted items. These sell well because they’re personal and unique. People like knowing their order was made by a real person, not a machine.
Final Thoughts
Selling from home gives you the opportunity to earn money without leaving your front door. You don’t need a comprehensive business plan or a large amount of money to get started. You need one good idea, a little effort, and a willingness to try.
Throughout this guide, we’ve talked about different options for what to sell from home:
- Why sell from home?
- Best physical products
- Best digital products
- Services you can sell
- How to choose what to sell from home
- Tools to help you start selling
If you’re still unsure what to sell from home, the best step is to choose one idea that feels simple and try it. Keep your first version small. Then, learn as you go. That’s how most sellers begin.
At Wholesale Suite, we’ve seen many of our users start selling just a few items, and over time, they grow their product line, set up their website, and even add wholesale options for bigger buyers. If they can do it, you can, too! Every big business starts small. So don’t wait too long. Pick something today and try it for real.
If you have other ideas or would like to share your own story, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Your next sale could be just one post, one message, or a product away.
