The best dropshipping products for your online business in 2023

It's no secret that online retail has become more profitable than ever before. According to Forbes, the global ecommerce market is expected to generate $6.3 trillion in 2023 alone.

But how do you get your online business up and running without the hassle of upfront costs? Dropshipping offers a unique approach to selling products in online stores without worrying about inventory or order fulfillment.

What exactly is dropshipping, and how can it benefit your online store? You've come to the right place to find out. We'll fill you in on what you need to know about how to start a successful dropshipping business with a print on demand service like Gelato.

Then we'll explore techniques you can use to find the trending best dropshipping products to boost your sales. Last but not least, we'll look at some of the best dropshipping products to add to your online store in 2023.

Main takeaways from this article:

• Discover why creating a dropshipping business is a unique approach to ecommerce that can significantly decrease start-up and operation costs.

• Learn how to leverage social media and Google Trends to find the best products for your dropshipping store.

• Explore the abundance of choices when it comes to dropshipping products to sell, and learn how store owners can focus on their own unique niches.

• Find a high-quality, reliable supplier for your dropshipping business.

Print on demand is an ecommerce business model similar to dropshipping that allows sellers to create and promote custom-printed products for sale. Print on demand allows the seller more flexibility to design and create custom products their target audience is looking for.

The seller can upload their custom designs using their print on demand supplier's platform and create product listings directly from their ecommerce storefront. When an item is sold, the third-party provider will manufacture the product and ship it directly to the final customer. The seller doesn't purchase or hold any inventory, and products are only paid for, printed, and shipped when an order is placed.

It certainly can be if you play your cards right! According to market research by Fundera, retailers who set up a dropshipping store can be up to 50% more profitable than those who opt for onsite inventory.

But while selling dropshipping products can be lucrative, that doesn't necessarily mean that running an online dropshipping store is easy. As with any retail venture, a successful dropshipping business will depend on a number of factors.

To achieve high-profit margins, you'll need to commit to the following:

• Doing product research to find the best dropshipping products to sell

• Following market trends

• Researching and following your target audience

• Using digital marketing to get your products in front of customers

• Finding a reliable supplier to fulfill your orders

The good news is that you'll have plenty of time to focus on these vital tasks when you enlist the help of dropshipping suppliers to handle your product fulfillment and shipping processes.

So how are you supposed to find the best dropshipping products to offer your customers? As plenty of successful dropshipping businesses will tell you, a little market research goes a long way.

No matter what your niche is, there are now many dropshipping websites and product research tools online that you can use for free. Here are some useful tips and tricks for finding winning products for your business.

1. Watch social media trends

Social media channels like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest offer front-row access to trending dropshipping products. If you don't already have an account on each of these platforms, now is a good time to take the plunge.

Even if you do already have personal accounts on popular social media sites, it may be worth creating separate ones that are specifically dedicated to finding dropshipping products to sell. Make sure you follow popular influencers in your niche to see what type of products they are promoting and the reactions they generate.

Social media accounts can also be a great way to market your own products. Tools like Pinterest Analytics and Instagram Insights offer valuable tools for tracking the performance of your posts. Facebook also offers a nice product research lab called Meta Foresite as part of their overall Meta Business Suite.

2. Analyze competitors

Let's face it; a little lowkey competitor stalking is a vital part of any marketing strategy. It's not only a great way to find out which dropshipping products your competitors are offering but also to discover which ones they aren't.

As you track the websites and creators, look for any gaps that your business can fill. While high-demand products are always solid bets, offering a few unique products from trending dropshipping niches can be a great way to boost your profit margin.

3. Utilize Google Trends

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to find out how much interest top trending dropshipping products were generating? Google Trends is a free tool that allows you to do exactly that.

A favorite product research tool of marketers and business owners everywhere, Google Trends will give you an inside peek at which products customers are looking for on search engines. Simply type in keywords related to your dropshipping product ideas, and Google Trends will reveal which are generating the most volume, how interest has fluctuated over time, and what's currently trending in your niche.

It may come as no surprise that fashion and clothing rank as the most popular shopping category sold on Shopify. The good news is that clothing will always be in high demand. It's also incredibly easy to break down into subcategories, such as casual women's clothing, athletic women's clothing, etc. 

The only downside is that because it's one of the top niches, the clothing and fashion category comes with plenty of competition. The key here is to offer unique products that will appeal to your target audience.

Think about ways you can use the product data you collected to create products that result in more sales. Here are some of the best dropshipping product ideas for men and women in the clothing and accessories category:

• T-shirts

• Leggings

• Bodysuits

• Long sleeve shirts

• Athletic shorts

• Sports bras

• Tank tops

• Swimwear

• Sunglasses

• Hats

• Hoodies

• Jackets

• Sweatshirts

• Backpacks

• Tote bags

• Jewelry

• Scarves

• Shoes

While baby products can be among the best dropshipping products to sell online, this is another niche that can come with some pretty fierce competition. According to a study by Grand View Research, the baby products market was valued at $214.13 billion in 2021, with an expected compound growth rate of 5.7% annually.

But the study also pinpointed some key considerations that can help your dropshipping business succeed. Recently, there's been a shift toward high-quality, premium baby products among parents around the world.

Offering organic or eco-friendly dropshipping products for babies is a great way to set yourself apart from the competition. Here are some of the best dropshipping items in the baby products category:

• Diapers

• Baby wipes

• Baby T-shirts

• Baby bottles

• Booster seats

• Teething toys

• Baby short-sleeve bodysuits

• Baby bags

• Baby blankets

• Strollers

• Baby long-sleeve bodysuits

• Baby bath products

• Nursing covers

• Baby monitors

Okay, so major home furnishings may not make for the most shipping-friendly dropshipping products. But according to the most recent economic data from the St. Louis Fed, the home furnishings industry is alive and well.

While dinette sets may not be on your list of hot dropshipping products, the key to a profitable dropshipping business is often to think outside the box. The odds are that there are plenty of other trending dropshipping products that would appeal to your target market.

Unless your business partners with a supplier that can ensure proper packaging, it's best to target hot products that aren't too fragile, bulky, or heavy. Here are some of the best dropshipping products in the home goods category to sell online:

• Mugs

• Water bottles

• Wall hangings

• Pillows

• Frames

• Bed sheets and covers

• Rugs

• Wall art

• Wallpaper

• Kitchenware

• Lighting fixtures

• Home storage products

Office supplies have stuff that best-selling dropshipping products are made of. They're lightweight, inexpensive to ship, and consumable, which means that customers will always need more.

But given that plenty of dropshipping suppliers offer these products at a low retail price, it's vital to figure out how to set your dropshipping items apart. This is where offering incentives such as bulk purchasing and customization can be the key to offering winning products.

Market research shows that the personalized stationery market is projected to grow at a 9.6% CAGR through 2030, largely due to customers like educational and corporate institutions. Here are some of the best dropshipping products in the office supplies category:

• Letterheads

• Notebooks

• Binders

• Flyers

• Planners

• Envelopes

• Folders

• Storage bins

• Filing cabinets

• Pens

• Brochures

• Business cards

• Pen holders

• Mouse pads

• Calendars

• Staplers

Personal care and beauty products can make great high-demand additions for the right dropshipping businesses. In fact, Statista predicts that online sales will generate over 36% of the revenue for this unique niche in 2023.

But while personal care items and beauty products will never go out of style, it's essential to make sure that the products you offer in your dropshipping store meet relevant safety and quality regulations.

As with many other of the best dropshipping products, you'll also want to find ways to make sure you stand out. You might consider ideas like offering eco-friendly packaging or focusing on products for sensitive skin. Below are some of the best dropshipping products in the personal care products category:

• Body wash

• Face wash

• Facial oil and moisturizers

• Acne patches

• Loofahs

• Sunscreen

• Bath bombs

• Perfumes

• Deodorant

• Shampoos and conditioners

• Makeup brushes

• Makeup (e.g., foundation, blush, eyeshadow)

• Shaving cream

• Razors

• Skincare products

If you love staying on top of the latest electronics products, then why not sell them as dropshipping items? Research estimates that over 45% of consumer electronics revenue will be generated through ecommerce in 2023.

Electronics can make a great addition to dropshipping businesses for several reasons. They're not only vital for personal and professional use but relatively lightweight and easy to ship, which can help boost your profit margin.

Even if you aren't up for tackling the constantly evolving nature of electronics, items like phone accessories are easy to sell online and don't tend to require tech support. Check out some of the products in the electronics category:

• Phone cases

• Wireless earbuds

• Ring lights

• Smart home devices

• Bluetooth speakers

• USB adapters and cables

• Portable chargers

• Kitchen electronics (e.g., blenders, air fryers, electric kettles)

• Gaming accessories (e.g., headsets, controllers)

• Smartwatches

• Scanners

• Printers

• Portable blenders

According to research from Zippia, 70% of American households include at least one pet. Additionally, US pet owners spend an average of $1,332 annually on their furry friends. The pet industry is full of dropshipping products to sell that can make for a very profitable business.

If you decide to cater to this niche, then you'll want to ensure that you select only the best dropshipping products for your store. Not only is there a great deal of competition, but it's also incredibly important to ensure the safety and durability of any items you choose to sell.

Another upside to offering pet products through your dropshipping business is that many are consumable, which can lead to repeat customers. Here are some great ideas for dropshipping products in the pet supplies category:

• Poop bags

• Toys

• Food bowls

• Pee pads

• Collars, harnesses, and leashes

• Jackets

• Sweaters

• Booties

• Pet food

• Grooming products

• Beds

• Carriers

At Gelato, we empower creators across the globe to produce and deliver their products through our vast network of local production partners and entrepreneurs. Our mission is simple: we want local communities to produce what local communities need. 

As a merchant, your products are automatically fulfilled - no need to manage inventory or make up-front investments. By utilizing Gelato's platform, more than 85% of products are made locally, resulting in reduced delivery times, costs, and carbon emissions. We believe in making your business smarter, faster, and greener.