What kind of things would be a good choice to sell online? Things that people really need?
Great question! The easiest way to find out what people want to buy online is to look at keyword phrases they are typing into the major search engines.
You can use keyword modifiers to really narrow it down to those people who are ready to make a purchase. They will tell you exactly what they want and need.
While it really is that simple, there are three key things to consider when you're researching which products to sell online...
Focus on Markets, not Products
You want to choose a market to target. Never create a website around a merchant or a product, simply because they come and go - as do their affiliate programs. That's a surefire way to limit yourself, and set yourself up for failure. Instead, you want to focus on specific markets where you can recommend a variety of products.
Ideally you will choose a niche that you have a personal interest in, whether you have any real experience or expertise on that topic or not. It may be something you're just getting into yourself, or it may be a hobby or passion of yours. Either way will work great, and definitely much better than niche or topic you have no interest in at all.
When considering markets, or choosing your specific niche, you want to look for market depth. Don't go super narrow. Choose a niche that gives you plenty of topic ideas, and a variety of products to sell online.
Content Marketing is key, and merchants/products come and go - you'll want variety and options as your online business grows.
Selling is About Serving Your Market
It's not just about making money online. To be truly successful you have to figure out what people want, and help them make smart buying decisions. It's about choosing a market, and serving that market - that's what makes for a great online business with long-term profit potential.
A lot of people hate selling or pitching. You don't have to do a "hard sell" or use smarmy marketing tactics. Simply make solid recommendations that help people make good choices. Period.
That's the base for building a profitable online business.
It's less about choosing the right products, and more about matching products with markets, or markets with merchants. Basically you're the middle man, and your job is to be a "product matchmaker."
Keyword Research Tip: "Intent of the Search"
Many people struggle with the initial market research, and which tool to use to find the right keywords. See: Frustrated With Market Research?
As I mentioned above, you should choose a niche or topic where you have personal interest. Even better if you are your own target market, as you'll have way more insight into the intent behind specific keyword phrases - based on your own personal experience.
For example, I have a low carb blog, which I started not long after I started eating low carb myself. I choose products to sell online based on my own buying habits, and personal experience researching and making purchases online myself.
That hands-on experience gives me a lot of insight into the "intent" behind keyword phrases I research for that blog, because I went through the same process - and understand the thinking behind their research.
Keywords are not just about numbers, they are very specific questions and requests. You want to consider WHY they are searching that phrase, and what their intentions are - are they looking for information, looking to make a purchase, or what exactly?
Choose products to recommend & promote based on the answer to that question!
Recommended Topics & Tutorials:
- Did You Choose The Right Niche?
- Using Keyword Modifiers to Qualify Visitors
- Do You HATE Pitching / Selling Online?
- How to Sell Products Online as an Affiliate
- Promoting Physical Products as an Affiliate
- Driving Traffic To Your Product Reviews
- Ideas for How-To Content and How-To Products
- The Products People Are Searching For Online
One of the things we work on together in my Private Brainstorming Group is "keyword targeting" and choosing the right combination of keyword phrases and monetization. There is a Keyword Targeting Tutorial in the private forum, and I also work with members on it live on a micro level every week.
Getting that "message to market match" just right is the key to increasing your conversion rate, and your overall business revenue.
Click here to learn more about joining us!
Best,
