[Standing Out in the Online Store Industry] Top 10 Most Promising Online Store Industries in 2022
The emergence of online stores has changed many people's shopping habits. Because of the pandemic, online stores that were already developing rapidly have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. However, because of this, online stores even have a tendency to become excessive. The question is: Is every retail business suitable for opening an online store? What types of online store industries can stand out?
This article selects ten different types of online store industries with development potential and introduces them one by one.
Online Store Industry 1 / Custom Wood Carving Store
The first type is custom wood carving, featuring personalized and custom-made handmade products. Because each piece of wood has unique grain patterns along with good texture, making phone cases, phone charging stands, or other accessories also has many loyal fans willing to patronize.
The benefit of operating an online store is that such wood carving products take time to make, and the store owner may not be able to display all products. But the online store can showcase all product styles and effect images through photos and videos at once. Guests can also roughly grasp the product's style, and it's easy to build your own brand characteristics.
Online Store Industry 2 / Handmade Soap
The second type is also handmade products, but they are consumable products: handmade soap. More and more Hong Kong people care about the environment. Many have abandoned traditional soap liquids and switched to natural organic soap. Some even choose to make their own, creating their favorite scents. Therefore, some online stores selling handmade soap have emerged. Some online stores even offer professional certificate courses and experience classes.
This industry is suitable for online stores because handmade soap is not mass-produced or stockpiled. Usually, production starts only after receiving an order. Therefore, displaying your product types, fragrances, and shapes in online store format is more suitable for the handmade soap business model.
Online Store Industry 3 / Pet Treats
The third type is pet treats. Many people in Hong Kong have pets and are very concerned about their pets' health, spending money on their diet comparable to a child. Hence, pets are also called "fur babies."
Many online stores selling pet treats or feed mainly focus on natural, organic, and healthy products. These foods are either artificially made and should not be stored for long. Making them after receiving orders is also suitable for operating as an online store. Additionally, online word-of-mouth spreads easily, helping accumulate a regular customer base.
Online Store Industry 4 / Pet Accessories
The fourth type also targets pet owners as customers, mainly selling pet accessories. As mentioned earlier, pet owners are willing to spend money on their pets. Pet accessories usually follow a delicate route. Accessories can be designed for different festivals, or customized with the pet's name and appearance.
The online store platform can better display effect images of pets wearing accessories, increasing customers' willingness to customize and shop, and can also attract more customers to inquire.
Online Store Industry 5 / Hand-Pour Coffee Classes
The fifth type is hand-pour coffee classes. Hong Kong's life pace has been rapid, but in recent years, more people have advocated for a slower lifestyle. While coffee shops are opening more and more, some people have also started studying hand-pour coffee, and hand-pour coffee classes have emerged.
Because hand-pour coffee classes require a fixed location and equipment assistance, most hand-pour coffee classes are taught in small groups. Therefore, promoting online through online stores while using an online store platform with a booking system makes it easier to reach different audiences.
Online Store Industry 6 / Earrings and Handmade Jewelry Store
The sixth type is an earrings and handmade jewelry store. Such stores often appear in Instagram ads or IG shops. Many times they are small-scale operations, mainly following a delicate and compact route. As long as the designs are special and can establish their own style, it's easy to attract customers' attention.
Selling such small accessories on an online store platform and using the categorization service provided by the platform makes it convenient for customers to choose. The benefit is that one small advertisement can reach the most customers. Additionally, these small accessories are light in weight, suitable for mailing, and customers are willing to pay for shipping themselves. This is very suitable for developing as an online store.
Online Store Industry 7 / Crystal Shop
The seventh type has been especially popular in the past year or two, mainly selling crystals. Some small shops also offer tarot and divination services. In the past, people might have considered crystals, tarot, and divination as superstitious. But now, more people tend to believe they can bring good energy and vibes. Additionally, in the past year or two, affected by the pandemic, the overall atmosphere in society has been gloomy. Many people hope to reorganize their own energy, bringing a new atmosphere, making this type of online store business very prosperous.
Online Store Industry 8 / Pressed Flower Products
The eighth type is pressed flower products. There are many flower lovers in Hong Kong, but flowers will eventually wither. Pressed flower is one way to preserve them permanently. In addition to making eternal flowers, this type of pressed flower online store can also press flowers on different household items and turn them into other types of products. It can even combine them with pet ashes and fur to become valuable commemorative jewelry.
This type of online store is unique and cannot easily be replaced by others. It's quite easy to stand out among online stores.
Online Store Industry 9 / Fabric Products
The ninth type is fabric products. If everyone has watched Kingsman, they would know that tailor-made is valuable.
Whether it's sewing clothes, fabric bags, wallets, or hair ties - as long as they are handmade products, there will be people who appreciate them willing to buy (of course, depending on your skill!). Since many products are "one and only" unique pieces, they can actually break through, so there's great market potential.
Online Store Industry 10 / Handmade Food
The tenth type is handmade food, mainly selling cakes, egg rolls, tarts, and other handmade food. Note that this type of online store also needs to obtain a food license before operating.
Because Hong Kong's rents are high, many people who want to start a food-related business will first start from an online store, with building reputation and customer base as the main task. There are also many online stores of this type. The benefit is that the location and time for exchange are more flexible, and customers can customize flavors and styles. Many people abandon traditional dessert stores and turn to these online stores to purchase.
It's not hard to find that these online stores share a common characteristic: most focus on handmade, self-branded, and personalized products. In fact, regardless of the type of online store, having personal style and characteristics is very important. This is the decisive factor that determines whether customers can remember you and whether they will buy your products.
Because of this, having an exclusive online store platform that meets your needs is also an essential factor for success. ThinkShops can meet the needs of many online store owners.
Complete Activity Management System Helps Customers Choose Suitable Activities More Easily
For online store industries that need to hold classes, such as the hand-pour coffee shops, handmade soap classes, tarot divination classes, or pressed flower workshops mentioned earlier, ThinkShops has activity and course management features. Customers can book experience classes and sign up for certificate courses. It also has a QR code ticket feature - scan once to enter, saving staff from the trouble of checking personal information. After the activity ends, the store owner can collect and organize participant feedback data (e.g., questionnaires) in the backend, check their satisfaction with the activity, and collect their opinions to improve and enhance the activity quality.
Multi-Layer Classification System Allows Customers to Easily Book Products
For products that need to be pre-ordered like pet treats and handmade food, ThinkShops provides multi-layer classification (up to 5 layers). Store owners can classify products by series, function, brand, color, etc. Then set product specifications, sizes, prices, shipping options, and other choices. Customers can choose once and then select when and where to pick up.
ThinkShops also supports multiple payment methods, making it convenient for customers to pay electronically. It can also be used with consumption vouchers. Additionally, customers ordering customized products can also use ThinkShops' order message area to leave messages for the store owner, explaining their requirements to strengthen communication between both parties and avoid order errors.
