What to Sell Online When You Have No Inventory

Dreaming about making extra money online, but dont have products to ship or space to store inventory? Good news: you can still start selling online with zero stock on hand. Whether youre a student, stay-at-home parent, or just looking for a side hustle, there are beginner-friendly ways to earn without ever touching a box. This guide will walk you through realistic, proven methods to sell online when you have no inventory, complete with tips, honest expectations, and step-by-step instructions to get started.

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How Does Selling With No Inventory Work?

Selling online without inventory means you never have to buy, store, or ship products yourself. Instead, you act as the middleman, creator, or promoter. Your job is to connect customers with products or services, or to sell items that dont require physical stock—like digital files or custom-printed goods. This approach is perfect for beginners and busy people because its low-risk and often low-cost.

Top Methods to Sell Online With No Inventory

Dropshipping

How It Works

With dropshipping, you set up an online store and list products for sale. When someone buys, you purchase the item from a supplier, who ships it directly to your customer. You never see or handle the product.

Earning Expectations

Most beginners earn $50“$500/month after a few months, but some dedicated sellers make much more. Profit margins are usually 10“30% per sale.

Time Commitment

Setup takes a few days. Expect to spend 5“10 hours/week managing your store, handling customer service, and marketing.

Requirements & Startup Costs

  • Online store (Shopify, WooCommerce, or similar)
  • Supplier account (AliExpress, Spocket, etc.)
  • Startup costs: $30“$50/month for store fees

Pros

  • No inventory or shipping
  • Wide selection of products
  • Scalable

Cons

  • Lower profit margins
  • Customer service can be challenging
  • Shipping times may be long

Beginner Tips

  • Start with a small, focused niche—like pet accessories or phone cases.
  • Order samples to check product quality.
  • Be honest about shipping times in your store.
  • Use trusted suppliers with good reviews.

Real-World Example

Sarah, a stay-at-home mom, started a dropshipping store selling baby clothes. She spent $39/month on Shopify and found suppliers on Spocket. After two months, she was making $200/month in profit, working about 8 hours a week.

Scam Warning

Never pay large upfront fees to coaches or gurus. Use only reputable platforms and suppliers. If a supplier asks for payment outside the platform, walk away.

How It Works

Print-on-demand (POD) lets you sell custom designs on items like shirts, mugs, and tote bags. When someone orders, the POD company prints and ships it for you.

Earning Expectations

Most beginners earn $20“$300/month, but top sellers can make thousands. You earn a set profit per sale, usually $5“$10/item.

Time Commitment

Setup takes a few hours. Youll spend 2“6 hours/week creating new designs and promoting your store.

Requirements & Startup Costs

  • Design software (free options: Canva, GIMP)
  • POD platform (Printful, Printify, Redbubble, Teespring)
  • Startup costs: $0“$30/month (many POD platforms are free)

Pros

  • No inventory or shipping
  • Creative and fun
  • Low startup cost

Cons

  • Competitive market
  • Design skills help, but arent required
  • Lower margins than selling in bulk

Beginner Tips

  • Start with simple, text-based designs.
  • Use free design tools and templates.
  • Promote on social media and to friends/family.

Real-World Example

Jake, a college student, opened a Redbubble shop selling funny cat-themed mugs. He used Canva for designs and earned $75 his first month, working just a few hours a week.

Digital Products

How It Works

Sell downloadable items like printables, planners, art, music, or templates. Customers buy and instantly download the product—no shipping or inventory needed.

Earning Expectations

Beginners can make $20“$200/month, but digital products can scale up over time. Each product can be sold unlimited times.

Time Commitment

Creating your first product may take a few hours. After that, youll spend 1“3 hours/week on marketing and customer support.

Requirements & Startup Costs

  • Design or writing software (Canva, Google Docs, etc.)
  • Selling platform (Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify)
  • Startup costs: $0“$20 (Etsy charges $0.20 per listing)

Pros

  • Passive income potential
  • No shipping or inventory
  • Unlimited sales per product

Cons

  • Requires creativity or research
  • Some niches are crowded

Beginner Tips

  • Start with simple products like planners or checklists.
  • Look at bestsellers on Etsy for inspiration.
  • Offer bundles for more value.

Real-World Example

Maria, a teacher, created printable lesson plans and sold them on Etsy. She made $150 in her first month with just three products listed.

Affiliate Marketing

How It Works

Promote other companies products using a special link. When someone buys through your link, you earn a commission. No need to handle inventory or customer service.

Earning Expectations

Beginners often earn $10“$100/month, but with time and a good audience, earnings can grow much higher. Commissions range from 1% to 50%+ depending on the program.

Time Commitment

Setup takes a few hours. Ongoing time depends on how much you promote—expect 2“8 hours/week.

Requirements & Startup Costs

  • Blog, social media account, or YouTube channel
  • Affiliate program sign-up (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, etc.)
  • Startup costs: $0 (free to join affiliate programs)

Pros

  • No inventory, shipping, or customer service
  • Promote products you like
  • Flexible and scalable

Cons

  • Requires building an audience
  • Income can be slow to start
  • Payout minimums vary by program

Beginner Tips

  • Start by recommending products you already use.
  • Disclose affiliate links for trust and compliance.
  • Focus on one or two platforms (like Instagram or a blog).

Real-World Example

Alex, a student, started a simple blog reviewing tech gadgets. By sharing Amazon affiliate links, he made $60 in his first two months.

Online Courses and eBooks

How It Works

If you have expertise or a hobby, you can create and sell online courses or eBooks. Customers pay to access your knowledge—no inventory required.

Earning Expectations

Beginners may earn $50“$300/month, but successful creators can earn much more. Courses and eBooks can sell for $10“$200+ each.

Time Commitment

Creating a course or eBook takes time upfront (a few days to weeks). After launch, expect a few hours per week on promotion and support.

Requirements & Startup Costs

  • Knowledge or skill to share
  • Course platform (Teachable, Udemy) or eBook platform (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing)
  • Startup costs: $0“$30 (many platforms are free to start)

Pros

  • Passive income after creation
  • Share your passion or expertise
  • Unlimited sales potential

Cons

  • Upfront work is required
  • Marketing is key to success

Beginner Tips

  • Start with a short eBook or mini-course.
  • Use free tools like Google Docs or Canva for creation.
  • Ask friends or family for feedback before publishing.

Real-World Example

Lisa, a part-time freelancer, wrote a short eBook about budgeting for beginners. She published it on Amazon and made $120 in her first month.

FAQ

  • Q: Do I need a business license to sell online with no inventory?

    A: Most platforms dont require a license to start, but check your local laws for tax or business requirements.

  • Q: How do I avoid scams?

    A: Use reputable platforms, never pay large upfront fees, and research suppliers or affiliate programs before joining.

  • Q: Can I do this part-time?

    A: Absolutely! Most methods can be started in your spare time and scaled up as you grow.

  • Q: How do I get paid?

    A: Payments are usually sent via PayPal, direct deposit, or platform payouts, depending on the method.

  • Q: What if Im not tech-savvy?

    A: Many platforms are designed for beginners. Look for step-by-step tutorials and dont be afraid to ask for help in online communities.

Summary and Next Steps

Selling online with no inventory is a realistic way to earn extra money, even if youre a total beginner. Whether you try dropshipping, print-on-demand, digital products, affiliate marketing, or online courses, theres a method to fit your skills and schedule. Start small, learn as you go, and stay patient—success builds over time.

Ready to explore more ways to make money online? Check out other guides and tips on Survey Soda to find the perfect side hustle for you!