How to Become an Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship sounds rather swanky, doesn't it? But there are a lot more make-or-break details than you might anticipate. Take a look.
How to Better Yourself
Sometimes the biggest obstacle standing in your way is you! These resources are designed to help you towards a healthier and more productive mindset.
Useful Tips for Work at Home Parents
I’m not a parent, but I have a couple of friends who work from home either freelancing and selling products online. Before they became parents, working from home meant they could sleep in, have long lunches with friends as they pleased, and work at their own pace.
Any mom or parent reading this will know that none of the above is possible when children are part of the equation. I know a lot of SaleHoo readers are parents so using some advice offered by friends, and my own research, I’ve put together a quick list of tips to help you get through your day working at home and attempting to run a business!
When is the Best Time to Quit Your Job? (3 Steps to Take)
If you are like most SaleHoo members, you will want to turn your online retail business into a full time income earner. However, forgoing a steady pay check is a scary thought. So when is the right time to quit your day job and start working for yourself?
Below I have outlined a 3 step plan to help you determine when it’s the right time for you to quit your day job. Make sure you check it out before you go making any hasty decisions!
Step one: Understand that working for yourself is still working
As an online entrepreneur, it’s far too easy for you to dream up a picture in your head about sleeping in, playing with your kids, catching up on day time TV and doing a couple of hours of work per day while earning a full time income.
You might be lucky enough to have a business model that will allow this, but in most cases, to generate a good income, you wil
5 Ways to Instantly Increase Productivity When Working From Home
One of the best ways that you can maximize how much you earn from your business is to increase your productivity.
Ever since I was a college student, I’ve always calculated the amount that I earned per hour from selling items online. For example, if I made $300 one week for doing five hours work, I would divide $300 by 5 (the number of hours I spent earning that money) to figure out my hourly rate (which would be $60 per hour, in this case. Not bad for a 19 year old student!).
Admittedly, one of the main reasons I did this calculation was to make sure that I was always earning more than I could if I chose to do a ‘normal-person’ job to get me through college, like waiting tables. Not only did I have a great time bragging to my dorm mates about how much I was earning (I was 19, cut me some slack), but it also forced me to make sure that I was always productive with the time I spent
How to Beat Procrastination and Finally Start Your Online Business
Hey you! Yes, you, lurking around our site, reading all these fabulous blogs, and picking through the supplier directory, but never actually doing anything useful like, oh, I don't know, selling something on eBay!
We have set up this amazing and easy-to-use site so that absolutely anyone can learn how to make money online, and that includes you! So, tell me, or at least think about it; why did you join SaleHoo? Were you tired of your boring job, your nagging boss, your early starts, being away from your kids all day, or were you simply looking to make some cash to buy yourself a new car, or go on vacation? Perhaps you have forgotten why you joined SaleHoo altogether?
The truth is, we can spoon feed you all the information you need, we can tell you the hottest tips on selling on eBay, and we can give you access to the best suppliers available online (and we do!), but only you can ta
How to Grow your Business
So you've got your business off the ground and are wondering where to go from here? Time to start thinking about some strategies for business growth.
The Buyer Blues: Navigating the 5 Most Frustrating Types of Shoppers
💡 Key Insights:
Identifying Buyer Types: Understand the different types of frustrating buyers—from premature negative reviewers to incessant questioners—to better anticipate and manage their behavior.
Effective Responses: Employ strategies such as clear communication, setting firm boundaries, and using platform tools like eBay’s Resolution Center to handle difficult buyers while maintaining your sanity.
Preemptive Measures: Enhance your listings with detailed information and clear policies to minimize unnecessary questions, reduce buyer’s remorse, and protect your seller reputation.
The old adage goes, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” but when it comes to certain buyers, it’s tempting to sink your teeth in. Every online seller has encountered those customers who seem to exist solely to test your patience, push your b
The Ultimate Guide to Customer Loyalty Programs + 6 Live Examples
Globally, points-based rewards programs are the most popular. Shoppers can earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts and other perks.
9 Customer Retention Strategies Proven to Bring in Higher Profits (for eCommerce)
One of the best customer retention strategies for eCommerce is creating a personalized customer experience. This means tailoring your offerings to each individual's needs and preferences.
10 top PayPal alternatives for eCommerce: A comparison guide
Are you looking for top PayPal alternatives for eCommerce? This is a list of the top 10 payment platforms today. Your online payment system could spell a massive difference in the success of your business.
Backoffice: How to Manage a Business
It's not all about fancy business lunches and cashing in those big checks! ? Learn all about those all-important behind the scenes details.
Successfully Ordering from a Wholesale Supplier: Everything You Need to Know
Placing your first wholesale order is a monumental step in your entrepreneurial journey. It signals that you’ve found a profitable niche, identified a reputable supplier, and are on the brink of launching your business to the next level. While it’s an exciting time, it’s crucial to proceed with caution and thoroughness to ensure a smooth experience. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, offering tips and insights to help you place your first wholesale order with confidence.
1. Obtain a Tax ID (for US Sellers)
Before you place any orders, it’s essential to have your legal ducks in a row. For sellers in the United States, this often means obtaining a tax ID, also known as a sales tax permit or resale certificate. This ID is critical as most suppliers will require it before doing business with you.
Why Do You Need a Tax ID?
A tax ID is nec
Mastering Wholesale Success: 4 Advanced Techniques to Secure the Best Wholesale Prices
Key Insights:
Strategic Sourcing: Leveraging bulk orders, building strong supplier relationships, and direct sourcing from manufacturers are key tactics to secure the lowest wholesale prices and maximize profit margins.
Relationship Building: Consistent communication, personal touches, and cultural sensitivity with suppliers—both domestic and international—can lead to better pricing, priority service, and exclusive deals.
Direct Manufacturer Deals: Sourcing directly from manufacturers cuts out middlemen, offering the lowest prices but requiring large orders, quality control, and complex negotiations.
Have you ever wondered how your competitors manage to undercut your prices, offering the same products at just a few dollars less? The answer isn't as mysterious as it might seem—they're simply securing better wholesale prices. This advantage
ePacket Shipping: Essential Insights Every Dropshipper Needs to Know
💡 Tips for using ePacket in your dropshipping business:
Choose Lightweight, High-Value Products: ePacket is ideal for small, lightweight items that fit within the service’s weight and size limitations. Focus on products that are easy to ship, ensuring they don’t exceed 2 kilograms in weight or $400 in value.
Leverage Tracking for Transparency: ePacket offers end-to-end tracking, which you should use to keep your customers informed about their order status. Providing tracking information builds trust and reduces customer anxiety about delivery times.
Communicate Potential Customs Fees: Be transparent with customers about the possibility of customs duties or taxes when using ePacket. Informing them upfront helps manage expectations and avoids surprises at delivery.
As eCommerce continues to flourish, dropsh
PayPal Account Frozen? Here’s How to Get Your Funds Back and Protect Your Business
💡 Key Insights:
Proactive Communication: Informing PayPal about large transactions in advance can help prevent your account from being flagged and frozen.
High Risk of Stealth Accounts: Stealth accounts can lead to permanent bans and legal issues, making them a poor alternative to legitimate practices.
Diversification is Key: Relying solely on PayPal is risky; integrating multiple payment processors reduces dependency and offers customers more options.
A frozen PayPal account can be a nightmare for online sellers. Whether you're a seasoned eCommerce entrepreneur or just starting, the sudden inability to access your funds can halt your business operations and create significant stress. Unfortunately, as many sellers have discovered, PayPal's stringent security measures sometimes result in accounts being frozen with little warning.
In this guide, we’ll d
eCommerce Business Resources
Work smarter, not harder! Insightful data points, analytics, and tools will make your life so much easier. Find our favourites in this section.
Apple Pay on the Rise: Adoption Trends in the US
Apple Pay continues to solidify its position as the most-used mobile payment method in the United States. With the rise of digital wallets and growing consumer preference for contactless payments, the number of Apple Pay users has steadily increased over the years.
Apple Pay Users in the US (2022–2026)
Year
Number of Users (Million)
Annual Change (%)
Percentage of Population (%)
2022
50.8
+18.1
18.1
The Titans of eCommerce: Top Online Marketplaces by GMV in 2025
As global eCommerce continues to expand, online marketplaces play a critical role in shaping the retail landscape. In 2025, the top 100 online marketplaces are projected to generate a staggering $3.8 trillion in gross merchandise value (GMV), reflecting a 10% annual growth rate. For businesses aiming to thrive in this environment, understanding the largest platforms and their potential is essential.
Top Five Online Marketplaces by GMV (2025)
Rank
eCommerce Giants: Country Market Size Breakdown for 2025
eCommerce Market Size by Country in 2025
In 2025, global eCommerce sales soared, driven by strong performances across various countries. While the global market size reached remarkable figures, understanding the largest contributors and the dynamics of their growth is crucial for businesses looking to expand or enter the eCommerce space.
eCommerce Market Size by Country
Country
eCommerce Sales ($B)
China
1,255.14
United States
1,065.68
Japan
The Furniture Boom: A Decade of eCommerce Growth (2017–2029)
The global eCommerce furniture industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade. With furniture consistently ranking among the top online shopping categories, the sector represents a lucrative opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs alike. Here’s an analysis of the industry’s past performance, future outlook, and key market insights.
Global eCommerce Furniture Industry Revenues (2017–2029)
Year
Revenue ($B)
Annual Change (%)
2017
158.4
-
In-depth Courses
Fast-track your success with in-depth eCommerce training from the pros
Learn how to successfully build, launch, and grow your online store with courses taught by world-renowned eCommerce professionals. Exclusive to SaleHoo.
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Dropshipping on Shopify
The ultimate guide to building a successful dropshipping store using Shopify. You’ll learn how to choose the right product & supplier, build your store & drive traffic & sales.
Amazon Product Launch
A step-by-step, in-depth guide to launching your first product on Amazon (or any marketplace!) and building a full-time income online in just six days.
