Is E-commerce A Good Side Hustle To Build Long-Term Wealth?

If you’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle, chances are you’ve already done what most people do—searched Google for the best side hustle ideas to start today.

In almost every list, one of the top suggestions is an e-commerce side hustle.

It sounds exciting and the rewards look promising, so you tell yourself,

“Why not give it a try?”

But since this is all new to you, you may have doubts about profitability and whether e-commerce is truly a good side hustle.

So, is e-commerce a good side hustle? The short answer is: YES, e-commerce can be a great side hustle if you treat it like a real business. It’s flexible, affordable to start, and gives you access to a fast-growing market. Many sellers earn steady extra income, and some even scale into full businesses. However, success requires consistent effort, good planning, and patience before meaningful results appear.

In this article, we’ll dig deeper into whether e-commerce is the right side hustle for you. We’ll also cover key details to help you decide if it’s worth trying (and how to succeed if you choose to start).

How Big Is E-commerce Today?

E-commerce continues to grow at a rapid pace each year. Experts project global e-commerce sales will reach about $6.42 trillion in 2025, up from $6 trillion in 2024.

What’s more, eMarketer notes that by 2025, e-commerce is expected to make up 20.5% of all retail sales worldwide.

This shows that online shopping is not slowing down—it is becoming a major part of how people spend money.

In other words, e-commerce is still growing faster than traditional retail stores!

A clear example of this scale is Amazon, where US shoppers spent a whopping $24.1 billion in just four days during Prime Day 2025 (Source).

These numbers prove that buyers trust online platforms more each year. The market is MASSIVE, and new sellers have many chances to join.

But size alone does not guarantee success. Competition is also growing, so standing out requires strategy, planning, and consistent effort.

Why People Like E-commerce As A Side Hustle

New e-commerce businesses are being set up every day. And this brings us to our next question;

What’s so special about this side hustle that appeals to many people?

Well, e-commerce appeals to many people because it offers them freedom and flexibility.

E-commerce lets you work from anywhere. You can start with a low cost and control your time.

Many people use it to make a few hundred or a few thousand dollars a month.

A survey found that 72% of side hustlers use e-commerce to earn money in the US and UK. Many aim to turn that into a full-time income.

E-commerce offers you many tools that make it easier to run your side hustle.

You can build a store quickly. You can use social media and ads to find customers.

This further makes it a popular choice for people who want extra income without a big startup.

Recommended: Is E-Commerce A Good Investment? Expert Advice (2025):

What Makes It Hard To Build Wealth With E-commerce?

Like any other side hustle, an e-commerce side hustle brings its own challenges.

Omnisend notes that many side hustlers earn less than $500 per month. This might not move the needle for someone building wealth.

Most side hustles also struggle with time, stress, and poor pay. And this forces many folks to quit because life gets busy or the income stays low.

Profit can take time to appear. Many stores take months to make steady money. It’s not uncommon for many sellers to reach profitability in 3 to 6 months.

In some cases, it can take a year or more, depending on the costs and competition.

E-commerce also has stiff competition. You’ll be facing big retailers and many small stores all selling similar products.

This alone will push you to work harder on the marketing, pricing, and service side of things so as to stand out.

Other drawbacks you’re likely to face as a new e-commerce business owner include:

You must test products, find customers, set up ads, create listings, and so on. All this can take time, and you may need to spend weeks or months before you earn real money.

You may spend more than you earn in the early phase. You must learn customer service, logistics, returns, and budgeting.

You also face a high failure risk. You may pick a product, and it fails. You may also spend time and money on a store that does not work. You may feel burned out or lose focus.

Many people stop after a few months. This hurts your wealth-building efforts as you do not get a return if you quit early.

When E-commerce Works As A Long-Term Side Hustle

E-commerce works best for you when you treat it with focus. This means you have to set clear goals and track your progress carefully.

Investopedia explains that people show that people who treat their side hustle like a real business do better.

To succeed in e-commerce, you also need to pick a good product or niche with demand. You should also aim to grow slowly but steadily.

And when you get early profit, be sure to reinvest it in ads, better products, or automation.

These simple steps can help your small side hustle become a stronger income stream.

Some sellers use mobile and social channels well and see great returns in their businesses. Today, mobile sales make up over 70% of e-commerce activity.

This simply means that building a mobile-friendly store can also significantly improve your online side hustle.

Recommended: What Is The Best Online Business To Invest In? (2025 Guide)

Real Stories of Successful E-commerce Side Hustles

Some people do reach remarkable success with e-commerce side hustles.

For instance, a news story highlighted a 24-year-old who earned more than £78,000 in a single month through dropshipping (The Sun).

While results like that are rare, her story shows what is possible when someone commits to learning the model, testing strategies, and putting in consistent effort.

She dedicated time twice each day and worked at it for two years before reaching that level.

However, it is important to stay realistic. Most people do not achieve such high numbers.

For many, e-commerce provides a steady extra income rather than replacing a full-time job.

That still matters if your goal is to build wealth gradually.

Even a few hundred or a few thousand dollars a month can help pay off debt, save for investments, or create financial security over time

How To Decide If E-commerce Fits You

The first step is to be honest about your goals:

Are you looking for a little extra income each month, or do you want to build something that grows into long-term wealth?

Both options are possible with e-commerce, but the path looks different.

Extra income may come from simple product sales or dropshipping, while long-term wealth often requires building a brand, growing loyal customers, and reinvesting profits.

You should also think about your time. Running an online store means learning new skills in marketing, customer service, and product management.

It also means accepting that profits may take months to appear. If you can stay patient, focused, and willing to adapt, e-commerce may fit well as your side hustle.

But if you expect quick returns with little effort, you might feel frustrated. E-commerce rewards persistence and consistency far more than shortcuts.

Recommended: Is An E-Commerce Business Profitable Or Just Hype?

Why Buying An Established E-commerce Business May Work Better

As we mentioned earlier, starting an e-commerce business from scratch comes with its own set of challenges.

And this has led many entrepreneurs to find an alternative option of owning an e-commerce business without having to build everything from the ground up.

This method involves buying an existing e-commerce store, where you inherit an already running business, where someone has already built traffic, sales, and systems.

With this option, you skip many early (daunting) steps. And jump straight to owning a store with customers, reviews, suppliers, and ads that work.

You can step in and earn money from day one!

Note that buyers usually pay 2.5-3x the monthly profit for small e-commerce stores.

This means stores make real money already. And you just need to pay a fair price to join a working machine.

When you buy an established e-commerce business, you also significantly reduce startup risk. The old owner may share data, reports, supplier contacts, and ad accounts.

You learn what works. You can improve where you see gaps. You can plan changes. That always costs less time than starting new.

You may also get financing or use the seller’s help for the handover.

Some sellers agree to work with you post-acquisition, ensuring a smooth transition.

All of this helps you grow faster and safer.

How Buying An E-commerce Business May Build Wealth Faster

Buying gives you a starting cash flow. You can reinvest profit right away. You can find new products or advertising channels faster.

You can scale when you see returns. You also avoid the zero-to-one risk. Many starting stores never reach a profit. And buying reduces that risk.

If the store grows under your care, you can sell it later for profit. You can flip it for more cash.

This does not happen when you waste months building things that fail. Buying gives you that option earlier if you execute well.

Recommended: What Is The Most Profitable Business To Start With $10K?

Is E-commerce A Good Side Hustle FAQs:

Here are answers to some common questions people ask about side hustles and online selling to help you decide if an e-commerce side hustle is right for you:

Can You Do E-commerce as a Side Hustle?

Yes, you can do e-commerce as a side hustle. Many people start small while working a full-time job. The flexibility it offers makes it possible. You can spend a few hours in the evening setting up your store, adding products, or running ads.

Modern platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce make it easier to start with little technical skill. A 2023 survey from Intuit showed that 40% of Americans run a side hustle alongside their main job, and e-commerce is one of the most common choices.

The key here is to manage your time. If you want to grow it into something bigger, you must set aside consistent hours and treat it like a real business.

What Is the Highest Paying Side Hustle?

E-commerce can be high-paying, but it is not always the highest-paying for every person. Other popular high-earning side hustles include freelance tech work, online coaching, or real estate investing.

According to a 2023 report from Zapier, the most profitable side hustles often involve specialized skills, such as software development or consulting. Those can average more than $1,000 per month.

E-commerce ranks high because it’s easily scalable. If you hit the right product and build a strong brand, your earnings can grow far beyond what most freelancing gigs bring. Some sellers make thousands each month. The ceiling is higher, but so is the effort and risk.

Recommended: 10 Best Income-Producing Assets Under $10K You Can Own Now

Do People Actually Make Money with E-commerce?

Yes, people do make money with e-commerce. Global e-commerce sales are projected to exceed $6 trillion in 2024 (Statista, 2024). That growth shows buyers are there.

But not everyone profits the same way. A study by Shopify shows that while many stores take 3–6 months to reach consistent profit, some fail to make money at all.

Success depends on product choice, marketing, and persistence. Real stories prove that high earners exist, but averages tell a more modest tale.

Many side hustlers report making between $500 and $2,000 a month with e-commerce. That can still be meaningful income, especially if you reinvest for growth.

What Are the Disadvantages of E-commerce?

E-commerce has clear downsides. Competition is one. You fight against large brands and many small sellers at the same time. That means you need strong marketing just to stand out.

Costs are another factor. Ads, shipping, returns, and platform fees eat into profit. If you don’t track costs closely, you may think you earn money while you barely break even.

Customer service is also a challenge. Buyers expect fast shipping and instant replies. That can add stress to a side hustle if you work a full-time job.

Last, e-commerce takes time to grow. Many people quit early because profit does not appear as fast as they hoped. Like any business, it rewards patience, not short-term thinking.

Closing Thoughts

E-commerce is now a massive part of retail, and many people use it as a side hustle. It can support long-term wealth, but only with focus and consistent effort. Clear goals, smart product choices, and good marketing are key. You must also manage competition and slow growth. By reinvesting profits and building systems, a small side hustle can grow steadily. Treat e-commerce as a real business, not just a hobby, and it can become a lasting path to wealth.

Want to get into an e-commerce side hustle without building from scratch? Here, at EcomLaunch Sprint, we can help you find an already established store at an affordable price. Our team makes sure you get a profitable business with strong growth potential. Plus, we handle the full due diligence process on your behalf, so you can invest with confidence and focus on scaling your new venture.