How to choose a category to sell in
Picking the category is the decision that determines everything after it. Four signals tell you most of what you need.
Margin band
Can the category carry your advertising cost and freight and still leave profit. Low bands only work with free traffic. Higher bands support paid acquisition.
How many dealers already sell it online
The fewer online dealers in a brand's network, the more room there is. Very low means almost nobody is competing for the listing. Very high means you are entering a price fight.
Search demand for the brand
Demand for a brand name plus its product type tells you whether customers already look for it. Existing demand means part of your traffic costs nothing to acquire.
Supplier documents and logistics
A few brands need their own supplier document signed before activation; the rest open immediately. Bulky products carry freight cost and installation questions. Both belong in the decision before you build a store around a category.