How to Start Ghost Commerce in 2025 (Step-by-Step)

Ghost commerce is basically making money by recommending products—without ever touching those products yourself. You create the content, someone else handles the messy backend (manufacturing, storage, shipping), and you take a cut when a sale happens.

It’s similar to affiliate marketing, but the approach is more modern and content-driven. Think: short videos, reviews, demos, cool “I found this” clips, and everyday problem-solving tools.

How Ghost Commerce Works

Picture this:
You show a little kitchen tool or a trending beauty gadget in a quick reel. Someone clicks the link you added. They buy it — and the brand pays you. You don’t even see the product; you just help the viewer discover it.

Why It’s Booming in 2025

A few reasons:

• Short-form video is taking over the internet.
• People trust real-looking content more than ads.
• Buyers want quick answers and honest demos.
• You don’t need to be an influencer. Even faceless creators are going viral.

Ghost commerce fits perfectly into all of that.

➺ Low Investment

You can get started with almost nothing. If you have a phone with a half-decent camera, you’re already ahead of most people.

➺ Zero Inventory Model

No warehouse. No packaging. No “Out for Delivery” stress.

➺ No Shipping Hassles

Suppliers deal with all of that. Your only job is getting eyes on the product.

Now, here’s where beginners usually get stuck. You don’t need a niche you’re “passionate” about — you need one that people spend money on.

How to Find High-Demand Niches

Look for things that solve problems, save time, or make daily life easier. These convert insanely well.

Some places to research:

• TikTok’s trending section
• Etsy “bestsellers”
• Amazon Movers & Shakers
• Google Trends

Using Google Trends & TikTok Trends

Search terms like:

• “viral products 2025”
• “Amazon must-haves”
• “home gadgets trending 2025”

If the curve is going upward, it’s a good sign.

Identifying Pain-Point Products

These always sell:

• Back pain tools
• Cleaning gadgets
• Skincare devices
• Pet products
• Fitness accessories

If it fixes something instantly, it’s gold.

Once you pick a niche, it’s time to find items that are already getting traction.

Long-Tail Keywords That Rank Fast

Long-tail keywords help you get traffic without competing with big sites. Use phrases like:

• best fitness gadgets for beginners 2025
• affordable beauty tools trending now
• top eco-friendly home products

Search these on Google to get ideas.

People Also Ask Insights

Google’s People Also Ask section is a goldmine.

Use questions like:

• “What products sell the best online right now?”
• “Which gadgets are trending in 2025?”

Turn these questions into your video hooks and blog headings.

What Makes a Product “Ghost Commerce Friendly”?

Look for things that:

• Are easy to show in a video
• Have clear before-and-after effects
• People buy impulsively
• Have good affiliate commissions
• Are low-risk and low-cost

This part is critical. You want a supplier who doesn’t disappear in the middle of the month.

Best Platforms to Source From

• Amazon Associates
• ShareASale
• CJ Affiliate
• Impact
• AliExpress Affiliate
• Etsy Affiliates

Key Supplier Qualities

Stick with suppliers who:

• Offer decent commissions
• Have fast shipping
• Maintain consistent product availability
• Have legit product reviews

This might sound fancy, but don’t overcomplicate it.

Difference Between Ghost Commerce & Dropshipping

Dropshipping = you’re the store owner, dealing with returns, angry customers, and refunds.

Ghost commerce = none of that is your problem.

Setting Up Your Conversion System

You can start with:

• A TikTok page
• A simple Linktree or landing page
• A set of affiliate links
• Optional: an email list (but not required initially)

That’s enough to earn.

Content is the heartbeat of ghost commerce. If your videos aren’t compelling, the product won’t move.

Short-Form Video Content (TikTok, Reels, Shorts)

Use simple hooks like:

• “I wish I knew about this earlier…”
• “Amazon made me buy this 😂”
• “This solves a problem I didn’t know I had.”

Show the product in action — don’t just talk about it.

Trust-Building Content

Try:

• Honest reviews
• Small tests or demonstrations
• Day-in-my-life clips
• Unboxings
• Before/after comparisons

People buy what they understand.

Even the best product won’t sell if no one sees it.

Organic Traffic

You can use:

• SEO blogs
• YouTube reviews
• Pinterest boards
• Reddit threads (ethically, not spam)

Paid Traffic

If you choose to, run small-budget TikTok or Meta ads once you know which product already converts organically.

Social Media Traffic Hacks

• Use trending audio
• Add strong keywords to captions
• Post consistently, not perfectly
• Repost winning content across all platforms

Once you see traction, you can improve everything.

Understanding Analytics

Watch:

• Click-through rates
• Watch time
• Link clicks
• Conversions

The numbers tell you exactly what to tweak.

Scaling with Automation Tools

Tools for scheduling, video clipping, keyword research, and link tracking make scaling easier. Once you find a winning product, double down.

Choosing the Wrong Products

Avoid items that are too saturated, too expensive, or too complicated.

Poor Content Strategy

Posting once a week won’t cut it. Consistency beats skill.

1. How much money do you need to start ghost commerce in 2025?
You can begin for free. If you want tools later, $20–$50 is more than enough.

2. Is ghost commerce basically affiliate marketing?
It’s affiliate marketing, but with a bigger focus on storytelling and short-form video content.

3. Can beginners succeed?
Yes — most viral “recommendation” pages are run by beginners.

4. What platforms work best?
TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Pinterest.

5. How long until you start earning?
Some people make sales within days. For others, it takes a few weeks of consistent posting.