How to Start an Online Novelty Store in 10 Simple Steps

Why Start an Online Novelty Store?

1. Impulse-Driven Sales: Novelty items spark impulse purchases, especially when marketed through humor or emotional connection.
2. High Shareability: Funny or quirky products get shared on social media, driving viral traffic and free promotion.
3. Gift Market Potential: Birthdays, holidays, Secret Santa—novelty stores thrive on gift-oriented occasions.
4. Low Barrier to Entry: Many novelty items are dropship-friendly or easy to source from marketplaces and suppliers.
5. Repeat Business: Creative new arrivals keep customers returning for laughs, trends, or seasonal items.
6. Brand-Building Opportunities: A novelty store with a strong theme can become a recognizable personality brand.

Key Features to Include in a Novelty Store Website

1. Bold, Playful Branding: Use bright visuals, a fun tone of voice, and product photography that makes people smile.
2. Viral Product Pages: Include animated gifs, lifestyle images, funny customer reviews, and punchy headlines.
3. Categories by Occasion or Mood: Let users browse by gift occasion (e.g., “White Elephant,” “Breakup Gifts”) or emotion (e.g., “Sassy,” “Silly,” “Sarcastic”).
4. Mobile Optimization: Ensure everything loads fast and works well on phones—where many impulse buys happen.
5. Secure, One-Click Checkout: Use fast payment options like Apple Pay, Shop Pay, or PayPal to reduce friction.
6. Gift Wrapping & Notes Option: Add upsells for packaging, gift cards, or handwritten notes.
7. User-Generated Content & Reviews: Encourage photo reviews and social tags to build trust and virality.
8. Email Capture for Promotions: Offer discount codes or early access to weird new arrivals.

How to Start an Online Novelty Store in 10 Steps

1. Choose Your Niche and Audience

Define your novelty angle: sarcastic humor, meme culture, nerd fandoms, retro pop culture? Know your ideal buyer—young adults, coworkers, gag gifters, or Gen Z trend hunters?

2. Select the Right Ecommerce Platform

Use Shopify for dropshipping ease and app integrations, or WooCommerce for more control. Look for themes that support bold visuals, upsells, and quick checkout flows.

3. Source or Create Your Products

Use print-on-demand for novelty shirts/mugs (Printify, Gelato), or source curated goods from wholesalers, Etsy makers, or global suppliers. Always vet for shipping speed and uniqueness.

4. Build Irresistible Product Pages

Use humor in your product titles and descriptions. Include multiple images, size references, and use-case context. Add urgency (“Only 3 left!”) and social proof widgets for trust.

5. Set Up Checkout, Shipping & Payment

Offer free shipping thresholds and bundle deals. Use Stripe, PayPal, and Shop Pay. Include delivery estimates and transparent return policies.

6. Design a Scroll-Stopping Homepage

Highlight top picks, trending collections, and seasonal gifts. Use bold graphics, GIF banners, and sticky CTAs. Make your value proposition instantly clear: “We sell the internet’s funniest gifts.”

7. Set Up Email Marketing Tools

Use tools like Klaviyo or Mailchimp to send launch announcements, “back in stock” alerts, and funny welcome sequences. Segment your list by interest (e.g., meme lovers vs collectors).

8. Launch with a Viral Hook

Use TikTok, Instagram Reels, or meme marketing to get attention. Collaborate with small creators or run a “Funniest Product Giveaway” to drive signups and shares.

9. Add Retargeting & Cart Recovery Tools

Use abandoned cart emails, Facebook pixel retargeting, and personalized popups to bring visitors back. Include humor in your follow-up messages.

10. Keep the Store Fresh & Trendy

Release new products every 2–4 weeks. Use trends from Reddit, pop culture, or TikTok for inspiration. Spotlight new arrivals in email, social, and homepage updates.