Starting a soap making business online is a great way to reach more customers while keeping costs low. Unlike selling in physical stores, an online business allows you to showcase your products to a wider audience without the need for expensive shop rentals. With the right strategy, you can build a profitable soap brand from the comfort of your home.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to start and grow your online soap business successfully.
How to start a Soap Making Business Online
Below is a step-by-step process of how you can start your soap making business online seamlessly.
Step 1: Learn and Perfect Your Soap Making Skills
Before selling soap online, you need to make sure your product is high quality. When people buy soap online, they can’t touch or smell it before purchasing, so the only way to get repeat customers is by offering something they love.
What Makes a Good Soap?
- Safe and skin-friendly ingredients – Avoid harsh chemicals that may cause irritation.
- Aesthetic appeal – People are drawn to soaps that look beautiful. Colour, texture, and design matter.
- Scent and purpose – Some customers want scented soaps, while others prefer unscented or medicated options.
Types of Soaps You Can Make
- Organic soaps – Made with natural ingredients like honey, coconut oil, and shea butter.
- Luxury soaps – Handmade, beautifully crafted soaps for gifting.
- Therapeutic soaps – Medicated soaps for acne, eczema, or dry skin.
- Decorative soaps – Custom-made soaps for events like weddings and birthdays.
Before launching your online business, test different recipes and get feedback from friends and family. This will help you refine your products before selling to a larger audience.
Step 2: Choose a Profitable Niche
The soap-making market is competitive, so having a niche helps you stand out. Instead of making general soap for everyone, focus on a specific audience.
Examples of Profitable Niches
- Organic and natural soaps – Targeting people who want chemical-free skincare.
- Handmade luxury soaps – High-end soaps for gifts and self-care.
- Skin treatment soaps – Soaps designed for acne, eczema, or sensitive skin.
- Custom decorative soaps – Great for event souvenirs, weddings, and baby showers.
A clear niche makes it easier to attract the right customers and charge higher prices for premium products.
Step 3: Register Your Business and Get Necessary Approvals
Even though you’re selling online, you still need to legally register your business. Customers trust registered brands, and having official documents makes it easier to partner with retailers, get business loans, and trademark your brand.
Business Registration Steps
- Register with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) – This protects your business name and allows you to open a business bank account.
- Apply for NAFDAC Approval – If you plan to sell in supermarkets or export your soap, NAFDAC registration is required.
- Trademark Your Brand – This prevents others from copying your business name and logo.
If you need help with business registration, Entrepreneurs.ng offers a seamless service to get you started quickly.
Step 4: Build Your Online Store and Sales Channels
To sell soap online, you need the right platform. There are different ways to reach customers:
Where to Sell Your Soap Online
- Your own website – Set up an eCommerce store using Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix.
- Marketplaces – List your soaps on Jumia, Konga, or Etsy (for international sales).
- Social media platforms – Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp are great for direct sales.
If you have a low budget, start with Instagram and WhatsApp. As your business grows, invest in a website to increase credibility and automate sales.
Step 5: Branding and Packaging for Online Sales
Good branding makes your soap look more valuable and attracts customers.
Branding Essentials
- Unique business name – Choose something memorable and easy to pronounce.
- Logo and colour scheme – Create a strong brand identity that stands out.
- Professional product photography – High-quality pictures make your soaps look more appealing online.
Packaging Tips
- Use eco-friendly, attractive packaging that matches your brand.
- Make sure the packaging protects the soap during shipping.
- Include labels with ingredients, benefits, and usage instructions.
Since customers buy with their eyes first, investing in good branding and packaging will increase your sales.
Step 6: Marketing Your Soap Business Online
No matter how great your soap is, people won’t buy it if they don’t know it exists. Online marketing helps you reach the right customers and grow your business.
Ways to Market Your Soap Online
- Social media marketing – Use Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to showcase your products.
- SEO for your website – If you have a website, optimise it for Google searches.
- Influencer marketing – Send free samples to beauty influencers for promotion.
- Customer reviews and referrals – Happy customers can help bring in new buyers.
Running promotions and discounts can also attract first-time buyers and turn them into loyal customers.
Step 7: Handling Payments and Delivery
To run a smooth soap making business online, you need to set up easy payment and delivery options for customers.
Payment Options
- Paystack & Flutterwave – Accept card payments from Nigerian customers.
- Bank transfers – Some customers prefer direct transfers.
- Cash on delivery – Works well for local deliveries.
Shipping and Delivery
- Partner with local courier services for fast nationwide delivery.
- Use DHL or FedEx if you plan to sell internationally.
- Offer free delivery for bulk orders to encourage larger purchases.
Key Takeaway
Here are the most important lessons to keep in mind:
- Perfect Your Soap-Making Skills – Customers can’t touch or smell your soap online, so quality, appearance, and packaging matter. Make sure your products are well-made and stand out.
- Find a Profitable Niche – Instead of selling generic soap, focus on a specific market like organic skincare, luxury handmade soaps, or medicated soaps. A clear niche makes it easier to attract loyal customers.
- Register and Protect Your Business – Getting your CAC registration, NAFDAC approval, and trademark gives your business credibility and protects your brand from copycats. Many big retailers and online marketplaces won’t work with unregistered businesses.
- Choose the Right Online Sales Channels – You can sell on your own website, online marketplaces (Jumia, Konga, Etsy), or social media (Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok). The best approach is to start small and expand as your business grows.
- Branding and Packaging Are Key – Good branding attracts more customers. Invest in professional product photography, high-quality packaging, and a unique brand identity.
- Use Digital Marketing to Grow Your Business – Simply listing your soap online is not enough. Use social media marketing, SEO, influencer collaborations, and customer referrals to increase visibility and sales.
- Have a Smooth Payment and Delivery System – Offer multiple payment options like Paystack, Flutterwave, and bank transfers, and partner with reliable delivery services to ensure customers receive their orders on time.
- Most importantly, be patient and consistent. Building an online business takes time, but with the right approach, you can turn soap making into a profitable and sustainable business.
Conclusion
Starting a soap making business online is one of the best ways to turn your passion into profit without the high costs of running a physical shop. Whether you’re creating organic, luxury, or medicated soaps, selling online allows you to reach more people, work from anywhere, and scale your business at your own pace.
Like any business, success won’t happen overnight, but with consistency, creativity, and the right strategy, you can build a thriving soap business online.
Are you ready to take the first step? Here are ways Entrepreneurs.ng can help you:
- Register your business today with Entrepreneurs.ng’s Business Registration Services.
- Tell Your Brand Story on Entrepreneurs.ng, let’s showcase your brand to our global audience.
- Need help with your marketing strategy? Get a Comprehensive Marketing and Sales Plan here.
- Sign up for our Entrepreneurs Success Blueprint Programme to learn how to start and scale your business in just 30 days.
- Book our one-on-one consulting and speak to an expert about structuring and growing your business.
- Visit our shop for business plan templates and other valuable resources to guide you.
- Get our Employee-Employer Super Bundle NDA templates to legally protect your business and workforce.
- Join over 20,000 entrepreneurs by signing up for our newsletter and receiving valuable business insights.
FAQs on How to Start Soap Making Business Online
How profitable is a soap making business online?
Selling soap online can be highly profitable because it eliminates the cost of rent and allows you to reach more customers. Profit margins range from 40% to 70%, depending on production costs, branding, and pricing strategy. High-quality, well-branded soaps can be sold at premium prices, increasing profitability.
What is the best platform to sell soap online?
The best platform depends on your target audience and budget. You can sell on:
- Your own website (Shopify, WooCommerce) for full control over sales.
- Marketplaces like Jumia, Konga, and Etsy for a ready-made audience.
- Social media (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) for direct customer interaction.
Do I need a business registration to sell soap online?
Yes, registering your business with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) helps you:
- Open a business bank account.
- Gain trust from customers and retailers.
- Access funding opportunities.
- Protect your business name legally.
Do I need NAFDAC approval to sell soap online?
If you are making soap in small batches and selling directly to customers, you may not need NAFDAC approval immediately. However, if you plan to sell in bulk to supermarkets, pharmacies, or online marketplaces, you will need NAFDAC registration to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
What kind of soap sells best online?
The most profitable soaps online include:
- Organic and natural soaps (for people avoiding chemicals).
- Luxury handmade soaps (for gift buyers and premium customers).
- Medicated soaps (for skin conditions like acne and eczema).
- Custom decorative soaps (for weddings, birthdays, and events).
How much does it cost to start a soap making business online?
Startup costs depend on your scale:
- Small-scale (Home-based) – ₦100,000 – ₦300,000.
- Medium-scale – ₦500,000 – ₦2 million.
- Large-scale (Factory production) – ₦2 million – ₦5 million.
How can I promote my soap business online?
Marketing is key to selling online. You can promote your business by:
- Using social media marketing (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook).
- Running paid ads on Facebook and Google.
- Optimising your website for SEO to attract organic buyers.
- Collaborating with beauty influencers for product reviews.
- Encouraging customer reviews and referrals.
How do I package soap for online sales?
Your packaging should be:
- Attractive and eco-friendly to appeal to customers.
- Secure and sturdy to prevent damage during shipping.
- Properly labelled with ingredients, brand name, and usage instructions.
What are the best payment options for selling soap online?
To ensure smooth transactions, offer:
- Paystack & Flutterwave for card payments.
- Bank transfers for local customers.
- Cash on delivery for customers who prefer to pay on receipt.
How do I handle shipping and delivery?
- Partner with local courier services for fast nationwide delivery.
- Use DHL or FedEx for international orders.
- Offer free or discounted delivery to encourage bulk purchases.
Where can I buy soap-making ingredients in Nigeria?
You can buy ingredients from:
- Local chemical markets (e.g., Ojota, Lagos).
- Online stores that sell soap-making supplies.
- Bulk suppliers for large-scale production.
Can I sell soap internationally from Nigeria?
Yes! You can sell to international customers using:
- Etsy (for handmade and organic soaps).
- Your website with global shipping options.
- Export partnerships with retailers abroad.
