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Product Research For Shopify 2024: A Detailed Overview

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This article will cover its importance, methods like market analysis, competition, and audience understanding. We’ll also introduce tools for more accessible research. Whether experienced or new, this guide helps you succeed on Shopify.

product research for shopify

Key Takeaways

  • Product research is vital for a successful Shopify store. It includes market size, competition, target audience, product details, category trends, and pricing.
  • Various methods and tools exist for this research, such as Facebook and Instagram, keyword searches on Facebook, AliExpress, Dropshipping Center, order sorting, and tools like Sell the Trend, DSer, Ecomhunt, Shopify Finder, and NicheScraper.
  • Validating findings using multiple methods and tools is crucial. Both free and premium options are available, so choose based on your needs and budget.

Product Research for Shopify: An Overview

Product research for Shopify is a systematic approach to selecting the right products for your Shopify store. It entails collecting data and insights to make informed decisions about which items to include in your inventory.

This process involves examining market trends, gauging product demand, sizing up the competition, strategizing pricing, and ensuring product quality and availability.

7 Factors Influencing the Success of Product Research for Shopify

Product research is a critical aspect of setting up a successful Shopify store. Here are key factors:

Market size

The market size refers to the total number of potential customers or the total demand for a particular product. Understanding the market size can help you gauge the potential for your product’s success.

For instance, if you plan to sell handmade soap, you’d want to know how many people are interested in buying handmade soap. This can be determined through various methods such as surveys, market reports, and industry data.

Competitive landscape

The competitive landscape involves understanding who your competitors are, what products they offer, and how your product stands out from theirs. This includes analyzing aspects like their pricing strategy, marketing efforts, customer reviews, and overall brand reputation.

By understanding the competitive landscape, you can identify gaps in the market that your product can fill or unique selling propositions that make your product stand out. For example, if you notice that most of your competitors’ handmade soaps are not organic, you could differentiate your product by offering organic handmade soap.

Target customer

Identifying your target customer is a crucial aspect of product research. This involves understanding who is most likely to buy your product.

Factors to consider include age, gender, income level, interests, and buying habits. For example, if you’re selling handmade soap, your target customers might be individuals who value natural and organic products.

Product weight and size

The weight and size of a product can significantly impact its success on your Shopify store. These factors can affect shipping costs, storage requirements, and even the customer’s decision to purchase.

For instance, a lightweight and compact product might appeal to customers as it would be easier to handle and cheaper to ship. Conversely, a heavy or bulky item might deter customers due to high shipping costs.

Product category outlook

The product category outlook involves understanding a specific product category’s future trends and growth potential. This can help you determine if the product you’re considering will likely see increased demand in the future.

For example, if you’re selling handmade soap, you might want to research organic and natural beauty market trends.

Selling price

The selling price of your product is another crucial factor to consider. It’s essential to price your product in a way that covers your costs, includes a profit margin, and is still attractive to customers. Pricing can be influenced by factors such as materials, labor, marketing, and other overhead costs.

It’s also important to consider what customers will pay for your product. Researching prices of similar products in the market can give you a good starting point.

5+ Methods to Do Product Research for Shopify

When navigating the extensive field of product investigation for Shopify, one of the primary entry points is through social platforms, notably Facebook. Since many dropshippers use Facebook to showcase their goods, it emerges as a valuable resource for discovering trending and high-performing products.

Methods to Do Product Research for Shopify

Browsing Facebook

Starting your exploration on Facebook is straightforward. Many dropshippers turn to Facebook as a platform to promote their offerings. Identifying these promotions can guide you to their standout products.

Browsing Facebook 1

To simplify this process, it’s recommended to use the Turbo Ad Finder, a free Chrome extension. After installation, this add-on filters out regular content, displaying only promotional posts on your feed, thereby streamlining your search for dropshipping advertisements.

Here’s how to get started:

Browsing Facebook 2

  • Download and install Turbo Ad Finder.
  • Launch Facebook and activate the extension by clicking its icon located in the upper right corner.
  • Begin your search for dropshipping promotional content.

However, if you notice that dropshipping advertisements aren’t appearing in your feed immediately, there’s no need for concern. This is likely because many dropshippers specifically target the “Engaged Shoppers” demographic on Facebook. To position yourself within this group and access more relevant ads, you might:

Browsing Facebook 3

  • Engage by commenting on dropshipping promotions.
  • Interact by clicking the “Shop Now” buttons in such ads.
  • Add items to your cart and proceed to the payment gateway (making a purchase is not obligatory).

Browsing Instagram

While many dropshippers mainly depend on Facebook for getting traffic, it’s crucial not to forget about Instagram. Sometimes, Instagram can outperform Facebook, especially when you leverage shoutouts from famous Instagram personalities. To make the most of this approach, starting with a new Instagram profile is a good idea, even if you already have one. This ensures a focused environment with fewer distractions as you search for potential top-selling products.

Browsing Instagram

  • Step 1: Start with a new Instagram profile
  • Step 2: Once your new account is active, start by following a select group of users.
  • Step 3: Carry out Spot Ads and shoutouts to prompt ads and shoutouts to appear in your feed.
  • Step 4: Use the “#Ad” hashtag to discover and follow users promoting dropshipping products.
  • Step 5: Check Instagram frequently, every few hours, to keep tabs on the latest posts and stories.

Searching for Keywords on Facebook

Another effective way to find promising products on Facebook is by using keyword searches. What’s great about this method is that it’s simple and accessible – you don’t need to belong to a specific group or live in a particular place to benefit from it.

Searching for Keywords on Facebook

To use this approach:

  • Visit Facebook’s main page.
  • Use the search bar to type specific phrases commonly found in dropshipping ads (a list is provided below).
  • After entering the search terms, focus on the ‘Videos’ section. Many dropshipping ads are in video format. Narrow down your search by filtering results by the year. For instance, selecting ‘2023’ will show you content from that year, ensuring your results are current and relevant. Prioritizing recent ads over older ones is crucial to understanding current market trends better.
  • If you find a product that interests you, explore further. Visit the page promoting the product and go to the “Page Transparency” section. This feature reveals the ads currently being run by the page, giving you insights into its advertising activities.

How to access the Page Transparency feature:

When on the “Page Transparency” section, click the “See More” option. This will display all the active ads the page is currently promoting.

The simplicity of this method lies in its straightforwardness: identify relevant keywords, go through the videos, and make sure the page continues to promote the product.

For those looking to use this strategy, here’s a list of keywords frequently used by Shopify dropshipping stores:

  • Buy now
  • 30% off
  • 50% off
  • 60% off
  • Order here
  • Get it now
  • Get it here
  • Free worldwide shipping
  • Claim yours now
  • Get yours now
  • Tag someone who needs this
  • Get yours
  • Grab yours now
  • Click here
  • Order here
  • Shop here
  • Buy it here
  • Order link
  • Tag A Friend
  • Tag a friend who would love this

Finding Products using Aliexpress

AliExpress is a popular choice among dropshippers for fulfilling orders, making it a valuable resource for finding products with the potential to become bestsellers. When navigating AliExpress effectively, you can identify products that have the potential to take off. Here’s how you can do that:

Using the Dropshipping Center

You can start your exploration of AliExpress by using the AliExpress Dropshipping Center. Simply select a category that interests you, and you can begin your search for a winning product. However, it’s important to note that this method may not always provide the most current results.

Successful dropshippers often purchase products in bulk, so the data on AliExpress may not wholly reflect a product’s current popularity. Nevertheless, the Dropshipping Center can still be a useful tool in your toolkit, although it requires careful consideration and evaluation.

For a deeper understanding, you may want to explore additional resources or articles that delve into the details of the AliExpress Dropshipping Center.

Sorting by Order Volume

Another practical approach is to browse AliExpress listings based on the number of orders. While this method can highlight products that were once bestsellers but have declined in popularity, combining it with tools like Google Trends can provide more up-to-date insights. The process is simple: go to a specific category, such as “Health Care,” and arrange the listings by the number of orders.

This technique has led to the discovery of products like the “Posture Corrector,” which has experienced significant success. However, being cautious is essential: high order numbers don’t always guarantee a product’s success. In the case of the “Posture Corrector,” its consistent presence as a top product underscores its status as a sought-after item.

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Top 15 Product Research Tools to Supercharge Your Product Research Strategy

TOP 5+ Product Research Tools for Shopify

Navigating Shopify’s e-commerce realm requires the right tools. To stay ahead, effective product research is essential. Here’s a roundup of top tools to enhance your store’s offerings and market insights.

Sell the Trend

As the online selling landscape constantly changes, “Sell the Trend” emerges as a modern tool designed for entrepreneurs and dropshippers who want to take advantage of popular products. This comprehensive platform helps uncover profitable items and empowers businesses to improve their online presence and gain a competitive edge.

Sell the Trend

Key Features and Benefits

  • Identifying Popular Products: “Sell the Trend” stands out by providing insights into high-demand products, thus positioning users at the forefront of emerging market trends.
  • Exploring Market Niches: With dedicated tools for niche exploration, the platform enables users to delve into untapped market segments full of potential.
  • Analyzing Competition: One of its standout features is the ability to discreetly monitor competitors, allowing users to learn from successful strategies and popular products.
  • Facebook Ad Insights: A valuable resource for dropshippers, this tool meticulously tracks successful ad campaigns, revealing engagement metrics and audience details and enabling informed advertising strategies.
  • Comprehensive Research Suite: Simplifying product research, this suite includes a product database, store locator, and a carousel of potential winning products, making it easier to pinpoint high-reward items.
  • Shopify Store Insights: A unique feature, “Sell the Trend,” can extract details from every Shopify store, giving users an overall view of the market and facilitating informed decision-making.

Cons

  • Reliance on Trends: While the tool excels at detecting and capitalizing on trends, it may not always suit evergreen or unique niche products outside the mainstream.
  • Learning Curve: Its abundance of features can be both an advantage and a challenge. New users might require time to become familiar with and effectively utilize its offerings.

Pricing

  • Essential Package: Designed for businesses looking to thrive with popular products, priced at $39.97 monthly.
  • Pro Package: Created for businesses aiming for broader expansion, available at $99.97 per month.

DSer

DSers emerged as a notable tool for product research by simplifying the intricate world of dropshipping. With a wide range of features, DSers aims to redefine how e-commerce experts approach product discovery, order management, and overall dropshipping strategies.

DSer

Key Features and Benefits

  • Customized Product Presentation: DSers allows users to adjust product titles, descriptions, and essential attributes. As products are imported into stores, they can be fine-tuned to match a brand’s unique style.
  • Smart Price Comparisons: One of its standout features, DSers includes a price comparison engine that directs users to alternative suppliers offering the same products at lower prices, ensuring cost-effective sourcing.
  • Unified Multi-Store Management: DSers simplifies the management of multiple AliExpress Shopify dropshipping stores under one account, making it convenient for those looking to expand their business.
  • Efficient Order Processing: Streamlining order fulfillment to a simple click, DSers accelerates the processing of multiple orders, ensuring timely deliveries and improved operational efficiency.

Cons

  • Limited Integration Options: Currently, DSers is compatible only with WooCommerce, Shopify, and WiX stores. Entrepreneurs using other platforms may encounter integration challenges.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Premium Plans: While the Pro and Enterprise tiers offer advanced features, they might be initially overwhelming for newcomers or those unfamiliar with nuanced dropshipping techniques.

Pricing

Basic Tier: Always free, offering essential features like automatic order status updates and insights into trending suppliers. Advanced Tier: Priced at $19.9/month with a 14-day free trial, providing enhanced functionalities without requiring a credit card. Pro Tier: Available at $49.9/month, also with a 14-day free trial, offering additional features beyond the Advanced tier. Enterprise Tier: Priced at $499/month, with further details available upon contacting the DSers team.

Ecomhunt

Ecomhunt is a formidable player in the realm of online retail tools, offering a carefully selected range of products and a robust set of features. This platform equips online sellers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate and succeed in the highly competitive world of e-commerce.

Ecomhunt

Key Features and Benefits

  • Tailored Product Recommendations: Ecomhunt stands out by providing niche and category-specific product suggestions, ensuring entrepreneurs discover the most suitable and promising items for their target audience.
  • Expert Insights and Daily Updates: The daily infusion of expert-endorsed product recommendations ensures that users stay informed about the ever-changing market trends.
  • Comprehensive Analytics Dashboard: Ecomhunt offers in-depth metrics and analytics, enabling sellers to make data-driven decisions and improve their chances of success.
  • Integration with Key AliExpress Players: By connecting users to prominent AliExpress suppliers, competitors, and even advertising campaigns, Ecomhunt offers a holistic view of product sourcing and promotion.
  • Monitoring Social Media Engagement: The platform provides detailed social media engagement statistics, shedding light on how products resonate with audiences.
  • Seamless Shopify Integration: Importing products directly from Ecomhunt to a Shopify store is effortless, simplifying the process of adding new products to the store.

Cons

  • Limited Filtering Options: While Ecomhunt’s database is extensive, its product filtering capabilities may appear somewhat limited for users with very specific search requirements.

Pricing

  • FREE Plan - At $0 per month, users have limited access to the product database, insights into 10 live trending products, and 3 product tracker sessions.
  • BASIC Plan - Priced at $29 per month, this tier extends the offerings of the free plan, providing access to a 2-year database, specific product data, 50 live trending products, and 10 tracking sessions.
  • PRO Plan - This popular tier at $49 per month enhances the BASIC features. Users can access Ecomhunt’s complete feature set, personalized consultations, comprehensive dropshipping course content, 80 live trending products, and 100 tracking sessions.
  • SUITE Plan - Priced at $69 per month, this plan encompasses all PRO features, unlimited AliExpress insights, an extensive content library, a specialized course to boost sales, 120 live trending products, and a generous 500 tracker sessions.

Shopify Finder

In the digital era, discovering the next ‘big thing’ in online retail combines science and strategy. Shopify Finder steps in as a tool that bridges the gap between guesswork and data-driven decisions in product research.

Shopify Finder

Key Features and Benefits

  • Precise Product Trend Analysis: Shopify Finder goes beyond standard product searches by enabling you to discover products with both high demand and profitability. It accurately assesses potential demand and profitability metrics based on evolving price, order, and profit trends.
  • Comprehensive Product Insights: With access to a vast pool of data from Shopify and AliExpress, the platform offers users insights into millions of products. Including over 20 filters in Shopify Finder ensures smooth and detailed exploration of various product specifications.
  • Competitor Analysis at Your Fingertips: Entering a product niche often comes with uncertainties about competition. Shopify Finder allows you to access crucial sales metrics of your competitors, including pricing, orders, and product longevity. Furthermore, the tool covers a wide geographical range, spanning over 40 countries, and provides updates on an hourly basis.

Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve: With many features, Shopify Finder may present an initial challenge to newcomers, requiring some time to fully acquaint themselves with its extensive capabilities.
  • Platform Reliance: It’s important to note that Shopify Finder relies on data from Shopify and AliExpress. Therefore, any disruptions or changes in these platforms may impact the tool’s efficiency and output.

Pricing

Priced at a reasonable $29 per month, Shopify Finder offers:

  • Access to 150 daily Shopify database queries.
  • A product export capacity is limited to 200 per session.
  • A risk-free 7-day trial period. After the trial, the subscription can be continued at $29 per month, with the flexibility to unsubscribe at the user’s discretion.

NicheScraper

In the vast world of e-commerce, identifying the next successful product often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, NicheScraper transforms this process from a simple search into an informed and strategic endeavor.

NicheScraper

Key Features and Benefits

  • In-Depth Product Insights: One of the standout aspects of NicheScraper is its commitment to providing data-rich insights into products that have thrived in the market, helping users understand what truly sells.
  • Effortless Product Exploration: Exploring potential niches becomes easy with NicheScraper’s efficient product discovery mechanisms. User-Friendly Design: Prioritizing user experience, NicheScraper offers an intuitive interface that makes navigating and comprehending the wealth of information straightforward.
  • Knowledge Empowerment: Whether you’re new to e-commerce or an experienced professional, NicheScraper’s extensive tutorials ensure you’re well-prepared to make the most of its offerings.
  • Reliable Analytics for Informed Decisions: In a world flooded with data, NicheScraper stands out by providing dependable analytics that form the basis for strategies that truly resonate.
  • Keeping Up with Trends: Staying up-to-date is crucial in the ever-changing e-commerce landscape. NicheScraper consistently updates its databases, ensuring users have insight into the latest market shifts.

Cons

Video Ad Feature: While NicheScraper offers a variety of commendable features, its video ad creator may not be its strongest aspect, especially when compared to specialized video production tools available in the market.

Pricing

NicheScraper’s membership is competitively priced at $49.95 per month. Moreover, the investment can be justified with just 1-2 sales, making it a cost-effective choice. For those testing the waters, the flexibility to cancel the membership anytime offers peace of mind.

Spy on established stores

Navigating the world of online selling often feels like searching for hidden gems. Thankfully, platforms like Dropship Spy are here to guide entrepreneurs to products that truly work in the market.

Spy on established stores

Key Features and Benefits

  • Efficient Product Search: Dropship Spy excels in its refined methods for discovering the best AliExpress products, making product exploration efficient and effective. Strategic Pricing with the Profit Calculator: Determining the right price is a delicate balancing act. Dropship Spy’s profit calculator offers the necessary insights for crafting pricing strategies that maximize profitability without discouraging potential customers.
  • User-Friendly Experience: With a design focused on user needs, Dropship Spy provides an interface that is both intuitive and comprehensive, ensuring users can dive into its features with minimal hassle. Accessible to All: Priced to be inclusive, Dropship Spy ensures that businesses of all sizes and budgets benefit from its valuable insights.
  • Integrated E-commerce Journey: Dropship Spy’s compatibility with Shopify ensures a seamless transition from product discovery to store integration.

Cons

  • Lack of Free Trial: The absence of a free trial might deter some potential users, as it doesn’t allow them to test the platform’s offerings before committing financially.
  • Limited Social Media Insights: For those relying heavily on social media for their marketing strategies, the platform’s constraints in providing detailed targeting insights could be a concern.

Pricing

For those looking for access to top-selling products without restrictions, Dropship Spy’s Pro Membership is available at $39 per month. There are no hidden fees or contracts, and users can cancel their subscriptions anytime.

FAQs

Finding the right products is like having a map for your Shopify store. Without it, you might feel lost in the big world of online selling. Some reasons include:
  • Staying Current: This ensures you offer products people want now.
  • Smart Pricing: Knowing what others charge helps you decide on the best price.
  • Avoiding Mistakes: Picking products that have sold well before means you're less likely to have items that just sit on the shelf.
  • Better Advertising: Knowing about your product's audience helps you decide how to advertise.

There are many tools you can use. Some well-known ones include Shopify Finder for getting details on Shopify and AliExpress products and Dropship Spy for spotting top-selling items on AliExpress. NicheScraper and EcomHunt also give detailed information on trending products.

There are both free and paid tools out there. Free ones offer basic information and are good for beginners. But paid ones have more features and detailed data. You can start with free tools and consider paying for more features as your store grows.

Yes, you can! Drop shipping tools often have features that show product trends, how much people want specific items, and which suppliers are trustworthy. Tools like DSers help with dropshipping and also have product research features.

  • Google Trends: This tool shows how often people search for certain words or phrases. You can see if people are most interested in a product and when they search for it.
  • Amazon Best Sellers: This shows the top items on Amazon, so you can see what people are buying now.
  • Other Sites: Websites like Kickstarter can show new and upcoming trends. Sites like Alibaba show what businesses are buying to sell in their stores.
Using different sources can give you a better idea of what to sell. Remember, these tools are helpful, but it's also good to trust your understanding and research.

Bottom Line

Recognizing the significance of product research is essential for the success of any Shopify store. With a variety of tools at their disposal, both free and paid, store owners are well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing e-commerce landscape. By utilizing these resources alongside well-informed strategies, entrepreneurs can pinpoint and market profitable products, ensuring their business flourishes and distinguishes itself in a competitive market.

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Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.