Many businesses emerge from brilliant ideas that seem too good Products to ignore. Whether it’s a groundbreaking invention, a fresh take on a classic product, or a trendy item with enormous market potential, the right product idea is typically the foundation of entrepreneurship.
But what if the drive to become an entrepreneur precedes a solid product idea? How do you find a product to sell starting from scratch? This process can seem overwhelming, especially when every possible product is available online.
Yet, new brands emerge constantly, proving there’s room for fresh ideas. By researching, staying updated on trends, and evaluating customer needs, you can discover a product that resonates with your audience and build your brand. Below, explore how to find the perfect product—and the right audience to target.
What is Product Research?
Product research involves gathering information about a product and its market. This includes studying existing brands, their customers, and the overall industry. It’s about understanding whether the product has demand, is viable, and which sales channels would work best.
For new businesses, product research helps identify viable ideas. For growing brands, it can provide strategic insights to validate new products or categories, avoiding potential mistakes and staying ahead of the competition.
16 Ways to Find a Product to Sell
1. Solve a Customer Pain Point
Many successful Products address a specific problem or pain point. Pay attention to customer frustrations and unmet needs in existing products. Social media and review sites are excellent resources for finding ideas.
Solving a pain point doesn’t always mean inventing a new product. Sometimes, it’s about improving an existing one by fixing issues or enhancing its design. Gloria Hwang, for instance, noticed cyclists avoiding helmets due to style concerns. She created Thousand, a stylish helmet brand that addressed safety and aesthetics.
2. Spot Trends Before They Go Mainstream
Recognizing an emerging trend can set you ahead of the competition. When a trend is widely recognized, it’s often already losing momentum. The key is to spot trends early.
Ways to identify emerging trends:
- Social Media: Follow hashtags and influencers and monitor platforms for shifts.
- Google Trends: Track trends and gauge their future potential.
- Trade Publications: These often offer insights into emerging trends in your industry.
- Pop Culture and Current Events: Trends can emerge from popular media, TV shows, and world events.
- Technological Advances: New tech often creates a demand for related products.
For example, Miguel Leal noticed that supermarket Mexican food products lagged behind the offerings at trendy Mexican restaurants. With his brand, Somos, he brought restaurant-quality items to grocery shelves.
3. Appeal to Niche Markets
Consumers with specific passions or hobbies are often more willing to spend money on products that match their interests. Selling to a niche audience allows you to cater to a loyal market.
For instance, Solé Bicycles targets cyclists who see their bikes as a way to express personality, offering bold color choices and lifestyle-focused marketing to appeal to this community.
4. Target Underserved Markets
Underserved markets often present opportunities. Whether it’s an overlooked demographic or a niche need, identifying these gaps can guide you to profitable product ideas.
Yelitsa Jean-Charles saw a gap in the toy market for dolls celebrating Black children’s curly hair. Her brand, Health Roots Dolls, aimed to provide this representation, addressing a need she had growing up.
5. Follow Your Passion
Choosing a product category based on your interests can help you stay motivated during the challenges of entrepreneurship. A passion-driven business is more likely to succeed because you already understand your market and are invested in its success.
Sarah Chisholm, a former dancer, turned her love of baking into Wild Rye Baking Magic, a brand selling premium baking mixes. By leveraging her skills and passion, she created a business she truly cared about.
6. Leverage Your Professional Experience
If you have expertise in a specific field, it can guide you toward a profitable product idea. Your background gives you insights into your target market, which can be invaluable when identifying customer needs and opportunities.
Dustin Lee used his web design experience to launch RetroSupply, a business that offers vintage-inspired design assets. By pivoting from freelancing to building a product-based brand, he could tap into a market he understood well.
7. Explore Keywords for Product Opportunities
Search engine optimization (SEO) can help identify products people are actively searching for but with low competition. This presents a perfect opportunity for new businesses to enter the market.
Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Pinterest, and TikTok search can provide valuable insights into consumer interests and product demand.
8. Utilize Social Media to Test Ideas
Social media platforms are great for testing product ideas, understanding customer behavior, and gathering inspiration. Jacob Winter, co-founder of Mush Studios, turned a viral TikTok video of his rug-making into a thriving business, proving the power of audience engagement.
9. Research Online Marketplaces
Platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay provide a place to sell and serve as valuable research tools. Review best-seller lists to uncover successful products that can inspire your product ideas.
10. Improve Existing Products
Customer reviews can reveal gaps in the market and provide ideas for improvement. Look for common complaints and identify opportunities to enhance existing products.
Aishwarya Iyer improved on the generic olive oil market by creating Brightland, a brand with premium olive oil and a strong, appealing brand presence.
11. Focus on High-Profit Margin Products
Look for products that offer high returns with low production costs. These products can be more profitable and less risky. Categories like children’s items, specialty goods, and candles tend to have high margins.
12. Meet the Demand for Sustainable Products
Consumers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly and sustainable products. Meeting this demand can help you tap into a loyal, values-driven customer base.
For example, Tsuno founder Roz Campbell created sustainable period products while supporting girls’ education through a one-for-one donation program.
13. Attend Trade Shows and Markets
Industry events provide great opportunities to understand current trends, analyze competitors, and discover new products. Pay attention to what’s generating buzz and what people are excited about.
14. Offer Personalized Products
Personalization is a key differentiator in crowded markets. You can offer customized items using a print-on-demand model, which requires no upfront inventory.
Pluto Pillow customizes pillows based on individual sleep preferences, offering a unique twist on a standard product.
15. Explore International Markets
Sometimes, trends from other countries can become a huge hit in your local market. By keeping an eye on international markets, you may be able to spot the next big thing before it catches on locally.
For example, Gillian Gallant introduced the Paper Shoot Camera to North America, recognizing its potential after seeing it gain popularity in other regions.
16. Get Inspired by Social Movements
Products tied to a social cause can resonate deeply with consumers. Brands like Hippy Feet give 50% of their profits to charity, making their products stylish and impactful.
Validating Your Product Idea
Validating your product is essential before launching it. Research your market, study competitors, and test your product idea using surveys, focus groups, or pre-sales. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo can help gauge interest and secure initial funding.
Best Product Research Tools
To stay ahead in the competitive market, here are some tools for effective product research:
- Exploding Topics: AI-powered tool that helps spot emerging trends.
- Helium10: Amazon-focused tool that provides in-depth market analysis.
- TikTok Creative Center: Provides product insights and trends based on TikTok activity.
- Jungle Scout: Offers insights into top-selling products and competitors on Amazon.
Product Opportunities Are Everywhere
Whether you have a specific product category in mind or are starting from scratch, opportunities are all around you. Use social media, research tools, and competitor analysis to identify products with low competition and high demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find products to sell online?
You can find products by solving customer pain points, appealing to niche interests, leveraging your passions, or using tools like Google Trends to identify demand.
What are some good sources for product ideas?
Social media, successful products from other brands, and trade publications can all provide valuable insights.
What is the most profitable product to sell?
Products with high margins, such as beauty items, jewelry, and electronics, tend to be profitable. It’s essential to consider your product costs and market demand.
