Top 15 Product Research Tools and How to Use Them

Do not index

Finding the right products to sell online can feel overwhelming. You might have a solid business plan and even a decent marketing strategy mapped out. But as you look closer at your competitors, you realize there’s much more to selling online than simply picking a niche and finding products within that category. And to make matters worse, the products your competitors are selling probably aren’t what you’d expect.

Instead, they’re likely selling highly researched items that are trending or have proven to perform well over time. This is where product research tools come into play. Not only can they help you identify these items, but they can also help you understand why your competitors are selling them and uncover valuable insights that can inform your business strategy. This guide will introduce you to the top 15 eCommerce competitor analysis tools and how to use them.

Shophunter's Shopify sales tracker can help you quickly assess your competitors' products and take the following steps to achieve your business goals.

Why Product Research is Critical for E-commerce Success

Identifies High-Demand Products

In the highly competitive e-commerce space, choosing the right products to sell is essential for capturing market share and generating sales. Product research helps identify high-demand products customers are actively searching for, increasing the likelihood of a successful product launch.

Key Benefits

Informed Decision-Making: Product research provides data on search volumes, customer preferences, and trends, allowing entrepreneurs to make informed decisions rather than relying on guesswork.

Higher Sales Potential: By focusing on products with proven demand, businesses can improve their chances of achieving higher sales volumes and revenue.

Practical Example: An e-commerce entrepreneur uses tools like Shophunter to analyze competitors' best-selling products and identify which items generate consistent sales, helping them choose products with similar demand.

Practical Tip: Use product research tools that provide real-time data, such as Shophunter’s Shopify sales tracker, to ensure you’re focusing on products that are currently trending and in demand.

Validates Product Ideas

Validating product ideas before investing in inventory, marketing, and other resources minimizes financial risk. Product research tools help entrepreneurs assess whether their ideas are viable in the current market.

Key Benefits

Reduces Risk of Failure: By validating product ideas based on data such as search trends, sales history, and competitor performance, entrepreneurs can avoid launching products that are unlikely to succeed.

Supports Strategic Planning: Validation helps set realistic expectations for sales performance and profitability, aiding in better financial and inventory planning.

Practical Example: An e-commerce business uses keyword research tools and Shophunter’s sales tracker to cross-check product ideas with search volume data and competitor sales performance, ensuring that the chosen products have strong market potential.

Practical Tip: Always cross-reference product ideas using multiple data points, such as search volume, sales data, and customer reviews, to validate demand and profitability.

Reduces Risk

Launching a product without proper research can lead to overstocking, wasted marketing budget, and potential losses. Effective product research reduces the risk of investing in products with low market potential or high competition.

Key Benefits

Informed Inventory Management: Knowing which products will sell well allows businesses to manage inventory more effectively, reducing the risk of overstock or stockouts.

Avoids Costly Mistakes: Research helps identify products with low competition but high demand, allowing entrepreneurs to enter niches with a better chance of success.

Practical Example: A dropshipping business uses Shophunter’s competitor analysis feature to avoid highly competitive niches and find untapped opportunities, reducing the risk of entering oversaturated markets.

Practical Tip: Use tools that provide competitor analysis and market insights, like Shophunter, to identify less competitive but high-potential products to reduce the risk of market entry failures.

Optimizes Marketing Strategies

Product research provides valuable insights that can inform more targeted and effective marketing strategies, ultimately leading to better conversion rates and a higher return on investment (ROI).

Key Benefits

Improved Targeting: Understanding the demand and customer preferences enables more precise targeting in marketing campaigns, leading to higher engagement and sales.

Cost-Effective Advertising: Research helps identify profitable keywords, customer pain points, and compelling messaging strategies, reducing ad spending and maximizing ROI.

Practical Example: An e-commerce entrepreneur uses Shophunter’s ad spy tool to monitor competitors’ ad campaigns and adapt their marketing strategies to focus on what’s working in the market, improving ad performance.

Practical Tip: Regularly review competitor ads and marketing strategies using tools like Shophunter to stay up-to-date with market trends and adjust your campaigns accordingly.

Helps in Building a Competitive Advantage

In a crowded e-commerce environment, having a competitive advantage is key to standing out. Thorough product research helps businesses understand gaps in the market and position their products uniquely.

Key Benefits

Identifies Market Gaps: research can uncover underserved customer needs or product features that competitors lack, providing an opportunity to differentiate.

Enhances Product Development: Insights from customer reviews, competitor offerings, and market data help in refining product features, quality, and positioning.

Practical Example: A Shopify store owner identifies through Shophunter that competitors are not offering eco-friendly packaging. They decide to differentiate by emphasizing sustainability, attracting a niche audience concerned about environmental impact.

Practical Tip: Use research tools to identify trends, customer feedback, and gaps in competitor offerings to find unique angles and develop a strong value proposition.

High Ticket Dropshipping Products

Ecommerce Ideas

High Demand Products To Sell

Most Profitable Products To Sell Online

Product Ideas

Best Ecommerce Products

How To Find Winning Products On Aliexpress

How To Find Trending Products

How To Find Trending Products On Tiktok

How To Find Winning Products

Criteria for Choosing Effective Product Research Tools

Data Accuracy and Real-Time Insights: Get Accurate Data to Make Smart Decisions

Reliable and up-to-date data is crucial for identifying trending products, understanding market dynamics, and making informed decisions. Inaccurate or outdated data can lead to poor product choices and missed opportunities. When researching product research tools, look for accurate alternatives that provide real-time insights.

Ease of Use and User Interface: Can You Figure It Out?

A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of a product research tool. Complex tools with steep learning curves can save time and generate user satisfaction. Look for options with clean, organized interfaces that are easy to navigate, even for beginners.

Integration Capabilities: How Well Does It Play With Others?

Seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon, is crucial for efficient data transfer and analysis. Integration capabilities can save time and streamline workflows by automatically syncing data. Ensure the tool integrates well with your e-commerce platform, such as Shopify or Amazon.

Competitive Analysis Features: What Are Your Rivals Up To?

Understanding competitor performance and strategies is vital for staying ahead in e-commerce. Tools that provide competitor analysis features help entrepreneurs make more strategic decisions by revealing what works and what doesn’t. Look for tools that track competitors’ pricing changes and product positioning to understand market dynamics better.

Pricing and Accessibility: What’s This Going to Cost Me?

The cost of a product research tool should align with the business's budget and needs. Affordable and accessible tools are essential for startups and small businesses, while more advanced tools may be suitable for larger enterprises. Choose tools that offer tiered pricing plans catering to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.

Additional Functionalities: What Else Can This Tool Do?

Beyond core features like sales tracking and competitor analysis, additional functionalities can provide a competitive edge by offering more comprehensive insights or automation options. Consider your business needs and choose tools that provide functionalities that align with your e-commerce strategy.

What Is ShopHunter?

ShopHunter's shopify sales tracker offers a unique tool for ecom founders, particularly those in the Shopify ecosystem. At its core, it is a custom algorithm that estimates sales for entire stores and specific products, helping users quickly validate product potential. The platform goes beyond basic sales tracking, featuring an ad spy tool that monitors advertising activity across stores. This combination lets users spot trending products and successful marketing strategies early on.

Whether you're a dropshipper, a Shopify store owner, or someone looking to enter the e-commerce space, ShopHunter aims to streamline product research and reduce the risk of investing in low-performing items. Sign up for a free trial (no credit card required) to our Shopify sales tracker tool to find your next eCom opportunity or to level up your current eCommerce store by learning from your competitors.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Effectively Conduct Product Research

Identify Your Niche and Target Audience

Understanding your niche and target audience lays the groundwork for successful product research. It helps focus efforts on products that appeal to specific customer groups and align with your business goals.

How to Do It

Analyze Market Trends: Use tools like Google Trends, SEMrush, and Shophunter to identify trending niches and understand what potential customers are interested in.

Create Customer Personas: To better target your research efforts, develop detailed customer personas based on demographics, interests, and pain points.

Evaluate Niche Viability: When choosing a niche, consider factors like market size, competition level, and growth potential.

Practical Tip

Select a niche that balances your interests with market demand, ensuring passion and profitability. Use market research data to validate your choice.

Generate Product Ideas

Generating diverse product ideas is the starting point for product research. A broad list of potential products allows you to explore various opportunities before narrowing down to the most promising ones.

How to Do It

Leverage Product Research Tools: Utilize tools like Shophunter, Jungle Scout, and Helium 10 to explore best-seller lists, analyze competitors, and discover high-demand products.

Monitor Competitor Stores: Use Shophunter’s Shopify sales tracker to monitor top-performing products in competitor stores and identify emerging trends.

Explore Social Media and Forums: Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Reddit can offer valuable insights into trending products and consumer discussions.

Practical Tip

You can use a spreadsheet or tool like Trello to track product ideas, categorize them by niche, and prioritize based on potential demand and competition.

Analyze Market Demand and Trends

Understanding market demand is essential to avoid launching products that won’t sell. Analyzing trends helps identify products with growth potential and longevity.

How to Do It

Utilize Keyword Research Tools: Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Keyword Planner to assess search volume for product-related keywords and indicate demand levels.

Track Sales Data: Use Shophunter’s Shopify sales tracker to analyze the sales performance of similar products across competitor stores, providing real-time insights into demand.

Check Seasonal and Regional Trends: Use Google Trends to determine whether a product has consistent or seasonal demand throughout the year and identify potential regional demand differences.

Practical Tip

Focus on products with steady or growing demand over time and avoid those with declining interest. Validate this across multiple tools to ensure accurate insights.

Evaluate Competition

Analyzing the competition is critical to understanding the market landscape, identifying gaps, and determining how to position your products. It helps assess whether a market is too saturated or has room for differentiation.

How to Do It

Conduct Competitor Analysis: Use Shophunter to analyze competitors’ stores, best-selling products, pricing strategies, and advertising campaigns.

Assess Competitor Strengths and Weaknesses: Identify what competitors do well (e.g., customer service, product quality) and where they fall short (e.g., limited product variety, poor customer reviews). This can help in developing your unique selling proposition (USP).

Review Customer Feedback and Ratings: Look at customer reviews on competitors' websites and marketplaces like Amazon to identify common complaints and areas for improvement.

Practical Tip

Create a competitor analysis matrix to compare key competitors on critical factors like pricing, product features, and customer feedback to inform your strategy.

Validate Product Ideas with Data

Validating product ideas with data ensures that you invest in products with a substantial likelihood of success, minimizing the risk of financial loss and poor market performance.

How to Do It

Perform Profitability Analysis: Calculate potential profit margins by considering costs (product, shipping, marketing) and competitive pricing.

Cross-Check Demand Across Platforms: Validate product demand using data from multiple tools (e.g., Shophunter, Jungle Scout, Google Trends) to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Run Pre-Launch Campaigns: Test product interest through pre-launch campaigns or landing pages to collect customer feedback and gauge market readiness.

Practical Tip

Set minimum thresholds for profitability, demand, and competition to decide whether a product is worth pursuing. Use multiple data points to support your decision.

Refine Product Selection and Positioning

Refining your product selection and positioning based on research findings helps you target the right audience, optimize product listings, and differentiate from competitors.

How to Do It

Differentiate Your Product Offering: Based on competitor analysis, find ways to improve or differentiate your product (e.g., better materials, unique features, superior customer service).

Optimize Product Listings: Use keyword research to optimize product titles, descriptions, and images for better visibility and conversion rates.

Develop a Clear, Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Communicate concisely and compellingly what makes your product better or different from competitors.

Practical Tip

Refine product listings, descriptions, and positioning strategies based on customer feedback and conversion data using A/B testing.

Monitor and Adjust Based on Performance

The market is dynamic, and ongoing monitoring allows you to adapt to changes, optimize strategies, and remain competitive. Regular adjustments based on performance data help maximize sales and profitability.

How to Do It

Use Continuous Monitoring Tools: Leverage Shophunter to regularly monitor competitor activity, sales trends, and advertising performance.

Analyze Customer Feedback: Collect and analyze customer feedback to identify potential improvements and optimize product offerings.

Adjust Marketing Strategies: Use performance data to refine marketing strategies and ad placements, ensuring they effectively target your ideal customers.

Practical Tip

Set regular intervals (e.g., weekly or monthly) to review product performance metrics and adjust strategies based on up-to-date insights.

What Is ShopHunter?

ShopHunter's Shopify sales tracker offers a unique tool for eCommerce founders, particularly those in the Shopify ecosystem. At its core, it is a custom algorithm that estimates sales for entire stores and specific products, helping users quickly validate product potential. The platform goes beyond basic sales tracking, featuring an ad spy tool that monitors advertising activity across stores.

This combination lets users spot trending products and successful marketing strategies early on. Whether you're a dropshipper, a Shopify store owner, or someone looking to enter the eCommerce space, ShopHunter aims to streamline product research and reduce the risk of investing in low-performing items. Sign up for a free trial (no credit card required) to our Shopify sales tracker tool to find your next eCom opportunity or to level up your current eCommerce store by learning from your competitors.

Ecommerce Niches

How To Find Ecommerce Trending Keywords

How To Find Products To Sell

Best Ecommerce Tools

Ecommerce Product Research

Dropshipping Apps

Dropshipping Product Finder

Ecommerce Categories

Best Product Research Tool

Best Ecommerce Tools

Top 15 Product Research Tools for E-commerce

1. Shophunter: A Data-Driven Approach to Competitive Research

Shophunter is tailored for Shopify store owners and e-commerce entrepreneurs, offering a comprehensive suite of tools.

Key Features

Shopify Sales Tracker: Monitors sales performance of entire stores and individual products.

Ad Spy Tool: Tracks advertising activities across stores to identify successful strategies. Trending Product Discovery: Analyzes sales data and ad performance to find trending products early.

Unique Selling Point (USP): Combines sales tracking with ad spying for thorough competitive analysis.

Practical Example: A Shopify store owner identifies a competitor's best-selling products and advertising strategies to replicate success.

Practical Tip: Use the sales tracker to validate product ideas before significant investment.

2. DSers: The Ultimate Dropshipping Companion

DSers is an innovative product research and order management tool tailored for the dropshipping industry. It equips e-commerce entrepreneurs with features that streamline their product sourcing and order fulfillment strategies.

Key Features and Benefits Enhanced Product Customization

DSers allows users to seamlessly modify product titles, descriptions, and other attributes while importing them into their store, helping them align products with their brand.

Price Comparison Engine: This feature allows users to find the same product from different suppliers at lower prices, maximizing profitability.

Multi-Store Management: DSers facilitates managing multiple Shopify, WooCommerce, or WiX stores from a single account, promoting operational efficiency.

One-Click Order Fulfillment: This feature simplifies the process of fulfilling multiple orders simultaneously, saving time and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Cons Limited Platform Integrations: DSers only supports WooCommerce, Shopify, and WiX stores, limiting its usability to other platforms.

Advanced Features Complexity: The advanced functionalities in higher-tier plans may present a learning curve for beginners.

Pricing Plans Free Plan: Offers essential features such as automated order status updates and access to trending suppliers.

Basic Plan: This plan costs $19.90 monthly and includes features like automatic price updates and advanced mapping.

Pro Plan: $49.90 monthly, adding multi-store management and ten staff accounts.

Enterprise Plan: This plan provides premium benefits like unlimited staff accounts, customized DSers features, and higher monthly usage volume for $499. Our Verdict DSers excels with its robust order management capabilities, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to streamline their e-commerce operations.

3. Exploding Topics: A Trendy Product Research Tool

Exploding Topics is a dynamic product research tool designed to keep businesses ahead by identifying and harnessing emerging trends in e-commerce.

Key Features and Benefits Monitoring Product Trends

Provides real-time insights into trending products, allowing users to stay ahead of market demands.

Hot Products for Sale: The platform curates a list of high-demand products, aiding users in making data-driven inventory decisions.

Competitor Analysis: Offers insights into competitors’ strategies, product selections, and market positions, enabling users to stay competitive.

Keyword Research for Top Products: It helps users find relevant keywords for trending products, optimizing their SEO strategies.

New Product Ideas: A valuable resource for generating new ideas based on emerging trends.

Enhanced Product Performance Insights: Provides detailed performance data on trending products to aid strategic decision-making.

Cons Limited Analytics Capabilities: While strong in trend identification, its analytical tools are less advanced than specialized analytics platforms.

Pricing Plans Entrepreneur Plan: $39 per month (billed annually), including access to the Trends Database and Weekly Premium Trend Reports.

Investor Plan: $99 per month (billed annually), adds Trend Search and CSV Export.

Business Plan: $249 per month (billed annually), offers all features of the Entrepreneur and Investor plans, plus custom reports, API access, and more user seats. Our Verdict Exploding Topics is a top choice for businesses focusing on trend analysis and keyword research to stay competitive in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.

4. Niche Scraper: A Product Research Powerhouse

Niche Scraper is a powerful tool for product research. It helps entrepreneurs discover winning products and optimize their e-commerce strategies.

Key Features and Benefits Extensive Data on Successful Products

Offers a wealth of information on products that have consistently performed well, helping users devise effective strategies.

Effortless Product Discovery: It simplifies the uncovering of potential product hits in chosen niches. The User-Friendly Interface is easy to navigate, enabling users to access and utilize the information quickly.

Comprehensive Tutorials: Provides tutorials for users at all levels, enhancing the platform’s accessibility.

Reliable Analytics: Delivers accurate data to support well-informed business decisions.

Frequent Updates: Regular updates inform users of the latest trends and market insights.

Cons Quality of Video Ad Creation: The platform's video ad creator might need to deliver the high-quality output of other specialized tools.

Pricing Plans Free Plan: Limited access to basic features, including a 3-day delay on new winning products and restricted access to Facebook ad videos.

Pro Membership: $49.95 monthly, unlocking advanced features like unlimited video creation.

Annual Membership: Offers the same features as the Pro Membership with a 60% discount when billed annually. Our Verdict With its detailed analytics and rich data repository, Niche Scraper is an essential tool for businesses looking to make data-driven decisions in e-commerce.

5. Intelligynce: All-Around E-Commerce Product Research Tool

Intelligynce provides a comprehensive suite of tools for e-commerce product research, allowing entrepreneurs to discover profitable products and optimize their business strategies.

Key Features and Benefits of Cross-Device Integration

Allows seamless use across various devices, enhancing convenience.

Significant Time and Cost Savings: Streamlines product research to save valuable time and resources.

Identifies Best-Selling Products: Helps pinpoint top-performing products across niches for maximum profitability.

Ali Inspector Bonus Software includes Ali Inspector 2, adding another comprehensive product insight layer.

Shopify and WooCommerce Compatibility: Adapts well to different e-commerce platforms.

Cons Limited Video Ad Creation Features: The tool lacks robust capabilities for creating slideshow video ads.

Download Requirement for Ali Inspector 2: Requires software download, which may be inconvenient for users preferring cloud-based solutions.

Pricing Plans Monthly Payment Option: $39 per month. Yearly Payment Option: $79 per year. Lifetime Member Option: $99 for a one-time payment. Our Verdict Intelligence is a versatile tool for those seeking seamless integration and deep market insights to enhance their product sourcing strategies.

6. AliShark: A Research Tool for Shopify Dropshippers

AliShark is a product research tool developed by Shopify's creators. It provides entrepreneurs with a wealth of data to explore trending products and make informed decisions.

Key Features and Benefits Extensive and Continuously Updated Database

Offers a vast database that is regularly updated, ensuring users have access to the latest product trends.

Advanced Filtering Options: These options allow for precise searches tailored to specific needs, helping users find products that match their business goals.

Comprehensive Product Details: provides in-depth information about products, simplifying the process of selecting items for dropshipping.

Visual Performance Graphs: Offers performance graphs to visualize product trends and performance, aiding in strategic planning.

Seasonal Sales Insights: It helps users identify peak product sales periods, enabling better advertising and promotion planning.

Cons Lack of Additional Tools: The platform could benefit from supplementary tools to provide a more comprehensive suite for business growth.

Inadequate Tutorial Resources: Limited tutorials may require users to learn some features independently.

Pricing Plans: Priced at $20 per month, with a 2-day trial available for $1.

7. AllFactor: A Marketing Insights Tool for E-Commerce

AllFactor empowers e-commerce entrepreneurs with insights that drive strategic decision-making and effective marketing campaigns.

Key Features and Benefits Empowering Marketing Insights

Identifies emerging trends and new customer preferences, refining marketing strategies for better performance.

User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive interface that is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Advanced Analytics: It provides in-depth analytics, including graphs, comparisons, and trend data, to comprehensively understand the market.

Real-Time Tracking: Allows users to monitor changes in critical variables over time, facilitating timely strategic adjustments.

Cons Limited Integration Capability: It primarily focuses on Etsy products and store analytics tools, which may limit its utility for some users. Pricing Plans include a Free Plan with limited access, a Professional Plan at $29 per month, and an Elite Plan at $99 per month.

8. Dropship Spy: A Tool for Finding Winning Dropshipping Products

Dropship Spy is a powerful e-commerce product research platform that helps entrepreneurs streamline their process of finding winning products in a competitive market.

Key Features and Benefits Effortless Product Discovery

It simplifies identifying winning products on AliExpress, offering a strategic edge.

Profit Calculator: This tool assists in determining optimal pricing strategies and sales targets to maintain profitability. User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, it caters to novice and experienced entrepreneurs.

Affordability: It offers budget-friendly pricing options, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Seamless Shopify Integration Facilitates product selection and integration with Shopify stores.

Cons No Free Trial: A free trial may ensure users try the platform before committing.

Limited Social Media Targeting: The platform's insights into social media targeting are limited.

Pricing Plans: The plans include a Hobby Plan with no fee for basic features, a Pro Plan at $19 per month for advanced capabilities, and a Yearly Plan offering savings over monthly subscriptions.

9. FindNiche: A Niche-Specific Product Research Tool

FindNiche serves as a comprehensive tool for discovering profitable products and niches to

drive business growth.

Key Features and Benefits User-Friendly and Profit-Centric

Simplifies product research with an easy-to-use interface that helps businesses find profitable items.

Data Integration from AliExpress and Shopify: Combines data from both platforms to provide comprehensive market insights. Market Insights and Ad Spy Features: Higher-tier plans offer additional tools for strategic planning and ad campaigns.

Continuous Updates: Regular updates ensure users stay informed of evolving trends and market shifts.

Winning Product Listings: Provides curated lists of high-potential products, enhancing the product selection process.

Profitable Niche Discovery: Helps users identify profitable niches aligned with market demands. Cons Complexity for Beginners: The niche finder tool may be challenging for those new to dropshipping and niche selection.

Pricing Plans: The Basic Plan costs $9 per month, the Elite Plan costs $59, the Premium Plan costs $99, and the VIP Enterprise starts at $200 monthly.

10. Pexda: An Advanced Product Research Tool for E-Commerce

Pexda offers a robust suite of features for e-commerce product research, helping entrepreneurs use data and trends to make strategic decisions.

Key Features and Benefits Limitless Daily Product Discoveries

Provides a steady stream of product options daily, updating users on potential opportunities.

Amazon and AliExpress Reports: This site offers detailed reports from Amazon and AliExpress, providing valuable insights into product trends and market dynamics.

Enhanced Product Insights: Delivers comprehensive insights into specific products, supporting informed decision-making.

Early Access to Hot Products: Identifies trending products before they go viral, giving users a competitive edge.

Targeted Audience Insights: Reveals potential audiences for targeted marketing campaigns.

User-Friendly Interface: Simple to navigate, even for those new to e-commerce research.

Facebook Ad Reports: Provides actionable insights through detailed Facebook Ad reports.

Cons Lack of Tutorials: More comprehensive tutorials could benefit users new to the platform.

Frequency of Product Additions: Users might desire more frequent updates to the product pool to stay aligned with rapidly changing trends.

Pricing Plans: The Basic Plan is $14.95 per month, the Premium Plan is $24.95 per month, and the Ultimate Plan is $99.95 per month. A 14-day trial is available for $1.95.

11. SaleSource: A Versatile Product Research Platform

SaleSource is a versatile e-commerce product research platform that provides tools to analyze competitors, identify winning products, and optimize pricing strategies.

Key Features and Benefits Competitor Statistics Analysis

Provides deep insights into competitors’ data, aiding strategic market positioning.

Product Price Comparison: It helps users make informed decisions on pricing strategies for maximizing profits.

Winning Product Identification: Analyzes market data to pinpoint high-performing products.

Store Analyzer Feature: This feature offers a comprehensive view of competitors' stores, providing insights into their strategies and performance.

Product Analyzer Feature: Delivers detailed product information, supporting strategic decision-making.

Chrome Extension: Enhances usability by providing on-the-go insights while navigating e-commerce platforms.

Cons Lack of Documentation: Although training videos are available, it could benefit from more thorough documentation to help users navigate its features. Pricing Plans include the Starter Plan at $89 per month, the Professional Plan at $98 per month, the Advanced Plan at $399 per month, and the Elite Plan at $999 per month.

12. Thieve.co: A Simple Product Research Tool

Thieve.co offers an intuitive platform for e-commerce product research, empowering entrepreneurs with essential tools to excel in online retail.

Key Features and Benefits User-Friendly Interface

They were designed for simplicity, making it easy for users to navigate and use its features.

Exemplary Product Research Tool: Supports businesses in identifying potential winning products.

Efficient Keyword Tool Finder: Enhances SEO strategies and helps users effectively target their audience.

Insightful Niche Trends Results: Provides valuable insights into niche trends, helping businesses align with market demands.

Comprehensive Store Search: Allows exploration of different stores, uncovering products and trends that may be beneficial.

An array of Free Product Tools: The site offers several free tools to aid users in their journey toward e-commerce success.

Valuable Chrome Extension: Provides additional utility by offering insights and data while users navigate e-commerce sites.

Cons Feature Update Lag: Some features may experience delays in updates, impacting user experience.

Limited Depth in Product Research: The platform's winning product research may need more depth of other tools.

Pricing Plans: The dropship plan is $15 per month, and the pro plan is $49 per month; both are available after a 14-day trial.

13. EcomHunt: An Expert-Curated Product Research Tool

EcomHunt provides an expertly curated selection of products and features to help entrepreneurs thrive in the competitive online retail landscape.

Key Features and Benefits Niche and Category-Specific Suggestions

Offers product recommendations aligned with specific niches or categories.

Daily Expert Updates: Dropshipping experts handpick regular updates on trending products.

Detailed Metrics and Analytics Reports: Delivers comprehensive data to support informed decision-making.

Connection to Top Competitors, Suppliers, and Campaigns: Links users to critical players and campaigns on AliExpress, enhancing research and marketing strategies.

Social Media Engagement Statistics: Provides detailed engagement metrics to assess product viability.

Smooth Product Import to Shopify: Facilitates the integration of products directly into Shopify stores.

Cons Limited Filter Options: We may need more advanced filters to narrow down the database of items to specific criteria.

Pricing Plans: There is a Free Plan with primary access, a Basic Plan at $23 per month, a Pro Plan at $39 per month, and a Suite Plan at $49 per month.

14. AutoDS: A Comprehensive Tool for Dropshipping Research

AutoDS is a comprehensive product research tool tailored for dropshippers, offering a range of features to identify high-profit products and enhance dropshipping strategies.

Key Features and Benefits AutoDS Marketplace

Provides access to a vast collection of premium products from trusted suppliers, allowing for diverse offerings.

Working with Private Suppliers offers direct messaging and custom branding benefits, helping you stand out and build a unique brand identity.

Winning Products Hub: Features a curated list of high-performing products based on advanced data analysis and market research.

Comprehensive Product Information: Supplies detailed descriptions, images, and pricing for more accessible product selection.

Optimized Filters: Improves the efficiency of searches, enabling quick identification of profitable items.

Cons Learning Curve: Some users need help learning all features quickly and prefer more interactive support options.

Pricing Plans: Import 200 Plan at $9.90 monthly, Starter 400 Plan at $17.90 monthly, and Advanced 800 Plan at $32.90 monthly.

15. WholeSale2B: A Supplier-Centric Research Tool

WholeSale2B is a versatile product research tool that provides access to various products and suppliers. It caters to e-commerce entrepreneurs looking to streamline their sourcing processes.

Key Features and Benefits: Extensive Product Range

Offers millions of products across various categories, ensuring a broad selection for online store creation.

Extensive Supplier Directory: Provides connections to numerous reputable suppliers, enhancing sourcing options.

Multi-Channel Compatibility: Supports integration across multiple selling platforms, maximizing online presence.

Cons Limitations in Free Trial and Listings: It does not offer a free trial or a fixed number of free listings with specific plans, and it focuses mainly on US suppliers, potentially limiting its global reach.

Pricing Plans: Pricing starts from $37.99 per month, depending on the chosen eCommerce platform (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce).

Best Practices for Conducting Product Research with These Tools

Combine Tools for Comprehensive Insights

No single product research tool can provide all the insights for comprehensive product research. Combining different tools allows you to gather a broader range of data points, leading to more accurate and well-rounded conclusions.

How to Do It

Use a Mix of Sales Trackers, Keyword Research, and Competitor Analysis Tools: For example, combine Shophunter for sales tracking and competitor analysis, Jungle Scout for Amazon product research, and Ahrefs or SEMrush for keyword insights.

Cross-Verify Data: Use multiple tools to cross-check data points like search volume, sales estimates, and competitive density to ensure data accuracy and reliability.

Practical Example: An entrepreneur looking to enter a new niche can use Shophunter to analyze competitors' best-sellers, Google Trends to validate market demand, and Ahrefs to find high-opportunity keywords for SEO.

Practical Tip: Create a product research matrix to track insights from different tools and identify overlaps or discrepancies to refine your research strategy.

Regularly Monitor Competitors

Competitor analysis is not a one-time task. Regular monitoring helps you stay updated on market changes, new product launches, pricing adjustments, and marketing strategies, allowing you to adapt and remain competitive.

How to Do It

Set Up Alerts: Use tools like Shophunter to set up alerts for competitor sales, pricing, or new product launch changes. This ensures you are immediately aware of any significant shifts in the market.

Analyze Competitor Ad Campaigns: Regularly review competitors' ad campaigns to identify what works for them and how you can leverage similar strategies or avoid their mistakes.

Practical Example: A dropshipper uses Shophunter’s ad spy tool to monitor a competitor’s Facebook ad campaigns and notices a trend in seasonal product promotion. They then replicate this strategy with their unique twist to capture similar demand.

Practical Tip: Schedule a weekly review of competitors' activities and adjust your product and marketing strategies to stay ahead.

Validate Product Ideas Across Multiple Platforms

Validating product ideas using data from multiple platforms ensures that you are targeting the right audience and that there is genuine demand across different channels.

How to Do It

Use Tools for Platform-Specific Insights: Use Shophunter for Shopify-based insights, Jungle Scout or Helium 10 for Amazon, and eRank for Etsy. This allows you to understand demand dynamics across different e-commerce platforms.

Leverage Google Trends and SEMrush: These tools provide a more holistic view by validating demand trends for potential products across regions and platforms.

Practical Example: A seller uses Shophunter to validate a product idea on Shopify and then cross-check the demand on Amazon using Jungle Scout. If both platforms show strong potential, they proceed with confidence.

Practical Tip: Always validate product ideas on at least two different platforms to reduce the risk of limited market appeal or oversaturation in a single channel.

Focus on Data-Driven Decisions

Making decisions based on data rather than intuition helps reduce risk and increases the chances of success. Data-driven decisions are more likely to align with market realities and customer preferences.

How to Do It

Rely on Quantitative Metrics: Use data points like search volume, sales estimates, conversion rates, and profit margins to guide product selection and marketing strategies.

Analyze Historical Data and Trends: Historical data can help you understand how demand and competition have evolved. Tools like Shophunter can provide historical sales data for comprehensive analysis.

Practical Example: A store owner sees a spike in demand for a niche product but notes that it's a seasonal trend. They enter the market strategically by preparing inventory and marketing campaigns before the next peak season.

Practical Tip: Set key performance indicators (KPIs) for product research and regularly review them to ensure reliable data back your decisions.

Leverage Automation and Alerts

Automation saves time and ensures you don’t miss critical insights that could impact your product and marketing strategies. Alerts and automated reports keep you informed without manual effort.

How to Do It

Set Up Automated Reports: Use tools like Shophunter to schedule regular reports on sales performance, competitor activity, and ad campaigns. Enable Alerts for Key Metrics: Set alerts for significant changes in sales trends, keyword rankings, or competitor behavior to stay ahead of the curve.

Practical Example: An e-commerce manager uses Shophunter to set up weekly reports on top-selling products in their niche. They receive an alert when a new competitor product starts gaining traction, prompting them to adjust their strategy.

Practical Tip: Use automated alerts and reports to streamline your research workflow and stay informed without constant manual checking.

Avoid Common Research Pitfalls

Mistakes in product research can lead to poor decisions, financial losses, and missed opportunities. Being aware of common pitfalls allows you to avoid them and refine your research approach.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Relying on a Single Tool: Over-dependence on one tool can lead to biased data or incomplete analysis. Always cross-reference insights with multiple tools.

Ignoring Data Accuracy: Using outdated or inaccurate data can result in selecting products that won’t sell or misinterpreting market trends.

Overlooking Seasonal Trends: Failing to account for seasonality can lead to overstocking or missed opportunities. Use tools like Google Trends to understand seasonal demand patterns.

Practical Tip: Periodically review your research strategy, update your tools, and cross-check data to ensure you are making the most informed decisions.

What Is ShopHunter?

Shophunter's Shopify sales tracker offers a unique tool for eCommerce founders, particularly those in the Shopify ecosystem. At its core, it is a custom algorithm that estimates sales for entire stores and specific products, helping users quickly validate product potential. The platform goes beyond basic sales tracking, featuring an ad spy tool that monitors advertising activity across stores.

Sign up for a free trial (no credit card required) to our Shopify sales tracker tool to find your next eCommerce opportunity or to level up your current eCommerce store by learning from your competitors.

Common Pitfalls in Product Research and How to Avoid Them

Stop Relying on Just One Tool for Research

Relying solely on one product research tool can result in biased or incomplete data. Each tool has its methodology, data sources, and limitations, so a single source may not provide a comprehensive market view.

Using more than one tool can lead to overreliance on its specific data points, potentially requiring more critical insights from other sources. To get a more comprehensive picture, avoid this pitfall by combining tools like Shophunter, Jungle Scout, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. Each tool offers different features, such as sales tracking, keyword research, competitor analysis, and market trends.

Always cross-reference data points, such as sales estimates and keyword volumes, across multiple tools to ensure consistency and reliability. Keep a spreadsheet to document and compare insights from different tools, helping create a well-rounded research approach.

Data Accuracy and Reliability Matter

Inaccurate or outdated data can lead to poor product decisions, such as choosing items that don't have genuine demand or are too competitive. Data accuracy and reliability are crucial for making informed decisions. Some tools provide outdated or estimated data without clear methodologies, which can lead to misguided conclusions.

Avoid this pitfall by choosing reputable tools with transparent methodologies. Opt for tools like Shophunter that provide real-time data updates, clear data sources, and transparent methodologies for generating insights. Update your analysis regularly to ensure your research is based on the most recent data. Use tools that provide continuous updates.

Avoid making decisions based on data that is older than three months. Always use the most recent data available for better accuracy.

Don’t Ignore Seasonal and Regional Trends

It is essential to account for seasonality or regional demand variations to avoid overstocking or missed sales opportunities. Products performing well in one season or region may not do well in another. Assuming demand is consistent year-round or across all areas can result in poor inventory management and marketing strategies.

Use tools to analyze seasonality and regional interest. Utilize tools like Google Trends and Shophunter to identify seasonal trends and regional demand variations. This helps in planning inventory and marketing strategies accordingly.

Prepare for peak seasons by increasing inventory, adjusting marketing efforts, and launching seasonal promotions—similarly, plan for off-seasons by optimizing costs and focusing on other revenue streams. Create a seasonal marketing calendar that aligns with product trends, ensuring you can maximize sales during high-demand periods.

Competitor Analysis Can’t Be Overlooked

Understanding competitor strategies, strengths, and weaknesses is key to positioning your products effectively and finding gaps in the market. Neglecting this can lead to entering saturated markets without differentiation.

Failing to monitor competitors' product launches, pricing changes, and marketing strategies can result in missed opportunities or facing unexpected competition. Avoid this pitfall by conducting regular competitor analysis. Use tools like Shophunter to monitor competitor sales, pricing strategies, and ad campaigns. This helps you stay aware of their moves and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Look for areas where competitors could be improved, such as product quality, customer service, or unique features, and capitalize on those gaps. Set up a competitor analysis framework, including tracking key metrics such as product performance, pricing, customer feedback, and ad strategies, and review it monthly.

Don’t Neglect Customer Feedback and Reviews

Customer feedback and reviews are valuable sources of information for understanding what customers like or dislike about a product. Ignoring this feedback can lead to launching products that don’t meet customer expectations. Failing to analyze customer feedback can result in missing opportunities to improve product offerings or differentiate from competitors. Avoid this pitfall by studying reviews on competitor products. Use tools like Shophunter to examine customer reviews on competitor websites and marketplaces like Amazon.

Identify common complaints and look for patterns that indicate unmet needs or opportunities. Use customer insights to refine product features, improve quality, or develop new products that better meet customer needs. Monitor reviews and ratings on competitor products regularly and adjust your product development strategy to address gaps or pain points identified by customers.

Adjust Strategies Based on Performance Data

Product research is not a one-time activity. Continuous monitoring and adjustment based on

performance data are essential for maintaining competitiveness and optimizing product offerings. Relying on initial product research without ongoing analysis can lead to missed opportunities, declining sales, or market misalignment.

Review product performance regularly. Use tools like Shophunter to track periodically product performance, competitor activity, and market trends. This helps you make timely adjustments to inventory, pricing, and marketing strategies. Based on performance data, refine your marketing campaigns, adjust pricing, or consider product line extensions or discontinuations.

Set a monthly or quarterly review process to assess product performance and market dynamics, making adjustments to stay aligned with market changes.

How Shophunter Can Streamline Your Product Research Process

Shopify Sales Tracker: Understand the Competition

Understanding which products are top sellers and how competitors perform is essential for staying competitive in e-commerce. The Shopify sales tracker helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions by providing accurate sales estimates for entire stores and specific products.

Key Features

Accurate Sales Estimates: The sales tracker provides estimates based on real-time data, helping users understand what products are selling well and identifying potential best-sellers.

Historical Sales Data: Access to historical sales data allows users to see sales trends over time, providing insights into product performance and seasonality.

Top Products Analysis: The tool highlights top-performing products within a store, helping users quickly identify what’s driving sales for competitors.

Practical Example

An e-commerce entrepreneur uses Shophunter to analyze the top-selling products in a competitor’s store, identifying a high-demand niche that aligns with their target audience. They use this insight to add similar products to their store, increasing sales.

Practical Tip

Monitor the Shopify sales tracker regularly to stay current with market trends and adjust your product offerings based on competitor performance.

Ad Spy Tool: Uncover Competitors’ Advertising Strategies

Understanding competitors' advertising strategies can provide valuable insights into what products are being promoted, what marketing messages resonate with customers, and what ad channels are most effective.

Key Features

Monitor Competitor Ad Campaigns: The ad spy tool allows users to track competitors’ ad campaigns across various platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, helping them understand which products are being heavily promoted.

Identify Successful Ad Strategies: By analyzing the performance of competitors’ ads, users can identify which strategies drive traffic and conversions, inspiring their marketing efforts.

Discover Emerging Trends: Spot trends early by monitoring the types of products competitors are advertising and how they are positioning them in the market.

Practical Example

A Shopify store owner uses Shophunter’s ad spy tool to observe a competitor's successful ad campaign for a new product launch. They create a similar campaign with a unique angle, targeting the same audience, resulting in high engagement and conversions.

Practical Tip

Use the ad spy tool to continuously monitor competitors’ marketing strategies and adapt your ad campaigns to leverage proven tactics.

Comprehensive Competitor Analysis: Stay Ahead of the Competition

Staying ahead of the competition requires a deep understanding of competitors’ strategies, pricing, and customer feedback. Comprehensive competitor analysis helps businesses identify market gaps and opportunities for differentiation.

Key Features

Track Competitor Pricing and Promotions: Keep an eye on how competitors price their products and run promotions, allowing for strategic pricing decisions and discount strategies.

Monitor Product Launches and Removals: Understand which products competitors introduce or discontinue, providing clues about market demand and product lifecycle management.

Analyze Customer Reviews: Analyzing reviews on competitor products can help you gain insights into customer sentiment and pain points. This can help you refine your product features and customer service approach.

Practical Example

An e-commerce entrepreneur uses Shophunter to monitor a competitor’s new product launch and its initial customer reviews. They discover a common complaint about product quality and decide to improve their product offering, filling the gap and capturing market share.

Practical Tip

Use competitor analysis to identify unmet market needs and position your products as superior alternatives by addressing those gaps.

Easy-to-Use Interface and Real-Time Data Updates: Efficient Product Research

A user-friendly interface and real-time data updates are crucial for efficient product research. They ensure that users can quickly access and analyze the most current data, making timely decisions.

Key Features

Intuitive Dashboard: The easy-to-use dashboard provides quick access to sales tracking, competitor analysis, and ad spying features, enabling efficient navigation and analysis.

Real-Time Data Refresh: Real-time data updates ensure that users have the latest information, allowing them to respond swiftly to market changes.

Customizable Alerts: Set up alerts for changes in competitor activity, product performance, or market trends to stay informed without manual monitoring.

Practical Example

A Shopify store owner uses Shophunter to set up custom alerts for changes in competitor pricing and product launches. This allows them to adjust their strategy quickly and stay competitive.

Practical Tip

Use customizable alerts to keep track of critical metrics and competitor actions without constantly checking the tool manually.

Integrations and Automation: Streamline Your Workflow

Integration with other tools and platforms, such as Shopify, is essential for a streamlined workflow. Automation features save time and reduce the risk of human error.

Key Features

Shopify Integration: Direct integration with Shopify allows for seamless data transfer, enabling easy tracking of your store’s performance alongside competitor analysis.

API Access and Automation: For advanced users, API access allows for automated data collection and integration with other business tools, enhancing productivity and decision-making.

Automated Reports: Generate automated reports on sales trends, competitor activity, and market changes to make data-driven decisions without manual effort.

Practical Example

An e-commerce manager uses Shophunter’s automated reporting feature to receive weekly summaries of competitor sales performance and pricing changes, enabling quick strategic adjustments.

Practical Tip

Leverage automation to streamline your product research process and ensure you always operate with the most up-to-date insights.

ShopHunter’s Shopify sales tracker offers a unique tool for eCom founders, particularly those in the Shopify ecosystem. At its core, it is a custom algorithm that estimates sales for entire stores and specific products, helping users quickly validate product potential.

The platform goes beyond basic sales tracking, featuring an ad spy tool that monitors advertising activity across stores. This combination lets users spot trending products and successful marketing strategies early on. Whether you're a dropshipper, a Shopify store owner, or someone looking to enter the e-commerce space, ShopHunter aims to streamline product research and reduce the risk of investing in low-performing items.

Sign up for a free trial (no credit card required) of our Shopify sales tracker tool to find your next eCom opportunity or to level up your current eCommerce store by learning from your competitors.