Finding profitable dropshipping products is no easy task. First, you need to identify a niche that interests you. Next, you must research to discover what's trending within that niche with best product research tools for dropshipping. Then you must find reliable suppliers for those products. Only then can you start your online business and begin selling.
But what if the products you picked don't sell? Or what if they sell well for a short period and then crash? Preparing yourself for these challenges can help you launch your store with confidence. This is why knowing where to find dropshipping products is so significant.
This guide will help you identify profitable dropshipping products that drive consistent sales and business growth, enabling you to scale your online store with ease. Shophunter’s Shopify sales tracker can help you achieve this goal, as it uncovers products within your niche that are trending and selling well on Shopify so that you can find and target reliable dropshipping products for your store.
What Is a Winning Dropshipping Product?
The Characteristics of Winning Dropshipping Products
A winning dropshipping product is any item that is a hot seller. Its popularity leads to high demand, and hence, your business profits from it due to the high sales it brings in. However, to identify a winning product, you will likely need some defining characteristics to look out for. Let's look into a few of them.
Solves a Problem
Consumers view a product that solves a problem as more of a necessity than a luxury. This makes it more likely for them to want and buy such items. The best part is it does not have to be a complex product. Consider remote control organizers, for example. They are a simple fix for households where remote controllers often get misplaced or scattered. Most consumers may not even know they need them, but if you make them available, they will find a solution worth investing in.
Is Easy to Market
Marketing enables you to generate interest among potential customers and drive traffic to your online store. Unfortunately, some products, such as adult toys, cigars, or alcohol-related products, are sometimes subject to marketing restrictions. To avoid being blindsided by such regulations, determine the marketing protocols for your potential winning products. Advertising platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads also outline such prohibitions in their terms and conditions.
Has an Impressive Factor
Quick question: what drove the high sales of fidget spinners or hoverboards? The answer is quite simple: they had a wow factor about them. As a result, most people became curious about what the gadgets could do and found it hard to resist having one of their own. Similarly, if you can find a product that intrigues consumers and entices them to buy, there lies your winning product.
Suits Your Target Market
A winning product in one market doesn’t automatically translate to success in another. Consumer preferences are shaped by climate, age groups, cultural values, and even local trends. For example, a winter accessory may be a top seller in colder regions but has little appeal in tropical areas. If you want to succeed in your target market, then analyze their buying habits, cultural influences, and lifestyle. This helps you avoid copying ideas that may fail and positions your business as one that truly understands its audience.
Is Not Overly Common
Take, for instance, that it is summer, and you have identified beach towels as a potential winning product. They may not be the best product for your business if readily available in most online and physical stores in your target market.
Here is why
The competition would be overly intense, and you may not enjoy an exceptionally high sales volume. High availability often means that there is a prevailing market price. Consequently, you may be restricted to selling the item within that price range. In contrast, with a more ‘hard-to-find’ item, you may have more wiggle room when setting a price.
1. Browse Best-Seller Lists on E-Commerce Platforms
A simple and effective way to uncover potential winning products is by browsing the best-seller lists on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress. These lists highlight products that are in high demand, giving you a solid foundation for your research. Look for categories where multiple products consistently perform well.
For example, electronics, beauty, or home improvement often show steady interest over time, which indicates a stable market with ongoing demand. Pay attention to products with strong ratings and reviews, as this reflects customer satisfaction and suggests the product is meeting a real need. You should also consider the pricing trends.
Suppose you spot similar products with varying price points. In that case, it’s a good idea to explore where you can introduce a comparable item at a more competitive or premium price, depending on the market gap.
Bonus Tip
Instead of jumping on products with sudden spikes in popularity, focus on those with consistent sales over time. Products with steady demand are more likely to bring long-term success rather than just a temporary boost in interest.
2. Leverage Social Media Platforms
Social media is a goldmine for discovering trending products and getting a sense of what’s gaining attention. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are full of viral trends and influencer promotions, making them great places to spot hot products before they become mainstream. Start by browsing popular hashtags or exploring trending topics. Here’s what to focus on:
Trending Hashtags
Hashtags on Instagram or TikTok can give you insight into people's interests. If you see the same products popping up across multiple posts, it’s likely a trend worth considering.
Influencer Endorsements
Pay attention to what influencers are promoting. If they’re pushing a product to a large following, it’s often a sign of high demand.
User-Generated Content
Look at how consumers engage with products in real life. This can help you gauge the potential appeal of a product and see how it’s being used. For example, if you notice a rise in DIY home décor ideas on Pinterest, it could indicate an opportunity to sell related products, like personalized wall art or handmade candles.
Bonus Tip
Follow product-related conversations on social media to stay ahead of emerging trends. Also, monitor what’s generating buzz in niche communities, as these can often lead to loyal, repeat customers.
3. Study Competitor Stores
One of the best ways to identify winning products is by looking at what’s already working for other dropshipping stores. By studying your competitors, you can discover trends, successful products, and even gaps in the market that you can capitalize on. Start by checking out stores that are thriving in your niche. What products are they showcasing? What’s catching your eye as a potential best-seller? Pay attention to how they organize their products and what’s getting the most attention.
The most popular items are often easy to spot because they’re prominently featured on the site or have high visibility in their marketing campaigns. Another thing to consider is how your competitors market their products. Are they using Instagram ads, influencer partnerships, or email marketing? This can hint at positioning your products and creating an effective marketing strategy.
Bonus Tip
Use tools like SimilarWeb or SpyFu to dive deeper into your competitors’ traffic and see where they get their visitors. This helps you spot hot products and understand how they reach their customers.
4. Explore Niche-Specific Online Communities
One of the best ways to uncover trending products is by diving into niche-specific online communities. These spaces, like forums, Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or specialized blogs, give you direct access to people passionate about specific topics or products. They often discuss what’s hot, what’s working, and what they want more of.
Start by searching for active groups or discussions that focus on your niche. Here, you can learn about pain points, needs, and emerging trends that are ripe for taking. People in these communities aren’t shy about sharing what they like or wish existed, giving you valuable insight into potential winning products.
Bonus Tip
Engage in these communities to build trust and gain firsthand insights. By actively participating, you’ll learn about trending products and understand your target audience's language and preferences.
5. Use Dropshipping Product Research Tools
Dropshipping product research tools are designed to help you easily find trending and profitable products. These tools gather data from various platforms to highlight items with strong sales potential, so you don’t have to spend hours manually searching. Some popular tools like Shophunter, Ecomhunt, Niche Scraper, and the AliExpress Dropshipping Center can give you key insights, such as:
Sales Data
These tools show you how well products are performing, giving you a clear picture of what’s trending and what isn’t.
Competitor Analysis
You can see what products are being sold by successful stores, allowing you to spot gaps in the market or find products with less competition.
Profitability Estimates
These tools often include profit margin calculators, helping you quickly assess which products can bring the best returns. For instance, a product with solid sales and minimal competition on Ecomhunt might be a great addition to your store.
Bonus Tip
Use multiple tools to cross-check data. Combining insights from different sources helps you make more confident product decisions and avoid relying on any tool’s perspective.
6. Monitor Seasonal Trends
Seasonal trends can be a goldmine for finding winning products, especially if you know when to jump on them. Certain products see a spike in demand during specific times of the year, and understanding these patterns can help you stay ahead of the competition. Look at holidays, special events, and weather changes that could influence consumer behavior.
For example, during the winter, products like space heaters, winter coats, or holiday decorations might surge in demand. Similarly, summer might spike outdoor gear, swimwear, or barbecue sales. Tracking past seasons can also provide valuable insights. Use platforms like Google Trends or look at sales data from previous years to anticipate what will be hot this season.
Bonus Tip
Plan your marketing around seasonal trends. Create targeted campaigns in advance so you’re ready to capitalize on the peak of the season when demand is at its highest.
7. Check Reviews on E-Commerce Platforms
Product reviews on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, or AliExpress can be a goldmine for identifying winning products. They give you an in-depth look at what customers like and dislike about specific items, offering valuable insights into product performance and consumer demand. Start by reading positive and negative reviews of popular products in your niche. High ratings and glowing reviews usually indicate a product is well-received and in demand.
But don’t ignore the negative reviews – they can highlight areas where the product could be improved, allowing you to find or create a better version. Let’s say customers praise a specific phone case's durability but complain about its fit. You might find a similar case that addresses the fit issue while keeping the durability feature.
Bonus Tip
Look for common themes across multiple product reviews. If many customers mention similar benefits or problems, it can help you determine whether that product is worth investing in or if you can find ways to improve upon it.
8. Reach Out to Suppliers for Insights
Don’t underestimate the value of your suppliers when it comes to finding winning products. Many suppliers have a wealth of knowledge about current market trends, best-selling items, and what’s gaining traction. By building strong relationships with your suppliers, you can gain insights that help you stay ahead of the competition.
When reaching out, ask about their best-selling products, trends they’re noticing, or items that are getting increased customer attention. Suppliers often have access to sales data and product performance across various stores, giving you a unique perspective on what’s trending.
Bonus Tip
Ask suppliers for product samples before making a large order. This gives you a firsthand look at the quality and helps you assess whether the product fits your store before committing to it.
9. Analyze with Google Trends
Once you’ve identified potential winning products, Google Trends is a great tool to validate their demand in the market. It shows how search interest for specific products has changed over time, giving you an idea of whether the product is gaining or losing popularity. Start by entering the product or product category you’re considering into Google Trends.
Look for consistent or rising search interest over time. A product with steady or growing interest indicates that it’s not just a passing trend but a real opportunity. Additionally, Google Trends allows you to compare multiple products to see which one is getting more attention.
Bonus Tip
Use Google Trends to check for seasonal spikes. Some products may see a surge in demand during certain times of the year. Knowing when these spikes occur helps you plan your inventory and marketing efforts accordingly.
10. Test Small-Batch Orders
Instead of committing to a large inventory, test your products through a soft launch or small ad campaigns. This approach allows you to gauge customer interest and demand before scaling up your efforts. Select a few key products and run targeted ads to a smaller, focused audience—track metrics like click-through rates, conversions, and overall engagement.
This will give you insights into how well the product performs without investing heavily upfront. For example, if you’re considering adding a trending gadget to your store, run a limited-time offer, or create a small ad campaign for a specific target audience segment.
Bonus Tip
Set clear goals and a budget before launching. By defining your success metrics, you’ll know whether the product has potential and how to adjust your strategy for better results.
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Where to Find Dropshipping Products
Finding dropshipping products is easy when you know where to look. Here are the best sources to find dropshipping products for your store.
1. AliExpress
AliExpress is an international supplier directory that connects dropshippers to thousands of suppliers. Most AliExpress suppliers are based in China and source products from the region. There are over 100 million products on AliExpress in categories such as fashion, toys, consumer electronics, skin care, jewelry, furniture, and automotive parts. Recommended for beginners and veteran ecommerce entrepreneurs who dropship with AliExpress. Use the platform for market research and to build relationships with suppliers.
2. DSers
DSers is a dropshipping app that connects online stores with AliExpress suppliers. Its Supplier Optimizer helps you compare suppliers by factors like wholesale prices and performance history. At the same time, automated features make adding products to your store easy and allow you to place multiple orders quickly. Recommended for ecommerce store owners who want an enhanced way to compare AliExpress dropshipping suppliers and efficiently process orders.
3. Worldwide Brands
Established in 1999, Worldwide Brands is one of the best-known supplier directories. It lists suppliers that meet strict guidelines, ensuring legitimate, quality wholesalers. Use Worldwide Brands to find new suppliers or brainstorm niche product ideas for your store. Recommended for brands that want lifetime access to a quality wholesale supplier directory. It requires a one-time payment.
4. Zendrop
Zendrop is a dropshipping app for Shopify stores. It offers access to over a million products and features an auto-fulfillment tool. The supplier offers the option to bulk order inventory to its US warehouses, slashing shipping times to under five days. Recommended for Shopify users aiming to dropship branded or customized products quickly from the US.
5. Modalyst
Modalyst is an automated dropshipping app for online stores. Name brands like Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana are among millions of products from global suppliers. The app has an official API partnership with AliExpress, giving you access to millions of new products. Recommended for stores listing unique or high-ticket products and for stores selling branded products using the Modalyst Private Label Program.
6. Wholesale Central
Unlike some supplier directories, there’s no charge to search Wholesale Central for dropshipping options (because it charges suppliers a listing fee). The website reviews and screens all suppliers to ensure they’re legitimate. Recommended for discovering dropshipping suppliers as well as wholesale distributors and manufacturers.
7. Spocket
Spocket lets sellers browse products from US and EU dropshipping suppliers. Use the Spocket app to quickly add those products to your store and forward customer orders for smooth processing. Recommended for dropshippers who want to sell products from domestic suppliers to reduce delivery times.
8. Megagoods
Megagoods is a supplier focused on consumer electronics. It charges a $1.50 fee per order with no minimum purchase requirement, allowing for efficient dropshipping to your customers. Recommended for businesses that focus on electronic equipment and want to ship within the US.
9. CJDropshipping
CJDropshipping is a supplier directory offering products often available at lower prices than on AliExpress, thanks to direct sourcing from 1688 and Taobao marketplaces. Recommended for dropshippers in search of a single solution for shipping products to the US.
10. Wholesale2b
Wholesale2b offers real-time inventory automation, with orders and tracking updates sent directly to your store. With more than a million dropship-ready products in multiple niches, it’s easy to curate an impressive product line. Recommended for dropshippers who plan to sell in North America and want predictable shipping.
11. Doba
Doba integrates with more than 160 dropshipping suppliers, allowing sellers to place multiple orders on its centralized interface. Shipping locations vary based on individual dropshipping wholesalers. It is recommended for those who place a high value on convenience and can find relevant products to sell from Doba suppliers.
12. SaleHoo
The SaleHoo supplier directory lists more than 8,000 dropshipping suppliers and wholesalers, catering to sellers who use eBay and Amazon dropshipping—recommended for anyone who needs a directory and research tool for AliExpress that integrates seamlessly with Shopify.
13. Alibaba
The Alibaba dropshipping portal shows a filterable search bar by product category. The platform is designed to buy bulk from manufacturers and wholesale suppliers, but some suppliers also fulfill dropshipping orders. Recommended for retailers who use drop shipping alongside other product sourcing methods such as private label manufacturing.
14. AutoDS
AutoDS is a dropshipping platform with a unique blend of product sourcing, competitor analysis, and order fulfillment features. It’s designed for beginners and experienced dropshippers looking to source new products for their stores and recommended for dropshippers looking for product sourcing tools and support, including real-time bestseller data.
Sign Up For A Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) To Our Shopify Sales Tracker To Find Your Next E-commerce Opportunity Today!
Finding the right dropshipping products to sell can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are many options, and knowing which will be successful can be challenging. That's where ShopHunter comes in. 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 ecommerce opportunity or to level up your current ecommerce store by learning from your competitors.