Strategies for Selecting Products to Sell on Shopify

When launching a Shopify-based store, one of the most critical decisions is choosing the right products to sell. The right products can significantly impact your store's success. Here, we explore various methods and tools to help you find and select suitable products for your Shopify store.

1. Utilize Dropshipping Apps

Dropshipping is an ideal method for small businesses and startups due to its low initial investment and minimal inventory management. Several dropshipping apps are available, each catering to different tastes and needs:

Oberlo: Integrated with Shopify, Oberlo facilitates the import of products from AliExpress, making it easy to find and add a wide range of items to your store. Oberlo. Spocket: Offers a selection of products from US and European suppliers, which can provide faster shipping times. Spocket. Modalyst: Focuses on high-quality, branded products, ideal for stores that want to sell fashion and electronics. Modalyst.

2. Research on Marketplaces

Several online marketplaces can provide valuable insights and product ideas:

AliExpress: A huge marketplace with a wide variety of products across all categories, perfect for dropshipping. AliExpress. Amazon and eBay: Analyze trend charts to identify what's currently selling and find similar or complementary products to offer. Amazon, eBay. Etsy: Ideal for sourcing unique, handmade vintage items or craft supplies. Etsy.

3. Supplier Directories

Supplier directories can provide access to a wide range of manufacturers and wholesalers:

Wholesale Central: A directory of suppliers offering bulk products at discounted prices. Wholesale Central. Worldwide Brands: A premium directory of trusted wholesalers and dropshippers. Worldwide Brands. SaleHoo: Offers a verified supplier directory along with tools to help you find profitable products. SaleHoo.

4. Explore Print-on-Demand Services

If you're interested in custom products, consider using print-on-demand services:

Printful: Easy to use and offers a wide range of custom products, including t-shirts, mugs, and more. Printful. Teelaunch: Similar to Printful, it provides a vast range of custom products for your customers. Teelaunch.

5. Dive into Niche Products

Consider specializing in niche products that align with your store's theme:

Niche-specific suppliers or manufacturers can provide unique items that differentiate your store and attract a specific target audience.

6. Leverage Product Research Tools

To stay on top of trends and demands, use the following tools:

Google Trends: Helps identify trending products and their popularity over time. Google Trends. Jungle Scout: A powerful tool for Amazon sellers, providing product trend and demand insights. Jungle Scout. Ecomhunt: Curates a list of trending products with analytics and competitor insights. Ecomhunt.

7. Attend Trade Shows or Online Marketplaces

Participating in trade shows and online marketplaces can be a goldmine for discovering new products and building relationships with suppliers:

Trade Shows: Build relationships with suppliers and discover new products. Global Trade Shows. B2B Marketplaces: Sites like Alibaba allow you to connect with manufacturers directly. Alibaba.

8. Conduct Competitor Research

Analysing your competitors can reveal gaps in the market and help you identify opportunities:

Identify what your competitors are selling and find ways to fill those gaps or offer complementary products.

9. Develop Your Own Products

If you have a unique idea, consider creating and selling your own products. This can be particularly effective if you want to stand out in a crowded market. Services like Printful and Teelaunch can help you design and fulfill custom products.

10. Utilize Shopify's Product Sources

Explore Shopify's handpicked app recommendations for additional product sourcing tools and apps.

By combining these strategies, you can find a diverse range of products that align with your store's niche and target audience, increasing your chances of success on Shopify.