How to pick trending products to sell

Finding Your Next Best-Seller: Simple Steps for New Resellers

Starting a reselling business can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing which products are likely to gain traction and actually sell. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or working with a small team, picking trending products—and managing your inventory and sales efficiently—are essential first steps. Here’s a straightforward, actionable guide to help beginners navigate the process from product selection to order fulfillment.

1. Discover What's Trending (Even If You're New!)

Before you invest in inventory, you want to make sure there’s a demand. Here’s how beginners can spot trending products without guesswork:

• Browse Online Marketplaces: Regularly check the eBay Deals, Amazon Best Sellers, and Etsy Trending Items pages. See what’s moving fast in your target categories.

• Use Google Trends: Visit Google Trends and search for product ideas. Look for consistent growth or seasonal spikes.

• Social Media Insights: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest often highlight emerging product trends through hashtags or viral content. Search for #trendingproducts or related tags.

• Check Industry Reports: Free resources such as Statista or NPD Group periodically share market trend reports.

• Listen to Your Network: Pay attention to what friends, family, and online communities are talking about. Sometimes the next big thing is hiding in plain sight!

2. Validate Your Product Choices

Once you have a list of potential products, don’t rush to buy inventory. Validate your ideas:

• Check Competition: Search for your product idea on major marketplaces—if there’s lots of competition, it’s trending, but you’ll need to differentiate. If there’s none, be cautious: there may be no demand.

• Read Reviews: For similar products, look at customer reviews. Are people happy? What do they wish was better? Can you offer an improved version?

• Start Small: Consider dropshipping or ordering a small batch first. This limits your risk and lets you test real sales.

• Watch Price History: Use tools like CamelCamelCamel to check Amazon price history and see if products have stable demand.

3. Centralize Your Inventory and Listings

Once you’re ready to sell, managing your products across platforms (like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, or your own website) can get messy fast. A central system helps you:

• Prevent Overselling: Instantly update inventory when an item sells on any platform.

• Sync Listings: Ensure product info, photos, and prices are consistent everywhere.

• Track Sales & Fees: See at a glance how much you’ve sold and what fees you’re paying per channel.

For beginners, consider a platform like Gavelbase for simple inventory and listing sync. Other options include Sellar and Zoho Inventory. Choose a tool that fits your scale—don’t overcomplicate if you’re just starting out!

4. Assign Basic Team Roles (Even If It’s Just You!)

If you work with others, even part-time, basic role clarity prevents confusion:

• Product Sourcing: Who finds and researches new products?

• Listing Management: Who creates and updates listings?

• Order Fulfillment: Who packs and ships orders, or handles pickups?

• Customer Service: Who answers questions or handles returns?

Solo? Assign yourself dedicated "hats" for each task. Use a simple checklist or spreadsheet to keep track.

5. Track Sales, Fees, and Profit the Easy Way

Profitable reselling means knowing your numbers. Don’t wait until tax time! Here’s how to stay on top:

• Central Dashboard: Use your inventory platform’s reporting features to monitor sales, fees, and profit margins.

• Spreadsheets: For very small operations, a Google Sheet with columns for Date, Product, Sale Price, Fees, Cost, and Profit is sufficient.

• Automate Where Possible: Platforms like Gavelbase automatically track fees and profit per sale, saving time and reducing errors.

6. Handle Shipping and Pickup Smoothly

Efficient fulfillment keeps customers happy (and gets you good reviews). Beginners should:

• Choose Simple Shipping Options: Use flat-rate boxes or prepaid labels if possible.

• Offer Local Pickup: For big or bulky items, add a local pickup option in your listings. Always meet in safe, public places.

• Communicate Clearly: Send buyers tracking info or pickup instructions promptly.

• Organize Packing Materials: Keep boxes, tape, and labels in one spot so you can fulfill orders quickly.

7. Keep Improving: Learn and Adapt

Trends, fees, and platforms change. Get in the habit of regular review:

• Revisit Product Performance: Every month, check which products are selling and which aren’t. Adjust your inventory accordingly.

• Stay Informed: Subscribe to newsletters or follow blogs in your niche for up-to-date trend info.

• Ask for Feedback: Encourage buyers to leave reviews, and be open to suggestions.

Conclusion

Picking trending products to sell doesn’t require a huge budget or complex systems. Start with research, validate your ideas, centralize your inventory, and keep your process organized—even if you’re a one-person operation. With each sale, you’ll get better at spotting trends, managing logistics, and building a business you’re proud of.