How to research what products are in demand
Apr 30, 2025
Start with Marketplaces You Know
If you're new to reselling or e-commerce, begin by browsing major online marketplaces: eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and Mercari. Search for categories that interest you—electronics, clothing, vintage items, or home goods. Pay attention to:
Sold Listings: On eBay, filter for 'Sold Items' to see what actually sells and at what price.
Best Sellers: Amazon has a Best Sellers page for every category, updated hourly.
Trending on Etsy: Check the 'Trending Items' section for what's hot in crafts, jewelry, and vintage.
Use Free Tools to Spot Trends
Take advantage of online tools to confirm demand:
Google Trends: Compare search interest for specific products or categories over time. For example, "air fryer" vs. "slow cooker."
Exploding Topics: Find up-and-coming product trends before they hit the mainstream.
TikTok Discover: See which products are going viral—social media often drives e-commerce demand.
Centralize Your Research and Inventory
Whether you work alone or with a small team, staying organized is crucial. Use a simple spreadsheet or inventory system to track your findings:
Product Name and Category
Where You Found It (marketplace, trend site, etc.)
Average Selling Price
Estimated Fees (platform, shipping, etc.)
Competition (number of listings vs. sold items)
As your operation grows, consider a tool like Gavelbase to manage inventory, sync listings across multiple platforms, and keep your data up to date automatically. This is especially helpful if you start selling on more than one site, since it helps prevent overselling and keeps everything in one place.
Assign Simple Roles (Even If You’re Solo)
Even if you’re just starting out, breaking down tasks makes things easier. Here’s a simple way to divide the work:
Researcher: Looks for new product ideas and analyzes demand.
Lister: Creates and manages online listings (photos, descriptions, pricing).
Inventory Manager: Keeps track of what’s in stock and where it’s stored.
Shipping Coordinator: Handles packing, shipping, or arranging pickups.
If you’re solo, set aside specific times to wear each "hat". If you have a partner or small team, assign these roles based on strengths and interests.
Track Sales, Fees, and Profits
To make sure you’re choosing the right products, always track your sales and costs:
Record every sale, the platform used, the sale price, and any fees (listing, selling, payment processing).
Deduct shipping costs and packaging materials.
Review your numbers weekly to spot bestsellers and slow movers.
You can start with a basic spreadsheet, but as you scale, inventory tools like Gavelbase or alternatives (like Selled or Trunk) help automate tracking so you don’t miss any details.
Keep Shipping and Pickup Simple
Clear, reliable shipping or pickup is part of meeting demand. Here’s how to make it manageable:
Shipping: Use the marketplace’s shipping labels (eBay, Mercari, etc.) for discounted rates and tracking. Buy packing supplies in bulk to save money.
Pickup: If selling locally (on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist), always meet in safe, public locations. Set clear pickup windows to save time and avoid no-shows.
Keep a log of shipped and picked up items in your inventory system so you always know what’s gone and what’s left.
Stay Flexible and Keep Learning
Product demand changes quickly. Schedule time each week to check for new trends, analyze which of your items are selling best, and try out new categories. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but always track the results so you can focus on what works best for your business.
Key Takeaways
Start with real sales data from major marketplaces.
Use free tools to spot and confirm trends.
Centralize your research and inventory for better organization.
Assign roles to divide the workload, even for solo operations.
Track sales and fees to stay profitable.
Keep shipping and pickup processes as simple as possible.
Keep learning and adapting to new trends.
With these steps, even beginners can confidently research what products are in demand and build a solid foundation for a reselling business.