In the fast-growing world of e-commerce, finding the right products is key to building a successful private label (PL) brand. As online shopping keeps expanding, choosing the best products to sell isn’t just about luck—it requires research and strategy. In this blog, we’ll discuss why product research is important, look at country-specific factors to consider, and go through a step-by-step process to help you pick winning products for your brand.
Introduction
What is private label?
Private Label (PL) is a business model where we sell products under our own brand name. We don’t need to manufacture the products ourselves—we can source them from suppliers like Alibaba and customize them with our own branding.
What is Product Hunting and Why is It Important?
Product hunting refers to the process of identifying products with high potential for success in a given market, based on factors such as consumer demand, innovation, scalability, and profitability. It is an essential step for businesses, especially private label (PL) brands, as it helps them select products that will stand out in competitive markets.
In private label businesses, product hunting means finding products that can be rebranded and sold under your own brand name. This process requires creativity, knowledge of market trends, and an understanding of what customers want. It’s also important to use data to make smart decisions. The goal is to find products that have high demand while matching your business capabilities.
Benefits of a Systematic and Data-Driven Approach
Using data to research and select products offers many advantages for private label businesses:
- Lower Risk: Market research and customer feedback help avoid choosing products that won’t sell well.
- Higher Profits: Picking high-demand products increases sales potential and allows for better pricing.
- Easier Growth: Data-backed product choices make it easier to expand into new markets.
- Innovation: A structured approach helps spot new trends and unique product opportunities.
Following a step-by-step method ensures that every product meets market demand and supports long-term business success.
Country-Specific Criteria for Product Evaluation
UK Market Criteriaa
When selecting products for the UK market, businesses should focus on quality, innovation, and strong local demand. UK consumers are selective and prefer high-quality, innovative products.
Key factors to consider:
- At Least 500 User Reviews: A product should have a minimum of 500 reviews to show its popularity and reliability.
- 4+ Star Average Rating: A high rating indicates customer satisfaction and increases the chances of success.
- Alignment with Local Trends: Products should match UK consumer preferences, such as eco-friendly items, tech gadgets, or niche products popular in the region.
US Market Criteria
In the US, product selection is driven by technical innovation, scalability, and market adoption. The competitive business environment and fast-paced technological advancements require products that can adapt and grow over time.
Key factors to consider:
- At Least 1,000 User Reviews: A high number of reviews indicates strong market presence and a wide consumer base.
- 4.5+ Star Average Rating: Products must maintain excellent ratings to stand out in a competitive market.
- Annual Growth Rate of 20%+: A product should show strong sales growth, proving its long-term potential.
- Startup and Investment Appeal: Products that align with US trends, especially in technology, often attract funding and business expansion opportunities.
Criteria for Other Regions
For markets outside the US and UK, businesses must take a flexible approach, considering factors like local demand, competition, and unique consumer preferences.
Key factors to consider:
- At Least 300 User Reviews: A lower but still significant number of reviews shows a product’s reliability in local markets.
- 4+ Star Average Rating: Consistently high ratings help build consumer trust.
- Market-Specific Unique Selling Points (USPs): Each region has different needs. For example:
- Europe: Eco-friendly and sustainable products are in demand.
- Emerging Markets: Price and value for money are key considerations.
- Middle East: Luxury appeal and premium branding can drive sales.
A tailored strategy for each region ensures that products align with local consumer expectations and market conditions.
Step-by-Step Product Hunting Guide for Your WordPress E-commerce Store (Private Label Focused)
Building a successful private label (PL) brand on your own WordPress store requires strategic product hunting. Unlike Amazon, where rankings, competition, and platform fees influence product choices, a self-hosted store allows complete control over branding, pricing, and marketing.
This guide will take you through a detailed product research process with step-by-step instructions and the best tools to use for accurate decision-making.
Step 1: Define Your Niche & Target Audience
Before searching for products, you must define your business niche and ideal customers. This will help you focus your store, attract the right buyers, and improve marketing efficiency.
1.1 What is a Niche and Why is it Important?
A niche is a specific segment of the market focused on a particular group of people with common interests or needs. A well-defined niche helps you:
✅ Stand out from competitors
✅ Build brand loyalty
✅ Reduce marketing costs
✅ Improve conversion rates
1.2 How to Choose a Profitable Niche
A good niche must meet the following criteria:
Factor | Why It’s Important |
Passionate Audience | People buy repeatedly in hobbies, fitness, pets, etc. |
Solves a Problem | Health, self-care, home improvement, etc. |
Trending or Evergreen | Evergreen ensures stability; trending boosts fast sales. |
High-Profit Margins | Avoid low-ticket, low-profit products. |
Low Competition | Avoid highly saturated niches. |
1.3 Tools to Find a Profitable Niche
- Google Trends (https://trends.google.com/) – Check long-term interest and seasonality.
- AnswerThePublic (https://answerthepublic.com/) – See what people ask about a niche.
- Exploding Topics (https://explodingtopics.com/) – Identify emerging trends before they go mainstream.
Step 2: Identify High-Demand Products
Once your niche is defined, start researching profitable products within that niche.
2.1 Where to Find Product Ideas
🔹 Online Marketplaces – Analyze best-selling products on AliExpress, Etsy, eBay, Walmart, and Wayfair.
🔹 Competitor Stores – Study successful stores in your niche and see what products they sell.
🔹 Social Media Trends – Explore viral products on TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Marketplace, and Pinterest.
🔹 Industry Blogs & Magazines – Stay updated with trends in your industry.
2.2 Using Product Research Tools
- Ecomhunt (https://ecomhunt.com/) – Discover trending dropshipping products.
- AliExpress Dropshipping Center – Identify trending products and analyze sales data.
- Thieve.co – Curated list of trending AliExpress products.
Step 3: Validate Product Demand & Profitability
Not every trending product is worth selling. Use data-driven validation to check if the product has strong demand, profitability, and growth potential.
3.1 Check Search Volume & Trend Consistency
Use Google Trends to see if the product is:
✅ Stable or growing (long-term demand)
❌ Seasonal or declining (short-term hype)
Example: If “Smart Water Bottle” has a steady rise, it’s a good product. But if it peaks once a year, it might not be sustainable.
🔹 Tool to Use: Ubersuggest (https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/) – Analyze search volume for keywords.
3.2 Check Competition & Market Demand
Research your competitors to see if the product is already oversaturated or has room for growth.
✅ Check competitor pricing, reviews, and marketing strategies
✅ Use Google Shopping to find existing sellers
✅ Analyze competitor traffic sources using SimilarWeb (https://www.similarweb.com/)
If there are many sellers, focus on differentiation.
3.3 Calculate Profit Margins
💰 To run a profitable business, your product must have a healthy profit margin.
Formula to Calculate Profit:
Selling Price−(Product Cost+Shipping+Marketing)=Profit\text{Selling Price} – (\text{Product Cost} + \text{Shipping} + \text{Marketing}) = \text{Profit}
Ideal Profit Margins for WordPress Stores:
- Budget-friendly products: At least 30% profit margin
- Premium products: Aim for 50-70% margin
🔹 Tool to Use: AliProfit (https://aliprofit.com/) – Calculates profit margins for PL & dropshipping.
Step 4: Find Reliable Suppliers for Private Labeling
Since you are not using Amazon FBA, you need a trusted supplier who offers private label (PL) customization.
4.1 Where to Source Private Label Products?
✅ Alibaba (https://www.alibaba.com/) – Best for bulk ordering & custom branding.
✅ CJ Dropshipping (https://cjdropshipping.com/) – Alternative to AliExpress with fast shipping.
✅ SaleHoo (https://www.salehoo.com/) – Verified supplier directory.
4.2 Supplier Checklist
✅ Verified Manufacturer (Not just a trader)
✅ Positive reviews & good communication
✅ Offers private labeling & branding options
✅ Reasonable pricing & MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
✅ Fast production & shipping times
🚀 Pro Tip: Always order samples before finalizing a supplier!
Step 5: Optimize Your Product Listing for High Conversions
Once you have your product, make sure it is optimized for conversions on your WordPress store.
5.1 Write a Persuasive Product Description
📌 Focus on benefits instead of just features.
📌 Use bullet points for easy readability.
📌 Include SEO keywords for better Google rankings.
🔹 Tools to Use:
- ChatGPT – Generate SEO-friendly descriptions.
- Grammarly – Ensure clarity and correctness.
5.2 Set the Right Pricing Strategy
💲 Psychological Pricing: Instead of $50, use $49.99 to increase conversions.
📦 Bundle Offers: Encourage upsells (e.g., “Buy 2, Get 1 Free”).
📈 Competitor Pricing: Stay competitive but profitable.
Final Words: Success in PL Product Hunting = Strategy + Data
By following this structured approach, you can find winning products, source them smartly, and market them effectively on your WordPress store.