This episode provides a clear, actionable framework for bootstrapped ecommerce entrepreneurs to select profitable products, minimizing risk and maximizing sales potential. The host shares a personal 13-point checklist for identifying "perfect" products based on past frustrations and successes, focusing on criteria like size, durability, return rates, and pricing.
Key takeaways
Implement a 13-point product selection checklist focusing on factors like size, weight, durability, and consumables to minimize risk and optimize profitability.
Prioritize products that are small, light, easy to ship, and hard to damage to reduce fulfillment costs and customer service issues.
Avoid fads, seasonal items, and electronics to ensure consistent demand and lower return rates.
Target products with high margins that can be sold between $25-$100, allowing for effective marketing without relying on razor-thin profits.
Consider products that are consumable or encourage repeat purchases, and can be differentiated to build a sustainable brand.
Identify products with a direct correlation to a Facebook audience to leverage targeted advertising strategies, such as free plus shipping offers.
"How do you pick the perfect ecommerce product?" This is one of the questions I get asked the most. It's understandable--with hordes of products to choose from and a wide array of Amazon categories, choosing just the right product is overwhelming. If your business is bootstrapped and your products are not selling well, you are pretty much doomed. In this case it's not just overwhelming--it's downright scary. So in today's episode I will share with you the method I use when picking the perfect products to sell. Before we begin though, let me just clarify that "perfect" is relative--what works for me might be something you don't like at all. But if you'd like see just how I chose my current home-runs and why, then this episode is for you. Potential products must go through a checklist before I consider selling them. I developed this product selection criteria out of frustrations I encountered with the products I used to sell in my old business. Those headaches gave me a clear understanding of what a headache-free perfect product should be, which would be the following: Small, light, and easy to ship Hard to damage Doesn't have a high return rate Is not a fad (what happened to all the fidget spinners?) Is not seasonal Is not an electronic device and has no electronic component Is preferably not oversized Consumable, or at least something that customers are more likely to purchase multiple times Has high margins Can be sold between $25-$100 Can be differentiated People can be passionate about Has a direct correlation with a Facebook audience for which you can do free plus shipping offers I explain each point and why I came up with them in more detail in the podcast. As you can see, some things might not work for you (electronics might be something you're passionate about). But if you're just starting and have abso
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Implement a 13-point product selection checklist focusing on factors like size, weight, durability, and consumables to minimize risk and optimize profitability.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Prioritize products that are small, light, easy to ship, and hard to damage to reduce fulfillment costs and customer service issues.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Avoid fads, seasonal items, and electronics to ensure consistent demand and lower return rates.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Target products with high margins that can be sold between $25-$100, allowing for effective marketing without relying on razor-thin profits.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Consider products that are consumable or encourage repeat purchases, and can be differentiated to build a sustainable brand.
