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How To Test A Design That People Will Buy

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By Becca - July 17, 2018- in Go-Getter Blog

As a business entrepreneur, you finally came up with what you think is a billion dollar idea!

Your instincts say go for it.

Before you jump on the bandwagon, take a step back and ask yourself some very important questions that will be covered throughout this post.

Why is product validation so important? Because the success of your business is based on your initial market research. 

Let’s get started!

How To Find A Product To Sell Online

How do we actually come up with ideas?

Generally, you offer a solution to a problem or provide entertainment or a combination of both.

It’s a tight balance between need and want.

Print-on-demand is a platform for self-expression. Self-expression is an individual’s identity that is highly valued in today’s society.

Think of designs that resonate with a particular group of people such as dog lovers or fishing enthusiasts. 

Validate Your Product Design Ideas

If you remember one thing from this article, let it be this – don’t rely on your gut feeling to launch a new design idea.

Conduct thorough market research to understand trends and demand market. Make sure there are people who are interested in what you sell and are willing to purchase the product.  

How To Validate Your Design Ideas Using These Tools

Although print-on-demand doesn’t require large overhead or inventory, you don’t want to waste your precious time with a products that have no demand potential. There are many sites you can visit to get the feel for the market saturation, demand, and design ideas.

1. Google Trends

Google Trends help you see what topics people search for on Google. For example, if you are thinking about selling dog designs you might want to make sure to use breeds that are trending. 


2. Amazon Best Sellers

Amazon Best Sellers list is updated hourly and it contains bestselling items in real time. Discover the best-sellers and Top 100 most popular products on Amazon. Browse any department to compare any trend. Don’t forget to check out Amazon Reviews for valuable customer feedback to help you spark another great idea. 

3. BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed delivers news and entertainment to millions of people around the world offering anything from breaking news to DIY hacks. Get real-time insights into news and trends to help you design your next best seller. 

4. Pinterest

Browse popular Pinterest boards to see what’s trending. You don’t necessarily have to start your business from scratch. Figure out a way to add new features – modify the original design to fit your brand needs.

5. Reddit

Reddit is a go-to source for trending news, videos, memes, and pun content. It’s a great place to find ideas for your designs whether it is the image or copy. Stay ahead of trends with Reddit Charts. 

How To Analyze Competition

Find out who is selling similar products and determine how they are doing. Analyze their social media following. 

  • How may followers do they have? 
  • What does the engagement look like? 
  • How do the reviews look like? 

Reviews are a great way to get ahead of your competition. Determine a gap where you can insert yourself and differentiate your business from the competition. It can be something as small as offering cheaper or faster shipping times. 

  • How long has the competition been in business? 

Well–established companies tend to pride themselves with a rich history on their “About” page. WhoIs can be used to find out the origin of a particular company. It is a handy tool to find out an exact date of website origin. 

How To Analyze Website Appeal

In general, successful websites implement a minimalist look with easy to follow sales funnel.

  • How do the websites make you feel?
  • Do the websites make you excited to purchase a product? 
  • Are the websites professional or sloppy? 
  • How does the sales funnel make you feel? 
  • Are the sites easy to navigate?

How To Continue Design Innovation

Periodically check in with your customers. Continue to educate yourself through your customers. They are your best resource for upcoming trends. 

Over to you, what tools do you use to test your products?