How To Do Product Research For Etsy Digital Products

Introduction.

If you’re thinking of selling digital products on Etsy, you’re probably aware that it’s a fantastic platform for showcasing your creations.

But just creating something beautiful and uploading it isn’t always enough to guarantee success. To thrive on Etsy, doing thorough product research is essential.

So, how do you know what digital products are in demand, what will sell, and how to make sure you’re not wasting time on an idea that won’t resonate with customers?

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to do product research for Etsy digital products so you can start selling with confidence.

The process is straightforward, and once you know where to look, you’ll be able to find the most profitable ideas that fit your skills and creativity. No need for complex strategies—just simple, effective steps.

Why Product Research is Key for Success on Etsy

Product research is important for any business, but it’s especially vital for Etsy sellers. Etsy is a crowded marketplace.

Every day, thousands of new products are uploaded, and it can be difficult to stand out, especially when you’re just starting.

According to Etsy’s data, there were over 7.5 million active sellers in 2023, meaning you need to be strategic if you want your shop to be noticed.

For digital products, the competition is fierce, but the rewards can be huge if you get it right. Digital downloads like printables, planners, and digital art are growing in popularity.

But even with digital products, you have to keep in mind that customers want quality and they want something that serves their needs.

This is why research is so important—you need to know exactly what people are looking for and ensure you’re offering something that appeals to them.

So, let’s dive into the steps for finding the best digital products to sell on Etsy!

Step 1: Look at Etsy’s Top Sellers and Popular Categories

The first step in product research is to simply spend some time browsing Etsy. Take a look at the most popular shops and see what types of products are getting the most attention. Etsy has a great search function that allows you to filter by category, so you can easily find digital products like printables, SVG files, digital artwork, or planners.

Check out best-selling items: When you search for a category, look at the first page of results. The products you see at the top are likely the best-sellers, so take note of them. Notice things like their designs, prices, and descriptions.
Look at reviews: Pay attention to products with lots of positive reviews. If people love a product, there’s a reason for it. This can give you insights into what works and what doesn’t.
Look for gaps: When browsing through top sellers, ask yourself if there’s something you can do differently or improve upon. Maybe you can offer a different style, a unique niche, or a higher quality design.

Step 2: Research Trends and Search Volume

Knowing what’s trending can give you an edge over competitors, especially when it comes to digital products. People love to buy things that are “in” right now, so tapping into trends is a great way to find products that have a high chance of selling.

Use Google Trends: Google Trends can show you what people are searching for across the web. If you see that something is trending, it might be a good idea to create a digital product around that topic. For example, if holiday-themed printables are trending, you could create a set of printable holiday cards or gift tags.
Use Etsy’s Search Bar: Etsy’s search bar itself can give you insight into what’s trending. Start typing a word related to your product, and Etsy will show you popular searches. For example, if you start typing “digital planner,” Etsy will show you other popular searches like “budget planner” or “monthly planner.”
Check out Pinterest: Pinterest is a goldmine for trendspotting. Many Etsy sellers use Pinterest to promote their products, and you can use Pinterest to see what types of digital products are being shared most often. If a product is getting pinned a lot, it’s likely something people want to buy.

Step 3: Understand Your Target Audience

Before you create any product, it’s important to understand who you’re selling to. Who is your ideal customer?

What are their pain points or desires?

Digital products are particularly effective because they cater to specific needs or interests, so you’ll want to create something that resonates with your target market.

Use Etsy’s Analytics: Etsy provides sellers with analytics about who’s visiting their shops, what they’re clicking on, and even what keywords they’re using. This is an excellent way to see what your audience is interested in and tailor your products accordingly.
Join Facebook Groups or Forums: Online communities can help you get to know your target market better. There are many Facebook groups dedicated to Etsy sellers, and some groups focus on specific niches, like planners, printable art, or digital scrapbooking. By participating in these communities, you can ask for feedback, get ideas, and even learn about the pain points of potential customers.
Survey Your Audience: If you already have an audience (whether through your Etsy shop or social media), consider sending out a quick survey asking what kind of digital products they’re interested in. This can give you direct insights into what your ideal customer is looking for.

Step 4: Check Out Your Competitors

Once you have an idea of the type of digital products you want to create, it’s time to see who you’re up against. Take a closer look at your competitors—other Etsy shops that are selling similar products.

Analyze their listings: What are their titles, descriptions, and tags like? Are they detailed? Are they using keywords that people are searching for? Take note of what works in their listings, and think about how you can improve or add something unique to your own.
Look at their pricing: Pricing can vary a lot on Etsy, so it’s important to make sure you’re competitive. If your digital product is of higher quality or offers more value than your competitors, you can justify charging a little more. But if you’re starting out, you might want to price competitively to attract initial customers.
Observe their branding: Pay attention to how successful Etsy shops brand themselves. Is their shop cohesive? Do they have a strong visual identity? Strong branding can make a huge difference when it comes to building customer loyalty.

Step 5: Test Your Ideas

Once you’ve gathered all your research and come up with a product idea, don’t be afraid to test it before fully committing. You can upload a few digital items and see how they perform.

A/B testing: Try uploading two different versions of a similar product and see which one performs better. For example, test two designs of printable planners and see which one gets more views or sales.
Start small: Don’t overwhelm yourself by creating a whole line of products right away. Start with one or two items, and gauge how well they do. Based on your initial results, you can decide whether it’s worth expanding or tweaking your approach.

FAQs

1. How do I find trending products on Etsy?

You can use Etsy’s search bar, Google Trends, and Pinterest to spot trending products. Look for products that are being frequently searched for and shared, and see if you can create something similar or better.

2. What should I consider when pricing my digital products?

Look at the prices of similar products in your niche and consider factors like the quality of your product, your experience, and how much time it took to create. Remember, you can always adjust prices as you gain more feedback and sales.

3. How do I know if there’s demand for a digital product?

Start by checking out Etsy’s popular categories and looking at reviews of similar products. You can also use Google Trends and Pinterest to see if the product category is growing in popularity.

Conclusion

Doing product research for Etsy digital products doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By browsing Etsy, studying trends, understanding your audience, and keeping an eye on your competition, you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful Etsy shop. The key is to stay consistent, keep learning, and adjust your strategy as needed.

So, now that you know how to research your products, what will you create next to get your Etsy shop off the ground?