Shopee Product Research: Why Choosing the Right Product Is Really About Choosing the Right People

Before you launch any Shopee product, ask yourself three deceptively simple questions:

1. Who are the people behind this demand?
2. Why do they buy?
3. And why should they choose you instead of someone else?

These questions are the foundation of sustainable e-commerce—not algorithms, not “secret tricks,” not chasing the newest trending item. After working with countless Shopee sellers and testing hundreds of products myself, the conclusion is consistent: successful product research on Shopee is never just about “picking products.” It’s fundamentally about understanding people.

1️⃣ Product Success Starts With Understanding the People First

Take a simple example:
Not everyone will buy a “lightweight foldable shopping bag.”

But the people who do often share specific traits:

• They shop for groceries or visit markets frequently
• They're environmentally conscious or dislike using plastic bags
• They prefer lightweight, compact items
• They don’t want to carry large bags when going out
• They tend to be women aged 25–50

And once you clearly understand who they are, everything becomes easier:

• ✔ You know which colors appeal to them
• ✔ You know what copywriting resonates emotionally
• ✔ You know what scenarios to show in your main product images
• ✔ You know whether small add-ons (like hooks) make sense
• ✔ You know if multiple-size bundles will boost conversions

The product is the result.
But the people—their habits, frustrations, and motivations—are the starting point.

2️⃣ Products Become Outdated, But Human Needs Don’t

This is one of the most overlooked truths in Shopee product research.

The market changes. Trends come and go. Algorithms shift.
But human needs remain incredibly consistent.

For example, people will always want to:

• Feel more beautiful
• Save time
• Save money
• Keep their home clean
• Stay comfortable
• Give thoughtful gifts

These needs don’t disappear—they just reappear in different product forms.

So instead of obsessing over “What’s trending this month?” try this approach:

• ✔ Identify the underlying need
• ✔ Find product forms that satisfy that need
• ✔ Use data to verify whether the demand is stable
• ✔ Evaluate cost vs. expected return

Products with real longevity typically fit a simple formula:

“A stable audience + a need that won’t disappear + an overlooked niche scenario.”

Examples:

• “Small apartment renters” will always need storage solutions
• “Elementary and middle-school students” will always need stationery and small toys
• “Pet owners” will always buy emotional/behavioral pet products

If the group stays the same, the need never disappears.
That’s why focusing on people is more reliable than focusing on products.

3️⃣ Break Big Needs Into Specific, Actionable Micro-Needs

This is the heart of this Shopee product research method.

The clearer the need, the more accurately you can judge a product’s potential.

Here’s a simple needs-dissection framework you can use immediately:

(1) Price Tier Analysis

• Low price ($1–$4): impulse buys, replenishment, value-driven
• Mid price ($4–$15): function, quality, practicality
• Higher-end ($15+): branding, premium experience, gift-worthy

To succeed, you must be clear about:

• ✔ Which price tier you’re targeting
• ✔ What users in that tier care about

Different price tiers = entirely different customer psychology.

(2) Target User Profile

Define essential attributes like:

• Gender
• Age range
• Usage frequency
• Spending habits (value-seeking vs. quality-driven)

The sharper your user profile, the clearer your decisions about listing style, images, copy, and product variations.

(3) Scenario-Based Breakdown

Every Shopee product must answer this question:

“In what specific moment does the customer need this?”

Not “kitchen tools,” but:

• Keeping cutting boards from slipping
• Cleaning grease easily
• Categorizing pantry items
• Reducing counter clutter
• Making cooking more efficient

Once you break scenarios down, you gain the ability to:

• ✔ Create more clickable main images (scenario images feel relatable)
• ✔ Write sharper, more persuasive copy (solving a specific micro-problem)
• ✔ Pick better product versions (matching the right scenario)

4️⃣ True Differentiation Comes From “Satisfied but Not Perfect” Reviews

Most sellers stare only at negative reviews.
But here’s the reality:

Category-wide weaknesses rarely offer real differentiation opportunities.
They are either:

• Too costly to fix, or
• Technically impossible at that price point

The best differentiation insights actually come from 4-star reviews—
reviews where the buyer is happy, but still wishes for “just one more thing.”

Examples:

• “This storage box is great… but it would be even better if it had layers.”
• “The spray works well, but the bottle is too small.”
• “The raincoat is nice, but a bit inconvenient to put on and take off.”
• “The hook is good, but sometimes it falls off.”

Why this approach works:

✔ The user is already willing to buy

✔ Their small regrets reveal easy differentiation points

✔ These micro-needs often have low competition and high margin potential

5️⃣ How to Validate Whether a Shopee Product Is Worth Doing

Step 1: Let a Real User Test It

A “real user” means someone who:

• Has used similar products before
• Uses them frequently
• Notices small flaws and details

Ask them:

• What feels inconvenient or annoying?
• What feels surprisingly satisfying?
• What would they complain about?

This real-life feedback is far more accurate than guessing from behind a screen.

Step 2: Validate Your Hypothesis with Data

Using data tools like Shopdora, you can confirm:

• Whether search demand is stable or rising
• Whether the category is overly competitive
• Whether the product is seasonal or long-term
• Whether the price range still leaves room for profit

Good product decisions come from the combination of human insight + data validation.

Final Thoughts

At its core, product research is simply the process of understanding people.
Products can go out of season. Traffic can fluctuate. Shopee rules can change.
But people don’t suddenly abandon their habits or needs.

The real key to choosing Shopee products isn’t chasing explosive trends—
it’s identifying the moments, emotions, and tiny frustrations that trigger real demand.

And that’s where data matters most:
It helps you confirm whether the need is real, whether it’s long-term, and whether it’s profitable.

Product research is not a gamble.
It’s a deep study of people.

Understand people, and you’ll finally understand product selection.