Product Hunting: Standards and Strategies for UK and US Markets

 

Product Hunting: Standards and Strategies for UK and US Markets

 

 

Introduction to Product Hunting

Welcome to this essential session on Product Hunting. In this expanded lecture, we will examine the methodical process of identifying profitable products to sell in the UK and US markets. This is a crucial skill for Virtual Assistants (VAs) working with clients who intend to source and sell items on Amazon.

Discovering winning products combines gut instinct with solid research and market data. Clients may arrive with specific criteria, while others may rely entirely on your expertise. In such cases, you must default to industry-tested standards. Given the scale and competitiveness of the UK and US marketplaces, understanding their specific dynamics is key to success. In this lecture, I will walk you through proven guidelines and metrics to make informed product selections that are robust and market-ready.

 

Why Focus on UK and US Markets?

The UK and US markets are among the largest and most mature marketplaces on Amazon globally. Their customer bases are extensive, and the purchasing behavior provides valuable data that can be applied to many other international markets.

Key reasons for concentrating on these regions:

• High demand levels across nearly all consumer product categories
• Clear, established performance benchmarks (sales volume, price ranges, review counts)
• Access to comprehensive data tools that primarily focus on these markets
• Greater potential ROI, as consumers tend to demonstrate strong purchasing power

While smaller markets such as Dubai, Australia, or UAE have value, they often lack consistent sales volume and reliable data. Mastering the UK/US standards lays a strong foundation for future expansion.

 

Core Tools and Standards for Product Research

1. MerchantWords – Evaluating Search Volume

• Objective: Determine whether the target keyword has sufficient audience attention.
• Standard: Monthly search volume should be at least 50,000 in the UK or US.
• Usage:
1. Select the relevant marketplace
2. Input your candidate keyword

·       Make sure it reaches or surpasses the required minimum search volume."

• Illustration:

• Keyword: “magnet”
• Search volume: 58,000 → Excellent baseline demand

2. Helium 10 – Keyword Magnet Tool

• Objective: Verify keyword demand through Helium 10 data
• Standard: Volume should be 5,000 or more
• Steps:
• Access Helium 10
• Enter the same keyword
• Compare search volume
• Example:
• “magnet” shows 43,000 searches → well above standard, confirming demand

3. Jungle Scout – Competitor and Opportunity Analysis

Effective product hunting requires understanding competitor landscapes and opportunity levels.

Use the following metrics:

• Average review rating: Aim for 4 stars or above for the top 5 listings
• Review count: At least 2 top listings should have fewer than 150 reviews, indicating less competition
• Seller diversity: Ensure the top performers include no more than 3 distinct brands
• Product variations: Prefer items with no more than 4 variations to simplify logistics and avoid brand-central complexity
• Opportunity score: Jungle Scout's Opportunity Score should be above 3 (range 1–10, where higher scores suggest more favorable market conditions)

 

Additional Important Considerations

Production Time

• Standard: Should not exceed 15 days
• Rationale: Longer production timelines can lead to stock-outs, leading to ranking drops and expensive relaunch campaigns

Shipping Weight and Method

• Products below 500 grams typically ship by air—expensive but fast
• Products above 500 grams usually ship by sea—slower but cost-effective
• Goal: Select items with both short production and shipping time to minimize stock delays

 

Walkthrough Example: Magnetic Phone Mount in the UK

1. MerchantWords
• Use keyword “magnet phone mount”
• Search volume = 58,000 → meets demand threshold
2. Helium 10
• Same keyword shows 43,000 searches → confirms high demand
3. Jungle Scout
• Top 5 average rating = 4.3 stars → meets quality standard
• At least two listings have fewer than 150 reviews → room for new entrants
• Product variations = 3 → within acceptable limit
• Opportunity Score = 7 → strong opportunity
4. Production and Shipping
• Manufacturer can produce within 10 days
• Shipping by air (weight 300 grams) → fast replenishment possible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Deepen Your Product Hunting Process

To reach comprehensive product vetting in professional Amazon VA work, follow these advanced standards:

Advanced Criteria to Apply

• Price Range: Items should be priced between £15–£50 (UK) or $15–$60 (US); ensures viable margins
• Review Rate: Listings receiving fewer than 5 reviews per day are easier to penetrate
• Sales Estimation: Use tools to estimate monthly sales—target a minimum of 200–300 units per month
• Seasonality: Prioritize evergreen products unless your client plans short-term, seasonal campaigns
• Gated Categories: Filter out restricted categories unless your client has the credentials to register

 

Practical Case Study: Bluetooth Earbuds in the US

• MerchantWords: "wireless earbuds" → 150,000+ searches
• Helium 10: same keyword → 120,000+ confirmed
• Jungle Scout:
• Average rating 4.2
• Two listings under 150 reviews
• Variation count = 4
• Opportunity Score = 6
• Production Time: 12 days
• Shipping: 100 grams each, air delivery
• Evaluation: Meets criteria and promises scalable potential

 

Production and Logistics in Depth

Manufacturing Timeline

• Choose factories that guarantee 10–12 day production

Request product samples to inspect and verify quality before moving into full production

Shipping Considerations

• Air freight (≤500 grams): 7–14 days but higher cost
• Sea freight (>500 grams): 15–30+ days
• Use FBA restrictions proactively to determine storage limits

Labeling Requirements

• Send advice on regulations like FNSKU, country-of-origin stickers, and necessary packaging instructions to maintain compliance

 

Ensuring Product Safety and Compliance

• Check for restricted categories and necessary certifications (e.g., CE for electronics)
• Ensure accuracy of materials and weight in listings to prevent non-compliance issues
• Advise clients on product insurance or inspection services

 

Expanding Criteria: Profitability and Margin Analysis

Calculate target profitability:

• Total landed cost = product cost + shipping cost + Amazon fees + marketing budget
• Aim for a minimum 30% net margin
• Example:
• Product cost = £3
• Shipping = £1 per item
• Amazon fees = £3
• Promotional budget = £1
• Landed cost = £8
• Selling price = £20
• Profit = £8 → 40% margin (acceptable)

 

Packaging, Branding, and Differentiation

Even for generic items, differentiation matters:

• Suggest private label designs such as minimalistic logos
• Recommend adding free accessories to justify value
• Help clients choose eco-friendly or premium packaging to stand out

 

Going Beyond: Product Validation

Before committing to large inventory:

• Run small test orders (50–100 units)
• Create a PPC test campaign targeting core keywords
• Analyze conversion rates, cost per sale, and customer feedback
• Iterate based on real performance before scaling up

 

Summary: Product Hunting Checklist (Condensed)

1. Confirm search volume (KW)
2. Check demand in MerchantWords and Helium 10
3. Evaluate Jungle Scout metrics (reviews, ratings, competition)
4. Confirm production time ≤ 15 days
5. Confirm shipping method and cost
6. Verify price range and margins
7. Inspect compliance and certification requirements
8. Estimate promotional budget and profitability
9. Plan for differentiation and branding
10. Execute small test run before full stock shipment