Research routine
A weekly research routine for new sellers
You do not need to be an expert researcher. You need a repeatable habit. Once a week, collect a small batch of real product ideas and real seller questions.
Send the raw notes back. The useful pages usually come from repeated beginner questions, not from trying to sound clever.
Use this formula first
What to collect each week
Collect ten product terms, ten seller questions, and ten source links. For each item, record the product name, the exact question, the platform, the link, and the screenshot date.
The screenshot is not for copying. It is proof that the question came from a real place, and it helps us avoid writing empty content.
Which questions become pages
Good questions have a number hiding inside them: shipping cost, coupon pressure, creator commission, return rate, ad spend, or first-order budget.
Weak questions are too broad, like "what should I sell?" Strong questions are specific, like "can a $19.99 kitchen gadget survive 15% creator commission and free shipping?"
The simple record format
Use this format: product name, buyer problem, visible price, suspected cost, seller question, link, screenshot date, and your quick note.
You do not need to judge if it is a good topic. Send the batch and I will sort it into calculator pages, examples, or ignore.
Quick table
| Step | What to record | Seller move |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok search | portable blender profit, TikTok Shop gadget cost, creator commission | Look for product demos, price comments, shipping complaints. |
| Reddit search | TikTok Shop seller profit, product returns, creator samples | Save questions where sellers are confused about numbers. |
| YouTube search | TikTok Shop product research, TikTok Shop beginner mistakes | Save videos that show a product test or cost breakdown. |
Checklist
- Search ten product terms every week.
- Screenshot ten real seller questions or comments.
- Record link, platform, and screenshot date.
- Flag questions about coupon, return, shipping, creator cut, or ad spend.
Run the math before spending
Use the free calculator first. If the product still looks worth testing, use the Seller Starter Sheet to track 10 product ideas, sample notes, creator plans, and weekly results.
Source notes
References to check
The visual above is original to ShopROAS. The links below are platform and policy references to check before spending money. Calculations on this page are examples, not earnings promises.
Use seller education and policy notes to check fulfillment, product listing, and order handling before testing.
Source: paid traffic TikTok Business Help CenterCheck ad setup, campaign basics, and ad policy notes before sending paid traffic to a product.
Source: pricing Shopify product pricing guideUseful for checking price floors, cost inputs, and whether a product leaves room for discounts.
Source: reviews FTC endorsement guidanceReview before using creator clips, reviews, testimonials, or claims in product content.