Amazon Product Hunting Checklist: 7 Steps Before You Source Anything

You followed every ‘expert’ tip on Amazon product hunting: scrolling endless best-seller lists, relying on viral trends, maybe even copying what worked for someone else.

But here’s the catch—95% of new Amazon sellers still fail in their first year. Why? They chose the wrong product.​

Maybe you spent hours in research only to find your item didn’t sell. Or worse: you invested thousands in inventory that sat gathering dust. Sound familiar?

The real frustration: Amazon keeps changing. It’s crowded. Competing sellers seem to move faster. Meanwhile, margins shrink and fees rise.

You don’t need more effort. You need different execution—and a process that actually works today.

In this guide, you’ll get the CRISP Test Framework to spot winning products with confidence. I’ll walk you through each step so you can start deploying it this week, and see results by your next sourcing decision.

The Framework: CRISP Test

CRISP Test Framework is your 5-point filter for product hunting on Amazon.

Visual Placeholder: See the CRISP Test as a ladder—each rung is a hurdle your idea must clear before you invest.

• Criteria — Filters out mismatched products instantly.

• Research — Stops you missing crucial trends and market shifts.

• Insight — Uncovers gaps (and risks) from competitor moves.

• Spreadsheet — Safeguards your margin; no math, no guesswork.

• Provider — Confirms you avoid unreliable suppliers.

If your idea fails a single rung, move on—the market won’t care about almosts.

Execution Playbook

C: Criteria — Nail Your Filters

If you’re overwhelmed by choice or invest and regret, this is why.

Criteria mean setting hard filters before you hunt: budget, demand (search volume, BSR), size/weight, and seasonality. Because not every product fits every seller—your constraints matter, not Amazon’s overall stats.​

Steps:

1. Define your budget—how much can you invest, max inventory spend per SKU?

2. Target demand: Look for products with high search volume and BSR <10,000.

3. Size matters: Stick to ‘small standard’ or ‘standard’ size to keep FBA fees low.

4. Weight cutoff—less than 2kg for lower shipping rates.

5. Screen for year-round demand, avoid ultra-seasonal products.

Example: You want kitchen tools. ‘Reusable ice packs’ tick all boxes except seasonality (peak in summer)—so they’re out.

Sellers using pre-set criteria see up to 60% reduction in failed launches.​

So, move to research only once the basics fit.

R: Research — Data Over Gut

If your listings collect dust or sales spike then vanish—here’s why.

Research means hunting search volume and trend history, not just ideas. Because products that ‘sound’ good often fail the data test.​

Steps:

1. Use Helium10, JungleScout, or Amazon Trends.

2. Check monthly and historical search volume (>1,000 is a sweet spot).

3. Scan trend graphs—seek steady or rising demand, not sudden spikes.

4. Map BSR history for volatility.

5. Filter out products with declining or erratic market share.

Micro-example: ‘Electric lunch box’ surges in Q4 only; ‘insulated water bottle’ holds volume year-round.

Trend-based picks improve launch success rates by 45%.​

Once research backs up the criteria, move to insight.

I: Insight — Spot Competitor Gaps

If you’re outmatched by big brands or pricing wars—this is the gap.

Insight is analyzing competitor reviews and price moves for gaps (or red flags). Because price numbers and star ratings reveal what you must fix to win.​

Steps:

1. Audit top 10 listings: review numbers, average rating, and review themes.

2. List common complaints—find recurring pain points.

3. Study price range of competitors: Know the spread, don’t race to the bottom.

4. Search for unique selling propositions (USP) missing from rivals.

5. Cross-check review velocity (lots of reviews = established market).

Micro-example: Competitors sell yoga mats, but reviews complain about odor. Launch a mat with odorless certification and claim the gap.

Sellers who address review gaps see up to 40% higher conversion rates.​

Next, run the numbers before emotional investments.

S: Spreadsheet — Protect Your Profit

If you’re selling a lot and still losing money, here’s the fix.

Spreadsheets and FBA calculators are how you validate profit margins on actual numbers, not guesses. Because you need to cover Amazon fees, shipping, ads—and still make money.​

Steps:

1. Plug details into Amazon FBA calculator: size, weight, category, sales price.

2. Input cost per unit (COGS), estimated monthly sales, and ad spend.

3. Review all fees: referral, FBA, storage, PPC.

4. Calculate net profit per sale; aim for a margin >20%.

5. Model ‘worst-case’ and ‘best-case’ scenarios to see risk.

Micro-example: Selling for $23, costs $12 (all-in), FBA fees $4.50—margin: 28%. If PPC spikes, margin dips but stays over 20%.

Data Point: Profit calculators help avoid losses; 90% of successful new sellers use them before ordering.​

Once the margin’s secure, move to your supplier shortlist.

P: Provider — Vet Your Source

If your inventory arrives late or quality tanks—here’s why.

Provider means shortlisting suppliers with verified track records. Because a great product needs a reliable partner.​

Steps:

1. Access supplier databases (JungleScout, Alibaba Verified, Supplier Database).

2. Match product ASIN to supplier (ensures legitimacy).

3. Compare quotes with itemized breakdowns.

4. Review supplier ratings, shipment history, and customer volume.

5. Order samples and check for consistency before big commitments.

Micro-example: You find two suppliers for phone cases, only one has confirmed shipments and customer reviews on JungleScout—pick them.

Verified supplier selection slashes defect rates and late arrivals by 55%.​

Finally, validate one last time before ordering—you’re nearly there.

Mini Case: Fast Track Brands

A 3-person kitchenware brand struggled with sales and product returns.

• Implemented ‘Criteria’ using Helium10 pre-filters.

• Set profit margin minimum at 25% with FBA calculator.

• Analyzed competitor reviews for common issues.

• Switched to Alibaba Verified suppliers with tracked shipments.

• Ran a pilot order based on spreadsheet modeling.

After 4 months, refund rate dropped from 12% to 4%, and monthly units sold grew from 200 to 880.

Your mileage varies—focus on process, not one-off hacks.

Fast Wins Checklist

• Define a budget and set product filters in Helium10.

• Pull monthly search volumes for your top 5 ideas.

• Scan competitor reviews for recurring issues.

• Run every finalist through the Amazon FBA calculator.

• Export supplier lists from JungleScout or Supplier Database.

• Order samples for the top 2 suppliers.

• Use Google Trends to check seasonality spikes.

• Reject products with declining BSR trends.

• Mark items with margin below 20%—move on.

• Score each product on the CRISP Test; only shortlist full matches.

Common Mistakes

• Chasing volume over fit: Start with search intent, not only search volume.

• Copying competitors blindly: Run review analysis first.

• Ignoring profit margin math: Calculate with FBA tools before ordering.

• Skipping supplier checks: Verify before wiring money.

• Falling for trending spikes: Prioritize steady demand.

• Neglecting regulations: Check for restricted categories now.

• Underestimating shipping/fees: Model total costs, not just COGS.

Conclusion

With the CRISP Test Framework in hand, you know the order: Criteria, Research, Insight, Spreadsheet, Provider. Nail every step before placing your first order. Each rung is your safety net. Small wins come from sticking to process, not shortcuts.

FAQs

How long until I see sales after sourcing?
You might see first sales within weeks, but solid daily sales often take 1–2 months after a quality launch.

What if I have a small budget ($500–$1,000)?
Start with lightweight, low-risk items and avoid private label—arbitrage or wholesale is more forgiving.

Do I need expensive tools like Helium10/JungleScout?
No, but they make research much faster. There are free alternatives, but data depth is limited.

How do I know my supplier is trusted?
Check for confirmed shipments, independent reviews, and use supplier databases—never rely on email alone.

I’m worried about competition—is niche better?
Niche markets often offer easier entries and less price wars, but must still meet healthy demand levels.

Can I audit old products with this checklist?
Absolutely—run any listing through CRISP to spot weak points.

Should I validate every product idea?
Yes. The cost of skipping steps is almost always higher than the time you spend.