How to Conduct Product Research for Bol.com in 2022

Product Research is an essential component of being successful when selling on Bol.com as ideally you'll want to sell items that are in demand. Here are several steps on how to conduct research to find the best product to sell on Bol.com.

Step 1: Browse the categories on Bol.com

Browse the categories on Bol.com to find areas with lots of customers and sales. Categories like electronics, kitchen supplies, toys, tools, and sports gear usually have many opportunities. However, lots of other sellers also target these categories, so competition may be high. I recommend starting with categories that have a medium number of products and sales to find a good balance of demand and less competition.

Step 2: Analyze subcategories and product types

Once you pick a broad category, look at the subcategories and types of products to find more specific opportunities. For example, the Kitchen & Dining category includes subcategories like:

• Kitchen accessories

• Dishes

• Knives

• Pots and pans

And product types could be:

• Kitchen shears

• Measuring cups

• Spice racks

Look for subcategories or product types that have less than 5,000 products but more than 1,000 orders per month. This means customers want these products, but not too many other sellers offer them. These are great targets for your product research.

Step 3: Check the best sellers and trending products

Check Bol.com's best sellers page and trending products page to see what's popular right now. Products like wireless headphones, smart watches, Bluetooth speakers, portable chargers, and vacuum cleaners are proven sellers with high demand, so you know they will sell well on Bol.com. However, competition may also be higher for these mainstream products. If a product is trending upwards, that could indicate an opportunity to start selling it before too much competition. Look at the number of sellers and price points to determine if it is still a good opportunity.

Step 4: Analyze customer reviews

Read customer reviews for products in categories or subcategories you're interested in. Look for products with mostly positive reviews that mention the product quality, usefulness, and value. Some things to note in the reviews:

• Number of reviews: More reviews usually means the product is in demand. However, it also means more competition.

• Average star rating: Aim for at least 4 out of 5 stars.

• Mentions of key benefits: Look for reviews that highlight the main benefits and useful features of the product. This shows why customers like the product.

• Few or no mentions of issues: Make sure there are minimal complaints about quality, shipping issues or other problems. This type of negative feedback could hurt your sales.

• Trends in feedback: Notice any common feedback or requests in multiple reviews. This could indicate ways to improve the product or listing to better meet customer needs.

Step 5: Check the competition

After finding a product with good demand and reviews, check the competition for that product on Bol.com. Look at the number of sellers, price range, product variations, and seller ratings to determine if there is an opportunity to compete. Some things to consider:

• Number of sellers: Fewer than 10 sellers is ideal. This means less competition and a better chance to rank higher in search results.

• Price range: A wide price range or high average price leaves room for you to compete on price. You can also spot price gaps to target. A lower average price means more competition on price, so you'll need a high-quality, unique product to stand out.

• Product variations: Lots of variations of the product indicates high demand. However, it also means more work to optimize your listing and inventory. Look for opportunities to offer a variation others do not.

• Seller ratings: Check the seller ratings and reviews for your competitors. Make sure you can meet or exceed the level of quality and service provided by the top sellers. This is what customers will expect, so you need to be prepared to compete on overall customer experience.

• Entry barriers: Some products have higher barriers to entry, like regulatory requirements, patents, or high upfront costs. These types of products often have less competition and can be more profitable. However, you need to make sure you have the ability to properly source and sell these types of products.

Analyzing the competition will help you determine if a product is viable and what you need to do to compete as a top seller. Look for opportunities to stand out from your competitors by offering competitive prices, high quality, excellent service, unique variations, or entry barriers that limit competition. With the right competitive advantage, you can succeed selling any in-demand product on Bol.com!

Step 6: Search for suppliers and source products

Once you find a product opportunity, you need to find a supplier that can provide high-quality products at a reasonable price. Here are some tips for sourcing products on Bol.com:

• Check Chinese wholesale marketplaces like Alibaba, AliExpress, and DHGate. Many sellers source their products from Chinese suppliers. However, quality and shipping can be inconsistent, so vet suppliers carefully.

• Search for “[product name] wholesale supplier” or “[product name] manufacturer” to find other sources. Look for suppliers located in the Netherlands or EU if possible for faster shipping.

• Contact suppliers to ask about pricing for the amounts you want. Get photos and details to evaluate quality. Ask for references or reviews from other buyers.

• Order samples from multiple suppliers to compare quality. Pick a supplier that can match or beat your target price and profit margin. Quality should be your top priority to get good reviews and repeat customers.

• Negotiate the best price, shipping terms, and return policy you can with your selected supplier. The more you order, the more negotiating power you have.

• Make sure your supplier can ship directly to your Bol.com customers on your behalf. This saves you time and money not having to ship products yourself.

Sourcing high-quality, affordable products is key to success on Bol.com. Be willing to contact suppliers and order samples to find the best source for your chosen product. Build a great relationship with your supplier and they can become a long-term partner in helping you grow your Bol.com business!

Step 7: Optimize your product listings

Once you have products to sell, you need to create optimized listings on Bol.com to rank well in search results and convert customer interest into sales. Here are some tips to optimize your product listings:

• Choose the right category and subcategory for your product. This determines where your listing will appear in search results, so pick the category that best fits your product.

• Select the most relevant product type, brand, model number, ISBN, and other identifiers to help customers find your product through search.

• Write an informative product title, bullet points, and description. Mention the key features, specifications, and benefits that would interest your target customers.

• Include high-quality images showing your product from multiple angles. Having 5-10 images is best. Make the first image your main product photo.

• Set a competitive price by checking the prices of similar products currently on Bol.com. You want to rank well on price, but also make a good profit.

• Choose the shipping options you want to offer, like free shipping or expedited shipping. Offering free shipping is a good way to be competitive, if you can afford it.

• Select the right return policy for your product. At a minimum, offer returns accepted within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. More generous policies will give customers confidence in purchasing from you.

• Review and select the most relevant keywords to include in your title, bullet points, and description. These help customers find your listing in search results on Bol.com.

• Continually monitor your listings to make sure the information and pricing stays up to date. Also check your product reviews and ratings regularly to maintain excellent customer service.

• Optimize your seller profile by adding a profile image, bio, and return policy. Engage with customers by responding to their questions and reviews. A professional profile and good customer service will boost your sales on Bol.com.

‍

Read more on optimizing your product listings at our dedicated blog page here.