Product Research Scorecard

Score and Compare Product Opportunities Across 15 Criteria

Stop guessing which product to launch. Use this weighted scorecard to objectively evaluate and compare up to three product opportunities side-by-side, based on the 15 criteria that matter most for e-commerce success.

How to Use This Scorecard

Rate each product from 1 to 5 on every criteria. Each criteria has a weight reflecting its importance. Multiply your score by the weight, then total everything up for a final weighted score.

Research

Gather data on each product using tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, or manual research.

Score

Rate each product 1 to 5 on every criteria. Be honest. Use the scoring guidance provided.

Compare

Calculate weighted scores and compare totals. The numbers will tell you which product wins.

Scoring System: 1 = Poor/High Risk, 2 = Below Average, 3 = Average, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent/Low Risk

Product Comparison Scorecard

Criteria	Weight	Product A	Product B	Product C	Max Points
1. Monthly Search Volume 1 = under 1K searches \| 3 = 3K-5K \| 5 = over 10K monthly searches	3x	__	__	__	15
2. Competition Level 1 = dominated by big brands \| 3 = moderate \| 5 = few competitors, wide open	3x	__	__	__	15
3. Average Price Point 1 = under $10 \| 3 = $15-$25 \| 5 = $30-$70 sweet spot	2x	__	__	__	10
4. Profit Margin 1 = under 20% \| 3 = 30-40% \| 5 = over 50% after all fees	3x	__	__	__	15
5. Product Size/Weight 1 = oversized/heavy \| 3 = standard \| 5 = small and light (low FBA fees)	2x	__	__	__	10
6. Seasonality 1 = holiday only \| 3 = seasonal peaks \| 5 = year-round steady demand	2x	__	__	__	10
7. Review Barrier 1 = top listings have 5,000+ reviews \| 3 = 500-1,000 \| 5 = under 100 reviews	2x	__	__	__	10
8. IP/Patent Risk 1 = heavily patented category \| 3 = some utility patents \| 5 = no IP concerns	3x	__	__	__	15
9. Supplier Availability 1 = single source only \| 3 = 3-5 suppliers \| 5 = many Alibaba/1688 options	2x	__	__	__	10
10. MOQ Feasibility 1 = 10,000+ unit minimum \| 3 = 1,000-2,000 \| 5 = under 500 units	2x	__	__	__	10
11. Differentiation Potential 1 = pure commodity \| 3 = minor tweaks possible \| 5 = clear improvement opportunity	3x	__	__	__	15
12. Listing Quality of Top Sellers 1 = excellent listings, hard to beat \| 3 = decent \| 5 = poor/improvable listings	2x	__	__	__	10
13. Brand Registry Potential 1 = difficult to trademark \| 3 = possible with work \| 5 = easy to register	1x	__	__	__	5
14. Cross-Platform Potential 1 = Amazon only \| 3 = 1 additional platform \| 5 = sells well on Shopify, TikTok, retail	1x	__	__	__	5
15. Long-Term Viability 1 = fad/trend product \| 3 = 2-3 year lifespan \| 5 = evergreen demand	2x	__	__	__	10
WEIGHTED TOTAL		__	__	__	165

Multiply each raw score (1-5) by the weight, then sum all 15 weighted scores for the total. Maximum possible score: 165.

Scoring Guide

Use these ranges to make your go/no-go decision:

115+

Strong Candidate

This product checks most boxes. Move to supplier outreach and sample orders. Low risk, high potential.

80-114

Investigate Further

Promising but has weak areas. Identify which low scores can be improved. Consider if the risks are manageable.

Below 80

Pass

Too many red flags. The product has fundamental issues that are unlikely to be resolved. Move on to the next opportunity.

Important Notes

No single score should disqualify a product unless it is a 1 on IP/Patent Risk or a 1 on Profit Margin. These are deal-breakers.
Weight adjustments: If you sell exclusively on Shopify, you may want to increase the weight on Cross-Platform Potential and decrease Competition Level (which is Amazon-specific).
Re-score after sampling: Your initial scores are based on research. After receiving product samples, re-score criteria 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11 with real data.
Compare at least 3 products before committing to one. Your first idea is rarely your best.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Our e-commerce consultants have helped launch over 200 products across Amazon, Shopify, and TikTok Shop. Get a free assessment and we will identify the best opportunities for your budget and goals.

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