The 7 Tools Every Reseller Needs
1. Google Keyword Planner: The Starter Pack for Research
If you’re just dipping your toes into keyword research, Google Keyword Planner is free and packed with data straight from Google’s own results. It shows monthly search volume, competition levels, and related terms. Let’s say you’re selling eco-friendly phone cases. Inputting “try ‘biodegradable phone cases’” will reveal how often people search for that term, how competitive it is, and related searches like “plant-based phone cases.” Use this to gauge demand before listing a product. Just remember: it’s basic but effective. sembeat.com
2. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer: The Deep-Dive Specialist
Ahrefs isn’t free, but what it lacks in price, it makes up for in depth. Type “wireless earbuds” into Ahrefs, and it’ll spit back metrics like keyword difficulty (how hard it is to rank), click potential, and even the cost-per-click for ads. It also pulls long-tail keywords like “wireless earbuds for working out,” which might have less competition. A personal favorite feature? It breaks down search intent—like whether a query means someone is ready to buy or just browsing. This helps you target keywords aligned with your sales funnel. keywordly.ai
3. SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool: The Market Detective
SEMrush owns a database of more than 25 billion keywords. Want to find niche sub-topics? Type “Yoga mats” and watch SEMrush group keywords by topic. Maybe you’ll spot high-volume terms like “non-slip yoga mats for sweaty workouts” or “eco-friendly yoga mats.” Filtering by competition, search volume, and even regional popularity helps you pinpoint gaps. For example, I once used this to discover that a small town in Oregon had a high search for “retreat-friendly camping gear”—and no one was selling that locally. timebusinessnews.com
4. Moz Keyword Explorer: The No-Fluff Option
Moz gives you data in plain language. Click on its “Keyword Suggestions” tab and type “fitness trackers.” It’ll rate keywords using metrics like “Priority” (a score blending volume, difficulty, and competition) and “Organic CTR.” Filters help narrow things down. For instance, if you want keywords with a Priority over 70, Moz will show them to you. It’s a nice balance between depth and simplicity. rankrise.com
5. KeywordTool.io: The Long-Tail Gold Mine
This tool scrapes autocomplete suggestions from platforms like Google, YouTube, and Amazon—which is gold for resellers. Type “portable coffee makers” into its search bar and watch it spew out 100+ variations like “portable coffee makers for office” or “cold brew coffee makers for camping.” These long-tail keywords are often less competitive because they’re ultra-specific. I’ve used this to find product names customers actually use versus what sellers assume they want. saarasia.com
6. Google Trends: The Pulse of Public Interest
Geographic trends and seasonal spikes can make or break a product. Google Trends shows interest over time and by location. For example, maybe “snow boots” spike every January in Toronto but plateau elsewhere. If you’re shipping locally from Canada, double down on that. For seasonal products like “diy Valentines day gifts,” create content around February if you’re in the U.S., but hold off on Europe until later in the month. Use the “Rising” filter to spot sudden spikes—and maybe catch an emerging trend before it levels off. hackernoon.com
7. Keywords Everywhere: The Browser Plug-In
This simple add-on shows keyword data as you browse. Hover over a search result for “smartwatches,” and Keywords Everywhere displays its monthly volume, cost-per-click, and competition rating across platforms. I’ve used this while window shopping. Once, while looking up “Bluetooth speakers,” I saw a search volume of 18,000/month and low competition. I bought the domain, listed a few third-party vendors, and sold 20 units on Amazon in two weeks. Super quick gut-check tool. hackernoon.com
7 Tactics to Snag Underserved Markets
1. Spy on Competitors Then Outsmart Them
Tools like SpyFu (not listed in the top 7 but cited in the research) let you dissect competitors’ SEO and ads. Take a rival selling candles. If they’re ranking for “soy candles,” what’s missing? Maybe they’re not targeting “candles with lavender scent” or “long-burning candles for spa.” Fill those keyword gaps with your own product listings. sembeat.com
2. Go Long (Tail): Cut Through the Noise
Broad keywords like “headphones” are tough to rank for. Long-tail options like “noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones for sleeping” are easier. Though they have lower volume, they convert better because searchers know exactly what they want. For example, a reseller I know focused on “pet travel carriers for small dogs” and tapped a community underserved by major pet-chain retailers.
3. Follow Seasonal Searches Like Clockwork
Job hunting? Career-related keywords spike in January. Summer gardening gear? June to August. Use Google Trends to mark dates where search interest follows a predictable pattern—then stock smartly. Last year, I listed patio heaters in October for the Northern hemisphere and sold out in time for holiday bonfires.
4. Localize Your Inventory
Some products perform better in specific regions. If “ski socks” show high interest in Colorado but low in Florida, you know where to focus. Alternatively, search “regional disparities” in Ahrefs. Maybe corn hole games are popular in Texas but barely referenced in Maine. Capitalize—there’s opportunity in imbalance.
5. Decode What People Really Want
The search “adboks of pizza reviews” probably means someone wants opinions. But “buy parachute pajamas” indicates intent to purchase. Detect intent by analyzing prepositions like “buy,” “review,” or “where to get.” When I saw rising “$100 CBD tinctures for pets,” I focused product pages around purchase intent rather than just general CBD content.
6. Answer Questions People Type Daily
Use Ubersuggest to find question-based keywords like “how to train a French bulldog?” Turn those into blog posts or product pages titled “Training French Bulldogs for Beginners.” If your tutorial includes links to recommended treats, collars, or training aids—you’ll hook both info and sales seekers.
7. Preempt the Next Big Thing
Gotta love Reddit. Subreddits like r/commerce communities and Twitter’s #Ecomm Twitterverse are full of “Where can I buy…?” threads. Also check Google News’ “Trending” tab. If articles about “AI-powered toothbrushes” start showing up—study the keywords people associate with those. Pivot fast.
Putting It All Together
Focus on what makes sense for your niche. If you’re in digital products, Ahrefs and SpyFu can help you beat competitors to trends. If you sell physical items, Google Trends and KeywordTool.io will guide your product drops by geography and seasonal need. Combine tools with tactics to find niche gaps.
Let me leave you with a real example. A seller of vintage fashion used Dodaj URL (no, that’s made up) ran into trouble. Her keywords were broad. Then she pulled Google Trends, saw “1930s beaded flapper dresses” spiked in Houston and Los Angeles around summer wedding season. She bought inventory and targeted those city keywords via Ahrefs SEO—netting $18,000 in July 2025 alone.
Don’t treat keyword research as money you *have* to spend. Make it the tool you *choose* to make smarter decisions. In a repetitious landscape, specific keywords are how you stand out—even if no one else is looking.
