Online Market Research

Google Trends Analysis – Check search volume trends for your craft keywords over the past 5 years
Amazon Best Sellers – Browse relevant categories to see what’s selling well and read customer reviews
Etsy Market Research – Use tools like eRank or Marmalead to analyze search volumes and competition
eBay Sold Listings – Check “sold” listings to see actual selling prices and demand levels
Pinterest Trending Analysis – Use Pinterest Trends tool to see what craft ideas are gaining popularity
Google Keyword Planner – Research search volumes for craft-related keywords and phrases

Social Media Research

Instagram Hashtag Analysis – Research hashtags related to your craft to see engagement levels and popularity
Facebook Groups – Join craft-specific groups and observe what questions people ask and what they’re buying
TikTok Trending Crafts – Watch which craft videos go viral and analyze comment sections for demand indicators
YouTube Search Suggestions – Type craft keywords and see what auto-suggestions appear
Reddit Community Research – Browse relevant subreddits to understand pain points and desires

Competition Analysis

Competitor Website Analysis – Study successful crafters’ websites, pricing, and product descriptions
Craft Fair Booth Observation – Walk through markets and note which booths have the longest lines
Online Store Traffic Analysis – Use tools like SimilarWeb to estimate competitor website traffic
Social Media Follower Analysis – Check which craft accounts have the most engaged followers
Google Shopping Results – Search your craft idea and analyze the first page results for pricing and features

Customer Validation

Survey Your Network – Create simple surveys asking friends and family about their craft purchasing habits
Focus Groups – Organize small groups to discuss your craft idea and gather honest feedback
Pre-order Testing – Create a simple landing page offering pre-orders to test actual demand
Craft Workshop Feedback – Teach your craft at workshops and gauge participant enthusiasm
Online Poll Creation – Use Instagram Stories or Facebook polls to test interest in different variations

Market Testing

Small Batch Sales – Make 5-10 items and try selling them at one market to test reception
Pop-up Shop Testing – Set up temporary sales locations to test different demographics
Consignment Store Placement – Place items in local shops and track which ones sell first
Online Marketplace Testing – List a few items on multiple platforms to see where they perform best

Industry and Trend Research

Craft Industry Reports – Read industry publications and reports about market trends and growth areas
Seasonal Demand Analysis – Research when your craft idea sells best throughout the year
Demographics Research – Use census data and market research to identify your ideal customer base
Supply Chain Research – Investigate material costs, availability, and potential supplier issues
Economic Impact Analysis – Consider how current economic conditions affect your target market’s spending on your type of craft

Bonus Research Tips:

Document everything in a spreadsheet for easy comparison
Set up Google Alerts for your craft keywords to monitor ongoing trends
Join craft business Facebook groups and ask specific questions about market demand
Visit craft supply stores and ask employees what customers are requesting most
Check library databases for industry reports that might be expensive to purchase individually
Remember, the best research combines multiple methods rather than relying on just one source. Aim to gather data from at least 5-7 different research methods before making final decisions about pursuing a craft idea.