It’s easy to design products based on what you love, but your customers are the ones who determine if something sells. Over time, I’ve learned that data, customer feedback, and real-world testing are the key to making products that people actually want to buy.

If you’ve ever launched a product that flopped or wondered how to make designs that consistently sell, here’s my process, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

💡 Want to make smarter product decisions? Scroll down to sign up for our email list and get a free Survey Template to help you ask your customers what they want.

1. Use Sales Data to Guide Product Decisions

I don’t guess when it comes to product design, I look at the numbers.

How Sales Data Helps Me Decide What to Make Next:

✅ If something sells well, I expand on it. My cigarette case sales were so strong that I knew I needed to create more smoking-related products.
✅ If a product doesn’t sell, I don’t bring it back. Nail clippers were a flop, I thought the gays would love them, but they didn’t hit right.
✅ If sales aren’t strong enough, or I don’t love the product, I cut it.

💡 Lesson learned: Let data lead you. If something is consistently selling, it’s a sign to invest in similar products. If something flops, move on quickly.

2. Know Your Customers (Not Just Yourself)

I don’t design just for myself, I design for my customers.

How I Stay Customer-Focused:

✅ I have a customer persona. I know their age, hobbies, and spending habits so I can create products that fit their lifestyle.
✅ I survey my audience before launching a new product. I recently ran a survey about smell-proof bags to see what features, price points, and designs my customers actually want.
✅ I start by solving a problem. My Lactaid pill case went viral because it solved a real issue in a funny way.
✅ I don’t even smoke (shocker I know lol), but I sell smoking accessories. My customers do, so I design for them.

💡 Lesson learned: Ask your audience what they want. Your own preferences aren’t always a good indicator of what will sell.

3. Test Products in Small Batches

Before committing to large production runs, I test new designs at markets.

How I Minimize Risk When Testing Products:

✅ I bring new designs to markets before listing them online. If they sell well, I’ll move forward with bigger production.
✅ I start with small inventory orders. I only made a few nail clippers to test, good thing, because they didn’t sell!
✅ I tweak products based on customer feedback. My Sticker Scoop Mystery Pack didn’t sell in opaque packaging, but when I switched to clear bags, it became a top revenue earner.

💡 Lesson learned: Experiment whenever possible, but don’t gamble away extra business funds.

4. Think About How & Where Your Products Will Sell

Some products sell better in person, while others thrive online.

How I Adapt Products for Different Selling Platforms:

✅ Mini stickers are my best online seller, but they don’t sell at markets. In person, people see $2 for a tiny sticker and scoff. Online, they eat them up.
✅ More expensive products do better in person. Customers want to see what they’re getting before spending more money.
✅ Packaging matters for wholesale. When I got into Urban Outfitters, I learned that some stores have specific packaging guidelines. Now, I keep those in mind when designing new products.
✅ Regional designs don’t sell everywhere. My Cajun-themed stickers and pins sell great in Louisiana, but nobody gets them outside the South.

💡 Lesson learned: Where you sell a product affects how well it performs. Adapt your pricing, packaging, and inventory accordingly.

5. Learn From Past Product Mistakes

Even when you think you’re making the perfect product, things don’t always go as planned.

Biggest Product Mistakes I’ve Learned From:

🚨 The Cigarette Case Tin Switch – I upgraded my cigarette cases from stickers on tins to fully printed tins. But customers saw them as “just Altoid tins” and wouldn’t pay the higher price. Now, I’m combining both styles for a better balance.
🚨 The Nail Clippers That Nobody Wanted – I assumed my audience would love gay-themed nail clippers. Turns out, they didn’t. I’m glad I only made a small batch.
🚨 Mystery Packs That Didn’t Sell… Until I Changed Them – My Sticker Scoop Mystery Packs weren’t selling in opaque packaging. Once I switched to clear bags, people bought them way more.

💡 Lesson learned: If something doesn’t work, tweak it—or move on.

6. Download Your Free Customer Survey Template!

Want to make sure you’re designing exactly what your customers want? Sign up for our email list and get a free Customer Survey Template to help you:

✅ Ask the right questions to gather valuable customer insights
✅ Poll your audience before launching a new product
✅ Identify trends & preferences to make informed design decisions
✅ Use real feedback to refine your product lineup and increase sales

 

The best way to design products your customers actually want is to listen to them, test your ideas, and use sales data to guide your decisions.

✅ Follow the numbers—sales trends will tell you what works.
✅ Ask your customers before launching something new.
✅ Test in small batches before committing to large production.
✅ Consider where & how you’ll sell a product before finalizing the design.
✅ If something flops, learn from it and move on.

Looking for a fun, interactive way to test new products at markets? The ArtVend vending machine is a great way to offer limited-run items, mystery packs, and exclusive drops in a fun and engaging way. Check out The ArtVend to start vending your art today!

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