You’ll find a number of posts covering niche products online right here on the ecomdash blog, from how to find your niche to niche marketing to the top niche categories for this year. In this post, we’ll delve a little deeper and talk about what a micro-niche is and a few ideas to get you started on choosing one.
What Is a Micro-Niche?
Let’s start with a quick refresher. Niche markets are more focused segments of a larger market. Some examples of niche markets include:
- organic beauty products
- dog supplies
- handmade items
- eco-friendly products
The more focused and narrowed down you go, the more niche your market is. That’s where you start getting into micro-niches.
A micro-niche, also called a subniche, is simply a niche market that is more specific. For example, while an ecommerce niche market is dog supplies, a line of handmade dog treats is a micro-niche. Selling micro-niche products means that your target audience is more defined, which has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros and Cons of Selling Micro-Niche Products
Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of selling micro-niche.
Pros of Selling Micro-Niche Products Online
- Micro-niche stores are better able to satisfy customers because they target specific groups with the same shopping behaviors and characteristics
- Niche markets may be crowded, but selling micro-niche products may cut down on competition because the market is smaller
- Micro-niche selling allows you to focus on products that you’re passionate about
Cons of Selling Micro-Niche Products Online
- Selling micro-niche products means that you’re selling to a smaller market and it may not create enough sales volume to keep your business afloat
- Selling micro-niche products can limit the growth of your business when your focus is too small
Potential Micro-Niche Products for Online Sellers
Getting into a micro-niche can be a great way to go when you find a product that has a high level of customer need or want. Doing some research will help you determine if you are entering a market that has potential or is a dead end.
Here are some micro-niches within trending niches that have potential for success:
Eco-friendly Products
Consumers are more conscious of the world around them than ever before. This change in consumer behavior has cut a path for eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and vegan variations of many traditional products. Consider products that are popular and provide ecological alternatives. Micro-niche ideas for eco-friendly product sellers include:
- Cruelty-free cosmetics
- Reusable drinking straws
- Vegan-friendly clothing and accessories
- Menstrual cups
Preplanned Meals
People are busy. People want convenience. People are health conscious. That explains why preplanned meal delivery subscriptions have become so popular. Customers receive prepared ingredients for a meal that are ready to be assembled and cooked in their own kitchen. There are a variety of micro-niche options to consider with preplanned meal delivery:
- Gluten-free meals
- Vegan meals
- Kid-friendly meals
- Diet or low-calorie meals
Print On Demand Apparel
Print on Demand (POD) clothing is all over the internet. The most popular category of POD apparel is t-shirts. However, it’s a market that is saturated. Going micro-niche is essential for less competition and successful selling. Consider these micro-niche products:
- POD fitness/workout apparel
- POD pet clothing
- Specialized POD categories, such as food, maps, professions, dog breeds, etc.
- Specialized pricing (take a look at 6DollarShirts as an example)
CBD Products
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most prevalent compounds found in the cannabis plant, and it’s all the rage. You can find CBD products everywhere, from online stores to the convenience store down the street. However, you can still find micro-niches that are not as flooded as the overall CBD niche. Here are some ideas:
- CBD products for pets
- CBD products for specific conditions (arthritis, chronic pain, anxiety, etc.)
- CBD edibles
- CBD coffee or tea
Handmade Jewelry
Handmade jewelry is a niche that’s been around for a long time. While it isn’t growing as fast as it once was, it is holding steady. However, there are some micro-niche ideas within the handmade jewelry category that are still on the upswing:
- Personalized jewelry (allowing customization with names and materials)
- Statement jewelry (for example, bracelets with personal mottos engraved)
- Pop culture jewelry (think Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Marvel themes)
- Jewelry for specific populations (kids, men, teenagers, etc.)
Final Thoughts
Going micro-niche with your online store can be a solid choice that allows you to target a more focused group of customers. While your audience may be smaller, your competition will be as well. The above ideas are a good place to start.
Finding your micro-niche market may take some research and a bit of trial and error, but it can definitely be worth it. As the general market continues to get flooded, selling micro-niche products is the way of the future.
