There are still many people who want to start a business but do not know what a niche market is. You need to know the niche market of the business you want to run so that the sale can be more successful. Therefore, you need to be able to determine the right niche market to get the maximum profit from the business.
In this article, you will learn more about what a niche market is, from examples to definitions. Let’s check out the full explanation below!
What is a Niche Market?
The niche market is a segment of a larger market that can be defined based on needs, preferences, and product identity, which differentiates it from similar products. For example, the laptop market has several niches such as gaming laptops, work laptops, small-budget laptops, and many more.
Almost any type of market or industry can be segmented into a variety of more specific niches. Some of the most common ways to distinguish niches from any market are to base them on the following:
- Price: luxury, medium, cheap, discount items.
- Demographics: gender, age, income level, and education level (buyers)
- Quality level: high quality, handmade, economical
- Psychographics: values, interests, attitudes (buyers)
- Geographical: residents of a particular country, city, or even neighborhood (their buyers)
Deciding to focus on a specific market niche is a strategic decision in business. By doing so, you can better serve a particular customer base and potentially be more competitive than your competitors in the same large market.
The Importance of Utilizing the Niche Market for Small Businesses
Small businesses usually have little capital, unlike large companies that have plenty of capital. Therefore, to be competitive in the market, small businesses need to be able to tap into a niche market to serve their specific customer base much better.
By focusing on a niche market, you can narrow down your target market, which can make your marketing efforts more targeted. By focusing on a niche market, you can maximize product development, services, and marketing to specific target markets so that they also have a greater chance of buying that product.
3 Examples of Niche Market
Each market has its niche market based on a variety of factors. Below are some examples of the most common niche markets that can exist in a variety of markets.
1. Vegan
Vegan or vegetarianism is a philosophy or lifestyle that practices a life without the exploitation of animals. That is, people who practice a vegetarian lifestyle do not eat food produced by animals (meat, milk, and the like), do not use clothing made from animals (skin, ivory, and the like), and reject animal testing.
Thanks to the many people who practice a vegetarian lifestyle, there are now many niche markets that carry vegan themes. For example, in the food industry, there are already various types of vegan foods, such as vegan milk (milk that does not come from animals) to vegan clothing (clothing made exclusively from non-animal materials).
2. Gaming
Technological developments have made games one of the most sought-after consumer goods today, especially among young people. In fact, in today’s world, gamers have become a profession that many people admire. Thanks to this, today there are many niche gaming markets in various technology industries, such as laptops, smartphones, mice, and keyboards.
If you search the market for laptops, smartphones, and accessories, you will surely find several brands that present this type of game. Devices included in this type of game are dedicated to playing games, especially those that require high specifications. These gaming devices are often used in professional gaming competitions all over the world.
3. “Lite” Products
Usually, a brand that produces a high-quality product at a low price offers a cheaper alternative version or a so-called “Lite” version of the product. This lite version of the product thus has its niche market, distinct from the main product.
Generally, a lite version of a product resides in an electronic device or software application. However, this concept has also started to be widely used in various other industries. In this way, a brand can reach more consumers to buy its products, or more precisely, more consumers can enjoy its products.
3 Ways to Determine Your Business Niche Market
Niche markets have many advantages if you focus on that market. However, it is not easy to determine the right niche market. Below are several ways to determine a niche market for your business.
1. Based on Interests and Capabilities
The easiest way to determine the right niche market is to look at your interests. For example, if you run a business that sells electronic devices and is interested in gaming, you should consider opening a business that specializes in gaming hardware and other gaming accessories.
2. Identify Consumer Needs
It’s not enough to align the niche market with interests, you also need to make sure that those interests match the needs of consumers. If many consumers need special products that match your interests, then just try to run the business. However, if consumers’ needs are different, try to do more detailed research on what they need and what you can offer.
3. Competitor Research
After you figure out which niche market is suitable, make sure you research the competitors in the industry. Don’t let yourself enter a niche market that is completely controlled by one brand or company. You will have a harder time penetrating a niche market compared to a larger market.
We hope that explaining what a niche market is can help you. Besides determining the niche market, you also need to determine the right marketing strategy for your business.