Modern information-seekers and product-hunters look online for websites that can provide them with what they need. Think of the potential for online marketers. If, however, you approach this global opportunity without a tight strategy, you will end up pitching to an audience that may not be interested in your product. This is exactly why your marketing strategy should target a particular segment of the market, known as a niche. Choosing a focused niche will allow you to concentrate on getting your website in front of the people who are more inclined to share your passion.
Write down your interests and areas of knowledge and experience. Consider hobbies, careers, education, volunteer work, personal passions, and life experiences. For instance, if you enjoy teaching kindergartners how to swim and you like to drag race on the weekends, you might list “education, swimming lessons, amateur drag racing.” These are all possible niches for you to explore.
Because building a profitable online business requires a lot of work, focus your efforts on niches that you will enjoy. If you were a divorce lawyer for 40 years and cannot stomach the thought of spending one more minute on divorce issues, you will rapidly grow disinterested in a divorce site. Cross it off your list. By combining your website with what you like to do, your dedication will shine through. Also, if you love what you do, it will be easier to drag yourself out of bed each morning, say no to all your buddies who are on the golf course instead of building on their online businesses, and get to work. With your list in hand, it is time to narrow the field.
With your list of interests and skills in hand, you can begin researching the viability of a niche. Look at the profit potential and the level and quality of the competition. One tool among many that will help you select a niche is Google Analytics. Type in topics related to your potential niches. The tools will give you a general idea of the number of searches performed on that keyword and related keywords, as well as how much competition each keyword has. Your ideal keyword would have numerous searches with low competition.
Next, run a Google search on your choices. Visit each of the sites that show up in the top ten. Look for the level of site activity and how well the site is monetized. If these sites enjoy a high activity level, then the chosen niche is definitely a money-making venture.
Study the sites well to assess your potential competitors in this niche. Look for a unique angle or untapped longtail keywords where you can excel. Also analyze smaller niches stemming from this niche that you can effectively tap. For instance, if your niche is related to furthering your education, you may notice that most of the competition may be directing their marketing strategy toward college students. You could address housewives and working professionals and thus make your site appealing to this crowd. This might be the perfect microniche on which to concentrate your efforts. Remember to create your own identity and not imitate sites that are already popular. If there is no microniche or original approach to take within the niche, there is likely little room for a newcomer. Go to the next concept or interest on your list.
You will have to give your marketing efforts time before they will pay off. It may be months before you get your first pay check, but you must not lose heart. The first step making sure that the niche you enter is the right niche. After you have established yourself, you can achieve a high rate of success in your chosen niche.
The importance of choosing the right marketing niche must not be underestimated. Give it the time and attention it deserves. When you know want you want and what the market needs, then you will be able to direct your efforts towards a successful Internet marketing future.