| There is no question that there are infinite benefits to | | | | How much demand is there? |
| starting an Internet business. You can start on a part | | | | Now that we understand what makes up a niche we |
| time basis with very little up front cost and build a | | | | can look at some of the characteristics that we want |
| business that can provide a very nice additional | | | | to find in a niche before we start an Internet business |
| income. But when starting an Internet business, where | | | | in that niche. As we begin to investigate a niche we will |
| do you start? In this article we will talk about the first | | | | look at several things to determine if it is a fit for our |
| step that you must take, selecting a niche for your | | | | business. One of the first things that we look for is the |
| business. | | | | demand. Is there enough demand to support our |
| What is a niche? | | | | business? To find this out we will use a keyword tool |
| First it would be a good idea to be clear on what the | | | | and check some keyword phrases that would directly |
| definition of a niche is. My definition of a niche is...a | | | | relate to our niche. We want to find out how many |
| market or a sub sector of a market that can be | | | | people are searching for information in our niche. There |
| defined and can be targeted. For example, the dog | | | | needs to be enough demand in the niche to make it |
| market is a very big market with many sub sectors. | | | | worth the effort that it will take to build your business. |
| Yet the dog market is too broad to be considered a | | | | How much supply is there? |
| niche since you cannot actually target that market. | | | | Now that we have an idea that there is demand for |
| However, within the dog market there are many sub | | | | our niche, we need to check on the supply, or |
| markets that can be targeted. Some examples might | | | | competition. We can do that by using a search engine |
| be dog training, dog toys, dog beds, dog crates and on | | | | and searching the keywords and phrases that we |
| and on. | | | | found in the demand step. At this point we have to |
| What is your expertise and interest? | | | | understand that competition is good. If there is a |
| When you start the niche selection process you will | | | | reasonable amount of competition in our niche we can |
| need to do some brain storming for ideas. Start by | | | | assume that there is money being made in that niche. |
| making a list of things that you have expertise in. Also | | | | One good indicator is the number of sponsored ads |
| make a list of things that you have a passion for. Then | | | | that appear when you do a search for a keyword or |
| list all the things that you would like to learn. When you | | | | phrase that is related to your niche. If the right side of |
| start building your Internet business, you will be | | | | the page is full of sponsored ads that is a good sign. |
| spending some time working on it and if you have | | | | These are pay per click ads and the advertiser is |
| expertise, a passion or a strong desire to learn about | | | | paying every time someone clicks on his ad. They |
| your topic it will make the work you will have in front | | | | cannot continue to advertise very long if they are not |
| of you much easier and enjoyable. | | | | making a profit with their ads. |