Discovering Your Ideal Amazon Niche: Ideas for Private Label Beginners

Looking to discover the ideal Amazon niche? Truth is, there isn’t one. But through this guide, I’ll help you find the one best suited to you.

The number one question I get daily is “Joshua, how do I find a private label product to sell on Amazon?” from beginners around the world.

That inspired me to created the 101 products to sell on Amazon guide. If you haven’t read it yet, then you should. It’s gold.

Truth be told, that success on Amazon typically comes from selling in niches that have passionate buyers. At the same time, you’ll want fewer competitors. Notice how I said fewer and not zero. Big difference.

See – every niche has competitors. Just some more than others.

Today I’ll be explaining my top ten favorite product researching methods. Read through this one and I hope it helps you find the right niche for your new Amazon business.

1. Start with your passion

Both my private label Amazon brands are based on my own passion. In fact, I am both the customer and seller! I love my own products, because I’d buy them myself.

I’d say my two brands to be a labor of love before profit. ????

I knew the type of product I like. I knew what it should be able to do. Most importantly, unlike my ‘competitors’ out there, I know how I could make my products better at the same price.

That’s the key to finding success at Amazon. It’s how you’ll get the edge over your competitors. Not selling carbon-copy catalogue products that another 30 sellers also have, but your own unique products.

2. Use your own experience

I’ve got industry experience in mining and logistics. Some might question what products could ever be found there.

Either none, or plenty!

Lighter hard hats. More comfortable gloves. Coffee cups for truck drivers. Safety bollards with lights. Pink gumboots. High visibility snow jackets. Rugged high vis torches. Oversized steering wheel covers for trucks.

Noticed how I gave suggestions for Amazon niche product improvements throughout that list? My next brand is probably in the PPE aisle. Just gave away my product and brand idea right there. ????

*Watch this space*

Now consider what industry you’re in. Nursing? You’ll know products in that niche that many wouldn’t have a clue. Lawyer? Another unique set of products, especially appealing to a wealthy crowd. Builder? You could sell a range of high quality tools.

Even if you don’t have experience in an industry, consider your hobbies. Many beginners I talk to are parents and are choosing the parenting niche.

3. Brainstorm and research like a gun

If you’re still stuck, then you need to get pen to paper. Now.

1. List your hobbies, interests and responsibilities
2. Look at companies on social media (Pinterest) related to your interests
3. Shortlist a group of 10 to 15 products already in that niche
4. Use tools such as JungleScout and ZonGuru to validate data
5. Consider if there’s past, current and future product demand
6. Always use your gut feeling and don’t be afraid to move on

The more research you do, the better you’ll get. I wasn’t a pro in 5 minutes. I’ve done thousands of hours on ZonGuru and the like. The more you think and research, the more ideas you’ll find. My own list is HUGE.

4. Get lost on Amazon

Seriously, you should. Look for hours to find unique Amazon niche with both a seller and buyer perspective.

Avoid their best seller lists. Like yoga mats, it’s just too competitive right there. Also avoid emerging markets or short term winners. Fidget spinners come to mind here.

Find that middle ground. Some competition, but not too much. Good sales volume, but you can still get in with a limited budget.

Spend weeks or months on Amazon. I’m serious. You’ll be selling on this marketplace, so you’ll have to get an idea of who’s selling what.

5. Source ideas from Kickstarter

Seriously, this place is a gold mine. If you want product innovation, you’ll find it here.

These products are only on Kickstarter. It’ll be a year or two before they’ll find their way to Amazon. Look how these innovators have immensely improved existing products.

You won’t be copying these companies. Use these for inspiration for product ideas. Add accessories, change sizes, colors or simply any variation to make a significant and worthwhile change to a product that impresses the customer.

I even subscribe to some of these sites via email newsletters. This way I can stay on top of what’s coming out long before it hits the shelves on Amazon.

6. Use the research tools

I can’t stress this enough – you will have to pay a subscription to a research tool. Any tool is good but JungleScout, ZonGuru and Helium10 are my professional picks.

These help validate the products you want to sell. You’ll get information on sales rank, sales history, FBA fees, review volume and much more. In a quick glance you can even get the potential profit without having to do all the legwork yourself. Neat!

Is Amazon saturated? Not really. But there’s plenty of products on there. Many people are selling ‘me too’ products. I use software almost daily to find gems all day long.

7. Get off the computer

Each year there’s literally hundreds of trade shows. I’m an advocate of going to China and now have 3 trips under my belt. You’ll get to meet suppliers, audit samples in stalls and generally get inspired with product and niche ideas.

It’s not just China either. You can consider sourcing from India, Nepal, Mexico, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and many more countries. Each have their own tradeshows which aren’t as saturated with Amazon sellers.

You can even go down to your local shopping centre. Bunnings gets my pick. I bring my phone with me to look up products and profit potential on the fly. Very nifty!

8. Jump on sourcing sites

Alibaba and Global Sources are two sites that I use often. Yes, they’re saturated with copycats, but they’re still a great resource. You’ll be able to discover new and trending product ideas.

Be prepared to go through pages and pages of search results to find the Amazon niche gems. Some manufacturers also hide their best stuff, so if you like what they offer, then ask them for anything new and exciting that they’re working on.

You can actually subscribe to the Global Sources very own Sourcing Magazine. This gets updated on a monthly basis with their newest products. Essentially, you’ll see products before 97% of people do. Probably one of the best kept secrets among professional Amazon sellers. ????

9. Get addicted to social media

I do say that in a good way. You won’t find as much on Facebook and Instagram. I look elsewhere. I look from a seller’s perspective, as there’s literally a goldmine of opportunity out there on social media.

For example, I look through Pinterest and look at cool products. Literally, type in ‘Cool cat bed’ and ‘Cool baby blanket’ right now. There are opportunities and inspiration galore right there.

I can’t believe the amount of people who walk right past this opportunity. I’ve noticed that many courses just aren’t teaching the Pinterest sourcing method.

YouTube is also one source of product ideas. Look up unboxing videos. You’ll discover products you’ve never heard of before. Some of you have even reached out with product ideas that I’ve never heard of. And yes, your secrets are safe with me. ????

10. Create your own product

Right – big caveat here guys: This is an advanced Amazon niche method. The first 9 methods shown are much better suited to beginners.

I have several unique products ready to go. Totally out of the left field. I haven’t launched them as they need an immense amount of capital to get off the ground. But if you’ve got the cash (and some experience) then consider going from complete scratch.

You’ll still have to focus on a sole niche or category. Avoid unrelated products. This is part of the reason why I haven’t launched my super unique products: They’re so unrelated. The main reason is still the high capital requirement, before the copycats chase after me.

Also remember that many sellers are avoiding difficult products. Fragile goods, oversized, high MOQ and those that need certification. Plenty of opportunity for those prepared to do some more leg work.

Amazon niche summary

Those who are focused on only slight improvements are just going to fall behind the market. The customer is becoming more discerning and wiser. They are looking for innovation, and some even demanding it. They want apple-like packaging and high quality.

In a world of greater competition on Amazon, you’ll really have to innovate. This all begins with finding the right Amazon niche from Day 1 that suits you and your budget.

Work through this, but don’t get lost here. Many people get stuck. It thins the heard. Remember when things are harder, there are just fewer people prepared to work through the challenges.

The rewards are waiting on the other side.

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