Establishing A Niche That Isn’t Already Established

Navigating the world of Amazon Merch On Demand (formerly known as Merch by Amazon) can be challenging, especially when trying to find niches with low competition. As the platform grows, so does the competition, making it essential to identify and capitalize on underexplored areas.

One of the things to look at is variations on established trends, catchphrases, slogans, etc. “World’s Best Dad” or “World’s Greatest Teacher” are always gifts that are in demand, but so many products use those exact phrases that you’ll never stand out. You can still capitalize on this dependable trend by trying something new, yet incredibly traditional: the “Established (YEAR)” slogan.

You know, the kind that you usually see in a scroll at the bottom of an old-timey logo at your local butcher or on the label of a favorite beverage. It’s a way to convey a level or authenticity to the subject.

Examples could include, “Mom, Est. (year she first gave birth)” or “Teacher, Est. (year of first teaching job)” or “Convicted Felon, Est. (you get the idea).”

With wedding season coming up, we’ve found some super low-competition variations on this that you can have made just in time for folks to order as gifts. It’s a great way to show creativity without having to buy that obnoxiously expensive item on the registry (really, who does that?).

Using tools Merch Informer’s powerful search and keyword tools, you can optimize your listings for these niches and boost your chances of success.

1. “Wife, Est. 2024”

The first niche to consider is “Wife, Est. 2024.” This niche focuses on products celebrating newlyweds and is relatively low in competition. A quick search reveals that there are a little over 100 results for this niche, making it a prime target for sellers.

This niche is especially popular on platforms like Etsy and Redbubble, where personalized items thrive. (Side note: these are great places to browse while brainstorming.)

Some thoughts on creative approach: designs should feature feminine and elegant fonts. Popular design elements include cursive scripts and floral motifs.

But whatever you do, avoid overused terms like “Wifey”. Why? Not because they’re overused, but because you could get sued. Yes indeed, Dear Reader, someone has actually trademarked this word for use on product categories such as those available on MBA. That’s why using Merch Informer’s tools such as the trademark browser plugin are critical.

2. “Husband, Est. 2024”

This is another low-competition area that mirrors the wife-themed products. And it also mirrors the tricky trademark-troll status of such common terms as “Hubby” – yeah, someone parked on this lawn, too.

With under 100 results, this niche offers significant opportunities. You should consider complementary products for both wife and hub, um, husband, using similar styles and fonts to appeal to couples looking for matching sets.

In fact, keywords like “matching shirts” should be included in titles and bullet points to attract customers looking for paired items. Just don’t tell them that “anything matching” was once considered one of the worst gifts to give at weddings. But hey, styles and tastes change – who knew that all-denim ensembles would come back again?

3. “Bride Est. 2024”

The bridal market is still consistently popular on e-commerce platforms. Honestly, it may never, ever go away.

With just under 500 results, this niche is still relatively untapped but popular enough to demonstrate opportunity. Designs should be versatile, available in both dark and light options, to cater to different preferences. This strategy can help attract a broader audience and increase sales. Products in this niche can include t-shirts, hoodies, and even accessories like tote bags.

A humorous approach could be for that friend who keeps trying. “Bride, Est. (multiple years X’d out, with the current year scribbled in)” is a tongue-in-cheek way to tell your friend that you love them despite their never hearing about the famously misquoted definition of “insanity”.

4. “Groom, Est. 2024”

Complementing the bride niche, “Groom, Established 2024” focuses on products for the poor sucker – um, lucky guy – who shares altar space with the bride and glares from her father.

Also under 500 results, it’s also a low-competition area with high potential.

Designs should be clean and straightforward, using masculine fonts and possibly incorporating elements like ties, bowties, maybe a take on the classic “fake tuxedo t-shirt”. Offering both black and white options can appeal to a wider customer base and ensure higher visibility in searches, but don’t limit yourself – offer a wide range of colors in case the bride convinces her intended to get all matchy-matchy with the awful palette she forced on her bridesmaids (my wife and I still regret the choice of teal – but it was the 80s).

5. “Mrs., Est. 2024”

Stop me if you’ve heard this one – back in the less kind work force of the 80s and 90s that I cut my teeth in, the more uncharitable folks I worked with used to say that the women in the office were only there to find a husband or, in other words, “working on their M-R-S degree”. Hey, I don’t make the news, I just report it.

That said, you may have heard of a cultural trend called the “tradwife” or woman whose personal preference is to – among other things – take on the responsibility of the sole homemaker. I salute these ladies – as someone who lives in New York, the idea of a single-income household where women are able to choose this option is about as familiar to me as Klingon.

With just under 200 results, it is significantly less competitive than other bridal niches. Products in this category can range from apparel to home décor items, and can feature retro imagery such as the pearl-necklaced/aproned housewife of the 1950s

Leveraging Merch Informer Tools

As always, to maximize success in these niches, utilizing tools from Merch Informer is crucial. They’ll keep you from accidentally using someone else’s trademark (“Hubby” – really!) or diving into a crowded idea pool. These tools can help analyze keywords, track trends, and optimize product listings. By incorporating data-driven insights, you can ensure their products are visible to potential buyers and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

And with thousands of satisfied customers, one can say that it’s effectiveness is…established.

(I’ll show myself out)