Gaps in the market are opportunities disguised as empty. A gap in the market is a place or area that current companies are not serving.
Whether you are starting a small business or looking for growth opportunities in your current business, market gaps can be amazing sources of inspiration for your next big idea. Use these tips to identify and take advantage of the opportunities that surround you.
Consider Niche Markets
Startup business owners often think too broadly when it comes to the market. However, it is always better to think little when it comes to gaps in the market. The more specific your market is, the more likely you will be to target it effectively.
How niche is too niche? Well, you want to make sure that the market is big enough to sustain growth. You should have many existing products because that shows you that there is demand in the market. There must also be an easily identifiable customer base. Without those things, your market niche is not big enough to support a startup business.
Follow Pending Legislation
Sometimes an industry can go through big changes for legal reasons. Local, state or federal legislation can create gaps in the market because it can force an entire industry to make changes that it would not have done otherwise. If you can successfully forecast those changes, you can identify the gaps in the early market and do it in time to take advantage of them.
Identify Unresolved Problems
A simple way to find those hidden gaps is to ask your potential customers what is missing in the current market. You can do it by researching industry trends. Customer surveys can provide a clue in the right direction. You can also investigate a little about current customer complaints simply by reviewing the worst criticism of competitors. That can give you an idea of what your competitors are not doing well and gives you the opportunity to do better.
Focusing on a market gap also helps you make sure you avoid falling into a market that is already oversaturated. After all, a saturated market is often a dead end for new companies. So, with these tips, be sure to identify and describe your target market and the reasons for choosing it in your business plan.
Evaluate your Strengths
It is not just the right idea you are looking for, you must find the right idea for the right person. It does not do him any good to find a breach in the market that he can not take advantage of. So, before you start looking for gaps in the market, it only makes sense that you know exactly where your strengths lie.