This video accompanies the lesson below.

Starting an online business can feel like a big leap into the unknown, especially when faced with the first major decision: choosing a niche. A niche is simply the main topic or focus of your website or business—the space where you’ll carve out your little corner of the internet.

If this sounds daunting, don’t worry! I’m here to walk you through the process step by step. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer idea of what a niche is, how to choose one, and why it’s such an important part of your online journey.

A niche is the specific area or topic your website will focus on. Think of it as the foundation for everything you’ll do online. It gives your business direction, helps you attract the right audience, and ultimately allows you to grow.

A niche can be just about anything: something you’re passionate about, a hobby you enjoy, or even a topic you’re curious to learn more about. 

The key is to narrow it down. A niche that’s too broad can be overwhelming to manage and difficult to monetise.

Let’s look another example.  Take Cooking as a niche .  It’s much too broad.

Consider narrowing it to something more specific, like:

• Recipes for competitive swimmers
• Recipes for children with diabetes

By narrowing your niche, you’re able to cater to a specific audience and create content that speaks directly to their needs.

Choosing a niche that interests you is just as important as its potential for success. Why? Because you’ll spend time creating content around this topic, and it’s a lot more enjoyable if you genuinely like what you’re writing or talking about!

Ask yourself:

• What are my hobbies or passions?
• What do I enjoy talking about?
• What am I curious to learn more about?

Not sure where to start? Not everyone has a niche idea right away, and that’s perfectly normal.

That’s where Wealthy Affiliate comes in. It’s a platform I’ve been part of since 2013, and it’s been invaluable for helping people like you and me take those first steps online.

Wealthy Affiliate provides tools to help you brainstorm and refine your niche ideas.

After signing up for a free account (no payment details required), you’ll find a section called “Choose a Niche” in the Launch Your Business Hub.

If you’re following along with me inside Wealthy Affiliate, you can use their tools to explore niche ideas.

Start by entering a broad topic like “gardening” into their search tool. You’ll see a list of niche suggestions such as , organic gardening or indoor plants and houseplants.

You could even narrow these down either further if you wanted to maybe, Air-Purifying Indoor Plants or Indoor Gardening Kits.

Pay attention to the opportunity ratings. Anything above 80/100 is generally a good choice for a niche.

A great niche is one that sparks your interest and has potential. The platform even helps you assess opportunities by showing you how popular your idea might be. Look for ideas with strong demand but not too much competition.

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:

• Be Specific: Avoid broad topics like “health” or “finance.” Instead, narrow it down to something like “plant-based meal plans for beginners” or “saving money as a single parent.”
• Follow Your Passion: A niche that excites you is more likely to keep you motivated in the long run.
• Consider Monetisation: While passion is important, it’s also worth thinking about how you can eventually earn from your niche. Could you recommend products, create courses, or offer services in this area?

Another way to discover a niche is to pay attention to common problems people want solved. Tools like Amazon reviews, Reddit discussions, and Facebook groups are goldmines for understanding frustrations and needs.

There are a couple of pitfalls to avoid:

1. Don’t Be Too Broad
   General topics like “fitness” or “travel” are hard to compete in because they’re already so saturated. Narrow it down to something unique and specific.
2. Don’t Choose a Niche Just for Money
   If you pick a niche solely because you think it’s profitable, you’ll struggle to stay committed. Passion and interest are what will help you create great content over time.

And don’t forget the Wealthy Affiliate Niche Finder if you don’t know what niche to choose

Choosing a niche is just the first step on your journey, but it’s an important one. It sets the tone for your entire business and helps you focus your efforts. Don’t overthink it—start with something that excites you, and you can refine it as you grow.

If you’re interested in joining Wealthy Affiliate to follow along with me, you can sign up for free and explore all the tools and training. It’s a fantastic way to turn your passion into an online business.

Let me know what niche you’re thinking about in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas and offer support. Good luck, and happy niche hunting!

Once you’ve chosen your niche, the next step is to build a website designed around it—and that’s exactly what we’ll cover in the next lesson!

Thank you so much for reading. If you found this article useful, please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear what niche you’re considering and help if you’re stuck.

P.S. Here’s a little transparency: My website contains affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps me continue sharing helpful content.

Click here to go Lesson Two in the Series where we will create a website.