Want to start your own business? “Find a gap in the market”, they cry, as if it was as easy as finding a needle in a knitting shop. But actually, when you know where to start, finding your own business idea complete with ready-made unique selling point won’t be so hard.
Coincidentally, we have eight places you can begin looking for your own gap, plus how to define your niche if you’re already an established business.
Don’t ‘Mind The Gap’
Every successful business has found a gap in the market, whether they realise what it is or not. Better that you recognise your niche so that you can continue to work on owning it.
When a business is new it will often generate interest and appeal but as the novelty wears off there needs to be something to keep customers returning. Chase that gap, not the competition.
Do find the gap
This is an exercise you can do yourself. Make your own list of successful businesses that you know, small or big, local or international, and then work out what gap they are filling. Often we’re predisposed to accept that the way it is is the way it has to be. This will train you to start seeing businesses from the perspective of the problems that they are solving.
Wave
Simple, free accounting software for small businesses.
Uber
Cheap and easy to order, track and pay for your ride via an app.
Lyft
An ethical version of Uber and the price quoted is the one charged.
Deliveroo
Giving restaurants an easy way to set up the delivery arm of their business and customers the freedom to order whatever type of food they want to their door.
Whole Foods
Revolutionising the supermarket experience focusing on health and offering a really wide range of fresh produce.
Mailchimp
Free, simple to use email marketing provider.
Canva
Free design software for people with no design skills.
Squarespace
No code website builder with beautiful templates.
Just Eat
Online ordering for local takeaways.
Monzo
Set up a bank account online in 10-minutes and easily manage your budgeting, spending and savings.
Airbnb
Online marketplace for people to rent out their spare accommodation and to host experiences for holidays.
Megabus
Low-cost long-distance travel.
Dollar Shave Club
Affordable new razor blades posted to you when you need them.
Finisterra
Born from the need for warm, ethical and technical clothing for year-round surfers.
Screwfix
A wide range of fittings for trades available by mail order, then online, in bulk at a good price.
Lovefilm
Remember Lovefilm? Films delivered to your door… the most convenient way to get them…. for a very short space of time before…
…Netflix
The easiest and cheapest way to stream a huge selection of on-demand and original movies and TV shows.
Sheilas’ Wheels
Focusing on the car insurance needs of women
Blaze
The safest light for your bike.
Jackson’s Spa
The first people to bottle ‘pure’ water (in Boston in 1767).
When most of these ideas were launched there will have been a lot of people saying, “you can’t do that” or “it’ll never work”. Dream big.