[e-boadmin]

Is it better to focus on niche market, or have a broad product base?

[MarieMusicademy]

The answer is of course either but rarely both at the same time. With e-marketing the potential to reach your niche is more possible than ever. Google "The Long Tail" for more on that and Seth Godin in his brilliant blog and books also has a lot to say on this one too.
Even with a broad product base you should still be segmenting your customer market and creating a unique mix for different segments.
Personally I love to work within a niche. It is great to connect so much more personally with your customers, Google adwords are cheaper, there is less SEO competition for organic listings and its possible to become a major player in your niche.

For the marketing theory on this debate you want to look up Michael Porter's Generic Strategies. I often find it helps to read around the academic thought on an issue before applying it to my business situation.

[e-boadmin]

Marie,
That's been one of the big problems in our e-business ... our one site, hppenterprises.com, it has tons of products, electronics, outdoor supplies, etc. We have a big database of customers from all our sites and stores, but they aren't divided into their own segments - so, when you send an email marketing followup to someone who bought a macbook cover, but the email is talking about a sell on a marine GPS, they don't see the connection, and unsubscribe ... good thoughts.

Seth's books are amazing - I've not read them, but follow the blog.

[lobster]

I started a business few weeks ago...I think it can help me in my business this information..I have to search that strategies and books you referred to us..it's a big help for me..

[MarieMusicademy]

If you want to do some more reading Michael Porter did some work on "Generic Strategies" which will perhaps help you to think about niche markets vs differention to a more mass market.

[Ricardo]

I think for many of us, we find ourselves working a niche market in which we've had prior experience, as opposed to choosing to start an online business and then selecting the area to market.

In all of my modest online ventures, I've sold in the markets years before going online. Those areas were freelance writing, comedy writing in particular and providing music.

[jennyB]

It is always better to have a niche, becuase if you are selling general things, you will not be outstanding enough to let your presence know. Now, customers are looking for special things which can catch their attention and provide them with an unique experience.

[homebrewer]

Broad marketing can be great if you are very successful but starters need to focus no niches as they can enhance their services with great focus on the products they make.

[wolschulze]

Originally Posted by e-boadmin

Is it better to focus on niche market, or have a broad product base?

I'm sure that it's much better to focus on niche market instead of having a broad product base. As I know from my experience, it's very hard to reach the success with a broad product base.