Find High Demand, Low Competition Niches on Etsy

ByJ.B. Updated on
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Are you searching for the ideal product to sell on Etsy using print on demand?  With 7.3 million Etsy sellers, you want to make sure that you stand out in Etsy search results.

From October 2022 to April 2026, I’ve made over $271,000 on Etsy with print on demand by finding high demand, low competition niches.

E-commerce analytics dashboard showing 347.7K visits, 6,634 orders, 1.9% conversion rate, and $271,043.25 revenue for 2022-2026.
Screenshot

I’ve done that by researching high demand and low competition niches on the Etsy platform, and creating fun, quality products! It is actually the most fun and cathartic side hustle. I wish I found it sooner.

Below, I’m going to tell you why high demand, low competition niches is an important strategy to boost your growth on Etsy.

High Demand & Low Competition Niches Are Your Friends

Collection of pastel hoodies hanging

As an Etsy seller, identifying these niches is not just a smart strategy; it’s crucial for boosting your sales and reducing competition. You’ll uncover a great opportunity to increase your sales while facing fewer listings in the market.

Imagine having a niche product with high search volume but low competition. That’s where the magic happens. Etsy’s print on demand marketplace is filled with potential niches just waiting to be explored.

By focusing on high-quality products and utilizing Etsy SEO best practices, you can attract more potential buyers and carve out a niche market with higher chances of success.

Read this article on how to use SEO to get found on Etsy.

What Is a Niche Anyway?

Side that says "Find Your Niche" next to a plant

A niche refers to a specialized segment of the market. It can be a type of design (retro, vintage, goth), a type of person (sarcastic, bird lovers, soccer moms), or a type of product (candles, baby tees, stickers). 

Some gurus may define this term differently, but this is how I view different niches.

You can make money when you understand that these niches all have potential. In the context of Etsy, a niche involves focusing on a specific category of items that appeal to a targeted group of potential customers. By concentrating on a niche, Etsy sellers can tailor their products and marketing strategies to meet the unique needs and preferences of their audience. 

This approach reduces competition, as it allows sellers to stand out with unique, high-quality products that aren’t widely available elsewhere.

Ultimately, finding the right niches can lead to higher visibility, increased sales, and more sustainable profit margins

Finding Your Niche

Woman wearing yellow sweatshirt researching Etsy niches in front of laptop

One of the best tips for success on Etsy is to find a niche market that has high demand but low competition. By focusing on a specific type of product, you can meet specific customer needs and stand out from the crowd. 

For example, I started using AI to create unique designs and it made my print on demand shop stand out among the competition. My shop’s sales increased as a result.

  • Research: Use keyword tools like EtsyHunt, eRank, and Etsy’s own marketplace insights to find potential niches. EtsyHunt is a favorite of mine. It has a Google Chrome extension that allows you to see the sales volume of items as you are looking at them on Etsy!
  • Keywords: Target high search volume keywords with lower competition levels.
  • Customer Demand: Monitor your customer reviews, and those of your competition to understand what buyers are looking for. 

By doing thorough research, you can uncover low-competition Etsy niches that offer a great opportunity to grow your business.

The great thing is that once you learn how to do it and put it into practice, you have gained transferable skills (i.e., market research, graphic design, and more!) that you can apply to other marketing or e-commerce jobs! 

Understanding the Etsy Marketplace

Etsy is more than just an online store; it’s a thriving marketplace where unique items find their perfect homes. If you’re thinking about starting or growing your Etsy store, understanding how this platform works is crucial.

From identifying potential customers, to researching competition, knowing the ins and outs can give you a significant advantage.

The Appeal of Etsy

Etsy’s marketplace is special because it has this unique ability to offer one-of-a-kind products. That is what draws Etsy’s loyal customer base! People come to Etsy looking for something different.

This is why it is so important not to copy another store’s design. Etsy sellers that can provide a unique item will always win.

What Defines High Demand and Low Competition?

Identifying items that have both high demand and low competition ensures that you are entering a market that is eager for your products but not saturated with sellers who are selling the same product. Let’s break down what each term means in the Etsy marketplace for print on demand.

High Demand

High demand refers to products with designs that a lot of people are looking for on Etsy. These items are often bestsellers, trending, popular, or essential for certain events or seasons. 

Low Competition

Low competition means there are fewer sellers offering the same product, allowing your items to stand out more easily. Understanding what constitutes low competition can help you carve out your niche.

  • Fewer Sellers: If there are not many listings for a particular product, it suggests low competition. This can be an excellent opportunity to dominate that niche market. Use tools like Etsy’s own search bar to check how many sellers are offering similar items.
  • Unique Product Offerings: If your products have unique elements that others don’t offer, you create a natural barrier to competition. A unique design can make your print on demand items more appealing to buyers who are looking for something different.

By focusing on niches with high demand and low competition, you can significantly increase your chances of success on Etsy.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance where the market demand is high, but the number of listings is low.

This balance is where great opportunities lie, providing you with a unique advantage in the Etsy marketplace.

Trending Niches on Etsy for Print on Demand

Choosing the right niche or niches is important when you are trying to build your shop.

Many Etsy “gurus” will give you general advice about which niches are popular, like personalized gifts, wedding accessories, or home decor.

Yes, of course those are in demand, but the competition is extremely high. In order to stand out, you need to find low competition niches, or sub-niches within those high demand areas.

For a more detailed example, read this article to get started on your research for trending niches that I’ve found in my research for my shop. I share the REAL DATA from eRank, and Etsy keyword tool, that shows low competition and high search for some trending niches for Print on Demand.

Tips for Success

Keep exploring and refining your niche ideas to find the perfect match for your Etsy business. Don’t give up.

This is not a get rich quick scheme.

There’s a world of possibilities in print on demand, and with the right strategy, you can create a profitable and sustainable Etsy store. I have, and I plan to work on it for years to come.

Use Etsy’s Tools

Etsy offers several tools to help you in your niche research. Not only can you use Etsy’s built-in features, but there are also third-party tools that can streamline the process.

  1. Etsy Search Bar: Start by typing in a potential niche keyword in the Etsy search bar. Notice what autocomplete suggests—these are popular search terms among Etsy shoppers. This can give you an idea of what people are actively searching for on Etsy. This is such an underrated research tool. Many will only rely on one tool to identify keywords. The problem is that they can never be 100% accurate. They are guides, helpful guides, but cannot be perfect. I used Etsy’s autocomplete and found a keyword that I’ve used on a product that sells extremely well all year round. That same keyword does not show up in eRank at all.
  2. Etsy Trends: Check out the Etsy trends page, which provides insights into what’s currently trending in the marketplace. This is a great way to identify high demand products that are popular with Etsy buyers. It is also a great place to take inspiration for design.
  3. Shop Stats:  Keep an eye on your shop’s performance to see what’s working. Individual product stats are a FANTASTIC place to check out keywords that people are searching for on Etsy. These keywords can be used in your listings going forward for similar items. Sometimes, the keywords in my stats do not show up on eRank or other platforms. Or, the stats are so undesirable (i.e., high competition) that I would normally not use them. However, if someone purchased an item from my store, and that item had bad stats in eRank, I would still include them in my listings going forward. It has proved successful.

Need Help Finding Keywords & Trends?

The sellers who succeed long-term on Etsy are the ones who build a cohesive aesthetic and then stay responsive to what the data is saying.

If you want done for you Etsy SEO and keyword research, that’s exactly what I provide weekly inside The Opportunity Report.  Every Tuesday you’ll receive trend analysis and keyword research that reveals unsaturated keywords paired with real shopper demand.

get the opportunity report
for $9/mo.

And if you’re ready to go even deeper on building a shop that works with your lifestyle, not against it, come check out Freedom Unlocked. The D.R.E.A.M. Method inside the membership is how I built a multi-six-figure shop.

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freedom unclocked

Conclusion

Opening up an Etsy shop can be rewarding, but it’s essential to do thorough research. Use tools like EtsyHunt and eRank to find keywords with little competition. Then use Etsy to understand market demand. Always consider the competition level. Niches with fewer listings might provide lower competition, giving you a unique advantage.

The journey to finding high demand, low competition niches on Etsy is filled with great opportunities.

This strategy increases your chance of success in the competitive Etsy marketplace. Stay focused on unique designs and high-quality products to attract potential buyers. Start your research today and tap into niches that promise high sales and passive income. Your perfect niche is out there waiting for you.

The Best SEO and Design Tools for an Etsy Shop:

These are the only tools I use for my shop!

Canva: Canva is the most amazing tool. It is user friendly, and always improving! The tools that Canva has have evolved so much since I first started using it in 2022 for the better. I use it almost everyday. I use it to create designs, to edit AI designs, and to create product mockups.

Ideogram: Ideogram is an AI design tool that generates high-quality graphics with exceptionally accurate text rendering, making it ideal for creating quote-based and typography-focused designs. I also use the prompt based editing for mockups, making it a wonderful alternative to Photoshop, which is expensive.

Midjourney: Midjourney is an AI image tool that blows my mind every time I use it. It takes some time to get the prompts down. Once you play with it, you will get better at creating images and art to include on your print on demand products.

E-Hunt: E-Hunt is fantastic for competitor research and some light keyword research. My favorite aspect of E-Hunt is the Chrome extension that allows you to see the sales amount for an individual item on Etsy. Check out this article to see an example.

eRank: eRank is an SEO data tool that also allows you to search the competition and will also give you key words for your Etsy listing. It is also a low cost tool that will help you find low competition and highly searched niches.

Printify: Printify is a print-on-demand (POD) service that allows individuals and businesses to create and sell custom-designed products without needing to manage inventory or handle fulfillment. I put my designs on products offered by Printify. When an item sells, Printify prints and ships to my customer.

Looking for more information on print on demand? Check out these articles:

Janeen is a former attorney and Etsy print on demand coach who started her shop at 40, retired early from corporate life at 42, and moved her family to Portugal. She now teaches others the strategic path to building portable income, while exploring and documenting the most beautiful country she gets to call home.