When we think of a golf car business, we typically think of a brick-and-mortar business with a showroom displaying several shiny, new golf cars and maybe some accessories. This is likely the most common type of golf car business, but many successful businesses have been built by catering to micro-niches.
What is a micro-niche?
A micro-niche is a sub-category of a larger industry. Businesses that cater to micro-niches create highly specific offerings that solve the problems of that sub-category. There are a few distinct benefits for targeting a micro-niche:
- there is less competition.
- you can quickly become the expert in this area.
- focusing on a smaller group of customers allows you to offer better service.
- it requires fewer resources to get started.
Examples of golf car industry micro-niches
It may be tempting to try to cast a wider net in hopes of catching more customers. However, most businesses that try to be everything to everyone end up falling short. Here are a few examples of profitable golf car niches you may have never considered.
Rv campgrounds
Now that my family is full-time rving, i notice several micro-niche businesses catering to campgrounds. Most rvers own golf cars to zip around large campgrounds. Golf cars make it easier to get to the shower house and laundry facilities and are an added convenience. But, what happens when your golf car requires service? Many rvers do not travel with vehicles and the only way to tow the golf car is to hook it back up to the rv. Once your rv is leveled and set up, you do not want to move it. At every campground i have visited, i notice at least one mobile rv van driving around. These golf car technicians make themselves available to replace batteries, troubleshoot and repair issues, and provide cool accessories. They advertise in the golf car newsletter and rvers instinctively know to call them with any golf car needs.
Auctions
Central florida has several large heavy equipment auctions. These auctions are expansive, located on several acres of land. Auction staff rely on golf cars as their primary transportation throughout the auction sites. When their golf cars break down, it slows them down during the very fast-paced auction. The last time i attended one of these auctions, i noticed a golf car business on stand-by. He explained to me that he has a contract with the auction house to provide on-going maintenance and upgrades to the fleet of 30 golf cars. He is also contracted to be on stand-by during their weekly auction. If you are interested in an opportunity like this, check around your local area for farm animal auctions, vehicle auctions, and even farmer’s markets.
Short-term rental
When my family recently traveled to a coastal destination we rented a short term rental for our stay. We were thankful that the rental came with a golf car for us to use during our stay. Most of the neighboring short-term rentals also included a golf car as an amenity. The little coastal town had hundreds of golf cars cruising around from the beach to restaurants and then back home. As part of our guest packet, i noticed that there was a business card for a local golf car repair person. We were instructed to contact the business if there were any issues with the golf car. In a vacation destination with heavily concentrated short term rentals providing golf cars, this is a great micro-niche.
If you are a smaller golf car business that is struggling to compete with the larger companies, look for micro-niches in your area and become the golf car expert for that subset. Many large golf car companies overlook gaps in the market because they rely on a broader customer base. There is always a gap that can be filled by a smaller business. Find those gaps and provide excellent service.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The founder/former owner of wheelz custom carts & accessories, Julie Starr, was one of the industry’s First online retailers of golf car products. The ecommerce store, Www.wheelzllc.com, has served golf car owners since 2008 and remains a popular online shopping experience for golf car owners who want to take their golf cars to the next level.
