Weird Niche: Pet Wigs for Dogs and Cats
Today's Weird Niche Wednesday has to do with something that Fido dreams of at night. A shiny silky toupee!
Yes, wigs for pets. And, not just for balding cats or dogs, either. These are just for stylin' and looking cute.
It started like this – a simple Twitter from Traci Knoppe:
I quickly ran off to do a little research and found this website that offers wigs for dogs:
And, THEN of course I had to see if it was just dog owners that were nuts or if it spread across to cat owners.
Yes, cat wigs are for sale, too.
I hunted for Bird Wigs and Fish Wigs, but I couldn't find any. 🙂
As for business lessons –
1. I was very happy that each website stuck to their own niche, rather than having a line for ALL pets. That makes each site even more special in my opinion. Niche down and KNOW your market. A dog fanatic might not want to land on a store where there are pictures of cats and vice versa.
2. People WILL spend money on unusual items.
3. I LOVE the “make your own ecards” on the cat site. http://www.kittywigs.com/sendcard/index.php
4. NICE job with the Iphones app, kitty wigs site: http://www.kittywigs.com/app.html
5. Bravo on packaging Kitty Wigs! http://www.kittywigs.com/package.html
6. Kitty Wigs also has a book which is a great way to get media exposure to their online storefront.
Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs
7. I like how the owners of Wiggles Dog Wigs include sizing information and care/washing of the wig. SMART way to lessen customer refunds.
8. The owner of Wiggles Dog Wigs was able to get on Letterman by taking a niche, and tweaking it for a new market. See? And, having a sense of humor helps you do WELL on Letterman. 😉 She's awfully cute, isn't she? And, so are the dogs.
It looks like cats aren't quite as agreeable:
Where their online businesses could be improved?
1. No affiliate program. Rats!
2. More user-generated content & photos & stories.
3. A calendar would be adorable. I'd buy one.
4. Generate posters and items using photos of the animals using the product. Like the “Make your Own Demotivator” posters here: http://diy2.despair.com/
And, of course, thanks for reading. I hope that I made you smile.
Warmly,
Nicole Dean
The Mom
October 28, 2009 at 3:29 pmYappy Hour!?!!!?? OMG! I almost fell off my chair! Going back to watch the videos now. Can’t stand it! This Weird Niche is one for the record books. Thanks for the guffaws! Love ya!
😀
Traci Knoppe
October 28, 2009 at 5:17 pmLOL Glad I could inspire your Weird Niche Wednesday post today Nicole. As an avid dog and cat lover, I have to say I do draw the line at pet wigs. (no offense to the niche site owners)
However, I have been known to drop some dollars on bling encrusted dog collars or cute dog sweaters; and of course assorted cat toys.
But pet wigs… uh, no thanks. 🙂
Traci Knoppe
October 28, 2009 at 5:20 pmOoooo – I just watched the Letterman video, and Penny (the first dog) is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! I have FOUR Cavalier, one Blenheim (red/white) and three tri-color (black, white & tan). 🙂
Lisa Marie Mary
October 28, 2009 at 4:38 pmI don’t know where I recently heard about this, too – it’s so funny, though! Absolutely loved the David Letterman video! Ruth is adorable – and that Chihuahua, she just loved David – awwww!
Thanks for this laugh – I so needed it this afternoon!!
Courtney
October 28, 2009 at 6:58 pmWhile pet wigs are not something I would ever purchase, I could actually see some those celebrities who carry their pets everywhere investing in these.
Loved the videos though – too funny. 🙂
Gail J Richardson
November 5, 2009 at 10:17 amLOL I am a pet lover and have 3 little girls,Daisy Sadie and Sally all different breeds and I can’t see any of them keeping on a wig.However the little Chihuahua was precious.We just never know what people are willing to pay for.I’ve seen weirder things.
Julie Jackson
November 20, 2009 at 11:46 am“3. A calendar would be adorable. I’d buy one.”
Good news! Kitty Wigs has a wall calendar that goes with the book coming out for 2011 – also by Chronicle Books, so you know it’s yummy.
Thanks for the feedback and compliments! We’re working on more stuff… stay tuned.
Julie Jackson / Kitty Wigs
p.s. I loved this article – I hadn’t seen the Wiggles lady in action before, what a hoot!
Nicole
November 20, 2009 at 5:38 pmI’m so buying the calendar for 2011! My mom will love it.
Shhh… don’t tell her. 🙂
Michelle T
November 24, 2009 at 6:09 pmLOL wow these are adorable. Not sure how many will sell, but adorable for making up your pet.