2016 is now behind us, but the events of the past year continue to reverberate as we move push through 2017. New presidents, dead musicians and the first plus-size model on the cover of Swimsuit Illustrated.
Because that's how Life works; sometimes it's a step forward, sometimes it's two steps backward.
I'll let you decide on the presidents and the musicians, but a plus-size model on the cover of a popular magazine is definitely a step forward.
It may seem superficial, but this is a beacon to the millions of women who wear sizes 14 and up. It means recognition; that not all women are "Angels". There are curvy vixens and voluptuous divas who wear fashionable clothes in bigger proportions.
The plus-size clothing niche is a niche that has been swimming in the back of my mind for quite some time now. As someone who shops in the plus-size section myself, you could say this niche is real close to home. It's something I'm definitely interested in it and have though about having my own website to my name like GabiFresh.com and JayMiranda.com, but does it have earning potential? Will it be worth the effort?
Fashionably Curvy
Studies show that the average American woman wears a size 14.
In 2010, Americans alone spent USD $186 billion on online purchases, $12 billion of which went to clothing. In this article with The Business Insider, it states that the average American woman is a size 14, and that the plus-size clothing niche in 2012 contributed $18 billion to the $108 billion apparel industry.
The plus-size clothing industry has grown since and generated around US$20B in sales last year as shown in the Statista graph below.
There is clearly a market for plus-size clothing as more and more retailers step up to provide fashionable and good-fitting clothes to the plus-size market.
We know there's a market. Now, how tough is the competition?
Extra Large Keywords Equals Massive Competition
Plus-size clothing is a huge industry under an even bigger mother niche : the fashion industry. Highly competitive keywords are on full display.
If you do not believe the statistics, then the keyword research will convince you that this niche is popular in its own right. Most of the keywords in this niche have high competition: "plus size fashion," "plus size clothing," even specific keywords such as "skinny jeans for plus size women."
Long-tail keywords have low competition in this niche, but they tend to have low monthly search values.
Even on Affilotools, the results are the same. Any keyword that has to do with "plus-size" any piece of clothing added with the same main keyword, show keywords that are mostly high competition.
You can target information keywords like "best jeans for large women" or "perfect bikinis for the curvy lady". These long-tail keywords don't show a large monthly search value, but they are targeted so you still have a chance of reaching your target market without having to go neck to neck with the competition.
This is also where Ubersuggest.io and similar keyword scrapers come in handy. You can get more keyword variations on those sites. It doesn’t mean there will be keywords with better monthly search values or competition, but there will be a lot of keyword variations to choose from. These keywords can also give you an idea of what articles to write on your website.
Plus-Size Clothing Affiliate Programs
There's a lot of plus-size clothing affiliate programs to join, but commissions are on the leaner side.
I have been working with the ClickBank Marketplace long enough to gauge whether they carry affiliate products for a particular niche. I had a hunch I wouldn't find any plus-size clothing affiliate programs in there, and turns out I was right. There were clothing and clothing-related products on their list, but nothing connected to plus-size clothing.
So I turned to the ever-dependable Google and found the following:
1. YoursClothing.com
YoursClothing.com started 20 years ago as a market stall in the UK. They now have over 70 physical stores in the UK, selling fantastic plus-size clothing.
How much can I make?
15% on each sale.
How do I apply?
Their affiliate programs is through Webgains and Comission Factory, but you can learn more about their affiliate program through their affiliate page.
2. Eloquii
Based in the US, Eloquii.com sells women’s clothing from size 14 to 28. They ship all over the US, Canada, UK and Australia.
How much can I make?
5% on all sales.
How do I apply?
Eloquii has an affiliate page. but you need to sign up as a Commission Junction affiliate to promote them.
3. Curvissa
Another online plus-size clothing store, Curvissa’s dress sizes range from 14 to 32. They carry a complete collection from casual to sportswear, even footwear.
How much can I make?
Between 1-10% depending on the type of customer.
How do I apply?
Join their program through Affiliate Window or read more about their affiliate program on their affiliate page.
4. KathysCurvyCorner.com
Plus-size women can always turn to KathysCurvyCorner.com for great-looking clothes ranging from size 12 to 32. They are a US-based online store specializing in plus-size fashion since 2001.
How much can I make?
15% per sale.
How do I apply?
KathysCurvyCorner manages their own affiliate program so head on to their affiliate page for more information, or to sign up.
5. Hips and Curves
US-based Hips and Curves has been the source of fashionable intimate apparel for curvy ladies since 2000. They have a complete line of lingerie, shapewear, even leather and leather accessories.
How much can I make?
8% for each sale.
How do I apply?
You can join their affiliate program through Shareasale. For more information, visit their affiliate page.
6. City Chic
Here is another online plus size clothing store that offers a wide range of dresses, denims and lingerie for “curvy girls who want to look hot with what they’ve got” .
How much can I make?
10%.
How do I apply?
The City Chic plus size clothing affiliate program is also through Shareasale but they do have an affiliate page you can go to for more information.
7. Gwynnie Bee
Ever heard of a monthly subscription of clothes? Gwynnie Bee is offers such service to women residing in the US.
For a monthly service fee, you can have a set number of clothes delivered to you. Wear them, then later on ship them back for an exchange. Clothing sizes range from 10 to 32 .
How much can I make?
US$75 for every FREE trial subscriber.
How do I apply?
The Gwynnie Bee affiliate program is part of the Pepperjam Network. You can also sign up through the link on their affiliate page.
8. Anna Scholz
"Anna Scholz" is the namesake brand of fashion designer Anna Scholz. She has been creating fashionable clothes for curvy women since the 90’s. Then, in 2006, she launched the #exclusivelyplussize label “Anna Scholz”.
How much can I make?
7% to 9%, depending on the total sales.
How do I apply?
You can join their affiliae program by signing up through Linkshare. Additional information is also available through their affiliate page.
9. Lane Bryant
Saving the best for last: Lane Bryant is one of the, if not, biggest and most popular names in the plus-size fashion industry. Their online store offers a complete collection of plus-size clothing from casuals to lingerie.
How much can I make?
5%.
How do I apply?
Their affiliate program is through Linkshare. They have an affiliate page but it doesn’t have any additional information apart from links to sign up to their program.
Get Noticed In A Big Way
There's plenty of plus-size fashion blogs and websites you'll compete with. Make sure you're armed with the right link-building strategy.
So you have your site up, your content published, and your affiliate offers in place: The next step is to drive traffic to your site. There are several link-building and inbound marketing methods you can use to do this.
It's best to have a link-building or marketing strategy in place before you complete the site, and preferably even before you get the site started. This strategy will be of great use as it allows you to move smoothly from site building to link building without losing precious time.
Below are a few methods you can try to drive traffic to your site:
Press Releases
Press releases have always been a great marketing tool for businesses to announce a newsworthy even to the public, like a big sale, or the launch of a new product. You can write a press release on the site you're promoting and then share it on website like PRLOG.org.
Press releases work like article submission. You submit your press release to sites like PRLog.org to get picked up by journalists, bloggers, and webmasters who will in turn feature it on their own sites. You build links and drive traffic to your site.
It's important for a press release to be both well-written and SEO-friendly so it gets picked up by both readers and search engines. Tutorials like this from SEOPressor has some good tips.
Link Baiting
Link baiting is writing an article, or publishing content on your site that refers to or mentions another website (usually a reference.). Before or after publishing the content, you get in touch with the webmaster or blogger of the site you referred to and let them know you referenced their site on your content.
That's the bait, and if they take it, then it means a backlink and a name drop for you.
It's not as simple as it sounds though, and Moz.com has 10 examples of extraordinary link baiting you can use as a guide on how to properly (and effectively!) do it.
Social Media Marketing
This infographic by Marketing Zeus shows that a large percentage of clothing shoppers find inspiration, compare prices and look for promos online.
It is only natural that people looking for great deals and fashion trends will check out social media sites where there are other people doing the same and sharing information.
Pinterest is a great site to promote your site for this niche. You can share fashion trends there as well as any special offers. There are guides on how to properly promote your website on Pinterest, like this one from Social Media Examiner: 6 Ways to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Brand.
Plus-Size Clothing Affiliate Programs: Hefty Earnings?
"Big" doesn't always mean "better". Competition in the plus-size niche is considerably tougher.
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I have been looking at this niche for quite some time now. Based on what I've gathered, it doesn't appear to be a big winner as far as niches go, but it's still something I would go into given the time, simply because I find it interesting.
This is a fun niche for any affiliate marketer interested in fashion. The commissions aren't that much, and you'd have to deal with plenty of competition. But you'll definitely have fun sharing your own fashion sense within the community.
It's always a case of whether you think something is worth going for and investing time and effort in. If promoting plus-size clothing appeals to you, and you don't mind putting in the effort (and it will be enormous given the competition in this niche!), then by all means!
Be sure to do your homework though and have a solid marketing and link building strategy. You'll need all the traffic you can get.
I hope you enjoyed this week's niche! If you have a niche you want to see featured here, then please let us know in the comments. Make sure to share this week's Niche of the Week using the Share buttons below!
Want to know how to find profitable niches? It's all in Affiloblueprint!
Tom Williams • 8 years ago
CJW • 8 years ago