How to DIY an Effective Competitor Research Report

Thami Ndlovu
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June 23, 2023

Have you ever wondered how your competitors are consistently outperforming you? Do you ever feel like you’re lagging behind in the competition? It may be time to take a closer look at your competition and gain insights into their strategies and tactics. Competitor research is the process of analyzing your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses to gain a better understanding of their current market position. By understanding your competitors, you can gain valuable insights into their business practices, marketing strategies, and product development plans. With competitor research, you can gain an edge in the marketplace and unlock the secrets of your competitors. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the techniques and tools you need to effectively research your competitors, from analysis of their website to gathering intelligence from their employees. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to outmaneuver your competition and create a successful business strategy.

How to DIY an Effective Competitor Research Report

Do you ever find yourself struggling to keep up with the competition? Are you looking for ways to gain an edge and outmaneuver your competitors? Competitor research is the key to unlocking the secrets of your competition and gaining valuable insights into their strategies and tactics. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the techniques and tools you need to effectively research your competitors and gain a better understanding of their current market position.

Analyzing Your Competitors’ Websites

Your competitors’ websites are the perfect starting point for researching their strategies and tactics. You can gain valuable insights into their business practices, product offerings, and marketing strategies by taking a closer look at their website. Start by analyzing the website’s structure and design. Take note of the website’s navigation, menus, and content. Look for any calls-to-action or promotional offers. Analyze the website’s search engine optimization (SEO) and keyword strategy. Use tools such as Google Analytics to get a better understanding of the website’s traffic and visitor behavior.

Next, analyze the website’s content. Take note of the topics that are covered and the types of content that are featured. Analyze the website’s blog and look for any patterns in their content marketing strategy. Look for any new product launches or changes in their product offerings. Pay close attention to the website’s pricing strategy. Take note of any discounts or promotional offers that are featured on the website.

Finally, look for any customer reviews or feedback that is featured on the website. Analyze any customer complaints or issues that may have been raised. Take note of any customer service initiatives or changes in customer service policies.

Analyzing Your Competitors’ Products and Services

The next step in competitor research is to analyze your competitors’ products and services. Take a close look at the products and services that your competitors are offering. Analyze their pricing strategy and look for any changes in their product offerings. Pay close attention to any new products or features that are being added. Identify any areas where your competitors may be outperforming you.

Analyze your competitors’ customer service policies and initiatives. Take note of any customer loyalty programs or offers. Analyze any customer service issues or complaints that have been raised. Pay close attention to any changes in customer service policies or procedures.

Finally, analyze your competitors’ marketing and advertising strategies. Take note of any promotions or campaigns that are being run. Identify any areas where your competitors may be outperforming you in terms of marketing and advertising.

Analyzing Your Competitors’ Social Media Presence

Social media is a powerful tool for researching your competitors. Analyze your competitors’ social media accounts and take note of the content they are sharing, the conversations they are having, and the followers they are engaging with. Take note of any changes in their social media strategy. Pay close attention to any new campaigns or initiatives that they may be running.

Analyze your competitors’ posts and look for any patterns in their content. Look for any customer reviews or feedback that is being shared. Identify any areas where your competitors may be outperforming you in terms of social media engagement.

Gaining Intelligence from Your Competitors’ Employees

Gathering intelligence from your competitors’ employees can be a great way to gain valuable insights into their strategies and tactics. Reach out to your competitors’ employees and ask them questions about their business practices, product offerings, and marketing strategies. If possible, try to get in touch with former employees who may be able to provide you with valuable insights into their former employers.

You can also use job postings as a source of intelligence. Analyze your competitors’ job postings and take note of any patterns or trends in the types of positions they are hiring for. Pay close attention to any new roles or initiatives they may be launching.

Leveraging Search Engine Optimization to Track Your Competitors

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool for tracking your competitors. Analyze your competitors’ SEO strategies and take note of the keywords they are targeting and the content they are creating. Use SEO tools such as Google Trends and Google Webmaster Tools to get a better understanding of their SEO performance.

Identify any areas where your competitors may be outperforming you in terms of SEO. Analyze their backlink profile and take note of any changes in their link building strategies. Take note of any new content they are creating and look for any opportunities to capitalize on their SEO efforts.

Using Market Intelligence and Trend Analysis to Track Your Competitors

Market intelligence and trend analysis are powerful tools for tracking your competitors. Analyze your competitors’ market performance and take note of any changes in their market share. Pay close attention to any new products or services they may be launching. Identify any areas where your competitors maybe outperforming you in terms of market intelligence.

Use market intelligence tools such as Google Trends and Compete.com to get a better understanding of your competitors’ market performance. Use trend analysis tools such as Google Adwords and Google Correlate to identify any new trends or opportunities in the marketplace.

Leveraging Competitive Intelligence and Keyword Monitoring to Track Your Competitors

Competitive intelligence and keyword monitoring are powerful tools for tracking your competitors. Analyze your competitors’ competitive strategies and take note of any changes in their tactics. Pay close attention to any new products or services they may be launching. Identify any areas where your competitors maybe outperforming you in terms of competitive intelligence.

Use competitive intelligence tools such as SpyFu and iSpionage to get a better understanding of your competitors’ tactics. Use keyword monitoring tools such as Google Adwords and Moz to identify any new keywords your competitors may be targeting.

Utilizing Social Media Monitoring to Track Your Competitors

Social media monitoring is a powerful tool for tracking your competitors. Analyze your competitors’ social media accounts and take note of the content they are sharing, the conversations they are having, and the followers they are engaging with. Use social media monitoring tools such as Hootsuite and Twitter Analytics to get a better understanding of your competitors’ social media performance.

Identify any areas where your competitors may be outperforming you in terms of social media engagement. Analyze their posts and look for any patterns in their content. Look for any customer reviews or feedback that is being shared.

Conclusion

Competitor research is an essential part of business success. By understanding your competitors, you can gain valuable insights into their strategies and tactics. This guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the techniques and tools you need to effectively research your competition and gain a better understanding of their current market position. With competitor research, you can gain an edge in the marketplace and unlock the secrets of your competitors.

Written By
Thamsanqa “Thami” Ndlovu, Founder of Datadvise. Helping small businesses and corporations grow through market research.