We all know that competition is an ugly word but competitors are a fact of life in business. If your business can't compete with other businesses, don't start it. You have to have some type of an edge.
You may have an excellent product or service, but if everyone else is selling a product or service similar to yours, just how much of the market can you expect to capture?
You will have to learn everything there is to know about your competition and understand their marketing strategies.
The best way to research your competition is to locate those you consider the largest threat to your potential business. Take the time to make a note of and acquire a feel for how your competitors deals with their customers, then answer these questions:
What appeals to you most about their website, introduction, setup etc.?
How large of an inventory do they carry?
Are their products display eye-catching?
What is their Alexa, Google, Yahoo, and AOL ranking?
Are their testimonials positive?
Are their prices in line and competitive with yours?
What do they offer that you could not?
Do they offer discounts?
Do they offer a return policy?
Do they offer any special services, such as free delivery?
Which areas could do with some improvement and could you improve in these areas?
Do they keep their online store up-to-date?
What means of promotion do they use (flyers, coupons, free gifts, etc.)?
Next, create a profile of each main competitor. Know how they advertise, why their customers shop there, what areas need improving, and how successfully you can expect to compete with them.
You may also develop ideas for improving and promoting your own business. Your success will lie in assessing and understanding your competitor's strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluate and compare your own strengths and weaknesses to stay in touch with the competition and succeed in your business.
Sonia Colon is owner of a successful online specialty giftstore "Jimson Products".
Visit: http://www.jimsonproducts.com for a wonderful display.
Get Your Own FREE Mall: http://www.jimsonproducts.com
spring cleaning service Lake Forest ...Incredible as it sounds, you have a goldmine of free... Read More
We hear a lot of talk about junk mail nowadays.... Read More
Fuel prices these days are quite high and they take... Read More
That's right ? are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More
Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More
How many hours do you work a week? When was... Read More
Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
Pressure washing companies must look for customers in the retail... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
E-mail and Internet use are integral parts of the typical... Read More
What is a Family Business? A family business is basically... Read More
Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More
Franchisor expansion policies are not as simple as one might... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
Being a small or home-based business owner can be loads... Read More
The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More
kitchen deep cleaning Bannockburn ...Don't let your customer satisfaction research initiative collect dust on... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
Perhaps you are building a new home office or you... Read More
The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More
Someone new to business ownership recently told me, "Before I... Read More
After over thirty years advising small business it still comes... Read More
One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization... Read More
Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about... Read More
There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More
With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More
Aircraft Interiors of personal and corporate jets have hundreds of... Read More
How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
The challenges of the small business owner are well documented.... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More
If you are just starting your business, or if you... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the... Read More
Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More
Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
Small Business |