Competitor Analysis: How To Conduct Competitor Analysis

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Updated: April 26th, 2024

What Is A Competitor Analysis?

Competitor analysis refers to a report analyzing your competitors' strengths and weaknesses relative to those of your own business.

For startups trying to break into the market, a well-researched competition analysis gives you the tools to reach strategic decisions.

A competitor analysis should be included in your marketing plan, your business plan, and all aspects of your high-level business and pricing strategy.

Competitor Analysis Key Takeaways

Competition analysis is a critical part of your marketing plan
Analyzing your competition lets you know which product features to play around with in order to attract the target customers
Good competitor analysis is performed regularly and helps you outsmart your competitors.

Understanding How Competitor Analysis Works

Conducting a competitor analysis begins with profiling your brand's competitors.

The analysis will look at the key industry players including those competing indirectly with your brand, and considers potential competitors that could enter the market.

This type of analysis should be a regular undertaking, as the market is constantly changing and new products are being launched daily.

Including a competitor analysis in your marketing plan demonstrates to current and potential investors that you are aware of the competition, and have studied the market appropriately.

In addition, an in-depth competitor analysis indicates you have clear plans in place to compete effectively, building confidence within your team and potential investors.

Real-World Examples of Companies that Conduct Competitor Analysis

1. Sentinel Newspaper

Sentinel Newspaper provides competition analysis for businesses in various niches.

A good example is the Global Sound Level Measurement Meter competition analysis.

The report classifies the competitive spectrum of this industry in elaborate detail.

Additionally, the major steps taken by key players to address the business challenges put forward are discussed in the competition analysis report.

2. Audi

Audi, the automobile manufacturer, is another example of companies that conduct competitor analysis.

In the 2020 annual report, the report captures what appear to be the major challenges for the automobile sector.

In the report, Audi covers how to best respond to the various challenges facing the sector. This alone shows that the company has a strategy to overcome the foreseen challenges.

Further in the report, Audi shares how they intend to bridge the gap with new competitors in relation to vehicle software.

Therefore, Audi is aware of the current vehicle software trends, and there is a plan to step up the pace to match and beat what the competitors are doing.

How to Get Started with Competitor analysis

Come up with competitors profile that details what products they offer, company name, market share, and any other attribute you think is critical to your competition analysis
Perform market research to uncover customer personas and industry trends
Compare products based on a comprehensive comparison matrix that shows product features, price, quality, ease of use, etc.
Summarize your strengths and weaknesses in a SWOT analysis
Illustrate where you fit in the competitive landscape

Conducting competition analysis does not have to be an overwhelming undertaking.

Different competitor analysis tools and templates will ease the work involved in conducting competitor analysis.

An example of a competition analysis tool you can use is Venngage.

Research your Competition

Researching your competition can benefit your business in several ways. It can:

Help you understand your competitive advantages
Help you identify what areas you may be lacking
Help you evaluate things like customer service, pricing, and trends

You'll love the story of how Justin Clark, founder of RomperJack came up with his business based on a competitor:

Case Study

In May 2017 just after finals ended (Just after our busiest time for whiz tutor), I came across a Kickstarter campaign called Romphim; it was a couple of guys trying to launch the men's romper. They essentially wanted to raise $10,000 to get their project going, but by day 3 they already raised $330,000! I was blown away!! The first thing that popped in my head was product-market fit. They had this instant explosive traction and they didn’t have a single competitor.

So I gave them a competitor, MEEEE 😎. I remember that day calling a couple of friends and quickly asking them for some funding that would be used to help design the rompers and buy inventory. After about a minute of me pitching them, they all happily agreed. Also, My other Whiz Tutor Co-founders all agreed to help as well.

That was the day the idea was born.

how-i-started-a-60k-month-business-selling-male-rompers

Justin Clark, on starting RomperJack ($60,000/month) full story ➜

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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