Hey there, e-commerce enthusiasts! Today, we’re going to dive into an essential aspect of SEO that can truly make or break your online business – competitive analysis. As an SEO agency with a specialization in e-commerce businesses, we understand the significance of staying ahead in the fast-paced digital world. So, let’s explore why competitive analysis is crucial for your success.
For those of our audience who pride themselves on planning – you have likely already done some form of competitive analysis as part of your overall marketing strategy. On top of that, you are probably aware of the comers and goers in your particular industry, and like to keep on top of the changing landscape. Usually, our customers can reel off some names fairly easily and this is a great starting point for a competitive analysis. At ElasticSEO, this is one of the first areas of your business we try to understand. It’s really useful in helping us narrow in on how you see your business.
When we get to work, we are looking for a much more detailed story. We trust that our customers know their niche and you are the best guide but we’re also well aware that you cannot constantly obsess over what your competition is doing. In fact, most of the time, the competition our customers share with us, differs from their SEO competition i.e. who you are competing with in Search Engine Results Page.
That is not to say your understanding of your industry is wrong, it can mean a few things:
- Your competition is not active as you think, maybe you just happen to have heard their name or seen an ad.
- Your competition is active but not when it comes to SEO
At ElasticSEO when we assess your rivals’ strengths and weaknesses, we consider that either of the above could be the case so we do not make any assumptions, we follow the data. By analysing competitor content, keywords and backlinks, we can gain valuable insight into what works in your niche. We can then start to identify opportunities and refine your strategies for success. Let’s break this down further with a step-by-step overview of how we do this at ElasticSEO:
Step 1: Keyword Research:
While you may have been implementing your own SEO strategy, conducting competitive analysis unveils keyword opportunities that you might have overlooked. Understanding what keywords your competitors are targeting and ranking for allows you to fine-tune your own keyword strategy.
Step 2: Backlinks
Backlinks, or links from other websites pointing to yours, play a vital role in SEO. Competitive analysis helps us identify websites linking to your competitors, offering potential. We review both the link quantity and quality, crucially we can turn these into opportunities for you to grow your backlink profile.
Step 3: Content Gap Analysis:
Your competitors’ websites can serve as a rich resource to identify content gaps in your own online store. Analyzing their blogs, product pages, and informational content reveals areas where you can add value and provide a better user experience. This area is particularly useful for our customers who are new to generating content in their niche.
There are some major caveats when we talk about competitive analysis and it’s only right that we highlight them here.
Firstly, while competitive analysis is crucial, blindly replicating your competitors’ strategies can be detrimental. Remember, your brand identity and unique selling propositions (USPs) are what set you apart in the crowded e-commerce market. At ElasticSEO we always emphasise the importance of being true to your (brand) identity.
We understand where your competitors have had success but always any relevant tactics to suit your brand’s personality and the preferences of your audience. This way, you maintain your authenticity while benefiting from tested strategies.
Secondly, we have seen competitive analysis can make our customers complacent and limit their appetite scope for innovation. We always stress that competitors might not have all the answers, and there could be untapped opportunities that we alone can discover.
We always aim to keep experimenting with new ideas, products, and marketing approaches that resonate with your audience. Stay ahead of the game by being open to change and continuously improving your online store. Be the leading light in the industry that your competitors are aiming to follow!
Finally, instead of focusing solely on rankings, prioritize creating valuable content, user-friendly website navigation, and a seamless shopping experience. These factors contribute to customer satisfaction and loyalty, which ultimately impacts your long-term success. This point brings us to our conclusion because it summarises our core approach to SEO – putting the customer experience first.
If you feel you are lagging behind the competition or you’re ready to take a more innovative approach to engaging with your audience, contact us here!
