Online Competitive Analysis
Online Competitive Analysis
Online Competitive Analysis - Take a Good Look on Competition
Search Engine Optimization. Financial. Marketing. Customer Reach.
You must know where competition stands on all fronts. Websites can tell you wealth of information about competition.
SEO Online Competitive Analysis
The obvious is to check the terms your competition ranks for on major search engines. Search your major keywords and see where competition stands. Other good way to check competition is to purchase competitive data from specialized service providers. You can specify a website and find out most keywords that drive traffic to rival websites – something impossible to find out by hand. Use these Services:
Compete.com - can purchase a reports for $10-$50
Hitwise - reports start at $695
On top of single websites you can purchase industry wide reports that detail 10.000+ keywords, keyword leaders, search engine leaders and other valuable competitive information.
When analyzing links use Yahoo Site Explorer. It shows all links that Yahoo sees linking to a specific website. Though Google and Yahoo see links differently, Yahoo site explorer will let you know the approximate number number links needed to compete.
Marketing Analysis.
Marketing analysis refers to competitive:
Website Design
Web design is usually done by a talented designer or is partly influenced by marketing people. The second outcome is usually simpler, but more effective in terms of usability. I personally look at competitors and borrow parts that I like. One part from one competitor, another one from another. Take the best and combine it.
Information Architecture
The architecture is an essential part of overall marketing and conversion. Proper information architecture addresses different visitors at different buying points and answers anticipated questions. More article on information architecture:
- Website and Copy Design
- Architecture for Revenues
- Website Architecture
- Website Architecture Part 4
- Answering Anticipated Questions
- Increase Website Conversion by Testing
- Online Copywriting Tips
Online Copy
Online copy is the structure of each page and its conversion effectiveness. Though you cannot measure it (on competitor sites), good copy shines bright and is easy to spot. It can be 500 words or it can span well over 30 pages, depending on industry. For example - a website marketing services to high level execs would rarely have a long copy, but focus on various pages with short bursts full of benefits. Whereby copy for savvy online bloggers might be 20 pages and have all necessary info crammed into one article. To find out more about writing an online copy, check our Online Copywriting Tips article.
Similar Industry Websites Analysis
By looking at closely related industries you compare internal marketing efforts outside of the enclosed box limited by your perception and competition. Similar or completely unrelated websites can sparkle new ideas, as their approach might very well work for your website.
