Semalt Guide: How To Outsmart Your Competitors In E-Commerce Business

23.05.2018

Semalt Guide: How To Outsmart Your
Competitors In E-Commerce Business

As an eCommerce retailer, you should be keeping tabs on the competition. Why? First, it helps you to grasp the
dynamics of the market. Secondly, you're better aware about things when it comes to creating marketing campaigns
and of course, it helps you to differentiate your business from competitors' businesses.

With this in mind, Jason Adler, the expert of Semalt Digital Services, gives the tips on how to track your competitive
position.

Start with SEO

Organize a team to monitor SEO tactics that you competitors are using. Find out the number of back links they have
plus learn which websites they link up to. Once you've obtained this data, approach the websites your rivals link to
and see if you can channel that traf c from them to your store.

Take this example. Whenever I'm looking for the links for our clients, I identify clients' competitors using Semalt
Analyzer. It uses 'Open Site Explorer' to compile all websites they (competitors) link to. After collecting this vital
data, I research to request back links and everything else needed to implement the plan.

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23.05.2018

Watch competitors' social media

You should also watch your competitors on social media to
identify their content management strategy. There's an amazing
application called FollowerWonk which allows you to check who's
following them on Twitter and how your own page measures up
against them. Believe it or not, FollowerWonk can even tell you
who's following you, your rival and even those following both of
you. If you notice a particular individual following you and your
competitor, then there is a chance he or she is interested in your
market and that's somebody who is worth connecting with.

Another web application, Buzzmo allows you to identify the most
shared content (photos, videos or blogs) on your competitor's social media pages. Use this data to brainstorm on
fresh ideas for your own social media pages.

Consider user experience

Pretend that you are a user going through your competitor's website by actually visiting it. Identify an item on
catalogue, add it to your cart and proceed to check out. How easy was that? Did it take long? Try the same with
submitting complaints/inquiries and check if your website surpasses these services or not. You can also check out
what clients have to say about your businesses. Trustpilot platform should help you do this comfortably.

Mind sales and marketing

Pay attention to sales and marketing efforts of your rivals to
distinguish your own practices. The rst approach could be
subscribing to their newsletters to get the latest offers and
promos. Another approach could be creating a private Twitter
list for competitors or Google Alerts to be in the loop of all the
updates. This works in real time.

Although most comparisons can be made online, there are some cases in which it can be done of ine. For instance, if
you're invited to a trade show or conference, ask any random person attending the event of their views on your
services. What do they have to say about your competition? Use this info as well as your own observations to
improvise.

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