Are you struggling to keep pace with your online competitors? Boosting app user experience is crucial to driving success in today's digital landscape. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process to help you uncover and analyze your online competitors on Google platforms.
Real-Life vs. Online Competitors
You may have a good understanding of who your offline competitors are, but it's essential to know who your online competitors are – particularly those dominating the search engines. The competitors you're familiar with organically might not be ranking top for relevant keywords. It's time to shift your focus to identifying online competition.
Why Online Competitors Matter
Ignoring online competitors can lead to falling behind the curve in your industry. A thorough competitor analysis ensures you're keeping pace with the best keywords, platforms, and trends to boost online traffic. Failing to do so can result in being miles behind your online competition.
Finding Your Online Competitors
To uncover your online competitors, put yourself in your customers' shoes. Navigate Google's search results and take note of which online competitors you come across. This will give you a clear understanding of who's vying for attention in your niche.
Google My Business Competitor Analysis
Identifying Google My Business Competitors
When searching for local website competitors, omit the city to find your Google My Business (GMB) competition. Perform a search using the service you offer, and if Google thinks it requires local business information, they'll display a map along with the top three map results (the "map pack"). Use this as an indicator of your local competition.
Analyzing GMB Competitors
Once you've identified your competitors, dive in to see what they're doing with their GMB listing. This will help you optimize your own listing's search presence.
#### Categories
Use categories to understand what types of services your competitors offer. Google has over 300+ categories to choose from. Perform customer mock searches ahead of time to check the map results and note down the categories that appear.
#### Posts
Take a look at your competitors' posts on GMB. This will give you inspiration for creating engaging content that keeps customers informed. If they're not posting, seize this opportunity to get ahead.
#### Q&As
Encourage prospects by responding to questions about your business. Check out your competitors' listings for ideas and inspiration.
#### Reviews
Reviews are a crucial ranking factor. Identify the number of reviews your competitors have and aim to match or surpass them. Reach out to happy clients and ask for feedback on your Google listing.
#### Responding to Reviews
When you receive a review, be sure to respond, thanking the reviewer for their comments. This shows customers that you value their input. Even with negative reviews, respond promptly to address any issues and offer a wider context to other readers.
What Citations Have They Built?
Citation building is essential for establishing your business's online presence. Identify which directories your competitors have listed on and aim to match or surpass them by adding consistent details across various platforms.