A group of colleagues enjoying a foosball game in an office setting, showcasing team bonding and a joyful atmosphere.

Stand Out and Win: Your Ultimate Guide to Beating the Competition

Standing out in a crowded market is no easy feat. But what if your business could be the one that customers can’t ignore? Competitive positioning is the key to making that happen. It’s about defining what sets you apart and why you’re the best choice.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a strategy that truly showcases what makes your business special, helping you stay ahead of the competition. Together, we’ll explore the steps that can advance your business and keep you at the forefront of your industry.

What is Competitive Positioning in Marketing?

Compartive analysis infographic
Competitive positioning is the art of making your business truly stand out in a crowded market by focusing on what makes you unique and valuable to your customers. It’s about understanding the landscape, knowing your competitors inside and out, and clearly defining why your products or services are the best choice for your audience.
A strong competitive positioning strategy helps your business in several ways:

Steps to Develop a Competitive Positioning Strategy

Follow these steps to build a strategy that makes your business stand out and keeps you ahead of the competition.

Step 1: Identify Your Goals

Team members engaged in strategic planning over a goal-setting chart.
The first step in developing a competitive positioning strategy is to define your short-term and long-term objectives. Are you looking to launch a new product, expand into new markets, or improve customer satisfaction? Clearly outlining these goals will help shape your strategy and make sure it aligns with your overall business vision.
For example, if your goal is to expand into a new market, your competitive positioning strategy should focus on understanding the market dynamics, identifying key competitors, and determining how your offerings can meet the unique needs of that market.

Step 2: Study Your Competitors

A businessperson examines two human figures on a seesaw with a magnifying glass, symbolizing scrutiny or evaluation.
Conducting detailed market research is crucial to understanding your competitors. This involves identifying both direct and indirect competitors and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. Direct competitors offer similar products or services to the same target market, while indirect competitors provide alternative solutions that fulfill the same customer needs.
To get a complete picture, try using tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs. These platforms offer valuable insights into your competitors’ keywords, backlinks, and website performance. Plus, by looking at their customer reviews, market share, pricing, and marketing strategies, you can better understand where they stand in the market.

Step 3: Create a Competitor Overview

Close-up of financial analysis with a bar graph and detailed data table.
Once you have identified your key competitors, create detailed profiles for each one. This overview should include information such as:

Creating a detailed competitor overview helps you see the bigger picture and spot opportunities where your business can gain a competitive edge.

Step 4: Conduct Market Research

Professionals review a market share graph in a business meeting.
Market research is the backbone of any competitive positioning strategy. It involves collecting information about your target market, understanding customer needs, and identifying industry trends. There are two main types of market research: primary and secondary.
Blending primary and secondary research gives you a well-rounded understanding of the market and helps you spot opportunities to stand out.

Step 5: Compare Product Features

Comparison table for three products, highlighting different factors where product a excels in factor 1, product b in factor 3, and product c in factor 2.
A critical component of competitive positioning is understanding how your products or services compare to those of your competitors. Create a feature comparison matrix that highlights the key attributes of your product alongside those of your competitors. Focus on aspects such as:

This comparison helps you identify areas where your product excels and areas that may need improvement.

Step 6: Analyze Marketing Strategies

Hands collaboratively pointing at key digital marketing concepts on paper, indicating a strategic planning session.
Understanding your competitors’ marketing strategies can provide valuable insights into how they attract and retain customers. Analyze various aspects of their marketing efforts, including:

By looking at how your marketing compares to your competitors, you can see what’s working and where you might improve. Our Marketing Analytics service at Analyze Right helps you understand these details, so you can adjust your approach and stay ahead of the competition.

Step 7: Conduct a SWOT Analysis

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats analysis written note.
A SWOT analysis is an essential tool for understanding your company’s competitive position. It helps you pinpoint your internal strengths and weaknesses, along with external opportunities and threats. Here’s how to carry out a SWOT analysis:

Visualize your SWOT analysis using a matrix to provide a clear snapshot of your competitive position. Use the insights from this analysis to inform your strategic decisions and prioritize initiatives.

Step 8: Use Perceptual Maps

Perceptual map comparing brands based on "naturalness" and "deliciousness.
Perceptual maps, also known as positioning maps, are visual tools that help you understand how your brand is perceived relative to competitors. These maps plot your brand and competitors on a graph based on key attributes, such as price, quality, or customer satisfaction.

To create a perceptual map:

Perceptual maps provide a visual representation of your competitive position and help you identify strategic opportunities.

Step 9: Find Your Niche

A group of people looking at a computer screen displaying a photo gallery.
Identifying and targeting a specific market niche can give your business a competitive edge. A niche market is a subset of a larger market with unique needs or preferences. By focusing on this segment, you can customize your offerings and marketing messages to meet their specific requirements.
To find your niche:

Focusing on a niche market allows you to position your business as a leader in that segment, improving your competitive position.

Step 10: Develop a Timeline

A gantt chart used for project management with a metallic pen pointing to specific details.
Implementing a competitive positioning strategy requires careful planning and execution. Developing a timeline keeps you on track and aligns your team. Here’s how to create an effective timeline:

A well-structured timeline keeps your strategy on track and ensures timely execution.

Example of a Competitive Marketing Position Report

Business professionals analyzing a summary report with charts and data.
Creating a detailed competitive marketing position report requires in-depth analysis and strategic planning. Here’s a practical example for a coffee brand to illustrate the process:

Brews & Beans’ Competitive Marketing Position Report

Product Comparison:

SWOT Analysis:

Perceptual Map:

Strategic Recommendations:

Implementation Plan:

Why Regularly Update Your Competitive Analysis?

Colleagues discussing charts and graphs
In today’s fast-paced market, staying still is not an option. To keep your business ahead of the curve, it’s essential to regularly refresh your competitive analysis. By staying on top of new trends, emerging competitors, and changing customer preferences, you can adapt your strategy to keep your competitive edge sharp.

Key Actions for Regular Updates:

Regular updates to your competitive analysis are like a heartbeat for your strategy, keeping it alive, relevant, and ready to take on whatever comes next.

Conclusion

In a busy market, standing out is what sets you apart. By understanding your competition, focusing on what makes you unique, and adjusting your approach, you can become your customers’ first choice.

At Analyze Right, we’re here to help. With our market insights and personalized strategies, we’ll support your business in finding its strength and succeeding, no matter the competition.

Table of Contents

Facing Data Challenges?
Overcome with Our Expertise