How to Conduct Competitive Research for Your E-commerce Brand
- Jasmine Mitchell
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Knowing your competitors is key to standing out in the crowded e-commerce space. At Ecomspaces, we teach founders that competitive research isn’t about copying—it’s about understanding what’s working, where opportunities lie, and how you can position your brand uniquely. Here’s your guide to conducting competitive research that informs smarter decisions and drives your business forward.
1. Identify Your Top Competitors
Start by finding brands that target the same audience or sell similar products:
Direct Competitors: They sell the same products to the same audience.
Indirect Competitors: They offer alternatives that solve the same problem.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Google search, social media, and marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy to discover competitors.
2. Analyze Their Websites and Online Presence
Look beyond aesthetics—evaluate the user experience:
Homepages: What’s their main message and value proposition?
Product Pages: How do they showcase benefits, features, and reviews?
Check-out Process: Is it simple and seamless?
Social Proof: Are they leveraging testimonials and influencer marketing?
In Action: If a competitor offers a streamlined checkout while yours feels clunky, you’ve found an opportunity to improve.
3. Evaluate Their Content and Messaging
Pay attention to how they engage their audience:
Social Media: What platforms do they use most effectively?
Blog Posts: Are they educating their audience with valuable content?
Emails: How do they nurture their customers?
Example: A competitor consistently using video tutorials to drive traffic may inspire you to add video demonstrations to your product pages.
4. Assess Their Pricing and Promotions
Understanding competitor pricing helps you position your offers effectively:
What’s their average price point?
Do they offer bundles or subscriptions?
What types of discounts or loyalty programs do they run?
Pro Insight: If competitors are running frequent sales but have poor reviews on service, you could win customers by highlighting exceptional support instead of racing to the bottom on price.
5. Identify Gaps and Opportunities
The most valuable part of competitive research is spotting what’s missing:
Are they ignoring a specific customer segment?
Do they have weak reviews for a feature you could improve?
Is their content failing to address certain customer pain points?
Example: If competitors have poor customer service reviews, you could highlight your live chat support and fast response times.
🚀 Take Action Now: Download our Ecomspaces Brand Strategy Checklist to help you document your competitive research and build a strategy that sets you apart.
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