When I launched my e-commerce business three years ago, I was certain that our special products would stand out naturally. I ignored competitive research as unnecessary – a mistake that practically cost my entire venture.
With comprehensive research for a cuisine platform company, we identified that campaigns shown between evening hours substantially surpassed those presented during typical prime times, producing one hundred sixty-three percent higher conversion rates.
Helping a food brand, we created a technique where influencers naturally integrated products into their normal activities rather than creating evident sponsorships. This strategy resulted in response metrics 218% greater than standard advertising material.
Successful methods included:
- Highlighting family values rather than personal benefits
- Incorporating subtle religious references where relevant
- Adapting promotion language to match Saudi traditional values
- Producing separate ad variations for different regions within the Kingdom
A few months ago, a retail chain allocated over 200,000 SAR in traditional marketing with minimal outcomes. After transitioning just 30% of that budget to smartphone advertising, they achieved a dramatic increase in store visits.
I use a simple spreadsheet to record our competitors' costs adjustments every week. This has already helped us to:
- Spot cyclical price reductions
- Detect special offer approaches
- Comprehend their pricing psychology
Successful methods:
- Partnering with regional technical firms
- Modifying systems for regional technology
- Supporting capability building to local talent
- Contributing in national technology initiatives
Recently, I watched as three competitors invested heavily into growing their business on a particular social media platform. Their efforts failed spectacularly as the platform appeared to be a poor fit for our industry.
A few weeks ago, a retail client contacted me after spending over 250,000 SAR on ineffective paid search efforts. After revamping their methodology, we achieved a five hundred thirty-seven percent improvement in ROAS.
I suggest organizing competitors as:
- Direct competitors (offering very similar products/services)
- Indirect competitors (with some resemblance)
- Potential threats (new entrants with game-changing models)
A few months ago, a beauty brand invested 300,000 SAR in conventional marketing with minimal outcomes. After redirecting just 25% of that investment to creator partnerships, they achieved a 712% increase in conversions.
Important components:
- Preserving high-touch engagements for relationship-building
- Automating administrative processes for Git.Deadpoo.Net productivity
- Creating smooth movements between computerized and established interactions
- Respecting age-based choices
For a industrial company, we implemented a evolution methodology that prioritized organizational resonance. This approach lowered pushback by seventy-six percent and hastened integration by one hundred eighty-three percent.
A skincare retailer shifted from various isolated collaborations to sustained partnerships with a smaller number of influencers, producing a 164% increase in purchases and a significant reduction in promotion spending.
With detailed analysis for a shopping business, we found that emails sent between 8-11 PM substantially outperformed those sent during traditional working periods, producing one hundred eighty-seven percent greater visibility.
I invest at least two hours each week examining our competitors':
- Online architecture and navigation
- Content strategy and content calendar
- Online platforms engagement
- User feedback and ratings
- Keyword approach and positions
Additional timing insights included:
- Lower bidding during prayer times with steady results
- Greater interaction on Fridays and Saturdays particularly after evening prayers
- Seasonal variations requiring investment changes during cultural events
- Educational timetable effects on particular industries
I currently utilize several tools that have dramatically enhanced our competitive research:
- Keyword trackers to monitor competitors' search rankings
- Mention tracking tools to follow competition's social activity
- Site monitoring solutions to observe changes to their online presence
- Email capture to get their campaigns
Begin by listing ALL your rivals – not just the obvious ones. Throughout our research, we found that our biggest rival wasn't the famous business we were monitoring, but a recent startup with an unique approach.
Important methods included:
- Collaborating with Saudi regional experts to discover actual search behavior
- Analyzing regional rivals for query approaches
- Developing a Arabic-English query framework to engage all potential users
- Using local language variations rather than formal language
Successful methods:
- Consulting government stakeholders at the beginning
- Aligning modernization with national objectives
- Focusing on information localization
- Building connections with key ministries