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  • Jefferey Barringer
  • digitalstrategyguide
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  • #5

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Opened Aug 05, 2025 by Jefferey Barringer@jeffereybarrin
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Why Competitor Analysis Changed My Business

Through detailed analysis for a shopping business, we identified that communications received between evening hours significantly exceeded those sent during typical working periods, generating substantially higher readership.

Last week, a company director complained that his online presence was costing considerable sums of riyals with disappointing results. After analyzing his approach, I identified numerous fundamental problems that are remarkably frequent among Saudi businesses.

I dedicate at least two hours each Monday analyzing our competitors':

  • Digital organization and user experience
  • Content strategy and content calendar
  • Digital channels activity
  • Customer reviews and evaluations
  • Search strategy and rankings

I advise categorizing competitors as:

  • Main competitors (offering very similar solutions)
  • Peripheral competitors (with partial overlap)
  • Emerging threats (new businesses with game-changing capabilities)

A few weeks ago, my friend's web-based business was hardly visible in comparing search optimization services results despite offering excellent products. After implementing the methods I'm about to reveal, his unpaid visitors increased by 164% in just eight weeks.

I use a basic spreadsheet to record our competition's pricing adjustments weekly. This has already allowed us to:

  • Discover periodic promotion cycles
  • Detect product bundling approaches
  • Understand their value positioning

Begin by identifying ALL your rivals – not just the major ones. During our investigation, we found that our largest competitor wasn't the established brand we were watching, but a recent startup with an innovative strategy.

After considerable time of mediocre performance despite significant advertising spending, their enhanced messaging methodology created a two hundred seventy-six percent growth in interaction and a 143% boost in conversion.

I currently utilize several resources that have substantially enhanced our competitive research:

  • SEO tools to monitor rivals' SEO strategies
  • Mention tracking tools to monitor competitors' digital footprint
  • Site monitoring tools to track modifications to their websites
  • Communication monitoring to get their promotional messages

For a high-end accommodation business, we created a messaging approach with meticulous care with Arabic language refinements. This approach increased their engagement rates by one hundred eighty-seven percent.

Not long ago, I witnessed as three similar businesses poured resources into developing their operations on a specific social media platform. Their attempts were unsuccessful as the platform appeared to be a mismatch for our market.

Essential components:

  • Classical vs. colloquial arabic user experience design usage
  • Regional accent distinctions suitable for the target audience
  • Honorifics employment representing proper respect
  • Spiritual references employed with awareness
  • Expressions that resonate with Saudi society

When I launched my e-commerce business three years ago, I was sure that our distinctive products would stand out naturally. I ignored competitive research as unnecessary – a mistake that nearly ruined my entire venture.

Key channel insights:

  • Chat platforms as primary communication channels for client support
  • Snapchat working extremely effectively for specific segments
  • Video platforms viewing at notably increased levels than global norms
  • Short-form substantial effect on social conversation
  • Visual platforms notably successful for aspirational brands

Essential graphic components to assess:

  • Suitable representation of individuals acknowledging social expectations
  • Shade selections with awareness of traditional meaning
  • Structures and landscapes that connect with Saudi culture
  • Focus on specifics that demonstrate regional awareness
  • Cultural motifs integrated appropriately

Essential delivery findings:

  • Post-prayer times offering interaction possibilities
  • Late evening activity peaks substantially greater than international averages
  • Friday-Saturday behaviors distinctly different from business hour interaction
  • Temporal shifts during cultural events requiring specialized approaches
  • Educational timetable influences on particular audiences
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Reference: jeffereybarrin/digitalstrategyguide#5