4 Ways to Top Competitors' Inbound Marketing Strategies

3 min read
Mar 18, 2015 3:27:02 PM

Of course you respect your competitors and think what they’re doing is great, but let’s be real – you want to win. So, what are the best ways to observe how your competitors are using inbound marketing and crush them by doing it better? Here, we’ll discuss 4 key ways to analyze and top your rivals' inbound marketing strategies. 

  1. Analyze Competitor’s Website
 You should answer the following list of questions in order to become more in tune with what the targeted audience expects and what unique ideas they haven’t been introduced to yet:
  • Is the site conversion focused? Has your competition included CTAs that are laser focused?
  • Do they make sense and how convincing are their arguments?
  • Are forms used to acquire lead information in exchange for valuable content?
  • Do inbound links lead back to CTAs and landing pages?
  • Does the page project features and details that encourage conversion?
    • Your content needs to provide a solution to your leads’ problems or needs, and your product should be the solution. When you provide the information required and if you make conversions exceptionally simple with effective CTAs and landing pages for your leads, they will most certainly convert without an issue.
  • Is the site mobile responsive?Is your competitors site mobile responsive?Does it look just as appealing on a mobile device as it would on a desktop?
    • In 2013, more than 37% of internet users utilized mobile devices. That’s a huge amount of potential leads just waiting to be converted. More and more sites are adapting to mobile responsive designs and this has proven to be an extremely lucrative decision.
  • Is it adaptive to different devices?
  • Is the site SEO optimized?
    • With both remarkable content and SEO working hand in hand, you can build a website that ranks well on search engines and converts better with leads.
  • How is the site visually?Does the site look attractive?
    • The manner in which you present the content is just as important as the content you provide.
  • Are the color tones complementary?
  • Does the site have a uniquely designed template?
  • Is it focused around brand promotion?
  • Does it contain interactive features and pop ups?
  • Is it easy to navigate?
    • An overcrowded design can be detrimental to a business. A sidebar packed with unnecessary widgets will distract leads from the CTAs, a color palette choice that doesn’t blend into the design scares away leads, and a poorly designed site will destroy your reputation as a professional online business.
  1. Analyze Their Content Strategy and Quality
Without a doubt, content is the foundation for a well-built business website. If you have any plans of destroying the competition, you need to analyze their content strategy in-depth. Ask yourself:
  • When do they publish content and how often is it published?
    • Understanding your competitor’s content schedule equips you with enough knowledge to set up a content schedule that is superior and much more anticipated by audiences compared to your competitors.
  • What form of content is being posted and what’s the standard length?What features make such content popular?
    • The type of content you present to the audience you desire needs to be the best form of information. Visit different pages and observe the social engagement. Which has the highest amount of engagement and interaction? Identify the form of content that works and design a content plan that utilizes this insight. 

By answering these questions, you not only discover what audiences like to read but just how qualitative such content is and how this impacts acceptance from an audience.  

  1. Analyze Their SEO
Implement smarter SEO strategies. If you find the positive and negative aspects of your competitors’ SEO efforts, you create the opportunity to outrank them. Keep your eye on:
  • Title and description
  • Keyword frequency
  • Meta keywords
  • Inbound and external linking
  • Images and videos

No matter what niche you find yourself in, the kind of leads you want or the ranking you desire, without proper SEO techniques, you’re leaving the fate of your website to chance.  

  1. Analyze Their Lead Generation Efforts
 You can do this by getting a clear idea of:
  • How many landing pages are visible on their site?
  • How effective is their message?
  • How effectively placed are their CTAs?
  • Who is the targeted persona and is content presented specifically for them?

Dive into the structure of your competitors’ strategies. Establish triggers that work and those that don’t, develop techniques that outshine your competitors, and then will you have a plan that is achievable. Planning is a huge contributing factor to succeeding online. If you know whom you’re up against and how to beat them, making a bang online will be just a step away.

If you're unsure if you have the time for inbound marketing but you know you need it, think about hiring an agency!

What to consider when choosing an inbound marketing agency

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