7 Smart Steps to Do Competitive Analysis in Digital Marketing

Want to get better at digital marketing? Don’t just guess what’s working. Look around. Study your competitors. Learn what they’re doing — and do it better.

If you’re taking digital marketing classes in Nagpur, you’ve probably heard the term “competitive analysis” tossed around a lot. It’s not just a fancy phrase. It’s a solid strategy that can show you what to improve, where to focus, and how to grow smarter.

I’ve broken it down into simple, practical steps. These are steps I’ve used. They’re not complicated, but they do take a bit of time and some honest curiosity.

Let’s dive in.

What Is Competitive Analysis in Digital Marketing?

It’s basically spying. Ethically, of course.

You look at your competitors — not just to see what they’re doing, but to understand why it works (or doesn’t). You learn from their wins and their mistakes. Then you apply those insights to your own digital marketing.

Whether you’re running a blog, an agency, or learning the ropes through digital marketing classes in Nagpur, this process sharpens your strategy.

Why It Matters

Here’s the thing:

You’re not alone in your niche.
Your customers have options.
The internet is noisy.

So if someone else is already doing great, wouldn’t you want to know why?

By studying them, you find:

Gaps in your own strategy
New trends before they blow up
Content ideas that actually attract clicks
Keywords you’ve been missing
Weak points in their game (that you can take advantage of)

Step 1: Identify Your Real Competitors

Start by asking: Who are you really competing with online?

Your offline competitor might not be your digital one. Someone could be ranking above you on Google without even having a physical store near you.

Here’s how to spot your top digital competitors:

Google your main keywords. See who’s ranking.
Use tools like Ubersuggest or SEMrush.
Look at who’s running ads in your niche.
Check who’s active on the same social platforms as you.

Make a list of 5–10 competitors. Keep it lean. Too many, and you’ll just get overwhelmed.

Step 2: Study Their Website

A lot of clues live right on their website. Take your time and really look around.

Ask yourself:

What’s their main message?
Who are they targeting?
How’s their site speed and user experience?
What kind of content do they publish?
Do they have lead magnets (ebooks, webinars, etc.)?
Is it easy to navigate?

Note what’s good. Note what’s bad. And don’t assume they’re doing everything right. Trust your gut here, too.

Step 3: Break Down Their SEO Strategy

This part’s fun (and a little addictive).

Use a free tool like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs (you can use the free version) to check:

What keywords do they rank for
Which pages bring in the most traffic
What backlinks do they have
How their meta titles and descriptions are written

Some things to look for:

Are they targeting long-tail keywords?
Do they optimize for local search?
Are they ranking for keywords related to digital marketing classes in Nagpur or similar terms?

When you spot a keyword gap — one they rank for but you don’t — add it to your plan.

Step 4: Scan Their Content Strategy

This is a goldmine.

You’ll get content ideas, tone of voice inspiration, and even insight into what their audience cares about.

Check:

Blog frequency — how often do they post?
Blog format — short posts, long-form, how-to guides?
Visuals — do they use infographics, videos, carousels?
Comments — is anyone engaging?

Bonus tip: Filter their blog by “most popular” or check social shares. That shows you what actually connects with their readers.

Also, notice which platforms they’re using. Maybe they get more love on Instagram while you’re still stuck on Facebook.

Step 5: Watch Their Social Media Moves

Social media isn’t just about posting — it’s about building a community. Some brands are good at it. Some just post and ghost.

Here’s how to study your competitors:

What platforms are they most active on?
What type of posts get the most likes, shares, or comments?
Do they reply to DMs and comments?
Are they collaborating with influencers?
How’s their tone — professional, casual, fun, serious?

Try this too: follow them for a week or two. Turn on notifications. Just observe.

You’ll learn a lot just by watching how they talk to their audience.

Step 6: Sign Up for Their Stuff

This one’s underrated.

Subscribe to their email list. Download their free guides. Join their webinars. Even try out a free trial if they offer one.

Pay attention to:

How do they onboard new users
What kind of follow-up emails do they send?
How often do they reach out
What kind of language and offers do they use?

If you’re learning from digital marketing classes in Nagpur, you’ve likely been told about the power of email funnels. This is your chance to see it in action.

Step 7: Analyze Their Paid Ads (Without Spending a Rupee)

Yep, you can see their ads — for free.

Just go to the Facebook Ad Library or search for your niche on Google. You’ll see who’s running what kind of ads.

What to look for:

Ad headlines — are they click-worthy?
Copy — are they short and punchy or long and detailed?
Offers — discounts, free trials, limited-time deals?
Visuals — clean and branded or raw and real?

Try comparing two to three brands. You’ll start seeing patterns.

And hey, once you know what works, you can test similar strategies for your own business or project.

Final Thoughts

Doing a proper competitive analysis isn’t about being sneaky. It’s about being smart.

If you’re serious about learning digital marketing — whether you’re running your own thing or joining one of the digital marketing classes in Nagpur — this is a habit worth building.

Because once you know what’s working for others, you stop wasting time on guesses.

And you start focusing on what actually gets results.

So pick one competitor today. Start digging. Take notes. Be curious. You’ll be surprised how much it helps.

Tags: digital marketing digital marketing classes