Idea3 min read
Researching competitors and alternatives
Every idea has competition, even if it's a spreadsheet or doing nothing.
If you think you have no competition, look again. Customers always have an alternative: another company, a free tool, a DIY workaround, or simply living with the problem.
How to research
- Search the way your customer would, and note the first 10 results.
- Read reviews of competitors (especially 2- and 3-star reviews) to find unmet needs.
- Look at pricing pages to see the range customers already accept.
- Ask customers what they use now and what they dislike about it.
Make a simple comparison
List 3–5 alternatives with their price, who they serve, strengths, and weaknesses. Your opportunity is usually in a gap: a customer they ignore, a feature they do badly, a price point they skip, or better service.
Competition is a good sign: it proves people pay to solve the problem.